Motorsport News Issue 280 - April 7-20, 2004

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DEL WEST Austral/an Distributor

news

issue 280

7 — 20 April 2004

news and opinion 4

Josh da Boss Hunt to take on the Atlantics - and Champs!

6

PD is very appealing Why Dumbrell got his points back 8 1 vron! No, it’s Al. it’s coming here and it looks good 9 Boom Time More pics of McLarens blowing up 14 Vauxhall’s Monaro? What next, you cads? Holden A30s?

25 Motor Mouth Mr Ed gets into the PC crowd

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26 Box Seat Saward of Arabia 82 Talk Converter Please send them Easter cards with cute little bunnies on them

features 28 Five Minutes With Troy Hunt Australia’s next Champ Car driver has a chat 30 Five Minutes With Chris Atkinson The Gold Coast lad done brilliant in Perth 32 The Fuil Brazilian Triple 8’s Max Wilson on Ford teams, past and present 36 You bend ’em, we mend ’em GRM worked hard and took two VYs to Sydney 40 Middle Eastern View Why Bahrain represents a new age for Formula One

coverage

44 Quick Rick’s Slick Creek Trick It rained, it stopped and then it rained again.

Throught it all. The Rickster came home with a (very) wet sail 52 Red Ships in the Desert Ferraris dominate front row, Ferraris dominate race. It was cooler on race day and the McLarens blow up. It all sounds so familiar 60 Those Creeking FFs Three winners, dry and wet. It was one of those weekends 61 Great Carrera Movie Richo. Davo and Rtzo?

mm

regulars National Scene

75

Marketplace 3

China off until 2005

by MARK GLENDENNING

AVESCO Chairman Tony Cochrane has confirmed that China will get a chance to sample V8 Supercars- next year.

Cochrane ended months of speculation last weekend by confirming that the series will not be travelling to Shanghai in November as had been scheduled, and announced a new date for the Championship's Asian debut of 3-5 Jime,2005.

AVESCO has reached an agreement with Shanghai promoter The Greenland Group to stage a race at the Shanghai circuit each year for the next five years, with an option to extend the contract further down the track.

"We have made the pragmatic decision to postpone going to China from this year to early next year," Cochrane said.

"In this business you sometimes have to make a difficult decision, and I think on this occasion I'm prepared to make that decision. What has to come first and foremost is how our teams are going to be looked after, and as the first substantial flyaway, we wanted to make sure that there were going to be no problems for our teams."

According to Cochrane,the decision was made to allow the promoters time

to ensure that the logistical aspects of hosting the event could be accommodated to a satisfactory standard.

"The SIC (Shanghai International Circuit) are now heavily involved with the running of our championship up there, where they weren't with the original promoter," Cochrane explained,"and the SIC have made it clear that it will be very difficult to turn around their operation after

"We wanted to make sure that there were going to be no problems for our teams" -AVESCO’s Tony Cochrane Formula One. And quite rightly, all their efforts are in getting organised for the FI race in mid-September.

"A second issue (is that) when that date was planned, the circuit was going to be finished by February, with ample time for testing. That's all now been set back.

"And the November date is not particularly good in terms of weather.

Initially we were concerned about that, but now that we've talked more and

more with the Chinese Auto Federation and SIC, the more nervous we are about a mid-November date

than perhaps we were six or eight months ago. So that certainly influenced the decision process enormously."

Despite an earlier affirmation that any replacement for Shanghai would be announced immediately,Cochrane said last weekend that the location for round 12 was yet to be confirmed,but that he hoped to be able to announce the venue within the next couple of weeks.

In a departure from previous assertions that any replacement round for China would be held in Australia, Cochrane said that a New Zealand circuit was one of three locations due to be considered by the AVESCO board yesterday (Tuesday). Phillip Island was confirmed as one of the contenders and, while Cochrane was unwilling to disclose the third possibility, Motorsport News sources suggest that a move back to Symmons Plains could be on the cards.

Meanwhile, Cochrane also reiterated his commitment to further global expansion of the V8 Supercar Championship,identifying Singapore and Dubai as the two most realistic possibilities for future events.

n

Hunt's

Teenager set

JOSH Hunt can scarcely believe it but he is going to be Australia's next Champ Car driver.

The 18-year-old from the Gold Coast left tire country yesterday, bound for a season in Formula Toyota Atlantic. He will also race a Champ Car in this year's Lexmark Indy 300 at Surfers Paradise on October 21-24.

Confirmation of the deal was made

by Queensland Premier Peter Beattie on the Gold Coast on Monday.

"This is one of the biggest announcements we have ever made on the Lexmark Indy 300," said Mr Beattie.

Tivo bidders for NZ V8s

AVESCO's moves for a new round in New Zealand have taken a step closer to becoming realised, with Tony Cochrane confirming that the bidding process is entering its final stage.

"We have got two cities that have reached the final bidding stage for our new round in New Zealand," Cochrane announced over the weekend.

"They are Auckland, which is a street race proposal down near the Viaduct. That has been put together in a joint bid by the Auckland City Council and the promoter, IMG. "And we have a bid from the combined Manuatu and Palmerston Council for a $10.5m upgrade of the Manfeild track.

"Wellington have pulled out. After their visit to Adelaide, they have decided that the 4

Championship is now far too big, and that they wouldn't be able to cope with the major changes that would be required to their city to be able to host 32 cars."

According to Cochrane, extending the current contract with Pukekohe is not an option "Under no circumstances will we go back to Pukekohe," he declared.

"We have far outgrown it, it is substandard to our needs, and as soon as our current contract ends we will be going to one of these two new venues.

Cochrane said that he expects the board's decision regarding the new NZ venue will be announced to coincide with the round at Pukekohe in three weeks.

- MARK GLENDENNING

"A young Queenslander has the opportunity to further his .international motor racing career and also line up in front of hundreds of thousands of screaming fans in his home town.

"It also adds a new and exciting element to this year's Lexmark Indy 300, with a Queensland driver on the grid for everyone to support. The atmosphere will be electric."

Backing for the drives will come from Gold Coast businessman Craig Gore, whose WPS Financial Services company already backs the V8 Supercar team and Safety Car program, and Champ Car principal Kevin Kalkhoven. Hunt will race for Kalkhoven's PKV Racing team, beside regulars Jimmy Vasser and Roberto Gonzales.

"There is no doubt that this is one of the greatest opportunities I could

tnoiorsporl news

NEVirS

WPS proves its no Wally

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Champ Car chance lor FAtlantic season and Indy 300 drive! be provided/' said Hunt.

"The door has been opened for me thanks to Mr Kalkhoven and Mr Gore and I know I have to make the most of it.

"I realise I have responsibilities as a representative of Queensland and the Lexmark Indy 300 and I will be doing everything possible to fulfil those on and off the track."

Hunt will drive for the Lynx Atlantic team, which is managed by Kiwi Steve Cameron. The team has a

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There is no doubt Uiat this is one of the greatest opportunities I couid be provided" - a stunnedJosh Hunt

long history in the category and its lead driver, Canadian Michael Vahante, above,finished third in'the 2003 championship. Hunt will test the

team's Swift this weekend and again next week, prior to the opening round of the series at Long Beach on April 18.

No statements regarding the value of sponsorship were made at the annoimcement but our sources in the

USA suggest that a budget for an Atlantic season is approximately $1.5milUon, with a one-off drive in a Champ Car costing about $700,000.

See 5 Minutes with Josh Hunt, pages 28-29,for more

Just who is Josh Hunt?

JOSH Hunt started his driving career in the Junior categories of karting in 1998, but it wasn't until he progressed to Seniors that he showed his true potential.

Winning numerous state level events in the early years, Hunt served notice at just his second senior event, the 2000 Oceania Championships, where he dominated Intercontinental A until contact at the first corner of the final. The following year, ably supported by the business acumen of his dad Wayne and the superb preparation and presentation of their Energy team. Josh won the Australian ICA championship with ease then made amends at Oceania 7 tpril 2004

winning that too.

Connpeting in the European Formula A championships in 2002 (first with Energy, then Biesse) tested the Queenslanders mettle but prepared him well for further karting in the United States and the eventual move to open wheelers (FF2000) last year, blunt also forged links with the Paul Morris/Sirromet Wines team, which helped back his US campaign.

Hunt’s links with the Gold Coast Indy event have their roots in his junior karting days when, as a 15year-old in 2000, he was signed as the Junior Indy Ambassador for the 2001 Honda Indy 300.

-MARK WICKS

WPS Racing has added experienced engineer Ian 'Wally' Walburn to its staff. Walburn departed the Super Cheap team and has had his shoes filled at the Ellery team by former rally champ Murray Coote.

The WPS team has denied talk that Super Cheap's engine man, Craig Hasted, would be joining Walburn in the move.

"I've heard the speculation and I can categorically confirm that WPS Racing has no deal with Cragar," said team owner Craig Gore.

In other personnel changes, FPR chief mechanic Gary Woodward has departed the Prodrive squad, as has Tony Dumesny, younger brother of Max, who has returned to the CastrdI Perkins outfir.

■ Still no word on the second Level 2 licence for the WPS team. A keen-eye in Sydney reported that Kees Weel was seen exiting the black and silver transporter at the Creek out, with no available slot for Pukekohe, there is no chance that Mark Noske could drive in the next race anyway. A team spokesman said that nothing was resolved but, as ever, watch this space.

■ Look for a third Castrol Commodore VY about the middle of the season. Larry Perkins reports that the build for Tony Longhurst's car will commence prior to the trip abroad and that the car should be finished by June, which will have TL in the car in plenty of time for the Queensland 300.

■ Ron Tauranac is back in the Castrol fold after a short stint last year with DJR. "Ron's role in the team is what is was when he was here six or 12 months ago," says Perkins. "He is friend of mine of around 30 years standing and he comes to the races with us. I use him as a bouncing board sometimes.

He has a role with the team, the same as the other 48 guys here."

■ Australian Formula 3 Championship star Karl Reindler is packing his bags for the UK. The Western Australian, who is in his second year with BRM, has been invited to test with reigning British F3 Championship-winning team Carlin Motorsport sometime in the next couple of months.

Reindler met with Carlin team principal Trevor Carlin late last year, and received the invitation to test after his hard-fought win in Adelaide last month.

Reindler is the second driver from the current batch to have been invited to test with a British team, with Sydneysider Ian Dyk having been offered a run with Menu Motorsport later this year.

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Ellery scrapes in

STEVEN Ellery will be racing at Pukekohe, despite damaging his Super Cheap Falcon at Eastern Creek last Sunday.

Ellery's car was in the panel shop on Monday afternoon after returning to the team's Nerang base. Despite sustaining heavy damage, team principal Bruce Ellery said that the car would be ready for qualifying for the NZ race on April 30.

"Lots of things look worse than they are but it is fixable," said Ellery Sr. "The chassis rails are bent and they will have to be replaced but I think that it will be all right."

Ellery will make the trip as the 32nd-placed driver in the V8 Supercar Championship Series, despite the fact that he has not scored a point this season. Ellery sits ahead of David Krause, Phillip Scifleet, David Thexton and Terry Wyhoon on the points table after qualifying for both rounds of the series held so far.

Only 32 cars will make the trip to NZ. - PHIL BRANAGAN

yoong eyes junior V8s

FORMER Minardi Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong is on the prowl for a Konica Minolta V8 drive in the latter part of this season.

Yoong hopes to secure a ride in the V8 feeder series for the Eastern Creek, Queensland Raceway and Mallala rounds to gather experience in Australia's home-grown tin-top category.

‘Td really like to get a drive in Australia,” said the Malaysian, who was at the Eastern Creek V8 round on the weekend.

"The Konica series is tough and the experience I would gain there would hopefully put me in shape for an endurance drive at Sandown and Bathurst."

At this early stage, Yoong and his management have no preference between Ford or Holden.

Yoong was close to securing a Champ Car ride for this season, but late sponsorship problems have forced Yoong to look Down Under for a drive.

- GRANT ROWLEY 6

/ -

A hot lap with Allan Moffat or Peter Brock in an exquisite Historic Falcon or Monaro!

See page 71 for details

reiANTE)

V.MODEL CARSy

by AARON NOONAN CASTROL Perkins driver Paul Dumbrell has successfully appealed against the $10,000 fine and loss of 75 championship points from the turn eight incident in race two of the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.

Heard by the V8 Supercar National Court of Appeal on March 25, the Court of Appeal adjudged that the Stewards had overlooked evidence and overturned the breach of rule B6.7.2 for careless driving, putting DumbreE back into seventh overaE for the opening round of the championship.

The case virtuaUy came down to ■ the fact that the Perkins team was able to prove its driver was past the B-piEar of Cameron McConvEle's Valvoline Holden and thus, 'owned'

the comer.

Rule 2.1 of the Code of Driving Conduct says "a car that is caught up on a straight by a car that is either temporarily or consistently faster is to give the faster car the right of way by pulling over."

Vision from the in-car camera from McConville's car wasn't available to the Stewards at the time of the initial hearing, which was held on the Sunday evening of the Clipsal 500.

Engineering drawings based on the position and angle of the on-board TEGA camera in DumbreU's Castrol #8 machine (re-printed exclusively here in MNews courtesy of Perkins Engineering), show that DumbreU was clearly past the B-pUlar of McConville's car into turn eight, which may not have initially seemed the case at race speed

me overtupned

EXCLUSIVE EVIDENCE FROM APPEAL! PerktnS' lORURHJM)

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\/ \ Da da: 1 Here it is, the engineering drawing produced by IP's men that illustrated the point that Dumbrell had been in front of McConville's B-pillar and it was in fact his corner. And not to mention that the 70 degree camera lens distorted the position of the cars. on television screens.

The Court of Appeal adjudged that DumbreU was entitled to expect that, "having passed the B-pillar, that McConville would give way. When he didn't, Dumbrell had to make a split second decision whether to hold his position or back off. Had McConviUe given way, as he was obliged to do,the accident may not have occurred."

The Court of Appeal also came to the conclusion that had Dumbrell been able to stay on the track during the passing manoeuvre and McConville's car the same,"car #33 would have gone into the wall and a similar accident would have resulted, in which case car #33 would have been in breach of the Code."

Dumbrell said that the whole process had made for a tough couple of weeks but was pleased that the decision had been overturned.

"It's good to see that though the Stewards made a mistake, at least there's a way you have an opportunity to prove your innocence," he told MNews.

"I hope that the lessons learnt out of the situation help move the sport forward in the judicial sense.

DumbreU stepped into the team's second VY Commodore on the weekend for the first time, left, switching cars with Tony Longhurst.

A faUed wiper motor spoiled his weekend and he now sits 19th in the championship.

7 Aprrf 2004

I

IMG head to head off JAMES Ashworth is to leave his positions of as general manager for the Lexmark Indy 300 and director of IMG Motorsport. Ashworth, who took over the role in March 2003, is to move his family to Sydney to complete his MBA at Macquarie University.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working on Queensland's premier event, which has been extremely challenging and rewarding," Ashworth said after tendering his resignation.

"It was a career highlight to work on last year's Lexmark Indy 300- the most successful in its 13-year history - and also to play a part in continuing the future of Champ Car racing."

Event director James O'Brien will tend to the day-to-day running of the event until the board of directors appoints a permanent successor. n Sonic Motor Racing has added a New Zealand Formula Ford Championship crown to the two Australian titles secured by the team in 2001 and 2002. Kiwi Tim Edgell, whose 2003 model Van Diemen has received assistance from team principal Michael Ritter during the season, clinched the title on the weekend at Manfeild in NZ with a win in the second race.

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LP takes camera aim LARRY Perkins has criticised the TEGA in-car camera system after his successful appeal against Paul Dumbrell's Adelaide 500

penalty.

Perkins said that he expected the case would lead to changes regarding the installation and implementation of the cameras, which were introduced late last season after extensive testing.

"I certainly hope so," said Perkins on Monday.

"TEGA spent $360,000, I am led to believe, on these cameras but they appear to have not done any form of homework over these.

Everything is more complicated than that.

"As a consequence of my successful appeal, I hope that things will happen. Look at Adelaide; McConville's camera was not working. Brad Jones' camera was not working.

Russell Ingall's camera was not working last year at Eastern Creek.

"When you mention optical distortion to the stewards, their

NEWS

view is that of the peasant when they were told that the world was round, not flat.

"I have first-hand knowledge that our chief steward does not know his own job. I am making an assumption that the chief steward should know his own rules. I may be wrong in that and I should be gracious about that if I am wrong. I cannot understand why they are allowed to keep such an important position.

"Thank God it is backed up at the appeals level. The appeals court have their rules sorted and they act very professionally."

- PHIL BRANAGAIM

B ProTecnica Racing has been working away on securing assistance to get back into GT Performance racing after Wayne Boatwright's carjunking accident at the Clipsal 500.

They've even gone as far as to push their case for assistance from Subaru Australia, which has offered help but not the degree the team has been pushing for.

"The only thing Subaru are prepared to do though, is to sell us a stolen and recovered car at a bit of a discount," said team owner Scott Anderson, "While we appreciate the offer, unfortunately it isn't enough to solve the problem so unless we can find some more sponsorship funding urgently we will definitely have to focus on running just one car (for Justin Hemmes)for the rest of the season."

B The Commodore Cup has a new series sponsor. Aftermarket brake products supplier Rotors and Drums has signed up to support the championship, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary and features the new bodyshape VR and VS Commodores in their first year of action.

Each of the category's seven rounds will be seen on Foxtel with 30-minute shows for each round, which will take in the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series rounds at Winton, Eastern Creek and Mailala as well as the Premier Racing Series events at Winton, Eastern Creek and Oran Park.

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Dixon NEW Zealander Scott Dixon impressed the BMW Williams F1 team during his first day of testing at the Paui Ricard circuit in the South of France.

The Indy Racing League Champion lapped the circuit within fourtenths of a second of regular racer Ralf Schumacher, although the day before the team's second test driver Antonio Pizzonia was a tenth faster than Schumacher's best. Dixon completed only 59 laps because his day was disrupted by a gearbox problem with the car.

Dixon reckoned that he could have gone faster and is now looking forward to a full three-day test with the team in Barcelona next month. If that is a success, Dixon will be in the running for one of the Williams-BMW seats for next season.

Dixon said that he was suffering from neck ache because he is not used to right-hand corners.

It has been nearly 25 years since there was a New Zealander in Ft, the last being Mike Thackwell, who started in 1980. Back in the 1960s, however, there were a series of top-rated Kiwi drivers, notably Bruce McLaren, Denny Huime and Chris Amon.

- JOE SAWARD

Ralf Toyol

by JOE SAWARD

OVER the past two weeks,the El rumour mill has been buzzing more loudly about a deal between Ralf Schumacher and Toyota.

Reports from Germany said that the Williams driver was set to move to the Cologne-based team for a fiveyear deal worth more than US$100 million. However,the story came from the Reuters news agency (ironically, a sponsor of the Williams team)and,since this is the source that recently quoted Schumacher's manager Willi Weber about a deal with Renault(which was strongly denied by the team),it must be viewed with some caution.

It is not clear why Toyota would have agreed to such a deal, as Schumacher is not really a man in demand.It is believed that his most recent offer from WUhams includes a pay cut of around 20 percent and, Toyota apart,few teams appear willing to take on the hot-and-cold German.

What appears to be happening is a series of media messages between Williams and Weber. The team's recent test of Scott Dixon, and its stated preference to test the Kiwi again this year, appear to be as much about sending the message that the team is prepared to look at options to replace Schumacher as a test itself.

On the other hand,Weber seems determined to let Williams know that he has options that place a high price on his driver's signature.

We believe that Ralf will join Toyota but the five-year term and the huge numbers associated with the deal might be optimistic.

A1 Grand Prix Takes Off THE A1 Grand Prix series, the brainchild of Dubai's Sheikh IVIaktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum, was unveiled two weeks ago.

"The idea is to have one car per country," said Maktoum.

"People or companies will bid for the national franchise and will then concentrate on running a profitable business with income generated by sponsorship, merchandising, prize money and local media rights.

"Al will provide the infrastructure and the cars, will handle the logistics and ensure maximum television coverage" Maktoum has identified a number of different franchises

8

around the world, including Australia, although he says that there are still seven open.

The driver and the sponsors on each car must be from the country of the franchise-holder and while the cost of a franchise will obviously depend on the bidding in each country, it is thought that these will probably average out at about US$5m, although much depends on the TV coverage which Al can organise.

The cars have been designed

by Lola and will be powered by an aluminium 3.5-litre V6 engine built by Langford Performance Engineering in Wellingborough.

- JOE SAWARD

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motorsport news

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a-Bound?

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Only if he behaves

RALF Schumacher has been reprimanded by the stewards following an incident involving BAR driver Takuma Sato during the Bahrain GP last weekend.

Schumacher was adjudged to have driven into Takuma Sato when the Japanese driver attempted to re-take fourth place during the race last weekend.

The cars made contact,sending Schumacher into a brief spin, but both were able to continue.

Ralf was later declared to be at fault for the accident on the grounds that he had not left Sato enough room. Under new rules introduced for the 2004 season, any driver who receives three reprimands over the course of the year will face a race ban.

Meanwhile, Ferrari has been fined US$10,000 following a close call involving Rubens Barrichello and Jamo Trulli in pitlane.

The Renault driver was entering his pit just as Barrichello was exiting during the first round of stops, and after viewing video evidence and hearing explanations from both teams, the stewards found that Ferrari had released the Brazilian too early,forcing Trulli to take evasive action.

m

NEWS

Slow Down!

IT is not often that you hear a racing driver say that his car is too fast- especially a Formula One driver - but Jarno Trulli has said just that.

The Renault FI star, who finished fourth in Bahrain on Sunday, has called for the speeds of the current generation of FI cars to be brought down.

"Normally, as racing drivers we are happy to go faster, but now the cars are too fast," said Trulli.

It is believed that the drivers are not the only ones concerned about the increased in speed, which is being driven largely by the Bridgestone versus Michelin tyre war.

While the FIA's new

n The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is to be resurfaced later this year. The work will only be on the oval and will take around two months to complete. The infield section of traffic used by the Formula 1 cars will be not changed but as the FI cars run for part of the lap on the oval it will be significant for the Grand Prix teams when they go back to Indianapolis in 2005. n Mecachrome has been expanding its design staff in recent months and it seems that the new designers will be creating an all-new engine for the forthcoming GP2 series, rather than relying on the old Superteo VI0 engines as had been thought. It is believed that the decision was based on the fact that teams were not keen on spending large sums of money to use old engines.

GP at Monza with the highest average speed in the history of the sport, and that after Juan Montoya has set an alltime qualifying record despite having to carry enough fuel for the first stint of the race.

●●43NE engine failure in the first three races is a nuisance. Two is a concern. Three is a crisis.

McLaren has racked up four. Maybe five.

Kimi Raikkonen was forced into retirement in Melbourne with an engine failure, lost another one during practice in Bahrain, and then blew a third spectacularly early in the race itself. (Fie also appeared to suffer engine problems in Malaysia, however the team blamed the transmission).

"At any rate, the net result is the same: the 2003 Championship runnerup is three DNFs from three starts.

And last weekend, team-mate David Coulthard compounded the team's misery by parking his MP4/19 in the dying stages of the race after his Ilmor-Mercedes lunched its pneumatic system.

Compounding the problem is the fact that the team is not only chasing reliability, it is also significantly short on horsepower when compared v/ith the powerplants that the other frontrunners have at their disposal, * ‘ Coulthard was driving around chasing minor points prior to his

Bjj^jpnfnerst from Bahrain, while Kimi's failure occurred while he was ■■Hite for 11th against the inexperienced Christian Klien in his ru^nts ahead in the llmor factory, no doubt...

1 April 2004

THE inaugural Bahrain GP was a gathering of royals from around the world, including King Juan Carlos of Spain, Britain's Prince Andrew, King Hamad of Bahrain; King Abdullah of Jordan; Prince Albert of Monaco, Prince Hans-Adam of Liechtenstein and the Sultan of Brunei. Among other VIPs present were Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Jackie Stewart, film director George Lucas, British politician Ken Clarke, Volkswagen chairman Bernd Pischetsrieder and Deputy FIA President Marco Piccinnini.

regulations, including a reduction in wing sizes and a 'one engine' policy, were expected to curb lap times this season by reducing horsepower, Michael Schumacher's pole time in last month's Malaysian Grand Prix was four seconds faster than Fernando Alonso managed 12 months earlier.

Late last season, Schumacher won the Italian

Monwntir Like These

A very royal Grand Prix

|-

n Malcolm Oastler is packing his bags and heading home to a life of farming in Australia. Jaguar Racing's Chief Engineer for the last year says he is going home to concentrate on setting up "a rural venture with his family." Oastler joined Jaguar as a consultant in 2002. Before coming to Europe in the mid 1980s Oastler was a successful Formula Ford racer in Australia. He became a mechanic with a Formula Ford team in Britain for a while and then in 1986 joined Reynard and began to work as a designer. He contributed to all the major Reynard designs, notably the successful Formula 3, Formula 3000 and CART cars and in 1998 was named as chief designer BAR. When BAR was taken over by David Richards at the end of 2001, he was dropped.

■ Jacques Villeneuve has been dragged into the government advertising and sponsorship scandal in Canada. It is alleged that large sums of government money were paid to PR agencies to reward supporters of the Liberal party and that they did not benefit Canadians. It was claimed this week that Villeneuve received US$12m in sponsorship for wearing the Canadian flag on his overalls. The allegation was made by former Olympic gold medal-winning biathlete Myriam Bedard to the Commons Public Accounts Committee. The deal has been denied by the Villeneuve camp.

- JOESAWARD 9

ten home of

[motorsport] 2004 VS Supercar Championship* May 2 ... Pukekohe ..

,Rd3

May 23 .. .Hidden Valley

.Rd4

Jun 13 ... .Barbagallo .

Jul 4 Qld Raceway

.Rd5

Jul 25

,Rd7

.Rd6

Winton

Aug 15 . , .Oran Park ..

.Rd8

Sep 12 .. .Sandown ..

.Rd9

2004 FIA Formula One Championship* .Rd4

Apr 25 ... .San Marino May 9 ... .Spain

n Rd5

May 23 ...Monte Carlo May 30 .. .Nurburgring Jun 13 ....Montreal

.Rd6 .Rd7 .Rd8

2004 World Rally Championship* Apr 16 -18 New Zealand ...

May 14-16 ....Cyprus Jun 4-6 .Acropolls Rally June 25-27 Turkey Jul 16-18 .Argentine .Finland .

Aug 6-8

.Rd4 .Rd5 .Rd6 .Rd7 .Rd8 .Rd9

2004 Australian Rally Championship* .Rd2 Jun 5-6 Queensland .Rd3 Jun 26 Tasmania July31-Aug1 ..RallySA

.Rd4

Aug 28-29 ....NSW

.Rd5

2004 Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Championship* .Rd3 Winton

Apr 18

.Rd4

May 30 .. .Eastern Creek

Jul 4

,Rd5

.Qld Raceway

Aug 22 ...Mallala Oct 10 Bathurst

.Rd6 .Non Championship

2004 Procar Series Apr 18 ... .Oran Park May 16 ...Sandown

.Rd2 .Rd3

2004 SBK World Superbike Championship ,Rd3 Apr 18 ....Misano . .Rd4 May 16 ...Monza . .Rd5 May 30 ...Germany 2004 Molo GP Apr 18 May 2 .

May 16 Jun 6 .

Jun 13

Championship * South Africa

.Rd.1

... .Spain ....France

.Rd2

.Italy

.Rd4

.Spain

.Rd5

.Rd3

1 ten L J home of

[motorsport All eveni dales in this calendar mere cerrecl el the lime of printing. Please consult any individual tracks andor assoaalions lor dale changes.

H

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

New FFord engines 1.4-litre Fiesta powerplant set te slet in for 2005

by AARON NOONAN AFTER over 30 years with the 1.6litre 'Kent'engine. Formula Ford racing in Australia is working through the motions of introducing a new 1.4-litre engine to the class for 2005.

Sourced from the Ford Fiesta in the UK,there are three engines already in the country that are expected to be placed with top teams such as Sonic and Borland to work with in adapting them to current Formula Ford chassis.

The new engines should produce some 125 horsepower, about 15 more than the current powerplants.

The Formula Ford Association has approved the change for the open wheeler category, with eyes on making it the category's engine from 2005 onwards.

Ford has committed itself to assisting with the development work of the new engines, with 30 expected to be in the country by the end of

June and another batch of 30 to be

effective manner.

here by the end of August.

There's expected to be some work required in modifying the engines to fit the current generation of chassis from Van Diemen,Spectrum and Mygale, though the Association has worked hard on ensuring that the changes are done in the most cost-

Prices for the engines are expected at the end of the month.

The new engine would stiU keep Australia's Formula Ford engine regulations different from the rest of the world,including the United Kingdom, which runs the 1.8-litre 'Zetec' motor.

Gurr sidelined

by Adelaide Konica shunt ALAN Gurr has been sidelined for the remainder of the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Championship.

Gurr, who won the opening round of the series at Wakefield Park in February, crashed heavily after the throttle in his Smiths Trucks VX Commodore stuck open during round two in Adelaide last month.

The team initially thought that the car could be repaired, however closer inspection revealed that the damage was worse than they first thought.

"It's creased in spots where creases shouldn't be," said Gurr.

"The shell is actually bent, the roll bars are bent, the floor is creased in a few spots ..."

Gurr also suffered muscular damage to his neck in the impact, which was measured at 238kph, however he said that he is already "96 percent recovered."

"The doctor told me that I have made four months worth of recovery in just two weeks. So all of these doctors and physios want to look into how I have recovered so quickly."

Gurr expects to make his competitive return to the circuit in the V8 Supercar endurance races at Sandown and Bathurst later this year.

- MARK GLENDENNING

James' GT debut JAMES Courtney has finished 11th in the opening round of the Japanese GT Championship at Aida on the weekend.

Behind the wheel of a TOM'S Toyota Supra, the young Aussie qualified his car ninth, though any hope of a strong race result went out the window when his team made the call for him to start the race on slicks rather thandntermediates on a wet track.

Partnered by former Japanese F3 rival Tatsuya Kataoka, Courtney fought from over a lap behind to make up time, lapping comfortably two seconds per lap taster than his co-driver.

"In the warm-up it was wet," said Courtney.

"I was really quick in those conditions but tor the start of the race my team wanted to put me on slicks, whereas the other team car was on intermediates. After the first five laps I was a lap and a half behind. Then it started to dry out a bit and I caught up a lot. By the driver change we were back up to eighth and the second quickest Toyota at the time.

"But we went backwards after that. It wasn't the baptism of tire we were hoping for. We've only done two test days and my team mate's had most of the seat time trying to come up to speed."

The next round of the series is at Sugo on May 23.

- AARON NOONAN motorspon news

EWS

Rahal adds a Brazilian for IRL program BRAZILIAN IRL IndyCar Series regular Vitor Meira will join Team Rahal in its new second entry in the series for the Japan Indy 300 at Motegi next weekend.

The 27-year-old, who has driven for Team Menard previously, will make a one-off appearance for the team alongside Buddy Rice and Roger Yasukawa.

It's 2001 all over again but this time it's in England! Davison and Power took it to the best young guns in the series opener at Donington - and to each other for good measure!

Aussies fire in F3 opener Davison scores podium, Power fast, Mawer second in class on debut

THE Aussie contingent had a promising start to the British Formula 3 Championship on the weekend at a soggy Donington Park.

Menu Motorsport driver Will Davison was the shining light, taking a podium position in race two, finishing third after a lowly qualifying run of 10th and 12th for the two races.

On a wet track, Davison went from 12th to fifth on the first lap and was second by lap two, a place he held until the penultimate lap of the race, which his team had advised him was the last...

The Menu team had miscormted the number of laps in the race and displayed his 'last lap' pit board with two laps to go!

He dropped a position to Nelson Piquet Jr when he slowed at the completion of the lap in the belief he had finished the race, though was able to build back up to racing speed and still hold on to third position when he realised the error.

"I was told the race was over one lap earlier than it was," said Davison.

"It was just an honest mistake from the team and, after all, to finish on the podium after starting outside the top 10 is still a pretty good result."

In the first race, he and ADR's Will Power become involved in an incident that put Power out and delayed Davison, who finished 14th.

The duo had been dicing for ninth and 10th place, with Power having passed Davison before the latter tried to re-pass and the two ended up off the road with Power in the wall and Davison able to continue down the back of the pack.

In all of the confusion, Brit Danny Watts, driving the only Lola-Dome in the pack, ended up spearing off onto the wet grass and sustaining a heavy hit.

7 April 2004

A nice start: Davison collected third in race 2 but it should have been second place. Mawer, below, debuted in style, leading all but the last lap of the first race in the Scholarship Class.

n John Andretti is aiming at joining Robby Gordon in completing the Indy 500/Charlotte 600 double this May. The 41-year-old, who was dropped by Petty Enterprises at the end of 2003, is looking to make his eighth start in the famous 500. He hasn't revealed which teams he has spoken to, but doesn't his brother own one or something ... n Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Opel Motorsport continue to set the mark for the 2004 DTM. The 36-year-old former Formula 1 driver was fastest in his Opel Vectra GTS,just ahead of team-mate Marcel Fassler, on the opening day of a four-day test at Brno in the Czech Republic. Frentzen was also one of the pacesetters in the recent Estoril testing.

Bernd Schneider, now a four-time DTM Champion, was third best for AMG Mercedes with his new team mate Gary Paffett just 0.2s slower.

Emanuele Pirro was fifth fastest in the Audi A4. The factory teams of Opel, Mercedes and Audi will commence battle for real at Hockenheim next weekend. n Driving a Team Rosberg DallaraOpel, Nico Rosberg underlined his status as pre-season favourite for the booming 2004 Formula 3 EuroSeries with the fastest lap-time in testing at the Adria circuit, in Italy, last week.

Nico, son of 1982 Formula 1 World Champion Keke Rosberg, was fractionally ahead of Jamie Green (Dallara-Mercedes).

In the second race.Power had a tussle with his former Formula Ford

Scholarship class for older cars, the New South Welshman led the class in

sparring partner, battling with the Menu driver for second spot. The Queenslander slipped wide and dropped to fifth, fighting back past Ernesto Viso to grab fourth by race's end.

race one though was eventually forced to settle for second after being passed on the final comer by class pole-sitter Ryan Lewis.

In the second race he was a nonfinisher in the treacherous conditions.

The overall wins were shared

"ADR and I were in good form all weekend; we have a good car and showed we have the potential to be on the pace and up the front, despite the not-so-great conditions," said Power.

Australia's third representative.

Barton Mawer,impressed on debut in the British F3 series. Running in the

between Nelson Piquet Jr and Adam Carroll.

Rounds three and four of the series will be held at Silverstone on April 18/19.

Points: Piquet Jr 32, Carroll 21, Piccione 20, Viso 16, Rossiter 15,Thompson 12/Davison 12,Power 10.

n Mathias Lauda, the son of the 1975-77-84 Formula 1 World Champion Niki Lauda, will compete in this year's FIA Formula 3000 Championship for the newcomer team, CMS Performance. Lauda will race alongside the promising Argentine Jose Maria Lopez, from the Renault Development Driver program, who topped last week's F3000 test at Silverstone, England.

CMS has been set up by Paolo Colon!, who will also field Belgian Jeffrey van Hooydonk and Can Artam of Turkey in his long-established Coloni Motorsport F3000 team. The 10-race series will start at Imola on

April 24.

- QUENTIN SPURRING 11

Rearranging

A

by JOE SAWARD

hS R

pB/s/SO ^

'firoeinc

Our engines are this big: Eddie Jordan and Toyota's Ove Andersson.

Oh what a ... Jordan?

THERE are rumours in the Formula 1 paddock that a deal is being put together for Jordan Grand Prix to use Toyota engines and gearboxes in 2005.

The deal, which is believed to be a similar to the arrangement between Ferrari and Sauber, may also include aerodynamic consultancy although there may be some problems as Jordan run on Bridgestone tyres and Toyota is using Michelin.

It is not clear how much money would be involved in the transaction but i t would probably enable Jordan to attract a big sponsor. We hear that the deal is being heavily pushed by Bemie Ecclestone who wants to ensure that Jordan is kept alive.

Jordan has had a chequered history with engine suppliers, having been first a Ford team when it appeared in FI in 1991,then it had a year with Yamaha, two with Hart, three with Peugeot and then a deal that saw it with MugenHonda units. It currently uses the same spec Cosworth engines as Jaguar Racing.

-JOESAWARD

P

THE FIA World Motor Sport Council met in Paris last month and it was agreed to change the format of qualifying in Formula 1.

This is a minor alteration which win make almost no difference to the show - or rather the lack of a show.

The FI broadcasters wUl in future broadcast only the second of the two parts of the session and it is hoped that this will provide some spectacle.

The change is simply one of timetabling, with the first part of qualifying process being pushed back to 13.00. This will mean that at most tracks,so long as there are no accidents, the session will be over with about 15 minutes to go before the final qualifying session begins at 14.00. At Sepang,the first session lasted 59 minutes because Malaysia is one of the longer FI tracks. The only tracks where that is likely to happen again are at Spa(where something different will be needed because the session wUl go beyond an hour), the Nurburgring and in Japan.

The new rule makes no difference to the overall FI show but until the teams get together and agree something better, the sport will continue to suffer. Although in public everyone says they wiU support change that will improve the show,in reality this has not been the case. The inability to agree wUl play into the hands of FOM which would Hke there to be two-day meetings - with more races each year. This will only seek to increase costs although FOM wiU obviously make more money ...

The Senna Appeal to be Revived

THE Italian justice system is not covering itself in glory at the moment,as the Formula 1 world comes up to the 10th anniversary of the death of Ayrton Senna.

The appeal against the decision of an Imola court in December 1997 to clear those involved in the accident that killed Senna is to be reconsidered,following a judgement by La Corte Suprema di Cassazione, Italy's Supreme Court.

The appeal was rejected by the Court of Appeal in Bologna in November 1999 but negotiators refuse to let the trial rest.

After a delay of three years,they have asked for the appeal to be reviewed once again, claiming that the appeal process was not carried out correctly. The

Supreme Court agreed.

This does not mean that the Senna Trial must happen all over again but such a thing might be possible although a lot of the evidence (notably the car) has now been destroyed having been returned to Williams at the end of the first trial.

There is still an argument that there is evidence that has not been found, including the contents of the black box in Senna's car and the prosecutors seem to be convinced that there is in-car footage of the last couple of seconds before the impact. They have yet to prove that this is the case as the Formula One group has always maintained that the signal from the car was never recorded.

There are some who believe that the 3C whole revival of the trial has been an attempt by Italians to disrupt Williams and McLaren (Adrian Newey is one of the defendants) at a time when they are trying to concentrate of the World Championship. This seems a little far fetched.

THE next issue of Motorsport News will feature a special tribute to Senna, 10 years after his death at Imola.

A number of people who were pivotal in his brilliant career will talk about the man,the driver and the icon.

Look for the tribute on April 21.

-JOE SAWARD

the Deckchairs Swings and roundabouts: The 2004 qualifying system is not that popular among spectators but it does allow you to see things that you not see otherwise, like 'Michael Schumacher'in Arabic, left, or a Sauber, above.

Raikkonen in Red? THERE was talk in Bahrain that Kimi Raikkonen is rapidly getting fed up with the situation at McLaren and is not happy about the team taking on Juan Pablo Montoya and that he could be trying to do a deal to go to Ferrari in 2007. By then it is expected that Michael Schumacher will have retired.

It has long been thought that the number one drive at Ferrari would go to Fernando Alonso but Raikkonen would certainly be an interesting candidate for the Italian team.

He started his FI career with Sauber in 2002 and there are some who believe that the Finn is still 'tied' to Maranello ...

- SAWARD/STAFF

J

NEWS

Nothing iike an upset...

THE new owner-operator of Brands Hatch has upset the British Touring Car Championship 'circus' by moving a traditional Grand Prix circuit event to the shorter, 2km 'Indy' circuit.

MotorSport Vision says it will be in the best interest to reserve the 4.2km track for other (unspecified) activities. The BTCC now has both its Brands Hatch events on the short circuit, over April 24/25 and August 21/22. n It has emerged that Bahrain International Circuit manager Philippe Gurdjian recently attempted to cancel its inaugural Formula 1 race on the grounds that the facility could not be finished in time. Gurdjian told 'Autosport': "Two weeks ago, we thought there was no way we could hold the race, and we decided to cancel it. But Bernie Ecclestone said 'no'. So we just had to get more people in to get the job finished.' n The Portuguese round of the 2004 DTM series, at Estoril on May 2, will be called the Ayrton Senna Memorial race in honour of the great Brazilian Formula 1 champion, who died 10 years ago on May 1. n Former Jordan Grand Prix driver Ralph Firman has decided to accept an offer in the Nissan World Series with the Gabord Competition team, which is aiming for a third consecutive title in the Spanishbased one-make single-seater series. n French brand-name racecar manufacture Courage Competition in Le Mans has granted chassis naming rights to Pescarolo Sport for the two Judd powered sports-prototypes that Henri Pescarolo's team will operate in the 2004 Le Mans 24 Hours. Yves Courage's works team will itself field two LMP675 cars.

lll

and is this his Ferrari F2007?(No,it's not)

THIS is one Formula One car that is never going to pass the FIA's crash test.

The Lego company has revealed a full-scale replica of Michael Schumacher's F2003 racer, built from 146,000 Lego bricks. The car was shown to announce the start of a three-year deal between the Scuderia and the Danish toy maker, which will launch four Racers this month, allowing kids (okay, and their parents) to construct, customise, race, rebuild and display models that are true to the original Ferrari design.

Over the next two years, there will be other Lego 7 April 2004

Ferraris available. The queue for the 1961 156 Sharknose starts behind the tall fat kid with 'Editor' written on his shirt.

FYl,it took a team of 14 professional Lego MasterBuilders(they have those?) about 800 hours to build this Ferrari, which comes with a cockpit strong enough to hold a real racing driver. The red brick road racer also comes with authentic Bridgestone tyres, as used

by Michael and Rubens.

And,to that serious-looking Swiss kid with the cigar, no Peter, it does not come in blue.

n Nissan Motorsport Europe is evaluating a return to internationalstatus touring car racing. The Japanese manufacturer's recently appointed European motorsport chief, Gilles Martineau, is reported to have initiated a feasibility study based on the projected FIA World Touring Car Championship in 2005. n European Aviation Air Charter, the business founded in 1993 by Minardi Formula 1 team principal Paul Stoddart, has laid off 80 percent of its staff and reached an agreement with its creditors to allow it to restructure. Bournemouth, UK, based European has retained only 160 of its former 720-strong workforce and has mothballed its fleet of six Boeing 747 aircraft.

-QUENTIN SPURRING 13

PROCA

Nothing Slight about this

THIS is the Vauxhall Monaro that will be raced in the UK this season by Aaron Slight.

The 38-year-old Kiwi tested the car, which was built by Greg Stevenson at the Monaro Performance Centre in Melbourne, at Calder last week,above, prior to it being delivered to the Surrey-based EE Motorsport team.

The Monaro CVS uses a 5.7-litre, 550 horsepower version of the Chevrolet-developed Gen HI engine and includes some a lot of Aussie technology, with a Holinger sequential gearbox, MoTeC ADL and engine management system and an aero package based on the GRM-built Nations Cup Monaros.

"Rear wheel drive, big horsepower V8 and it's a Monaro!" said Slight, right, who will compete in this year's British GT and Le Mans Endurance Series.

"What a great recipe ..."

Slight, who finished second in the World Superbike Championship twice,has previously raced in the BTCC and Carrera Cup series. He made his debut on four wheels in 1997 and raced for the Peugeot UK team in 2001,running a limited schedule, and raced for the Barwell Motorsport team the following season in an Astra Coupe. He has also raced a Volvo S60 in the Swedish Touring Car Championship.

Backing for the team comes from Valvoline and Cummins. Several Monaros have been seen on the streets of England, while the launch of the Vauxhall version of the road car wiU coincide with the 2004 race season. r-r-q . I l -

V

mCummins 14

.. n

\

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V8 Supercars may not been racing in China until 2005 but Formula 4000 will race there as part of its expansion into Asia this year.

First reported in MNews last year, the move will see the formation of a F4000 Asian Series, which will be contested over two rounds in China.

Run independently of the Flolden Australian Drivers Championship (which concludes in

August), the Asian Series will kick off at Zuhai in October, with the location of the second round in November still to be confirmed. There is the possibility of further rounds elsewhere in Asia being added further down the track.

F4000 is required to produce a minimum grid of 18 cars, with the majority of the regulars from the Australian series expected to make

the trip to race alongside Asian drivers.

The deal was arranged through China Development Corporation Marketing Manager Mr Benny Leung, who was also instrumental in the early stages of AVESCO's negotiations regarding the planned V8 Supercar race in China.

"The longevity and stability of F4000, together with the ever growing interest in motor motorsport news

t

R's Dubai 24 Hour

by JOE SAWARD in DUBAI

PROCAR boss Ross Palmer is planning another twicearound-the-clock race in addition to the Bathurst 24 Hour - in Dubai.

Palmer announced his plans to stage an international endurance race in Dubai early in 2005 last week while he was in the United Arab Emirates for the launch of the new A1 Grand Prix series.

The event will be promoted by a new company Procar International Sports Media.

"Commercially, an event in Dubai opens up a myriad of opportunities," said Palmer, in Dubai for the launch of the track.

"With Dubai's close proximity to Europe and progressive government, the opportunities being offered are particularly Water and... less water: Included in this amazing complex, left, is the new Dubai Autodrome and Business Park, while Peter Perfect made an impact at the launch of the new facility.

racing in the People's Republic of China, meant that it was a natural progression," said F4000 Association President Chris Hocking.

"China is a market leader in the areas of manufacturing and foreign investment.

Exposing F4000 to this economic environment will ensure the continued growth of the category."

Hocking also said that negotiations are underway for a Chinese naming-rights series sponsor.

- MARK GLENDENNING I April 2004

good for the long ternn viability of our Australian Series and especially the Bathurst 24 Hours."

The new circuit in Dubai will include a driving academy, named after Peter Brock. It will also host an international Formula 3 event on December 17, the cars coming to the Middle East on their way home from the big annual F3 races in Macau and Korea. The event will be the second big race in Dubai, following the European Touring Car Championship round in October.

The new Dubai Autodrome and Business Park, which has the backing of Dubai's Crown Prince His Highness General Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, has been designed by engineers from West Surrey Racing and is 5.3km long with two straights, each one kilometre long. There are six different track permutations and the potential to expand the faoilities to meet all the needs of Formula 1 if Dubai decides to bid for a race in the future.

Duty calls, so Pugliese gets Porsche chance GREG Murphy Racing's test and reserve driver Tony Pugliese will get a chance to make his Carrera Cup debut in the next round of the series at Barbagallo Raceway in Western Australia.

The former Formula Fordster, who attends the Porsche rounds as part of the team looking after Roger Oakeshott's #44 machine, wiU step into the team for the Perth and Hidden VaUey rounds of the series due to the absence of Oakeshott and Peter Hill due to business commitments.

"I've still got a few pieces that need to fall into place but it's getting closer to being done," said Pugliese this week.

"1 had the team evalution day earlier in the year, but that's all the miles I've done so I'm busting to get back behind the wheel and give the guys a bit of a run for their money."

NEWS

A Le Mans CAT attack CATERPILLER Inc, the US-based multinational truck and heavy construction equipment manufacturer which is the world's largest producer of diesel engines, has committed to a Le Mans racing program with Ian Dawson’s Taurus Sports team in Watton, UK. Taurus tested a Lola B2K/40 sports-prototype today equipped with a 5-litre VI0 turbodiesel, raceprepared by Mountune.

Although privately entered Caterpillar trucks are raced regularly in the FIA and other truck racing championships, the company has never before been formally engaged in motorsport. No details of the engine have been revealed but Caterpillar UK is providing technical input to the project.

Taurus expects to compete for the first time in the Monza round of the new Le Mans Endurance Series.

After the 24 Hours in June, it will race in selected events in the LMES and/or the American Le Mans Series. n The three 'FI banks' have filed a lawsuit in London seeking the right to appoint directors to the board of SLEC Holdings, the Formula 1 commercial rights holder of which they own 75 percent of the stock.

Bayerische Landesbank, JP Morgan Chase Bank and Lehmann Brothers acquired their shares following the collapse of the German media corporation, Kirch Gruppe.

Bernie Ecclestone, whose Bambino family trust owns the remaining 25 percent, has offered the manufacturers' GPWC consortium three seats on the board. n The Automobile Club de I'Ouest, the French organiser of the Le Mans 24 Hours, has published its list of 50 entries (26 sportsprototypes and 24 GT racecars) and six reserves that have been accepted for the 2004 race on June 12/13. The seven-member ACO selection committee received 77 applications and has culled 21, mainly from the GT divisions, prior to next month's test weekend over April 23-25. n NASCAR has finally got to the Big Apple. The US stock car body has created a joint venture with a bar-restaurant in New York city catering for Nextel Cup fans.

Buster's Garage at 180 West Broadway in TrlBeCa will show 'live' televised NASCAR races each week and run a range of race-themed promotions, such as video games from NASCAR sponsor EA Sports, 'fantasy' racing competitions and trivia quizzes, with VIP race tickets and flights as prizes.

- QUENTIN SPURRING 15

new home

FOLLOWING the withdraw! of Team Rahal from the Champ Car World Series, Michel Jourdain Jr and backer Gigante have uprooted and joined RuSPORT to run as team-mate to rookie AJ. Allmendinger.

Although RuSPORT originally had plarmed to enter a single car this season, the team seized the opportunity to work with Jourdain, who is fresh from finishing third in last year's title chase.

"RuSPORT was at the top of my list of teams to work with," explained Jourdain, who returns for his ninth season in the series.

4],

"Although this will be their first year in Champ Car, the organisation and Carl(Russo, team owner)have shown they are not only committed to the series and making it successful, but they also know how to win races and championships.

You only have to look at last season and their performance and attitude on their way to dominating the Toyota Atlantic Championship.I have made the right decision with both the team and the series."

-PHIL MORRIS

BJR: Masters of Style

these. The lenses don't shatter - they withstand a 200kp/h impact. So they'll protect you and make you look good."

So confident are the team about the

IF the V8 Supercar Championship has a noted leader of style and fashion,then that man could only be Kim Jones.

So when Kim teUs you that his new sunnies are the real deal, you listen.

Especially when he recruits son Andy to belt the hell out of the lens with a hanuner to prove how strong they are.

Rudy Project has long been the eyewear of choice in sports such as cycling,skiing and triathlon, and you can now add BJR to the list.

The team has recently struck a deal with the simglasses company,and being one of the more pragmatic teams along pitlane,they've gone for

looks and functionality.

"This all came about after I was hit in the face with a bit of rubber that was flicked up off the track at Clipsal while I was standing next to the

pitwall," said Kim. "If it had hit me in the eye,I would have been in a bit of trouble.

We didn't want daggy old safely goggles, so we went out and found

glasses(which will apparently stand up to a shotgun blast, although nobody was prepared to volunteer as a guinea pig) that the whole BJR team will be wearing them as they go about their business in pitlane, while JB will soon be sporting a pair custom-made with his prescription lenses.

Very safe. Very funky.

Next month: Kim presents his winter collection of cashmere coats.

- MARK GLENDENNING

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NEWS

Mi-Wilson signs for US 5 FORMER Jaguar and Minardi I FI pilot Justin Wilson is the I latest signing to the Champ ^ Car World Series.

I The Brit will drive for the Mi s' Jack Conquest Racing outfit I owned by Eric Bachelart, which

I has switched to Lola chassis for I 2004 in a bid to be more competitive than it was last year with Mario Haberfeld and the Reynard chassis.

"I'm very excited about coming over to Champ Car," Wilson said.

"It's something that I've been

looking at, really since 2001 when I won the Formula 3000 championship. It's something I've always admired and wanted to be a part of at the right time, and this is the right time. I think the racing is fantastic, and that's what I've been brought up on."

Wilson will have a team-mate in the form of Brazilian Alex Sperafico, who will campaign a Reynard to begin with.

Wilson will also be re-united with engineer Chris Mower, who engineered him to the F3000 title.

- PHIL MORRIS

Tmcyis new colours

DEFENDING Champ Car title-holder Paul Tracy has revealed the warpaint of his Indeck/Forsythe Lola for 2004. The team has announced that Patrick Carpentier will return to partner him for the Champ Car series, which starts on April 18 at Long Beach.

Put your money where your mouth is!

OWRS co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven has issued an open bet of US$100,000 to Tony George, the owner of the rival IndyCar Series, that at least 18 cars will be on the starting grid for the opening round of the Champ Car World Series at Long Beach on April 18. Should he win the wager, Kalkhoven says he will give the money to charity. n Dale Coyne Racing has confirmed that it will again operate two Lola racecars in the 2004 Champ Car World Series out of its HQ in Plainfield, Illinois.

"We've had a long, successful relationship with Champ Car since our beginnings back in 1984," said owner Daie Coyne.

"Now is the time when those of . us who believe in the product must support the series." n Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, the subsidiary of NYSE-listed US circuit owner Dover Motorsports that owns the rights to stage the Grand Prix of Denver round of the Champ Car World Series, has reached an agreement to transfer them to the series promoter, OWRS. - QUENTIN SPURRING

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17

NEWS

Aussies on

I

T was a day of firsts at Phillip Island's World Superbike Championship round, with Regis Laconi and Garry McCoy taking their maiden wins on production-based machines.

The former Yamaha GP team

mates shared the top steps on the podium,the Frenchman winning the opening race and looking to repeat until he tumbled off his FUa Ducati with seven laps to go. Steve Martin blasted past to take the lead but his DFX Ducati blew an engine with three laps left.

Martin, 35, pimched his fuel tank in frustration after losing his chance to take his first career win.

"I was so close, but so far," Martin said.

"I was leading,I had it, but it just wasn't my day."

For McCoy, who promised his partner Gemma Voces he would shave his off-season beard when he won a race, it was a sweet victory.

"It's great. It has been ages since I have been on a podium," McCoy,

right, said.

"I'm never happy when anyone crashes or has a mechanical problem.

"It's good for me,but not good for the sport."

Honda also showed that the season may not be a Ducati benefit, with second in both races for Chris Vermeulen. The World Supersport Champion looked at home on the bigger bike, qualifying second to

No Colin, not 555, it’s 550

COLIN McRae has had his first experience of Frederic Dor's Ferrari 550 Maraneilo GTS, which he is hoping to race at Le Mans in June.

The former World Rally Champion was at a wet Snetterton circuit in England along with Rickard Rydell, who also drove the Prodrive-prepared racecar.

"Le Mans is one of the great races of the world and would be a big challenge for me," McRae said.

"I want to do a few different things and this would be an ideal opportunity. It's one race every driver would love to have a go at, and a Ferrari is just that bit extra."

- QUENTIN SPURRING 18

Laconi and taking two podiums in the Ten Kate team's second outing in the big league.

Tt was my aim to finish on the podium but, realistically, I didn't think I would," Vermeulen said."We would have been happy to finish in the top five."

The second factory Ducati of James Toseland was third on the opening race, despite crashing twice in practice. He battled for the lead until slowed by tyre problems,just holding out Martin at the flag. But things went badly for the Brit early in Race 2, sliding off again while trying to hold out Vermeulen.

McCoy was fifth while former world superbike champ Troy Corser dragged his Foggy Petronas to fifth place after finishing 13th in the openmg race.

The results mean that the four

J

races this season have been one by four different riders and two more Martin and Vermeulen -look capable of adding their names to the list.

The SBK may not be what it used to be but, with a competitive field and Aussies at or near the front, it still looks like a compelling season.

Points: Toseland 61, Pierfrancesco Chili (Ducati) 56, McCoy and Vermeulen 55, Noriyuki Haga (Ducati) and Marco Borciani (Ducati)43, Chris Walker (Petronas)39,

Jolly Josh

Wildcard wins Supersports

JOSH Brookes may not race again in the World Supersport Championship this season but the local wild-card put one over the regulars at Phillip island.

Brookes's Honda, left, may have lacked the absolute speed of Kevin Curtain's factory Yamaha but, when the veteran left a tiny space at Lukey Heights on the final lap.

Brookes bravely rode around his outside. took the line into MG and held on for a narrow win.

Jurgen van den Goorbergh broke into a four-way, all-Australian tussle for the major placing to take third from Broc Parkes, while polesitter Karl Muggeridge ran with the leaders until his Ten Kate Honda fell back to 12th with engine problems.

Points; vd Goorbergh 41, Fabian Foret(Yamaha)30.

Curtain 27, Brookes 25, Katsuaki Fujiwara (Suzuki) 21), Stephane Chambon (Suzuki) 17, Parkes and Victor lanuzzo (Suzuki) 13, Muggeridge 12.

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BIKES

Keeping it Reei Dunlops for Proton KR switches rubber DUNLOP will be seen on the MotoGP grid this season on the Protons.

Proton Team KR principal Kenny Roberts confirmed last week that the KR5s of Nobuatsu Aoki, above, and Kurtis Roberts will be the only works bikes on the grid to run the British-developed rubber.

Ironically, until last season Proton was involved in the upturn in Bridgestone's performance -topped by a debut podium for Makoto Tamada - that prompted Suzuki and Kawasaki to switch from Michelin and Dunlop respectively.

One of the advantages of switching brands will be that Dunlop's development is based in Birmingham, less than an hour from the Team KR's base in Formula One's 'Silicon Valley' at Banbury.

"Together with our Japanese colleagues in Kobe, we have been focusing more and more on this computer-aided development over the past 12 months, which has helped us to work even more closely to introduce new materials and technology," said Dunlop's chief designer Dave Watkins.

Roberts says that the bike has taken a major step during the off-season, with engineering chief and formula FI designer John Barnard, who joined Proton Team KR last year, playing a major part in the redesign to the 2004 racer.

Alongside Team KR,the WCM team is also intending to use Dunlops but there is no guarantee yet that the privateer team will race this season.

20

THAT annoying footsteps sotmd Honda engineers are hearing is coming from Valentino Rossi.

The five-time World Champion Med the first rocket of the new season in Spain late last month when he topped an unofficial 45-minute 'qualifying' session at Catalunya and walked off with the keys of a new BMWZ4.

The Doctor pipped the Honda of Texan Cohn Edwards by 0.082s in the session, with the RC211V of Sete Gibernau taking third. The expected challenge from Max Biaggi went flat - UteraUy - when the Roman had to abort a last-minute banzai attempt

Blue versus red: Valentino Rossi topped the times but Loris Capirossi, below, was quickest through the speedtrap.

CATALUNYA MOTOGP TEST RESULTS 1 Valentino Rossi Yamaha 1m44.571s Honda 1m44.653s 2 Colin Edwards Honda 1m44.669s 3 Sete Gibernau Ducati 1m44.871s 4 Loris Capirossi Honda 1m44.946s 5 Nicky Hayden Suzuki 1m45.046s 6 Kenny Roberts Ducati 1m45.073s 7 RubenXaus Yamaha 1m45.171s 8 Carlos Checa 9 Marco Melandri Yamaha 1m45.196s 10 Makoto Tamada Honda 1m45.226s

when Ms qualifying tyre deflated.

The session began badly when the Aprilia of Jeremy McWilliams blew up at Repsol comer. Despite waved yellows, Alex Barros, Troy BayUss, Carlos Checa and Loris Capirossi all fell on the Aprilia's oil. Fortunately no-one was injured.

"TMs is really satisfying!" said Rossi with Ms trademark grin.

"1 am really sincerely very happy to win tMs car, to have got this time and to have put in more than one fast lap. The whole day has been a brilliant surprise and we're all very

happy."

Yamaha tested a new-spec engine in Spain but that was not enough to make the Ml as quick as the opposition tMough the speed trap.

Rossi was 12th fastest tMough the timing lights at 339.87kmh, well shy of the awesome 2004-spec Ducati of Capirossi. The Italian zipped tMough at over 347kmh, which is almost 20kmh faster than the best top speeds recorded at the track by Formula One cars. Hondas and Ducatis filled the top 10 speeds.

Suzuki showed some form, with former champ Kermy Roberts in fifth, wMle local Ruben Xaus was best of the newcomers in sixth on one of last year's Ducatis.

motorsport news

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NASCAR/ETCC

Saddling up for a win

2

by MARTIN D CLARK

ELLIOTT Sadler took his second career Nextel Cup victory with a win at Texas Motor Speedway on Sunday, holding off rookie Kasey Kahne by half-a-car length in a twocar drag race after a late caution flag.

It took Sadler 75 events to capture his first win and 108 races to step back into victory lane.

"It seemed like those last 30 something laps took forever," remarked Sadler.

"It's so great to beat him there at the end and I have the best teacher in the world in Dale Jarrett, he's helped me so much on and off the race track."

For Kahne it's just a matter of time before Ray Evemham's new talent finds his way to victory lane.

"It's disappointing running second," said Kahne of his second photo finish this year.

"We were the best car out there,I just got tight when I got to the back of him (Sadler), we just needed a couple more laps to get past him."

Jeff Gordon led the final 33-lap green flag run,but gave up the lead six laps later when he became one of several drivers to suffer battery issues.

Kurt Busch's sixth place result was enough to move him past Roush

They won't melt on your mouth!Sadler took the M&Ms Ford to the flag at Texas. And promptly celebrated in style. team-mate Matt Kenseth for the championship lead, Kenseth suffering handling woes and a bmsh

with the wan.

A WEEK earlier, Penske's Rusty Wallace came within two car lengths of ending his 103 race losing streak at Bristol, but it was the Roush Ford of Busch that beat him to the line in a roar of boos from the crowd.

Busch led the final 119 of 500 laps and held off Wallace over a final twolap sprint to the chequers after a redflag period for track clean up after Dale Jarrett hit the wall.

The usually wreck-marred race was anything but, the main controversy surrounded Dale Earnhardt Jr, who spim himself to get a caution when he had a loose wheel.

"I had some clear room behind me and I just spun it out," admitted Junior.

"Hell, what was I supposed to do, go a lap or two down?"

NASCAR officials later handed Earnhardt Jr a flne ...

The only other real antics were between Tony Stewart and Scott Wimmer,the pair being docked a lap for rough driving and Jamie

McMurray,Kahne and Kenseth.

McMurray spim himself and Kahne out on lap 58, rookie Kahne retiring from the event, who then threatened payback for McMurray.

Then in the closing laps, Kenseth and McMurray got into a shoving match, v/ith McMurray spinning the Champion on the apron entering pit road post-race.

"You can't really get out and punch somebody in our sport," quipped McMurray,"so I just wanted him to know I was mad!"

Only in NASCAR...

Point standings; Busch 1032, Kenseth 1013, Earnhardt Jr. 997, Stew.irt 946, Sadler 942, Johnson 923, Kahne 902, Harvick 897, Gordon 891, Newman 834.

Alfa'S rookie spnngs surpnse

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Red, white, either way they're at the front: Farfus took first blood for Alfa, above, while Jorg Muller bit back for the Bavarian mobiles, right.

ALFA ROMEO rookie Augusto Farfus has upset the applecart in round one of the European Touring Car Championship at Monza.

The young Brazilian F3000 graduate held out experienced team-mates Gabriele Tarquini and Fabrizio Giovanardi in the first race, while BMW pilots Jorg and Dirk Muller nearly turned the second race into an 22

all-German affair.

Tarquini and Guivanardi took one another out at the Ascari Chicane, while Jorg pulled clear as Dirk suffered a technical drama with his 320i, That left Andy Priauix's BMW Great Britain 320i to take second and Farfus to seal third and the championship lead.

"After qualifying I didn't expect to be anywhere in the top

three," said the victorious Muller.

"I expected the race to be extremely difficult, because the Alfas still have a higher power level, and Monza is a track where they are at an advantage.

"We could do better lap times by slipstreaming and braking later than they did, although we are still about 5 kph slower on the straights."

Flowever, the results of both races remain provisional, pending technical scrutineering on Farfus' Alfa 156.

Alex Zanardi scored a ninth and 10th in his BMW, while Seat scored points, though they weren't scored by debutant Rickard Rydell.

Points: Farfus 16, J.Muller 14, Priaulx 11, D.Muller 10, Tarquini 8.

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PCs, Macs, Disnepute ana Homers

Moto r Mouth

wit h Phil Branagan

I

am not a PC person. No, I am not talking about computers though if I am being completely honest, I am not a PC person in that department either.

Like a lot of people who spend their lives battering away on computers for the singular task of producing a magazine every so often, I am a Macintosh person in that arena. Yes, I know there are 10 Windows disciples for every Mac user but I figure, if anyone wants to use second-rate hardware and software, that is their business.

No, I am talking about Political Correctness. You know, the feel good, hand-holding world of making things look and feel wonderful when they are actually turning to you-know-what all around you. Mission statements?

Not in my office, buddy. Team building? Give me a break. And don't even start me on those gurus who prance around stage with a microphone, telling you how to live your life.

s

o, this whole matter of bringing the sport into disrepute has got me on my hind legs.

One of the dictionaries we have around here defines disrepute as 7 April 2004

"the loss or want of reputation; ill character; disesteem; discredit."

There have been recent occasions where the charge has been laid on drivers, team owners, whomever for things that they say in the public arena about other teams or drivers. The thought

we know that Mark Skaife and Russell Ingall are smart enough to appear adversarial in a chummychummy kind of way when they are on opposite sides of the panel on the telly - but is it likely that they would send each other Christmas cards?

"If V8 Supercap drivers overstep the mark, they are all big boys. Let them act like It" police move in, make their judgements and off we al l go again, I have genuine problems with that. If Person A wants to publicly convey that Person B is a suchand-such, there are perfectly fine laws of slander (for speech) and libel (for the written word) that can be brought into play. But this is not an Anthony Robbins feel-good, reach-for-the-stars seminar, this is a sport where grown men drive big, powerful cars in competition with each other and, sometimes, things happen that do not make everybody happy.

One side benefit of The Incident' at Eastern Creek last December is that the opinion some held that V8 Supercar is a sport where everyone gets on all the time was swept away. Yep,

One more thing. I do not understand why officialdom frowns on what drivers or team owners might say while nothing is done about the number of cars that turn up for races to satisfy TEGA regulations, run a few quiet laps in qualifying and then get parked. Are we all dumb enough to believe that these teams are genuinely trying to compete? And, if they are just going through the motions, what level of repute does that add to the sport?

What kind of world are we living in? Football coaches cannot criticise umpires but, for the socalled leaders of our government, parliament is open slather. Try explaining that to a 10-year-old.

I would much rather V8 Supercar drivers speak their minds. If they overstep the mark.

they are all big boys. Let them act like it.

And no, members of the media cannot be charged with bringing the sport into disrepute. Yet.

“There were some feel-good moments at Eastern Creek last weekend.

After all the Turn 8 chaos at Adelaide, carnage was thankfully low, which was especially meritorious in the circumstances.

And it was good to see that some of the teams that had so much work to do in the two weeks between the races have some reward for their efforts.

The tyranny of distance dictated that I did not get to witness the hard-working troops at DJR, LMS, BJR and others but, as you will read on pages 36-40, I did get to see how hard the GRM lads went at their two twisted cars, like Garth Tander's, above, to get them on the track in Sydney. It was impressive stuff.

So, to everyone who laboured long and hard over the last weeks, exceptionally well done. And to all the wives, partners and girlfriends who sat patiently at home waiting to see their loved ones, I am cerain that they are making it up to you now. Ask for - no, demand - flowers. You deserve it.

25

Ladies ofthe night T

"Every taxi driver in town robbed you; every restaurant doubied its prices; every hotel was a total rip-off. And it did not make any sense 26

HE phone was ringing in the middle of the night.

Fortunately 1 had only just got in after a pleasant dinner and was not yet asleep. I had not been expecting a call and I was rather perplexed.

"Flello?" I said tentatively.

"Hello," came a female voice. "This is the ladies room."

"Yes? And what can I do for you?" I replied.

"You want to come and see me in Room 410?"

No. Oh. "Thanks for the offer.

Goodnight. And sleep well."

It was only then that it dawned on me that 1 was staying in a brothel!

In the morning I compared notes with some of my colleagues in the same hotel.

We had all received the attentions of the resident pro active prostitute. And it turned out that some of the others had not been as polite as 1 was. **** "I told her to go herself," said Boris the Russian, who did not appreciate the one o'clock alarm call ...

Going been quiteto anBahrain excitinghad concept for most of us in the FI circus.

It is not often that we have a new venue to look at. But we were soon quite disillusioned.

While those at the top end of FI were wined and dined and spoiled by their royal hosts, we creatures who inhabit a lower rung on the FI scale were not having much fun. The locals seemed to think that Formula 1 was a mathematical equation which doubled the price of any product or service. And this behaviour wore thin very quickly.

Every taxi driver in town robbed you; every restaurant doubled its prices; every hotel was a total rip-off.

And it did not make any sense. The locals did not seem to understand that governments are giving Bernie Ecclestone horse-choking wedges of money is so that they can use Formula 1 to promote the tourist industry in their countries. They want thousands of well-heeled Europeans to stay in their hotels and turn bright red in the sunshine. And yet they rip off the messengers who are trying to help them.

The behaviour really spoiled what would otherwise have been a great new event. The track, which had risen from the sands of the desert, is an impressive one and sets the standard which European tracks now know they must meet if they are to survive in the World Championship in the future.

It cost tens of millions of

dollars but that is the way things now are and promoters must face the fact that if they want to play in the FI kitchen they will have to learn to take the financial heat or they will go up in smoke like toast that has spent too long in the toaster.

T

he FI circus needs to visit such places and open up new markets and new audiences and, one has to say, that this is largely a good thing because if the sport can sort out its political silliness there will be growth across the world. It may feel a little odd to have sheikhs wandering around in the paddock but it is the next step.

Later this year, we will go to Shanghai and the Chinese will join the party and next year we will probably have Turks - and then there are Indians, Russians and Koreans in the pipeline.

And who knows whether Dubai will not be wading in as well. They have just opened a Formula 1 standard race track which is every bit as good as the track in Bahrain.

I

t was there that I bumped into Peter Brock in the days before the Bahrain race. He was there with Ross Palmer promoting the idea of a Peter Brock Racing Academy and a new motorsporl news

FORMULA

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(and other stories)

entry-level racing championship to help the Middle East develop a motorsporting culture. Palmer wants to have a PROCAR 24 Hour race there in December next year.

I was in Dubai to attend the launch of the new A1 Grand Prix series (see news pages) which is an unusual new idea which is being promoted by one of Dubai's ruling family.

The aim he says is to build a racing series in Asia, Australasia, Africa and Arabia with a completely new concept.

The sheikh is selling national franchises to wealthy businessmen and insisting that those who buy them run cars with a driver of that nationality and sponsorship from that nation. It might work if he can sign up enough franchise-holders.

Rather than being a threat to FI,the new series is seen as being very useful as it might well open up new markets for FI with new drivers, new sponsors and perhaps even new races. Time will tell whether it will be a success of not but there is no doubt that things are moving in the Middle East.

Even if the hookers have a few lessons to learn about how to do business with the FI community...

7 April 2004

i

The with BoxJoeSeat Saward what, no camels?

The Middle East has arrived in the world of Formula One with a bang.

Taku Sato came to grips with the track quickly and started from fifth on the grid while some of the visiting photographers found themselves in the middle of nowhere, below.

i

27

Five minutes with...

Josh Hunt

Hearii of the man? You're ahout to, hocause he's going tojm Jason Bnght anU Gary BraUimn as the only Aussles to have racetlin the Lexmark My 300. PHiL BBANAGAN spoke to ttie OS-hoimiiracer MOTORSPORT NEWS: Josh, are you the happiest bloke in Australia at the moment?

JOSH HUNT: I sure am!

MN: Tell us how it feels: JH; Well, it's still taking time to settle in. Give me about a week and I'll let you know.

MN:So when did you find out about this? How long has it been in the works?

JH: It's been in the works for a few weeks, but we only found out about it over the last couple of days; Friday afternoon/ Saturday morning type of thing.

That's when it all sort of fell into place and went ahead. So like I said, it's still taking time for it all to settle in.

MN: Is it a little bit daunting to go straight into a Toyota Atlantic car at this stage in your career?

JH: No. No, definitely not. I've always been the kind of person to go and look for a bigger challenge. I'm really looking forward to it.

The Atlantio car doesn't faze me too much at all. The Champ Car thing, that's a slightly bigger deal, but by the time that comes around I'll be more than prepared for it.

MN:So what's your program from here?

JH: I fly out tomorrow morning (Tuesday), and from there I go straight into testing in Las Vegas in the Atlantic car on Friday and Saturday.

I then go to another test early next week on Tuesday, and straight from there I head down to Long Beach for the first race.

MN: Is it particularly daunting to have a street circuit first time up?

JH: A lot of people have asked me that, but I don't think so. In 28

n

'if

Make it three: Hunt will get a decent team-mate for his Champ Car debut with the PKV Racing outfit. None other than 1996 series winner Jimmy Vasser, above ... the end, you've got the same amount of black stuff and you just don't have as much run-off.

But I mean, I try not to use the run-off anyway, so its not fazing me too much.

MN: How many races do you get in the Atlantic season?

JH: There's 12 races in the Atlantics.

MN: And some on ovals?

JH: Yes. Yes, there are some on ovals. That will be interesting ...

MN: You've got no oval racing experience, I guess?

JH: No, I haven't. But I'm sure that they'll be testing me up for it.

MN:So as daunting as it would be to go into an Atlantic on a street course, a Champ Car is going to be an entirely different thing. What do you do before Queensland?

JH: Well, I'll be involved in quite

a substantial amount of testing before I come to Australia, so I will be familiar with the car itself.

And as for the circuit. I've grown up here on the Gold Coast, and the only thing I haven't done is raced around that track. I've driven around it in a road car, and generally I know it like the back of my hand. But we'll wait and see when it comes around.

MN: And the amazing thing is, as a 18-year-old Champ Car driver this year, you're not going to be the youngest guy in the series.

JH: Well, yeah. It's going to be different. It's going to be very different, but we'll wait and see.

I've never tried to put a barrier on myself. But by the time it comes around. I'll actually be 19.

But age is never a barrier 1 try to put in front of myself. I'll have had plenty of experience in the cars. I'll be comfortable when I

come over, so my age is the last thing I'll be thinking about.

MN: Lynx is based in California, isn't it?

JH: They are. They're just outside San Francisco, in Sonoma.

MN: Well, Vegas is where all the Champ Car drivers hang out!

JH: Vegas or Miami, yeah! At the moment I'm over there to try and say 'OK, here I am'. I'm not going to settle in to the high life just yet. I'll wait until I'm doing my job.

MN: And are your long-term ambitions to race in the States?

JH: Well, I've always had a particular interest in Champ Car. So I'm definitely trying to secure a permanent seat for next year.

And then I'll reevaluate and see where it takes me from there. moiorsport news

Five minutes with

mmm

Chris Atkinson

Who needs a works car in the Ausmaiian Raiiy Championship?

Not this guy, apparentiy.

The Queensiander cieaned up at the Forest Ratty in a privateer Subaru WRX,and MARK BimomUNG spoke to him about it.

WIOTORSPORT NEWS; I guess it's fair to say that you had a hell of a start to your ARC campaign?

CHRIS ATKINSON: Yeah, it's a good way to get back into it after a year off, and we were pretty surprised at the result.

MN: It's not just that fact that you won it, but that you won after being one of the major pace-setters right from the start of the weekend. That must be especially encouraging?

CA; Yeah, it was sort of a surprise, especially that first day.

I think we won the first five forest stages in a row, and I didn't think we were doing anything special. We were just driving hard and the car was working well.

MN: What sort of preparation did you have in the lead-up to the event?

CA: We did a day's testing back home and also a day of testing when we got there. So we really only had a couple of days in the car, and that was about it.

MN: As I understand it, the result is still provisional though?

CA: Yeah, that's right. The issue is with the FIA at the moment.

It's not a performance-related thing as far as we're concerned, and it's been passed before as far as we know, in all the Prodrive cars. It's just something that hasn't been seen in Australia before.

MN; How much did what you were doing last year prepare you for the ARC? CA: That was a huge part of it, doing all the different rallies. And also, Simon Evans said to me that the front-wheel-drive 30

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experience helped him so much back when he was in the Volkswagen, so that when he stepped into the four-wheeldrive car he was immediately quick.

And I think learning a year in front-wheel-drive, because they're so twitchy and so sort of on-edge all the time, when you hop back into a Group N car it makes it all feel easy. The car feels like its doing everything easily.

MN: You had a couple of scary moments over the weekend when it nearly got away from you though, like when you clipped a tree. What happened there?

CA: Yeah, I just bounced out of a rut coming into a braking area and got wide onto the loose marbles over there.

I clipped the tree and that spun us off the road and we sort of sat in the ditch and tried to select reverse. It wouldn't get out - it would go forward a bit and back a bit a couple of times, and then we finally got back on the road ... which was pretty lucky.

MN: And you also lost a lot of time getting past Mark Redder, too?

CA: Yes, we were held up. The car was in the middle of the road - there's photos of it right in the middle of the road and we're coming around the corner. Mark had just gotten out of the car and he was looking pretty dazed.

They gave us the thumbs-up, but we still lost time slowing down, checking them out and squeezing past their car. I don't know how that would have been dealt with (by the stewards), but fortunately that wasn't really an issue regarding times, with what we did after that.

MN: How much time do you think it cost you?

CA: About 15 seconds.

MN: How hard do you think it's going to be to sustain this sort of pace over the course of the season? Obviously the works teams are going to be pretty keen to bounce back.

CA: Yeah, I think they'll be a bit worried now. They've got a lot of experience behind them, so I'm

sure it will be no problem for them. We've got a good start, but they'll come back.

They've got three factories there, and they'll have no trouble getting competitive cars. They pace we're pushing at is pretty hard, and there's going to be accidents, and there's going to be broken bits on cars. It's going to be a pretty interesting championship.

MN: So what's the plan for you guys from here?

CA: We're still competing overseas with Suzuki this year in the Asia Pacific Championship, and we're also doing a few selected World rounds. And we're racing in China for another team over there, so we've got heaps of seat time. We're doing the Rally of Great Britain, and possibly another couple WRC events this year.

Our aim is to get a Production World Championship drive or a Junior World Championship drive - which is what we were hoping to get this year with Suzuki but it didn't come through. So it's going to be an awesome year, hopefully. motorspori news

■:?

U8 SUPERCARS

10 e Focalizado

It translates from Portuguese as ‘Fast and Focused’, and neatly sums up where Max Wilson is at right now. Three years and three teams into his V8 Supercar career, the Brazilian told MARK GLENDENNING that he finally feels at home

WIOTORSPORT NEWS; You're into your third year as a VS Supercar driver now. Are you a bit surprised that you've stuck around and become a 'veteran'?

MAX WILSON: When I first got here I wasn't too sure. You know, I didn't know exactly what to expect.

After the 2002 season, I liked the series a lot and felt pretty comfortable here in Australia as well. I knew that this would not be a bad place to be at all.

I think the V8'Supercars are getting stronger ever year, and it is getting more competitive, more popular. So it's a great place to be.

cars are obviously very different to what you had driven before?

MW: Yeah, for sure you have to adapt. But I have to say that the principal is pretty much the same. The techniques are the same, it's just a totally different car to drive. It's a lot heavier, there's not much downforce, and it moves around a lot more than the cars I have driven before.

But at the end of the day you have to try to go as fast as you can, and to find the right line, the fastest way to go around, and that's pretty much the same in everything that you drive.

MN: Back in your first year, you were involved in a few incidents. Was that just a matter of finding your feet and adapting to a new type of racing after so many years in open-wheelers?

MW: I think that year was a bit of a learning curve for me.

And I have to say also that In that year some drivers were trying to give me a bit of a hard time, maybe because I was a newcomer - you know, the first non-Australian, or New Zealand, or Tasmanian. I think 1 had a bit of a hard time with that.

But after the first few races it was alright. I got to know the drivers, and they got to know me. I think I showed them what I am capable of doing on the track and it was all good after that, I think.

MN: Do you feel at home in Supercars now?

MW: Yeah, I do actually. I'm pretty happy to be here still, and I think this is a pretty good series to be with. They are the most competitive touring cars in the world. And I'm happy to be involved with the team that I am with now,the Triple Eight team - they are a very experienced team, very professional.

And they are also from overseas, so that's something that we sort of share. Along with Prodrive, they are the only non-Australian team and I'm the only foreign driver. So we share something in common, I think.

MN: So at the start there was a bit of 'this guy has driven a Formula One car, but we'll sort him out'?

MW:(laughs) It was a bit like that I think, yeah. But it's all good now.

MN: Did you have to change much in terms of your mind-set or your technique, because these I fi : ●i! 20CC

MN: So are open-wheelers still on the cards for you some time in the future, or are you happy with a roof over your head now?

MW: Yes, I'm pretty happy now. For sure, I had a great time driving open-wheelers.

You never know what might happen in the future, but right now I'm very happy to be here, and my focus is here on the V8s.

I'm really glad to be in the series, and with a team that can get good results and

perhaps even fight for championships. From my point of view, when you have those sorts of things in your head, you shouldn't be thinking of something else.

My focus is here now, and I' try to do as well as I can here.

MN: You're with your third team in three years. Does that lack of consistency make things harder for you as a driver?

MW:(pause)Yes and no. I think the reason why I have already driven for three different teams ... I had my

Triple 8 does pretty much everything in a way which I think it has to he done II

reasons to do that.

Every time I made a change, I think I was trying to find what was better for me. Again, I don't know what's going to happen in the future, but I think now after a couple of changes, a couple of teams.

I'm really happy where I am.

Now I've got a team that can really provide me with a great car. I think we can be very strong together, so I would say that I might stick with Triple Eight for quite a while. We make a good combination.

MN: So what do you think you have now at Triple Eight that you were missing last year?

MW:(laughs)That's a trick question!

I would prefer not to compare the teams. But the thing that I can say is that Triple Eight does everything pretty much in a way which I think it has to be done.

Different teams have a different approach for how things have to be done, and

how the car has to be prepared, how the team has to be prepared, what's important and what's not important.

Which is fine, you know, different people have a different way to see things. I think from my experience.

Triple Eight has been working in a way which I believe is the right way to do it, whereas in the'other teams that I drq.y,,^ for it wasn't exactly in the way that I was expecting.

So that's why I think I'rn going to be with them in the long-term.

MN: I know you don't want talk too much about last year or previous teams, but on the other side of the coin.,it's easy to forget that as tough as a lot of 2003 was, you still scored'a podium at Eastern Creek.

MW: No, I don't really mind talking about last year or the year before (laughs).

I think last year wasn't the sort of season I was expecting to have. I was driving for, I would say, a big team, but at the end of the day my expectations were a lot higher than what ended up happening. But at the end of the day, you know, it's one more year, more experience.

And last year I got my first podium in the last race of last season which was great, especially after the tough year that I had. It was great to finish with a good result, and it was a shame that we couldn't have more results like that one or even better last year, because I think we could have done.

At the end of the day it didn't happen, but I made a lot of friends at DJR, and now and again I catch up with some of the guys from back there. But I had to make a move which was better for me. continued on page 34 33

continued from page 33

MN:One interesting thing that DJR did last year in trying to get things back on track was calling Ron Tauranac into the fold. Were you involved in that at all?

MW: Not in bringing him over, but I have to say that that was really a turning point for DJR. I didn't have much of a chance to work with Ron because he only stayed for three months or so. It was not long at all, which I was pretty disappointed about.

If you see last year, we sort of came from pretty much nowhere to be quite often in the top 10 and having better racing results - or at least be up there in the racing. Like Indy last year, I was running fifth or so with four or five laps to go and then Besnard made a big mess and took a lot of people out, including myself.

But you know, ever since Ron Tauranac joined the team last year things turned from bad to good, I have to say, and a lot of that is due to his

efforts and his experience that he brought to the team. I'm not too sure why they didn't keep him on the team - I think it was a bit of a waste, to be quite honest.

But at the end of the day it was not my call, and if it was my call I would have done it in a different way. But for sure Ron was, in my opinion, a real turning point for DJR last year.

MINI: So how much potential do you think there is now that you're in a new team with a new car?

MW: We don't know how much potential we've got until we go to the racetrack.

When we started here at the end of last year we had a lot of expectations, because we had new people, new team owners in Roland (Dane) and Peter (Butterly), and people like Campbell (Little) coming over from Stone Brothers, and Ludovic (Lacroix), who is the car designer and is doing a V8 - which he has never done before.

So until we went to Adelaide we had a lot of reasons to

believe that it could be quite good, but until we got there we didn't know for sure.

So we went to Adelaide, which was pretty much the first time my car ran without any problems. Before Adelaide I had been to a test day at Willowbank, and I didn't do much because I had an engine problem.

And them we went to the Grand Prix, and I also had a lot of problems with my car there.

So we couldn't really see how good or how bad the car was.

"rd be happy with first, and sort of happy with second and, you know, i'd be airight in third...

-lUax rates his title hopes But then we went to Adelaide, and the car ran without any problems. As you know,the car was pretty much in the top 10 or the top five all weekend, which I think is great without having had much track time. And for me it was the first proper race weekend^ because the Grand Prix iri Melbourne is not really a proper race weekend.

So I think it was great. I was really impressed with the car speed, and how well the car handled and how well it looked after its tyres. So after that I would have to say that I feel pretty confident that we can have a pretty strong season. n/lN: It's encouraging for the team too, because the new owners only took over in September last year, and I guess it would be fair to say that the whole operation is still finding its feet and getting organised?

MW: I think so. And also, if you think about the cars, they built two brand-new cars in about six weeks, which is really amazing.

Most of the big teams are running last year's cars, and they already have a season under their belts with those cars, we are running brandnew cars, which are a lot different to last year's cars for Triple Eight.

So already in the first race meeting we were pretty competitive -1 qualified second and then in the first race, despite the fact that my tyre blew up, I had the fastest lap of the track.

So I think it's a great achievement for the whole team. I'm really impressed. In the first race meeting we were pretty strong, and I think we can only get stronger, in my opinion.

MIM:.Dpes it feel like a different team to when you were there last time, or is it just like being with the old team but under a new name?

MW: No, it's a whole different team now.

A lot of the personnel are still the same - a lot of the engineers that were there before are still there, and a lot of the mechanics are still there.

But even those people that were there before are working now in a totally different way, . basically, I think, for two reasons. First of all, because a lot of those people in 2002 were kind of brand new in motor racing. Some of them had very little experience,some of them had no experience at all in motor racing.

So right now, after the 2002 and 2003 season,they have two seasons of experience instead of nothing, like they had before.

That's a big difference.

And also, under the Triple Eight organisation it is a very different way to work. Now it is a lot more detailed, a lot more thinking in everything about the car preparation and about the race weekend. motorspon n&ws

r

Every single thing they do is very methodic, and I think now it has to be done that way because that's the only way you can achieve good results. So now it is a lot more methodical than before, and I would say a lot more professional.

No disrespect to (John) Briggs or anyone else who was running the team before, but now it is a lot more professional I think.

MIM: suppose that trickles down to other things like the new factory, doesn't it?

MW: Well, the factory is still in the same place, but they have restructured the whole thing.

They have a lot more resources now than they had before, which is all due to Triple Eight.

Roland and Peter are putting in a lot of effort and bringing a lot of knowledge from overseas into the team, which is great. I don't think that many teams have got the same sort of resources that we have got right now, which is one of the reasons why we can be very strong.

MN:So what do you think the team needs to do to close the gap to SBR? MW: I think ... it's just a matter of a bit of time, I would say.

We had so many things going on between the last race and now, you know, people working almost 24/7 and everything, just 7 inril 2004

trying to put the cars together and trying to build new parts and a lot of things for the car, which they did.

But that's very tiring, very stressful sort of work, because you're not going to the race track, guys are spending hours and hours at the workshop trying to put things together for the first race.

MIM: So looking ahead to the end of the year, what sort of championship position would you be happy with?

MW; For sure I'd be happy with first, and sort of happy in second, and you know, I'd be alright in third (laughs).

But it's pretty hard to predict, you know. Stone

Ron (Tauranac) was,in my opinion, a reai turning point for DJR iast year

11

But now, after Adelaide, everybody has had a bit more time off, and a bit more time outside of racing - away from the race shop, or the racetrack, which I think is important.

Everybody is a lot more relaxed, and now there is more time to focus on the car speed and the races.

Until a couple of weeks ago nobody had done that, because they were still building cars, and getting to know people, and getting people to work together, which is ail part of a new team.

Brothers did a great job last year and haven't done anything different based on Adelaide, so they are going to be very strong.

But then again, that was the first race, and we still have another 11 rounds to go.

It's going to be pretty hard toI predict where anyone will be based on what happened in Adelaide or what didn't happen in Adelaide.

I think that with the sort of work that we are doing we should be a team in among the top. You never know, you

have to wait and see, but that's the plan.

MIM: Moving away from racing a bit, you mentioned before that you were the first non-AuStralian, nonIMZ driypr. Po you feel settled now? Are you in,9 position where you don't have to worry about adapting to a new country and can just concentrate on your racing?

MW: Yes, I do actually. When I first got here a lot of things were new for me, which is normal for someone who has never been to the place before.

So there were a lot of things I had to find out about racing, about Australia, about where I live, about what I do here. But you know, I have been through the adaptation thing before, and I have to say that here wasn't any harder, especially being such a nice place, such a beautiful country, and having really great people to work with and hang around with.

So it was a lot easier than I was expecting, actually. I still have my home people, my family back home and my friends back home, ancf I go there as much as 1 can. But I'm pretty happy to be here too, and pretty lucky to be here. It's a great country, great people, great lifestyle.

There are a lot of great things about this place ...

35

The Coalition of the w HICHEVER way you look at it, it's not looking all that good.

You work for one of the country's leading racing teams. It is the first race of the new season and you have spent the summer getting the cars ready for the coming year.

During Sunday's warm-up, your lead driver crunches the concrete at one of the most notorious comers on the calendar. On television, external damage often looks far worse than it really is - but this is different. You know inside that tliis is not something that is going to be fixed at the track and you have a hard week coming up.

But there is the team's other car to

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concentrate on. Things are looking pretty good; your driver makes steady progress through the field, from mid-pack on the opening lap to eighth near the end. After a stmggle to 17th and 19th the day before, this weekend is not going to be such a bomb after aU.

We are going over the engines as normai but we were going to get ready for testing this week.

Now, we are not doing thaf'

11

Then,it happens. A bmsh with another competitor sends'your' car spinning into the concrete. This time, it looks bad and is bad. You have two torn up racecars to take home.

In an ideal world,it would not be a problem. In NASCAR,or in Formula One, you would just pull another two cars out of the rack, prep them and go racing. Even with some other V8 Supercar teams, you might have a spare car that, with two days' work, would be ready to go. The next-best case scenario would have a

- GRM engine man Mike Exceii

completed and caged shell, ready for all the race hardware to be installed while the team repaired the other car.

Hard work,to be sure, but not that dramatic.

But your team does not have those options. Garry Rogers Motorsport has two-and only two - Holden Cormnodore VY V8 Supercars. Garth Tander and Cameron McConviUe are basically okay; GT is being treated for a stiff neck (his helmet hit so hard that the carbon fibre seat wing broke) while Cam has had a few headaches.

But both cars are tom up.

You are in a big,big hole and there is only one thing to do-start digging yourself out. The cars have to be raceready, in the transporter,in a tick over 200 hours. Failure is not an option.

The team's Glen transporter arrived back at GRM's Waverley factory at 9:00am on Monday and the cars were unloaded. After assessing the damage to both, McConville's #33 went onto the chassis jig first.

"There will be no water skiing or 36

Tuesday morning: The two Commodores sit in the GRM raceshop, top.

McConville's #33 car, on the left, is on the chassis jig, while Tander's lacks a roof panel. The rear of both cars were heavily damaged, though Tander's rear chassis rails stood up to the impact well, above, while #33's needed to be replaced completely, below.

socialising this weekend," sighs Rogers.

"I have been in this sport for 30 years and this is not the worst thing that has happened.

"The ordy things that were not damaged were the engine and gearbox. The hubs,the wishbones, all the steering components were broken.

It broke the chassis rails front and rear, all the radiators and coolers.

There was no a panel on the car that was not damaged and it needs all new glass."

No wonder. Turn 8 is quickly becoming the most notorious corner in the championship and there is considerable energy spent in a very short space when it all goes wrong.

Remember,Tander would have been travelling at almost 200kmh when the car hit the wall and, with driver and a half-tank of fuel, we are talking about just under 1.5 toimes of motor car.

So, to work. The #33 car is stripped and work begins,straightening what is left of the chassis while new front and rear 'clips' are ready to be installed. All of the major chassis work is completed by Wednesday afternoon and then the car is tmcked off to the paintshop while the #34 car

motorsport news

Willing

Ordinary people can do rennarkable things - even when they have two broken V8 Supercars and a deadline of200 hours to make them whole again.

PHIL BRANAGAN spent some time at Garry Rogers Motorsport and watched the transformation from wreckage to racers The start ofa busy week: Tander's crashed car is delivered

is put on the chassis jig.

The impression an outsider might ^ have for a team with so much work to

back to the CRM garage in Adelaide, above.

Souvenirs: Some of the wreckage from both cars, left, is arranged in a 'sponsorfriendly'fashion outside the shop.

Progress: By mid-week, McConville's car is off the jig and is taking shape. below. Note tbe missing roll cage cross brace, damaged in the hit from Johnson's Falcon. It is about to be replaced.

V Ti

do is that everyone would be running a full revs aU the time but pretty much the opposite is true. Everything is very orderly;in fact, there are times when people do not have that much to do.

Everyone gets in to get all the fab (fabrication) work done on one car and then the other," says Rogers.

The mechanics help with that but they are not specialists in that area so they do what they can. Sometimes, that means that they stand there and hold things.

In fact, while there is much to do in the mam part of the shop,it is almost situation normal in the engine shop.

We actually have less to do," says engine boss Mike Excell."We are going over the engines as normal but we were going to get ready for testing this week. Now,we are not doing that so I guess we will be leaving early.

The mechanics are not. During the first few nights, there were still people working as the clock ticked past midnight. Apart from any costs associated with replacing parts on the cars, the lighting bill must be pretty high...

By the of time weekend starts (for most us,the anyway) things are really starting to move.

The Tander car is off the jig and headed for the paintshop. The McConville car is now back in its regular pit bay; there are four in the shop,one for each of the two V8 Supercars and two for the Monaros with which the team won the Bathurst 24 Hour(though the red one continued on page 38 37

F

continued from page 37 does not live here any more).

By Monday morning,an amazing amormt of work has been completed.

Both cars now have engines and gearboxes installed; m fact, at first glance, the #33 car looks to be in 'racetrack' condition. Front and rear suspension is in place (except for springs and dampers);brakes have been fitted; the interior of the car is complete,including seat, electrics, adjusters for brake balance and roll

bars;even the drink system has been completed.

There are 28 people on the team, including Rogers himself and the two drivers. Of those, 16 go to races, including Garth and Cam.It needs to be noted that,from the normal preparation time prior to the Adelaide 500 to the end of the races at Eastern Creek,the 'other' 13 guys in the race team wiU not have had a day off m more than three weeks - and some of those days have lasted 16 hours.

»i

i

You normally have a crew that goes to the races and people who stay behind and work nine to five in the shop. All that goes out the window"

IV

- Sltirl explains how it all works

"I can't say enough about the team," says Rogers.

"When things are running normally, they make the usual noises about things at work,as you do. But when it comes time to knuckle down and get to it, like they have during this, they just go to work.

"Everyone in racing knows what it is like. It is hard on everyone here, and hard on their wives, girlfriends and families. One of the things I am most proud of is the guys we have in the team."

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Trevor Sheumack - Technical Support 0418 548 578 motorsport news

U8 SUPERCARS

Starting to look like cars again: Following a long weekend in the shop, the cars are starting to take shape.

Tander's car, far left, awaits minor things like an interior, which included a new seat, middle. Above, at the end of a huge effort by the team, both cars are ready by Tuesday afternoon after a long eight days.

Car/33 Cameron McConville

O

Front bumper, bar and iron Radiator Bonnet

n Tuesday afternoon, the results of aU the long hours of hard work are there to see.

Half a day ahead of schedule, Tander's car is finished. Wheels are fitted, the V8SCS decals are applied, the rear of the car is lowered onto trolley jacks and it is shd over to the transporter, ready for loading.

McConviUe's car is completed but the

signwriting shU needs to be finished.

A check of the watch indicates that 199 hours have passed since the GRM truck backed up to the building. It's amazing.

"No,it's not," comments Rogers.

"It's 'remarkable'. It just shows what people can do when they put their heads down."

Crew chief Kevin Shawyer,known

Positions Vacant HOL.DEN Holden Motorsport, Australia's leading V8 Supercar preparation organisation, has two positions vacant.

II . A truck driver is required, preferably with V8 Supercar experience (or other leading racing categories) at race track level including tyre fitting, as well as a 'B' double licence. The right candidate would be self-motivated, energetic and able to work well in a team environment.

as 'ShirT to one and all, puts it in perspective; "We have to pull together as one.

You normally have a crew that goes to the races and people who stay behind and work nine to five in the

Side skirts left and right Windscreen Two front doors

shop. AU that goes out the window.If we need them (the fabricators or the engine guys),they help us fit things.

A few midnights and 2ams and here we are."

Rear bumper Rear rails Fuel tank Whole rear sub-frame from firewall Boot lid

So, the total cost? Early days.

Rogers has said elsewhere that the cost was around $200,000, potentially excluding the odd $150 pizza deUvery or $120 worth of fish 'n' chips. And what of the 'team building' effect of the whole process?

Men working together doing manly things with manly equipment. Is that a benefit, or are we reading too much into it?

Rear wing 3 wheels 2 shock absorbers

"We just want to win some races," comments Shirl nonchalantly.

This off-the-track race, they absolutely blitzed. And,but for another 2s at Eastern Creek, this story would have had a fairytale ending ...

3 headlights (one was broken while being replaced!)

Windscreen Roof Left-side front and rear doors

2. A 3rd or 4th year apprentice or recently graduated automotive machinist and/or mechanic is required to work in the Holden Motorsport Engine Shop. Engine reconditioning experience would be viewed favourably.

The right candidate would be self-motivated, energetic, able to solve problems, communicate well and work well in a team environment.

Holden Motorsport supports Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity in the workpiace. Information regarding Holden Motorsport's collection and use of personal information can be found at www.holden.com.au/privacy HOLDEN 7 April 2004

2 suspension hubs (repaired) Brake discs and disc hats Front roll cage cross member

Car #34 Garth Tander Front bar Bonnet

Both rear quarter panels Boot Rear wing and mountings Rear bumper and tin work Fuel tank Left-side A, B and C-pillars Left-side front wheel tub Radiator and support panel Left-side exhaust system Roll bars front and rear

Interested applicants should forward a comprehensive cover letter and CV to: HR/Associate 125 Rayhur Street Clayton VIC 3168 or by email to racing@hsv.com.au

What got Broken

Front and rear suspension Watts Linkage Left-side front and rear brake rotors

Unusual sight: We have seen things like broken brake rotors before but has anyone ever seen a suspension spring bent like a banana, above?

and callipers 3 shock absorbers and springs Differential Tail lights K-frame cross member Driver's seat 39

Brave New World Formula One has gone to the Middle East for the first time at Bahrain's amazing new Sakhir track.

ADAM COOPER spoke to some of the sport's power brokers about the new faciiity and what it means to FI

4

/ >*

t

●ir-

§

o

n Sunday morning I bumped into Bemie Ecclestone just outside the Bahrain paddock gate. For once he was at a loose end, as the driver of his Maybach limo had temporarily gone AWOL, leaving Bemie with an unexpected lull in his usually frantic schedule.

That little glitch aside, was he pleased with the way things had gone so far, I wondered?

"Yes, it's great," he replied.

"They've done a super job, haven't they? It's a pity that we've got to give this up now and cancel it for SUverstone, that's the terrible trouble.

Anyway, if that's what we have to do, that's what we have to do ..."

Bemie was being a little mischievous, as usual taking every opportunity he could to have a poke at the former RAF airfield in Northants. Of course Bahrain is here to stay, and its place on the FI schedule is probably as secure as that of Monaco.

Without exception, everyone was impressed by the job the Bahrainis had done, not just with the creation of the Sakhir circuit, but also the whole organisation that surrounded it. It helped that there was a large European input - even the guards on the paddock tumsHles were from the Austrian firm that covers many continental events - but nevertheless, the locals could be proud of what they had achieved.

Circuit chairman Sheik Fawaz bin 40

Mohammed A1 Khalifa (right, with BE) has been one of the driving forces behind the project, and he enjoyed a little reward for his efforts when he appeared on the podium, presenting the runner-up prize to Rubens Barrichello. Afterwards he could relax for the first time in a while.

"I'm relieved I guess!," he smiled.

"We had a wonderful weekend here.

The race was a climax to a fruitful event. I'm extremely happy. All the feedback we've been getting, whether from FOM, FLA, team principals, or drivers has been very positive, and that's quite encouraging for us. We did this project in record time."

Although Ecclestone insisted on bringing in French organisation specialist Philippe Guardjan in January, Sheik Fawaz says that he never had any doubts that the venue would be ready on time.

"Actually it wasn't really crisis management, it was more reassuring ourselves and the world that we're doing the right thing. We didn't want people saying are they late, are they doing the right thing? He was very good at calming them down, as he's done it many times before. It was reassuring for us, and the rest of the world.

"We were never behind schedule.

We were ahead throughout the project, and we were confident even before the end that we would be ready before the deadline. The due date was March 7, and we completed

It'S a pity that we've got to give this up now and cancel it for Silverstone, thars the terrible trouble"

u

- Bemie has a joke. We think

it on March 6."

Were there a few missing details that we hadn't noticed?

"Everything was finished within the scope of the contract, but you can always make it better looking, whether it be getting more green into the paddock or more colour here, or stuff like that."

On Sunday the huge main

motorsport news

FORMULA ONE grandstand was pretty full, but those on the exit of the first comer still had lots of empty seats, and there were disappointing gaps elsewhere.

There's an education process to go through, and insiders insist it wasn't just a question of the extraordinarily high ticket prices and hotel rates putting people off.

"It's a brand new race, it's the first time in this part of the world," says Ecclestone."I suppose if you brought camel racing to London you probably wouldn't get a lot of enthusiasm at the beginning. When they get used to it they'll probably like it."

"You have to say that FI is new to the region," said Sheik Fawaz."We only started broadcasting it on TV in the last 8-10 years,so there's not much history in this part of the world.

Even now,it's on subscription-only TV,I think we need to do more education, not just for the people of Bahrain, but the people of the region as weU. "We've got a lot of sporting fans, who are used to buying tickets for the day of the event, and they don't understand the concept of a three-day event yet. They remembered the famous date we had,the 04 04 04, and everybody bought tickets for Sunday.

We noticed that,so in the last couple of months we changed the campaign.

It's something we'U rectify next year."

In fact there was a more

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probably make it a holiday next year.

If it's going to make this a success, why not?"

This is a two-way street. While the locals learned about FI, members of the travelling circus discovered a little about a region that, to say the least, doesn't get a very good press. That was greatly appreciated by McLaren shareholder Mansour Ojjeh, who brought TAG into FI 25 years ago.

"To have this in the Middle East is great," he enthused."1 think they did a great job, not only at the track, but I think everyone saw that the hospitality is fantastic. 1 think it's going to give a good image to a lot of people who don't know or don't , understand this part of the world.

They think of the stereotype Arabic muslims- beards and radicals. But this is not the way it is."

The other great lesson of the weekend wiU be learned by other circuits. SOverstone in particular is sure to get an even harder time from Bemie.

'It's been an outstanding success/

said Paddy McNally, Allsport boss and the man in charge of VIP hospitality and signage.

"The problem is that it sets new standards, and some of the European circuits are going to look very tired in comparison. The facilities are extraordinary. But you can always improve on everytliing. The Chinese were here today, and they've had a good look around,and they're going to raise their game as a result. It's fascinating."

As in Malaysia, the huge financial commitment made by the government and the ready supply of cheap labour means that creating such a circuit in Asia is far easier than it is in Europe. * But one gets the impression that older venues won't be allowed to use that as an excuse.

"I think that's oversimplifying it," says McNally."I think it's the commitment we've seen here - a commitment to build a track in the time they built it is extraordinary."

Ecclestone agrees:"The people make more money in Europe. If you want to compare, you have to compare everything."

"This is the 21st century," says Ojjeh. "Malaysia started it with these kinds of facilities, and when you look at the old continent and other places we go racing,it becomes either embarrassing or a joke. This is the future."

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F3 Television Schedule Round 1 - Adelaide Parklands - Saturday 27 March 4:30pm CMTnwrrv itQund 2 - Oran Park - Saturday 24 April (check your guides) / Round 3 - Sandown Raceway - Saturday 22 May Round 4 - Winton Raceway - Sunday 27 June Round 5 - Eastern Creek - Sunday 25 July Round 6 - Wakefield Park - Sunday 15 August Round 7 - Symmons Plains - Sunday 26 September Round 8 - TBA - Sunday 24 October

Ins\de

Round 1 - Adelaide Parklands - Thursday 1 April 8:00pm Round 2 - Oran Park - Thursday 29 April Round 3 - Sandown Raceway - Thursday 27 May Round 4 - Winton Raceway - Thursday 1 July Round 5 - Eastern Creek - Thursday 29 July Round 6 - Wakefield Park - Thursday 19 August Round 7 - Symmons Plains - Thursday 30 September Round 8 - TBA - Thursday 28 October

UI-IAIVIH SstHItt:

YOKOHAMA

I wnside /

Pti

www,fonnu/c

r

3,com.au

Championship Round 1 - Adelaide Parklands,SA, March 18-21 Round 2 - Oran Park, NSW,April 16-18 Round 3 - Sandown Raceway, Vic, May 14-16 Round 4 - Winton Raceway, Vic, June 18-20 Round 5 - Eastern Creek, NSW,July 16-18 Round 6 - Wakefield Park, NSW,August 6-8 Round 7 - Symmons Plains, TAS,September 17-19 Round 8 - TBA - refer to formula3.com.au for updates

BIG

TM

Send a Boy Rick Kelly came of age when he scored an emphatic win in the second round ofthe V8SCS at Eastern Creek. MARK GLENDENNING reports on a dramatic weekend in soggy Sydney

u

NLESS you were standing on the hUl without an umbrella or raincoat, this race was one of those classic feel-good deals.

The collective might of Stone Brothers Racing and Holden Racing Team took a back seat at Eastern

Supercar Championship on Sunday, but those that withstood the

Creek last weekend as Rick Kelly, not content with being named as the youngest-ever Bathurst winner last year, became the yoimgest-ever winner of a V8 Supercar 'sprint' round.

M

And he was joined on the podium

by Craig Lowndes and Garth Tander, who finished second and third respectively after as good a fight as any we've seen over the past few seasons.

Neither FPR nor GRM have been regular visitors to the podium during the last couple of years, and it's probably fair to say that neither arrived at the Creek seriously tipping themselves to take home some silverware. But when it came to the crunch on Simday,both did just about everything right.

It's rare that either the Stones or the Red Empire stumble, and it's just about beyond the realms of imagination that they'd both do it on the same weekend. But that's exactly what happened -SBR went the wrong way with its cars' set-up and were thwarted by the weather and some iffy wets, while HRT basically battered themselves out of contention. Suddenly, Adelaide didn't seem quite so bad ...

But it was one of those races, held in one of those raiastorms. There were surprises, good and bad,no matter where you happened to look on the results sheet, as is the norm with wet races. And given the diabolical conditions under which a lot of this one was run, there were amazingly few incidents.

The weather was awful(very similar to the Main Event at the same circuit last November, only with fewer power failures), the racing was good and clean and the crowd,sadly, was presumably elsewhere.

A scant 28,000 people made the trek out for Round 2 of the V8 44

downpour were rewarded with what will probably be one of the most intriguing races of the year.

Race (67 laps) ost races are decided on the

track. Many are settled in the pits. But this one was shaped by something happening a couple of kilometres away - a couple of kilometres directly above the circuit, to be precise.

The downpour was sufficiently heavy for Race Control to start the race behind the Safety Car, a move that proved popular among most of the drivers. Through the first third of the race it seemed that showers were gradually clearing, and in fact for several laps they stopped altogether.

But around lap 25 it started spitting again, and not long afterwards the bottom fell completely out of the heavens. Suddenly it was pouring,and it more or less continued to do so for the rest of the afternoon. And with every lap of rain, a sizeable portion of the field watched their chances of getting a good result being washed away with the grip.

Ambrose had been leading since the flag dropped, and Rick was at the head of the chase after making a cracking start(making up around a dozen places over the first six laps), and then later picking off Steve Richards and Mark Skaife.

The reigning Champion's efforts to build a serious gap had been thwarted by an earlier Safety Car period, which was signalled when Steve Ellery went straight on at turn one on the sixth lap and almost fired the Super Cheap Falcon all the way onto the staging area of the old drag strip, but he'd still managed to eke out a gap of just under 3s. As the rain fell heavier though, Kelly started carving slices out of Ambrose's advantage.

But the balance of power swung Kelly's way once and for all on lap 29, when the Pirtek BA veered into

the pits to complete its fuel stop. Rick inherited the lead,scampered around for a couple of quick laps, made his own fuel stop on lap 31,and rejoined the fray 1.6s ahead of Ambrose.

From there, the pair moved in opposite directions. Over the remaining laps, Kelly stretched his lead to as much as 13.6s, only to have it dissolved by a series of Safety Cars.

Nevertheless, he never looked to be under serious threat and was every bit a deserving winner when the continuously deteriorating conditions eventually led to the race being red-flagged 10 laps prematurely.

"We really struggled in qualifying, but come this morning's warm-up we knew we had a really quick car in the wet," said Rick.

"We hoped for rain, and fortunately it rained for us. We could carry a lot more mid-comer speed than these other guys, and that's probably what won us the race in the end."

Ambrose, meanwhile, was in trouble. Both he and RusseU Ingall had gambled on the weather clearing up as the race progressed, and consequently opted for a compromised wet/dry set-up, with a heavy bias towards'dry'. The cars ran well during the brief spell when it seemed that the water might be draining away,but when the rains returned with a vengeance SBR's weekend essentially became an exercise in damage limitation.

Ambrose also endured a brief excursion off the road on the way to his eventual finishing position of seventh while Ingall had to settle for 14th. Not the end of the world, but certainly not what they came for.

More importantl,from their point of view,it was a far better haul of points than HRT managed. Todd Kelly went out of sequence with the rest of the frontrimners very early on when he took advantage of the Ellery-inspired Safety Car to make his compulsory tyre stop on lap 7.

On lap 31, when most of his rivals were making their first stops, Todd

\

CutttntL

continued on page 48 motorspon news

5

7 April 2004

Water? What water? The Rickster never looked like putting a foot wrong on his way to a strong first 'solo' win.

Haven't I seen you somewhere before? Lowndes and Tander started together on the eighth row of the grid but surged through the mire to put on a great dice for second in the closing laps of the shortened race.

T

HE atmosphere, weather, eateries and overwhelming sense of occasion would make Adelaide's race a hard act to follow at the best of times.

But even taking that into account,things got off to a low-key start when the show rolled into Sydney's outer west.

Most of the drivers made full use of their 28 allocated laps to get some early miles into the car during first practice late on Friday afternoon, and those who didn't quickly found themselves on the back foot when things started to get a little more serious on Saturday morning.

Like Adelaide, it was SBR spending most of the time at the top of the sheets prior to qualifying; unlike Adelaide, it was Ingall, not Ambrose, who was posting the times. Russell set the fastest times in both of the opening sessions (with Ambrose not too far behind on either occasion), while Max Wilson underlined the growing promise of Triple Eight by spearheading a one-two ahead of Paul Radisich in the final session before qualifying.

A Ford benefit, then? Hell no.

In fact, if there was anything to distinguish the way the weekend kicked off, it was how evenly things were divided along manufacturer lines. The top 10 saw the two makes split 50/50 in first practice, followed by a 73 score to Ford in the second session, and a 6-4 advantage to Holden in the last outing prior to qualifying.

One consequence of all this was that qualifying rolled around 46

without anybody having really established themselves as the man to beat for provisional pole.

Now things were getting interesting ...

Several teams were struggling to come to terms with the Creek's snaking layout, not the least of which was Kmart Racing. Both Rick Kelly and Greg Murphy were struggling to get on top of their respective cars ("It's slow," was how Murph helpfully described it), with the end result that both cars were forced to qualify in the unfamiliar territory of the bottom 50 percent of the field.

They summoned enough speed out of their mounts to top that session, but both were immediately besieged when the quicker half of the field took to the track.

Skaife opened proceedings by dislodging Murph from the top spot with a 1 m32.1027s on his second lap, and by the time one more lap had been completed the Kmart-sters were the only cars from the first session left in the top 10. A few minutes later Murphy was in there on his own, courtesy of a solid lap from Wilson that vaulted the Brazilian up to sixth-fastest, and sent Rick spiralling out of the top 10.

With two minutes to go, Murphy was on the bump but appeared to be in with a moderate shot of salvaging a Shootout slot - until John Bowe came into the equation. The OzEmail Falcon had waited until the last possible moment to show its hand, and when it did, it did it in style, vaulting from nowhere straight into the top spot with a 1 m31.9469s - the

first time all weekend that someone had lapped under 1 m32s. And then, just to prove that it wasn’t a fluke, he raised the bar even higher with a 1 m31.8820s next time around.

Job done, and cue much highfiving among the boys in green.

Outside of the top 10 there were a lot of teams scratching their heads. Following a pair of sizeable shunts in the City of Churches, GRM had put in a marathon repair job to get Tender and McConville onto the track in Sydney. The scale of the repairs meant that they were very different beasts to what they'd been when they rolled

The Tasmanian Touring Car title: Ambrose, above, got the finger out when it counted to take pole #14 but not before Bowe topped the sheets in 'real'qualifying, below.

out in Adelaide, and both drivers reported that they were on the back foot to a degree and struggling to find balance.

"We really needed a test day to sort them out," McConville shrugged.

The pair qualified 16th (GT) and 24th (McConville) respectively.

motorspon news

U8 SUPERCARS

ng Back to Normal After the qualifying ‘shocks’ ofAdelaide SBR and Marcos Ambrose returned to pole in Sydney. By MARK GLENDENNING

Orrcon Racing were also in the wars somewhat, with Bargwanna 19th ("The car wasn't good out of the truck, but we made some changes and we're getting somewhere"), while Winterbottom was stranded down in 25th. The #20 Falcon had sustained a broken power steering rack just 10 laps into the Friday session, and by the time qualifying rolled around, the reigning Konica Champ was still trying to play catch-up.

Elsewhere, FPR and DJR both had late nights on Friday after Lowndes and Johnson suffered engine damage.

Brede's qualifying efforts were binned after the Canberrian failed to show up for a compulsory weigh-in, relegating him to the rear of the grid. But at least he would be starting the race - Phil Scifleet and David Krause were both sent packing by the 105 percent rule, and they were joined by David Thexton, who chalked up yet another DNQ.

But amid all the tales of woe there is always someone smiling, and this time it was Craig Baird. Team Kiwi had raised eyebrows by going fourthfastest in the final practice session. Baird was able to go faster in qualifying, but unfortunately, so did a lot of other people and he was forced to settle for 18th. Still it was a good effort. Kiwis might not fly, but this one gave it a damn good go anyway.

1

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^ Flaming: JB topped the qualifying session. ^gUALIFYING j

VBSCS Round 2

B

owe would follow up his earlier effort by providing more drama at the end of the Shootout, but there were nine cars due to go out ahead of him.

Simon Wills had put the Team Dynamik car into the top 10 for the second consecutive round, and put in a conservative if unspectacular lap that nevertheless paid immediate

PDS/NO I 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

continued on page 48

Direction

NOBODY will argue about the importance of being the first car to pass the chequer. After all, that's what racing is supposed to be all about.

But there are a lot of smaller, more personal victories that go virtually unnoticed, and a good example of that was Steve Richards's effort in qualifying.

You think that someone of Richo's experience would be blase about qualifying fourth fastest, and third in the shoot-out? Not necessarily.

"I'm absolutely ecstatic," he enthused after doing just that.

"Our form here at Eastern Creek traditionally has been very, very poor - particularly in qualifying. This is the first time since I've been with the Castrol team that we've rolled the car out and it's been fantastic.

"We've been saying all week that this has been a bogey track for us, and if we can come away from here with a good result then I'm pretty sure that we can go anywhere and tune the car up and be fast. So I'm absolutely ecstatic with a third position here. I couldn't be happier."

Proof, if ever it was needed, that they key to scoring a big victory is to score a lot of little ones ...

- MARK GLENDENNING

0

r

12 2 9 11 22 1 50 29 44 888 51 16 5 6 34 15

18 _ 021 19 10 20 3 21 18 22 21 23 24 33 25 20 2^ 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

23 17 31 45 75 7 14 99 24 43

□ r i ver | John Bowe Mark Skaife Russell Ingall Steven Richards Todd Kelly Marcos Ambrose Jason Bright Paul Morris Paul Radlsich Simon Wills Max Wilson Greg Murphy Paul Weel Glenn Seton Craig Lowndes Garth Tander Rick Kelly Craig Baird Jason BargNvanna Jason Richards Warren Luff Brad Jones Paul Dumbrell Cameron McConvIlle Mark Winterbottom David Besnard Steven Johnson Steve Ellery Dale Brede Anthony Tratt Tony Longhurst Mark Porter David Thexton Phil Scifleet David Krause

SYDNEY, NSW

car/team | t i me

1:31.88 20s OzEmall/Brad Jones Racing Falcon BA 1:32.10 27s Holden Racing Team Commodore VY Caltex Havollne/Stone Brothers Racing Falcon BA 1:32.1913s Castrol Perkins Commodore VY 1;32.2_653s 1:32.2932s Holden Racing Team Commodore VY 1:32.3319s Pirtek/Stone Brothers Racing Falcon BA PWR Performance Commodore VY i:32i'321s Sirromet Wines Commodore VY 1:32.3370s 1:32.3943s Betta/Trlple i:32!4318s Holy Grall/Team Dynamik Commodore VY 1:32.4854s Betta/Trlple 8 Falcon BA 1:32.6010s Kmart Racing Team Commodore VY I:32.6508s PWR Performance Commodore VY Ford CredIt/Ford Performance Racing Falcon BA WT/F^ Perfroamance Racing Falcon BA Repco Valvoline/GRM Commodore VY Kmart Racing Team Commodore VY Hyundai/Team KIvtfl Commodore VY Orrcon/Larkham Motor Sport Falcon BA Tasman Motorsport Commodore VX Shell Helix Raclng/DJR Falcon BA OzEmail/Brad Jones Racing Falcon BA Castrol Perkins Commodore VY Repco Valvollne/GRM Commodore VY Orrcon/Larkham Motor Sport Falcon BA WPS Racing Falcon BA Shell Hel7x Raclng/DJR Falcon BA Super Cheap Racing Falcon BA Holy Grail/Team Dynamik Commodore VY Toll Racing/Perkins Commodore VY Castrol Perkins Commodore VX IMS/HydraulInk Commodore VX Thexton Motor Racing Falcon BA Jim Beam/Romano Commodore VX PWR Performance Commodore VX

1:32.6873s 1:32.7471s _1:32.8I60s i!32^9409s i:32.9863s 1:33.0037s 1:'33.0712s 1:33.3144s 1;*33.3386s 1:33.4542s ’V:33.'4750s 1:33.6158s 1:33.63878 1:33,7128s 1:33.7256s 1:34.4^^s 1:3-y;^4s 1:34.8538s 1:34^9271s 1:36.60276' 1:38.6159s 1:40.1491$

TOP TEN SHDDTDUT RESULTS

sr

1

Ambrose

26.9659s

1m06.0476s

1m31.9206s

2

Skaife

27.0518s

1m06.1311s

lm32.0308s

3

Richards

27.0672s

1m06.1592s

1m32.1352s

4

Bright

27.3814s

lm06.5212s

1m32.4064s

5

T. Kelly

27.3044s

1m06.3285s

1m32.4313s

6 7

Ingall Morris

27.3184s

1m06.6333s

1m32.6623s

27.3065s

1m06.4293s

1m32.6730s

8

Wills

27.2635s

1m06.7484s

9

Radlsich

27.4686s

1m06.7484s

1m32.9307s_

10

Bowe

30.9506s

1m11.2133s

BIG

TM

lm33.029^ 1m38.9650s

www.bigpond.com.au 47

TM

Qualllying

continued from page 47

dividends when The Rat followed him out, dumped a few tenths in the first sector and just fell short of making up for It over the remainder of the lap.

Morris and Bright followed, each taking turns at the top of the sheets, only to be dumped from PI by a 1 m31,9206s from Ambrose.

Was it beatable? Well not by Todd Kelly, who dropped a lot of time in the last sector and wound up just behind Bright, nor by Richards, who strung together a neat lap but fell 0.2s short. Ingall lost a lot of time over the first half of the lap and paid the price for it by crossing the beams with the fifthfastest time, while Skaife's effort was good, but not good enough by a factor of 0.1 Is, And then came Bowe - and two corners into the lap, there went Bowe. JB seared through turn one, braked deeper than deep for turn two, and ran out of road. He got back on track and performed the formality of completing the lap, but the cause was lost. While SBR started to celebrate, shoulders in the OzEmail garage slumped en masse.

So, Ambrose was back on pole. His strike rate continues to amaze; from 41 races, he has started from pole 14 times. One In three. Not too shabby ...

Slippery when wet:Steve Ellery was one of the first drivers to test the track at the Creek, bunkering the Super Cheap Falcon on lap 6, above.

Creeks, Stones and Reds: Eastern Creek is becoming a bogey track for HRT, Skaife losing four spots after spinning while challenging Ambrose, below. At tbe bottom, Todd Kelly got into tbe action as well, later in the race. When he regained the track he was hit by Jason Richards, right, who retired.

Simem

SuttonsMQtoi ..fjaLij*? sfy

continued from page 47 was making his second and final required visit to the pits. He rejoined in 17th place, and soon found himself engaged in a lengthy battle with Ambrose,a squabble that eventually took a turn for the worse when Toddler slipped off the tarmac.

He rejoined, but did so right in front of Jason Richards. The hapless Kiwi had nowhere to go but into the back of HRT #22, and the resultant damage was enough to end Tasman Motorsport's weekend on the spot.

Meanwhile,Todd wound up back in the dirt and rejoined the circuit yet again, only to be summoned for a drive-through penalty for making a dangerous re-entry. In light of all that, his final finishing position of 19th (the last car on the lead lap) actually wasn't too bad an effort.

His stablemate wasn't having a 5 much better time of things. Skaife had found a way past Ambrose on lap 38, I only to have it all come undone six molorsport news

A blue moment: Ambrose slides off the road at Turn 2, allowing Todd Kelly and Steven Richards through, above. laps later when he went out wide at turn 8 and buried the car deep in the gravel. The Safety Car organised the field as the tow truck came to the rescue, and after a few vital minutes had ticked by,Skaife was on his way again.

Well, almost. His foot slammed onto the accelerator and the car lurched forward about an inch before being jerked back like a dog that takes off after a rabbit just before it remembers that it is stiU wearing as leash.

The car was stiU tethered to the tow truck. And more startlingly, a marshall who was running towards Skaife's car in an effort to bring this to his attention was entangled in the rope. The unlucky volunteer did a neat somersault, picked himself up.

released the Holden,and Skaife was finally free to rejoin, whereupon he immediately pitted for a fresh set of Dunlops. By the time he got back into the thick of things, he was in 26th place. He had recovered to 22nd by the time the race was red-flagged uncharted waters for a team with a very firmly entrenched culture of winning.

lot of time when a wheel nut problem left him stranded for several seconds during his tyre stop.

"We've been working pretty hard to make sure everything's reliable," reflected Lowndes.

"We had two engine problems in Adelaide and another one here,but we're getting on top of it- and I think the English are starting to rmderstand our sport. I think it's a little bit harder than they first expected,but it's a great competition,it's something new for them,and they're working really hard to get over the hurdles."

Garth, meanwhile, was stoked with his podium spot.

"To get this result for the boys after the effort they've put in over the two

H

RT and SBR's misfortunes freed things up somewhat for the other top 10 candidates.

Lowndes and Tander earned their right to stand on the podium courtesy of some edge-of-the-seat jousting throughout the final dozen laps, a battle that finally fell the way of the Ford driver. It had been a good recovery for Lowndes, who had lost a

continued on page 50

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BIG P%vl D continued from page 49

VBSCS Round 2 Sydney, NSW Race

weeks since Adelaide is absolutely amazing," he grinned.

Neither of their team-mates had a

&V LAPS

Pns t Driver j Race Time|Fastest i lap 2:17:31.2755s 1:46.5133s 25 I R. Kelly 2

Lowndes

2:17:32.0019s

1:47.5876s

24

3

Tender

2:17:32.6795s

1:47.8312s

22

4

S. Richards

2:17:33.3774s

1:46.6804s

24

5 6 7

Murphy Johnson Ambrose

2:17:34.7977s

1:46.5488s

24

2:17:35.6911s

1:48.1668s

24

2:17:36.9126s M:45.9530s

22

9

Bargv/anna Baird

10 11

2:17:37.6691s

1:47.5446s

24

2:17:39.0486s

1:47.6259s

23

Wilson

2:17:39.5151s

1:47.4008s

23

Morris

2:17:43.6518s

1:47.4739s

23

12

Winterbottom 2:17:44.8562s

1:47.6619s

23

13

Bright

2:17:47,5582s

1:47.1598s

24

14 15

Ingall Seton

2:17:50.1523s

l;46.8177s

24

2:17:55.5472s

1:48.1980s

22

16

Wills

2:17:57.01Bls

1:47.7668s

24

17

Besnard

2:17:58.0464s

1:47.3849s

24

18

Bowe

2:18:30.7719s

1:49.0816s

21

19 20

T. Kelly Radtsich

2:18:38.8840s

1:47.3183s

24

66 laps

1:48.4666s

25

21

Luff

66 laps

l:47.B028s

23

22

Skaife

66 laps

1:46.5546s

23

23

Jones

66 laps

1:47.6254s

23

24 25

Longhurst McConville

66 laps

1:48.0830s

22

66 laps

1:46.0946s

23

26

Trait

65 laps

1:48.2666s

23

27

Brede

65 laps

1:48.2849s

22

28

Porter

29

Weel

64 laps 54 laps

1:50.5288s 1:47.4952s

23 25

30

Dumbrell

51 laps

1:49.4898s

22

DNF j. Richards

55 laps

1:48.2259s

23

DNF Ellery

Slaps

1:56.4124s

3

VSSCS POINTS Points: S. Richards 360, Ambrose 348, R. Kelly 336, Murphy 327, Bargwanna 270. Bright 267, Morris 264, Baird 258, Tander 223, Bowe 216, Ingall 204, Johnson 201, Besnard 198, Weel 195, Skaife 192, Lowndes 186, Winterbottom 180, Seton 177, Dumbrell 159, Radisich 156. T. Kelly 153, Wilson 138, Jones 129, Wills and Tratt 102, McConville 96, J. Richards 75, Longhurst 54. Brede 36. Porter 30.

BIG

D

www.bigpond.com.au

particularly enjoyable afternoon, though. FPR had sent their charges out with two different set-ups, and while Lowndes's was up to the task, Glenn Seton's was far from it. With a miserable afternoon compounded by a couple of spins and additional time lost sitting behind Lowndes in the pits while the CAT car was having its wheelnut problems,it was not a weekend that Seton will be keen to remember.

At GRM,Cameron McConvUle was having an even worse afternoon courtesy of a car that was not handling at aU well, and an unfortunately-timed Safety Car that put him down a lap while he was in the pits.

Fourth place went to Richards, who drove a faultless race in the Castrol Perkins VY but simply couldn't match the guys in front for car speed,and just behind him was Murphy. The #51 Kmart Commodore hadn't shown the slightest interest in handling properly aU weekend ("We don't have a wet or dry set-up, we just have a set-up," reported Murph after the race), and his problems were compounded when contact in the opening laps pushed the front-left guard onto the tyre. Murphy pitted to get things sorted out, and threw a new set of boots onto the car while he was there.

He rejoined 22nd,but a combination of some luckily-timed Safety Cars and neat driving paid off with a reasonable haul of points at the end of the day.

A sixth place for Steven Johnson was a fairytale of sort for DJR, who had spent the greater part of the weekend banging their heads against

●II

I ●tj

3“

Choice performance: Baird drove flawlessly in the TKR Commodore VY. 50

Here is one we repaired earlier: Johnson rumbled from 27th to sixth! the wall trying to get their cars to behave themselves, while Jason Bargwanna underlined Orrcon Racing's promise with a very decent eighth.

We didn't have the best car in the field, but we just kept plugging away," said Bargs.

"We really didn't make the most of the warm-up,but we were still pretty happy with what we had and we just kept at it."

Team-mate Mark Winterbottom was a few spots behind in 12th.

"It's the first time I've driven one of these in the wet," the reigning Konica Champion reflected.

"I'm just happy to have brought it back in one piece. It's good to have a straight car - the engineers can concentrate on developing the car instead of putting new chassis rails in it...

Ninth was Craig Baird, completing a great weekend for Team Kiwi, with Wilson rounding out the top 10 for Triple Eight.

Races held in these types of conditions are usually synonymous

with carnage, but on the whole the weekend passed remarkably dentfree. There was the odd gremlin Dumbrell's afternoon was sunk by a malfunctioning windscreen wiper that necessitated repeated visits to the pits ("It's probably the most important part on the car today," he rued afterwards), while Paul Weel lost acres and acres of time to a front brake failure that the team thought would probably be traced to the seal on the master cylinder. Frustrating stuff for those concerned,but nowhere near as damaging to the chequebooks as Adelaide was.

Two rounds in, and we're still waiting for the championship to really take shape. Was this just a blip on the radar for SBR? Will HRT finally start to build some momentum in NZ? Or is this shaping up to be a year when there is more to the Championship than just two teams?

Send in your answers on the back of an envelope. Just remember where the next race is and what usually happens there.

Hint; it is not in Australia ...

□ Home Race near You EASTERN Creek may have been a race for the dark horses, but even so. Team Kiwi's performance was astounding.

Team pilot Craig Baird was an outstanding ninth when the red flag brought the race to an end. Fluke? Not as much as you might think.

"We've been quick all weekend," chirped a happy Baird after the race.

"We didn't get to run properly on Friday because we had a few niggling problems, so that set us back a bit. But once we sorted those out, it wasn't too bad at all.

Particularly encouraging for the team was the fact that the results came despite the fact

that Baird didn't feel that he was pushing especially hard.

"I was driving really conservatively," he explained.

"We didn't want to go out there and get caught up with anyone else. Working so closely with Paul Morris's team has really helped us, and the car is a lot better. This race was actually easier than last year's, when I was in Larry's old thing. You're driving your nuts off, and pushing harder, and risking more, and not getting as far.

"But we don't really have any choice but to take it easy we have a really low budget, and we can't afford to crash. If we do, we'd probably struggle to make it to the next race ..."

- MARK GLEIMDEIMNING

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I could get used to this: Button put the BAR-Honda on the podium for the second straight occasion, above, at a race meeting which was, well, something a bit different from the norm, below ... sutton-images.com

■->

A

FUNNY thing happened in Bahrain on Sunday. Well, not funny ha-ha,it was more funny-peculiar.

On Saturday in qualifying, the track temperature was 52-degrees C. On Sunday morning, the thermometers had dived to a miserable 30-degrees C. And that is a huge difference.

And it played straight into the hands of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari because the Bridgestone tyres still operate much more effectively at lower temperatures than do the Michelins. The French tyres have an ' advantage at higher temperatures.

Most of the Michelin runners had tyres that were just not competitive on Sunday. There was just no hope.

And so we had what looked like a totally dull race at the front. Michael Schumacher drove away from the field in a display of might that must have sent millions of TV viewers off to sleep. There was plenty of action behind him and some of it was

n/i

52

captured by the TV cameras - but we must not kid ourselves, it was not a good show.

One cannot make excuses for FI but it is closer than it looks at the moment when you take apart each of the events after the fact. When you have access to all the numbers you can see it. On TV screens, it is not like

that but we should not give up hope.

In Malaysia it was a very close race and Ferrari had been fortunate in Melbourne; remember,the temperatures took a dive on Sunday there as well. Even some of the Ferrari men were willing to admit that fate had helped them out.

"Our strategy proved to be just right," said technical director Ross Brawn.

"It is possible that the cloudy skies and the dust on the track worked a bit in favour of our package but the Bridgestones were fantastic today.

It has been a dream start to the season but we are keeping our feet on the ground. There are still 15 races to go.

And that is the right attitude because it is closer than it looks.

T

HIS view was backed up by Juan Pablo Montoya. He was disappointed on Sunday evening because a broken gearbox robbed him of third place but he recognised nonetheless that there is going to be a breakthrough eventually.

"Maybe I went for the wrong tyres," he admitted.

"They did not prove to be as quick in the race as I was expecting them to be but I stiU had a good pace and I would have finished third. There was nothing I could do." moiorsporl news

FORMULA

131

Bahrain Belter sutton-images.cotT}

New race, new track, sanne result.

JOESAWARD reports from Bahrain on Ferrari’s latest 1-2 domination of the Formula 1 paddock sutton-images.com

W Mobil D

Over and out in more ways than one: While the Ferraris smoked the opposition, above left, it was all fire and flame for a crushed Raikkonen, above. And RalfSchumacher didn't roll after contact with Takuma Sato, left, but he did everything but...

Allianzmi)

lUCKySTO

What was positive for WiUiams was that the team was easily the fastest of the Michelm runners.

Ralf Schumacher's race was not a success. It rarely is at the moment...

He might well have deflected the blame for the incident with Takuma Sato (above) better if the feisty little Japanese hadn't pulled off exactly the same manoeuvre himself later in the race -leaving Panis just enough room on the inside and exiting with enough momentum to complete the overtaking effort without contact.

Respect for Sato increases daily.

Watch and learn, Ralf...

The stewards in the end labelled it a racing incident.

Ralf was back on the aggro pills 7 ADril 2004

again later in the race when he punted Giancarlo Fisichella into a spin. There was no action taken over tfds at all by the stewards ...

Coming after he ran into Webber in Malaysia,it was not really very impressive.

"I think Sato was a bit optimistic in thinking to get back the position he had lost," Ralf said,"but I am not too disappointed because I have seen the data and I was running close to the Ferrari pace when the track was clear.

And that leaves some room for hope." Sure, Ralf...

With Williams out of the way, Michael's only threat was Rubens Barrichello but then we know that he is never really a threat and a long pit

stop made little difference. He could not keep up. He finished second.

The demise Montoya the closing lapsof gave JensoninButton the chance to score BAR'S second podium in two races but it was a rather fortunate state of affairs because there was no way that Jenson could race with Montoya.

But he drove a great race, considering that we was seventh at the end of the first lap. It helped when Ralf and Sato collided and,ultimately, another off for the Japanese driver enabled Jenson to get ahead.

After that, he hounded Jarno Trulli and got ahead of the Renault driver at the third pit stops. Luck got him

the extra place and the podium. But it did not matter. BAR is strong this year. Sato proved that too.

After his incidents, Takuma drove a strong race, absorbing a lot of pressure from Alonso in the closing laps and so took a weU-deserved fifth place.

Renault looked stronger on Sunday than they had in qualifying but the team was nowhere close to Williams pace and, with Alonso starting at the back, there was never much of a hope anything more than a few points. Trulli might have been third but he lost time in traffic after his stop and so Button got him.

Alonso drove a brilliant race - as he is prone to do - but having clipped a front wing on the first lap, he had to pit and was half a minute behind and had to make it up with a long first stint. Once he had a light fuel load, Alonso lit up the race track but there was just too much to do.

He fought a spirited battle with

continued on page 56 53

QuaUtyIng

The Red Sea cleses ever

Williams Just when it looked like Juan Montoya and Ralf Schumacher would take the front row, Ferrari did it again in qualifying.

JOESAWARD reports

T

HE slight change in the qualifying format in Formula 1 made little difference to the overall show.

"It is like moving the deckchairs around on the Ttanic," said BAR-Honda boss David Richards.

The pre-qualifying session produced the final running order with the two Williams-BMWs being the last to run, Ralf Schumacher just beating Montoya in the first session.

Raikkonen was also quick but it looked like a damage-limitation exercise. Michael Schumacher had been fourth quickest and so had to set a time before the Williams boys.

The early runners all set times which were better than the man who had gone before them, with the exception of Mark Webber who seemed ill at ease in his car (see box). Midway through the session Rubens Barrichello went out, having not had a very good run in the first part of the session. His time was the first real benchmark for the others: ImSO.5530s, more than a second faster than the best time at that point. The gauntlet was down and Giancarlo Fisichella, Takuma Sato, Jenson Button and Jarno Trulli all failed to knock Rubens off the top.

Then Fernando Alonso went out. Down at the first corner the Spaniard overcooked it. He went wide into the dirt and dropped a second. He tried to make up for it but later in the lap made another costly mistake.

He was suddenly back down 54

there with the Minardis and Jordans. It was a disaster.

Alonso blamed the brakes but the team tried to make light of the situation.

"We can still score points tomorrow," said Fernando. "We saw that in Malaysia, but it will not be easy from that starting point."

Olivier Panis was next to go and his time was a good one, fast enough for fifth place at that point. But was the Toyota carrying as much fuel as the other cars?

Michael was next and although his was not a perfect' lap, it was four-tenths faster than Barrichello, despite a big slide in the middle section of the track.

"I was right on the limit and sometimes over it," said Michael. "I think that is because the track is technically demanding and difficult.

Tomorrow's race is going to be difficult but I hope it is a good show for all the fans coming to see their first Grand Prix."

Raikkonen went out for a warming up lap but he pulled into the pits without going for a qualifying run.

Condemned to drop 10 places on the starting grid because of his engine failure on Friday, the team decided not to save a lap of fuel and the fastest lap on scrubbed tyres. They hoped that Kimi would be able to use those to move quickly through the midfield on the first lap of the race, when everyone else would be trying to get the tyres working.

The team considered that as David Coulthard was only 10th Kimi would be no higher than 16th or 17th if he had tried to qualify and it made no sense to give away an advantage that might bring him five or six places on the first lap. Perhaps even more. The danger of the strategy was that Kimi would be put out by an accident, but 16th and 20th is really not much different in this respect.

The big disappointment would be the Williams-BMW runs at the end of the session. The temperature had dropped a few degrees but this was not the issue. The fact was that both drivers made mistakes.

"Ralf and Juan both made mistakes," said one of the team members. "It cost each of them four-tenths of a second. Ralf made a mess of Turn 5 and that mean that he lost time in Turn Six. Juan lost the time in Turn 12. If the two had got it right they would have been right with Michael. More importantly they would have been ahead of

Rubens. That way they would have made it less likely that Rubens will keep them behind and allow Michael to get away.

"But," he added, "we are much more confident here than we were in Malaysia and we will be faster in the race."

The big question was whether Rubens could be sorted out at the first corner...

Fifth and sixth on the grid were the two BAR-Hondas which were pulling around much bigger rear wings than some of the opposition, suggesting that they had a great deal of horsepower to play with. The car is good and the team was hopeful of a good result.

"We wanted to have both cars in the top six in qualifying and to be in a position to get one car on the podium in the race," said David Richards on Saturday evening as he sat in the paddock, smoking a massive cigar in celebration of good times.

The interesting thing was that Takuma Sato was quicker than motorsoort news

f

FORMULA

I

NE

. % - Grand Prix of

//" / /

: Bahrain April 03 2004

i i ! ; : ’

|1 M Schumachor(D] .Scuderia Ferrari Mariboro i1:'3ai39 ’ R Barrichollo(BRA) [Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro , ; 1:30.530 + 0.391

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sBMWWIIIiamsFI Team 1:30.581 +0.442 R Schumachor{p; BMWWilliamsFI Team 1:30.633 +0.494

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Lucky Strike BAR Honda ' 1:30.827 |9J Button (GB)

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[Lucky Strike BAR Honda : 1:30.856 +0.717 !

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Mild Seven Renault F1 Team , [ 1:30.971 +0.832

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First steps in the sand... \

FRIDAY qualifying in Bahrain was all about getting to know the circuit.

"You are going into the unknown," Williams-BMW's chief operations engineer Sam Michael, nhove with RnlfSchumacher, said.

"You can make predictions, but until you run on the track you won't really know where you are in terms of the car's set-up."

Michael Schumacher's first lap of the track was on a motor scooter so that he could look for potential problem areas.

"The preparation I take is to go around the circuit and see some

Michael of Arabia: Schumacher looked, by his standards, ordinary on the first run but leapt from mid-pack to pole position - again - in Bahrain.

Jenson Button.

"Jenson said that the rear grip was just not there like it had been in the morning," said Richards. "He lost about half a second."

That would have put him second...

Renault's disastrous day with Alonso was mitigated slightly by the fact that Trulli was seventh but the team was not really a force if only because there are not enough fast corners in Bahrain to all the aerodynamics to give them the kind of advantage we saw in Melbourne and Malaysia.

The different track layout also helped out the Toyotas which are point-and-squirtmobiies and so ended up eighth and ninth.

7 Uprll 2004

dangerous points where you can damage your car going wide or things like that."

The first day was therefore not

very significant, with Rubens Barrichello ending up fastest. It was significant that Rubens was. only one ten-thousandth of a second faster than Juan Pablo Montoya's Williams-BMW. It was going to be close at the front. The other thing that was apparent was that this was a track that was going to suit the BARHondas but not the Renaults.

Jaguar was confident thanks to Christian Klien's fourth fastest time and Mark Webber was seventh so the team was looking forward to a good showing on Saturday.

McLaren was already in deep trouble with Kimi Raikkonen suffering an engine failure and David Couithard being dumped in the sand after a tyre failure.

‘

[l7 0Panls(F) Panasonic Toyota Racing . : 1:31.686 +1.547 [ |l6CDa Malta(BRA) ^Panasonic Toyota Racing ^ [ 1:31.717 +1.578 D Couithard(GB) West McLaren Mercedes 1:31.719 +1.580

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|11 GFisicholla(l) Sauber Pelronas 1:31.731 + 1.592 15CKIIen(Al Jaguar Raclrig 1:32.332 '+ 2.193

r® Sauber Pelronas 1:32.536

+ 2.397

|14 M Webber (AUS) Jaguar Racing 1:3i625' + 2.486 16 N Hoidfoid (D) Jordan Ford 1:33.506 +3.367 Jordan Ford 1:34.105 +3.966 n

'Miid Seven Renault FI Team 1:34.130 +3.991 G Bruni (I) Minardi Cosworth 1:34.584 +4.445

ii

:l ZBauiTigartnor(HUN) iMinardi Cosworth 1:35.787 + 5.648 K Raikkbnon.(FlN) [West McLaren Mercedes , No Time

Not a Great Day for Mark

"WE'VE been traction-hunting a lot," said Mark Webber as the cool of the evening closed in on Bahrain. // The car's no good in the lowspeed stuff. It was a completely different ballgame in Malaysia. I was aiming to do a 1m31.7s but I ended up with a 1m32.6s. I lost the time with a mistake in Turn 4. 1 didn't make the apex and it

snowballed from there.

It was very frustrating because the rest of the lap was not too bad.

"We should have been in the top 10 if I had done a reasonable lap but we are not competitive here."

Webber seemed a little down in the dumps after his team mate, Christian Klien, below, -

out-qualified him.

It was only the second time in his FI career that a team mate had topped him, but hoped that on Sunday he would be able to get his first score on the board. n I've been around long enough to know that things may come right tomorrow. 'lYqu just never know."

I 2:

a

55

TWO in a row! sutton-imagcs.coiff

Wa/k away: Montoya abandons bis dead Williams, above, while the Bahrainis celebrated their first CP, right. Aussie Webber had his first finish of the year with eighth spot for Jaguar, below right, continued from page 53 Mark Webber and then with Sato but

IT has been a great start to the year for BAR-Honda, with two podium finishes in two races.

The team is now equal on points with BMW Williams and just three points behind Renault. It is a huge leap fonward from the team that existed two years ago when David Richards took over from Craig Pollock.

Richards Is well known as a team builder and his success at BAR has underlined that reputation.

“Yes," said Richards. “The team is coming right now. It proves the point that it is all about having a consistent plan and taking people with you. We are coming to the fore but we are still have a long long way to go. We should not be under any illusions. We must not let that happen.”

The results are of key importance to the team because as the time clicks by, the end of tobacco in Formula 1 Is drawing ever closer.

Richards needs to find a major new backer for the team - and may even need to buy the team from Its owner British American Tobacco.

The results in recent weeks have been a huge help In that task.

- JOE SAWARD

r

the BAR stayed ahead all the way to

the flag.

The last point went to Webber, which was a relief for the Australian.

But the Jaguar was a lap down at the end and that summed it up.

There were only three retirements on Sunday in Bahrain and two of them were McLaren-Mercedes. It was another disaster. McLaren has four

%

points. Ferrari has 51. And that says it

all.

"Both Kimi and David could have finished in the points today but to do that you have to finish," said Ron Dennis.

Clearly, McLaren and Mercedes both have a huge job to do and as the results get worse,so too do the pressures.

The rest were not even in the picture...

F'or the technically

The high-grip surface provided a severe test for brakes in Bahrain, much as at Montreal or Imola.

According to figures provided

by Brembo, there are four major braking points. The heaviest deceleration is from 330 to 80kmh at the first corner; the braking distance at this point is 130 metres; the heaviest 56

deceleration is 4.6G; the heaviest load on the brake pedal is 85 kilos; and the maximum temperature reached by the brakes here is 800° C. Engine cooling was not the serious issue it was expected to be - the air was hot but much drier than in Malaysia, letting the engines breathe in a better way.

There were not a huge

amount of changes on the cars, but some interesting pointers to the huge development that will be unveiled in San Marino were visible.

The Williams FW26 sported a rear wing that now utilises two inner vertical fences, above, as the BAR 006 pioneered in Melbourne. This solution provides better management of the air flow to the rear wing

which is divided into three partitions, each of them providing a higher air flow pressure and an increased level of downforce.

Toyota concentrated on an improvement to the rear end aerodynamics, with a new version of the engine exhausts chimneys, above right, that are lower and longer, and horizontal, as on the BAR. molorsport news

FORMULA

l^Janna see the ian &. OS ^^ndis Pfix lOith 8

131 0

f

^roop 0^ real F| petfol-hea<is?

J"oln the 300^ ●'^torsport Weios h/orth Ameritan CjP Adventure as lOe head to see t(00 the best FI Crrands Prix on the calendar on , consecutive lOeehends. sutton-images.com

● .-Tb

■ 111 ■ 1

minded

A comprehensive tour package with various options, the North American GP Adventure wili transport Motorsport News F1 fans to two of the worid’s most famous Grands Prix - the Canadian Grand Prix, to be run at Circuit Giiies Viiieneuve on June 11-13, and the United States Grand VouT chance to meet our FI star/ Prix to be run at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway on June 18-20.

Tour participants have the choice of taking 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 f0nia,,n , 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.

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

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

Jordan modified its front wing endplates to provide less pitch sensitivity to the EJ14. The new endplates now sport a knife-edge profile that is no longer flat but forms a slight arch.

Ferrari concentrated its efforts on the front end, above left. The front wing utilised a flap with a 7 April 2004

very sharp gurney tab (1) that worked together with the inwardly-curved endplates (2) and a sharp edge spoon profile (3) to further maximise the downforce level at the front while at the same time reducing the pitch sensitivity of the car.

- PAOLO FILISETTI

Tima s conning oot.

I>ont miss ■this^reat opportuni"^. (ilalce^our booVUi^noio/

57

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Drivers' Championship: M.Schumacher 30, Barrichello 21 Button 15, Montoya 12, Alonso/Trulli 11, R.Schumacher 7, Coulthard/Sato 4, Massa/Webber 1.

5

[David Coulthard (GBR) [West McLaren Mercedes soil Baumgartner (HUN) inardi Cosworth

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Contructors' Championship: Ferrari 51, Renault 22, Williams/BMW 19, BAR-Honda 19, McLaren-Mercedes 4, Sauber-Petronas 1, Jaguar-Cosworth 1.

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FORMULA

m3

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S

5utton-im3ges.com

We're alljust good friends... Our man Webber chews the fat with Bemie, above, and Williams'Sam Michael, left. Obviously out to squash those rumours about a Webber/ Williams link-up, no doubt!

A

SINGLE point may not seem like much, but for the boys at JaguarRacing, it was a boost after the race disappointments in Melbourne and Malaysia.

We were helped, obviously, by the McLaren retirements and Montoya's late problem - but then again it's nice to have the luck run your way on occasions.

While the cooler weather played into Ferrari's hands at the front, it helped us a little bit too.

We'd struggled a little through practice with a tyre degradation problem similar to that which we suffered last year and, even though we went for the harder of our tyre options to help things along, I wasn't totally optimistic going into the race.

We were just that bit slow out of the slow corners but, in the end, the cooler temperatures (by some 15 degrees) made just enough difference.

I put up my hand after qualifying and copped the blame for the grid 14 start. Really, it should have been 10, but I went in too hot to turn four, overshot just a bit, and cost myself some time.

Fortunately, I had a good start and a good first lap, passing four cars, and then David Coulthard, to get back to where I should have been to start with!

The car developed a bit of understeer through that first stint, so I asked the boys to screw on a bit more front flap at the first stop. We did, but went a bit far - leaving me with some oversteer and a subsequent big moment at Turn 12, which cost four seconds.

We balanced it out again at the second stop and just pressed on as best we could, in the hope of getting a point or two which, fortunately, we did.

In race trim, we're really just l ar

hanging on to the coat-tails of the big teams at the moment, so it's important to be there at the end.

“Fhere was a little confusion mid-race when I got into a bit of a scrap with Alonso, which didn't actually achieve a lot.

I held him up for eight laps and it cost me 10 seconds, so I don't think we managed that very well. I know that he was a bit upset with me after the race.

It was not completely fair what I put him through, but I was not sure what was going on because my pit board incorrectly said that it was Trulli behind me and I was not sure if he (Alonso) was a lap ahead. l I knew it was Fernando because he was coming at me so quickly and I recognised his helmet, but for a while I didn't know if I was fighting for position or not.

I was making room for him to pass me when i suddeniy got the caii saying 1 was fighting for position. That is what happened and i'm not too worried about it ...

We now to Europe and ourhead first back test sessions since we headed off to Melbourne. There's plenty to do.

Despite the mixed outcome this last weekend, we are a fair way ahead of where we were last year in terms of tyre technology and management.

If we can get back to where we were in terms of set-up at Melbourne and Malaysia and put it all together in one weekend, then there's the potential for some sort of result.

Imola's in three weeks and, one way or another, it's somewhere I've tended to perform quite well at. If it is to be the last Grand Prix there, it'd be nice to make it a memorable one.

I know that he was a hit upset wth me after the race" Webber an Alonso

fUiVOAf

suiion-imagcs.com

p.

Sonic piloftakes Creek white Francis takes title leatH

by AARON NOONAN

f

I

B

RETT Francis has moved to the lead in the Ford Racing Australian Formula Ford Championship after a topsy-turvy round two at Eastern Creek, while Sonic's James Small clinched his first round win to put him within four points of the lead.

Small was pipped to the race one vdn by team-mate Michael Trimble, who starred to work his way through to win his first race in the category, edging out Small by just 0.0123s.

The latter had thought he still had one more lap to go,but he turned the tables to take race two and finished second behind Steve Owen in the final to clinch the rormd.

A five-point penalty for an incident with Francis at Wakefield Park is aU that keeps him out of the championship lead.

"1 would have loved to have won that last race but keeping the championship in mind I just had to play it a little bit conservative," Small said.

Francis took second for the round, admitting that he played things cautiously in the wet final race and settled for fourth after taking second in race two.

"1 had that voice in my head that says'go for the points'battling the one that was saying 'have a go you

3-

>5

.3S

who needs parity? Small, top, took a win, as did Michael Trimble, above,and Steve Owen,ri^t Five winners from six races held so far is pretty impressive girl' and the former won out," smiled the VIP Petfoods pilot.

Trimble was rapt to take a win and a third, but was caught out in the wet third race with a couple of spins that left him at the back of the pack.

It was the best result all season for Owen,who has been dogged by problems in the first few outings of 2004,leaving the Victorian's Bosch Spectrum languishing in ninth spot in the championship chase.

"My last race win in a Formula Ford was back in'99 at Indy ... and it was a wet race too ... I'm hoping it rains at Barbagallo (round three of the championship)now!" Owen joked.

His team-mate Tim Maaow strung together a consistent weekend,just missing out on a podium spot but cementing third in the points.

MOTORSPORT

DZ86R

60

DZ02G

But at least he had a better weekend than ADRAD/Sonic pilot Bryce Washington. The Wakefield winner buzzed an engine in race one and limped to ninth before being an innocent victim in a clash that eliminated he and Anthony Preston on the first lap of race two. A 12th place in race three meant just two points for the weekend.

Sonic's fourth pilot David Reynolds

qualified outside the top 10 but worked his way back through the order to take third in the final race, while Andrew Thompson again starred.

The Ford KartStars Champion wound up fifth in the tricky race three conditions and is looking oddson to wind up Rookie of the Year in an older model Spectrum.

Points; Francis 80,Small 76, Macrow 60, Washington 47, Reynolds 46, Trimble 44.

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

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA City Discount Tyres 147 Sherriffs Road Reyneila 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 moiorsporl news

CARRERA CUP/FFOR

Dave's Rain Dance Honours shared as race three downpour turns Carrera Cup round on its head

Smiling times: Davison and Richards, above, shared the wins. Peter Fitzgerald splashed his way to a calculating race three win, above right.

T

HE battle between Alex Davison and Jim Richards reached panel point on the weekend in round two of the Carrera Cup at Eastern Creek.

The 24-year-old's Glenfords Porsche took the round win,even after a touch that spun Richards in the third race, which was struck by a massive rain shower that caused havoc throughout the field.

"Overall,I'm pretty happy," said Davison."1 don't like having comings together, and by no means was it intentional. I tried to run up the inside on the slippery line and it was hard to turn."

Davison took pole and won race one, though Richards fought back to take race two,which was a cracking race as the duo passed and re-passed one another in conditions that gradually got worse.

By the time race three rolled around, the heavens had opened and,after the duo came together on lap nine of 12,it was left to Peter Fitzgerald to take the win imder Safety Car conditions after starting 10th.

"The track was too dry for those wets so I was trying to look after them in case it rained later on and it paid off in the end," said Fitzgerald.

Fitzy had tried to switch to wets for the start of race two as the weather threatened to break, but it all turned to muck.

"I should read my regulations.

You're not allowed to put wets on imless the Clerk of the Course declares it a wet race," said Fitzy.

"I waited until the 30 second board and went for wets but they said 1 had to put dries back on or I couldn't go out. I actually thought the guys had left the wets on. It was a struggle!"

The race three results were turned on their head. Rodney Jane took second though was demoted to third after being nabbed for passing under yellow flags, putting Peter Bradbury into second after a strong drive.

Davison ended up fifth after spearing off while running second just after the Safety Car was deployed.

"I was talking to Ross, my engineer, on the radio and was doing all of 60kph into turn one in second gear and it just aquaplaned straight off."

Richards had a couple of spins on his way to ninth and second for the round, admitting to trying too hard to try and gain back the ground lost in the Davison incident.

"I think we could have won the race and I'd like to think Tomas(Mezera,

Carrera Cup Driving Standards Observer) will have a look at it."

Tomas did and it was declared a racing incident.

Fabian Coulthard again starred for GMR Team Braun,taking two thirds before being taken out in the downpour of race three on the main straight, severely crunching the #55 machine.

Jane took fourth for the round after a consistent weekend in his 2003-spec car (rather than his new car that was crunched at Adelaide), while Kiwi Paul Pedersen was fifth, though involved in the Coulthard incident and one with Klark Quinn in race two, that bounced the pint-sized racer into the concrete at turn two and sent him to hospital for some

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precautionary x-rays on his neck.

Quinn's team-mate James Cressey holds fifth in the championship, though a collision with the impressive Troy Hunt in race two landed the Kiwi a 25-second penalty, tire equivalent‘m a drive -through penalty.

Flis countryman, Ross Rutherford, found speed in race two,carving his way from 13th to third in a masterful performance before dropping a wheel off the kerb entering the main straight for the penultimate time.

The Woodstock Bourbon machine crunched the inside wall in a heavy way,though the NZer was uninjured.

Points: Davison 330, Richards 297, Coulthard 240, Fitzgerald 210, Cressey 150, T.Quinn 147.

- AARON NOONAN

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CARL’S mmMAMCBPROWtSTS

61

Flying Under th T

HE form books were thrown out the window in the

opening round of the Australian Rally Championship in WA,with 24-year-old Chris Atkinson taking victory in a most unlikely upset at the wheel of his Subaru Impreza.

While Atkinson's win is under a cloud due to a possible irregularity with the car's brakes, the speed and consistency of the young Queenslander stunned the opposition.

The opening round was marked by the speed of the privateers as the dominant Subaru works team and the recently-overhauled Mitsubishi RaUiart outfit struggled in the dusty south western forests around Busselton. An invigorated Toyota team also shared the limelight with the semi-privateer teams of Atkinson and the Lancer-mormted Scott Pedder in a refreshingly different script for an ARC round.

Atkinson became the youngest driver to win a Super Series round, taking second place on Day 1 and victory on Day 2in a close tussle with Pedder and Simone Evans.

Pedder fought Atkinson all day, with the Lancer driver leading the Subaru by 2.2s imtil the penultimate stage when the centre diff in Pedder's car failed and he was forced to limp to the finish to ensure a podium placing.

However,Atkinson's win remains provisional after scrutineers queried a brake modification to the Subaru and sealed the unit for inspection by the FLA in Paris.

For Atkinson, who spent last year with the Suzuki works team in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship,it was a dream come true.

"I've amazed myself," said Atkinson. "It is incredible and a dream come true. What a difference a year away makes.

"We knew we had to come out fighting on Day 2 because that Simon Evans is a crazy man and I'm just so relieved to be on the top of the podium."

The Gold Coaster could have taken wins in both heats had it not been for a late altercation with a tree that cost almost 40s in the final forestry test on Saturday. Partnered by his brother Ben, the Queensland driver dominated the rally but his overall victory could not overshadow the breakthrough heat win for the B2

fVt*// Blacktmum

jt

recently-struggling Toyota outfit.

Evans showed his value as a recruit to Toyota by taking the Saturday heat in a car that many believed would not be competitive in the short-term. The flamboyant Victorian and his wife and co-driver Sue were ecstatic at giving the team the victory.

"To tell you the truth,I was a bit shell-shocked at the end of Saturday, that was awesome," said Evans.

"It was really tough out there, with rocks all over the road, but the Corolla was so strong. Chris was really quick but I knew if I could keep the pressure on all the way to the finish then I could maybe force him into an error."

Evans's speed in WA may be a sign that he has more to come, given that he feels that he is still adjusting to the Corolla.

"There's still a lot more work to do on the car, and I said to Sue on the way in from the last stage that I only really began to find my groove with the car on those last two stages," he said.

The Toyota operation looked slick and in control, and while Bates wasn't able to match Evans' pace on Day 1, he stiU managed fifth, 53s behind him, while the third team driver Ben Barker took ninth in his

ARC debut with TTR. Evans's effort on Sunday saw him finish third,just 22.5s behind Atkinson. Bates was much faster on Day 2,finishing fourth, only 13s behind Evans. The only disappointment for the team was the retirement of Barker's CoroUa with a gearbox problem after Day 1.

With the ARC pack reshuffled so dramatically, it also served to highlight the lacklustre performances of the Subaru and Mitsubishi works teams.

RaUiart, now under guidance of Les Walken, hadthe to suffer the handicap of being first cars on the road with Juha Kangas as car #1 on both days and Ed Ordynski seeded at number two. According to the team, this cost them dearly,sweeping the infamous WA roads for the cars behind.In the end the two cars shared equal seventh for the weekend, weU behind their privateer coUeague Pedder,ironically in the older Evo VII that Ordynski had campaigned last year.

"The car felt great but it just didn't translate into stage times," said

Ordysnki.

Defending Champ Cody Crocker admitted it had been a tough opener for both of the official Subaru drivers.

with he and team-mate Dean Herridge struggling to get the right set-up in their new machines.

"We haven't had our best rally but that was not totally unexpected, we're campaigning a new car and we haven't done the testing in it that we would have liked," Crocker said.

"We struggled to get the right set up so we never got quite into the groove."

Crocker took fourth and Herridge sixth on Day 1 after the latter had been as low as 12th. Things didn't improve on Day 2 when Crocker was forced out on the transport stage from Busselton to the stages at Narmup.

"The engine has begun pumping water into the coolant overflow bottle and we didn't want to risk destroying an engine," said Crocker's co-driver Greg FoUetta.

With Crocker's car needing to be ready for next month's Rally in New Zealand, the team didn't want to have to rebuild an engine with such tight shipping deadline.

Herridge was sixth behind Kangas and Bates on Day 2,and while the Subaru team was probably disappointed in the overall performance of the works cars, it still captured top manufacturer's points.

This was thanks to Atkinson's round

molorsporl news

e Radar

The works might ofSubaru and Mitsubishi was sent packing by the underdogs in the opening round of the ARC in WA, with privateer Chris Atkinson scoring an upset win.

JON THOMSON reports on a rennarkable weekend

'A

,

Giant leaps: For Evans, above, life as a works driver got off to a good start with a win in Fleat 1 and second outright for the weekend in the previously troublesome Toyota Corolla Sportivo.

I'll take that: Scott Redder, left, took Ordynski's EVO VII from 2003, and proceeded to beat him with it ...

Neil Ulackhotim

//But I'm still #1":

1 Chris Atkinson Ben Atkinson I Simon Evans Sue Evans 3 Scott Redder Paul Hutnm 4 Neal Bates

Crocker, right, ended his weekend early with engine problem on Sunday morning. win, which ensured the blue team took 56 points away from the WA round.

At any other rally, Mark Thompson's performance in his new Lancer Evo VTII would have been a standout. It was a great performance for the 22-year-old with a seventh behind Herridge on Srmday after struggling with an oil problem in the car's diff on Saturday. However with the performance of Atkinson Thompson's results were overshadowed, along with an equally creditable drive from NSW Subaru privateer Brad Goldsbrough.

Neither the F16 Championship nor the Aussie Car Class were well represented in Perth, with Denise CoUins winning the small car 7 April 2004

Neil Bheiboum

Coral Taylor 5 Dean Herridge Glenn Macneal 'I

Neil Buckboum

category and no Aussie car class points being awarded.

While all of the leading teams will be preparing for the Rally of Canberra on the first weekend in May,the next Super Series round is a

long 10 weeks away when the ARC hits Queensland in June.

The question is, will the privateers again show the way for the works teams, or can the factory cars regroup?

6 Cody Crocker Greg Foletta =7 Ed Ordynski lain Stevyart =7 Juba Kangas Julia Rabbett

Subaru impreza Toyota Corolia Lancer EVO VII Toyota Corolla Subaru Impreza Subaru Impreza Lancer EVO VIII Lancer EVO VIII

Drivers' Points: Atkinson 37, Evans 34, Pedder 30, Bates 22, Herridge 16, Crocker 12, Ordynski 10, Kangas 10 Manufacturers' Points: Subaru 56, Toyota 56, Mitsubishi 48

ARC 1 Forest Rally 63

CAMS drops

control fuel AFTER announcing a new sponsor and specifying its fuel for outright competitors in the Australian Rally Championship,CAMS has had to make an embarrassing about face on the 'control fuel rule'just days before the opening round in WA. It is beUeved that some

Ordynski, Ed Ordynski: This car also has his name on it... twice.

Ed’s New Career YOU may have noticed Ed Ordynski's starring role in the new TV commercial for Mitsubishi's Magna VRX,which features the Ralliart Lancer rally car in some spectacular forestry stage action.

Action sequences for the 30 second ad took almost 14 hours to fUm in a Tasmanian forest, with Ordynski having to learn his lines and deliver them while piloting the Lancer at 10lOths with a $120,000 film camera strapped to the bonnet.

"On reflection you can't believe how long it takes to film such a short piece of television but there is amazing attention to detail and continuity and that is what takes the time," said Ordynski.

"The positioning of the camera really affected the aerodynamics of the car, so much so that with the window fully down so that 1 could deliver my lines, I was copping huge

THE man who took Toyota rallying and then into F1 will be back behind the wheel of a rally car in this year's Targa Tasmania.

Ove Andersson, who set up Toyota Team Europe in the early 1970s and delivered four drivers and three manufacturers titles for the Japanese maker, will have his first full-on competition outing in more than 20 years behind the wheel of a Celica GT Four ST205 in this year's Targa.

Swedish-born Andersson, pictured driving the carat Goodwood in 2002, was a frontrunner in the 1968 LondonSydney Marathon, partnering Roger Clark and showed his skill on some of the most famous gravel and tarmac rallies in the world including wins in the Safari, San Remo, Acropolis and Monte Carlo events.

64

clods of dirt in my face.

"If 1 had the window up just eight centimetres the dirt didn't come in, and when you don't have a camera there you can have the window down with no problems at aU." The ad was produced by former actor Vikki Blanch, who was a great help turning the rapid rally driver into a credible actor.

"Vikki showed me how to learn

competitors received fuel that had been contaminated in rusty drums and at least one competitor is blaming the fuel for destroying an engine.

A buUetin on the CAMS website told competitors that the requirement for competitors to run a control fuel had been suspended by ARCom and that further information would be

supplied in due course.

The change was made on Friday March 26,just a few hours before competitors had to line up for the opening special stages.

Steven Shepheard's Lancer Evo VI suffered an engine faOure in the third special stage, a failure he attributes to ' contaminated fuel he had used in the car.

"We had a look at the drum that it was supplied in and it was rusty and clearly contaminated," said Shepheard,"and now we find there is no need to run the control fuel.

"It is bloody annoying and a bloody expensive stuff-up."

-JON THOMSON

Radars of the Lost Art

my lines so that 1 could deliver them while sounding natural. It was a big help.

The production of the commercial was made more difficult by the enormous number of restrictions on car manufacturers regarding the responsible advertising of cars.

So when you catch the ad for the Limited EDition Magna VRX,spare a thought for the hard-working star and crew.

- JON THOMSON

The Toyota boss will be partnered by fellow Swede Arne Flertz, the man who partnered Flannu Mikkola to his world championship in 1983 Andersson will drive the lefthand-drive ex-TTE Celica GT-Four that Neal Bates used when he campaigned the Corolla World

.suUan-iimfics.coni

Rally Car in the ARC. "I'm very excited," said Andersson. "This is the best thing that has happened to me for years. I drove the Celica from time to time during its development period, but I never competed in it."

- JON THOMSON

THE FIA World Motor Sports Council has confirmed that Rally Great Britain will retain its WRC status at least for this year after considering the relationship the rally has had with Welsh Police.

The controlling body of British Motorsport, the RAC MSA, submitted a report requested by the FIA following the raft of speeding offences on the event over the past two years.

The FIA had hinted that the British event was on thin ice over the speeding issue and that the event could be excluded from the WRC if the matter was not sorted out.

The report told the FIA that the South Wales Police were now working closely with organisers to prevent similar occurrences in the future but stressed that the British rally was still on the 'danger list' and would be closely observed when it is held in September.

- JON THOMSON motorsport news

RALLYING

A Close Call A TESTING crash just a few days before the start of the opening round of this year's ARC had Scott Redder staring down the barrel of a non-start in the Forest Rally last week.

Howevei the young Vicloiian hohshoe regrouped and recovered Irom to put in one of the di ives ol his career to challenge for vicloiy lliroughoLil the two-day lally.

On lesday,|usf hiee days before the start of fhe event, Peddei put his new Lancer Evo VII off the road in a big crash.

Redder was fortunale tfiaf a heavy excavator working nearby could he piesseci into service to file car tree of its dusty resting place wilhouf inflicfing any fui flier damage.

"It was a frig crash and I he car went a long way off the road," said Peddei. "I thought our assault on the opening round was all over helore if had begun. The team put in a fantastic effort to get lire car lixerl, and we had to reward their effort with a big peifoirnance in fhe lally."

By Fiiday morning, after some inlense work by the Pedders learn lire Evo VII was at lire media day and ready lor the opening special stages.

"It wasn't file ideal way to open our account but it was all OK in the end," fie concluded. "The car was perfect and performed Inillianlly in ftie rally, and we got our ARC campaign off to strong poinl-scoi ing sfai f."

- JON THOMSON

Stevens takes charge at LWR THE newly re-constituted Ralliart operation will have a new team manager from the Rally of Canberra onwards, with team principal Les Walkden deciding to take a step back from the role.

Leanne Stevens, better known in ARC circles for her role as a director of Motorsport Safety and Rescue, will take up the Ralliart post, looking after all on-event administration for Walkden.

The appointment will free up Walkden,one of Tasmania's largest transport operators,so that he can concentrate on his other businesses.

Meantime,former Ralliart Australia engineer Daniel Creed has secured a role with Ralliart Europe and has been put in charge of solving the gearbox woes afflicting the Mitsubishi World Rally Car. Creed oversaw the development of the local Group N cars and has a degree in mechanical engineering, which will equip him well for the job ahead.

"It is a big task,"said Creed from Europe last week.

We have some major problems with the gearbox, as has been shown in the opening rounds, but it is nothing we can't solve."

-JONTHOMSON

Murph Goes Sky-High

REIGNING Bathurst Champion Greg Murphy will tackle a steeper mountain in the seventh annual ‘Race to the Sky’ in New Zealand this weekend.

Murphy drove the VY utility, prepared by former rally ace Dave Schneiders, at Avalon’s Autocross circuit recently and the Kiwi adopted quickly for someone with very limited dirt racing experience.

“The car was quite wellbalanced,’’ relayed Murph. “Good on the brakes and it’s very responsive.

“I've wanted to do something like this for a couple of years and we’ve finally been able to put it together. I know nothing about rally cars but utes are good to throw around, especially on dirt so I can’t wait to hit the hill.”

The 15km course, on the outskirts of Queenstown, features 137 corners, climbs from 1500 to 5000 feet and averages a 1:11 gradient.

This year’s Race to the Sky also marks the one-year anniversary of Possum Bourne’s I April 2004

^J

mv Burg j

tragic death. Murphy couldn’t think of a better way of paying tribute to his countrymen than compete in the race that took his friend’s life.

“I’m sure it’s going to be a huge event in respect of Possum and I’m glad to be a part of it. It was devastating for worldwide motorsport.”

Former Swedish World Rally Champion Kenneth Eriksson will also compete, driving one of Bourne’s former cars.

- GRANT ROWLEY

Happy new Holden, Greg: Murphy puts the new VY Ute through its paces at Avalon before jetting off to NZ for the Race to the Sky.

Looking for Mr Goodrich THE results of the Forest Rally point to an intense battle among the tyre manufacturers.

The Perth event was a triumph for BF Goodrich, with the brand taking the first two places with Chris Atkinson and Simon Evans and Scott Pedder's Yokohama-shod Lancer Evo VII in third. The result was particularly encouraging for Atkinson, considering the late arrival of his tyres.

"The tyres arrived by air freight on Thursday," said BFG's competition manager Trevor Sheumack."We were very happy with their performance. We knew that they would be right on the money and it seems we have picked up this year where we left off in 2003, when Juha Kangas won the final ARC round," n The Rally of New Zealand is facing its smallest entry in 16 years, with just 58 cars set to face the starter on April 16.

The poor entry is in contrast to the 80 car field last year and reflects both a drastically smaller factory entry and a greatly reduced local entry with just eight Kiwis set to start.

Many local competitors have decided not to run because the event is no longer a round of the NZ national championship, while a huge increase in running costs (including the need to use FIA control fuel at almost $7 per litre) has scared others away. n Peugeot wants an African round brought back into the World Rally Championship, claiming that without one the championship is not truly a world title.

Peugeot boss Corrado Provera has said Africa should be given another chance to host a round of the WRC, suggesting South Africa could host a round that fits the current WRC mould.

"South Africa is much more interesting than Kenya or Morocco or other places in Africa, and a world championship without an event in Africa is not a world championship, in my opinion," said Provera.

"Having a round in Africa is good for the championship and also for Africa in a way."

Africa last hosted a round of the WRC in 2002 when the Safari Rally was dropped from the calendar. It is believed that there are plans to stage a round in South Africa but nothing has been tabled with the FIA as yet.

While Provera wants another African round, it would be more important for Peugeot if a round was again held in China, where its parent company, PSA has invested almost $1.2 billion in a new production facility in Wuhan and intends to produce 300,000 cars per year for sale in China, - JON THOMSON 65

Auction to aid Sprintcar driver

MOTORSPORT names far and wide have rallied round to assist a badly injured Sprintcar driver.

As previously reported, leading ACT region Sprintcar racer Darren Saillard was involved in a massive single-car dump at Parramatta City Raceway recently and sustained serious injury, including a broken neck.

Hospitalised at Westmead in Sydney for several weeks, Saillard has returned to home to continue the long, slow and often painful recovery. He faces several more months of recovery, physio, unemployment and medical bills.

Ian and Chris Stewart of Berco Engineering have banded motorsport enthusiasts Michael Attwell and Glen Aylott together and organised a Benefit Auction to assist Darren and his family, which will take place on Saturday May 1 at Federation Square (ACT)from around 6.00 pm.

Contributions of motorsport memorabilia and items has been magnificent, with goods from far and wide, including Mark Webber, Gary Rush Pick and Payless Racing, Squirt in the Dirt, Gerald Slaven Holden, Craig Lowndes, the Petty Racing Experience and Neil Bates at Toyota Team Racing.

To obtain your ticket for this excellent evening of auction, chit chat, food and fun contact the Ian or Chris Stewart at Berco Engineering [02 6241 6666] during business hours, or Michael Attwell at 0410423 243 or 02 6258 2425 after hours. n The final couple of PCR sprintcar meeting saw the talented former Australian Litre Car Champion Andrew Wright racing the second Troy Little/Kimbo Transport Maxim. With Wrightls own exBrandon Wimmer 410 Outlaws motor installed, Wright again impressed with a great 8th quick time (out of over 40 starters) in the recent NSW 410 Championship to a great seventh in the next meetings sprintcar A Main. Wright after his original deal fell over, is looking to set up a new deal for season 2004/5 basing at PCR. n Longtime NSW Speedway official Chris The Count' Markem has announced his retirement from the sport. After 25 years and starting over 17,000 races, he's decided that it's time for a change. The Count is best remembered as Chief Steward at the Newcastle Speedway but more recently he has been stewarding at PCR. 66

Little goes a long way

THE penultimate Parramatta meeting of the 2003/4 summer saw a fast finishing Troy Little just beat home Adrian Maher to take out round 19 of the PCR Sprintcar Series.

Series pointsleader Adam Clarke was third, with SRA Champ Matthew Reed, then Mick Turner and Brett Loadsman making up the top six finishers.

Maher looked to have the 30-lap A main imder his control after taking the lead around lap 9 after passing an impressive Mick Turner. But on the final lap Troy Little, after surviving a challenge from third-placed Clarke, forged up onto Maher's tail getting alongside the Bevelite Glass Maxim in turns 3 and 4.

I

Me, You, Isuzu; Troy Little is finishing his season with a bang.

DARWIN duo Brooke David and Warrenne Ekins proved too strong recently in the Grand Final of the Tectaloy Performance Coolants 360ci Sprintcar Series at Adelaide’s Speedway City.

David, below centre, took a flag-to-flag win from Ekins, Tony Moule and Wayne Bunker.

- PARIS CHARLES

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11

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Maher tried to hang onto the lead but in one of the closest finishers ever, Little's Kimbo transport Maxim just picked up the win, his second of the season at PCR. The heats wirmers were Craig Brady, Mick Turner,Brett Loadsman,Troy little.

Grant Tunks and Adrian Maher with Maher also taking out the Dash.. Garry Rush defeated Ian Loudoun and Bruce White to win the B Main.

A full field of V8 Dirt Modifieds were also on the PCR program racing for tire NSW Title. In what was a very exciting race,former Aussie champ Stuart Heme lost the lead to current champ Tim Morse only to regain the lead after Morse retired on the back straight. But Queensland racer Bmce Kiehne came on strong and passed Heme to take out a great win with Herne second and Ray Begins third.

THE seventh aimual Speedway Swap Meet/Trade Show held at the Parramatta City Raceway is set for Sunday 27th June 8.30am to 1.30pm.

This popular middle of the off-season swap meet is the only event like this in NSW and is again being run by Cohn Farr.

- GREG BOSCATO

One down, one to go MARK Brown continued his stout season when he achieved one of the two things left on his midget wish list- the 45th annual Australian Speedcar Grand Prix at Avalon recently.

"I'm buggered," stated Brown, right, after leading the entire 30-lap feature event.

"I've really wanted this race for a long time and I thought we should have won it last year. Now all I need is the Australian Championship."

Defending Grand Prix Champ Darren Jenkins was Brown's biggest threat. Jenkins chased hard aU night but never had enough and was probably lucky to have completed the distance

with the tail tank covered in diff oh.

Completing the trio of podium finishers was West Aussie young gun Dean McAllan. He ran a solid race

after starting fifth and was constantly embroiled in some spirited racing with the likes of Peter Bourke, Michael Pickens and Troy Jenkins.

McAllan led home Pickens(who started 13th) and Jordan after Bourke had retired mid-race.

The race took its toll on the 20 competitors who started, with only Tim Crouch,Darren Power,Chris Gardiner, Michael Pope,Andrew Barr and Kym Cottrell completing the 30 lap distance behind the top five.

- BRETT SWANSON

motorsport news

Kinser beats Tatnell for 500th

MAX Dumesny continued his white hot form at Murray Bridge's Riverview Speedway last weekend to add yet another blue ribbon trophy to his impressive list of accolades, this time the Freightmaster South Australian Sprintcar Championship.

Max claimed his first SA title 21 years ago and,after aU this time,he has proven time and time again that he can still street fight with the best of them. Arch rival number 1 Robbie Farr was the pace setter in the early goings of the feature race with Max hounding the national champion for the first 11 laps. On the next circulation. Max made the most of the high line and sailed his Valvoline Maxim aroimd the top to snatch the lead from Farr with defending champion Luke Dillon and company close behind.

The 30-lap streetfight was a hard fought affair which claimed a few casualties along the way. Local drivers Phillip March and Leith Ahlfors both rolled out of the event.

With 14 laps remaming,the field was once again brought back together. Max made the most of the clear track ahead to open a little breathing space over Farr. US racer

More Max

Jason Johnson had carved his way through the field and slipped past Dillon to round out the podium.

Behind Dillon were Mark Reuter, Darryl Downing,and John Vogels, who were pursued by a trio of 360ci Sprintcars, Craig Vanderstelt, Wayne Bunker and Warrerme Ekins

rounding out the top 10.

The luckless Danny Reidy finished one spot back after'dropping from 7th to 11th on the penultimate lap after a half spin. Darryl Wright,Ian Thomsen and Dion Amarto rounded out the finishers.

-PARIS CHARLES

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BWKIi SOUTH Australian ha s!iarig.er_Tne.v.orJGU:eei returned home after racing on the east coast at PCR only to be-inthe wars: Green ended the Marteloo.

Hire Showdown 1 at Speedway City in spectacuier style with sparks shooting from the back of his car.

The car subsequently burst into flames and Green was treated for minor burns by the paramedics.

The next night he ventured to Murray.Bridge only to naiii the Turn'II fence headi on at i high speed'efter'ihiS’Steeringr box broke during;the secondi round!of heats. GreenV [ ;r^onte.dly ibKOke-ihjiisiColIbK... ' bone on impact!andu j destroyedi his AdWd; RadialdfsHfagie

n At Parramatta City Raceway, Brisbane's Bruce Kiehne became the first Queenslander to claim the NSW V8 Dirt Modified title since Neil Lorenz(who won in 1990).

Kiehne was in dynamite form in the latter stages of the 25-lap after starting from position 12 in the star-studded field. With two laps remaining, he moved into the lead after passing defending title holder Stuart Herne.

Once out in front, despite a gallant effort from Herne to reclaim the lead, Kiehne held on to score a memorable win ahead of Herne and Ray Eggins in third position.

Current Australian Champion, WarrnamboorsTim Morse had the lead with only five laps to go, when he developed a gearbox drama which saw him retire to the infield.

- DANIEL POWELL

PARIS.GH'ARiyiS:

Max Dumesny Motorsport Australian Distributors for

2004 WORLD OF OUTLAWS CHAMPIONSfflP TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Xoo$ttr i

^^ RACING TIRE

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for more information on Hooster Drag and SpeedwayTyres call:

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7.

NSW:02 9679 1990 l Fax 02 9679 1187 VIO03 9331 6477 l Fax 03 9331 7444 SA;08 8332 0800 l Fax 08 8364 0296 7 April 2004

THE King has done it! At 49, Steve Kinser reached a major milestone in his illustrious career by claiming his 500th WoO main event recently (March 27) at Houston Raceway Park, Baytown, TX, in the fifth Annual Texas Classic.

But Kinser didn't have it all his own way throughout the 30-lap event. Aussie Brooke Tatnell sat on pole position vi/ith Kinser starting on his outside. At the green, Tatnell got the jump and by the seventh lap had a 10-car length lead on Kinser.

Three laps later, Kinser caught and passed Tatnell while in lapped traffic.

From that point, Kinser was never headed, despite a late charge from Donny Schatz, who finished barely half a car length behind at the finish.

Early pace setter Tatnell came home a deserving third ahead of Jason Meyers and Brian Paulus, with Craig Dollansky finishing sixth.

Defending and 18-times WoO series Champion Kinser has now skipped 50 points clear of second placed Schatz in the overall series standings.

9.

10.

,..Brian Paulus .. Kraig Kinser . Jason Meyers Shane Stewart .. Steve Kinser ...Jason Sides . Daryn Pittman .Paul McMahan , .. Tim Shaffer .. Joey Saldana

12.

13.

14.

15.

16, 17.

18.

19.

20.

.Sammy Swindell ...Kerry Madsen Travis Rilat ,..Danny Lasoski .. .Donny Schatz .. Aaron Berryhill .Randy Hannagan . .Jonathan Allard ... .Dean Jacobs ....Erin Crocker

2004 STANDINGS 1. Steve Kinser .

2. Tim Shaffer ..

3. Donny Schatz.

4. Paul McMahan 5. Brian Paulus .

6. Danny Lasoski 7. Kraig Kinser..

8. Daryn Pittman 9. Jason Meyers .

10. Jason Sides .

.985 .915 ,915 .910 .907 .903 ,894 .890 ,877 ,876

11. Craig Dollansky 12. TylerWalker ...

13. Dean Jacobs ..

14. Joey Saldana ..

15. Jonathan Allard 16. Shane Stewart .

17. Jason Solv/old18. Erin Crocker...

19. Toni Lutar 20. Brian Brown ..

.872 .818 .758 .741 .733 ,727 ,262 .715 .688 .685

67

Here We Go Again TWREE-tiiiiiie IHRA Top Fuel Champion Clay Millican and the Werner Enterprises/Lehman Racing Team started their 2004 IHRA title defence by winning the IHRA Texas Nationals, setting new track records at San Antonio Raceway in e.t. and speed along the way.

Millican went to the line uncontested in the

final round, as Bruce Litton's |j.ucas Oil Top Fuel dragster hit the wall at the end of a second-round win over Grant Flowers. Millican stormed to a 4.59/311 single to notch his 31 st career victory, just one win away from Rickie Smith's all-time win mark of 32.

After qualifying low at 4.63 seconds, Millican stopped IFIRA newcomer, Rick Cooper, with new track record marks of 4.58 seconds and 320 mph.

A 5.79/247 in the semis defeated Todd Baton.

Glen Kerunsky scored his first IFIRA Pro Modified victory with a final round win over Flarold Martin. Kerunsky's blown '57 Chevy recorded a winning 6.27/218 for the win when Martin's AC Delco Pontiac slowed just past the 330 foot mark.

Kerunsky had qualified on the bump at 6.308

seconds and defeated low qualifier Zach Barklage (6.208), in the opening frame with a 6.32/223. In the second round, Kerunky took out defending series Champion Mitch Stott with a 6.28/224 and advanced into the final with a 6.26/225 semi-final round win over Steve Vick.

Martin began the weekend by hitting the wall just off the line on Friday night, but came back to qualify second at 6.218s. Fie defeated Pat Musi in round one with a 6.69/208, and a red-lighting Shannon Jenkins in round two. Martin singled into the final when Rick Distefano could not make the semifinal round.

John Montecalvo drove his Citgo Chevrolet Cavalier to a holeshot win in Sunoco Race Fuels Pro Stock, defeating fellow New Yorker, John Nobile in the final round, 6.56/213 to 6.54/213, while in Alcohol Funny Car, five-time champion Mark Thomas stopped 2003 Champion Rob Atchison on a holeshot. Thomas clocked a winning 5.89/239 in his Etha'nol Dodge Avenger to hold off low qualifier Atchison's quicker 5.87/23,8« - DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

Bupkar TONY Schumacher,Phil Burkart, and Greg Anderson hit big paydays in Las Vegas with victories at the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals last weekend.

►

Schumacher,right, once again extended his point lead when all of his closest pursuers made early exits on Sunday,and he racked up win number three for 2004. Burkart

a

continued the early season dominance by the CSK team,as he was able to extend the teams winning streak to three consecutive events.

Anderson ran the board in Pro

Todd joins Ttie Boyz

TODD Smith has joined forces with Andy and Mark Carrier in an effort to help the Carrier Boyz team find some extra speed and consistency.

Smith will replace Jimmy Walsh as crew chief on Cory McClenathan's Berryman Products Top Fuel dragster.

"As a team, we are having trouble finding consistency this year," Andy said.

"In this sport it's all about performance and consistency.

Since the crew chief is the person responsible for the ontrack performance, he is also the same person, when the performance goes bad, that shoulders the result of poor production.

68

"As a result of our slow start this season, Mark and I feel that it is time for change and redirection.

Smith's CV includes five years at Kalitta Motorsports working under Connie Kalitta and Ed 'The

Ace' McCulloch.

Fie has spent the past three years as co-crew chief on the Darrell Gwynn Racing dragster, where he helped McClenathan to fifth in the championship last year.

Stock, qualifying low,setting both track records and coming away with his third win of the season.

Schumacher was able to stop defending series champion Larry Dixon Jr in the the Top Fuel final, running his quickest pass of the day at 4.525s at 331.53 mph to hold off the 4.57/323 from Dixon's Miller Lite dragster.

The U.S. Army team advanced through eliminations, but the day was not as smooth as the team would have liked. Schumacher, who recorded a 4.52/323 in the opening round, was able to overcome a huge 0.046 to 0.128s starting line deficit when Scott Weis lost traction at mid track.

In the second round, he was trailing low-qualifier Scott Kalitta after losing traction himself, but Kalitta broke a blower belt and slowed, allowing Schumacher to take a 5.09/283 win. In the semis, he was able to stop Doug Herbert with a vulnerable 4.66/297, but wounded the powerplant, oiled the track and was fined 10 points for the infraction.

Dixon posted solid 4.5s passes in

moiorspori news

t Hits Paydirt wins over David Baca and Doug KaUtta and then survived a pedaling contest with beer brand rival Brandon Bernstein to head into his

61st career'money round'.

Burkart,above, scored a t)nrespinning win in the final round over Writ Bazemore. Burkart appeared to be through when he lost traction, but the motor in Bazemore's Mateo Tools Dodge exploded at halftrack in a flash of fire and Burkart powered past in the other lane to win his second career national event with a

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI/STAFF

5.02s pass at 264.03mph. The victory, the first for a Chevrolet Monte Carlo, vaulted Burkart from 11th in the point standings up to fifth.

The Checker,Schuck's and Kragen Chevrolet was consistent aU afternoon,stringing mid 4.8s passes together in wins over Tim Wilkerson, Gary Scelzi, and John Force.

Bazemore also posted strong 4.8s numbers in eliminations, trailering Burkart's team-mate and current point leader Del Worsham in the opening round.

In the following rounds, Bazemore's Lee Beard-tuned Dodge dismissed two-thirds of the Force Racing stable when he defeated Gary Densham and Eric Medlen. In the semi-final round race with Medlen, Bazemore scored a 4.88/316 to 4.86/317 holeshot victory to head into the 37th final round of his career.

Anderson continues to be in a class above the rest of the Pro Stock contingent, winning for the third time in four events this season, fri the final round, Anderson handily defeated Kurt Johnson,6.84/201 to 6.90/200, giving his hometown fans and Las Vegas backers yet another 7 April 2004

TOP Fuel racer Doug Kalitta drove the Mac Tools dragster to the fastest run in the sport’s history when he rocketed to a 335.57mph blast in the final round of qualifying of the SummitRacing.com Nationals.

Kalitta had already etched his name into the history books as the quickest driver in drag racing history when he ran a 4.428s in Chicago last September.

After a 4.52/323 round one win over Mike Strasburg, Kalitta lost traction in round two and fell to Larry Dixon. Kalitta was not able to back-up the mark for a new national speed record.

“We were all concerned and a little stressed going up there for round two because we were 17th on the ladder and not in the show,” Kalitta said.

“My knees were shaking in there. I just wanted to get going and get down the track. They told me the car was set up conservatively but that’s pretty hard to believe at this point. I guess they just said that to calm me down.”

reason to celebrate. The Ken Blackowned team held the two top positions in qualifying, Anderson on top at 6.812s, while teammate Jason Line occupied the second slot at 6.835s.

WSID has landed a namingrights sponsor for its next Top Fuel round.

Leading tool and automotive repair equipment manufacturer Snap-on has jumped on board to present the Nitro Champs, scheduled for the weekend of May 15-16.

The event will bring together the best in Top Fuel and Top Alcohol, along with the everpopular Top Bikes.

Tickets are said to be selling fast, so get yourself organised and prepare for a rockin' night of drag racing best machinery at the world's greatest drag^^.

The Vegas General Construction Pontiac of Anderson had earlier stopped Vieri Gaines, Dave Connolly, and Larry Morgan.

Johnson's AC Delco Chevrolet Cavalier, after qualifying third at 6.857s, was able to post round wins over Bruce Allen,Jeg Coughlin, and Jason Line.

The NHRA POWERade tour moves to the newly re-paved Houston Raceway Park in Baytown, Texas in two weeks for the 17th Annual O'ReOly Spring Nationals.

POINTS: Top Fuel: Schumacher 310, D. Kalitta 244, Bernstein 225, Grubnic 210, Russell 206.

Funny Car: Worsham 298, Force 188, Densham 185, Wilkerson 167, Scelzi 164. Pro Stock: Anderson 314, K.Johnson 244, W.Johnson 201.

Pro Stock Bike: Hines 118, Tonglet 96, Scali 77.

Uob lUtUs

69

Rauonal

scene

Rowley

Startline shunt curtails Aussies

ns.com.as~

A HUGE startline shunt brought proceedings to a halt for Aussie Race Car competitors at Eastern Creek after a couple of hotlycontested Saturday races on last weekend's V8 programme.

Series contender James Ward stalled on the line and was collected by a fast-starting Paul Kemal, triggering off a multi-car shunt, resulting in three wrecked cars.

With sump-oU aU over the wet track, the race was cancelled, as was the fourth,scheduled for later in the day.

Races one and two had provided the usual Aussie Race Car contest, with a massive dice for the lead in both cases.

And on both occasions, Colin Sieders' Falcon prevailed,from Ward and James Harrigan, who shared a second and a third each.

The other major effort for the weekend came from the Smash Repair Team, which turned around Travis Edwards car (wrecked in a jractice triple roll), enabling him to ine up on Saturday and grab points from a pair of 12tlr places ...

On top: Colin Sieders, left, had a day out on Saturday...

Hobson's Chance

Lucio? Lotus?

-is it FI?

NEW South Welshmen Brett Hobson is the first of the CAMS Driver Development Program stars to receive a subsidised drive in the Victorian Formula Ford State

year as a huge learning process.

"I don't know how hard this will be," he said.

"I'd like to win,but I'll use the races to learn the cars and circuits.

I've heard the Victorian series is the hardest in the country but I'm looking forward to working with a team so we'll see how it goes."

Hobson, as part of the DDP process, also receives four test days with the Borland team.

\

The Sydneysider also owns his own Spectrum Formula Ford chassis, which he purchased from Ty Hanger late last year. The car currently sits idle without an engine, however Hobson will prepare the car for future testing in his home state between Victorian races.

Other DDP hopefuls James Love and Paul Laskazeski will get extensive test sessions as part of the program. Asher Johnstone remains part of the squad and will continue to participate at the Australian Institute of Sport.

NO,it's the Kumho Tyres Lotus Trophy!

TTie one-make Lotus Elan series was enlivened at Eastern Creek with the addition of the former F2 champ and Lancia World Sports Car championship driver Lucio Cesario.

Lucio,above, won two of the three races completed, the second a very wet affair.

Race 1 winner and series regular Jamie Cartwright staged a tremendous comeback from a race two DNF to charge through for fourth in the third, wet race.

by GRANT ROWLEY

Championship.

Hobson will contest four rounds of

Smiles: Brett Hobson will contest the selected rounds of the Victorian FFord Championship as part of the CAMS Driver Development Program.

70

the competitive state series in one of Borland Racing Development's Spectrums.

"I'm pretty excited about it all," said Hobson of his FFord debut, which wiU take place at Sandown Raceway in three weeks time.

"I did around 30 laps at Sandown in one of Mike (Borland's) cars. They are a professional team, the cars are well maintained. I felt comfortable in the car and I can't wait to get there."

Other than his limited test aroimd Sandown recently, Hobson's only other drive in a formula racecar was at Ian Luff's driving school. Hobson told MNews that he will treat this

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motorsDon news

3

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NATIONAL SCENE

ujithi

fBIANTEl VMODEL CARSj

as

motoKport Australia’s number 1 fortnightly motorsport magazine

Dirk KlyitaMiMt

~Tuja lucIcLj enthusi

Margetp Tilley share spoils Ford racers Drew Marget and Jason Tilley each collected victories last weekend at Eastern Creek in the opening round of the Biante Model Cars Historic Touring Car Series before torrential rain forced the cancellation of the final race.

2003 Biante Series Champion Brad Tilley headed a quality field ,mcluding Peter Brock in the XU -1 he drove at the Australian Grand Prbc in March.

Tilleys tilt ended in qualifying when the Bob Cox owned 289 ci Mustang suffered a dislodged cam bearing, while Brock endured a frustrating meeting with constant fueling problems resulting in two DNPs. The Vamp Swimwear models brightened the Biante paddock as the youngest of the Tilley brothers, Jason, put the family's XY GTHO on pole in front of '68 Mustang-mounted Marget and the fearsome 350 Chev powered '68 Camaro of Steve Mason.

Jason led the pack away in race one before gearbox problems saw him slip back to second behind Marget,as a fantastic battle raged for

7 April 2004

goinig to a pi-attij tic: and to tN Fant

third between the Camaros of Mason

and Garry Treloar and the 308 ci HQ Kingswood of Greg Toepfer. The top five finished in that order with Jim Hunter in the ex Tino Leo HQ Monaro failing to finish due to a broken gearbox linkage.

Race Two saw Marget and Mason jump the Tilley Falcon off the line before Jason blasted past into the lead at the start of lap two. Toepfer thrilled the crowd with a spectacular drive, power sliding into third before a breather pipe came loose forcing him to back off towards the finish.

Touring Car Series apparel (value $250). All entries in hand at the interim

The Toranas of Greg Smith and Trevor Talbot also turned it on before

closing dates are eligible and all entries go back into the draw for the two final,

Treloar retired after the power steering and fan belt flew off.

Tilley bagged the win from Marget and Talbot with Mason in fourth after battling a slipping clutch.

Trophies for Group Nc('65 -'72) went to Jason Tilley, Marget and Mason while Nb warmers were Cameron Tilley Bin Meeke(Falcon Sprint) and Max Ulrich(Compact Fairlane).

-DARREN KNIGHT.

Brock team adds Futureracer

TEAM Brock will field a car in PROCAR's fledging Futureracers category this year.

Peter Brock has a number of names up his sleeve for the prized drive, however, the seat will be shared amoungst different drivers throughout the season.

Team Brock will utilise a list of celebrities, up and coming karters and patrons of the Team Brock Driving Life and Peter Brock Master Classes.

The car will also be used as a promotional tool for the

iti

Futureracer category and PB's Team Brock Driving Life Driving School.

Ten cars are likely to take to the grid for the first race at Oran Park next weekend, however the first point-scoring race has been postponed until the Winton round on June 20. To compensate for the late start to the season, the Futureracers will score points at PROCAR's October meeting (venue TBA) and a final double points round at the Bathurst 24 Hour.

- GRANT ROWLEY

motonspant

son!

How’s this for a prize: a high-speed ride around the Eastern Creek circuit in a 1971 racing Falcon XY GTHO, driven by Allan Moffat, or a 1972 Holden Torana XU1 with Peter Brock at the wheel at the final BIANTE Model Cars Touring Car Series round of the season (at the December 4/5 V8 Supercar finale).

Overnight accommodation is included, plus air travel for non-NSW winners.

Enter NOW, and as many times as you like, because there is a valuable interim prize after each round of the series - a full set of 2004 BIANTE Model Cars

magnificent prizes.

There are two ways to enter this great competition: 1.

Mail the BIANTE Model Cars logo in this entry form (below), along with your details (name, address, phone, email) to: Motorsport News BIANTE Competition PO Box 7072 Gardenvale VIC 3186; OR

2. Mail us one of the promotional leaflets distributed at any one of the BIANTE Models Touring Car Series rounds (listed below).

April 2-4 Eastern Creek, NSW June 11-13 Barbagallo, WA July 23-25 Winton, VIC August 13-15 Oran Park, NSW September 10-12 Sandown, VIC October 7-10 Bathurst, NSW

Thursday June 3 Thursday July 15 Thursday August 12 Thursday September 2 Thursday September 30 Thursday November 4

Closing date for main prize draw: Thursday 4 November 2004 Name; Address; Phone:

I am

Email: |/|-If=ll-£IISN (Circle your favourite brand!)

MODEL CARS For more information about Historic Touring Car Racing, check out the website: ujujuj.hiis±or'ic:'toui^ingc:ai^5.ccim.aiJ (Full competition terms & conditions available by email at mnews@mnews.com.au. Winners will be notified by phone/mail/email)

II

1

m Pins Charles

Vies head West

THE Victorian State Circuit Racing Championships kicked off its 2004 season by heading west to SA's Mallala Motorsport Park recently and the good spirited competition saw wins going to both sides of the SA-Victoria border.

Steve Owen claimed three out of the four races in Formula Ford. He

was pushed aU the way by a swag of recent karting graduates, none more so than reigning KartStars champion Andrew Thompson. The 16-year-old driver won the first race, and was never far from the gearbox of the experienced Owen to take second in aU remaining races.

Michael Patrizi, having returned home after a year on the European karting scene finished third in each race, but the fortunes of others were far from pleasing. Tom Brand barrelrolled his Swift in the final race, after a gaggle of cars came together at turn two. He emerged uninjured.

Mallala resident Adam Allan was his scintillating self, steering his Datsun to a clean sweep of victories in Improved Production, followed each time by the Mazda RlOO of James Dutton.

Lyndon Punshon, a man instrumental in bringing tlie Victorian Series to Mallala, made the most of his home track experience and dominated Marque Sports Cars.

Tony Boequet and Andy Nethercote, above, shared two wins a piece in a competitive Formula Vee field, while the Porsche 944s served up their usual dose of close, hard racing. The wins were divided two a piece between Kane Rose and local Mark Bulk. But much of the attention was aimed at the car in eleventh place. Hollywood actor Eric Bana make a solid class debut.

Robert Braune in his Charger had the better of Peter Hall's Datsim 240Z in the Historic Touring Cars, taking three wins to Hall's one.

Steve Layboum, Wayne King and Ken Wright all had wins in the HQ Holdens. Wright's win came after he rolled his car in a shunt on Friday.

Dean Camm's awesome Honda Prelude was simply too strong in Sports Sedans, winning all races, and Ken Hastings Sr came close to a clean sweep in Under 2 Litre Sports Sedans. Anthony Koch grabbed the Race 3 win on the final lap.

The MG wins were shared between Rob Whitwell and Mort Fitzgerald.

Robin Bailey applied the pressure to the pair all weekend.

The 'Vic State Racer' magazine covering the event in detail will be inserted in VIC, SA and TAS copies of the next issue of MNews. Don't miss it!

- CHRIS JORDAN

Pans Charles

Formula Vicious: Andy Nethercote and Tony Boequet, top #19, diced at Mallala and shared the wins in South Australia.

Roll the car, win a race: Ken Wright won the final HQ race, above.

Golden Gathering

TO mark five years of the Golden Era Auto Racing Club, the inaugural GEAR Race Meeting will be held at Wakefield Park, Goulburn on May 5.

There will be practice and at least three events for all competitors, and the four classes comprise pre-war open wheelers and replicas plus slower pre-1961 open wheelers, post-war open wheelers up to 1961 plus invited open wheelers up to 1965, pre war sports and touring cars which may include slower cars up to 1961, and up to 1961 touring and sports cars with sports cars only up to 1965 by invitation.

Supplementary regulations and entry forms are now available from the secretary Lisa Tobin-Smith on (02) 4960 9617. Entries close Friday, April 9.

- BRIAN REED

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The second round of the

Queensland Championships was held over the April 3/4 weekend, and the host club, the Queensland Gemini Racing Association, put on a full program of races, ending with a one hour co-driver enduro for the Geminis.

In the final race of the weekend, John Eddy led early with reigning champion, Nick Rangeley, above, in close company. Rangely pitted just on half distance and changed to former series champion Ron Lange. Their pitstop, which the team had practiced was up to twenty seconds faster than some of the other teams, giving Lange a huge track advantage which he held to the flag. Eddy/Scott Jacob was second with Nick Lange and BRutes racer Berm Wilson third.

Eddy took victory in the two state championship races over Rangely and Michael Dawes.

Improved Production had the biggest field of the weekend with Stephen Thompson (RX7) and Scott Duncan (RX3) taking a win and second each running away from the field in both races. NSW Escort racer Graeme Wilkinson and Tony Isaresena (RX7) filled the minors.

Historic Touring Cars again saw the young star Josh Brown (XUl) shine taking a pair of victories and the new lap record. Second places were shared by Kevin Heffernan (HQ Monaro) and Simon Phillips (XUl) while Anthony Beehan (XUl) took both thirds.

Paul McCahon won the first HQ race from Leigh Levering and Dion Cidoni. Lovering claimed the second after McCahon had a dreadful start.

Justin van Twest and Cidoni completed the podium.

Mark Maezek (Anderson 250) dominated Superkart proceedings with three race wins. Stephen Cloake (Stockman 250) took two seconds while Carlo Chermaz (PVP 250) took the other second with the thirds taken by Cloake, John Carter (Stockman 250) and Chermaz.

Bob Power (Ralt RT23) and Derek Pingel (Lola T87/50) shared thee two Racing car wins with Pingel and Geoff Wiseman (Cheetak Mk8) completing the first race, Trent Usher (Van Diemen RF96B) and Craig Smitlr (Van Diemen RF91) the second.

In Sports Sedans, Shane Bradford took his first race victories, driving Chris Donnelly's Ford Falcon. Colin Smith (Rover Vitesse-Chev) and Ethan Lind (Isuzu Gemini-Nissan) completed the two podiums.

Troy Norris (EA Falcon) took two hard fought wins in Saloon cars after fighting race long with Jake Camilleri (EA Falcon) who claimed second in the first race ahead of Robert Bell (EA Falcon). Later Bell slammed the waU at the start finish line in the final race of the weekend while fighting for the lead.

Shane Hart (Jabiru) took a pair of points wins in Formula Vee, although Grant Bromley (Jacer) in an invited 1600cc Vee took the first race win.

The podiums were Paul KeUaway (Bee Cee) and Jason Gomerall (Manta) Sports cars saw John Campbell (Hooper-Suzuki) take victory from Grant Watson (Prosport-Kawasaki) and Peter Saunderson (Radical).

Jumped starts by Campbell and Saunderson left Watson to win the second from Steve Morcombe (Westfield-Toyota) and Campbell.

-MARK JONES

Improved Nationals

PHILLIP Island will host the 2004 Noltec Grunt Improved Production Nationals on May 1 and 2.

It will be the third time the Nationals have been held at the Isjand and interest has been high amoungst IP ranks.

Heading the list of starters is Improved Production staiwarts Leanne Ferrier, Ray Hisiop,

Wayne Wakefieid and reigning Victorian Champion Tony Floreani.

Super Karts and Formuia Vee wiil be the lead support act at the meeting.

Suspension company Noltec Grunt supported the Nationals in NSW last year have jumped on board again in 2004 to increase their exposure in Victoria.

- GRANT ROWLEY motorsport news

f

NATIONAL SCENE SPARCO CIK KART CHAMPIONSHIP

Debutant’s Junior win

Elliott, Walsh, Price snatch the remaining silverware

NEWCASTLE'S Josh Scott made an impressive CIK debut at Geelong's opening roimd of the 2004 Sparco CIK Australian Championships winning Junior Intercontinental A after a dramatic last lap pass on Western Australian Deepal Kandola.

Scott(BRM)went better as the meeting progressed, taking out the pre-final then shadowing front row qualifier Kandola(Top Kart) throughout the final while Mason Merit(Omega)was a little further back in third.

Kiwi Michael Burdett had earlier won two heats but collided with Richard Rapa in the final. Defending champion Kristian Lindbom also won a heat,but could only manage fifth in the final.

Western Australian Daniel EUiott

Mark Wicki

Mark Wicks

The most dominant performance of the weekend came from Ashley Walsh,the Queensland TruUi Kart driver the class of the Intercontinental

A field.

7 flnril 2004

n The Biland World Karting Final has been axed. Despite the success of the inaugural event in France in 2002, where South Australian Reif Corbett took third, the 2003 edition that was originaliy to be held in Morocco has encountered continual problems and delays.

Biland has now finally confirming that there will be no World Final, the company saying the primary reason was that of cost, over half a million US dollars required to stage the event. William Yarwood (now competing in Aussie Racing Cars), Darren Foley, Greg Martin, Kiel Johnston and Adam Burkett were scheduled to represent Australia. n After a significant period of development, the ARC electric starter kit for the Yamaha KT100S is now commercially available. The kit includes new crank cases, battery, clamps, wiring loom, switches and the clutch assembly itself for $938. n Kiwi Formula A World Karting Champion Wade Cunningham made his FF2000 debut at Sebring last month in the opening round of the Cooper Tires Zetec Championship.

Cunningham stunned the establishment by qualifying pole for the first race before finishing third, but dropped to sixth in race two. Fie sits fourth in the championship.

took a resounding Victory in Formula A for Bird. Team mate Nick Lowe started strong, qualifying pole and sharing the heat wins with EUiott.

Starting out of the fourth row in the final, EUiott soon made his way to the front. Matt WaU(Arrow)in pursuit but not able to mount a chaUenge.

Jason Bums(Redspeed)took third ahead of defending champion Barclay Holden (TruUi) who had earUer won the pre-final.

Missing from aU of this was last year's ICA champion,Glenn Powles.

Powles(TruUi) had been there or thereabouts aU weekend,but a coUision with Jason Bums(Redspeed) prior to the start eliminated him from the event.

Walsh qualified fastest, won every heat and the pre-final before leading the entire find and winning by five seconds.

ICA was a TruUi whitewash with James Mann and Eddie WignaU fiUing the podium.

Bart Price made his first appearance in the Intercontinental C class, duly taking the win in what his opposition must hope is just a one-off appearance in Uie category.

Price qualified fastest but often stmggled at the start of the races, including the final where he was swamped into the first comer.

Mathew Soft(CRG)held the early advantage over Joshua PonteUo (ParoUn)before Price(Arrow)got his act together. Tom WUUamson (Redspeed)came on strong at the end to snatch second.

-MARK WICKS

Karting Briefs

Mark Wicks

Eat my dust: Scott, top, Price, middle, and Walsh, above, were three of the category winners at a high quality opening CIK round.

n Matthew Wall has been voted #1 in KartOz Magazine's annual Top 50 driver ratings. Wall won races in a wide variety of categories throughout 2003 and nearly lifted the Formula A title when he won the final round.

Previously, Wall's best placing was sixth in 1999. David Sera was the highest placed Junior and ranked an incredible fourth outright. n Easter means on thing in Australian karting circles - the annual AKA National Championships. This year over 300 drivers will be competing to claim the traditional green plates that are awarded to the winner in each class.

The 2004'Bendigo Bank' Nationals will be held at the Puckapunyal circuit near Seymour in Victoria from April 8 to 11.

Three repeats in NSW State ROUND two of the NSW Premier State Cup kart series was held at Newcastle recently, three drivers repeating their wins from the opening roimd.

Ryan Reynolds(Junior National Light)Tom Williamson(Rotax Light) and Carsten Tiedemann(Clubman Super Heavy)once again proved too good in their respective classes as unpredictable weather early in the

meeting upset the order for many.

Warren White Jnr(RedSpeed)took a big win in Midgets having qualified over one second faster than anyone else!

Kristian Lindbom also dominated

his class, easily winning Junior Clubman as Steel Guiliana had a fight on his hands with Joshua Scott for second. Corey Lean(Arrow)beat a top flight Clubman Light field. Daniel Elliott and Kyle Clews came together

mid-race handing Lean enough of a gap to hold to the finish. Lean also finished second to Daniel Foot in Senior National Light.

Other winners were Mitchell Parkinson (Rookies), Ben Hancock Qunior National Heavy), Greg Martin (Senior National Heavy),Damien Meyer(Rotax Heavy)and David Knight(Clubman Heavy) -MARK WICKS 73

NATIONAL SCENE

Don't Run, Sprint

Eddington and Rob Roy enjoy healthy fields

W

,

Recovered: Roberts' Pentland Special is currently being restored at his timeless Eddington workshop.

0th Claims NZ Title

CONSISTENCY has rewarded Andy Booth with his first Parker ENZED New Zealand V8 Touring Car Championship.

The Team Kiwi Racing Commodore driver may not have been the fastest at each of the seven championship rounds, but solid point score hauls ensured the series was wrapped up before the last race at Manfeild.

"Consistency was the key," said Booth, who averaged at least one race win per round.

Caltex Havoline Ford Falcon man Paul Pedersen, finished second in the title chase, ahead of fellow Falcon runner Dean Perkins.

Angus Fogg was in the mix mid-season but fell back to finish fourth overall.

Commodore driver Wade Henshaw was one of the quickest drivers in the field throughout the season, scoring three race wins, but eventually finished the series in sixth, just ahead of Kayne Scott and Brady Kennett.

Former Sport Sedan and TKR driver John Meintrye made an impressive one-off drive in the class at Manfeild, taking two race wins in Mark Pedersen's Falcon.

New Zealand's version of V8 Supercars continues to grow in stature. Grids averaged over 30 and attracted the likes of

THE Vintage Sports Car Club of Australia's annual Eddington Sprints came of age on March 27 with almost 100 entries.

Celebrating its 21st event, the popular central Victorian meeting continues to attract good support.

Fastest time of day went to Ray Sprague in his AMX touring car with a time of 12.82s - 0.47s quicker than his best run last year.

A pleasing aspect of the Sprints was the participation of youngsters, having their first taste of motor sport. Year 12 student, Albert Hazelden drove his father's famous Cooper Austin very sensibly, and a starry-eyed young lady.

Holly Alsop, went home with her first trophy.

Keith Roberts, left, was an interested spectator and rested his supercharged Riley for this meeting. He's currently restoring an interesting aircooled 'special'from the 1950s which he

rescued from a paddock in central Victoria. It's the Pentland Special, a car built along Cooper lines and raced by Brian Pentland of Bendigo and later by Ross Elliott.

IT was a big weekend for competitors with the running of the VHRR's inaugural Historic Rob Roy hillclimb the following day.

Nick McDonald made the most of it by scoring FTD in his Briana FF with a best time of 23.7s Other class winners were Ron Townley(BWA),Jim Russell(Ford V8 Spl), Terry White (Austin 7), George Coad (Vauxhall Spl), Simon Rodgers (MG B), Rob Jamieson (Austin Healey BN7),Ian Cowie(Triumph Spitfire GT6), Russell Mead (Ford Cortina), ●;?

Max Pegram (Austin Healey Sprite Mkl), Todd WRlings (Sportive SPR), Noel McDiughMn (Holden Torana XU-1).

-BRIAN REED

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Tower of strength: Team Kiwi Racing driver Andy Booth claimed the 2003/04 NZ Touring Car Championship.

Supercar drivers Paul Radisich and David Thexton. Radisich only competed in two rounds, but took three race wins.

The next race for the NZ Tourers will be at Pukekohe, supporting the Supercars between April 30 and May 2.

One Young Gun y of

15-YEAR-OLD Queenslander Lindsay Merritt secured special CAMS dispensation to compete in Round 2 of the Qld Gemini Series last weekend.

Merritt, below, a year 11 student at St. Edmunds College in Ipswich, was scheduled to contest both the heats and the one hour enduro at Morgan Park on Sunday, the latter teamed with Dick

Johnson Racing's youth driver Ryal Harris.

Merritt is an Autocross specialist, having won the past three Ipswich West Moreton Auto Club junior titles, as well as the outright Autocross championship last year.

Plans are already in place for the youngster to step into a Commodore Saloon Car for 2005.

-GRANT ROWLEY

[ THE 2004 SmokeFree Western Australian Nightmasfers recently kicked off the WA State Series.

A healthy field of Formula Fords saw Mark Douglas take the final race win, ahead of Paul Fiore and fast-man Nathan Caratti. iryan Scrivener took the win in Historic cars, while Cameron Edwards completely destroyed the Formula Vee field.

Kerry Wade had a busy and successful Nightmasters meeting.

The iarkham Motor Sport V8 Supercar endurance driver cleanswept the Street Gar class in his Mazda RX-7, above, and then cruised to a win in the Saloon Cars in front of Malcolm Niall and Luke Hansen.

The HQ Holden heats saw four races won by four different drivers.

Dave Turner ciaimedi the 'Nightmaster' mantle.

Michael Minshall cleaned up Sports Cars, and Torana XU’ 1 pilot Peter McLean was too strong inthe competitive Historic Touring Cars. motorspon news

J

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AS-2615-1995 l 12-month warranty l Weight 17kg Ph: (07) 5493 7444 Fax: (07) 5493 7131 email: lanandlou@powerLip.com.au * all prices Include GST. Freight Is additional.

W

MOTORSPORT

Melbourne 03 9326 6088

raeejv brakes

Competition disc pads

" 7<ie

Over 10 years experience of brake modifications and upgrades for road and race. Caliper conversion 1, 2, 4 & 6 piston. Custom made disc rotors. of Manufaeti & distribu\ & racing disc brakes e races High performo

Phone 07 3808 1986

or visit our website for your nearest cUstributor.

www.performancawholesale.com.au

j^EEDFLO^

a Premium Motorsport Hose & Fittings! W

Hard tips

f 02 9676 5300 ● e garydunlop@ozemail.com.au

Manuucluren appointed dUOStutn Tor Austrab-Al trade engssrki should be directed to

www.garysmotorsporttyres.com.au

^3 * A

Swirl polished underheads Hard chrome stems

Unit 3/13 Penny PI, Arndell Park NSW 2148 p 02 9676 8655

Ph.02 97S8l966F4x.02 97S81l5S EnwiUnfoOfabrcxocnau

The first choice of

n/IAT LAEODN

Engine Re-Builders for Tools & Equipment

Phuite

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● Cylinder Boring & Honing Equipment

Cci^f^PI/i/e

4

● Cylinder Head Rebuilding Tools ● Crack Detection & Repair Kits

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' Engine Assembly & Machining Tools ● Measurement & Test Equipment ● Specialist Tools Sold in Aust by

AYROSS

Ph 03 9437 0377

Speclailsts In Honing Tools & Equipment

& machining service

Tel/Fax 03 542B 1123 Mobile 0408 B34 2B5 Email KDOLKARE@bigpand.cam.au

Dry brake connector Available in all sizes -3 thru to -12 i-Flow r-«

Manufactured in USA by Pro-Gram Engineering

(08) 9443 4400

Australia by

Ph03 5339 5159 Fax 03 5339 2144

Citvn

DESIGNED FOR RACE APPLICATIONS

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i0T0RSP.0iiT> ^^1800 242 910 COMPOMOTIVE MOTORSPORT WHEELS

ENGINE BEARlNa

immsem Australia's largest range, for over 400 engine applications rTAfTTTT^X Minufjcturenappoimeddlstfibuiof (of A

«jE WHOLESALE

autr "i I'l 14 Pti.0297581966fax0297SeilS5 Email

r

tuning and development needs

Postal Address PQ Box 21 Bisborne VIC 3437

Steel Main Caps to suit most V8 applications

Sold in

For your engine

Vehicle & engine development

(02) 9771 5877 (02) 9838 7272 (03) 9794 5177 (07) 3808 1986 (08) 8363 5566 ' '

CHASSIS gDVjrASJOMETXKS

Engine building

Contact your state distributor...

Hardiman Auto Supplies Motorsport Connections Victorian Speed Pro Performance Wholesale Crane Technologies Gogear Racing Services

seat concentricity Closely controlled margin heights Fully machined combustion faces

MOTORSPORT TYRES

5^

GOODSON

mmMNmmmk

Superior strength Exact stem to

S

Aliiininiuni Competition Wheel Nuts, D - 60 T}re Pressure Ganpes :

● Race brakes ● Pagid ● Hawk ● Endless ● Performance Friction

^PERFjpRMANCEmi^S^aia,'

Jf

l Tested and approved to Australian Standards

OUNIjOF

Sydney 02 9609 1101

I

l 1000kg Capacity l Low Saddle Height

VIC 03 9386 5331 NSW 02 9676 8655 SA 08 8387 3522 WA 08 9293 3500 TAS 03 6273 7555 NT 08 8941 5388 ilUCKEY QLD 07 3217 1188 rrxE SERV/CE www.stuckey.com.au

sparco

● Racewear ● Seats ● Harnesses ● Etc...

SAVE up to 30%

L 76

Tel: 02 9709 4655 for Dealer info.

RADIATORS, INTERCOOLERS & OIL COOLERS ● Offroad cars ● Motorbikes ● Boats ● Hot Rods ● Street Cars ● Circuit Cars Contact 07 55 981 499 or Fax drawings to 07 55 984 398

fh! (07) 3290 5911 fac (07) 32005933 VWH.qri.biZEimil Taloilyl.bit motorsport news

MARKET PLACE

I

MOTORSPORT WHEELS

Racing Fuels

VIC 03 9386 5331 NSW 02 9676 8655 SA 08 8387 3522 WA 08 9293 3500 TAS 03 6273 7555 NT 08 8941 5388 QLD 07 3217 1188

CAMS & FIA Approved

AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTORS

¥'

FIA HARNESSES 2008 expiry, lightweight buckle, 3" webbing, clip in ends Black, Red, Blue 5 point - $539 ● 6 point - $579 FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY

‘PritKcr’iy S.ecs-cc "

Motorsport preparation and fabrication * FAI Homologated Chrome Moly rolloages

'Contour forged' 2618 alloy Precise top ring groove machining Pressure balance groove Ideal skirt Indexing to pinhole & skirt-to-skirt polarity Precise CNC pinhole machining

* Aluminium and stainless steel TIG welding * Race car preparation and construction * EFI installation and tuning ●Turbo manifolds, inlet plenums & intercoolers Ph: 03 9544 1249 Mobile: 0402 127 243 39 Renver Road, Clayton Vic 3168

fFABBBi

adam.russell1@bigpond.com

Manufjciurersappolnlcddtsnlbutor tor AuitraIb.AH uade cnquirici should b« directed to

^

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>1

● Full FIA range in stock ● Available in Red, Black or Blue

.20

,0

IIBEB GAMGElBAteES: A'BE OUBtSBEClALT.fl www.emtechautomotive.com.aM

1

Security for car and equipment Contact Neil Griffiths

Call now for your nearest dealer Ph:1800 797 344

● Atoirale, Repeolnble, Versatile

...

j

i

,^1

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1

m

www.tficstatertfi!^Miin CAMS racing and rally licence courses @ Oran Park monthly $650 in your car.

Includes lecture and OLT.

Formula Ford Test Drives - $695 in our cars.

No pre-requisites. 40 laps at Oran Park. l-

f

on 0418 474 816 ►awiinjion

race@tnt.com.au

Eastern Raceparts ● Mocal

● Take manual coalrol or hands-free

● Aircraft Bolts

● Local design, support, development, inslnilnlion nnd on-sile training ● Top names demand lop equipment (users int NIZPRO, HSV, HRT & John Sidney Racing) ● Engine, chossis, go-knrt or motorbike For more informolion and g

● Girling ● Goldine

demonstration tontait:

DynoLog

Dynamometer

AREX Compoling FO Box 151 Montrose Vic 3765 Ph 03 9751 1142 Fa* 03 9751 2173 Mob 0408 055 541 Email aelder@melbpc.org.ai

● Silverline

Ph/Fax 02 9526 6666

Ph Byran Miller* Mob 0417 274 507 ● Ph 02 9524 3389 ● 1 Tamba Place Lilli Pilli NSW 2229 ● Email easternraceparts@hotmail.com

instruments.

Why pay more ?

Ilolku

tWtBCBr

Holley Performance System Distributors

Huge range of tachos Boost gauges Temperature gauges Over 70 quality

www.holley.com »

International Racing Drivers School For more info ph 02 9873 1773, fax 02 9871 1018 or email peter@finlays.com.au www.fjnlay5.cam.au

1

Professional race car logistic and event specialists

Remarkable Windows of Opportunity for Engine Experts

j

Race logistics RACE LOGISTICS interstate transport Fully enclosed custom built race car transporters

\2nE3\

o

Ph 02 9756 0202 Fax 02 97S6 0203 sales@simpsonraceproducts.com.au

ALU RpUNOS ALL CLASSES

? Bolt down, detachable or wrap around ● Supreme quality at ■ setisible prices

aoo

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RACE PRODUCTS

Ph.019;SB l966Fax.0297S811SS ErnalLinfogfabrexCTnju

¥

1201«°160 100 160

V

Aust 5tandard 4 point belts fr $145

Automotive ●so

Simpson Safety Equipment Australia 11/62 Newton Road Wetherill Park NSW 2164 Ph 02 9756 0202 Fax 02 9756 0203

www.hi-tecfuels.com

RUSSELL PERFORMANCE

RACE PRODUCTS

World's leaders in Motorsport Safety Technology Helmets l Suits l Bools l Gloves l Harnesses l Crew Gear l and all accessories for all motorsports Quality l Price l Service

Full range of racing fuels and lubricants: National Office: Hi-Tec Fuels Ply Ltd 02 4659 6396 VIC: Race Fuels Ply Ltd 0419 511 517 SA: Performance Fuels SA 0414 540 886 QLD: Elf Racing QLD 07 3269 6823 TAS: Devonport Performance 03 6427 0700

™RWE www.stuckey.com.au

I

ISIMPSON

COMPOMOT/VE

HBUeS

Call 08 8132 1888 for your nearest distributor!

'M' a

● All new 2004 range now available (9 models) ● Suitable for all forms of motorsport ● Innovative design, latest materials and manufacturing processes are used to ensure ultimate comfort and ventilation

tiUimnla 'HrrAkc. ~Flesfs^

STREET LEGAL STAINLESS BRAIDED BRAKE HOSES ● Enhance braking performance ● Reduce braking distances

● Eliminates pedal sponginess ● Abrasion & corrosion resistant

● Immediate brake pedal response

● Compatible with all brake fluids

AN hoses carry ADR7/00 approval. Available in sets or single hoses for cars or bikes

Maltech 0418 378 939 maltechl @bigpond.com 7 Aprit 2004

● Lightweight without compromising strength and safety

This space could be yours Call Urendon on 03 9550 0870 for details

siM

Call now for your nearest dealer Ph:1800 797 344

2

77

■

Bright Spark Crane Technologies Ply Ltd have released a new Crane Cams

Digital Multi Spark Ignition System for serious street performance. The product is very well priced at under $300.

The 6000-6600 hiductive Discharge Ignition has multi spark operation for clean low speed firing and quicker, easier start-ups and produces a hotter, longer duration spark that boosts HP and

More Zex

The ZEX''''" LSI Nitrous System is now available in Australia through Performance Wholesale.

This "wet" nitrous system has many advanced features.

All components,such as solenoids and activation electronics, are factory pre-assembled inside the "Nitrous Management Unit".

This ensures you will be spending

less time in the garage installing the system and more time having fun.

The Zex kits are easy to install and are very reliable.

For further information on the Zex nitrous kits or the location of

1

or mildly modified

i-sPS!jL'SSS?-"

Digital Multi

engmes.

www.performancewholesale.com.au

competing are continuing to increase and the self funded driver and team is becoming a less affordable option.

Securing a sponsor is a time consuming and difficult task. Servicing and retaming the sponsor also takes up valuable time.

Only the top teams are able to afford a full time professional sponsorship manager, until now.

Motorsport Marketing Pty Ltd has developed its TEAMS concept which allows smaller teams access to professional sponsorship representation.

MSM wiU be actively seeking sponsors for the

ChwgQl Matarsporls Professionals . MMAXI l GTUN£ ^GTPLtlSMiADED

m ia>

’>5.

78

your nearest reseller.

torque in stock

Need Sponsors?

sales@vpw.com.au

new Crane Cams Digital Multi Spark Ignition System contact Crane Cams on 08 8363 5566.

You can also visit their website at www.cranecams.com.au to find

your nearest stockist contact Performance Wholesale on 07 3808 1986 or visit their website at

A new concept in sponsorship management has been launched by Motorsport Marketing Pty Ltd. With the ever increasing demand on the sponsorship dollar, teams and drivers have found it difficult to attract and maintain sponsors.

Todays marketers are demanding greater accormtability and have become more sophisticated in their approach to sponsorship.

Many teams have neither the time nor skiUs to keep up with the changing demands and competition in the sponsorship market.

At the same time costs associated with

vpw.com.au

The system is easy to install and works with points, magnetic input or stock ignition modules For more information on the

1300159 9M

icom.au

Ies@vpw.com.au

vpw.com.au

saies@vpw.com.at

members of the TEAMS concept. This will allow teams to get on with what they do best - building cars and racing.

Regular contact with the sponsor will be handled by MSM,saving the race team and driver valuable time. MSM will also be responsible for looking after the clients on race day and organising appearances, competitions and other promotional activities surrounding the team and sponsor.

The team manager will benefit with a professional presentation to sponsors, tune saving, greater sponsorship retention and the opportunity to increase sponsorship revenue.

To find out how you can have your race team become a TEAMS member, contact Gary at Motorsport Marketing Pty Ltd on 03 9489 9246.

?

CLASSIFIEDS

Classifieds . online classifieds

II151VS Find hundreds more race vehicles and parts for sale at www.my105.com

SEU

from just $25

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 \i

TO SELL YOUR EQUIPMENT!

VH Commodore

GroupAST185R GT4

Commodore VH Improved production 355 Holden, super T10 TexMex Gearbox, Harrop rear end. fresh engine complete o/haul since last season. Excellent condition Eastern Cr 1.48.0 Oran Pk. 1.19.1 Wakefield Pk. 1.08.9. David 0409 319 349.

This is a Great Car has been Garaged for the last 3 years only done 116043 KM in its life has rebuild motor w/ith no km new

V.

wheelsA'yers 215/40/17 has blow of valve and CT 26 turbo. $18,500 Neg. Darren (02)9648 4111 / 0408 990 411.

www.myl05.com/57671

Lotus Elise

y

Bowin P6F

^ Fresh engine, close ratio gearbox, I adjustable front and rear shock , absorbers, full roll cage, sport 190 n engine spec. Just rebuilt, 1 set of > n spare wheels, terratrip, ready for

V.

In

www.myl05.com/81552

Lf

$25,000 ONO. Keith 0401-704-401.

www.myl05.com/24538

-j Targa, excellent buy. Priced to sell. $65,000. Mark (02) 9838 8374 (bh) / 0408 976 958.

www.myl05.com/55980 Sedan$/Sports Cars

Combined Touring Car Champion, Championship winning car last 3 years, quick and reliable, well maintained with no expense spared, comes complete with fresh engine, ready to race plus spares package.

281 Marty 0417 289 169. www.myl05.com/14667 Ford Escort Mk1, excellent condition, 2 litre pinto motor, very reliable, great circuit club car, cams log booked, also available for sale new trailer $1800, and race suit, gloves, shoes used twice $800 neg. $14,000 Neg. Sasha 0418 680 293.

282 www.my105.com/61765

7 April 2004

CELICA GT4 st185, SS or LMS or PRC car, ready to rally. Jap Import for rally rego only. Stock standard only mods are 6 point steel cage, height adjustable front struts, king springs, KYB inserts, terratrip, intercom, boost/speedcut overrides. Done 2 targa tas., 6 rally sprints. $10,000.

281 Mark (02) 6550 6688. www.myl05.com/34346

abHUTKiM

Mitsubishi Mirage, 4th outright 2003, quick and tidy car, very reliable, podium finishes, ready to race, some spares, may deliver.

283 $18,000 ONO. Adam 0438 541 972. www.myl05.com/26642

Tommi Makenin Edt EVO 6, Australian delivered, only 200 built, perfect order, Ideal for targa or GP rally, log books, balance of new car warranty, mature owner. $57,000 consider Trade ONO. Rian 0412 033 827.

281 www.my105.com/61330

Toyota Corolla AE82 Improved Prod., 3rd 1600CC OLD 2003, 20 valve, Autronic, FIA cage, TRD cage, TRD GPA gearbox + diff, all VGC/fresh, easy to drive, prqf built. $9,600. Justin 0417 703 773. 284 www.myl05.eom/70676

●rnAr/ i Bridal'

PORSCHE GT2 TURBO, Spectacular and fast. Ideal for Porsche Drivers Challenge. $130,000 plus GST. Paul 0418 618 561, 281 www.my105.com/8972

V8 Commodore Super Car, Would have to be the best in the country. Totally rebuilt using all new parts in 2002. No expense spared. Large spare package included.

Raced by Leanne Ferrier in 4 Konica Rounds. Offers call Brett. Brett (08) 9302 281 4774 / 0418 942 142. www.myl05.eom/53240 Mitsubishi Evo 6 Race car. Improved Late Model National Production Championship winning car. Big horse power engine, autronic ECU and CDI, brembo 8 pot brakes, cusco diffs, proflex suspension.

Brand new brakes,clutch, driveshafts, turbo and exhaust manifold. Holds lap record at Barbagallo, heaps of spares. Can be raced in GT Performance/ Improved Production. $45,000 Or Best Offer. Aaron 0409 298 108.

283 www.my105.com/74684

2002 Tanzam Corvette DTM, ready to race and win again. DTM -Carbon/Kevlar body.

Chrome moly chassis, 3 x way Penske shocks fully fabricated in chrome moly rear with 9inch Ford, 5 speed Wiseman. TC gear box. BBS 3y pease wheels AP 6 pot brakes, 6 litre Hendrick 700 hp engine, dry sumped, 180 degree exhaust system. Only the very best has gone into this car,(No duty to pay car of new Zealand orgin ). $135,000 with spares. Peter 0011 64 3963 1381- fax 0011 282 64 3366 0133. www.myl O5.com/1026

79

aa

Lancer Evo 5 RS, Australian GTP Championship Car. Further improved by current owner. All Works Ralliart bits in front & rear LSD. New cage, exhaust system, paint & interior. 192kw on optimax at wheels on 1 bar boost. Vehicle done 6000klms.

Ideal Club/Targa Car. Import papers for Rally Rego. $42,000 Not Neg. Ray 0412 644 780.

281 www.my105.com/16327

L_^ *.7^1 Mallock U2 MK21 1300cc, Completed 2002 current CAMS logbook Del Luca Corrolla motor on 45DCOEs, Comes with MSD ignition and adjustable rev limiter, 6 point FIA current harness, 4 wheel d/brakes, cockpit adj. brake bias, Ford diff, new AVO shockers, w/bone jigs and spares. $10,000 281 ONO. Ian (08) 8322 1029. www.myl05.eom/20218

Formula Vee 1998 Mantis, Fresh John Dean Engine, rollon long and short gearboxes, 3 piece wheels, spares including nose cone and mould, log book, ready to race. Fully enclosed trailer also available almost new $2,800. $7,500 ONO. Jim (03) 5967 2288. 281 www.my105.com/39084

FORD V8 BRute FOR SALE, VIP Pet Foods Brute as raced by Grant Denyer.

Consistent top 5 qualifier and race winner.

Ute and V8 BRute franchise for sale.Good condition ready to race. Professionally engineered and maintained. $45,000. Craig 261 Denyer 0417 600 610. www.myl05.com/88643

Hillclimb Car, 2003 Victorian hillclimb Championship winning car, 1996 Swift Fomnula Ford, converted to Libre, 1700cc pushrod Ford engine with Motec engine management features, launch, traction control, quad throttle body injection and ignition, ceramic coated exhaust, produces in excess of 170 BHP,Acer Laptop included, LD200 Hewland, Powerflow LSD centre, new crown wheel and pinion, spare ratios, new fire exOnguisher system, new battery and new spare. Jump starter battery, new Willans 6 point harness, new aluminium radiators, 3 sets of light weight wheels with Avon Hillclimb tyres, 2 sets dry, 1 set wets, one set of over sized Formula Ford wheels

Group SA, Including: Spare Parts, Spare Wheels, Various Diff Ratios NEW SHOCKER & SPRINGS MOTOR REBUILT

with new Avon circuit slicks, plus one set of spare wheels same configuration, 1 set of Formula Ford wheels and tyres, 1 set of traveller wheels, car cover, lifter, spare front panel, front and rear wings. Ready to use, very competitive, under 2 litre track record Morwell. $39,500 ONO. Andrew (03) 5443 281 0810 / 0418 510 462.

(2 MEETINGS) Good history, winner (7 times) Alan Jones Trophy at Winton, numerous wins Phillip Island and Malala . $30,000 Neg. Winston 0418 314 111.

281 www.my105.com/44487

Open Wheelers

TURBO ROTARY RALT, Dowled, ported, lllanetti ceramic seals. Ball bearing turbo, external w/gate,multi plate olutch,alloy flywheel, microtech,dual bosch pumps,4 stage dry sump, huge spares, pi dash, 8 wheels, ratios, tyres, arms, moulds, d/shafts,discs,pads,wings. 600hp awesome to drive, $75,000 Or Best Offer.

Michael 0411 676 www.myl05.com/52281

Cheap Wings & Slicks, Full C of D & historic log book. Beaut little car, ideal entry level. Well built with all the right gear.

Recent rebuild of all mechanicals and ready to race. Complete with excellent trailei and spares. $23,000 Neg. 280 Paul Scott 0413 057 097. www.my105.com/67439

www.myl05.com/28418

^ lt

4

I Datsun 1600 Club/Race Car, This car has had a major freshen up, $2800 at Powerplay/ Datrally on engine, twin 48s, extractors, 200bhp (dyno results). New Sparco Evo2 seat. New Exhaust, New R spec tyres. Race suspension, fibreglass bonnet/boot, brake bias, cams roll cage, cams log book, ready to race no expense spared. $7,990. Dale 0402 318 515 / (03) 9370 1265.

281 www.my105.com/2893

For Sale and/or Lease Drive, Dallara 301 update, the winner of the Australian F3 2003 Championship driven by Michael Caruso. Ready to race. Spares/ Transporter available. Call Mick Caruso (02) 9905 5814 or 0418 481 122 or e-mail

TIGA FA82 Formula Atlantic, Complete car in perfect condition. Recent full restoration.

Engine dismantled for inspection. Will consider an interesting trade. $48,000 Not Neg. David 0409 603 749.

282 www.my105.com/49988'

bms@optusnet.com.au. www.my105.com/63986

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. $8,900 or best 280 offer. Kym 0402 144 828. www.myl05.com/37151

280

7]Rfi£'waytosellvourgear! From lust$25* lustlog on

(*$25 applies to ads entered directly onto myl05.eom) Advertising can aiso be suppiied using thisform (S10/$15surchagetotextoniy/text + pic advertisements) . Advertisements will appear in next possible issue of i.iotorsporl Meivs PLUS the my 105.com websiteforthree months.

online classifieds GStCyOfy: □ Sedans

□ Open Wheelers

□ Parts □ Engines □ Trailers

□ Speedway

□ Wanted □ Photographs

□ Drag □ Other

□ Jobs

IlCinio Description: Please keep ads to no more than 50 words, plus up to 6 photos if desired.

Please read & cross the desired services and calculate the totai.

K Standard ad and one inlusion into Motorsport News = $35 □ 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

TOTAL = $

I enclose a ctieque/money order/credlt card details for the payment of the total amount above.

□ Amex □ Bankcard □ Visa or □ Mastercard

Card no Name _ Address Email Ph( 80

)

Signature _

Exp_/_

Card Name Forward your classified to: fax 02 96471177 email mnews@my105.com postal address Myl 05, PC Box 6751 Silverwater NSW 2128.

NOTICE TO ADVERTlSEnS Please use the form provided and print clearly. Please note

we are unable to return photographs supplied tor use in classified ads. Ads will appear as soon as possible after receipt. MN/my105.com classifieds are for the sate of private goods and vehicles only, not business advertising Photos marked 'proor will not be used.

motorsport news

CLASSIFIEDS Engines

Nissan FJ20, Quad throttle forged pistons Ported, Polished head all new parts throughout. Suit sports sedan etc. Cost over $7000. Qnly used twice. Qffers over $4000. $4,000. Michael 0407 668 835.

281 www.myl05.com/32181 Ford V8 Supercar engine, 619hp Mark McLaughlin, Run only 150km. Headers, SS exhaust, carbon clutch Rattle guns and hoses etc. Garry 0413 879 879 / (02) 9688 3003. 280 www.myl05.com/58255 Cosworth Turbo, Cosworth turbo enginge and borg womer T5 gear box suit escort corlina box just had re build will split. $9,000 ONO. Steve 0404 194 911.

280 www.myl05.comf55707 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, oortina. $6,995 ONO. Steve 0404 194 911.

280 www.my105.com/16647 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 & roiier cam bearings Tappet covers - CNC engraved with Patterson Racing, Will make 850 - 900 hp. Call for details & prices.

Michael 0418 228 438.

200 www.my105.com/32590

Parts Race Wheels, Race Wheels.BBS Snake Tongue Rims centre lock Super Touring 1 piece light weight 19*8s good condition. $900 ONO. John (02) 6569 5781.

283 www.myl05.eom/34580 48mm Downdraft Webber, 48mm downdraft Webber Carby Holly fuel regulator, 2 x electronic coils,1 x electronic distributor,air box and K&N filter all to suit 13B Rotary. $1200.00 Not Neg. Luke 0419 388 829.

281 www.myl05.com/98596

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 - Taebo 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 Vt/ater filler neck - for AN hose Aerospace + radiator cap CNC billet 165.00. Michael 0418 228 438. 279 www.myl05.eom/29920 Parts for Sale, Escort competiion struts with externally adjustable Koni's 2.5” ID threaded adjusters 2501b King Springs concentric tops in Capri legs $1000, Brembo 4 spot calipers $900, 4 13x7 Rebel wheels, 2 sets of custom rear leaves by King's 190ib and 220lb's brand new $250,Escort RS 4 spoke wheels 13x6 $450.

279 Danny 0409 470 055, www.myl05.com/62619 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/83429

Alloy Wheels, Toyota Supra Factory 2x16x9, 2x16x8 with bridgestone 540 50%.PCD 114 offset 50. $400.00. Also 4x16x7 Toyota Supra factory turbo $200.00.

Jeff 0418 277 902.

279 www.myl05.com/39953

7 llpril 2004

Race Transporter, 45 gooseneck fully lined, full fit out for race car, SBR Isuzu Twin Cab, 235 horsepower turbo, 5.5 KBA generator, compressor, aluminium lockup boxes over wheel arch, CD player, CB radio, radial tyres, RWC. $85,000. BH (03) 5940 2034 / AH 0418 109 976, www.my105.com/17216

Enclosed car trailer. Fully enclosed car trailer, suit large sedan, plenty of room for equipment, currently used for carrying HX holden ute. five good tyres, electric brakes, back door loading ramp, side acess door, electric winch. $5600 ONO. John (02)6382 6819. 281 www.myl05.com/24986

Collectable/Memorabilia Home Movies Motorsport, Wanted home movies on 8 mill. Super 8 (or other format) of motor racing from 1960 to 1980 (Tasman Series, Gold Star, National Sports & Touring Cars). Transfer from film to video/dvd free of charge to owner upcoming video project.

Contact V. steve@capricornmedia.com.au 280 or (02) 9659 0665. www.myl05.com/44486

For Lease F3 Drive Available, Team BRM have one of their front running Dallara 301 Spiess Opel cars available for Round 2 of the Australian F3 Championship at Oran Park 16-18 April. Bronte Rundle (08)8254 8444 / 0412 846 997.

281 www.my105.com/6120 Drive Available - Formula Ford, Old Championship, Bathurst and Indy Championship winning Team. Greg (07) 5446 7611 / 0411 052 944.

281 www.myl05.eom/60813

Race Transporter, International T2670, 1982, 28ft pan, 2000kg Tienen lifter, 14Lt Cummins, 9sp road ranger, 28 x 15ft marquee, compressor, generator, electricity, storage boxes, and much more, $35,000.

Druggan Family Racing 0416 104 582 /(02) 9636 4432.

282 www.myl05.eom/26017

E

36ft Gooseneck and 93 Chev dually, 36ft Gooseneck, tri axel 12v/240v, free standing annexe, elec winch, frop axels, beaver tail, skylights, $20,000. 93 Chev Dually, crewcab, ao, 12 stack CD, new tyres, new carpet, seats 6, gas, fuel, lowered 4in/6in, pwer vision mirrors, GM Tonnea, $50,000.

Bruce 0417 790 944 /(07)5496 9066. 281 www.my105.com/4912

Wanted Super Tourer wanted to buy, 2 Lt. Super tourer wanted to buy. Any make considered.

CRAIG 006442370345 / 006442322828.

281 www.myl05.com/35893

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Pit Flooring, Approximately 90 sq metres of ex Williams FI flooring tiles. Colour blue. Price $3000 AUD. Contact Bronte Rundle 0412 846 997 or (08) 8254 8444.

280 www.myl05.com/43718 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 2 x 9 x 21 x 12 fronts and 2 X 12 X 23 X 13 rears. Price $1,000.

280 Andrew (03) 5443 0810. www.myl O5.com/17516

Transporters/Trailers

V8 Trader & Gooseneck trailer, TRUCK 351 Windsor 5 speed + splitter 180lt fuel .3 bunks, stove, water tank. sink, storage, stainless esky. 12v lights, insulated walls.

TRAILER elec tail gate, warn winch for car.water & hose, generator, wired, fit sprinter/super/saloon or 2 x small cars, elec brakes, tyre rack, need car licence only. $38,000.00 ONO. Jamie 0409 017 684.

280 www.my105.com/74031

CO

Dual Cab Transporter, 6 cylinder Isuzu, checked plate floor. Internal lighting, 240volt powered, electric winch, side tool boxes, plenty storage, fits sprintcar, 4wd motorbike and plenty of spares, rwc. $30,000 Neg. Wayne (03) 5940 1884, www.myl05.com/26568

Maxim Sprintcar, 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.com/12329

2 Car Transporter, 2 stage Hydrolio tailgate. Bench's, tyre racks, suit open wheelers, CD, tow bar, stored Inside workshop. $38,500 ONO. Peter (03) 9761 4510. 280 www.myl05.com/86618

o o the ad ^ The buyer rang on the my105 website.

The service I received from ali the staff at my105 was exceptional. It truly was several notches above any advertising organisation I have ever dealt with. -M.Mulquin.

Get it seen Get it soid!

81

OPINION

■UMSimt 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

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ADMINISTRATION

Managing Director/Publisher: Chris Lambden ● publisher@mnews.com.au

CONTACTS

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CONTRIBUTORS

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 Soscato Rally: Jon Thomson Histories: Brian Reed Drag Rating: 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 S5 T2S 120 702 Publisher: C Lambde..

Printed by: Offset Pty Ltd, Lidcombe, NDD Ltd Material published jwWlCiv PORT NEWS is copyright and may nc rs itjAraduced in full or in part without the w . ' ►- .-mission of the publisher. FreelarxE aK*.. - -<is are welcome, and while all care vySit. ' - Australasian Motorsport News doe... ■ ■ ,.it responsibility for damage or loss of . r.ibmitted. ●Opinions expressed in Motorsport News are not necessarily thoseiJr-Austs^asian Motorsport News OFafesiS'f.

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Post your cheque/money order to tJie address above, fax your credit card details (Bankcard, VISA, Mastercard, or Amex) to 03 9596 5030 or email to mnews@mnews.com.au

in

82

Tone it down Hooray for G.Shrapel(MNews 279)for writing what I've been thinking for years.

I love motorsport and love reading about motorsport, and the grid girl side of the sport never used to bother me- guys like to look at beautiful ladies, and why not?

But over the past couple of years, both the frequency and questionable tenor of the use of eye-candy has increased dramatically, both at the tracks and in the magazines,and the tone in some magazines (not this one - yet) has dropped below reasonable bounds.

Some time ago I bought my husband a subscription to one racing mag. A few months later there was a page of photographs of women with a headline which both my husband and myself could not believe. The implication was extremely offensive to women.

Solely on the basis of that, the subscription was not renewed and will not be. So, magazines and advertisers, take note - we women are pretty tolerant, but if you overstep the mark we'll stop buying your products(and we all Imow who makes the purchasing decisions in most families, don't we gentlemen!)

Female Fan Eltham Vic

also read AA and feel that they show far too much 'red' bias.

Keep it balanced and give credit where it's due.

I'm sure that if MNews ever went weekly, AA would suddenly have a circulation problem.

Jim Baird

converter Send us your thoughts: mail; PO Box 7072, Gardenvale, VIC 3186 fax: 03 9596 5030 email: mnews@mnews.com.au

I have heard through the grapevine that federal money is available but can only be spent on spectator facilities on the top of the mountain, not the bottom.

Now it looks like money will have to be wasted making temporary pit and paddock area for both races this year, including the possibility of importing the pit complex from Adelaide which will also be an expensive exercise.

Mr Cochrane says AVESCO can't invest in the project as it is against

Att: Mr Howard

Blue Mountains NSW CHRIS LAMBDEN: It's all about balance, Jim. We believe a front cover has to tell readers something new or pose a question, especially to attract the casual 'floating' reader. By Wednesday, when MNews hit the stands, every enthusiast knew Marcos had won, and won well - hence the cover picture.

But the question everyone still wanted answered was 'what the hell happened to HRT?' Hence the cover line. MNews is here to stimulate our readers Interest certainly not to grovel to Skaifey by 'giving' him a headline!

Shame!

I had to wait 36 pages before I got to read about Marcos's history-making weekend at the CHpsal 500.

We are sick of seeing Skaifey take pride of place in your magazine (front page) every publication.

Skaifey is no more or no less of a driver than most in the field. We do not see stories regarding other teams on pages 4 and 5 very often.

On a lighter note. I'm What is going on with the sick of reading letters from Federal funding from the other females regarding government? grid girls - if they are so Don't they realise how angered by the girls and important it is to get do not want to go to the garages up at Bathurst? track because of the 'meat How long is it going to market display', I have a take for them to keep their few simple suggestions: end of the bargin?

Lose some weight, put All us V8 Supercar some make up on, buy a supporters need to know sexy outfit and hold your what's going on, we all head up high with your need to see some progress man through the paddock. on the mountain. If every V8-lover put a few dollars Grid girls - yes or no? Clam or sexist? Readers are divided ... The grid girls are highly intellegent, well paid, towards the development confident females, with most holding their corporate structure. If AVESCO of the new pits, we could have it university degrees and professional feel as strongly about the need for a done long before the government careers. C'mon sisters, let's stick rebuild as they claim then why can't coughs up. together. they amend their corporate structure Bubsy Tish Hutchinson accordingly. roxybabe01_66@hotmail.com lentish@ozemail.com.au Brian Fendlebury Blair Athol NSW ED: Are you sure you sent this to the Chicken before egg? right magazine, Tish?...

Your story on the Bathurst pit complex (MSN No 279) was interesting but raises one vital question. If they did not have the money to complete the job properly, why did they knock it down in the first place?

It's all very well to knock the thing down and hope this will pressure the Government to give $10 million to help rebuild the place, but personally I wouldn't have started spending the money until it was in the bank.

Editorial balance?

I would have thought that the winner of the first round of the V8 Supercar Championship would merit priority over a story about poor old HRT and its woes (MNews 279)?

At least you ran a decent photo of Ambrose on the cover, which is more than can be said of your opposition.

But why the bold headline for Skaife?

I read MNews for it's (generally) balanced reporting and lack of bias. I

Chicane Cop-out

When is a chicane not a chicane?

Why are the drivers allowed to almost straight-line the turn one chicane at Adelaide. It's boring!

Bring back the tyres or higher curbs.

Other than that, a great race. Well done to the organisers and teams.

Bob Beaumont Bellevue Heights SA

motorsport news

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