Motorsport News Issue 291 - September 1-14, 2004

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Issue 291

1 —14 September 2004

news and opinion

features i

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race coverage

1 46 Silver takes Gold Michael won title number seven but no-one noticed because McLaren won and everyone else either crashed, blew up or both 54 Tie Me Up! Andy J and Youlden tie on points but Jones Jr takes the KM title 60 One hand on the crown Loeb dominant in Germany 62 ARC The Atkinsons fly in to Sydney, win and fly out again

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FORD MAN/ Why seto’s leaving FPR ... for DJR

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Photos: Cover: Ford Racing ^ Media. Dirk Klynsmith and sutton-images.com Contents: AFI-Images, John Morris/Mpix, Klynsmith and sutton-images.com

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reguiars 64 Rallying

66 Speedway

68 Drag Racing

70 National Scene

75

Marketplace 3

M

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

Spied in the pits at the IHRA World Nationals last weekend, working on Jeff Burnett’s IHRA Alcohol Funny Car was one Jamie Noonan, engine builder of considerable note for Stone Brothers Racing. Noonan was assisting his father John in helping Burnett with his entry. What happens next is ... dynoing a new engine combination at the shop of Robert Yates Racing in North Carolina. A drag racing engine? Nope. A Superspeedway rocketship for the Nextel Cup? Not from what we hear.

Oils may be oils - but they ain't fuels, either. We hear that one of the Commodores that will run from the House of Perkins next season may give up the familiar Castrol livery in favour of running in the hues of BP Ultimate. Of course, the oil company is owned by the British-based petroleum giant, which is currently pushing its high-performance premium unleaded petrol in the marketing arena.

We were looking forward to seeing the commentators making bungles over the number on one of the HRT Commodores at Sandown and Bathurst later this year. You know, swapping #22 for Peter Brock's famed 05. Well, we hear that there could be a double whammy in store, with the Skaife/Kelly car running 02 for the two-driver races.

Alan van der Merwe was, briefly, in . line to be Jaguar Racing's 'Friday' test driver this season before the gig went to Bjorn Wirdheim. The South African, who won the British F3 crown last season, may be in line to leap back into a Cat R5 later this season, with the 'fly-away' races taking regulars to the far ends of the earth.

How many people does it take to buy a V8 Supercar licence? With all manner of people currently scurrying about, trying to put deals together for 2005, we hear that one of the Level 2 licence 'leasers’ is considering buying shares in Telstra. As many as 12 different people have been on the blower to the unnamed owner, who is content to sit and watch its value rise by the day.

Apart from the departure of Konica Minolta, the second-tier V8 Supercar Show could be in for some changes.

Look for the seconds to support The Show at only two events in 2005 Adelaide and Bathurst - and also for a first-time outing at Morgan Park in the sunny northern climes.

4

still a Blue B DJR deal keeps Seton in Ferd camp

by PHIL BRANAGAN

GLENN Seton will stay a Ford V8 Supercar driver after signing a deal to drive for Dick Johnson Racing for the next two years.

Seton,39, wUl follow Craig Lowndes out the exit door at Ford Performance Racing following the final round of the V8SCS at Eastern Creek in December. This comes despite the Ford factory team's original desire to keep both its drivers for next season and follows a month after Lowndes confirmed that he would race for Triple 8 in 2005/06.

Seton agreed to a DJR deal last week,following a series of meetings with team manager Steve Chalker.

Seton said that the decision to join Johnson was made over a long period of time.

"In early July, I approached David Flint to discuss any possible future with FPR and he asked for a couple of months to decide," said Seton.

"I commented that I needed to make a commitment before that.

"I had an approach from Dick Johnson and another team and they both wanted to discuss me having a future in V8 Supercars. With FPR out

of the immediate reckoning,I looked at both options.

"One of things that swayed me was staying with Ford. I have raced against Dick's cars for a long time and know that the team has what it takes to get the job done.I have a lot of respect for Dick and, with us both in Queensland and both wanting to get back the front in V8 Supercar racing, 1 am confident about the future."

future, perhaps in the Konica Minolta series.

"If I owned a team in the future, it would be in the Konica series. With the DJR thing,I might not be able to look at something like that for the next two years at least. But I would welcome the opportunity to become involved with the Johnson Konica team;I would like to be involved in developing young drivers."

Seton will replace Warren Luff and drive the #18 Shell Helix Barra. Luff

Ford Australia Motorsport Manager Steve Kruk welcomed the move.

has struggled in his rookie V8 Supercar season but may remain in contention to fulfil long-distance duties witli the Queensland-based team.

However,doubt remains over whether Seton will join Steven Johnson in the team. Johnson, who has raced for the team since 1995,is out of contract with DJR at the end of this season and his name has been cormected with a number of other

"1 think that this is great news for Ford. To have two legends, with seven championships between them, and a strong Ford pedigree, working together is fantastic. 1 am sure that the fans will aU enjoy and appreciate seeing the joining of two great icons of the sport."

Seton sees that the move to DJR will guarantee that he stays in the sport.

"My plan for the future is to run my career out with Ford and DJR. I want to race for as long as I feel like 1 can be competitive and 1 hope that can be another eight to 10 years."

Seton did not rule out the prospect of owning a team himself in the

teams in the paddock. However, while no agreement has been reached, we believe that he will remain in the famed #17 Falcon for the next two seasons.

Two-time V8 Supercar titleist Seton had been rumoured to be talking with

Bezzy’s Silver Dream m

AUSTRALIA'S Champ Car driver in the Lexmark Indy 300 will be David Besnard.

The WPS Falcon driver will line up alongside Jimmy Vasser in one of PKV Racing's Lola-Cosworths in the event, which takes place on the Gold Coast on October 22-24. The car wiU be backed by WPS,which owns Besnard's V8 Supercar team and which backs Queenslander Josh Hunt in the Toyota Atlantic Championship in the USA. Besnard,left with Hunt, will test the car for the first time next week at a scheduled Champ Car test at Firebird Raceway in Arizona.

Hunt had been set to drive the car in the race but, while he has been impressive in his rookie season in the US series, felt that he would not be in a position to get the most out of the Champ Car this year in Queensland.

MNews sources say that the teenager approached PKV and Champ Car boss Kevin Kalkhoven and suggested that he stand down from the drive this season.

Kalkhoven then cast around for another driver and Besnard entered the frame.

It is believed that Hunt will continue to race in the 2005 Atlantic series and is in line to race a Champ Car at Surfers next year.

"It was a matter of balancing economics with opportunity," said a source at PKV. "Josh has shown a good deal of maturity in this whole deal and has the support of his team. Our team looks

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"We know that Besnard has good credentials from his season in Atlantics and Jimmy knows and respects him."

Besnard raced in the Atlantic Championship in 1999 for Hilton Motorsport, prior to returning to Australia and going into V8 Supercars with Stone Brothers Racing.

With Besnard committed to driving in the PKV car at Surfers, WPS will have to replace him for the Gold Coast round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series.

An announcement is expected to be made in the next week but MNews believes that Neil McFadyen will race the car, alongside new WPS driver Alex Yoong.

McFadyen, the 2004 Gold Star Champion, will join WPS for the endurance races at Sandown and Bathurst.

-PHIL BRANAGAN

moiorspon news

NEWS

lood

CAMS set to investigate Perkins decision

I have paced against Dick's cars for a iong time and know that the team has what it takes to get the job done"

-Seton Tasman Motorsport about next season, the Sydney team planning an expansion program with a second Commodore VY currently under construction. However,Seton is believed to have placed a strong emphasis on maintaining his Links with Ford,for which he started racing full-time in 1989. He made his Batluirst debut with the marque as a teenager in 1983,sharing a Capri with his Bathurst 500-winning father. Bo. The Seton/DJR deal will mean that FPR win now need to recruit two drivers for next season (see separate story) as well as incorporate major changes in its structure after recruiting team manager Dave Ward from Veloqx Audi and engine builder Rob Benson from OzEmail Racing.

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SO, who does want an FPR seat?

PAUL Radisich has moved into favouritism to join Ford Performance Racing next season.

The vastly-experienced 41year-old is likely to become a man wanted by the Melbournebased works team after the decision by Triple 8 to replace him with Craig Lowndes next season. With the imminent departure of Glenn Seton, the team will be searching for two new drivers next season and having to 'blood' two rookie drivers while racing is a difficult option.

Radisich has raced V8 Supercars full-time since joining Dick Johnson Racing in 1999, after completing a successful stint racing in the British Touring Car Championship with Ford and Peugeot.

The Kiwi has recently commented that he wanted to keep racing in Australia. Despite this, rumours had connected Radisich to Triple 8's Vauxhall works BTCC team, which will lose the services of former champion James Thompson next season, the Englishman moving into Alfa Romeo's World Touring Car squad.

While no announcement has been made by Vauxhall, MNews' UK sources suggest that the team has settled on a replacement for Thompson and is currently finalising a contract with the 1 September 2004

driver. We believe that driver is not Radisich.

Flowever, we also believe that it is not Alain Menu either. The Swiss, a two-time BTCC winner, had also been connected with the Vauxhall team, but we believe that he has agreed to stay in the Prodrive fold and develop and race the company's new Aston Martin Le Mans racer in 2005. This would also take him out of the mix for FPR, for which he will race at Sandown and Bathurst.

We hear that on top of FPR's I list of wanted drivers were 5 Steven Richards and Jason Bright. Richards has a multi-year deal with the Castrol Perkins team and Bright is working towards a deal that will take him out of PWR Racing and into a new, single-car team for next season.

With that in mind, it would seem likely that FPR would want to combine an experienced steerer with a rising driver next season. They tested Andy Jones at Winton last week, the Konica Minolta Champ completing 35 laps and reportedly impressing the team (see separate story).

The team was also due to test its enduro regular Adam Macrow, KMV8 runner-up Luke Youlden and Greg Ritter at Winton yesterday.

- PHIL BRANAGAIM *T1

THE Perkins Engineering rear suspension case is to be the subject of a CAMS Enquiry.

Following criticism from AVESCO Chairman Tony Cochrane after the original case, MNews understands that motorsport's governing body is shortly to announce the wide-ranging inquiry.

While the terms of the enquiry aren't known, an enquiry does have the ability to investigate all aspects of a case,from the evidence to the witnesses, the presentation of the case and the penalty.

Perkins pleaded guilty to a breach of the TEGA Technical Regulations in respect to the tolerance for positioning of the lower control arms on Steven Richards' Castrol Commodore. He successfully introduced evidence relating to confusing changes iri the regs between VX and VY models and a subsequent re-wording of the VY regs for this year. There was also expert evidence from respected engineer Ron Tauranac(who has undertaken contract work with the team)that the infrigement was not performance-enhancing.

The team was fined $5,000, which provoked a substantial outcry from competing teams and then the AVESCO chief. n AN AVESCO Board meeting this week is scheduled to discuss the final 2005 V8 Supercar calendar. With a Rally NZ date now confirmed, and thus a non-clashing V8 race date able to be finalised, we hear the remaining issue is the choice of venue for the second Victorian round - Winton or Phillip Island. There is some prospect the calendar may be announced during next week's Sandown 500. n Mark Webber flew home to the UK immediately after the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, just in time for the final day's highlights from the Olympics and was stunned when he recognised the protester who tackled men's marathon leader Vanderlei de Lima.

"I couldn't believe it," said Webber.

"I said straight away it was Cornelius Horan, the same person who ran out in front of us at Silverstone last year- let's be honest, you can't really mistake someone who dresses like that! Then, when I read the papers next morning, there he was! I said he was a complete nutter last year and my view certainly hasn't changed!"

You might remember the Rev Serial Pest as the man whom Webber flashed past at around 250kmh in last year's British Grand Prix.

5

start Your Wallets JOHN Faulkner has vowed to challenge the confirmation of a $300,000 'liquidated damages' claim against him by an independent TEGA Tribunal via the civil courts if necessary.

The team owner is stunned by the turn of events, which goes back to the 2003 Queensland 500 and a pre event shuffle of franchises, during which his two Level 1 car franchises were being . acquired by PWR team owner Kees Week The franchises became available following the collapse : of 00 Motorsport and the sale of its Level 1 franchises to Kmart team owner John Kelly, . who had until then been running his team by leasing Faulkner’s franchises.

The transfer of the franchises to Weel weren’t completed in time and so Faulkner was left 1 with the :e necessity to field two cars for the race - or to at ' least complete an absurd : minimum two laps in qualifying.

In the end, he ran out of time to do even that.

The bottom line is that the paperwork faux pas has left the franchises deemed guilty of failing to field a car - and TEGA rules specify a mammoth $150,000 per car in ’liquidated damages’ for doing so.

The rule has, it seems, been implemented to the letter. No account has, it seems, been taken of the prevailing circumstances, which might have suggested a modest, common sense, ’procedural’ fine.

(For MNews'view on this I amazing outcome, see Opinion,

page 25).

An independent TEGA Tribunal last week upheld the ruling. TEGA’s press release said in part: "At the hearing, JFA Pty Ltd argued against the liquidated damages on nine counts, all of which were unanimously dismissed by the tribunal.

"TEGA is delighted with the result," said TEGA Chairman Kelvin O’Reilly. "The system allows the championship to operate in a thorough and professional manner."

For his part, Faulkner, below, is shattered.

"I just can't believe that common sense hasn’t been brought to bear," he told MNews on Monday. "I was sure an independent tribunal would look at it that way - they didn’t allow a single one of our arguments.

"And what I also can’t quite get my head around is that fact that most of my fellow team owners could have let it get this far out of hand. I feel totally out in the cold.

"In contrast, the outflow of support I've had from the public, from general punters, is amazing ..."

Faulkner has spent $220,000 in legal bills fighting the charge and it can be assumed that TEGA has had to invest similarly. The stakes are now farcically high.

As one industry heavyweight close to the action put it this week, "it’s a bit of a brinkmanship thing that has got way, way out of hand. It's crazy, crazy stuff - how on earth could the TEGA Board allow it to happen?"

TEAM Dynamik could face a battle for its very survival in the aftermath of several the dramas of the last month,led by its alleged breach of testing at Woomera last month.

The Touring Car Entrants Group TEGA is preparing a report for the stewards regarding a test at the airfield near the South Australian town. It is alleged that the team was conducting straight line testing with one of its Commodore VYs and that regular driver Simon Wills was behind the wheel the car.

The news of the possible breach comes at a time when former TD driver Jason Richards is engaged in legal action against the team (see separate story), while a former sponsor was also in court last month defending bankruptcy proceedings.

But the testing breach is what has really caught the attention of the V8 Supercar fraternity.

Should the team be charged,and a guilty verdict be determined,it could face a fine of up to $250,000 and the loss of all championship points.

Sources suggest that the test was discovered after AVESCO was advised that the team's transporter, which had its livery covered over, was seen at the Woomera site.

An official, who was travelling to Adelaide to attend the Mallala round of the Konica Minolta Series, was alerted and immediately diverted to the scene.

After arriving at the venue on Saturday morning, it is believed that he saw the Commodore being tested on the airfield, in the company of team members including team manager Oscar Fiorinotto, who had their logos identifying TD taped over. MNews has also been told that the car's chassis identification number had been taped over.

TEGA Chairman Kelvin O'Reilly said last week that he was unable to comment on the matter, pending its investigations. Should TEGA determine that charges are warranted, the matter will be handed to the series' stewards for a hearing at a date to be determined.

Richards and Dynamik hea JASON Richards is locked into a legal stand-off with former employer Team Dynamik over unpaid wages.

The Tasman Motorsport driver, who drove for Team Dynamik last season, has initiated legal proceedings against his former team to recover just over $34,000 in withheid payments dating from the latter part of the 2003 season, "I'm disappointed that it has had to go this way," Richards told MNews.

"I didn't really feel that it was I necessary. There’s been a I breakdown in communication, s’ I've tried to sort it out and have motorsport news

NEWS

Viva la Revolution REVOLUTION Racegear's Sydney shop has been the subject of a couple of break-ins recently, the most recent resulting in the loss of a quantity of Cobra, OMP and Sparco race suits. Anyone being offered a suspiciously cheap suit might like to alert Auburn police. n The life of Marcos Ambrose is to be detailed in a new book, Marcos Ambrose: The Devil Racer, it says here that the tome, authored by sports journalist Sean Callander, will offer an exciting insight into the private life of the normally reclusive Australian motorsport star.

The $39.95 book will be officially launched at this year's V8 Supercar race on the Gold Coast, October 2124 and go on sale on November 1.

Next? ingali! The Musical ...

Dirk KUnsmith

The alleged test appears to be in clear contravention of AVESCO's testing rules, which limit each team to six days' testing at a single designated venue, which in Team Dynamik's case is Mallala.

In this instance, it does appear somewhat puzzling that the team tested on the same weekend as that track's KMV8 round, one of only two occasions AVESCO visits SA. In another matter,former TD sponsor Andrew Garrett was in the Adelaide Supreme Court last month, defending himself against claims by creditors, including the National Australia Bank, that he has debts of $10 million.

The noted winemaker sponsored the team imder his Holy Grail brand, which was to be a premium red wine costing $400 a bottle.

Garrett launched his sponsorship of the team at the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park last March. The Holy GraU brand never made it to the market.

-PHIL BRANAGAN

ding for court meetings (with them), but it never happened."

Team Dynamik has responded by launching a counter-claim against Richards and his management for more than $720,000 to cover costs that the team claims stemmed from lost sponsorship and income, and repair bills following accidents at last year's Clipsal 500, Oran Park and Pukekohe rounds.

The case is expected to be heard in the Adelaide District Court eariy in 2005.

Team Dynamik owner Kieren Wills could not be reached for comment.

- MARK GLENDENIMING 1 September 2004

Going F6rd-waiYls?

JASON Bright will race for his own V8 Supercar team in 2005 but it might not be in a Holden.

The current V8 Supercar Championship points leader confirmed on Monday that he would leave PWR Racing at the end of the season and race for his own single-car team next season. But while current paddock chatter has placed him in a Paul Morris Motorsport Commodore for 2005, Bright says that he could jump the fence and drive for Ford next year.

“I have options both ways,” said Bright, above. “I have a preference to stay with Holden but business is business. I will base my decision on what is better for the team.”

Bright is expected to make his decision in the next two weeks.

“We have different options in different places. There’s a few weeks to sort all that out yet. It is a matter of making sure that we are competitive from the word go.”

- PHIL BRANAGAN

Liuzzi to Sauber?

NEW Formula 3000 Champion Vitantonio Liuzzi met with Peter Sauber at Spa and is believed to have had a secret seat fitting with the team on Thursday evening.

It is anticipated that the Italian will n be seen in one of the Swiss cars for a

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day at Jerez after the Italian Grand Prix.

Liuzzi, right, is a strong contender for one of the Swiss team's seats in 2005. This would tie in with the rumours in recent weeks that Liuzzi is being lined up for a deal with Ferrari. He could spend the next couple of years being prepared for a Ferrari role at Sauber with the long term aim being for him to move in to replace Michael Schumacher at the end of 2006.

Signing up Liuzzi would be a good step for Sauber as it seeks to reduce its engine bills at Ferrari and fights to

keep hold of its Red Bull. Liuzzi has been a Red Bull driver for his entire racing career.

-JOE SAWARD For more on Tonio Liuzzi, turn to our interview on page 42

n Friday September 10 is going to be Ford Kids Day at the Betta Electrical Sandown 500.

Over 5000 kiddies are expected to wag school for the day and, if the little darlings behave, they will get show bags, balloons, blue fairy floss and the chance to get a poster signed by their favourite Ford V8 Supercar driver. n Sometime Carrera Cup driver Andrew Taplin has not had a happy week.

The Adelaide real estate developer's Mitcham Shopping Centre complex was extensively damaged in one of the state's biggest fires on record a week ago.

Damage has been estimated at around $16 million. n Rupprecht Motorsport was a notable absentee at its home round of the Konica Minolta Series at Mallala.

The teams cars are on their way back to their owners at the Sydney Star team, and drivers have been looking elsewhere, Phillip Scifleet to drive with Lee Holdsworth in the Smiths Trucks car for the enduros, and Adam Wallis running the Mallala round under the guidance of South Pacific Motor Racing. n The V8 Supercar National Court of Appeal at CAMS in Melbourne has dismissed an appeal from David Besnard regarding a 25s time penalty imposed for ignoring a black flag at Oran Park last month.

Besnard was appealing against the severity of the penalty handed down in relation to a Steward's finding that he was in breach of rule D3.9.2 as outlined in schedule D3, article 2.5 (AVESCO Operations Manual) when he continued for two laps after the display of the mechanical black flag.

7

Konica Minolta pulls pin AVESCO is on the hunt for a replacement sponsor after Konica Minolta announced it will not support the junior V8 category in 2005.

Richard Gurr, Managing Director of Konica Minolta and supporter of the series since its inception in 2000, told MNews at Mallala that a deal would not be signed, although the company will maintain some involvement in the V8 Supercar and Australian motor racing scene.

Gurr admitted that one of the reasons behind pulling out was due to the company's name change late last year.

"One of the disappointing things is that people call it the Konica Series, when it's not," Gurr said, whose son Alan will drive with Paul Morris in the Sirromet Wines Commodore at Sandown and Bathurst.

"The Minolta side of the business is getting no recognition and we are losing out on maximising our investment."

AVESCO is currently seeking a replacement naming-rights backer and is believed to be in negotiation with up to three potential supporters.

- GRANT ROWLEY

FPR tests Kids and Co FORD Performance Racing is testing a number of prospective drivers to fiil both the vacant hoies in their driving iine-up for 2005 and beyond.

Newly-crowned Konica Minolta Champion Andrew Jones had some seat time at Winton in one of the factory-backed cars, right, last week, while Luke Youlden, Greg Ritter and Owen Kelly were all expected to have a steer yesterday (Tuesday).

Jones said that the test was an eye-opener.

‘The team were very good to me," he said. “I asked plenty of questions and they answered plenty. It was interesting to see how they do things compared to how we do things.

“I would relish the opportunity to drive with FPR. They will turn a corner shortly and hopefully I’m involved in that.”

FPR endurance drivers Alain Menu and Adam Macrow tested with the team last week and were also due to test on Tuesday.

- GRANT ROWLEY

have to approve the sale of Cheltenham,as it would almost certainly become a housing development if sold. The sale would be expected to bring around $45 million dollars to the SAJC coffers.

The pit/grid section of the street circuit is currently in the centre of the horse track,rendering the heritage listed grandstands to the east almost 8

AUSCAR-STYLE racing is on the way back following news from Calder this week of a Monaro V8 formula set to head up a revised Thunderdome racing programme.

Thanks to an arrangement with Holden, kitset Monaro V8 race cars, complete with rollcage and other required safety items, will be available to potential racers for just $50,000.

The cars will be fitted with a virtually stock 5.7 litre Gen III Holden V8 engine, run on Yokohama tyres, and are expected to lap at similar speeds to tire former AUSCAR category.

The idea has been the brainchild of Marshall Brewer, who runs a ride experience company at the'Dome and who has, over time, converted his ride cars from Commodores to Monaros. The next step has seen negotiation with Holden Genume Parts to secure a Monaro in 'race kit' form at what is a strikingly reasonable cost.

"We've contacted most of the former AUSCAR people," Brewer told MNews this week and the initial response has been 'Wow'. We're looking for sufficient interest to create an initial batch of 20 cars and then we hit the go-button."

Calder owner Bob Jane is throwing his enthusiasm and support behind the project which, along with a couple of other new categories, may see racing back at the'Dome by February or March next year.

Adelaide Makeover THE Clipsal 500 circuit looks set to receive a drastic makeover,if the South Australian Jockey Club gets its way.

The SAJC board,custodians of Adelaide's three metropolitan racecourses, has imanimously voted to reconfigure both the horse and motor racing courses of Victoria Park,at a cost of around $35 million. The Adelaide City Council is also behind the plans.

The project however, would hinge on the sale by the SAJC of Cheltenham Racecourse,in Adelaide's west, to fund the works.

This would require approval of the SAJC members by way of vote at a meeting scheduled for September 21.

The SA Government would also

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useless each motor racing event. This central alignment also means that the main straight facilities must be reassembled and taken down before and after each event.

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Under the new plan, the racecourse would be realigned to the west, and the car circuit given its own area to the east, meaning the two circuits would no longer overlap.

The car circuit would then be the

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primary use for the heritage grandstands, which would finally be refurbished. The circuit would retain a similar length and shape.

Between the two courses would be a new development,including permanent pit garage and corporate facilities, and a double-sided grandstand,servicing the start line areas of both the car and horse tracks.

Andrew Daniels, CEO of the SA Motorsport Board, organisers and promoters of the Clipsal 500,sees the savings of having more permanent facilities as being between $500,000 and $750,000 per event, in terms of lower construction costs.

- CHRIS JORDAN

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motorsport news

erdome Returns Monaro V8 Series to bring Thunder back to the'dome

"We're not going to rush it," Jane told us on Monday."The AUSCAR Monaro Stock Car series, as it will be called, should overcome the problems which eventually led to the downfall of the earlier AUSCAR racing - things like constant rulechanges and so on. These cars will be built to using a specific parts list, with stability the key issue."

According to Brewer, the aim is to re-establish a Summer series, with some 4 or 5 races at the Thunderdome,a couple of flat-track races and a visit to Adelaide International Raceway.

"I guess we'd hope to have a couple of races late this summer as a lead-in to a full summer season next year," he said.

While Legends (in Future Racers form)are expected to return, and possibly NASCARs,there are plans for a couple of other 'entry-level' categories, the first utilising imported rear-wheel-drive, 2-litre turbocharged Nissans, the second - wait for itAlfa Romeo GTs. "The bottom line is the desire to provide good,affordable racing," Jane said. "Affordable cars, affordable racing costs - but great racmg.

"Marshall's a good guy and he's put an awful lot of thought and work into this - in particular the Monaro

I

I. cruY WPS is in the midst of a oneteam silly season following the departure of one driver and the acquisition of two others.

Alex Yoong has joined the team for the remainder of the _ year to fill the gap left by Mark n Noske, who left the team two ^ weeks ago. ^ Yoong told MNews that he is E pumped up for his first outing at ^ Sandown. » "I can't wait," he said. "I have % been talking to WPS for some ^ time, and it's great that we have ^ been able to work something out. I really think that they are a team that will go places."

Yoong's deal with WPS includes the possibility of a full time seat in 2005, and the 28year-old Malaysian said that he 1 Sepiemtter 2004

Men of Steel ORRCON regular drivers Jason Bargwanna and Mark Winterbottom have been confirmed as partners for the upcoming endurance races at Sandown and Bathurst.

This leaves team owner Mark Larkham and Kiwi Matt Halliday to steer the team's second mount. This year's Great Race will be Larkham's 10th start at Bathurst, while Halliday will make his debut. n Mark Papendell has purchased Mark Porter's Hydraulink Commodore that finished third in this season's Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series.

Papendell, 43,from South Australia, will contest ail of next season's junior V8 series and will prepare the car himself from his North Adelaide base. Papendell is a former Future Tourer and Commodore Cup driver and currently has his Future Tourer, which finished second in the 2002 series, for sale.

Marshall and his toys: Brewer has unveiled his fleet of new-age AUSCARs, all in the guise of Holden's popular Monaro.

AUSCAR. His cars look fabulous, it's an icon brand in Australia and at $50,000 for a track-ready race car, I think it will be a wirmer."

While the track surface has weathered a bit over time, both Jane and Brewer are confident it is in good enough shape for a racing return.

"There are a couple of bumps,but Marshall runs his cars around there all the time," Jane said."We'U do a little work now and,if it takes off, find some money to resurface all or some of it in due course if we need to;" As an aside, Jane confirmed that

the prime reason for a lack of racing at Calder over past seasons was a massive unresolved insurance claim liability, relating to a drag racing incident some years back.

"It was sub judice; I couldn't talk about it. But it was resolved late last year. Now,with the AASA insurance deal we have in place, we can afford proper insurance and we can go racing again."

An official announcement concerning the AUSCAR Monaro Stock Car series is expected within the next week or so.

an

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NEWS

^ d][iT]Co had high hopes about making the team his long-term home.

Yoong's chance with WPS came following an agreement between Noske and the team to part ways. "(Team owner) Craig Gore and I had a chat, and we decided that we wanted different things out of the future, so we decided by mutual agreement to go our own ways so that we can focus on our plans for next year," said Noske.

"I'm definitely looking around for something else for next year.

Whatever I do next has got to be with the right team, because unless you are in the right equipment you're not going to get far. It's just so competitive."

Noske said that he while remaining in the main series would be his priority, he had not

ruled out running in the Konica Minolta series instead.

"I have already spoken to a couple of people in the Konica Minolta series," he said."

Obviously I would prefer to be in the main game, but I wouldn't discount running in the Konicas - you have to be in these cars full-time, you can't just rock up twice a year and expect to be quick," Meanwhile, up-and-comer Neil McFadyen has also found a home with the team for the upcoming endurance races, with Kiwi John McIntyre completing the line-up.

McFadyen impressed many onlookers during a one-off drive in the third Team Dynamik car at the Queensland 300 in July.

- MARK GLENDENNING

n Kiwi Jonny Reid has won race six of the Superfund Euro 3000 series at Donington.

Reid started off the front row by himself after pole-sitter and team mate Alex Lloyd suffered early mechanical problems. Reid led from start to finish in the rain-affected race from to Norbert Siedler and Christiano Tuka Rocha.

A heavy downpour stopped the race on lap 21. The race was restarted under the Safety Car 15 minutes later, where Siedler actually passed Reid and took the win, but Reid was claimed the winner on aggregate. n As widely speculated, Phillip Scifleet will join Lee Holdsworth in the Smiths Trucks VY at Sandown and Bathurst this year.

Sciflett has four Bathurst starts to his name, while Holdsworth will make his debut on the mountain in the ex-Paul Morris VX, which by the time it hits the track at Sandown, will be converted to VY-spec, n Impressive Formula Fordster Anthony Preston has his Van Diemen RF01 for sale.

The New South Welshman, who has contested only two National rounds this year, is trying to sell his mount to pay back some debts which he has accumulated.

Preston finished third overall at Oran Park last weekend and is hoping a backer will fall out of the sky to support the him. n The organizers of the Belgian GP were a little vague about their spectator numbers at the weekend but we understand that something like 183,000 people visited the track in the course of the four-day event, although the biggest crowd as on Friday when 60,000 free tickets were on offer.

- JOE SAWARD/STAFF J-

9

Dallara's FI project

by JOE SAWARD

A NEW Formula 1 team is being put together, with a car to be built by the Italian racing car production company Dallara.

Our sources say that the project is serious and that a down payment of $80m has already been made to Dallara to get design work up and running.

The intention is for a team to enter

ou,<r.

Formula 1 in 2006. Several existing teams are reporting that design staff have been targeted by head-hunting companies representing the new team.

The big question is who is the behind the project? Although initial rumours suggested a Russian involvement, we hear tliat the funding comes from a Canadian steel firm which wants to expand its operations to new markets in Europe and Asia and has identified FI as the best way to build up its global brand.

There are several companies that could fit the bill but we believe the most likely candidate is a company called Dofasco, which began life as the Dominion Steel Casting Company in 1912. It is involved in steel, construction, packaging, automotive componentry and distribution.

It is clear that the project is serious and going to Dallara makes a lot of sense if the project is to be up and running by 2006.

It is not be the first time that Dallara has been involved in such a programme, having played a major part in the development of the Honda Racing Developments FI prototype which ran in 1999.

Dallara has been a hugely successful business in recent years, dominating the Formula 3 market for more than a decade and also being involved in a variety of other championships,including the Indy Racing League. The company, which is run by former Ferrari engineer Giampaolo Dallara, has been building racing cars since the late 1970s although Dallara himself was designing FI cars in the 1960s.

The company was first involved in FI in 1987 when industrialist Beppe Lucchini of Brixia Motorsport(BMS) commissioned Dallara to build him a

Italian. Red. A good start: Pierluigi Martini and U Lehto get cosy with the BMS Dallara in 1991. car for the Scuderia Italia team. benefit from travel subsidies. Having but the programme was not a great said that new teams will not be able success and Lucchiiu made the Sergio Rinland was hired to design decision to form a new alliance with to get prizemoney for the first three the car and in the years that followed Lola Cars. years. the Dallaras were quite competitive, A well-funded new team would, The emergence of an 11th team in with Andrea de Cesaris scoring a however,increase the pressure on 2006 is possibly bad news for the podium finish in Canada in 1989 and current small FI teams as, imder the Minardi and Jordan, both of which JJ Lehto scoring a second podium at have uncertain futures at the Imola in 1991. The team then current arrangements, only the top 10 moment. teams can earn prize money and switched to Ferrari engines for 1992

Life’s Good for Ford in 2005?

JAGUAR'S days as a Formula 1 team may be over.

The word on the. street in Belgium at the weekend was that Jaguar Racing will be transformed next year into a Ford-branded FI team.

It is not yet clear whether or not the Detroit company will foot the whole bill but we have heard that there is the possibility of a partner buying a 30 percent share in the team in addition to being a sponsor.

The deal might have suited Red Bull but it seems that Ford did not want to be too closely associated with the off-the-wall image of Red Bull, particularly as the younger generations like to mix Red Bull with vodka, an association with

which the nnandarins of Dearborn are not comfortable.

The suggestion in Spa is that the company most likely to leap into bed with Ford is Korean conglomerate LG and it may be that we end up with LG Ford Racing.

It is possible that Red Bull will keep funding Christian Klien and it might be considered foolish of the team to dump the Austrian, having spent a year training him.

The main Red Bull sponsorship is expected to go to Sauber in 2005 and all the signs are that this will help to ease the path into the team of Red Bull and Ferrari protege Vitantonio Liuzzi, the new Formula 3000 Champion.

- JOE SAWARD

Interest high in Shanghc

ORGANISERS of the Motorsport News reader tour to the Shanghai round of the 2005 V8 Supercar series report a strong response to the recent tour announcement.

Tour organisers, Ticket2Ride, has been swamped by requests for information on the tour, says company director, Chris Beattie.

"Obviously, there are a lot of Motorsport News readers

who are very Interested in the V8 Supercars' first Asian race," he said."We've had a very, very strong response to the tour so far and we hope to announce some exciting additional tour features soon."

Ticket2Ride has also been in discussion with V8

Supercar race teams regarding the Shanghai event and is putting together some special packages for registered team supporters.

WE’RE GOING TO SHANGHA 10

motorsport news

>

NEWS

No Smoke »

THE BMW Williams team ran with the words 'Tobacco Free' in place of the usual NiQuitin CQ logos at Spa. This was an attempt by the GlaxoSmithKline brand to stir things up a bit and draw attention to the 'smoking cessation brand'.

GlaxoSmithKline is currently looking at extending its deal with the team and is invesigating different strategies to make more of the sponsorship.

The Saga continues SOME doubt has arisen over Jenson Button's plans to drive for Williams in 2005.

Insiders at Spa were suggesting that British American Tobacco has decided to try and break the deadlock and has offered the Button management a considerable pile of money and the disputed bonus money in order to stop the team's star driver disappearing off to Williams.

In theory, if Button does not have a proper contract with Williams, he could withdraw and let the BARHonda contract for 2005 stand.

Williams sources say that this cannot happen because a contract has been signed, but it is not clear how this would over-rule the previous deal if Button chose to take the money to stay where he is.

Such a move might make Button richer but it would certainly paint him and his people in a rather less than flattering light, exposing them as being rather more mercenary than they want their image to be.

Button's boy-next-door image has already been dented by the affair and another switch of tack would leave him and his people with little

BARnoldrs break

BAR-Honda has announced that it will be testing Enrique Bernoldi while Jenson Button and Takuma Sato are away in Asia.

The team has apparently picked Bernoldi because of his experience in FI. Bernoldi drove for the Orange Arrows team in 2001 and 2002, completing a total of 28 races.

With the testing ban now over, the team needs to get on with development work for this year and for next.

For Bernoldi, it is a big chance.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me," he said. "When I had to leave FI two years ago because of the Arrows situation, I was only 23 years old and still had a lot to prove."

Bernoldi's job will not be to prove his speed but rather to do a mature job and make sure that he keeps the car on the track and concentrates on the development.

- JOE SAWARD credibility and trust.

Having said that. Button and BAR both have a problem because it is now clear that the contract with Williams does not have to be looked at by the Contract Recognition Board until next year. Until then the two sides could remain in a deadlock until one or the other blinks.

Button knows that he needs to get to Williams as quickly as possible in order to not get left behind as the team gets used to Mark Webber.

Jenson will not want to start at a disadvantage and, unless there is a settlement, he cannot test prior to the New Year. On the other side of the coin, BAR cannot sign anyone else until the Button situation is sorted out for fear that Button will sue for breach of contract.

The legal stand-off could drag on for the entire balance of the year although no-one would gain much from that.

-JOE SAWARD

II V8 Supercar soujourn "We're still in discussion with some of the teams," said Beattie,"and we hope to announce exactly how the Team Supporter Packages will work in the near future. In the meantime,anyone interested should check out their favourite team's website for more information as it becomes available."

The Motorsport News Shanghai V8 Shootout Tour will take V8 Supercar fans to the exotic city of Shanghai,

China,next June. Tour members will witness history in the making when Australia's premier race series struts its stuff on the international stage at one of the world's most spectacular racetracks.

In addition to the racing, tour members will also be able to check out the sights and great shopping in Shanghai.

There will also be optional visits to Beijing and Bangkok on the way home.

Join MNews on the trip of a lifetime when V8 Supercars hit China, in June next year - tours start from just $2899 per head.

For details: Ticket2Ride (03)5977 2608 or www.ticket2ride-is.us 1 September 2004

n We hear that the engineering company Ricardo is increasing its involvement in motorsport.

Ricardo PLC is a leading research and design company working with the world's automotive manufacturers. It employs around 1800 people and has technical centres in Britain, America, Germany and the Czech Republic. The firm has been involved in developing sports car transmission systems in recent years and has been increasingly involved in FI and the WRC. One of the major reasons that the firm is looking at increasing its involvement in the sport is to stop racing teams from poaching Ricardo engineers. n Takuma Sato was banned from entering Brazil last week because he did not have a visa! Sato was due to visit the country for a day to do promotional work but was refused entry at Sao Paulo's Guarulhos International Airport.

The Japanese BAR driver had previously held a Brazilian visa but this had run out and he had not applied for a replacement.

Sato was put back on a plane to London and British Airways was fined for having allowed him on the plane in the first place ... n NASCAR will implement two major rule changes at the start of the 2005 season. Rear spoiler height will be reduced by one inch for all manufacturers and teams will be limited to the amount of differential ratios they will be allowed to use.

The spoiler cut will make the cars slower through the turns and more of a 'handful' for the drivers as rear downforce is reduced, while the gear issue will go into effect as an effort to reduce costs - but that is the subject of a hot debate amongst the teams.

Daytona and Talladega will not be affected by the ratio ruling, but teams will be limited to either two or three different ratios at other tracks, with the number of teeth on the gears and pinions being counted each week by inspectors.

Data loggers will also be installed in the cars by NASCAR each weekend to monitor engine RPM as part of the gear ruling.

- JOE SAWARD /MARTIN D CLARK 11

Sam makes changes FOLLOWING the appointment of Sam Michael, right, as technical director, the BMW Williams team is in the process of revamping its technical staff, with several engineers expected to depart.

One of the team's top engineers, Tim Preston, who has been m charge of test engineering in recent years, has already left and at Spa there were hints that Dr John Davies, who has been working in the aerodynamic department may also be on the move.

Preston is a long-time Williams

man,having joined the company in 1989 when he became a member of Adrian Newey's drawing office, later becoming race engineer for Damon Hill and then Heinz-Harald Frentzen, before moving to Sauber to head the test team.

After two years he returned to Williams and has been involved in

-A

What's next?

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testing ever since. The changes seem to be a clear indication that the new technical director Sam Michael wants tilings to be done his way.

-JOE SAWARD

uii^

A1:lt works

PROCAR teams will face their toughest challenge when CAMS offer the management rights and promotion to interested parties today (Wednesday).

Although no exact numbers were mentioned, at least a couple of parties will front the briefing in a bid to assume control of the fledging production-based series.

Current series promoter Peter Boylan confirmed that Mallala will be the last round that he will promote the PROCAR Champ Series after his plans to run the category fell over when Ross Palmer relinquished the category management rights and intellectual property of the series over to CAMS two months ago.

Plans for an 'endurance-style' race for the production-based cars seems to have fallen over as well. Nations Cup competitor and category manager John Teulan and track promotor Jon Davison had plans to create the 'Sandown 1000' for Nations Cup, Carrera Cup and GT Performance cars but interest in such an event is said to be, unfortunately, not that great.

In other PROCAR news, the Ferrari 550 will be back in the hands of Allan Simonsen at Mallala to have one last crack at beating Lamborghini driver Paul Stokell and Monaro man Nathan Pretty.

The round at Mallala will be the last for Nations Cup and the Australian Production Car Championship.

- GRANT ROWLEY 12

LOLA'S first prototype A1 Grand Prix single-seater has been setting better laptimes than the UK company's current FIA Formula 3000 racecar in hotweather testing this week at Jerez, in south-west Spain.

The development 'mule', which has now completed over 2000km, was driven by Ralph Firman this week in temperatures of 40degC to test its performance in the conditions it is likely to face when the series starts in late 2005.

A1 Grand Prix general manager Stephen Watson affirmed: "The entire focus of the test was to see how the whole package would perform in high ambient temperatures and dusty conditions, and we've been able to lap quicker here than the F3000 times [set in November 2003 and February 2004] in significantly warmer conditions.

In other news,the category, which starts racing in 12 months, has signed a TV deal with Sky Sports in the UK. - QUENTIN SPURRING

Let’s

by JOE SAWARD KEEN-EYED observers spotted an interesting meeting taking place on Saturday at Spa when a group of interested parties met in the Williams motor home.

The group consisted of Frank Williams, Ron Dennis, Norbert Hang, Mario Theissen, Honda's Takeo Kiuchi and Toyota's John Howett, who were ushered into the meeting

by Bernie Ecclestone. The FI ringmaster did not stay to be part of the discussions but it is interesting that he was involved.

None of those present want to discuss what was going on (and a subsequent meeting on Sunday, which included BAR-Honda's David Richards) but our sources indicate that the meeting was to discuss a hardening of attitudes against the FIA's plan to force the teams to use 2.4-litre V8 engines in 2006.

The teams have to agree for a change to be made,but they have considerable power between them because the FIA cannot simply impose what it wants prior to 2008 when the current Concorde Agreement ends. There is a clause in the current agreement which states . very clearly that for the duration of the contract the World Championship will be for 3-litre VIO engines.

The teams are believed to be proposing an alternative solution for 2006 which would allow for the continued use of VIO engines but without what they consider to be the artificial and damaging rule that engines must last for two race weekends. molorsport news

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NEWS

Ralf closing in on comeback

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keep our VlOs! Eddie closer to a deal

DOUBTS have recently been cast on reports that there is a deal brewing between Eddie Jordan and the Al Maktoum family in Saudi Arabia, which would see the Saudis take a major share of the Jordan team.

These have highlighted some of the problems that might exist within the deal but appear to have failed to take into account a company called Grand Prix Investments which is to be floated shortly on the Dubai stock exchange.

If the float is successful, the company will then buy the majority of shares in the Jordan team. The aim, as we understand it, is for Jordan to retain a 15 percent shareholding and remain as the figurehead of the team for a period of time.

Thus it might well be fair to say that the Al Maktoum family has no intention of putting its own money into the team but that does not mean that it cannot (or will not) use its influence to find backing for the team.

We have heard that there are already six

n Refuting the persistent suggestions that Jarno Trulli had already been signed to partner Ralf Schumacher at Panasonic Toyota Racing next season, Toyota Motorsport president John Howett stressed that no decision had been made.

"We're talking with three drivers," said Flowett. "Jarno is one of them, but Olivier [Panis] still has a good chance to keep his seat. It's up to us to decide who will be the best option to team up with Ralf."

Outgoing McLaren-Mercedes driver David Coulthard is the third driver involved. .

companies lined up to back the project, including the Emirates airline. The Al-Maktoum family is related to many different businesses in Dubai and they may end up in the lucky situation of having a well-funded FI team without having to dip into their own (vast) financial resources.

Their intention is to use the sport to promote the image of Dubai as being a good place to do business and at the same time create a precision-engineering industry in the region.

This sort of networking is not new and the best example of this was seen in the late 1970s when the Saudi Arabian royal family backed Williams with its Saudia Airlines. This led to a whole series of deals for Williams with companies which wanted to be linked with the Saudi dynasty, including TAG, Albilad and the Bin Laden construction company. TAG went on to fund its own Porsche-built engines and to become a shareholder in the McLaren team.

- JOE SAWARD

n BMW,which is well advanced in bench-testing its 2005 Formula 1 engine in Munich, says that it will be scrapped if the FIA orders the teams to use the same engine over two complete race weekends as early as next season.

The new VI0 has been designed for the current 'long-life' regulations (one race weekend) and BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen said: "We'll have to throw it in the bin. This engine is for 800km, not more."

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1 September 2004

RALF Schumacher will undergo a fitness test to determine if he can I take part in Formula 1 testing at Monza next week.

If doctors give the go-ahead, the . 29-year-old German will also have to convince Sid Watkins, the FIA medical delegate, that he is fit enough to resume his place in the BMW.WiliiamsFI team. Spa is the fifth race Ralf has missed since sustaining injured verterbae in a crash at the US Grand Prix in June and he is anxious to compete in the last four Grands Prix.

This week's Monza test will be an important part of the comeback, providing track time before the pressure of official practice for the Italian Grand Prix there (10-12 September).

Test driver Marc Gene raced for Williams at Monza last year when Ralf was sidelined with concussion after a crash in practice. Although Gene drove at Magny-Cours and Silverstone, Antonio Pizzonia has since taken over as Ralf's replacement.

n The Formula 3 Korean SuperPrix, which has been staged on a street course in Changwong since 1999 back-to-back with the longestablished Macau event for F3 and Touring cars, has been dropped from this year's calendar.

Instead, a new stand-alone F3 feature race has been scheduled for the Bahrain Grand Prix venue, Sakhir, over December 11-12, -QUENTIN SPURRING 13

D THE Will Twins, Power and Davison, will have their Formula One test at the end of the year.

Minardi's Paul Stoddart has invited the up-andcoming Australians to test at the Vallelunga circuit in Italy during November. Davison and Power, far right, started

^■WCKHAMS

P

Vateo

Smokin'. Toyota's FI mules have a look at a Toyota that used to a. spin wheels, b. looks like a Celica and c. win.

Toyota's street cred PANASONIC Toyota Racing drivers Olivier Fanis and Ricardo Zonta took to the streets of Cologne on Saturday 21 August, as part of Toyota Germany's City Grand Prix.

A total of eight cars, representing a selection of Toyota's European motorsport activities, took part in the event, which was attended by an estimated 50,000 spectators.

Fanis completed two runs of a specially created 1.2km road course in Toyota's 2003 FI car, the TF103, exciting fans with a series of burn outs and donuts. Zonta totalled five tours in this year's model, the TF104.

German female driver Isolde Holderied and French rally star Didier Auriol took charge of Toyota rally cars during the event. Toyota's former Le Mans and FI driver

Allan McNish reacquainted himself with the famous GTOne, Mayor of Cologne, Fritz Schramma and Toyota Germany President, Markus Schrick both attended the day-long festivities.

"A fantastic day and a great event," enthused OHvier Panis. "This is what it is all about, giving something back to the fans. I am proud to have been a part of today's Toyota City Grand Prix."

Ricardo Zonta added: "It has been some time since I have attended an event like the City Grand Prix. The atmosphere was amazing. I hope we gave the Cologne people a good show. I certainly had fun out there."

Reindler King^ Lion King FATHER'S Day happens this weekend (Editor's kids, you better take note) and there are all kinds of things you can wheel out to make the old geezer happy (for a day, anyway).

For the Formula One fan with a lawn, MNews recommends this limited edition WilliamsFl garden tractor. The Countax WF1-600H will be produced in limited numbers, comes with a WilliamsFl Team key fob and zips around the green stuff faster than Marc Gene on a qualifying lap.

The jigger will be launched at the ABC Gardening Show in Sydney tomorrow and, if you really want to go one-up on those annoying McLaren-loving neighbours, contact Australian distributor Ron Zacker on 02 9584 7700.

On the same subject, Castrol Perkins ace Steven Richards took time to scare the heck out of son Clayton at Melbourne Zoo recently.

The colourful Richo Jr Jr and dad came face to face - predicatably with a lion, who looks nearly as fearsome as Uncle Larry at contract time.

Now Clayton, repeat after me; 'Daddy, I want a Van Diemen ...'

14

WEST Australia's Karl Reindler has become the latest Australian to dip his toes into the overseas racing scene after testing with top British F3 team Carlin Motorsport two weeks ago.

Reindler, who currently leads the Australian Formula 3 Championship, sampled Carlin's latest F304 at Pembrey. Despite losing most of the first day to appalling weather, Reindler managed to squeeze around 300 laps out of the car during his twoday outing.

"It was awesome, really incredible,' Reindler enthused.

"It was a massive learning curve, because it was a new car, a new circuit and the conditions were so bad, but I can't believe how much I learnt.

"I had one spin, but at least that shows that I was trying. If you don't spin once, you're not pushing hard enough! And the team was happy with my feedback and fitness, and also my times. I was testing with (2003 series Champ) Alan van der Merwe, and my times were close to his.'

"I was very impressed with the way he calmly dealt with the test," said Carlin engineer Paul Wallace.

"Karl had a good understanding of where he needed to improve, and

molorspon news

NEWS

End of Le Era D

ID

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the 2004 season competing in the British Formula 3 Championship but Davison's season was cut short by a lack of funding. He will drive with Team Dynamik in the endurance V8 Supercar races.

Also testing for the Anglo-

Italian FI team will be Tiago Monteiro of Portugal and Sergey Zlobin. The Russian driver's evaluation by Minardi is to be sponsored by the Moscow-based SMP Commercial Bank.

- SPURRING/STAFF

impresses in Carlin test where we needed to change the car to suit his style."

Reindler said that he is currently working on trying to put together a deal to drive the car on a more

permanent basis next season, and also flagged the possibility of another test with Carlin later in the year.

In the meantime, the 19-year-old is turning his attentions to the penultimate round of the Australian series at MaUala on September 17-19.

- MARK GLENDENNING

PEUGEOT Sport UK is closing down its operation in Humber Road, Coventry, after 46 years, due to a realignment of the resources of Peugeot's marketing department.

The decision affects eight full-time staff under manager, who will all be offered employment elsewhere in the company.

The organisation has operated continuously under various names, headed by such as Des O'Dell, Brian Llewellyn and Mick Linford (its current manager) since being formed as a stand-alone competition department by the Rootes Group in 1958. Previous Rootes rally cars, such as the Sunbeam Rapier and Talbot 90 models driven by Sheila Van Damm and others in the mid-1950s, had been assembled in the adjacent main factory, but the first competition cars were built that year in the Humber Road premises. Chrysler bought into the Rootes Group in 1964, and Humber Road was subsequently responsible for the Plillman Hunter that won the London-Sydney Marathon in 1969.

After the company was renamed Chrysler UK in 1970, Humber Road built the Chrysler Avengers with which Bernard Unett won three British Touring Car Championship titles in 1974-76-77. Chrysler UK was taken over by the Peugeot-Citroen combine in 1979, when the UK-manufactured cars were branded for Talbot. Humber Road then operated the successful Talbot Sunbeam Lotus rally programme, winning the WRC Manufacturers title in 1981 with drivers Henri Toivonen and Guy Frdquelin. As Peugeot Sport UK, it competed regularly in the BTCC with a works team but pulled out at the end of the 2001 season. Its former cars were subsequently run independently by Vic Lee Racing.

Peugeot has put out to tender its Special Tuning division to secure the future of its popular 206 Super Cup one-make rally series, probably in a revised form with wider vehicle eligibility. ' -QUENTIN SPURRING

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15

Liuzzi firsts daylight second

VITANTONIO Liuzzi has sealed the 2004 FIA International F3000 title by finishing second in the latest round of the series at Spa Francorchamps last weekend.

The race was held in treacherous conditions at the Belgium circuit and was won by Liuzzi's Team Arden team-mate Robert Doornbos, who sealed his first victory in the category.

"This is for sure the happiest day of the season," Doornbos said.

Liuzzi was content not to challenge his team-mate and settle for second place, which gaurenteed him the championship victory.

Jose Maria Lopez finished third in his CMS Performance machine, finishing less than two seconds behind the newlycrowned Champion.

Tomas Enge finished fourth, while Patrick Friesacher, Tony Schmidt, Esteban Guerrieri and Matteo Grassotto rounded out the top eight point scorers.

For more on the Italian, Vltantonio LIuzzI, turn to page 42.

Points: Liuzzi 68,Toccacelo 56, Friesacher 29, Doornbos 28, Enge 25, Raffaele Giammaria 22, Guerrieri 22.

TVvo hands, two lips and one big, fat trophy: Arden's Liuzzi, right, is the 2004 FIA F3000 Champion with one round to spare.

«ff#t *

/

BTCC down to the wire ROUNDS 22,23 and 24 of the British Touring Car Championship saw three different winners take the spoils from Brand Hatch.

Matt Neal scored a lights-to-flag win in the first heat. Championship leader and Vauxhall driver Yvan Muller was a close second, while his team-mate ' James Thompson was over 10s back in third.

The top 10 reverse grid second heat was won by the ever-present Jason Plato.

The final was a corker. Colin Turkington, left, and Plato were involved in a heavy early scrape, before Plato got the better of him.

Turkington was soon under pressure from Muller and the pair made moderate contact, allowing Neal to sUde into second.

A Safety Car period at the end of the race meant a one-lap sprint would decide the winner.

Plato slowed the field before the Safety Car peeled off, causing the pack to bunch considerably. Neal collided with Plato, then Muller crashed into Plato and Anthoiny Reid, before Robert Huff dodged the carnage to record his firsever BTCC win.

Plato ended the race second but was later fined and docked points for his on-track behaviour.

Points: Muller 193,Thompson 192, Reid 170,Plato 145, Neal 129,Turkington 121.

Herbert in Maserati Brit to partner Sale in FIA GT

JOHNNY Herbert has been hired alongside fellow former Formula 1 driver Mika Salo by Maserati Corse to debut its controversial MCI2 racecar in the FIA GT Championship event at Imola this weekend(September 4-5).

During a test of the MC12 at Mugeilo yesterday (Thursday), in the ‘handicapped’ configuration in which it will make its long-awaited debut, the team revealed that each would be partnered by an Italian driver, Herbert by Fabrizio De Simone and Salo by Andrea Bertolini.

All four undertook Pirelli tyre evaluations on the Tuscany road circuit yesterday and will drive in the other remaining FIA GT races at Oschersleben, Dubai and Zhuhai, China.

- QUENTIN SPURRING 16

sutton'

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Junqueira bounces back BRUNO Junqueira has bounced back into title contention in this

dropped to 18th but fought back well and was able to lead his very first

year's Champ Car World Series by trumping home-towner Patrick Carpentier at the Molson Indy Montreal last weekend.

Champ Car race lap when he went offsequence with the frontrunners while they were executing their pit stops.

Soon after, he clashed with Bourdais, which eliminated the

Junqueira took control of the final 25 laps around Circuit Gilles Villenueve to beat Carpentier by 6.4s.

The result has sprung the Brazilian back into the title race after early race favourite and championship leader Sebastian Bourdais failed to finish.

Junqueira still feels he has a chance of taking the Champ Car crown.

"I'm never going to give up," he said after the race. "(I will) work very hard and try to catch Sebastien for the championship.

I think I can. 1 hope I can get another three good races."

Rookie driver A.J. Allmendinger qualified a career-best second, but his great quaUfying lap was shot to bits when he collided with Paul Tracy on the first lap which caused a flat right rear tyre. Allmendinger pitted and

series leader. Allmendinger copped a penalty and eventually finished fifth.

Mario Dominguez looked strong until a malfunctioning air gun slowed his pit stop. He then fought late-race back cramps to finish third ahead of Tracy.

Behind Allmendinger was Michel Jourdain Jr., Alex Tagliani and Jimmy Vasser, who set a new Champ Car record for the most consecutive race starts (193).

Yasser's PKV team-mate Roberto Gonzalez scored 10th place.

- PHIL MORRIS Points: Bourdais 258,Junqueira 224,Tracy 203, Tagliani 181, Carpentier 181, Dominguez 175, Allmendinger 159, Ryan Hunter-Reay 147, Vasser 146, Oriol Servia 138.

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IT was a special day for so many reasons.

Fast Brit Dan Wheldon, above, scored victory in the 100th IRL Indy Car Series race at his team's home circuit, Nazareth Raceway.

It was also the last-ever race at Nazareth before its closure, v/hich was quite significant for Wheldon's part-team owner, Michael Andretti, who scored his first Indy-style race win at the circuit. Andretti Green Racing celebrated the last race at Nazareth in style, finishing first, second and third.

"This is the biggest win for me as an owner," said Andretti.

Championship leader Tony Kanaan finished second, followed by Dario Franchitti.

Penske driver Sam Hornish Jr led the race until the final Safety Car where he left his pit bay before the refueller had taken the fuel nozzle out, above right This cost valuable time and when he got back onto the track, the left sidepod was on fire, which required a further two stops {one to extinguish the fire and one drive-through penalty).

During that final round of pit

4 ^ stops, Wheldon pipped Kanaan out onto the track and held the lead until the chequered flag, although Kanaan retains his series stranglehold.

Wheldon's win puts him into second in the series ahead of Buddy Rice.

ONE week earlier, Franchitti fought off severe back pain to claim his second win for the season at Pikes Peak International Raceway.

Still sore from his road bike incident in Scotland last year, Franchitti held off a late and fierce challenge from Adrian Fernandez, Wheldon and Chip Ganassi Racing's Darren Manning, who equalled his IRL career-best finish.

Points after round 13: Kanaan 503, Wheldon 432, Rice 427, Helio Castroneves 359, Franchitti 354, Hornish Jr. 314, Fernandez 312, Vitor Meira 302, Manning 296, Bryan Herta 295.

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Junior Tames The Bi DALE Earnhardt Jr dominated an unusually tame Bristol race last Saturday night.

'Little E' headed 295 of the 500 laps on the high baidced concrete half-mile for his third win of the year.

"1 wanted to win here so bad/' remarked an excited Earnhardt, who won the previous night's Busch Series race.

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"This is one of the biggest wins of my career. It's Bristol, baby!"

"I like it when an Earnhardt goes to victory lane, especially here at Bristol. My father had some great races here, that's why this place is so magical for me.

"Wherever he's at, he's enjoyed this butt-kicking!"

Earnhardt,still limping from tlie bums sustained in a July ALMS race, took over the top spot from Jeff Burton on lap 416 and never looked back, holding off Ryan Newman by 4.4s.

Jimmie Jolmson was third with Burton, in only his second race with RCR,holding onto fourth.

Several front-runners took themselves out of the running. Rusty

HRT Corporate Facility Melbourne 500 Sandown 2004 V8 Supercar Series - Round #9 Be part of HRFs 2004 Melbourne 500 Car #02 - Skaife/Kelly ● Car #05 - Brock/Plato

The HRT Corporate facility provides excellent viewing of the main straight and circuit, with grassed and fenced outdoor viewing area for the 500km endurance event, including a large super screen directly opposite.

Also included is: ● fuily furnished, heated and dressed dining room with private grassed outdoor viewing area with tables/chairs and large super screen in view ● access to grandstand seating ● circuit and V8 Paddock access on Saturday (qualifying) and Sunday (raceday) ● complimentary bar and buffet luncheon on Sunday only (raceday) including ales, Australian wines, soft drinks, tea and coffee served all day “ programmes (1 per 2) ● television and Xbox V8 Super Games/HSV vehicles on display ● team drivers to visit marquee » teams caps and HRT Lanyards for all guests ● posters, prizes, giveaways, inside team info supplied » available in tables or individual places ● fully managed and hosted by ASM

A Bit of Biffle

GREG Biffle dominated the Michigan event on August 22, winning over his Roush stablemate Mark Martin, who only replaced two tyres during his final green flag pit stop and battled back from a penalty.

"We’ve been working real hard on the aero package," said Biffle, who started 24th with the field set in points order due to a qualifying .rainout.

Martin, meanwhile, had trouble in the pits and was brought back in by officials during a late race stop for a missing lug nut. " I wish there wasn't the controversy, "said owner Jack Roush who had five cars in the top 10. "I'd probably go with whatever the inspector said and go on to the next race, but they're pretty adamant they think it was on there and they want to try and prove it, so we'll see what happens."

- MARTIN D CLARK

Finafresult; Biffle (Ford), Martin (Ford), Jarrett (Ford), McMurray (Dodge), Kahne (Dodge), Busch (Ford), J Gordon (Chevy), Kenseth (Ford), Stewart (Chevy), Edwards (Ford).

Cost per person $310 (inc gst) General admission/V8 Supercar paddock access on Saturday and Corporate Hospitality access on Sunday For further bookings or further information please contact Chris Neville-Smith at Australian Sports Marketing Ph 03 9696 9840 or email cns@ou-asmgroup.com ASM are the official provider of hospitality and travel to the HRT Team.

20

No wonder he won: Biffle sharing the podium with The Flash, Wonder Woman and the Green Lantern. moiorsport news

a

NASCAR

illring

Wallace who had earlier swapped the lead with Jr, ran out of fuel while running second and later crashed.

Mark Martin, meanwhile, pitted on the backstretch and exited through the front stretch pit road at the mandated slower speed,something only required imder the caution flag.

The mistake dropped him a lap to

finish 13th.

Pole-sitter and early race dominator Jeff Gordon was dropped a lap by NASCAR after not re starting at the end of the longest line when getting a free-pass lap back, then he overshot his pit stall by a hair and the pit official made him back up,losing precious time.

A livid Gordon never caught a break in the ensuing cautions and was passed by Earnhardt in the waning laps to finish 14th,two laps off the pace.

- MARTIN D CLARK Final result; Earnhardt jr.(Chevy), Newman (Dodge),Johnson (Chevy),J Burton (Chevy), Sadler (Ford), Marlin (Dodge), McMurray (Dodge), Busch (Ford), Kenseth (Ford),Jarrett (Ford).

The Chase is on WITH just the two races at Fontana and Richmond remaining before the Chase for The Nextel Cup, positions eight through 15 are heating up, as only 50 points separate those siots for just 10 drivers to make it into the 10 race shoot-out.

The new NASCAR format is creating interest and the Richmond short track event couid see some fireworks among those drivers. The runnerup position for Ryan Newman, below, at Bristol vaulted him back into the top 10 from 13th, just one point behind an off-song and frustrated Bobby Labonte and five points off eighth-placed Kevin Harvick.

The top 10 drivers advance to the Chase, plus any driver within 400 points of the leader. With the pains that the Hendrick duo of Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are experiencing of late, we could see a dozen or so contenders for the Cup. If he can make the cut, don’t count out the wily Martin as a threat for his first title in the inaugural year of the new format under the Nextel banner - and with 2005 possibly being his last year of full-time competition.

Top 15 point standings; J Gordon 3380, Johnson 3356, Earnhardt Jr. 3305, Stewart 3195, Kenseth 3156, Busch 3051, Sadler 3019, Harvick 2923, B Labonte 2919, Newman 2918, Kahne 2892, Martin 2883, Mayfield 2883, Jarrett 2873, McMurray 2873.

iniAvaw

so.vy '■ VBGA Vf

VALE: Tom Baldwin NASCAR Modified racer Tom Baldwin, 57, was tragically killed August 19 in an accident at Thompson Speedway, Connecticut.

Baldwin was trying to avoid a multi car accident when he veered off the track to the infield and hit a concrete barrier protecting a light pole.

Baldwin was the father of Tommy Baldwin Jr. crew chief for Kasey Kahne in the Nextel Cup Series, Tommy elected to stay at the Michigan track and he helped Kahne to a fifth placing in the race.

I first met 'Tiger Tom' at his Long Island, New York garage around 1996 and I can say I will personally miss his positive attitude at the racetrack and in Tommy's Busch shop. Our thoughts are with the Baldwin family. n Truck Series regular Carl Edwards finished a very impressive 10th at Michigan in his debut Cup event, taking the reins from Jeff Burton in the 99 Roush Ford.

Burton finished two slots behind Edwards in his new ride at Richard Childress Racing. Edwards apparently has full sponsorship coming for 2005.

- MARTIN D CLARK

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Honda takes back initiative at Brno

THE battle for the MotoGP crown took another turn at Bmo with Sete Gibemau taking his third win of the season.

The Spaniard steered his Honda to a comfortable 3.5s win in changeable conditions, ahead of Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi.

The race looked to be a four-way battle, with Alex Barros running in the lead group until crashing on lap 15. That left Gibemau and Rossi to swap the lead, the two blue bikes managing it four times on one lap alone before the Honda pulled away.

"That was a very hard race," said Sete, "My objective was to lead and try and control the race. 1 was worried about the state of my tyres until Rossi tried to pass me and I saw that his were in much the same condition. That was when 1 pushed to open a gap because I didn't want him too close behind me in the

Colin Edwards and Norick Abe. Troy Bayliss had a tough end to a promising weekend, crashing on oil on the second-last lap of the race after qualifying fourth fastest on his Ducati.

Points: Rossi 184, Gibemau 167, Biaggi 158, Edwards 104, Barros 86, Hayden 83, Checa 82, Capirossi 75, Tamada 69, Melandri 64.

THE 125cc GP was a belter, with Jorge Lorenzo emerging from a typical ruck to take a narrow win.

Andrea Dovizioso took second ahead of Roberto Locatelli and Pablo Nieto, while Gino Borso and Steve Jenkner completed the lead group.

Casey Stoner led the opening lap but crashed on lap 2.

Points: Dovizioso 183, Locatelli 147, Barbera 138, Lorenzo 109, Stoner 104, Nieto 101, Jenkner 83, Giansanti 79, Bautista 63, Simoncelli 59.

closing laps."

Makoto Tamada (Camel Honda) was fourth on his Bridgestones, riding strongly from row six, leading home Loris Caphossi, Carlos Checa,

Wet or dry, / don't care: Sete Gibemau celebrates bis third win of tbe season in typical fashion in tbe Czech Republic.

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moiorsport news

BIKE NEWS

Stop. Go. Porto wins

SEBASTIAM Porto took the win in a very odd 250cc Czech Republic GP. The Argentine, above, led from the start, only to be passed

by Alex de Angelis, who later raised his hand to signal a stop when spots of rain appeared on his screen. Porto and Danny Pedrosa blasted past, the Spaniard pulling a handy lead, only for him to do the same a few laps later after De Angelis crashed out of second.

Porto took over again to lead Randy de Puniet and Pedrosa.

Ant West took a strong fourth from Toni Elias and Roby Rolfo.

Points: Pedrosa 196, De Puniet 166, Porto 153, Elias 97, Nieto 94, De Angelis 93, Aoyama 80, West 78, Rolfo 77, Poggiali 70.

J

KTM and (maybe) Stoner to 250 GPi

Daytona goes Xtreme

THE Daytona 200 will be run next year for Formula Xtreme bikes.

The change has been made because of concerns about the increasing speed of the AMA Superbikes, which this year were timed at over SlOkmh on the track's banking.

"Daytona is a unique place and requires a unique approach. At the same time,Daytona and the Daytona 200 are treasured icons in the racing world," said Scott Hollingsworth, AMA Pro Racing CEO. "To keep that event viable while acknowledging the realities posed by modern,lOOOcc Superbikes, we will

1.3UU EXHIBITORS

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run the Daytona 200 as a Formula Xtreme race. AMA Superbikes wiU continue at Daytona but now as a sprint race, consistent with the rest of the Superbike events tliat comprise our championship."

The road racing course at Daytona is also going to be altered for the sixth time. The new configuration will exclude NASCAR Turns 1 and 2 and will shorten the track from its current 5.7km layout to 4.8km.

The changes, the first since 1985, will mean that February's Daytona 200 will run over 67 laps, 10 more than this year's race.

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1 September 2004

KTM has officially announced an entry into the 250cc Road Racing World Championship in 2005, with Casey Stoner likely to move up a class.

The Austrian firm confirmed the decision at the Czech Grand Prix in Brno.

"We have a lot of work in front of us, said managing director, Stefan Pierer. "The first year will be for testing and experience. Nobody can build a winning bike behind close doors, and at the moment it looks like Casey Stoner is committed to developing this project along with KTM." Pierer aiso confirmed that KTM will continue to compete in the 125cc class, but riders have not yet been confirmed.

Stoner is currently fifth in the 2004 125cc championship, with team-mate Mika Kallio in 11th. n Yukio Kagayama was due to return to Cadwell Park on Monday to settle unfinished business at the 11th round of the British Superbike Championship.

The Suzuki GB rider visited the Lincolnshire venue for the first time last August when a near-fatal crash finished his season prematurely and nearly cost him his career.

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OPINION

Family feud: putting the boot in to one ofthe Brothers T

'WO leading teams are fined $5000 for technical infringements which, depending on how cynical your outlook,could have an effect on the outcome of the 2004 V8 Supercar Championship.

A team pulls a damaged engine from a car at Oran Park and later

claims sabotage.

Another team is fined - sorry, adjudged liquidated damages - of $300,000 for a misdemeanour a year ago which pretty much amounted to a screw-up on some franchise paperwork.

And now. Lord help us. Team Desert Storm has been sprimg conducting a secret(well, not-sosecret) but illegal two-day aero test at the old Woomera Air Base 600km from home base.

It's one of those 'wouldn't it have Iseen a hoot to be there?' things. Just irVigine. You're way out in the middle of the Australian outback, driujng your $400,000 toy up and down a deserted rimway and out of a cloud of dust emerges ... an AVESCO official!

"Ullo, ullo, ullo, wot's goin' on 'ere then?" Amazing ...

Given what's been happening in the 'fine sector' over these past weeks, I wonder where the penalty for this one-assuming of course that charges are proven and, more importantly, not then tossed out on appeal - is going to fall?

And you know the other bizarre thing - not one of tlrese headline making dramas actually happened on a tacefraek!

missing'from QR were the Forbes Fords. Did anyone care? The team was finished and never raced again

Am[ the only one with a deepening suspicion tliat tlie V8 Supercar sector is going quite mad?

P

utting aside the quite bizarre circumstances of the latest bust, I do have a serious problem with the $300,000 thing. Stack it up against the two $5000 teclmo Great Escapes and there is a serious lack of proportion.

People sometimes accuse the Formula 1 fraternity of having lost touch with reality (I'm still getting my head around the concept that Toyota has already spent over a billion dollars on its FI project). But the $300,000 'liquidated damages' confirmation handed down by an independent TEGA Tribunal, while no doubt conforming to the blackand-wlaite text of tire body's regulations,suggests that orn local V8 boys are closing in fast.

Say the number slowly. Threehundred-thousand ... With legals on both sides, I hear the total cash-flow for this little matter is heading up towards three-quarters of a mill.

The original 'incident' came about, you may recall, as a result of tlie final shut-down of 00 Motorsport. Owner Bob Forbes arranged to sell his two Level 1 franchises to Kmart team owner

John Kelly(who had been running his team via two licences leased from John Faulkner). This happened in the lead-up to the Queensland 500, thus saving Forbes the unwanted expense of turning up to race.

In the interim Kees Weel, rumiing lids team on two Level 2 franchises

(one his own,one leased), was negotiating to buy Faulkner's licences.

Now I'm sure I've missed some nuance or completely significant detail somewhere,but the bottom line was that Weel hadn't completed the transfer of Faulkner's licences in time, so the Faulkner franchise didn't actually run two cars at QR (although Weel ran his cars under his existing lower level licences).

The only two cars 'missing' from QR were the Forbes Fords. Did anyone care? The team was finished and never raced again.

Yet it was the Faulkner franchise which was deemed to have failed to provide two cars for the race and (now owned by Weel)is faced with this massive 'liquidated damages' bill (that's another word for a fine, folks) of $300,000-pluslegal expenses.

Am I tlie only one who thinks that this is absurd?

I'm struggling to get a grip on the complexity and rationale of it all just imagine how Joe Punter is coping!

Yes, I can see why the franchise system needs everyone to commit to every race. Yes, I can see the need for hefty penalties to ensure franchise holders comply with that.

And yes,I know the parties were warned where things were headed at the time.

But where is the common sense?

This wasforce wajeiire. This was brought on by a team collapse(00 Motorsport). This called for a 'naughty boy'$10,000 fine, max.

Why this has been pursued to the death stuns me.

e-' -

Motor Mouth with Chris Lamhtieii Ijust know that TEGA Chairman Kelvin O'Reilly will, quite correctly, point to the fact that AVESCO rul'esJTai^e'&en followed, to the letter. Bless him. They have.

That would be the same set of rules wliich have seen a couple of backmarker teams front up for races this year simply to complete their minimum obligations, deliberately fail to qualify, pack up and go home - all to keep their francliise 'alive'.

The rules may have been followed but, as is often said of the law, the rule in_this case is an ass.

Tony CochraneYnayJwell point the finger at CAMS and demand,in some ways correctly, that the judicial system be overhauled. But it has to be remembered that the rules - and penalties - AVESCO and TEGA are relying upon CAMS to enforce were written by TEGA itself.

V8 Supercar racing has an awful lot going for it right now. It rightly claims to provide the best touring car action in the world. On-track, it's going gangbusters Off-track? I guess there's a little way to go. And sticking the boot into one of its own for 300k doesn't stack up.

,1 1,

How to cook !

The win BoxJosSeat Sawird

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VER the years 1 have had my share of nutty girlfriends and if I am being quite honest, 1 must say that I have on occasion enjoyed the challenge of the less stable ones.

Highs and lows are sometimes more attractive than solid stability and it is exciting to never quite know what to expect. That can range from wild passionate moments in elevators to pretty horrible and hysterical moments when things get pretty miserable.

I think of Spa as I think of the movie Fatal Attraction. The race track is like a beautiful old mistress who is a bit mad. You are happy to go to see her because she's stunning and exciting and there are lots of good memories but you are never quite sure what a visit will produce.

Things change so quickly.

We've all had great days and bad days at Spa. The great days come when the sun shines and the racing is good, the bad days come with mists and fogs and driving rain. Mud and soggy shoes.

One forgets it all pretty quickly. We hadn't been to Spa for two years but little had changed. The track retained its rather 'small town' atmosphere and the organisation was as half-baked as always. It is, I suppose rather comforting that Belgians still try to make sure that all the important roads have been dug up just before the Grand Prix begins and that the diversion signs that they put up never lead anywhere.

As a result of this, we spent a lot of time this year driving around darkened country lanes trying to find a way back 26

*4

11

Spa is like a beautiful old mistress who is a bit mad. You are happy to go to see her because she's stunning and exciting and there are lots of good memories but you are n never quite sure what a visit will produce

to the hotel. The problem was that the town kept disappearing from the road signs and it took us a while to remember that its sudden disappearance from every road sign was caused by the fact that the Flemish name for the town is Amel, while the French-speaking Belgians call it Ambleve. One forgets.

The we a didfirst findevening the hotelwhen we had very pleasant dinner and then it was bedtime. I went up to my room,turned on the TV and the first thing that appeared was the very hotel in which I was sitting.

I thought for a moment it was a weird promotional video but then the chef who had just cooked dinner downstairs appeared on the screen, giving his opinion about the economic importance of the Grand Prix for the entire region. The world felt like a very small place.

At the track itself it was all very familiar although the Bus Stop chicane was completely different and some of the drivers were able to have a whinge about it. To me it looked like a fairly sensible

modification but even in the fast-moving world of FI, there are some who do not like change.

One could bang on about FI politics at this point but I have the belief that come what may, FI will bumble on through, getting it half-right. We are not sure yet what will evolve but something will happen and things will be fine.

I am a great believer that the best way to live is to accept change and see what can be made of it.

Atnew Sparole thisin year FI: II tried became a a chef for an evening and cooked dinner for the Honda FI team.

Honda is an unusual kitchen in FI in that it produces two kinds of meal simultaneously: Japanese and European. For years I have eaten well at Honda and eventually Dave the chef decided that it would be a good idea if I cooked for them. It sounded like fun.

I was going to try to do Japanese, simply so I could use the headline 'How to cook sushi', but in the end I decided that it was probably safer to leave that to an expert and do

the European food instead.

I enjoyed it hugely and it seems that I managed to get away without poisoning anyone.

And it taught me an important lesson: it is good to understand what other people do in the sport and appreciate the problems they face and regularly overcome. Everyone in FI faces different demands and few take the time to think about it all. The spirit of cooperation would be greatly enhanced if there was more respect. I'd love to see drivers writing articles or doing the cooking. I'd love to see team bosses staying up late, working the spanners. It would all add up to increasing the vision of those involved and the respect between them.

Of course in FI people get typecast very quickly. On Saturday afternoon Paul Stoddart came scurrying up.

"The chef has thrown his toys out of the pram," he said.

"We've got 25 media people coming to dinner at the motorhome and only one person doing the cooking.

What are you up to tonight?"

"No," I said. "Why don't you have a go?" moiorsport news

FORMULA

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(and other stories)

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Five minutes with... o

jjUjJ UWJJJl2J McLaren hinneii anoumia shimking2004 season with a convincing win at Spa Francorchamps. ADAM COOPHi toumi team boss Dennis a happy man after the race- hut he is stiP upset ahout costs...

MOTORSPORT NEWS: Kimi was involved in a collision at the first corner. Did you think it was all over at that stage?

RON DENNIS: We realised that the damage was relatively minimal, and all the readings from the telemetry - tyre pressures and suspension loads looked normal. When the race resumed, he was able to do a great job.

MN: How did things progress after that?

RD: He had to survive three safety car deployments and see his lead diminished. At one stage it was 13 seconds.

At the last restart, he put in the fastest lap on the penultimate lap, and I think that's the moment when Michael settled for being World Champion, and not winning the race. For us, it's especially satisfying to see Ferrari not take one of our remaining statistics away, which is of course the year [1988] when we won 15 out of 16 races. There's still some to go, and we'll try to win some more.

MN: Is this a sign of a permanent change, or is it a one-off?

RD: It's not a one-off. In essence, we should have won Hockenheim, I think. We were very competitive in Silverstone.

We put our hands up in Hungary and said we chose the wrong tyre, and paid the price.

Today really demonstrated the performance of the car. Without David's [Coulthard's] puncture, he would certainly have finished in the first three. In the circumstances I think we can be cautiously optimistic about the remaining races, because those circuits do play to the strengths of our car.

MN: You put a huge effort into making a new car in the middle 28

of the season, in the face of a lot of scepticism. How do you view that decision now?

RD: It's easy when you don't have a particularly good car to make another particularly bad car.

It was very difficult to understand what we had to do, and then to build effectively a new car for the middle of the season, or for the latter part of the season.

It's pretty satisfying to come here and win with it. It justifies the investment. Motor racing finances are always, let's say, balanced. We put a lot of effort into last year and this year as well. It's not always as easy as it looks.

MN: Any win would have been good, but how satisfying was it to do it at Spa, with the two Ferraris behind you?

RD: Tremendous. I don't think there's any question that we beat them fair and square.

MN: How much discussion was there with Kimi about slowing down Michael behind the safety car[making life difficult in terms of warming his tyres]?

RD: We knew where we were strong and where we were weak, and we certainly didn't want Michael on our tail going into the hairpin.

The regulations provide for the driver who's leading the race to dictate the pace after the lights go out on the safety car. The entry to the pits is quite early on, and there's quite a bit of a circuit before the start/finish line. He was able to use that to pull out that very important half car length, and that didn't give Michael the opportunity to dive down the inside on the hairpin.

Overall it was a great race, and he did a great job.

MN: David had a big impact with Christian Klien and then

"I don't think there's any question that we heat them fair and square It

-Dennis on Ferrari hit the barrier. It seemed a surprising decision to send him back out...

RD: We looked at the car, and we changed the tyres. We knew immediately that there was no suspension damage. He'd damaged the nose, but it was safe.

David said that Klien moved twice. He moved once and then when he moved to overtake him, Klien moved back on him. I'm sure it wasn't deliberate, but it certainly took away a fifth, which is a bit frustrating. We're here to win, and as we've won, we'll soon forget it.

MN: Was it brave of David to head into Eau Rouge after such a big shunt?

RD: He has confidence in the team, and he knows we'd never put him in a position which presented risk.

MN: There were three punctures amongst the Michelin runners,including David. What do you think of that?

RD: I think most of the punctures came from the debris from the accidents. It was the right thing to deploy the safety car, and they did clean the circuit very thoroughly. But even after that it was still a little bit of a lottery, and Kimi was fortunate not to pick up a puncture.

MN: Was there a case for stopping the race, bearing in mind there was so much debris on the track?

RD: No, I don't think so.

MN: What do you think of

Ferrari's domination this year?

RD: I sincerely hope that he continues for several more years, because there will be less satisfaction in winning World Championships without beating him. We've shown in the past that he could be beaten - we've won two World Championships against Michael, and we have a firm belief that we can beat him again in the future. Domination is not a new thing in Grand Prix racing.

MN: There's a lot of talk about rule changes for next year.

Where do you stand on them?

RD: We have closer motor racing now than we've ever had, and the most important thing always if you want to have close motor racing is to leave the regulations alone, because the top teams start to bounce against the technical limits of the regulations, and the small teams climb systematically up to them.

The moment you throw regulatory change at Grand Prix racing what you effectively do is to play to the strengths of the big teams who have the resources to react, and you weaken the small teams.

My prediction for the current set of regulations is that you will see the teams that sit on the back of the grid with a time differential to the front 50 percent greater than it currently is. There will be much bigger gaps between competitors.

Couple that to one tyre per Grand Prix, and two races per engine, you are going to have very boring racing. 1 think that rationale for change, when you take the things that are being forced into the system now, is to save money and improve the show.

But I just cannot see how it can improve the show, and it's certainly not going to save money. molorsport news

I

\

X

1 September Z004

29

Fiue minutes with...

Anilnew Jones

Now with a Konica Minoita Championship to his name, Andrew Jonesis prepared to make the step to the Major League.

BRANT ROWLEY had a yack with V8 Supercar's newest Champion fVIOTORSPORT MEWS: It must be a relief to get the Konica Minolta Series under your belt?

ANDREW JONES: Yeah definitely. From the time I first raced Formula Ford, I was hoping I'd win a National championship.

Back then, I put a time frame on it and I wanted to win one by the time I was 22, so I'm two years behind that...

Formula Ford was different for me though compared, to some.

It was a big learning experience.

I wasn't just the driver, I drove the truck, prepared the car and basically did everything.

When I got the opportunity to drive the Supercars and become just the driver, I was able to devote a lot more time to just driving which made me a lot more comfortable. Motorsport in general has become like that and requires you to focus solely on driving.

MN: Considering that this was the most competitive Konica Minolta Series in its history, does that add to the sweetness?

AJ: Yeah. We were in a reasonable position at the start of the year. There were probably five of us who you'd look at and say 'Yep, they're the ones who'll stand on the top at the end.'

We had a disappointing start to the year in the first two rounds and to come from 110 points down with such a tight point system to win the series at the last round, in the last race and then on a count-back, it makes it sweet.

I haven't been in that situation before where there was that sort of pressure. I tried to remain strong and focus only on that race, nothing else.

MN: Talk us through the championship-deciding race.

30

1 wooUn't be disaiwoiiited to go baiA and de^ my title

ft

The nerves, the excitement...

What was going through your head?

AJ: As far as nerves go, you've got to have them because it keeps you human.

I tried really hard not to get too nervous and let things get into my head because I felt that we had the speed. I just tried to stay as calm as I could.

If you start letting nerves and thoughts get to you, it starts to detract you away from what you should be focusing on.

MN: Has the closeness of the series and the pressure associated with winning it made you a better racer?

AJ: I think the reverse grid races have made me a better racer. 1 always felt I could race quite well anyway.

The series was close, but noone had a trouble-free run, as has happened in the last few years. If someone had had a trouble-free run this year, they would have just walked away with it.

There's been a lot of controversy this year over the reverse grid races but it's like anything, you have to treat it on its own merits and they need to attacked with a bit of caution.

But it needs to be controlled caution.

MN: Would another year in the Konica series be a waste or are

- AnOtew Jones there advantages in going back as the reigning Champion?

AJ: It wouldn't be a waste.

When all the music stops, if there's not a seat for me in the main game, I wouldn't be disappointed to go back and defend my title, for sure.

You're still driving a car, you're still qualifying, you're still doing all the same things, just not at as many rounds.

The reason I want to get to the main series is to lift my driving. To be running against those guys, you could probably learn a lot more. I learn a lot from what people are doing around me.

MN: How did you fare in your test with Ford Performance Racing?

AJ: It wasn't too bad. It was interesting to see how another team works. Good things came out of it.

The team were very good to me, I asked plenty questions and they answered plenty. It was interesting to see how they do things compared to how we do things.

I felt I drove fairly well though.

It's a different car, obviously, to what I'm used to, but my times were reasonably close to Craig (Lowndes).

I think there are some things in that team that have lots of merit and there is some area for gains as well, but that's the

same for every team. Everyone there was really good to me and for someone who was just going there for a test, and for someone who has a close tie with another V8 team, everything I asked was answered and that gave me a really good feeling about them.

I would relish the opportunity to drive with FPR. They will turn a corner shortly and hopefully I'm involved in that.

MN: Would you prefer to race in the major leagues with the team you've grown up with, BJR, or do you have to consider what's best for yourself?

AJ: I think there's a lot more to it these days. Motorsport has a political side to it and as much as I try to stay away from it, it's there. I don't want people thinking that I'm only in a BJR seat because I'm the son of Kim and the nephew of Brad.

I would like to stand on my own two feet, I wouldn't mind driving somewhere else. At some stage though, I'd always like to come back to BJR, whether that's in three years or five years.

But at this point in time, my plans are to go and drive for somebody else. I'm hunting pretty hard and talking to anyone who has a seat available.

MN: Your teaming up with John Cleland again for the endurance races, how do you rate your chances at Sandown and Bathurst?

AJ: We went alright at Sandown last year. John hadn't tested and he'd never been to Sandown before but we had some good speed. But by the time we got to Bathurst, he was bloody quick.

This year, he's going to have a test before we get there so I think we can get a pretty good result. motorsport news

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moiorsDorl news

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1

MOTORSPORT NEWS: What is going on here? You have been going along quietly collecting points, not causing mayhem and you are fifth in the championship.

RUSSELL INGALL: Not too much mayhem!

I had to start off the year pretty quietly, for various reasons. There were changes, after our little escapades at the end of last year, and we had an attitude that finishing races was going to be the key to winning the championship. That got blown out the window with an engine failure at Adelaide; we were behind the eight-ball after that.

I had to keep my nose clean and lay low for the first half of the season, to get points, not have any fisticuffs and see what happened at the end. The End is getting near, so we have to get the head down and be a bit more aggressive.

MN: Did you make a deliberate decision to not upset the stewards?

Rl: Well ... it's not a matter of not upsetting the stewards.

Thanks to a fair bit of media coverage, some positive, some negative, there was a fair bit going on at the end of last year!

That's not easy to ride out; it's a time factor.

I had to suss out how this year's administration would pan out. AVESCO and CAMS were clear that the leash was going to be let out a fair bit this year because they wanted better racing. Fine, except I was not going to be the guinea pig to find out how much they wanted to let the leash out. I thought, "Bugger it, let other people find out!

They definitely have loosened the noose, for the better. The racing has been really good this

Shhh! He's Hidden: Ingall has deliberately taken a quiet approach to the first half of the '04 season to gauge the leeway allowed to drivers by stewards before launching an assault that is due to start... now. year, especially at tracks where there is not a lot of passing.

There have been some bursters, because the ropes are not as tight as they used to be. Time for me to play ball ...

MN:Time for The Enforcer to come back?

Rl: Look at it now. Look at Wanneroo and Winton. The racing has been great. There is some panel-rubbing going on by a lot of drivers, not just one. If

you took that sort of aggression that people are driving with now, and take it back three or four years, there would be a queue outside the stewards' room for the next three days!

When I was driving with that sort of attitude back then, it was ... it is no secret how much it cost me back then - particularly 20011 It was the norm. I was sick of being the guinea pig and I wanted [this year] to sit back to first see the guidelines and then

They definitely have loosened the noose,for the better. The racing has been really good this year It

-Ingall on the changes in judgement of driving standards during this season

see it proved that this was how it was going to be.

The line has been drawn in th e sand. Now it is time to play.

MN: Car-wise, it is your second year in the Ford. Are you 100 percent on top of the car yet?

Rl: I would say that, up until yesterday [ED: SBR's QR test last Thursday] I was probably 80 percent there. Now, I feel like I am 95 percent there.

I am getting on top of it. The car is a lot different. People need to realise that we are not playing with an easy toy. I still do not believe that we have an equivalent toy to the Commodore in a lot of areas.

We are not too bad in the power stakes, but it remains to be seen what happens with the new Commodore engine, which a lot of teams still are not running.

But when you look across the continued on page 34

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continued from page 33 board at Commodore teams and this is a real good guideline at how user-friendly each car is you see Dynamik, Paul Morris, Craig Baird and Jason Richards getting up there and mixing it in the top 10. Baird was on pole!

The Commodore drivers vary as to who gets up front -factory teams and privateer teams. The car must be a good base.

Looking at the Ford teams, can you say the same? There are only two cars regularly up the front and they are both SBR cars. That is because of numerous reasons; SBR has good guys, working hard to get the most from what we have.

But as a base package, the Commodore is stronger. That is a fact; the results speak for themselves.

The Falcon is not an easy car to extract performance from.

With that, it is not easy to learn.

Everything has to be absolutely right. It has to be perfect and that is not something that you just fall on. You have to find out what makes it tick, its characteristics. I am constantly learning things. Even in my second year in a Ford, I find it is such a narrow window to play with, if you fall either side of the window, you are not going to win the race.

A lot of things combine to make the learning process slower. Every time I get in the car, I come away having learned something different. I raced the Commodore for seven years and I knew that thing from the front badge to the back badge. I am half-way through the Falcon.

Darwin's theory: Ingall's only '04 race win came in Canberra, where he tangled with team-mate Marcos Ambrose but still recovered to finish the weekend third overall.

3«

Konica race at Bathurst so he 3 will be doing plenty of miles.

That is handy; different cars but laps are laps ...

"No maner what my feelings are for Larry, he knew how to win at Bathurst.

You don't lose that" MN; Adding to all those variables is a co-driver in the next two races. How do you approach that?

Rl: Sandown and Bathurst are a lot different. Last year, we thought with Marcos and I in the one car, we would have it nailed.

What we did not account for was the fact that, first time with the BA up there, it was a bit of a handful at Bathurst. The team probably didn't have as much experience as we would have liked with the car and we struggled up there.

You need a well set-up car at Bathurst. Going back a second time, we know what we have done wrong and how to rectify it. We know the car should be a lot better than we had last year.

With the drivers, we have gone through every possible scenario. We think that the two guys we have are reliable.

MN; Does that make these races more'normal'for you?

You know that you will qualify the car and start and finish the race, unless something unusual happens.

MN: That means you can dominate the seat time in qualifying and cop all the glory?

Rl: About bloody time! I don't think that I have ever qualified a car at Bathurst. This will be a rookie Bathurst qualifying for me, believe it or not!

Rl: That will be a good aspect to it. People look at it and think, "We need a fast driver". Yes, you do need a fast driver but you need a reliable driver - one that is going to bring the car back mechanically sound.

A lot rubbed off by doing all those Bathursts with Larry. No matter what my feelings are for Larry, he knew how to win at Bathurst. You don't lose that.

That is what I explained to SBR; we need a driver who is mechanically sympathetic, relatively quick and who will bring the car back straight. That is what we looked at. Cameron [McLean] fitted into that mould.

MN: Does Cameron have any difficulty driving 'your' car?

Rl: No. So far, he has been really good. Fie did a lot of laps yesterday and he did really well.

Fie was as close to me as anyone has been and he was only a couple of tenths away from Marcos. Fie was on the money.

We also have Sandown to get his eye in further, it is a relatively easy track. He is also doing the

MN: At what stage in the year will one SBR driver do a 'Rubens'for the other?

Rl; I don't think that it will come to that. I am going to make sure that I am in the hunt in the last round. If Marcos has a shocker and wants to help me out, fair enough. At this part of the year, it's all for one and one for all!

MN: If it does come to that, the final round of the championship is at Eastern Creek again. What will happen this year?

Rl: Going on the pace we have there last year - damn quick in every session - we have the place nailed for set-up. So it will be qualify on pole, pull away, win the race, win the championship!

Everyone else can make the headlines!

MN: Mark Skaife got married recently. What did you send as a present?

Rl: I heard about that but my invitation must have got lost in the mail! I will bring something to Sandown. It won't be ticking but I will think of something that can be divided in half ...

ttitSt-

s moiorsport news

NOW SHOWING ONLY IN I MAX 3D WVJ\N.I MAX.COM.AU

Wha He was the second Australian to score an FI podium; he drove for Ron Dennis, Frank Williams and Ferrari; he owned, ran and built his own race cars - all that before many current V8 Supercar drivers were born. Now he holds one of the highest positions in Australian motorsport. ‘He'is AGP and V8 Race Director Tim Schenken. MARK GLENDENNING grabbed him for a chat

A

LL of us, at some point, have been in the situation where

you wish the ground would just open up beneath your feet and swallow you.

For a young Formula Ford driver a few years ago, one such occasion came during an appeal hearing at CAMS after a driving incident.

Following the presentation of some damning evidence, the Formula Fordster turned to the Race Director and said,"and may I ask what experience you've had in motorsport?"

"There was just a deathly silence," chuckles Tim Schenken as he recalls the story.

"He understood from that that I must have done something'. I think somebody enlightened him afterwards ..."

It's exactly 20 years since Schenken returned to Australia from overseas to take up his position as Director of Racing Operations at CAMS-just about long enough for an entire generation of racers to come onto the scene with next to no idea about 36

what the bloke up in Race Control actually achieved during his time in the saddle. : And Schenken himself doesn't go out of his way to enlighten them.

While he's happy to talk about his driving career, he's not one to dump his achievements in your lap.

But a bit of prodding can open the door to some intriguing stories - as you'd expect from someone who has stood on an FI podium,been ranked as one of the best Formula 2 and Formula 3 drivers in the world during a period when those classes really mattered, been a works Ferrari sportscar driver, a team owner, a team manager and driven for the likes of Frank Williams, Ron Dermis and Ron Tauranac.(He never drove for Bemie Ecclestone - but we'll get to that later).

Like most Australian drivers who succeed in Europe, Schenken spent just long enough racing in Australia to figure out that he was good at it before packing his bags. He started out running an Austin ABO at the Templestowe hiUdimb in the early

1960s before upgrading to a Lotus 18.

With the Australian HBlclimb title in

"During that year, Brabham asked if I would drive their Formula 3 car

the bag,Schenken set his sights on

for them in '69 and they came to an arrangement with Sports Motors where they were lent the chassis and Sports Motors provided a mechanic and the truck.

"So I ran with what was a worksassisted team and the Brabham BT28.

I went into Europe then - in those days a lot of Formula 3 races in Europe supported Grands Prix."

His early successes attracted some initial interest from the Brabham team. He finally landed an FI seat there in 1971, but not before crossing a few more hurdles along the way: "In 19701 was doing Formula 2, but I didn't finish a lot of races. The

England.

"I had a loan from my father to buy a Formula 3 car which I raced in '67," Schenken remembers.

"I made my name in that. It was an old car, but I got some good results. It game me an opportunity. I was offered a Formula Ford test with Merlin - there was going to be a championship the following year,in 1968.1 got the drive, which had a free engine with it, and they provided all the parts. All I had to do was maintain it and I started witming races straight away.

"Then I attracted the attention of a team in Manchester called Sports Motors. They asked me to drive for them and,in the same year,I also started doing Formula 3.

"In that year I won the Formula Ford championship and the Formula 3 championship - both British championships. I did 68 races and won 48 of them."

68 races? Yup.

step up from Formula 3 to Formula 2 was beyond the team. They really didn't have the financial backing."

But during that year came an opportunity in the most horrific form when Piers Courage, driving a Frank WUliams-entered De Tomaso FI car, crashed and was killed in a firey accident during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

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PROFILE

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Aussie owner, Aussie designer, Aussie driver: Schenken took the Brabham BT33 onto the podium at the Austrian Grand Prix in 1971, above. But his Formula One start came in the Frank Williams-run De Tomaso in 1970, left, when he did four races as the replacement for the tragically killed Piers Courage. Formula One could, in those days, be a very harsh sport. r»

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i Schenken CoHecti'on

Sclwhken Collection

"I didn't live far from Slough (where Williams was based),so I just took a breath and went and saw Frank Williams and asked if he were going to continue would he consider me as a driver," Schenken recalled.

"And he said yes".

"So 1 did four Grands Prix at the end of the year - Austria, Monza, Watkins Glen and St Jovite. At Monza Jochen Rindt was killed, who was a huge hero of mine ...

"At those times you go through very mixed emotions,a lot of turmoil, because here you are doing what you wanted to do more than anything else in the world, and then one of your heros, and someone you knew quite well, has been killed." .

1 September 2004

Machinery from that era was not the type of thing that you wanted to have an accident in. Efforts from the likes of Jackie Stewart and Louis Stanley to improve trackside safety measures were having some impact, but the process was stOl very much in its infancy.

And the cars themselves were built without much more than a passing thought for the driver's welfare in the event of an impact.

It's highly likely, for example, that Courage was killed instantly when a front wheel was torn from the car and slammed into his helmet, but the ferocity of the subsequent blaze, caused by the generous use of magnesium in the car's construction.

Then and now: Chatting with Eddie Irvine, above, at an AGP function (and notice James Courtney floating around in the background).

Schenken, on left with silly hat, gets a grilling from Graham FHU, with equally silly hat. meant that nobody could have gotten close enough to help him anyway.

Such an approach to racing seems virtually unfathomable from a modem perspective. But what was the attitude at the time?

"Well, it was a dam sight safer than the 1950s!" Schenken points out.

"It was state-of-the-art. It was a lot safer than the 50s and,if you look at FI today.I'm sure you'll look back in 20 years time and you'll think'my God,they've improved it'. Maybe not in such huge chunks,but it's ongoing."

But there were some very dark days in the early 70s.

"I sometimes tell the story of when Graham HUl was killed in his plane. We

went to the funeral, and there aren't words to describe just how black,for want of a better word,tliat was.

"And from that extreme you then went back to the house, where there was a wake,and it was the complete opposite. The contrast was incredible.

I went in, but after five minutes I said to my wife, Brigitte,'1 can't stand this. I've got to go'.

"The following weekend you're racing, and it's behind you ...

"Same with Rindt. You just keep on. And you know,I think people have some sort of 'it won't happen to me'attitude. You have some self belief." ^continued on page 38 37

continued from page 37

Young blokes: Formula 3 gurus Peterson and Schenken in 1978

While racing in Formula 3during 1968,Schenken was first approached in tire paddock at Brands Hat^ by a quietly-spoken,ferociously-quick Swede by the name of Ronnie Peterson, who was to become a good friend.

"It's hard to be friends with

the friendship that Ronnie and I had.

Our wives were close, my wife Brigitte and his wife Barbro.

"I met Ronnie in 1968 at Brands Hatch. In those days - and I'm sure it's the same today - gear ratios were something that you kept very much to yourself. They were a very guarded secret.

"Formula 3 in those days used lOOOcc engines revving to 10,000rpm,

anyone really, in any sport, because you're trying to beat them," Schenken explained.

"I don't know how you'd describe

Show Me The Money!

THE more things change,the more they stay the same.

Superficially, modern-day F1 is a different world to Schenken’s era.

Just beneath the surface, however, not a lot has changed.

“It is expensive now, but it was in relative terms, expensive then,” he says.

“When you look at the comparison, it's silly. In 1971, when I was driving for Brabham, Ron Tauranac needed 100,000 pounds (A$180,000 at the time) to fund a two-car Formula One team. I think the year before Ronnie (Peterson) and I had read that Jackie Stewart was earning 100,000 pounds. And we thought, ‘God, that’s more money than there is in the whole world!’”

“It’s just relative. There were people paying for drives in my day.

People coming in and paying with sponsors - it was the start of sponsorship. It’s not much different today. If you rea//y want to do it, you’ve got four arms and four legs, you can see, and you're normal, you can do it.

“What you have today is the huge media hype and attention. It wasn’t like that when I was racing. In the early '70s, for example, in the London Times you’d be lucky to get a column inch of report on a Grand Prix - and that was if an Englishman had won! And it would -b^ery, very unusual to get any photographs ...”

- MARK GLENDENNING

Who needs drainage? Schenken paddles the De Tomaso out of the Watkins Glen pits in 1970

with very little torque ... the gear ratios were very, very close. There was a ratio for every 200rpm,so it wasn't as if everyone ended up with the same gear ratios. There were always subtle differences.

"Ronnie, who I hadn't met before, came up to me,stood chatting to me, and then asked if I would help him with the gear ratios. Normally you would never give those out but,for whatever reason,I said 'oh sure. I'll help you'and gave him the gear ratios. And it all sort of started there."

The pair spearheaded a small cartel that effectively ruled F2 and F3 during the last years of the 1960s, yet managed to maintain a close friendship away from the track. They remained tight right through their respective FI careers until Peterson was killed in an awful startline accident at Monza in 1978, by which time Schenken had already left the main stage and was racing elsewhere.

"It's really hard to remember how it(Ronnie's death) affected me," Schenken said.

"The week before Monza was our son's birthday. We'd traditionally go to Monaco and stay with Ronnie in his apartment with Barbro and their Now THAT'S a car: Schenken won three rounds of the 1975 Interserie championship in a gorgeous 4.5 litre turbo Porsche 917/30, below.

daughter Nina,and we'd celebrate Guido {Shenken)'s birthday.

"WWch we did -it must have been on the Monday or Tuesday.

"Then on Thursday Ronnie drove off to Monza,so he said goodbye and went,and on the Saturday Brigitte and I flew to London and Barbro and Nina stayed in Monaco.

"We went back home,and then he had the accident...

"We went to Sweden for the funeral. But these things ...I don't know how to really explain it. At the time, they are horrendous days. But you get over it pretty quickly, and then you move on."

Tragically, Barbro Peterson committed suicide a few years later, although the ties between the two families remain strong.

"Ronnie's daughter got married a couple of years ago,and Brigitte went to the wedding," said Schenken.

"So that was nice. They've had a child since."

At the time of his accident, Peterson was one of Formula One's genuine stars who always seemed just that one step away from bonafide 'superstar' status: a kind of 1970s Fernando Alonso,if you like.

He was causing all kinds of headaches for Lotus team-mate

Schvnken Collection

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Last hurrah ... sort of: Schenken's last FI outing was a last-minute one-off for Lotus at Watkins Clen in 1974, above, but after originally not making the cut, TS started, only to be black-flagged.

They come in pairs: Tbe Brabhams of Hill and Schenken in the highly :ecure (ha ha) Nurburgring pit lane in 1971, right. Tim scored his first FI championship point in that race.

Mario Andretti - not exactly a slouch - a,ad had taken 14 poles and 10 wins fro-'f' an eight-year career.

Jr' light of their rivalry during / ormative years, this could, totheir some e-xtent, illustrate the kind of career tfiat Schenken wight have had. But in ra-cing more than any other sport, ca'reers are often made or broken by julst one decision.

Ronnie's path into FI was smoothed

by Ids relationship with March,for whom he drove in F2 and F3 before later jumping ship to Lotus.

Schenken,on the other hand,found himself at a crossroads at the end of his year with Brabham and made what hindsight would prove to be a ndsjudged call in jumping ship to Surtees.

"It was a wrong decision," Schenken adndts."But it was a right decision, because I'm here today.

Anything could have happened.So I don't have any regrets about it."

So why did he do it? During Schenken's year at Brabham the team was sold and he didn't have sufficient faith in the abilities of the team's new owner -some upstart named Bemie Ecclestone ...

"In '71,I'd heard some stories . about how Ron Tauranac was going ' to sell out completely,and I thought 'that's not true, he'd tell me if that was the case'.

"Towards the end of the year I thought I'd ask him. And he said,'oh yes,it's true! I'm going to sell the company to a chap called Bernie Ecclestone'.

1 Sspisabtr 2004

"I knew Bemie a little bit because he was,I think, Emerson Fittipaldi's manager,Jochen Rindt's manager, and he'd sort of been around the edges.

"Anyhow, Ron said that he was going to stay on as the designer. I thought,'oh well, that's alright'.

But then Ron started saying to me, 'oh, Ecclestone's a complete lunatic, he'll end up changing everything, he'll end up designing the cars -1 don't think I'll hang around'.

"And then when I met Bemie to talk about the following year, Bemie wanted me to sign a two-year contract. I said,'no. I'm only prepared to sign a one-year contract'.

"My argument was that, listening to what Tauranac had to say, maybe this team wasn't going to go that well and I wanted to have an opportunity to get out of it after a year.

"Bemie's argument was,'well, if I'm going to invest in you to drive for me I want you for two years, not to have you here for one year and then disappearing.

"So we just didn't agree. And I think it was Tauranac who suggested that I talk to Surtees, which I did, and 1 went and signed for Surtees and ... it went downhill from there."

Schenken remained in Formula One until 1974, but he would not be in a position to trouble the point scorers again. As early as 1972 he was already expanding his attention into Formula 2 and Sports Cars.

In fact during that year, he distinguished himself by driving for Surtees, Ron Dennis' Rondel F2

suffon-i/TW^^es.io/n

team and the works Ferrari outfit (sportscars) simultaneously. Try doing that today ...

"I was driving for Ron Dermis in between Formula One and sportscars, and Ron was talking about doing Formula One. "So at the end of the year with Surtees - and by halfway through the year it had been obvious that we were never going to continue -1 decided to stick with Ron and hope that he put something together. But

'Tve never been one to look back and go,'you could have been world champion, you could have won Le Mans. The rr fact Is, you haven't... that just never eventuated."

Instead,Schenken hooked up with Tauranac and former McLaren production car builder Peter Agg, who were going into FI in 1974 with a car called a Trojan.

The car was never competitive, and by the end of the season the FI chapter of Schenken's career was over.

"It was only a couple of years ago that Ron told me that he eventually found out what the problem was with the car. He actually apologised to me about it!" says Schenken.

"You really only ever get one shot at FI -1 was lucky to have that second opportunity with Trojan, but because that didn't work I just couldn't get back into it again.

"There were other young drivers coming along and whatever else, and I never had another opportunity.

"And once you're out of it... to me it was like being the managing director of the company and then suddenly you're down to sweeping the floor.

"There arew obvious differences between Formula One and doing the German championship for example 1 mean,it's a nice national championship, but nothing compared to the intensity of Formula One, where I always wanted to be. So I sort of lost interest after that."

It was the end of Schenken's FI career, but he was doing anything but sitting on his hands. The next couple of years were spent steering an array of works Porsche, Ferrari and Jaguar weaponry with considerable success continued on page 40 39

The €

OVER the past decade, the debate over the future technical direction of Formula One has been dominated by the issue of aero vs mechanical grip.

Conventional wisdom at the moment is that things have gone too far in favour of aero, which is why hardly anybody passes anyone under braking any more.

Schenken was in the

sport when the balance was / initially shifting towards / aero away from mechanical 1

Climbing The Step

IF you or I scored an FI podium, we'd have the date and track tattooed onto our butts.

With Schenken. the subject of his third place at Austria in 1971 doesn t come up until the very end of an hour-long conversation - and even then, it is only because we asked him about it Not a boasting man ou^ Tim: In some ways it was |ust a matter ot time." Schenken said 'When I started with Brabham. I was missing something - and I couldn't quite work out what it was.

I had been competitive in ail the other lower categories and I couldn't quite work out what the problem was 'And suddenly, when we got to the French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard. It clicked And what It was . 1 had been unable to carry the speed into the corners I was going too slowly into the corners and then just relying on the power of the car to then accelerate out “That weekend, it just clicked. So that was the race that I sort-of came good. It suddenly just clicked.

Although I didn t qualily very well. I was up to third place - I had

just overtaken (Jo) Siffert and Emerson Fittipaldi - but the engine had an oil leak and eventually lost oil pressure and stopped “We went to Silverstone shortly after that, and I was running third there until the gearbox broke ■'We then went to the Nurburgring. and I qualified well up "We had just seen the introduction of airboxes sitting on top of the engines. Tyrrell had introduced it and they d reputedly picked up something like 400rpm on the straight "So Tauranac designed one to put on the Brabham. I started the race. The Nurburgring. as you know, has a very long straight this IS on the North Circuit. I came around onto the straight and the cars in front of me just drove away - I had some sort of power disadvantage. Anyhow. I ended up sixth, which was my first championship point "After all that I went to Austria and qualified well there and finished third behind Siffert and Fittipaldi" Schenken is one of only three Australians to take an FI podium to date.

-MARKGLENDENNING

grip and is thus well-placed y | to make some observations l about the current situation. ) " You're going to have to i have some aerodynamic grip," he says. continued from page 39 before kickstarting what would become, for a while, one of the world's biggest race car manufacturers.

"This chap wanted to form a company to buUd Formula Ford cars, and 1 didn't really have any business skills but 1 knew that Howden Ganley had a number of small businesses," ScherOcen explained.

"So 1 went along with the paperwork and showed him. He came back the following day and said, 'look. I've had a look at all this and it all looks quite feasible. But rather than going in with this other chap, why don't you and I do it?' So I thought, 'well, OK, we'U do that'."

The partnership was registered as TIGA (The "IT being derived from Tim; the 'GA' from Ganley), which started pumping out quick little racing cars at a rate that would have shamed a Taiwanese calculator factory.

"We actually bought an existing

i

company called MRE (Motor Racing Enterprises)," says Schenken.

"We bought the rights to that, and all the drawings. The Sports 2000 wts our big car, but we had Formula Fo:d 1600, Formula Ford 2000, Formula Atlantic cars. Formula 3 cars.

Formula 2 cars and, at the end, when I left in 1982 we'd build some 450 cars." / It was around this time that Schenken started thinking about , returning home. He sniffed around' in Australia, but before anything came / up he was offered a position runnin.i^ John Fitzpatrick's IMSA team in the States. Next stop, CaUfomia.

"I'd been running my own tean^ in England - Formula 3 and Formul^ 2, - so 1 decided to sell up and move to California, which I did," Schenken reflects.

"I stayed there for two years while continuing to write to people here in Australia and, eventually, in 19841 had a letter asking me to come out and interview for a job as Manager of

olicction

One finger, many pies: Schenken with Howden Ganley and the ultra-successful TICA Sports 2000 car, left; in Malboro mode as a Formula 3 team owner, above; and using a Ferrari at Spa to do what Ferraris like to do the best, right.

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There s no question about that. Just how can you reduce the grip levels of the cars and make the racing more exciting ...

I don't think there's an easy answer.

I don't think Formula One racing was ever as exciting as some of the lower formulae.

There were periods where there were some close races, but I don't think it was ever very exciting in that sense.

You look at the days when Mercedes were in it - back in the mid-50s. They just dominated everything,-and you only had about 12 cars in the race.

"It's like the difference between soccer and basketball. Max Mosley once made the comment HB ithat perhaps in basketball they Motor Racing, which I flew out for from LA,and secured the job. And r've been here ever since!" i Any regrets? After all, you could rggest that a career in officialdom ight be frustrating for someone ^.ro's 'been there' as a driver? _ look at what 1 was doing in {fQjOpe as a different life. That's gone, a I've never been one to look back yi go,'what if I'd done this, or I ,/ild have been world champion,or e-^ould have won Le Mans,or done tt'. these things'. ra'The fact is, you haven't. And I ce/ays sort of look to the future. I jup lucky,I came back to Australia as „iotor racing exploded here. CAMS secured Shell for tire Australian

should just start off by giving each teann 100 points and then play for five minutes!

While Schenken recognises that most of the current drivers are calling for an aero reduction. he doesn't see it coming any time soon.

At the end of the day,the drivers are employees and they work for a team," he said.

It's the team that have the investment in windtunnels and god-only-knows what else.

They've invested hugely in that. so to suddenly change direction completely, which I don't think you can - not 180 degrees, is a problem for the teams.

"So they're the ones who are probably fighting the hardest."

- MARK GLENDEIMNING Touring Car Championship, we got the Grand Prix in Adelaide, we had the sportscar race at Sandown ... I think I just arrived at the right time.

"I find what Tm doing now incredibly challenging. Motor racing is always evolving, and despite what you've learnt, and what you've experienced, there are always new problems keep coming up in front of you aU the time.

"And I'm lucky. I've been a driver.

I've been aU the way up to Formula One,I've had a company building racing cars. I've owned racing teams, and now I'm on the other side in the administration. And I love motorsport. To work in it is fantastic." _

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PrEsentB matiBi af ths manth^^

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Veronika Catwalk modelling used to be my main type of modelling

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however now I am doing a lot more promotional work instead. H I do promotional work part-time while I am studying at

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EumAL mACMiniBHy Eamf^i%iY

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university^ Human Movement is the course I am studying and am currently in my second Semester with three years to go. I

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would like to do Physiotherapy eventually and then go on to working with a professional sports team. As myfavourite sport ‘^ is ice hockey, that would be the perfectjob. I also

really enjoy \ ^ UFCfighting, which is cage fighting. Motorbike racing is also

another of my favourites.

At the moment I am getting readyfor the Miss Fitness

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Competition at the end of the year. My preparation includes weightsfour times a week and gymnastics twice a week.

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

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Call the CMC Help Line for the location of your nearest CMC Power Tool stockist, or to order the latest CMC catalogue EMC Help Line 1300 BOO 001 1 Septeamer 2004

m 41

Hie Other Man in The motor racing world is trying to decide just how good Vitantonio Liuzzi is. Could he be the next great FI driver?

MARK GLENDENNING spoke to the Italian F3000 ace

A

MOTORSPORT NEWS:You've won six races out of eight so far. I guess it's safe to say that everything is going to plan?

VITANTONIO LIUZZI; Yeah,I think it has been great this year. I worked pretty hard with my team during the winter tests to make sure that

Vs

everything was going the right way between me and my team,and also with the car.

It's worked out really well because we have won six out of the eight races, but there's still two races before the end. We're still leading the championship, we broke the record for the most wins in one year, but I think we can still increase that because we have two more races and we're going to fight for the remaining two.

MN:Did you go into the season expecting to be this dominant?

VL: Not really. SN out of eight was not really what I was expecting. I thought it would be more difficult... well, it was difficult, I mean,I don't want to look like I'm saying it was easy, but to win six out of eight -1 didn't expect that.

We saw in winter testing that we were quick. We were never at the top but we knew why,and we were just trying to find a better car for me.

When we found the way (to go with the car) I was sure that we were going to have a good championship, but winning all these races? I didn't think that would happen.

MN:You're obviously driving superbly, but the team seems to be right on top of its game,too. When you walk around a F3000 paddock, the Arden guys stand out as looking like they really know what they are doing.

VL: Yeah, they are amazing. Last year I was working with Coloni, and they are a good team.

But Arden is another world. The kind of professionalism, the way that they work,is just incredible. The mechanics, with the pitstops ... until, now they had never really made any mistakes(ED: Liuzzi lost in Hungary after a pitstop gamble backfired). And what makes them stand out against all the others is that they are really methodical, they always know what to do.

Also, my engineer Mick Cook and 1 have a really good relationship and we understand each other really well.

I wasn't expecting such a good relationship with them, because they are an English team,and it was the first time that I had worked with an motorsport news

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Red English team. But they are really, really amazing.

MN:In a season like this where you are winning just about every time you get into the car, how do you respond to a loss? Does it just make you more motivated for the next race?

VL: I think it's a little bit... after winning six races, coming second is a little bit disappointing, because, you know,I was getting used to winning!

But after I got second in the Hungary,I preferred to think about the Championship. But for sure, it will motivate us for the next race because we know that we can do a good job, we have to fight for a win, so that will motivate us to do a better job at the next round.

MN:There have been a few different opinions about how successful F3000 has been as a stepping stone to Formula One. Judging from the current speculation about your future,it hasn't been a bad move for you?

VL:I think ... in the beginning when I was in Formula 3, everyone was saying that Formula 3 was the best (junior) category overall. But 1 don't really think so.

When I tried Formula 3000,1 realised that it was really tough, because I think these are the best cars to learn in. Yes, a Formula 3 cars is quite similar in some ways to Formula One cars because it's quite light, and it relies a lot on aerodynamics. But in Formula 3000 a lot of it is actually about what's in your mind,because you've got pitstops, and the car is actually really heavy to drive so you have to be really fit to drive it.

And also with the new version of the car, it is really good in the mechanical side and also the aerodynamics. So it is really similar to drive to a Formula One. But the thing is, to be good in Formula 3000 you have to be really aggressive, and it teaches you a lot. In some ways 1 would not say that it would be the best category to begin in, but I think it is the best category to teach people to grow up for Formula One. MN;I mentioned all of the rumours in the British press about your options for next year. Given that you are trying to win a Championship,is

Where did everyone else go? Liuzzi has dominated F3000 this season in his Arden-run Lola-Zytek. that sort of thing a distraction?

VL: Not really. Not really, because I am trying to stay far away from all of these rumours. My management is doing all of this stuff.

AU of this stuff that the journalists and papers write about me,I try not let it into my mind.I don't think about it, because there are many rumours about Sauber, Ferrari... for sure it would be a dream to make it with Ferrari, but at the moment, because I know that there is not something fixed,I don't want to dream too much.

MN:Even ignoring what the press writes, it must be hard to focus on what you are doing when you know that there are all these people in the background working away at getting you into FI? VL: No,it's alright for me. My focus is simply on trying to win this Championship,because I know that if I don't do my job, nobody will think of me in the future.

So forhmately,I believe a lot in my management and I let them do their job. In the end,they are more experienced than me in deciding the right way for the future, so I think they wUl do the best for me.So I let them do all that stuff, and I just stay focussed on my Championship. I

don't think about next year.

MN:You are a Red Bull-backed

MN:Your career is being managed by an Aussie, ex-Lotus FI team manager Peter Collins. He has a pretty good record for spotting talent.

VL: Yes. In fact, he was the first one to watch me,and I liked him a lot right from the start. 1 think he's a really clever man,a good man,and more than anything, not because of the prospects for the future but because I thought he was a really serious person and someone that I could trust, I signed with him.

Everything started in 2000.

driver at the moment. Would you be taking Red Bull with you into FI next year?

VL: At the moment we stiU don't know.I have a contract with them for next year,so for sure we will work together, but we don't yet know which way.

They were trying to buy Jaguar and it didn't work,so I don't know.

At the moment my manager is trying to find a place for next year, and then we will look at how we can work with Red Bull. But for sure, we will work together.

MN:Looking ahead to FI, how would you to prefer to do it? Would you ideally like to go straight into a race seat, or spend a season in a testing/Friday driver role?

VL: For sure racing would be the best thing, because I think for us drivers it is difficult to go to a race and just watch all the other guys racing.

We are born to drive and we have

MN:If they had to pay for you, would they have a problem paying for two drivers, given that they are currently pouring a lot of money into Christian Klien?

it in our blood (laughs), so it would be a bit disappointing to stay there and watch other guys go racing. But if there is a really good option for next year, a good test driver placing that has good opportunities for the future ... why not?

the only one who is not Austrian in the Red Bull Junior Team.

VL:(pause). No,I don't think they want to support me as much as Christian because last year for them I think the decision to choose Christian was the fact that I am Italian -1 was

MN:Really?

VL: Yeah. Apart from the Americans continued on page 44

"It was the realisation of my dream. For me it was really like an orgasm when I drove the car, it was so great" - Tonio somewhat too grapically describes his first FI test with Wiiliams 1 September 2004

43

continued from page 43 that arrived two years ago I was the only one who was not Austrian. Red Bull is an Austrian company, and all the junior drivers were Austrian. 1 was the first one to come from another country.

1 think also for them it was not a priority to push for me to be their first driver into Formula One. 1 think now tliat they will pay less for Chistian and they will help me step up into Formula One - if we need them. 1 hope we don't need them to pay for me! But 1 think they are ready to support me as well.

MN:There is speculation that you might be signed up as a test driver for Ferrari and groomed as a successor to Michael Schumacher when he retires. That would obviously be a good deal for you in terms of your career, but would the racer in you prefer to go into the sport while Michael is still there so that you have an opportunity to measure yourself against him?

VL: Urmn ... it's difficult. Michael, at the moment,is unbeatable. To be his team-mate would be really good for me,because it would help me to learn a lot and grow up a lot.

For sure it would be a good and I could learn a lot from him,because he is the best. It would be good to work with him. The problem is that we don't know when he will stop. So it would be really difficult to stay him for a few years and always be behind him. Even if you could have a chance to be ahead of him,1 don't think Ferrari would allow ... he is always the leader in that team. Ferrari is always working so well with him, and they are proving that they are the best. So 1 think it would be a good opportunity. In the next three or four years, you know, he must stop. He cannot drive until he is 50 years old.

So 1 think it would be the best option.

MN:Well, last time you raced against him, you beat him ...

VL: Oh,in karts!(laughs). In karting, for me it was much easier. I don't think it would be as easy as it was in the kart!

MN: As an Italian, would being a Ferrari driver mean something special to you, or is it just another team?

VL: Not so much because it is an Italian team, but I think that driving for Ferrari would be a dream on its own.

I think that every Formula One driver would love to drive a red car.

For sure, to drive an Italian team with me as an Italian would be great, because I think that it would be great for the relationship and all that stuff. It would be great to be a complete Italian team. But as I told 44

Sorry, this seat is taken: Liuzzi has already tested for Williams (in late 2002)but it seems like those positions might already be taken for 2005 ...

(Pantano). It was between me and so absorbed in my Championship you,1 don't want to dream too Pantano to choose the third driver, and thinking of nothing else that much. 1 hope that something will and the test was going pretty well -1 sometimes I forget the rest. happen, but at the moment we still think the team was satisfied, and don't know anything.

MN:You mentioned that you tested everything was working out well. against Pantano. There are a few Originally the choice was for me, MN: It's interesting that guys in FI now that you've raced but then [Ricardo] Sperafico arrived historically, Ferrari has not hired a lot of Italian drivers. against. Do you make a point of with the Petrobras money and he following their progress to see how stole our place. But the most VL: No,they haven't really. In the you might go when you get there? important thing was for me to see if past 10 or 15 years, they stopped VL: Yes, sometimes. You see some I could drive a Formula One car, being as interested in Italians, and drivers that you watch, and you see because the job is not so easy and they said 'oh, no Italians any more, Formula One is Formula One. For the way they drive and you think no Italians any more'. Now it is me it was important to see where my 'shit, that driver, in the past, was ...' really nice to be in my situation, well, not amazing, but- I'll give you level was, and see if maybe I was because I am the first that they are an example. able to maybe be a good Formula really interested about. So it is really One driver in the future.

I think I am sometimes really great to be in my place. But as for frustrated by the situation, and it's what will happen, you never know. perhaps because of Giorgio, because MN:Do you still dig out the photos he was always a quick driver and from yourself from that test every MN:You tested a Williams a couple now he's in a situation with Jordan now and then? of years ago. What do you where it's difficult for him to show remember about it?

VL: I think it is always difficult to his potential and he is struggling a remind myself about that test, VL: It was great. Really, Williams little bit. So yeah, I think sometimes because it has always remained in was my first Formula One test, and I watch the others, but at the my mind like a dream. And it was the realisation of my dream. sometimes when I think about that, moment the most important choice For me it was really like an orgasm is just finding the right team to go or see a picture, I think,'shit, that when I drove the car, it was so great. to. was me!'. It's like I can't really It was really nice of Sir Frank to remember that I was driving a give me that test, and it worked out Formula One car because I think I'm MN:You're not the only person at really well between me and Giorgio Arden who is trying to crack TTTT Formula One at the moment. A couple of months ago, I spoke with team owner Christian Horner about his plans to get a FI team started how is that coming along?

VL: I think he has a really good plan for the future. But it's so difficult-

Apart from the Americans that arrived two years ago I was the oniy one who was not Austrian. Red Buil is an Austrian company, and aii the junior drivers were Austrian

F,

-Liuzzi comments on whether his main sponsor wiii take him into Formuia One

you need such a big budget. I think that is the only problem for them at the moment it is a bit of a risk for them to invest this sort of money.

But for sure they will make it. I think that it will happen in 2006 - next year is probably a little bit too soon.

But I think they have the right mentality to make it.

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Every Cloud has Almost everything that could have happened in Formula One happened at Spa. Kimi Raikkonen took McLaren’s first win of the year, Michael Schumacher sealed his seventh title and there were first-lap incidents and high mileage Safety Cars. JOESAWARD reports from Belgium

F

ORMULA 1 came back with a

vengeance at Spa, a proper racing circuit where you can tell the men from the boys and where cars can overtake one another.

After the desperately poor Hungarian Grand Prix, this was a barn-storming race with six different leaders, three Safety Cars and some pretty wild moments. It was clear from early on that the McLarenMercedes team had done their homework, despite the frightful conditions on Friday and Saturday, and Kimi Raikkonen had a car that he knew could win the race.

podium despite a first lap crash and an unscheduled pit stop.

The first was a complicated affair aslap often they are in Spa. The blast from the grid to the hairpin at La Source is often the source of trouble and this year was no exception.

The two Renaults took off well and Jarno Trulli led Fernando Alonso into the corner. Schumacher spent too much time trying to stop the Renaults beating him and as a result David Coulthard sneaked through

l

By midway,Kimi had a lead of more than 12 seconds. There was a crash and a Safety Car and we thought that Michael Schumacher's legendary luck would again give him a chance to win,but Kimi was ready.

The Firm knew that the danger was at the restart itself and so slowed the pace on the final lap before the restart to a crawl. The heat drained from Michael's Bridgestone tyres but Kind's Michelins held their temperature and when Kimi nailed the throttle, Schumacher was left

behind.

As the tyres heated up, Michael came back at the McLaren and it looked like we were heading for a really exciting finish but then there was another crash and another Safety Car and the whole process had to be repeated.

With three laps to go, Kimi knew that he had Michael beaten. He slowed right down once again and the Ferrari tyres cooled off again.

Michael could do nothing. Kimi hit the throttle and was gone. Michael knew it and did not take any risks.

He was happy to cruise to his seventh World Championship while Rubens Barrichello ended up on the 46

Gold for Colombia, Blues for Spain; Juan Montoya and Fernando Alonso were having a good battle until they clashed at the new and revised Bus Stop. It was not a good day for either Williams or Renault.

molorsport news

FORMULA

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Lining I

I' Mercs to the fore: Raikkonen, left, eased past team mate Coulthard in the opening laps and sped off into the distance, leaving DC to nurse a puncture back to the pits.

Happy with a silver medal: Schumacher got to spray the Mumm on the podium, above, less thrilled with second place then he was with his seventh title.

on the inside to steal third place.

Behind them things were a lot more complicated. Giancarlo Fisichella was slow off the line and as he went down the middle of the road, Rubens Barrichello went to his left and Mark Webber went to his right. As this was happening Felipe Massa was on the outside but Raikkonen was outside him and the

1 September 2004

two men collided.

Jenson Button drove into the back of the Sauber and knocked off his front wing. On the other side of the road, Webber's lunge for the inside line ended up with the Australian running into the back of Barrichello.

Fisichella braked hard to avoid the crash and was hit from behind by Panis. Outside them,Pizzonia was

braking to avoid the Button-Massa mess and he was rammed from behind by Nick Heidfeld.

And that was about it for La Source. As they headed off down the hill towards Eau Rouge,leaving bits of carbon fibre all over the place, things became more complicated still. Webber had no front wing and so did not have the downforce to

stay flat. He backed off and behind him Takuma Sato had to avoid the Jaguar.

While all this was happening, Juan Montoya tried to go around the outside of both men and as a result Sato hit Webber and the BAR spun across the road.

This caused mayhem. Gianmaria Bruni backed off and was hit from behind by his own team-mate Zsolt Baumgartner. This punted him into the barriers and as he came back onto the track he was hit by Giorgio Pantano, who had nowhere to go in his Jordan.

By this point the chaps in race control had concluded that if there were to be any cars left by the end of the lap it might be a good idea to send out the Safety Car and get the lunatics back under control. The order was Trulli, Alonso, Coulthard, Schumacher, Raikkonen, Montoya, Fisichella, Pizzonia, Christian Klien and Ricardo Zonta. Everyone else was either out or in the pits.

Up at the Eau Rouge car park, we had Webber, Sato, Bruni and Pantano. In the pits there were more nose jobs going on than in Beverly Hills as Button, Massa, Baumgartner, Barrichello, Heidfeld and Olivier Panis all had their features 'refreshed'. Men with brooms went to work.

Second time around, Barrichello and Massa were back in again for more tweaks and then everyone got into line and waited for the second round to begin.

When it did, Raikkonen made swift work of Schumacher and his team-mate Coulthard and then set off after the fleeing Renaults. Trulli pitted after only 10 laps and that was continued on page 51 47

QuaHtying

Weather Man % S PA is associated with water. The waters of Spa are supposed to have curative properties but for Formula 1 folk it is a place where one is never quite sure what to pack.

Some years it can be gorgeous.

Some years it can be dreadful.

And the deciding factor is the not the race track, which is always wonderful.

The problem is always the weather. One can argue that a little bad weather can shake things up a bit but that doesn't really work when one of the tyre companies has a much better product than the other. But then at Spa,there is nothing as simple as rain coming and going. At Spa, rain comes and goes at

n1

Grand Prix of

Belgium

August 28 2904

Mfld Seven Renault F1 Team 1:56.232 1 M Schumachorfl Scudsria Ferrari Mariboro 1:56.304 *0.072

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Mild Seven Renault F1 Te^ 1:56.686 *0.454 West McLaren Mercedes 1:57.990 ●>-1.758 Sauber Petronas 1:58.040 + 1.808 2 R BarricheHo ;9RAi Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 1:58.175 + 1.943

m

Jaguar Racing 1:58.729 + 2.497 Sauber Petronas 1:59.008 +2.776

j

Panasonic Toyota Racing l’;59.552 * 3.320 6 K Rnikkbnonv^ West McLaren Mercedes 1:59.635 + 3.403 3 J P Monto« BMWWillfamsFI Team 1:59.681 +3.449

SI

Lucky Strike BAR Honda 2:00.237 + 4.006 t

Jaguar Racing 2:01.246 + 5.014 BMWWilliamsFI Team 2:01.447 + 5.215

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Lucky Strike BAR Honda '2:01.813 +5.581 18 N Holdfold Jordan Ford 2:02.645 + 6.413 Minardi Cosworth 2:02.651 +6.419 lartnsr {HUN; Minardi Cosworth 2:03.303 + 7.071 1? G Pantano ,

Vardan Ford ■ 2:03.833 + 7.601 16RZontaBRA-.

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different points on the circuit.

And that injects all manner of excitement into the process.

And explains how it was that Renault ended up first and third on the grid. This was not a realistic indication of who was quick and who was not quick but rather a story of two cars which were on the track on the right tyres at the right moment.

Ferrari has a much better package than the Renault but when Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello were out on the race track the weather was much worse. The big excitement was whether or not the advantage of the Ferraris on Bridgestone tyres would be negated by the disadvantage of the weather.

And that was a great battle.

It did not mean a great deal but it was good TV. If one stopped and analysed the situation, it was clear that Ferrari had the better package. In the damp conditions in pre-qualifying, the Bridgestone teams enjoyed a substantial advantage. Michael Schumacher opened the session with a lap of 1m53.755s which looked more and more like an astonishing achievement as the session went on.

The track conditions were not very different when Fernando Alonso went out a few moments later and the Renault on Micheiin tyres was more than 4.5 seconds slower than the Ferrari. It was not a great lap by Alonso but when Juan Pablo Montoya had his go he could do only a 1m56.842s, more than three seconds off the pace. The lap which proved the point was the Sauber of Giancarlo Fisichella, who lapped the track in 1 m56.068s to take third place. Saubers have not qualified third for Grands Prix this year on a regular basis.

Towards the end of that preliminary set of runs, the track had dried a lot but Felipe Massa was still able to use the tyres to go faster than Fisichella had managed. That was impressive.

Even more impressive was Kimi Raikkonen a few moments later in the McLaren, who went even faster than the Sauber using Micheiin tyres. Obviously the

Panasonic Toyota Racing 2:03.895 + 7.663

McLaren was very competitive because the car was at a definite tyre disadvantage over the Sauber. But it was all academic when one looked at Schumacher's time.

But this was only pre qualifying and with the weather changing by the minute we looked forward to the final qualifying runs with much excitement. Who would get what conditions? At the start of the session, the rains had returned but the track was not really wet.

It was perfect Bridgestone weather but the man who was able to do the job properly was not the little teams down at the back but rather the Michelin-shod Toyota of Olivier Panis which lapped the track in 1m59.532s.

Almost as soon as he had finished the rain began to fall more heavily and the next few runners were out of the hunt but then things began to improve again. It was at that moment that Mark Webber produced a very impressive lap of 1m58.729s, an exceptional lap given the tyres and the conditions. It was neat and perfect.

Mark said it could have been a bit better but you could see he was happy. It had been a stunning job, made to look all the more impressive in the minutes that followed when Antonio Pizzonia, Takuma Sato and

Jenson Button all failed to beat the Jaguar. Pizzonia had shunted his Williams in the short amount of running on Saturday morning when the weather meant that noone got more than six laps.

Antonio was trying as best he could but he made a couple of mistakes and was out of the hunt.

The two BAR-Flondas went out on the extreme weather tyres when it might have been wiser to try intermediates. Renault however made the right call and took advantage of the advantage that the weather provided.

Jarno Trulli went first on intermediates. It was a risk but it worked out. Jarno stopped the clocks at 1m56.232s, a time which annihilated Webber's best. The next man to run was Fernando Alonso but he made a mess of the last chicane and ended up with a lap which was four-tenths of a second slower.

And then the rain started again and there was nothing that David Coulthard and Montoya could do.

r

motorspon news ■

Michael Fisichella followed them but the extra rain had reduced his advantage in damp conditions and so he ended up in fourth. although he was a long v/ay from Trulli's pace. Massa had an even more miserable time and ended up a second slower than Fisichella and as the conditions continued to get worse Raikkonen was left in an impossible position and scrambled to eighth.

That left the two Ferraris and a fascinating moment. The cars had better tyres but the conditions were worse than they had been for the others. The big question was how it would all balance up. And the time sheets flattered somewhat to deceive because at the top of the circuit it was less wet and so the Ferraris were fast in the middle sector.

1 tWMrtW 2094

But in the final sector at the bottom end of the track the track ‘ was wetter than ever and when Barrichello arrived he went deeper than planned into the corner and lost time. He was fifth.

\nd so to the grand finale and knew from watching rrichello that Michael would be close to the Renault best and up at the top of the track there was no question about it. Michael was ahead at the split times. As the TV commentators were all busy reaping praise upon the World Champion, assuming that he would take pole, he arrived down at the chicane,found that there was no traction at all and lost his advantage. He was a few hundredths behind Trulli in

second. It had been a quite amazing lap but, just for a change, Michael did not get all the good luck.

It was something of a lottery. said Schumacher later. "We had not expected that final splash of rain. I am happy being on the front row. We face a big challenge tomorrow as we know that the Renaults start very well."

Michael did not say it but it was obvious that unless something weird happened on Sunday, Michael would win, even if the Renaults did get an advantage at the start. But everything would depend on the weather and although the

weathermen said it would be dry, at Spa, one can never be sure.

Renault celebrated Trulli's pole although the celebrations were somewhat muted because Jarno is the man that the team is dumping next year.

I have always said that I don't believe in luck," said Pat Symonds,"but we were certainly lucky today. Having said that you have to seize the opportunities when they come along and we did that."

Spa is a circuit where overtaking is possible and so some of those who were caught out will have the chance to make up lost ground and with Raikkonen 10th on the grid, Montoya 11th, Button 12th, Pizzonia 14th and Sato 15th there was plenty of scope for interest.

- JOE SAWARD 49

F1 teams play mix-n-match

Spa showed an interesting combination of old and new, reports PAOLO FILISETTI Spa by numbers

AFTER a year's sabbatical, in 2004 Formula 1 returned to Spa, one of the sport's most challenging and historic venues.

Usually, the traditional late-August date for the race means that there is not much new on show in Belgium, due to the mid-summer testing ban. This was mainly true this year but there were still some things to see.

Having run its revised (and conventional) nose set-up, largely untested, in Hungary, Williams showed a step forward in its 'B' spec FW26, with new rear bodywork with new winglets atop the sidepods, top right. The enlarged winglets 'cross' the exhaust chimneys, as compared to the older versions, middle right, that were separate to them.

Along with the new arrangement, Williams ran its car without the usual 'shark' hot air vents in the pods, which in theory tidies up the airflow to the rear of the car, a critical matter on circuits with long straights such as Spa and Monza.

Also playing with its chimneys was BAR. After introducing new exhausts mounted in front of the rear winglets in Hungary, the 006s sported the additional fins previously introduced in Silverstone, which divide the rear air flow in two as shown by the arrows, bottom right While that may appear a backwards move, the BAR and Williams changes both appear to take into consideration the lower ambient temperatures of Belgium, which means that hot air management is much less of an issue.

Expect to see air vents return at the usually hot Monza.

Despite recent comments that the development of the current Ferrari was frozen in order to develop the 2005 car, the F2004 showed some changes, which again appear to be based on combining components already seen at previous races. A new front wing, right, sported the same wing profile introduced at Hockenheim, but with a changed 'saw tooth' flap that looked similar to the one already used in Canada and USA. In theory, this mix-n-match set-up provided a very good balance between top speed and downforce levels.

Average fuel burn 3.2 kg/lsp Cz(downforce coeff) 2.2B0 Cx(drag coeff) 0.840 Theoretical Max Speed 33Bkmh Theoretical Downforce 1653kg Eight braking points Total percentage of lap spent braking 14 percent Heaviest deceleration 290kmh to 65kmh at La Source Braking distance at this point 130 metres Heaviest deceleration 2.3g Heaviest load on the brake pedal is 74kg Maximum brakes temperature B27°c Brake data courtesy Brembo

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FORMULA continued from page 47 WmC’ ym§* XOOf

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the end of his challenge, as the car was terrible after that. Alonso lasted

2G

only one lap longer before spinning at Les Combes on lap 12. He rejoined and spun again at Rivage. There was oil coming out on to his tyres.

Fernando could do nothing.

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With Renault was out of Raikkonen in the the way, lead by around 10 seconds and as the pit stops came and went(spread out by the early incidents), he kept the pressure on and on lap 22 the order stabilised and Kimi had a 13s lead

//■>x

a Big Hit

RYAN Briscoe took over the third Toyota at the Hungarian Grand Prix and made a big impact on Friday morning at Spa when he lapped the track faster than both his team-mates in the first testing session for the Belgian Grand Prix.

Admittedly, he had done twice as many laps as Olivier Panis and Ricardo Zonta but it was a good performance nonetheless and netted him the 10th fastest time of the session.

But in the afternoon session Briscoe was a hit of a different kind when the Toyota suffered a puncture on the run down the hill towards the daunting Eau Rouge corner. The car spun at around 270kmh, hitting the old pit wall a glancing blow and then sliding on and hitting the barriers on the right of the track.

The car then slewed across the track and went into the barriers at the top of Eau Rouge, although the final impact was a lot slower as the car had been slowed by the fact that after the first impact it had two wheels missing and the chassis was running on the road.

Briscoe was unhurt but the session was red-flagged to clear up the wreckage and Briscoe was sent off to have some x-rays on his arm which was banged against the cockpit in the shunt.

On Saturday, Briscoe was back at the track to continue his attempts to find a drive for 2005.

- JOE SAWARD

You're invited to be part of Australia's fastest growing motor sport

Why not see what it's all about for yourself? Attend a race meeting at your local club and talk to the drivers and crew. There are classes to suit almost everyone from? years to 77 +.

Midgets 7-11 years Rookies 10-12 years Juniors* 12-16 years in TWO weight divisions Seniors* Over 10 classes of varying powers driver weights to choose from. * Other more powerful classes available for experienced racers.

1 September 2004

I over Schumacher. Normally Michael |. would close right up but this time he I didn't. He couldn't.

3 On lap 29 Kimi stopped again but as luck would have it that coincided with Button suffering a tyre failure and spinning into Baumgartner at the top of the hill. The two men were out and so was the Safety Car. Schumacher went into the pits and rejoined in second, the gap to Raikkonen having disappeared.

And then Kimi played his trick with the tyres. There were nine laps to go and Michael looked like he might be able to do something but then Coulthard had a most bizarre incident with Klien and ran into the back of the Jaguar at high speed on the run up the hill. This left more bits and pieces on the road and so out went the Safety Car again and Kimi had to play the same trick again.

There were three laps left and Michael knew he had no chance and so IGmi did the business amid much rejoicing down Woking way where in recent months the reflecting pool has been filled with sweat and tears.

"The whole team has worked so hard to make this win possible," said Norbert Haug."Well done to everyone."

Well done indeed. Miracles don't happen in motor racing but the is an exception to every rule.

Alas, British journalist Bob McKenzie of the Daily Express in London had the cheek to make a loud

I

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remark at the start of the year that if McLaren won a race in 2004, he would run naked aroimd SOverstone and Ron Dennis is intending to make sure that McKenzie keeps his word.

The fact that Barrichello came from dead last to third showed the state of the rest of the field. The Swiss wunderwagens from Sauber scrambled home to fourth and fifth but really the position belonged to Zonta, who spent the whole afternoon colliding with nothing at all until misfortune hit him three laps from the end with an engine failure.

"This was the chance that I have been waiting for, for many years," Ricardo said sadly, knowing deep down that probably he will not find a drive in 2005.

Behind the Saubers came Klien, who survived the rude assault from Coulthard to give Jaguar some points and finally get a score on the board.

Coulthard's took two points and Ranis scraped home to give Toyota the last point.

"We could have scored more," he said.

One had to feel too for Williams, and particularly Pizzonia, who did a splendid job and was heading for third place when his gearbox failed.

Montoya took up the cudgels but he had a puncture and the damage was sufficient to convince technical director Sam Michael to order the car to be parked. And that means that in the Constructors' Championship McLaren is now right with Williams in the fight for fifth.

A

nd what did we leant from all of this?

Formula 1 had shown that there is

nothing much wrong with the sport on a day when Michael Schumacher gets it wrong. We don't need new technical rules. We don't need 2.4litre V8 engines. What we need is decent race tracks and plenty of rain on Fridays and Saturdays. Or perhaps the team bosses might think about cutting back on testing and having qualifying races.

Contact your state's karting office for detaiis The Australian Karting Association Inc For information about karting and how to get started in your Stale or Territory call

1300 30 5270 f;] (1300 30 KART] New Soulh Walei

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Victoria www.vka.asn.au QuwwUnd www.akaqld.asn.au _ Tasmania Soulh Australia Western Australia www.kartingwa.coni.au Northern Territories South Australia Tasmania

51

Kliening up his act; After driving like a poodle for much of his rookie season, Christian Klien actually looked racey on the wide open sweeps ofSpa. Here, he put the hurt on Ollie Panis's Toyota, left.

I coulda been a contenda Zonta was in line for a fourth until the Toyota went kaboom with two laps remaining, below

left.

Maybe I can be another Dirk Klynsmith; After an early shower.

Webber, below, donned a Canon EOS and pretended to be just like bis Aussie hero

Belgian Grand Prix Results 44 laps/306.812km Race Time [ fastest

Lap

1:32:35.274

1:45.108

42

2

Schumacher 1:32:38.406

1:45.593

28

3

Barrichello

1:45.666

43

Pgs j Driver Raikkonen

1:32:39.645

4

Massa

1:32:47.778

1:47.624

29

5

Fisicheila

1:32:49.378

1:46.758

11

6

Klien

1:32:49.888

1:47.509

11

7

Coulthard

1:32:53.244

1:46.579

11

Panis

1:32:53.967

1:47.765

29

9

Trulli

1:32:57.389

1:45.898

9

10

Zonta

41 laps

1:47.576

26

11

Heidfeld

40 laps

1:50.471

40

DNF DNF

Montoya Pizzonia

37 laps

1:46.547

36

31 laps

1:46.740

26

DNF

Button

29 laps

1:47.151

26

DNF DNF

Baumgartner Alonso

28 laps

1:49.031

25

11 laps

1:45.870

26

DNF

Webber

Olaps

DNF

Bruni

0 laps

DNF

Pantano

Olaps

DNF

Sato

Olaps

Drivers’ Championship: M. Schumacher 128, Barrichello 88, Button 65, Trulli 46. Alonso 45, Montoya 38, Raikkonen 28. Coulthard 21, Sato and Fisicheila 18. R. Schumacher. Massa 10. Webber 7, Panis 6, Pizzonia 4, Klien, da Matta and Heidfeld 3. Clock 2, Baumgartner 1.

Constructors' Championship: Ferrari 216, Renault 91, BARHonda 83, BMW.Williams 54, McLaren-Mercedes 49.

Sauber-Petronas 28. Jaguar 10. Toyota 9, Jordan-Ford 5, Minardi 1.

52

Key

Accident

-i © Mechanical failure

O Pit stop

r~l Upped

<D Black Ragged moiorsport news

jj'Jl j' ']3bb3r'.

31GP UJn/y

s

PA is one of my favourite race tracks, but all we came away from Sunday with was a record for my shortest Grand Prix.

1 have to put my hand up and admit it was my fault. There's always potential for a bit of drama at La Source - the tightest first corner in Grand Prix racing - and this time it was my turn.

I got a good start, from grid seven, while Fisi, immediately in front of me, didn't.

There was space on the inside and I was cleanly through, although with a very tight entry into the hairpin.

Out to my left, Rubens took his normal line, which he was quite entitled to do, but I just couldn't quite stop quickly enough to avoid the contact.

I knew the front wing had gone, so was still pressing on up the hill at Eau Rouge in order to get back to the pits quickly for a replacement, but things got worse.

Takuma Sato tried to go around me as we swept through and out onto the straight, but I'd lost my steering and we touched. He wasn't too happy with me but I explained to him that there wasn't too much I could do as I had the rest of the field behind me.

A

ll-in-all we didn't do a huge number of laps over the weekend. We did.

Great start, lousy first corner: Webber dived down the inside of the pack at La Source, only to find Rubens Barrichello on his normal line, left. The wingless Jag R5 made it up to Eau Rouge, where Takuma Sato was in close company. Thereafter, the news was all bad and pretty brief... however, get out early in the very first session on Friday, something which we normally avoid until some rubber goes down.

There was talk of rain a bit later (which didn't come) so we wanted to make sure we got as much done as possible early.

We did get most of the preliminary stuff done and Bjorn (Wirdheim) got a reasonable run at the tyre evaluation, so we ended the day with a reasonably balanced car and a tyre decision made.

B

elgian weather is nothing if not variable - even in the Summer - and Saturday morning was completely washed out so, apart from a brief familiarisation session, we went into a wet qualifying session with not a lot of laps up our sleeve.

And of course, having to start what the forecasters said would be a dry race with the car in 'as-qualified' trim, it wasn't in anyone's interest to stray too far from optimum dry settings.

For once, we'd gone with as light a fuel load as anyone, with a possible three-stop strategy in mind, and a reasonable amount of wing.

I struck a bit too much understeer during the pre-qualifying lap, but we were able to dial most of it out by the time

qualifying itself started.

My lap was reasonably clean, although I touched a white line through Eau Rouge, which upset the balance for a moment or two! However, the lap was pretty smooth through the second sector, which stood us in good stead.

In places, the track could have suited intermediates, but we went with full wets.

A couple of others, notably Renault did subsequently go for inters as the track dried a little more and it worked for them - although by the time the last runners, including Michael, went out, it had drizzled again.

All in all, seventh was a good result and I went to bed on Saturday night optimistic of a reasonable points finish if all went to plan. Unfortunately, it didn't!

A

s you read this, I will be at Monza for the last major test of the year - three days with both cars - as we prepare for the Italian Grand Prix and then the final three 'flyaway' races - China, Japan and Brazil.

There are some new aero things to work with so, as usual. I'm hoping we take a further step forward and can work our way into a good result for the team as the season winds up.

53

litle De

Andrew Jones captured the 2004 Konica M margins at Mallala Motor Sport Park.

GRANT ROWLEY reports on the slugfest th<

I

N every category Brad Jones Racing has tried its hand at, they has dominated.

From production cars to NASCAR, BJR has set the benchmark in Australia. However, the one category that has yielded little in terms of outright wins is Australia's greatest touring car battle, the V8 Supercars.

But at Mallala Motor Sport Park last week in front of a very healthy crowd,Andrew Jones broke the Albury-based team's drought by capturing his and the team's first Konica Minolta V8 Supercar crown.

But the championship was by no means handed to them on a platter.

Going into the finale,Jones, along with Luke Youlden and Owen Kelly were covered by just 15 points. And there were another five who had a

mathematical chance of wiiming the series.

It was too close to call, so fireworks were predicted, and fireworks we got. Within two comers of the first race, Kelly saw his championship bid spin away after a heated clash with Jones.

This left the BOC Gases driver and Youlden to duke it out and it came down to the last race, after which the pair actually ended the series tied on points. Jones though owned two round wins to Luke's zero,so the title went south. Jones admitted that this was his greatest achievement in his motor racing career to date.

"1 guess before this I haven't done a lot and that's being honest," he said.

"In Formula Ford,I won a couple of races and had some pole positions but never really challenged for the championship. This is definitely a highlight for me,it's fantastic."

Youlden went down fighting and probably produced his best performance of the series, boasting a heap of outright speed coupled with some brave and mature driving. In the end though,his consistency saw him level on points with Jones, but place first of the losers.

"We put everything into this car, especially after the disappointments of Queensland," Youlden said.

"I think our performance today showed what we can do with a good Dirk KIvnsmilh

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'O'OUL

by GRANT ROWLEY

GREG Ritter upset the Konica Minolta applecart on Saturday when he scored a solid pole position, his first ^ in any form of V8 Supercar, at Mallala recently.

Ritter wasn't entirely happy with his ex-Winterbottom Falcon AU, claiming that it didn't quite have the balance he wanted, but compared to where this car has been all year in the hands of Brad Tilley, it was a big result for the Jim Morton-run team.

"The car's got a lot of wheelspin, even with green tyres" Ritter said on Saturday.

"I think the three races are really going to be a struggle for tyre wear."

Luke Youlden was the only main championship contender ^ to run though qualifying without a drama.

Youlden claimed that his session was the best in his career and a front row start (which is on the inside at Mallala) was absolutely ideal, not only for the race, but for the championship as well.

All wasn't so rosy for Andrew Jones and Owen Kelly though.

Jones set his fast time, whipped on a new set of bags before the team told him to abort when the water temperature spiked. They later

continued on page 56 motorspon news

liveped

nolta V8 Supercar Series by the narrowest of

.^t went down to the wire in South Australia

kmvBss Round 6 Pds/Nd I 1

60

2

30

Mallala

Dr i ver | car/team | t i me

Greg Ritter Luke Youlden

speed FX Racing Ford Falcon AU

1:08.6251 1:08.6884

3

19

Andrew Jones

Super Cheap Auto Racing Ford Falcon AU Team BOC Ford Falcon AU

4

27

Cameron McLean

Howard Racing/Breakfree Resort Ford Falcon AU

1:08.8012

5

71

1:08.8176

46

Owen Kelly Alan Gurr

Team Fujitsu Ford Falcon AU

6

Holden Young Lions Holden Commodore VX

1:08.8599

7

28

Matthew White

1:09.0199

8

65

9 111

Marcus Zukanovic Mark Porter

Gulf Western/Jayco Caravans Ford Falcon AU Actron Air/PCR Ford Falcon AU Hydraulink Racing Holden Commodore VX

1:09.1547

10 81

Jose Fernandez

Team Fujitsu Ford Falcon AU

1:09.2268

11 70

Alex Davison

1:09.2494

12 300 13 72

Tony Evangeiou Lee Holdsworth

Castrol Perkins Mo^^sport Holden Commodore VX Dexion Racing Ford Falcon AU Smiths Trucks Holden Commodore VX

14 38

Adam Wallis

Warrin Mining & Const Equip Ford Falcon AU

1:10.0599

1:08.7089

1:09.1097

1:09.6244 1:09.6798

15 40

Wayne Wakefield

Greenfield Mowers Racing Ford Falcon AU

1:10.0927

16 64

Tony D'Alberto Grant Elliott

Wynns/GMAC/PPG/IRC Holden Commodore VX

1:10.1183

18 32

Sydney Star Truck & Bus Holden Commodore VX Hi-Trans Holden Commodore VX

1:10.220^ 1:10.3081

19 69

Jay Verdnik Robert Jones

Spies Hecker Racing Holden Commodore VX

1:10.6417

20 83

Aaron McGill

Howard Racing/Dux Hot Water Ford Falcon AU

1:10.6723

21 76

Dean Wanless

Wastecorp Holden Commodore VX

1:10.7507

22 96

Kurt Wimmer

Holden Young Lions Holden Commodore VX

1:10.7754

23 37

Mark Howard

24 56

Kevin Mundy

Howard Group/Weathered Howe Ford Falcon AU Actron Air/PCR Ford Falcon AU

1:10.9042

25 66

Gary MacDonald

Kanga Loader/RLM Ford Falcon AU

1:11.1221

26 91

Gary Deane

Gary Deane Constructions Ford Falcon AU

1:12.1767

found that the impeller in the water pump had given up. Third place on the grid was a lucky escape, Kelly was less fortunate. On his second set of tyres, a flat cost the Fujitsu driver valuable time and he would start from fifth.

Sandwiched between in fourth was Cameron MqLean, who was relatively haptiy.

1:10.8927

considering he collected the pit wall In opening practice.

Alan Gurr qualified sixth, just 0.23s off pole, followed by Matthew White, Marcus Zukanovic, Kiwi Mark Porter and Jose Fernandez, who rued a couple of mistakes on his hot lap.

Castrol's Alex Davison, in his V8 Supercar debut, qualified 11th fastest.

Dirk Klynsmi^Uf

1 September 2004

i,

i

continued from page 54

"He tipped me off," Kelly steamed after his title hopes were all but buried.

car imder us. I'm really proud of the boys who worked hard to get the car as right as possible after Queensland.

We were second quickest in the first practice session which gave us plenty of momentum through the weekend.

"1 don't think I could have driven

Jones quickly got by Cameron McLean,who then became pressured by fast-starter Marcus Zukanovic. On lap four, McLean and Zukanovic tangled,leaving McLean floundering at the back of the field. He recovered to finish 13th.

any harder and we were just beaten by a better package on the day."

The battle for the round win at

Youlden held second until lap eight when Jones began to get racy.

At the Northern Hairpin,Jones set the Super Cheap driver up and pounced at turn seven.

Ritter by then though was already gone and he pushed on imtouched ; for his maiden Supercar victory.

Jones, Youlden,Zukanovic and Matthew White followed, while Jose Fernandez, debutant Alex Davison and Lee Holdsworth took advantage of a late clash with Holden Young Lion Alan Gurr and Mark Porter at

Mallala was easily missed due to the close championship fight, but the winner will certainly not be forgotten. Greg Ritter has not raced a Supercar since Bathurst last year and had never won a Supercar race before, but right now, the Stone Brothers Racing driver heads to Sandown and Bathurst with not only recent miles under his belt, but a very solid KMV8SS round victory.

"Excellent way to blow tlie cobwebs out I guess you could say," Ritter said after his round win.

turn seven. They both fell to finish ninth and 10th respectively.

"With only a couple of weeks before Sandown,I'm really looking forward to it."

Spin, Spin, Spin: Mark Porter got it all wrong when he tried a move on Alan Gurr, above.

Look, it's a Holden: You don't see many in the Konica Minolta Series. Alex Davison debuted for Castro!at Mallala, right. rubber on it time.

Race 2 Reverse Grid (16 laps)

Courtesy of his disastrous Race 1 tilt, Kelly started from the first row and immediately blew the pack away. opening up nearly three seconds on Reverse grid races beenbut a the pack as they crossed the line for contentious topichave this year, The for the championship the first time. But it just wasn't to be the final one for the season proved to wasbattle 'on' right from the green for the young Tasmanian as his car be a relatively tame affair with light. Ritter edged Youlden into turn one and Cameron McLean made a left the circuit again and punctured (surprise, surprise) no Safety Cars. another tyre. His championship tilt Gurr and Robert Jones started from heroic start to slip in front of Jones, was then officially gone. pit lane. Gurr's HYL team,in their who was under immediate pressure Century Batteries driver Wayne haste to change a driveshaft due to from Kelly.

Wakefield grabbed the lead after the clash with Porter, put the wrong Jones and Kelly ran side-by-side l Kelly's demise and raced on set of tyres on the car, and quickly through turn one and most of turn untouched for his first win in 2004. two before the inevitable contact. fled to pit lane to get the correct Porter closed on Wakefield at the end but settled for second,followed by a green-tyred Jones and Kurt Wimmer, who again drove a mistakefree reverse grid race.

ABOUT 15 seconds before the first questions were asked at Ritter was next but played a the post-race media conference at Mallala, Greg Ritter relatively safe race on worn rubber. He received a phone call on his mobile. later rued the decision to used old tyres.

"Hey Marcos, 1 won!" he said to the caller.

"It would have been nice to finish Mr. Ambrose was interested to hear how his endurance co

Race 1(16 Laps)

Greg Speaking

driver fared in the last race, and the new was positive.

Ritter replaced regular Speed FX Racing's driver Brad Tilley at Mallala and the swap netted the team instant results. But the presence of a couple of Stone Brothers Racing employees, including Paul Forgie, clearly aided the rapid pace of the Decinasponsored ex-Mark Winterbottom Falcon AU. The only issue Ritter, below, encountered over the weekend was the size of his driving suit. There was room for two in therel - GRANT ROWLEY '

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in front of Andy in the second race but that wasn't to be. He fooled us with a bit of tyre strategy."

Youlden finished just outside the five and kept a slender two point title lead while Gary MacDonald and Fernandez completed the top eight.

Tony Evangelou was running a promising second until his foot slipped off the brake pedal and onto the accelerator at turn two.

McLean touched Davison off the road while the pair were running sixth and seventh. McLean copped a drivethrough while Davo salvaged another top 10 spot,just ahead of Tony D'Alberto. D'Alberto suffered from an engine misfire all weekend and the youngster battled valiantly with an under-performing Commodore.

Race 3 (33 laps) a better finale and the series Hollywood couldn't have scripted

Dirk Klynsmith

equation was simple. lYhoever

finished in front- Youlden or Jones would win the silverware. After six rounds and 17 races, all their hard work would come down to one 33lap race.

Jones had pole, but Ritter was equal to him off the line. The pair banged doors at turn one and everyone in the pits, the stands and the media centre gasped. Jones ran slightly wide yet held position.

Youlden was right on his tail, and the battle for the ultimate prize was on.

Youlden set up Jones at the end of the back sweeper on lap one and nabbed him through the turns seven, eight and nine. It was a hellish move.

"Luke's move down at the last turn was a cracker," Jones later said.

"It wasn't too bad,I was pretty impressed with it myself," Youlden

laughed.

"I really concentrated on a getting a good exit out of the hairpin and managed to fade him out a little bit.

He tried to come across on me,but I thought'Nah,I'm coming through here'."

Positions at the front then remained static, even after a Safety Car period to remove the beached Jay Verdnik.

On lap 13, Davison locked a brake and made a Castrol-sized imprint on Holdsworth's driver's door at the hairpin which sent McLean and Wakefield ducking for cover.

Davo's stranded car called for another Safety Car. It was a god-send for Jones' tyres as the slow period revived them somewhat.

On lap 21,Jones made the championship-winning move. With great drive out of the Northern molorsport news

I

SUPERCARS kmvBss Rd 6 MALLALA Race 1 Pas I DRIVER I

1 S LAPS Race Time| Fastest On

1 2 3' 4 5 6 7 8

Ritter 18:42.5188 A.Jones 18:44.9557 Youlden .18:48.0003 Zukanovic 18:56.6172 White 18:59.1934 Fernandez '19:0^2873 Davison 19:03.4677 Holdsworth '19:04.3148 19:07.5574 9 Gurr 10 Porter 19:09.4890 11 Mundy 19:10.2915 l'2 D'Alberto 19:13.5221 13' McLean 19:15.5094 14 Elliott 19:16.2886 15 MacDonald 19:21.3209 16 Wallis 19:22.2144 17 Wimmer 19:23.1089

1:09.3399 6 1:09.1'966"'4^ 1:09.4419 3 1:09.8918 4 1:09.8717 11 1:10.2637 10 1:09.9553 4 '1:10.1097 5 1:09.6664 4 1:09.8599 5 1:10.5673 6 1:10.’409l' 1:1p:4537 2 1:10.5363 13 1:10.9828 13 1:10.8130 10 1:10.7746 11’

IS^Evangelou 19:25.4451 1:11.0009' Y 19 McGill '' V9:28.8414' 'Y:iV.4142' 4 20 R.Jones 19:31.8605 1:11.6774 4 21 Wanless 19:32.4729 1:11.5184 6 22 Wakefield 19:46.9647 1:10.2678 5 23 Deane 19:09.3145~ 1:12.6165 4 24 _ Kelly 15 laps'' 1:10.1984 13 1:11.0600 9 25 Howard 15 laps 1:10.9068 5 DNFVerdnik 10 laps

Race 2

Hairpin, he stuck his nose in on Youlden and sealed the deal at turn seven. The rest of the race was mearly a formality.

"I was being as gentle on the throttle and as gentle as I could on the steering," Jones said.

"I was pretty lucky with the Safety Cars. They brought the leaders back to me and from there I had a pretty good reason to work at it."

Ritter led every lap of the race, set the fastest lap on lap 23 and sealed a well-earned round win from Jones and Youlden.

Fernandez finished fourth in the race which guaranteed him a satisfying fourth in the series (one spot ahead of team-mate Kelly). Gurr and White were next across the line.

Champion in waiting: Owen Kelly had an absolute shocker at Mallala, above. He fell to finish fifth in the series.

Equal, but not ideal: Youlden, top, would have been a deserving champ.

Gasp: Below, Ritter and Jones clashed at turn one, sending Jones wide.

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Porter drove a steady race for seventh, which also secured the Team Kiwi driver third overall in the championship.

D'Alberto, Grant Elliot and Wimmer rounded out the top 10 in the last-ever Konica Minoltasponsored race.

Well folks, that's it for 2004. Jones won,Youlden tied and Kelly lost. The KMV8 Supercars will now prepare for their final event at Bathurst's non championship 25 tapper in October.

Points: A. Jones 945, Youlden 945,Porter 877, Fernandez 857, Kelly 830, M. White 827, McLean 725, D'Alberto 714, Elliott 706, MacDonald 660, Zukanovic 629, Wakefield 565, Holdszoorth 560, Gurr 558, Mundy 538, Wallis 533, Wimtner 498, Verdnik 478, Evangelou 468, Hozvard 432, R. Jones 398, Wanless 394, Tilley 393, Scifleet 375, CartzvrigIU276, Caniso 256, McGill 244, Deane 228, Rose 218, Olsen 206, Ritter 184, Beikoffl68, Gordon 144, Yoong 128, Peters 108, Davison 100, Foster 90, Oiven 62, Crick 58,Halliday 51, Voight 40, S. White 30.

1 September 2004

19:05.4101 19:05.7443 19:06.3728 19:08.0657 19:12.0798 19:13.8056 19:22.1572 19:23.0416 19:23.2766 19:25.3297 19:26.7418 19:27.0184

13_ Mundy 14 McLean 15 Zukanovic 16 Verdnik 17 Howard 18 R.Jones 19 Evangelou 20 kelly 21 McGill'" 22 Wanless 23 'Elliott 24 Deane 25 White' DN'FWailis'

19:27.5032 1:11.2616 11 19:2'6.0629 1:10.2612 7 19:28.5913 "i:'l0.9415 ' 8' 19:29.1186 1:11.0596 7 19:33.3152 1:1T5473 5 19:35.5943 '1:11.8784 ~8 19:35.7911 1:10.6849 3 19:45.0772 1:10.1271 9 19:50.2967 1:12.1013 10

1:10.5771 1:10.0879 1:09.8575* 1:10.6319 1:10.1412 1:10.5554 1:11.0332 1:11.0499 1:10.1536 1:11.4021 "lHi.2251 1:10.9382

3 4 I'O 8 9 10 6 7 7 9 7 6

19:52.0696"’ ljVl’.'7920 '14 19:5'2.'9096' 'iTl'l.8616"" 8 20:09.8328 1:12.8063 8 15 laps ' '1:10.5186 12 Slaps' n 1:12.6014' 2

Race 3 1 Ritter 2 A.Jones 3 Youlden 4 Fernandez 5 Gurr 6 White 7 Porter 8 D'Alberto ' 9 ' Elliott iO Mundy 11 Wimmer 12 'McGill 13 "MacDonald 14 Wanless 15 R.Jones 16 Howard 17 Holdsworth 18 Kelly 19 Verdnik 20 ' Wakefield DNFEyangelou DNF Zukanovic DNF McLean DNF Davison DNF Deane

To the champ goes the smelly driving suit: Jones got a champagne bath from series runner-up Youlden, left and round winner Ritter.

1 6 LAPS

1 Wakefield 2 Porter 3 A.Jones 4 Wimmer 5 Ritter 6 Youlden 7"MacDonald Fernandez 9 Davison 10 D'Alberto 11 Holdsworth 12 Gurr

33 LAPS

44:34.9069 1:09.4436' 23 44:38.2041' 1:09.4668 23 '44:41.2322 1:09.5337 _ 3 44:45.0414 1:09.9428^23 44:45'9806 1:'09.93'6'4 24 44:46.5821 'l:09'.8519 23 44:54.1341 1:10.5230 28 44:54.8233' 'l:10.2681 24 ■45:05.3154 1:10.8310 27 45:06.2928 1:10.4035 29 45:06.7553 1:10.8239 S" 45:24.5115 1:11.3676 '6 1:11.1152 21 45:25.2025 6 45:26.0411 '1:11.6734 45:40.0264 1:11.9000 7 32 laps 1:10.9680 22 32 laps 1:i0.7646 5 31 laps 1:09.5928 22 31 laps__1:10.4499 25 30 laps i':'i6.8233 20 25Japs_ 1:11.2735 6 20 laps 1:10.4564 8 18 laps 1:10.7792 7 ■ "12 laps 1:10.6096 _ 5 1:17.2183 2

FORMULA FOR

Rule-maker^ Heart-breaker A CLOSELY-fought and somewhat controversial Round 7 of the Ford Racing Australian Formula Ford Championship was won by Spectrum's Steve Owen at Mallala, South Australia a week ago.

Owen was third in both qualifying and the Saturday evening race, but it was his victory in Race 2 that decisively swung the weekend in his favour and away from early pacesetter James Small.

Small had comfortably been fastest in qualifying and claimed Race 1 from his team mate and title contender David Reynolds. But in the second encounter. Small was shown a bad sportsmanship flag for blocking Owen as they swept through the left-hander exiting the Northern Hairpin. A few laps t later, the black flag was

shown to Small, and while the Victorian stayed out to take the flag, he was excluded from the race, destined to start the final race from the rear.

"I'm not angry. I'm just laughing," reflected Small.

"People have been doing the same thing all year and they decide to do this in round seven? I only drove defensively the first three laps, as the car lacked front-end grip early.

After that, I just drove away."

Owen led from start to finish in the third and final race, the good weekend giving him a small chance of the title going into the decider at Sandown where he will also undertake duties as an endurance driver for Kmart Racing.

"Overall, I'm pretty happy with the way we're going at - the moment, I just A wish I ran like this

from the start," said Owen.

In terms of the title, David Reynolds was able to edge closer to Tim Macrow, reducing the gap from 15 to just seven points. Neither of the two title contenders were able to claim a race win, but they were never far apart at the front end of the pack.

Reynolds took a fine second place overall for the weekend as a result of being runner up in all three races.

Like Reynolds, Macrow's consistency was rewarded with a good haul of points. A fourth in Race 1,followed up by two thirds, got the job done for Macrow, handing him third overall for the weekend.

Another Spectrum to show pace was Winton round winner Jason Liefting. After spinning in a incident with Shannon O'Brien at the start of Race 1, Liefting clawed up through the collect fourth in 1, and was in

second position in the final before an off at the tight Northern Hairpin dropped him down eleven spots.

Brett Francis had a fraught time chasing set-up on his VIP Petfoods Van Diemen. He spent the weekend at the wrong end of the top 10. The Queenslander dropped a bag of points on the lead two drivers in the process, but remains a mathematical possibility for the title, if he ^ j can rekindle his early season pace.

Entering the final round at Sandown, we have an irresistible title showdown on our hands. The two factory outfits will be vying for the title, and, as ever, there will be a host of drivers hell bent on finishing what has been a tough season on a high.

- CHRIS JORDAN Points; Macrow 245, Reynolds 238, Owen 207, Francis 196, D. Fiore 167, Small 140, Washington 128, Liefting 116.

WTOKOHAMA MOTORSPORT From circuit to tarmac, gravel and dirt, Yokohama develop Motorsport tyres to suit your race car.

For professional service and expert advice contact: SA North Terrace Tyres NT Darwin Tyre Service WA Victoria Park Tyre & Brake

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You just can t beat the raw horsepower of Melbourne s other great race - the Betta Electrical Sandown 500, September 10 -12. As Melbourne's only V8 Supercar Championship race, it’s your chance to see the nation’s best fighting it out for vital points. It could also be your last chance to see Brocky chasing a record tenth Sandown win.

And being trackside is the only place to catch all the drama as the Ford and Holden teams warm up for ’the mountain’ in the last lead-up race before Bathurst.

So come along for three full-on days of hardcore racing action. Book your tickets through Ticketmaster7 today.

See all the action: l Ford vs Holden l Skaife vs Ambrose l VB Challenge & Carerra Cup l Formula Fords & Donut King Stunt Team l Historic Touring & Aussie Racing Cars l Peter Brock chasing his tenth title

ELECTRICAL

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INNING a World Championship rally is an achievement, winning that rally twice is noteworthy but to win the same rally three years in a row is exceptional.

Sebastian Loeb has done just that. The French ace took his third straight Rally Deutschland, powering his Citroen into the lead on the second special stage and holding the lead spot the way to the finish to claim his fifth WRC victory of the year.

Rain, mud and fog added to the difficulty of the event, forcing several of the front runners out in spectacular crashes as the crews negotiated the vineyards of Germany's west.

Loeb extended his lead with every stage. At first, he had his team-mate Carlos Sainz to contend with, but after Ford's Francois Duval hunted the Spaniard down at the end of Day 2, it was the Belgian that would prove to be the major threat to over the closing stages.

Duval put up a brave fight but had to settle for second ahead of Sainz.

Loeb's WRC position was enhanced with the retirement of two of his main rivals for this year's title. Marcus Gronholm was eliminated on the first special stage while Solberg crashed his Subaru on leg two in torrential rain. Loeb has now extended his lead in the championship to 29 points.

"A big lead is very important and to win Deutschland is good, because always 1 have a lot of fans here and it's a real pleasure," said the man from just down the road in Alsace.

"From the beginning of the year, we have had a very reliable car but there's always pressure on a rally because you want to fight for victory."

Loeb's crushing 29 second win was in stark contrast to his 2003 Deutschland victory when he had to fight to the wire for a 4s win over Gronholm.

Second place for Duval was a well-deserved reward for his effort in the Focus but the

Belgian believed that it was a win that may have slipped away.

"I'm very happy," said the Ford driver. "It's quite good, but I think I could have won. I lost a minute with handbrake and gearchange problems and then the time I was given for the stage when Solberg crashed was a handicap."

This year's German event was a rally dictated by appalling weather, with many calling the roads 'undriveable'.

Tyre choice was critical for this the first of a brace of asphalt rallies over the next two months, it was correct tyre choice that guaranteed podium positions for Citroen and Ford's Duval.

Duval, Loeb and Sainz ail opted for softer Michelin tyres, allowing Sebastian to keep his nose in the Citroen action at the front. Markko Martin, who finished fourth, was a massive 2m40s off the pace after he chose the same tyre but didn't use as heavy a tread cut as Duval.

By contrast, Solberg opted

for a medium Pirelli ^ compound, which he thought, j would help him in the later, drier stages. The Norwegian didn't get a chance to prove it| F. crashing out during the torrential rain in the early stages of Day 2.

"I'm not feeling too good, and, for sure, the accident wasn't fun, but I'm not too stressed," Solberg said.

"There's a long way still to go in the cfiampionship and we'll be back again in Japan.

We'll be putting on a good show on the gravel, so just , watch us go for the win." ‘ Solberg's crash blocked the stage and there was some consternation from the Ford team about the nominated time given to Loeb and Sainz which appeared to give them a 13s advantage over Duval.

Ford's action in questioning the time drew the wrath of the rally stewards who criticised the team for wasting their time.

Solberg did however cover more ground than Gronholm, who crashed on the first corner of the first stage after losing his wheel. The Finn returned to the rally under the SupeRally system winning the final two stages of the event but the damage to his title hopes appears terminal.

With Gronholm out, it was down to Peugeot's other points-nominated driver Cedric Robert to bring points home for the French team. The Frenchman was in a strong position from the start but slipped to eighth at the end of Day 1. With a stage win on the second leg on Saturday though, Robert made his way

when will I ever get a win?

Duval scored a career-best second place on his favoured surface.

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Not Nissan,just Cedric: Robert was the best of the 307 drivers, the French tarmac ace taking fifth for Peugeot. back up the order to finish fifth ahead of his team-mate Freddy Loix.

The display of attacking driving from Duval on the final day that was one of the real highlights of the rally. The Belgian began the final leg on a mission, setting fastest on three stages eating into Loeb's lead, but the Frenchman responded and while not taking a stage win he did enough to keep Duval at bay.

"I've really enjoyed the -veekend because the weather aid roads were so similar to rafies at home in Belgium," Duval said. "The conditions wer-e very difficult because the Pjads here are unlike anything 5lse in the championship and we've had rain, fog, mud and even a little sunshine."

Skoda's Toni Gardemeister

posted another strong performance in the improving Fabia to take seventh ahead Mikko Hirvonen in what was a pretty uninspiring performance from the Subaru team.

Mitsubishi hopeful Gilles Panizzi was having a reasonable rally finishing the first leg in sixth before crashing on the first stage of the second leg putting him out of the rally. Things were no better for team-mate Dani Soia in the second Lancer WRC after he crashed out on Day 1, ensuring a miserable rally for the team which now starts its self-imposed exile from the WRC from here on.

Citroen has stretched its advantage in the Manufacturers Championship to 29 points over Ford, with

Subaru a further 29 points down and Peugeot fourth, Spaniard Xavier Pons scooped top points in the Production Championship, giving Mitsubishi another Group N win. He headed a trio of Subarus in the hands of Niall McShea, Alister McRae and Toshi Arai with series leader Jani Paasonen fifth.

The WRC heads to the Land of the Rising Sun this weekend for the first WRC event ever to be held in Japan.

There,just eight WRC registered works cars will face a completely new terrain without gravel notes and with limited recce. The field will be supplemented by the Asia Pacific Championship runners on the second and third legs and by a full entry of local competitors.

,3ianiillilef« ’ Mon 4h0i1min57.4s 2 Francois Duval Bel Ford Focus RS | iBiteohaheiR#dt: Bel 4h02m26.5sl 3 Carlos Sainz Esp Citroen Xsara iBMarcIMali 4h0am06js 4 Markko Martin Est Ford Focus RS IWMiShaellgatilMSGB^ ^h04ni3ys; 5 Cedric Robert Fra Peugeot 307 IlSferaldilfe^BaiFrj 4h05in27;5s 6 Freddy Loix Bel Peugeot 307 ~^yentS[neetsaagBel|B4hg6ni03]4i 7 Toni Gardemeister Fin Skoda Fabia IjaPiavifflkandefSIFP 8 Mirkko Hirvonen FinSubaru Impreza |^artfjl[iHtinen1BFiMB4|i08m3^ Drivers' Points: Loeb 76, Martin 47, Sainz 46, P Solberg 44, Gronholm 42, Duval 39, Hirvonen 19, Tuohino 16, Rovanpera 14, Loix 7, Panizzi 6 and Carlsson 6, Robert 4, Paasonen, Companc, Gardemeister, H Solberg and Stohl 3, Ginley 2, Valimaki, Campos, Pozzo, Vovos, Warmbold and Burri l. n Manufacturers' Points: Citroen 125, Ford 96, Subaru 67, Peugeot 65, Mitsubishi 17.

WRC 10 GERMANY

Globalstar Mobile everywhere.

i Chris Atkinson notched up ARC win number iSh^r^^iSmPremier State Rally, j p§ving the way for a tense title showdown m l^&burrrezW!TfHOMSON reports

T

HE Australian Rally Championship is set for a thrilling finale in Melbourne in early October following a barnstorming drive to victory by Queenslander Chris Atkinson in the NSW Premier State Rally last weekend.

Atkinson again proved to be the pace-setter, taking victory in both heats with sheer speed and a fighting tenacity that repelled repeated attacks from his opponents.

The result has put reigning Champ and series leader Cody Crocker under intense pressure heading into the final round in Melbourne next month, with three of his close rivals now in a strong position to challenge the Subaru driver for the title.

Crocker and Neal Bates set the pace on the Eastern Creek spectator stages on Friday night, but Crocker's early lead was short-lived when the cars headed to the forests of the Watagan Mountains on Saturday morning.

Fresh from his foray in the Rally of Finland, Atkinson made a fast start in the forests but was matched by Kangas who was never far behind.

The flying Finn was just 0.2s 62

behind heading into the final two stages of the day when Atkinson was battling a centre diff malfunction.

However, the young Queenslander stumbled on a fix for the problem and he w'as able to take the heat win by just 2.9s.

The second heat saw Scott Tedder loom as a threat to Atkinson, but after leading for the first three stages, the Mitsubishi driver broke a lower control arm and was forced out with two stages to go, handing his Subaru rival the heat victory and the round win overall.

The rally was marred by the high speed crash of Ed Ordynski, who rolled his Ralliart Lancer four times after clipping a bank at more than 160km/h on the third stage of Sunday's heat on the super-fast Watagan Road.

Ordynski was airhfted to Gosford Hospital and was held overnight for observation but was released on Monday morning with bad bruising.

Scott Tedder was the first car on the scene after the crash, as he was when Simon Evans fired off in Tasmania.

"It wasn't nice, we had the corner marked as very fast and when you see the wreckage it is never good,but

thankfully the cage did its job and the cabin was pretty intact," said Tedder.

Ordynski has won the last three NSW rounds of the ARC but was never really in the hunt this time after a sixth on Saturday.

Very dry weather conditions made the forestry tracks powdery and difficult to master, again putting emphasis upon finding the correct tyre choice.

Evans was close to the leaders all weekend,but despite having recovered well from his badly broken leg, the Toyota driver was never really a fuU-on threat to the hardcharging Atkinson and Kangas.

The victory was Atkinson's third from five ARC rounds this year and his fourth, if you count the opening round where he was disqualified for a brake booster irregularity. The Subaru driver's Premier State performance also makes him the first driver to win both heats of a round this year.

"It wasn't an easy weekend," said Atkinson.

"The competition is very high in this Championship. You have really got to push to the limit on every stage, and I don't know whether I am excited or relieved. But no matter

what it is, the feeling is good!"

Atkinson was under enormous pressure from Kangas, who has become renowned for late attacks 01 longer stages. This was particularly notable on day one, when a diff problem reared its head in Atkinson's car when a wire came adrift and made the car's handling erratic.

"Driving with the centre diff problem was just insane, we spun once and nearly went off a couple of times but we were lucky, we managed not to lose too much time," Atkinson said.

"1 was pushing things around and managed to get the right wire to do the right thing and get us going again. My team manager joked that I am a finance major-turnedmechanic."

Kangas was disappointed not to have been able to pull back the time on Atkinson on both days,but was delighted to make his way up the Championship order after a strong performance.

"It's very close," said Kangas.

"I was a little surprised by Cody, it's not his usual pace and he is a fair way behind where he normally is."

The results have set up a tantalising scenario for the final

motorsport news

<

lithn Morns/Mpn

All that shimmers: Kangas, above, continued his run ofgood outings in the Mitsubishi to keep Atkinson honest throughout the rally.

Dark days: The ARC made its annual flirtation with circuit racing under lights at the Creek, left.

ARC Round 5 Premier State Rally H EAT

1

POS I DRIVER I MANUrACTURER| Neil Bliickhourn

round, with four teams striving for the championship win.

While Crocker has consistently scored points at every round,he has struggled with set-up as he did on this rally and has seen his dominance eroded, particularly by the speed of Atkinson and Kangas.

Crocker had no real answers for his struggle in NSW. "I am driving hard as I can, the set up is the same as South Australia so I'm not sure why it didn't work," he shrugged.

"It may be that the tyre choices were wrong."

From aleader Championship of view, Crocker ispoint worried going into his home round after having lost his sizeable lead.

Nevertheless, he was philosophical that while it didn't go his way in Sydney, it could turn in his favour in Melbourne.

"Melbourne's always been a good event for us so that's encouraging," he said.

Dean Herridge had a miserable weekend,struggling to eighth on leg one after breaking a front left strut two stages from home and then being forced out on leg two with two

1 September 2004

punctures in as many stages. With no spare left and 36 kilometres to the service park, the West Australian was sidelined.

a blown head gasket, but the car was repaired for Saturday morning and battled through the day until it again was forced out.

Evans put on a typically determined performance and drove beyond expectations to take third and remain in the hunt with a slim chance

A big effort on Saturday saw the boy from Bega take seventh on Sunday after what has been a shocking debut year for Barker.

Jack Monkhouse was the consistent performer in the privateer stakes, taking a seventh and a ninth and finding the luck that eluded Brad Goldsbrough and Mark Pedder in the battle for privateer honours.

Steve Glenney claimed another win in the Subaru Rally Challenge, moving him closer to Darren Windus and Benni Tirant in the competition.

Just like South Aushalia, the Premier State saw the Atkinsons

at the title given the bonus points in the final round.

Evans was in a brand-new car after the destruchon of his old machine in Tassie, and despite a few harrowing spins he was never too far off the pace.

"We're right there now competition-wise and Melbourne's my home rally," he enthused.

"I'm confident on the roads, although there are some roads I haven't been on before. It's going to

be good."

Neal Bates seemed content to play second fiddle to his mate Simon, slotting into fifth place on both heats to claim fifth for the weekend.

"It would be nice to have a bit more speed but the competition is so intense and there is nothing in it, but it has been a good team performance," said Bates.

The third Toyota of Ben Barker struck problems on Friday night with

rushing to the airport for an overseas rally engagement. The Rally of Japan beckons in the works Suzuki Ignis, posing a very different challenge for the Brothers Atkinson.

This time around they will be joined by Crocker and Herridge, who will be challenging for the Group N category.

The action continues at the final roimd of the championship. Rally Melbourne in the scenic Yarra Valley on October 2.

TIME

1 C. Atkinson/B. Atkinson

Subaru

2 J. Kangas/J. Rabbett 3 S. Evans/S. Evans

Mitsubishi

1h05ml8.5s

Toyota Subaru

1hQ5m45.4s Ih05m58.5s

4 C. Crocker/G. Foletta 5 N. Bates/C. Taylor 6 E. Ordynski/I. Stewart 7 S. Pedder/P. Humm 8 D. Herridge/G. Macneall 9 J. Monkhouse/D. Masters 10 J. Mitchell/J. Neale

1h05ml5.6s

Toyota Ih06m04.9s Mitsubishi 1h06ml3.8s Mitsubishi 1h06m20.8s Subaru Ih06iri43.4s Mitsubishi Ih08m20.8s Mitsubishi Ih09m29.8s

HEAT Z ] C. Atkinson/B. Atkinson

Subaru

56m33.9s

2 J. Kangas/J. Rabbett 3 S. Evans/S. Evans

Mitsubishi

56m40.7s

4 C. Crocker/G. Foletta

Toyota Subaru

56m55.2s 57m39.1s

5 N. Bates/C. Taylor

Toyota

57m40.7s

Toyota Mitsubishi Subaru

58m54.3s 59m36.8s 59m40.5s

6 B. Barker/D. Long 7 J. Monkhouse/D. Masters

8 S. Brand/A. McLoughlin Mitsubishi 1h00m45.8s 9 M^Pedd_^r/T. Feaver 10B. Goldsbrough/D. Moscatt Subaru Ih01m24.0s

Overall Results: Atkinson 41, Kangas 32. Evans 28.

Crocker 24, Bates 20, Barker 8, Ordynski 8. Monkhouse 8, S. Pedder 6. Herridge 4, Brand 4.

Drivers Championship: Crocker 132, Atkinson 126, Kangas 124, Evans 111, Herridge 90, Bates90, Ordynski 82, S. Pedder 70 Manufacturers' Championship; Subaru 368, Mitsubishi 320, Toyota 220.

Globalstar Mobile everywhere.

63

It's a Date,a Date and a Date AFTER months of speculation and kite flying by the World Rally Commission,the calendar for the 2005 WRC has been signed off and it will again see Australia as the final event of the series.

While the Commission has swayed back and forth on the schedule in recent months,it has now not only signed off on next year's calendar, but also for the first time ever it has delivered a fixed schedule for 2006 and 2007.

distinctly different form when it becomes a rule rather than an

experiment in 2005.

In the new format teams will still be able to rejoin, but there'll be a single set of points awarded at the end of the rally and crews that miss a stage will be penalised five minutes per stage.

There will also be new rules governing gravel notes and servicing, with the cumbersome and time-

With a three-year schedule locked in, the commission is hoping to hose down criticism that it has been

consuming flexi-service to be scrapped in favour of a restriction on the number of mechanics on each team.

making policy on the run and introducing ill-considered rule changes.

However despite this, the WRC is destined to get the much-criticised SupeRally system from next year despite strong protests from drivers and teams, although they wUl take a

Following the worrying spate of high speed crashes for both Markko Martin and Fetter Solberg, who blamed a lack of gravel note crews, manufacturer's teams will be able to run one 'safety' car on WRC events next year.

- JON THOMSON

2005 WRC Calendar

Monte Carlo Rally January 20-23 Swedish Rally February 10-13 Rally Mexico March 10-13 Rally of New Zealand April 7-10 Rally of Italy April 28-May 1 Cyprus Rally May 12-15 Rally of Turkey May 27-29 Acropolis Rally June 16-19 Rally of Argentina July 7-10 Rally Finland August 4-7 Deutschland Rally August 25-28 Rally GB September 15-18 Rally Japan Sept 29 - October 2 Tour of Corsica October 13-16 Catalonia Rally October 27-30 Rally Australia November 10-13

ThankyoUy car! Mitsubishi Monk FETTER Solberg's massive high speed crash into a series of concrete tank traps on the Deutschland Rally has led the Norwegian to praise the strength of his Subaru's roll cage and structural integrity.

Solberg and co-driver Phil Mills escaped the accident unharmed, despite the fact that the car was virtually destroyed.

The works Impreza struck five Hinkelsteins (German tank traps) bordering before rolling across the road. Mills was taken to hospital, but discharged the same day.

"The car itself is very good, with the way it is welded and put together. We didn't get one crack in the roll cage or in the welding. Somebody in Prodrive needs a big trophy. It was incredible after an accident like that," said Solberg, above right.

Solberg lays much of the

blame for the crash on the ban on gravel note crews, which were banned in February to save money. But in a move that amounts to an admission that gravel notes are a safety issue, the FIA has allowed one car per team to be used on remaining WRC this year.

Five works drivers crashed in the atrocious weather in Germany.

- JON THOMSON

PRIVATEER Sam Brand found himself in hot water at the Premier State Rally when police stopped his Subaru demanding to know why the car was running without any registration plates.

Brand tried to explain that the car was running on a temporary registration permit but did not have the official papers with him.

The NSW wallopers were not convinced and impounded the car

until he could prove it was legal.

By the time he could retrieve the papers, he was out of late time and his first heat was over.

A big brick bat to the authoritarian NSW Highway Patrol and the fact that they were not close enough to the running of the event to know that no competitor can run until they have proved legal registration to the organisers. Thanks guysl - JON THOMSON

Sam Branded

64

SOUTH Australian tearaway Jack Monkhouse may get his chance to match it with Australia's best in the ARC next year if plans come to fruition.

The 21-year-old is rumoured to be in line for factory assistance from Mitsubishi and a newer Lancer Evo VII for season 2005 after some giant killing performances in his ageing Galant VR4 this year.

Monkhouse, an apprentice toolmaker from Adelaide, has thrown everything at his rallying over the past two years for a crack at the big time, and with assistance from Adelaide transport operator Peter Cochrane, brother of V8 Supercar boss Tony, Monkhouse has been able to compete in all rounds of the ARC this year.

While no-one will confirm the

deal, it is known that Monkhouse has been under consideration by Mitsubishi and is ideally placed to offer strong support in the manufacturer's championship next year.

MNews understands there will be a major shake-up with Mitsubishi team lineups in 2005, with Juha Kangas possibly taking on a Production Car World Championship campaign with Les Waikden if funding can be found.

With Kangas out of the ARC, this will leave Ralliart's new Allan Heaphy-run team with Ed Ordynski as lead driver and an as-yet-undecided driver in the second car.

It is also believed that one leading privateer team currently with Mitsubishi may quit the manufacturer in 2005 and mssibly switch allegiances.

- JON THOMSON

r frisS^VlCTOSlA

ITTER ^

, n Neil BtiHhlmirn

moiorsport news

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Sprint!

Hoosier

AUSTRAyAISl:Jason Crump ! has become a firm favourite to win his first Speedway Grand Prix title after he increased his lead in the series with a hard:earned second place behind controversial 23-year-old Dane Wan Andersen at Gothenburg^ Ullevi Stadium.

Crump now has a 23 point lead in front of fellow Australian Leigh Adams and!

AmeriGan ©regi Haneeck, who ! took fourth place in the meeting Five times world chamipion Tony Ft'ickardsson is fourth with just three rounds remaining in this year's championshiip.

Andersen, riding in just his Il3th GiP, became the lAthi winner of a Grand'Ptix since the series started 1® years ago. It saw him jiuimp eight places in.the series and:has given him a chance of automatic qualification for next year tenily the top eight will be certain of racingi in 2005).

I Crump's event was not all I plain saiing, especially after he was excluded'from iheat 19 after a spill On the first bend in an incident involving: i reigning World'Chaimpion I Niicki Pedersen. i This meant he faced I elim ination but a second I place behind' Adams in heat 66

THE Hoosier WAV is the control right rear tyre for the 2004/05 Proton World Series Sprintcars Championship.

Hoosier's WAV is the softest compound competitors can use, but drivers will have the option of using a harder Hoosier compound if they wish - the WAV is the

Jack of it 22'saw !hiim safely into the semi-finals in the opening:semii, he finished'second to Andersen with PIckaifdssoiii and' Hancock the first two from the Other race.

Ini the final, he darted from gate three but an:early mistake allowed Andersen, who started from'the linside, to move into the lead:, which he hold:for the pemainder of the race to.take the chequeped:flag.

I was iriglht on Andersen's tail a'll the way, and a few tiim es I couilld' of had; a major go to get past," said! Crump, who is chasing: Austraia's first woirldi speedway championshiiip.since 1952.

"However, Rickandssan was in turn just behind me,so in the end; ill decMed;to play it a littlre cautiousand:settle for

the 20'points -- Andersen's not ; a ehaimpionshiiip.threat, so it | wasn't such'a bad situ ation. I Adams'Ghampionship j chase flipundered somewhat with his last place in his semi- : finali, but joint second place i going into the final three meetiings has demonstrated his consistency. %ain Su lliva n,the th ird Aussie competing in the series, survived one : elimination, race but failed to make the main event, ; iniishing third in heat 11. He now faces a real battle to earn automatic qualification for next year as he stands 12th in the overalil standings.

QUEENSLAND Sprintcar driver and World Series Sprintcar sponsor Clem Hoffmans is offering all entrants in the upcoming WSS a chance to randomly win lightweight racing jacks, which he distributes.

Hoffmans will give-away one per round at the WSS drivers’ meeting, where all drivers and teams, contracted or not, are eligible to win.

“I love World Series Sprintcars and really want to support it in any way I can,” Hoffmans said.

“I’d like to do more this year but we’ve got our own car to worry about and that will use up a lot of our budget. I’m happy to be helping out with the jacks though.”

Points; Crump 114, Adams/Hancock 9l;, Riokardsson 89, N.Pedersen 76, Gollob 64,Jonsson 60, B.Pedersen 59, Richardson.59« Jaroislaw Hampel 55, Hans Andersen 48, Sullivan 47.

motorspon news

SPEEDWAY

car Nationals in SA

r

Huge Cash Prize up for grabs

AN exciting new chapter in Australian Sprintcar racing will begin this season when Adelaide's Speedway City hosts the inaugural Smorgon Steel Recycling Australian Sprintcar Nationals with separate events for both 360ci and 372ci Sprintcars.

The three night affair will fire up on Thursday,February 3, when both classes will take to the track for time trials, heats wiU ran on Friday night and the inaugural Nationals champions will be crowned on Saturday.

The event is expected to draw

the best drivers from Australia, America and possibly New Zealand who will be racing for their slice of the $85,000 prize pie up for grabs.

"The Australian Sprintcar Nationals has been created to ensure that South Australian Speedway fans have the opportunity to witness some of the most exciting racing in the country and over time the event will grow into an internationally renowned event," said track co-owner Bob Sincock.

- PARIS CHARLES

on WSSI VIbIsh Jr at PGR? minimum softness allowed in the competition.

Teams expecting to compete in one or more rounds of WSS will need to purchase their tyre from Max Dumesny Motorsport, the authorised Hoosier agents and the tyre will be specially marked for WSS competition.

THIRD generation racer Sam Walsh looks to be jumping up into the sprintcar ranks next summer.

The 17-year-old son of former PCR Sprintcar star John Walsh has been successfully racing karts over the past few years but it looks like, with the help of his dad,Sam will move up into the thundering Sprintcar division.

John has won many Sprintcar features since he started Sprintcar racing back in the late 1970s but over the part five or so years, has kept his own racing quiet while focusing on Sam's karting career.

John said last week that he is trying to get a Sprintcar deal for Sam at Parramatta. If things go to plan, Sam could possibly head across to the USA next winter.

- GREG BOSCATO

Clarke triumphs in the States NEWCASTLE'S Adam Clarke became only the second Australian driver to score victory at Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, when he roared to his second Badger Midget Series victory recently.

It had been over 30 years since Billy Humphreys took the first Australian win way back in 1973 at the Angell Park venue.

The 25-lap Badger main event saw Clarke start out of position 10 aboard his #13 Steve Smith-built Australian powerplant,and from the drop of the green flag he had worked his way into a top three position after six laps.

A handful of laps later, Clarke progressed into second and by lap 10 he used a less than forgiving high line to great effect to move into the lead.

Despite the best efforts from the likes of Aaron Fike and Scott Hatton, they were unable to peg back Clarke's lead as the Australian used the lapped traffic to his advantage and greeted the finish 2.1s ahead of them.

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Earlier in the night, Clarke, above, topped the solid 32car field in time trials setting a lap of 14.800.

This was Clarke's second Badger Midget series win, his first being back in August 2002 at Powercom Park, Beaver Dam,Wisconsin.

-DANIEL POWELL

Tatnell takes Outlaw Sprint Series SYDNEY'S Brooke Tatnell and carowner Court Grandstaff continued their successful 2004 season by wrapping up the O’Reiily/NCRA Outlaw Sprintcar Series for the third year running, recently.

Tatnell sealed the series in the final round at Jetnnore Motorplex, Jetmore, Kansas, the venue where he scored his one and only WoO victory for Australia last year, with a hard-fought third place finish in 30lap main event behind winner Shane Stewart and Chad Kemenah.

Throughout the O'Reilly/NCRA series, Tatnell, 33, was a model of consistency and scored two wins. n It was announced at the recent Knoxville Nationals that the 2005 Outlaws Downunder will be a World of Outlaws pointscore event.

The January 13-15 Parramatta City Raceway meeting will be the opening pointscore event of the 2005 WoO series, with interest amongst the American drivers for the Australian event very high. n In the off season. Grant Tunks's 410 motor was sent away to the US for a complete rebuild and is now back home and fitted to the #54 Maxboy machine.

Tunks intends to run the full PCR season and the team is also putting together a 372 cubic inch motor so he can compete in the 2005 Classic, Australian Title and the annual Easter Trail. n Parramatta City Raceway practice this Saturday (September 4) has been cancelled.

Refurbishments to the pits are the cause of the cancellation but practice scheduled for all speedway divisions on Saturday 11 will still run.

The opening meeting for the 2004/05 summer will be held the following Saturday night (18th) with Speedcars, Late Model Sedans, Fender Benders and Junior Sedans on the program.

The 410 Sprintcars make their summer debut on October 23 with Speedcars and Fender Benders sharing the card.

- DANIEL POWELL/ GREG BOSCATO

Hoosier Tire Austraiia 2004 WORLD OF OUTLAWS CHAMPIONSHIP Australian Distributors for

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NSW:02 9679 1990 l Fax 02 9679 1187 VIC-03 9331 6477 l Fax 03 9331 7444 SA- 08 8332 0800 l Fax 08 8364 0296 1 September 2004

BILLINGS MOTORSPORT PARK 21/8/04 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

.. .Steve Kinser .Danny Lasoski . .Donny Schatz . . .Kraig Kinser . .Joey Saldana . .Daryn Pittman .Craig Doilansky .Jonathan Allard . . .Tim Kaeding . . . .Tim Shaffer

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2004 STANDINGS TO 2X/8/04 1. Steve Kinser ., 2. Danny Lasoski .

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6794 6717 6452 6416 6382 6316 6185 6137 .6053 5925

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67

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DON Schumacher has broken ground on a new 100,000-square foot, US$5 million facility in Brownsburg, Indiana, that will house his NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series racing teams.

The building is set for completion in February 2005.

The new building will have room for 14 semi truck transporters, engine shops for Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Bike, a full fabrication shop, a full machine shop, plus all of the Don Schumacher Racing administrative offices, conference facilities, fitness, and break rooms.

In other Schumacher Team news, the Wonder Wagon design of the Funny Car that Don raced in 1973 will adorn the third team car with driver Johnny Gary next weekend at the 50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.

Schumacher, the 1970 U.S. Nationals Funny Car champion, debuted the original Wonder Wagon, with the familiar colorful balloons and yellow paint scheme of Wonder Bread at the 1973 U.S. Nationals.

The car was considered the most aerodynamic car of its time, and was equipped with safety innovations, such as a roof-mounted escape hatch and side windows, technology found on today’s floppers.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI ^I

IVIIKi Oastellana drove to his seGond AWS Staff Leasing Pho Mod Ghallenge win of the '04 season in IVIemphls, stoppingi fellow New Yorker, Mike Ashley in the final round two weeks ago.

In the final, Castellana made a sharp move toward the I centerline but steered away to post a winning 8.57/113, which was enough to stop Ashley, I who shook the tyres and j crossed the centerline, I disqualifying himself.

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PERSISTENT rain forced the IHRA to postpone the final eliminations of the Sunoco World Nationals presented by PPG Auto Refinish last weekend.

The event has been rescheduled to Saturday, October 9.

Australian Andrew Cowin, making his competition return in the US, qualified for the Top Fuel field on his first pass of the event.

Cowin's dragster stopped the timers in 4.96s at 265mph on a clicked-off pass. Rain cancelled the

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on Saturday morning, only to have the car shake the tyres and open the parachute just past the 60 foot timers.

He is scheduled to square off with Milan winner Louie Allison when racing resumes.

Clay MiUican heads the Top Fuel field with a 4.65/310. Cowin's 4.96 stands seventh.

One round was completed in Alcohol Funny Car and first round of Pro Stock was partially completed, however the Top Fuel and Pro Modified fields have not yet started eliminations.

Extreme

second session and Cowin came back

Castellana's Western Beef/Awsome Motorsports '68 Camaro qualified for the event in the second position with a 6.217226 blast.

Early round 6.30/225 and 6.26/226 wins over John Scialpi and team-mate, Shannon Jenkins, sent Castellana into the final.

Ashley took his supercharged '68 Mustang Shelby GT to earlier wins over Richie Stevens and Tommy Gray.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI motorsport news

I

More JD for Everybody

own

David‘Osfaf?.c\iski

FRESH from Brett Steven's recent crowing as the Australian Top Doorslammer Champion, Jack Daniel's Racing is set to announce the addition of a new car to its Doorslammer line up - for Stevens's wife, Kath.

Kath Stevens will debut the team's new '63 split-window Corvette at WSID next month after the car was successfully tested at Willowbank a couple of weeks ago.

Kath, 27,(who met Brett when she asked him to sign a poster at a race a few years ago!), is not a complete stranger to motorsport, having taken four wins from five starts in the Queensland Mud Bash Derby.

She has also been nominated twice for Young Australian of the Year, and was a recipient of an award for Meritorious Conduct after rescuing a mother and young child from an overturned vehicle.

She now works alongside Brett for the race team, where she oversees the administrative and merchanidsing side of the operation.

The new car will be officially launched a week prior to the season-opening round at 'the Wizard' on September 24-26.

- MARK GLENDENNING

Shannon Jenkins's 6.24/226 leads the Pro Mod field into eliminations.

Rick DiStefano is second at 6.26/227, with A1 Billes and Harold Martin

rounding out the top four. BUly Harper made the show in the 16th and final position with his 6.37/223.

Before returning to Norwalk,The IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series will contest the Amalie North American Nationals in Epping, New Hampshire,September 10-12, and the Presidents Cup Nationals in Budds Creek, Maryland,September 24-26.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

Dirk Klynsmith

Use of Force D,wiriOf!las7.cwfl<i

1 September 2004

JOHN Force captured the O'Reilly Mid-South NHRA Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park two weeks ago, notching up his 113th career victory.

Force thundered to his fourth Funny Car win of the year when he guided his Castrol GTX Start Up Ford Mustang to a 4.90s, 308mph win over Tim Wilkerson, who lost traction, headed for the guard wall and shut off early, slowing to a 5.10 at 252.

In Top Fuel, Larry Dixon's Miller Lite dragster covered the quarter-mile in 4.66s at 311 mph in the final to defeat the Jesse James/Mac Tools dragster driven by Scott Kalitta, which lost traction and coasted to a 7,05 at 121. The victory was the

35th of Dixon's career, tying him on the all-time Top Fuel win list with 'Big Daddy' Don Garlits.

Jason Line recorded a final round 6.80s at 201 mph in his KB Framers Pontiac Grand Am for his third career Pro Stock victory, stopping final round opponent, Dave Connolly, who posted a 6.87 at 198 in his Bullet Motorsports Chevy Cavalier.

In Top Bike, Antron Brown scored his first victory of the season aboard his U.S. Army Suzuki when first-time finalist Matt Smith left the starting line early and fouled out on his Red Line Oil Suzuki. In the final.

Brown recorded a 7.26s at 182 mph compared to Smith's 7.42s at 175mph.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

RAG RACING

New Stock ANDRA has announced sweeping changes to Pro Stock body regulations, intended to keep the class current and encourage the use of local body styles.

Since the inception of the class in the 1970s, cars have been required to use standard steel body shells, with removable panels replaceable with fibreglass or composites. In recent years, this has made it harder to utilise US cars, as the class there has progressed to composite 'spec' body shells.

Moves by ANDRA during the last decade to encourage the use of local bodies have been hampered by the fact that most US cars are actually smaller now because they are based on compact models and there's a preference by some local teams for US chassis.

Tailoring a 'production' US chassis to fit a local body is cost-prohibitive and the preference for smaller crosssections is understandable.

Effective immediately, use of NHRA 'spec' bodies and/or those employing front overhangs beyond current ANDRA limits, up to a maximum of 45 inches (1145mm), will be accepted.

Also, the use of fibreglass/ composite body shells, complying with minimum/maximum dimensions established by ANDRA, will be permitted for specified Australian bodies in Pro Stock, Further, engine location criteria accommodating current NHRA engine fitment (rear axle centreline to bellhousing face) will be adopted.

A number of teams are anxious to update and the changes will deliver the certainty they need to move forward. ANDRA believes priority should be given to getting Australian cars into the category. With standard dimensions, Commodores, Monaros and Falcons are 3 to 4 inches wider and 2 to 3 inches higher than the standard versions of popular body styles in NHRA Pro Stock. The changes will permit teams to develop local body styles that compare favourably with US models in terms of frontal area.

A set of minimum and maximum measurements covering height, width, length, wheelbase and other relevant dimensions will be issued in late September. n Pete Berner was crowned the Champion of the Sunoco Pro Stock Shootout during the 27th annual IHRA Sunoco World Nationals at Norwalk Racevyay Park last weekend.

Berner defeated defending event champ Frank Gugliotta in a rematch of last year's shootout finale.

Having never won an IHRA event, Berner used a quicker reaction time in the final to hold off Gugliotta, 6.608/210 to 6.609/212.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI/STAFF 69

naMonal Duking in Dubbo scene

MATTHEW Wall went from last to first in the Formula A final at round four of the Sparco Australian CIK Championships at Dubbo recently.

Starting off the front row, Wall, above, was bumped back to last at the beginning of the race. BireTs Daniel Elliott and Nick Lowe took command,but both succumbed to mechanical problems and failed to finish. This left Jason Hryniuk (CRG), Wall(Arrow)and championship leader Barclay Holden (Trulli) in a

Grant Bowley

Ashley Walsh taking yet another win in the final. Top Kart's Paul Laskazeski put Walsh (Trulli) under pressure by winning the heats and pre-final but contact put him to the rear of the field during the final. A great recovery saw Laska charge back to second ahead of WA's Deepal Kandola.

three-way fight for the lead. Wall taking top spot when the other two touched with two comers to go.

Earlier, Holden had qualified fastest before taking a back seat in the heats which were won by Jason Bums(Redspeed) and Elliott. Despite his DNF,Elliott's pre-final win moves him two points closer to Holden in the championship chase with just one round to go.

The result of Intercontinental A

Kristian Lindbom (Top Kart) stretched his lead in Junior ICA but had to settle for second behind Amrit

was no different to any other round.

Kandola,above right, in the final.

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Taking a career-first CIK win, Kandola had earlier qualified fastest.

Jake Williams(TruUi) was third.

It was a similar situation in Intercontinental C. Championship leader Bart Price(Arrow)kept the points rolling with second, but was defeated in the final for the first time this year. CRG's Matthew Sofi scored a dominant win,leading all the way.

Scott Harrison (Arrow) held on for third.

-MARK WICKS

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Hart and Morcombe retain Queensland State titles

by MARK JONES THE Queensland Racing Drivers Association hosted the fourth round of the Queensland State Championships at Morgan Park on August 28/29 with a record entry of 190 competitors filling the paddock and a good crowd to watch the 40 event programme.

Two state champions retained their titles. Two dominant drives by Shane Hart(Bee Cee Jabiru) to win 70

the Formula Vee races secured his title finishing ahead of Scott Andrew (Spectre) with Matthew Mackledon the third 1200cc Vee home, behind the 1600cc cars of Grant Bromley (twice) and Ross Loudon (once).

Steven Morcombe is again the Production Sports Car Champion after taking a third and a second in the Sports Car races, but still trails in the Sports Car championship to Peter Saunderson's Supersports Radical. Grant Watson won both races in the Prosport Mulsanne.

David Skillender (RX7) won a pair of dramatic Improved Production races upset after a clash in the first race between race leaders and title protagonists Justin Keys (RX3) and Stephen Thompson (RX7) put Keys into the wall under the bridge.

A nasty accident saw Natasha Wall broadside the earthbank just past the bridge in the first HQ race. Gary Bonwick took both races on his return to the category with Paul McCahon and Dion Cidoni sharing the seconds in

their title fight.

Carlo Chermaz(PVP 250) took home the Superkart trophies with Mark Maczek (Anderson 250)second in three of the four races. John Hedges and Bob Roberts shared 125cc honours, with Jason Smith and Russell Jamieson doing likewise in the 80cc class.

A pair of wins to Josh Brown now has him leading the Historic Touring Car points with Kevin Heffernan, Simon Phillips and Bruce Dummett completing an Torana XU1 quadrella in both races. motorsport news

1

Perkins Jnr in Aussies?

by GRANT ROWLEY JACK Perkins,son of six-times Bathurst winner Larry, could be a starter in the 2005 Aussie Racing Car Series.

Perkins Jr, who is currently completing his last year of high school, will contest next season's Victorian Formula Ford State series in a self-prepared Van Diemen RF92. He may complement his open-wheel

racing with duties behind the wheel of one of Phil Ward's V8 Supercar look-a-Uke Commodores,dressed appropriately in Castrol Racing colours, similar to an artist's impression, right.

Perkins was non-commital about his planned ARC attack, although Castrol have indicated that they are keen to enter the young Victorian.

"It's on the cards," Jack told MNews.

"If it was a five-point plan, we'd

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If the Castrol/Perkins deal comes off, it will be the second major V8 Supercar team to invest young talent in the series. Garry Rogers Motorsport are entering one, or possibly two, Valvohne-livered VY Commodores in next year's championship.

have one point covered at this stage."

Perkins also noted that an advantage of doing the ARC championship would be the fact that he would gain valuable experience on most major national race circuits, as well as the exposure benefits.

New Kart Conquers

A NEW brand of kart was officially unleashed onto the race tracks of Australia at the City of Melbourne Titles on August 22.

After several months of testing, the Phoenix Karts team made its public appearance in Melbourne and celebrated with a first-up win, Jace Lindstrom earning victory in Clubman Heavy.

Having qualified 10th, Lindstrom worked his way up the field to beat Rick Pringle and fastest qualifier Ciint Cathcart to the title. Lindstrom also picked up second in Rotax Light, a class in which former South Australian Reif Corbett drove brilliantly for the win.

Nick Parker made the Formula Australia Pro honours his by executing a huge last lap move on Andrew Mecuri.

David Prescott picked up the coveted Clubman Light title, assisted by a huge accident which eliminated a large portion of the field.

Victories also went to Mark Dorbolo (Junior National Heavy), Ben Lincoln (Rookies), Phil Straughen (Over 40s), Jason Holding (Rotax Heavy), Joshua Hughes (Junior National Light), Andrew Budge (Senior National), Jordie Lindstrom (Junior Clubman) and Jordan Ford (Midgets).

- MARK WICKS .*

AUrkJlMes

Ben McIntyre

Win on debut; The Phoenix Karts Team celebrated its maiden race meeting with a victory.

Open Lakeside

Campbell Crowned

THIS Saturday(September 4) at Lakeside Raceway,there will be an open meeting for all interesting in racing at the Brisbane venue.

Racing has not been held since the circuit was purchased at auction by Pine Rivers Shire Council, but development of the site has not occurred after the circuit received a Heritage listing.

Those who arrive at the circuit before midday will have the opportunity to walk a lap of the circuit to view the condition of the track.

-MARK JONES

A head on collision blighted the second Gemini race with Barry Tanton, Rebecca Dawes and Paul Bryan all involved.

s;

John Eddy took both wins in

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close battles with Nick

Rangeley.

Two wins for Troy Hoey will see the Saloon Car title go down to the wire with a pair of second going to Nick Laracy ahead of Jon Beikoff in an unusual for Queensland 1 September 2004

Holden trifecta.

Derek Pingei (F4000 Lola T86) and Shannon O'Brien (Van Diemen RF03)took a win each in the Racing Car events.

9-

LAST month, the Supersport and Sports 1300 Nationals were held at Eastern Creek, with Queenslanders taking away the iion’s share of awards.

The result of the Supersports went to a recount after three drivers all scored the same points.

John Campbell was awarded the National Championship after winning the final race from Grant Watson and Neil Kenny with Peter Saunderson only a few points behind.

Two seconds and a first were enough for Ash Lowe to claim the Sports 1300 crown after Dave Barram had a suspension failure while heading for a third win.

- MARK JONES 71

Emery^ VS Debut D THERE were no teething problems for Commodore Cup gun Geoff Emery at Round 7 of the RDA Rotors Series at Mallala, the defending Champion debuting his VS Commodore in exemplary fashion to take both races with relative ease.

The Race 1 win went to Emery after overheating difficulties overcame polesitter Andrew Mclnnes, also in a VS, dropping him to sixth. Mclnnes recovered in Race 2, taking third place, despite trading the rear bumber of his VS for the majority of the race.

Emery's victory was the first for any of the newer VS model vehicles since their inception into the category earlier this year. Indeed, Race 2 may be the turning point in the swing towards the newer cars in the series.

with four of the top five drivers steering VS models.

Brett Holdsworth was stUl able to show that the more mature VH

models have plenty of potential by grabbing a pair of second place finishes, leap-frogging the absent Christian D'Agostin for second in the championship in the process. David Gittus had a terrible time of it, failing to add to his points tally after losing an engine in Race 1, and failing to make the grid for Race 2.

Emery and his challengers will have to wait until the Symmons Plains V8 Supercar round in November to see the title decided, with three races recently announced for the Commodore Cup Series' return to Tasmania.

-CHRIS JORDAN Points: Emery 688, Holdsworth 557, D'Agostin 522, Gittus 502, Mclnnes 477,Pana 471.

Fans Outrles

A MAJOR fireball drew an early close to the latest round of the Supertruck Nationals at Barbagallo Raceway recently.

Rodney Crick, who picked up one race win after experiencing mechanical dramas in the early part of the weekend,could do little when his truck exploded into a frightening ball of flames midway through the last event.

Daniel Bajema took out the round honours by only two points in Perth, which was his first-ever round victory.

Bajema held off a late charge from Hydraulink Racing's truck debutant Nick Ross from New Zealand.

Steven Zammit and Shaner Little scored the co-driver race wins.

Meanwhile,Kerry Wade slaughtered his opponents in the Street Car class, while Cameron Edwards claimed his usual Formula Vee hat-trick.

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Clint Harvey was another to dominate. Harvey won each race in round four of the CSA Alloy Wheels Australian Saloon Car Series.

In the HQs,Tony James, Mark BertelU and Craig James shared a victory a piece.

Fiore brothers Paul and Todd grabbed one win each in Formula Ford, but Mark Douglas ensured there would be no Fiore cleansweep by winning Race 2.

In Sports Car, Marque Sports and Sports Sedans,local Tony Ricciardello took three impressive wins and was followed by Claude Giorgi in each heat.

In the Truck World Mack Historic Touring Car Challenge,Peter McLean was too good in his Torana XU 1, while in other Historic and Sports Car races, Daryl Hansen, Rob Poynten, Neil McCrudden,Gregory Eastwood, Ed Farrar and Glenn Swarbrink all scored a victory each.

AT a track where the locals prove very hard to overcome, West Australian Kerry Wade put in a remarkably fine performance to take a clean sweep of Round 5 of the CSA Alloy Wheels Saloon Car Series at Mallala Motorsport Park.

In an oversubscribed field of 43 cars, Wade took pole and won all three hard fought races, shadowed in each race by a host of quick locals headed on all three occasions by Shawn Jamieson.

Peter Holmes claimed third overall for the meeting, just ahead

Pocket Rockets THE pocket rockets of James Sutton and Adam Allan fought it out hard and fast at Mallala recently, with Sutton's Mazda R100 taking the honours with two race wins.

Not to be outdone, Mallala local Allan drove his Datsun 1200 to the win in Race 2, the

Start line drag to turn one being the deciding feature in all three encounters.

Australian Champ Ray Hislop (Falcon EB GT), Mark Short (Datsun 120Y) and Leanne Ferrier (Mazda RX7) all took turns at the third step on the podium, - CHRIS JORDAN

Braune in SA

in Race 1, after Paul Stubber's Chev Camaro slowed out of the lead with braking problems.

Braune then won Race 2 when both Vanderkamp and the recovering Stubber were halted by gearbox gremlins. Braune then lead the third race from start to finish, with Stubber second, and Vanderkamp third.

-CHRIS JORDAN

LOCAL driver Robert Braune took victory in the Bryant Concepts SA Historic Touring Car Cup at Mallala, his Charger proved a fast and reliable package over the weekend.

Braune came in second to the Falcon XY GT of Rob Vanderkamp

motorsport news

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of Kevin Weeks, followed by John Goodacre, who put a firm grip on third in the series in the process.

Despite a DNF in Race 3, Clint Harvey was able to claw his way into the equal championship lead by virtue of his fifth placing in the first two races. Harvey and Luke Norris will now wait to fight It out for the crown until the final round at Phillip Island on November 27th.

- CHRIS JORDAN

IRISH collector Rob Sherrard made an impact of the ninth annual Leybum Historic Sprints, with three of the vehicles fielded in the top four positions.

The tiny town of 150 people swelled to 100 times its size for the sprints and played witness to Sherrard's Ford GTO, below left, driven by the cars preparer and former Bathurst endurance driver Wayne Park, who set the weekend's fastest time with a 41.80. Sherrard himself was second, driving a former Group B rally Ford Escort RS200 supercar,above, with a 42.11. Sherrard also had his newly acquired ex-Brock Nations Cup Monaro there, and it recorded a time good enough to be fourth fastest in Park's hands, although it wasn't an official competitor. Third fastest was Darren Barnes's very rapid GTi-R Nissan Pulsar.

Rally star Chris Atkinson choppered in to the event to drive Sherrards RS200 after only just arriving home from Rally Finland, while team Orrcon racer Mark Winterbottom got some time in an XY GT Falcon.

Defending Champion Ray Vandersee debuted his new car, a self-built road registered Honda S2000-based special, the Skelta G-Force, and recorded times, in a much stronger field than last year, good enough for seventh fastest. Brad Stratton in the 1962 Elfin Mallala was a ninth fastest.

The South Queensland Institute of TAFE, through their motorsport course, supported the slowest,but one of the most popular cars in the only Group J entry, a 1922 Wikner Ford Specia,above right,(driven by Doug Partington). A big field of over 10 Group K cars saw fastest time recorded by NeU Corbet(Ford V8 Special).

-MARK JONES

He/fa Skelta: Ray Vandersee debuted bis Skelta C-Force, above, while Warren Luff steered a Ford Cortina, below.

Points: Luke Norris 363, Clint Harvey 363, John Goodacre 320, Matthew Loveii 275, Kerry Wade 248, Grant Johnson 236.

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Ouch! Corollover

LAUREN Gray escaped relatively unscathed from a flip that any Olympic gymnast would be very proud of.

Gray, a regular in the Australian Production Car Championship, had a minor collision with BMW driver Geoff Bowes at the recent round of the Victorian Motor Racing Championships at Calder Park Raceway. The contact with Bowes tipped Gray’s Toyota Corolla over a ripple strip on its

roof. Gray emerged with a couple of bumps and bruises but the same could not be said for her little Corolla.

In the other races, a large group of Holden HQs entered and from the five races four different winners emerged.

Michael Fitzgerald, Mario Gaffiero and Michael Hibbert won a race a piece, while Peter Brown took two wins.

Derek Dentry dominated the

small field of Under 2 litre Sport Sedans, while Rod Smith in his ex-Glenn Seton El Falcon, right, did the same in his Sport Sedan class.

Andrew Morris claimed pole position in Improved Production and also snared two race wins.

James Atkinson and Neil Anderson were other victors, in the openwheel class, John Connelly and Mark Samson shared the wins. '

Keeping it on all fours: Smith, above, did exactly what Gray didn't do, top.

Series sealed fer Searle and Spychala

by MARTIN VAN REE

fiULFwcmein

rseil nammond

Neil Hammond

Champion with a round spare: Joel Spychala, above, has wrapped up the NSW FFord series, while Luke Searle, top, is the inaugural TCC winner.

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Round five of the NSW State Road Racing series headed to Goulbum's Wakefield Park recently with racing in 10 categories, plus the final round of the Gulf Western Oils Touring Car Challenge.

Despite claiming a round victory on home turf, Garry Wilbnington in his V8 Supercar fell three points short of Luke Searle in his BMW 318i Super Tourer for inaugural series honours.

Joel Spychala has wrapped up the Scooteria Formula Ford Championship after another: dominant performance. The boy from Timcurry headed to Wakefield with a 48-point buffer and it came as no surprise when he snuffed out his rivals' hopes.

"It's a major relief to capture the championship, it's always good to achieve your goals. At the start of the year we only had one aim and that was to take out the NSW championship," the delighted 21year-old said.

Meanwhile, Michael Kinsella had another perfect weekend in Formula Vee. He qualified quickest ahead of a strong field of 25 Vees and went on to win all three races, recording the fastest lap in each.

Derek Bailey's Nissan 300 ZX was again the quality of the Sports Sedan field. Steven Shiels' VL Commodore and

Mark Smith in the Gemini Coupe took the minor places in the Trophy Race.

It was the usual suspects at the head of the Combined Touring field in the final with Barry Stembeck leading home Michael Barbara and a delighted AUan Marin.

The final race of the day for the HQs produced a tight finish when Ken Wright, Mathew Haly and Brad Lowe flashed across the line separated by just 0.2s.

The big banger Improved Production final was won by Warren Rush in the RX 7, with Gavin Wilson taking the final race for smaller (under 2-litre) cars.

Race 1 for Production Sports Cars on Saturday produced a rare dead heat when both Iain Pretty in the AC Cobra and Anthony Skiimer (Porsche GTS) were credited with exactly the same race time. Skinner did things more comfortably in taking the trophy race.

Ryan Morrow and Chris Barry won the Clubman and AF2 trophy races.

The final round of the NSW championships is scheduled for September 25 and 26 at Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway. motorspon news

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As used by cop touring car. speedway & drag racing teams. ».080" wall chrome moly ● available in Yu." & %" diamet * .050" length steps from 6.00" to 10.00"

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p:03 9357 0469 f:03 9357 0001 visit^ui^ebsite^^www^crowcams^cotrL^

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Melbourne Trulli Dealer: Melbourne Kart Centre 03 97692M3 ^45 Sinclair Road Dandenong VIC www.mkcracwg.com.au

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molorsport news

MARKET PLACE

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Full range of racing fuels and lubricants: National Office Hi-Tec Fuels Ry Ltd 02 4659 6396 VIG Race Fuels Ply Ltd 0419 511 517 SA. Performance Fuels SA 0414 540 886 OLD; Elf Racing OLD 07 3269 6823 TAS; Devonporl Performance 03 6427 0700

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l Accurate, Repeatable, Versatile l Take manual control or hands-free l Local design, support, development, installation and on-site training l Top names demand top equipment(use5 inc NIZPRO, HSV, HRT & John Sidney Racing) l Engine, chassis, go-kart or motorbike For Infermstion and a

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Remarkable Windows of Opportunity for Engine Experts

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Phone: 0407951990 Email: rpmsd@bigpond.com

^^Race Clutch Our name says what we do

● Enhance braking performance

2008 expiry, lightweight buckle, 3" webbing, clip in ends Black, Red, Blue 5 point - $539 l 6 point - $579 FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY

Tel: 02 9709 4655 for Dealer Info.

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Aust 5tandard 4 point belts fr $145

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V

Official Australian Distributor Quantun Racing Industries

p 07 3290 5911 f 073290 5933 www.qri.biz motorsport oews

CLASSIFIEDS

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Classifieds online classifieds

Find hundreds more race vehicles and parts for sale at www.my105.com

SEU

fram jast $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

Fresh engine, close ratio gearbox, adjustable front and rear shock absorbers, full roll cage, sport 190 engine spec, just rebuilt, 1 set of spare wheels, terratrip, ready for Targa, excellent buy. Priced to sell. $55,000. Mark 9838 8374 (bh) / 0408 976 958.

IT’S THE SMART WAY TO SELL YOUR EQUIPMENT! Sport Sedan

292

292

www.myl05.com/55980 Sedans/Sports Cars

2002 Tanzam Corvelle 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 ). $125 000 aus with free shipping to east coast Australia. $125 000 with spares. Peter 0064 3963 1381- fax 0064 3366 0133. www.mylO5.com/1026

ED Falcon Xr6 Sportsedan/club car, ed falcon sportsedan ex peter jackson display car was converted to a 6cyl manuei for club events it has a sportsedan log book 3.45 fioatin diff bilstein shocks a very good training car good to learn in very simlar to a falcon saloon car its turn key ready. $8500 292 ONO. George 0393596066. www.myl05.eom/32210 2E Nissan Bluebird, 2E Nissan Bluebird, eng in bits, Konis, Platforms, motor, alloy cage, log book, painted inside and out, good 292 car. $10,000. Jim 9938 3730. www.my105.com/68821

1 September 2004

1996 VS, 308, bennet alumlnuim heads, Richmond T10, Harrop Brakes, Motec injection. Laptop, Trailer, and spares. 440hp engine, gearbox, diff, all rebuilt. Always came 1st or 2nd in all series it has competed in.

Phone Mark 0409 846 717, 08 8284 8087 or papendellsent@adam.com.au. $45,000 Not Neg. Mark 0409 846 717 / 08 8284 8087.

www.myl O5.com/12291

w HQ Racecar, Rebuilt engine and gearbox, new suspension. Heaps of spares, good condition. $4,500 ONO. Stephen 02 4947 9413 / 0407 905 039.

292 www.myl05.com/87124

Mk II ESCORT, Incomplete Project. Clean straight shell. Fully seam welded and guseted. 5 link rearw/coil over shocks. Fully adjustable suspension. Welded in cage.

Some spares. Best offer Neg. Matthew 0423783894.

292 www.myl O5.com/18321

Clubman 1300, Slicks mounted wets trailer.

Corolla Motor, convert back to 1969. Group M Histories. $7,500. Russell 03 5261 6044 293 (work), www.myl05.eom/36707

PORSCHE GT2 TURBO, Spectacular and fast. Ideal for Porsche Drivers Challenge. $130,000 plus GST, Paul 0418 61 85 61.

293 www.myl05.com/8972

V8VC/VB VB/VC Commodore, Commodore V8, fresh engine, AussI 4 speed, custom exhuast system, full rollcage, 5 point harness, Dunlop Formula R DOJ1 race/sprint tyres. Ideal club sprint car, also with 4 wheel car trailer and ramps. All in good condition $8000 neg or will seperate.

291 Call Tony on 46254565.' www.myl05.com/25878 Porsche GT3 Cup, 3,600km. Maintained by Porsche trained race crew. Includes 10 spare wheels, Motec logger & dash, spare bumper and valuable track data. This car is ready to race and we can also set you up completely with transporter (ex Jim Richards) and extensive array of equipment to Join Carrera Cup. $230,000 Or Best Offer, 0418 835300 / 81320541.

293 www.myl05.com/80397

1977 Gemini Sedan (Auto), 1 Owner 94287 km. Blue slip if required. $3,000 including GST Not Neg. Ray P 026331 5991.

291 www.myl05.eom/40224 V8 Supercar VX or VY, brand new Motorsport lightweight body shell on set up.

Jig frame plus spare doors, guards, panels, special light weight hand built shell, $11,500. Gavin 03 9543 4280.

294 www.myl05.com/43441

HQ Race Car, 2003 QLD State Championship winning car, consistant top 3 finisher, fresh engine/gearbox, heaps of spares, setup info. $6,800 neg. Brett 0402 472 951.

293 www.my105.com/48210

KB Laser S, 3J Logbook, extensively modified, quad throttle bodies. Wolf management (94rwkws @8000rpm), Koni's, Kings, adjustable camber, cage, A032r's(50%), spares. Ideal club/hillclimb car. 1st in class 2xVCH rounds, Winton s/t 1.14s & l/t 1.45s, Calder 73s, Sandown 96s, Geelong S/frials 14.71s, Mt Leura 36.79s Consistant front runner. $4000 ONO, Warren 0409 934 058.

290 www.myl05.com/63295

EA Falcon Saloon Car, This car was built new for the 2003 National Series, and ran in the top 10 in the final 2 rounds. Chris Milton Engine only 4 race meetings old. Price includes spare set of wheels with tyres, spare gearbox and panels. Ready to race.

Priced well below cost to build. $16000.

Mark 0419817874 / (08) 83252454. 291 www.my105.com/73128

79

Open Wheelers I

jsai^

'g. BINZEL3

Lotus Cortina Mk-ll, Log book for historic touring car racing. Group NC, ready to race.

Raced last two years Barbagello Raceway, lap time long circuit 1.12.5000,150BHP rear wheels, close ratio bullet box, watts linkage, 45.DCOE Carburettors, only two meetings on fresh engine. $25,000 ONO. Greg call Greg 0416 235 353 / (08) 9342 4400. 290 www.my105.com/97713

sj

o-

Sabre Formula Vee, Top John Dean engine. Long+short gearboxes Full catalogue of spares including rod ends, oil, drums etc. Roadgoing 1200 engines and gearboxes. Spare suspension and springs 2sets of panels, 3spare noses Iset of steel rims, Iset of HRW custom built units 3sets of Bridgestones. Open single-axle trailer.

Proven race winner. $15,000.00 Neg. Damian 0417340118 / 03 97505287.

292

Great First Race Car, Competitive Formula Ford. Has successfully competed in the New Zealand National Championship and Winter Series Rolling Chassis only...comes with lots of spares adn set up info. 20000 Or Best Offer. Nick Buxeda +64 21 2154787.

292

www.myl05.com/82002

Historic Formula 2 Kaditcha Group R, 1600CC VW Goif engine and Hewland 5 speed, 2 race meetings since engine rebuild. Comes with light weight enclosed trailer with side annex, nose moulds, spare wheels, spare nose, some spare engine parts and more. Very good package ready to go racing. CofD currently being processed. $27500. Jacob 0417636716.

292 www.myl05.com/76441

www.myl05.com/83913

F*

'4*'':

rt«

K

r

Current Marque Sports Champion Robnell 302SCR, Vic Champion '99 & '03.

2nd '00. Current Champ leader. 540bhp Ford 302. Motec Injection. Stack dash.

Dyno sheets and other info available. New Tex Racing Jerico box. Tilton 7 1/4" Triple Plate Carbon clutch & spare. Ford 9" Rearend. Two sets wheels. Maintained by K&A. More development left. $150,000 Or Best Offer. Lyn 08 82179100 / 0417 826284. www.myl05.eom/97420

Mitsubishi Evo 6, 550hp engine, 8 pot brembo's, cusco diffs, new HKS/Garret Turbo, Improved Production National Championship winning car (late model class). Heaps of spares including engine.

291 $45,000. Aaron 0409 298 108. www.myl05.eom/60367

Formula Ford, Chassis/engine for sale/lease. Maintained by Troy Dunstan Racing, Speedtech engine. 4x3 way Penske shocks, MoTec Dash, large inventory of spares. Package can be adjusted to meet your budget, lincludes delivery to lOOOkIms. Great opportunity to get a FF with all the 'bits' that makes a front running car. $47,500 292 Neg. 0419 777 977. www.myl05.com/79793

Historic Group 0 1967, GWG F3. full cams, COFD plus log books. $20,000 ONO. Bob 5428 2583.

291 (03) www.my105.com/73711 Formula Atlantic, Fully retored by professionals. Fresh Lamer engine. Historic Log booked Cof D. Good Australian History.

Very fast and well sorted (fastest Atlantic times where raced) Plenty of good quality spares, car currently resides in Melbourne.

Call Ray Stubber 0413 124 222. $85,000.

0413 124 222.

292 Nissan Clubman 2002, RWC, 12m reg.

S/Charged SR 20 IRS all adjustable LSD polished alloy over spaceframe ultra reliable multiple hlllclimb trophy winner 46 sec at Mt Cotton on road tyresl $28,000 ONO. Bill 02 6677 7230 or 0438 543 349. 290

www.myl05.com/2948

www.myl05.com/52299 Formula Ford and Van Diemen RF 85, MAWER 004B Historic Group R Formula Ford, Complete running car with many spares. Fantastic history of success. CAMS Certificate of Description and Log Book will be provided for Group R. $22,000.00 Van Diemen RF 85 complete car with Minister engine, plenty of spares. Not historic but will be in the next group to be admitted to Category 5. CAMS Log Book. $15,000.00.

Formula Ford Kent engine. Complete with clutch and reconditioned oil pump. Loosely assembled. Needs a rebuild. $1500.00.

Purchase the lot and we can negotiate.

292 Peter 02 9873 1773.

Formula Ford Spectrum 06- for sale or lease. Great 1st car, competitive in all state and National events, great history with many poles, fastest laps and wins, finished 4th Bathurst 02, 5th AGP 04, Penske shockers all round, dash and logger, set up equip, full set ratios, 3 sets wheels and tyres, ready to race. Spare top horse power engine for $6,500. $27,000, Daniel (03) 291 9725 5366 / 0411 029 561.

www.myl05.com/68634

www.myl O5.com/18142

Ralt RT4, Ralt RT4 Atlantic 87,fresh Jennings Coswodh BDD.all steei.erank fire ignition,FT200 O/Hauled by Taylor Eng.New Tilton clutch.many new parts.Faotory ID Tags and #’s. Group R ,COD,Spare wheels,suspension,gears,absolute front runner.Race ready.inventory and pic's available. $70,000 Neg. peter 0418 556934 291 / 03 9890 6586. www.myl05.com/37763

T^MFwayto sell your gear! From just$25"lustlog on

(*$25 applies to ads entered directly onto my105.com) Advertising can aiso be supplied using thisform ($10/$15 surctiage to text only/text -i- pic advertisements) Advertisements will appearin next possible issue of Llolorsport News PLUS the my105.com websiteforthree months.

Please read & cross the desired services and calculate the total.

Standard ad and one inlusion into Wlotorsport News = $35 □ Plus Photo Processing fee $5 CStCyOiy: □ sedans □ Open Wheelers □ Speedway □ Drag □ Jobs ADDITIONAL OPTIONS:□ Parts □ Engines □ Trailers □ Wanted □ Photographs □ Other □ Extra issues X $25 per issue Please keep ads to no more than 50 words, plus up to 6 photos if desired. □ Feature ad on Wlotorsport News and my105.com homepage for $75 per issue

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I enclose a chegue/money order/credit card details for the payment of the total amount above.

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NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Please use the form provided and print clearly. Please note we are unable to return photographs supplied for use in classified ads. Ads will appear as soon as possible after receipt. MN/my105.com classifieds are for the sale of private goods and vehicles only, not business advertising Photos marked "proof" will not be used.

molorsport news

CLASSIFIEDS Speedway

Sponsor Seek www.sponsorseek.com.au

2003 MIDGET CAR FOR SALE, Alach/Gaerte, complete roller with best available gear, only 4 meetings old. Dash 12 Gaerte, weldtech cylinder head, rodeck block, new rods, pistons, cam, valve train, new Joe Hunt magneto, will possibly split.

NZ$40,000 Neg. Ray 025-908-335. 269 www.myl05.com/6278

Engines Lotus Ford Twin Cam Engine, Totally rebuilt by UK T/C experts New internals.

0.020" oversize bore. New pistons, standard size Lotus steel crank, SE cams. New clutch, unleaded valve seats, new valves and guides. New water pump. Ready to drop in and run. Only needs a distributor and exhaust manifold to suit your application. $8,500 Not Neg. 9417 4755 / 9909 2990.

292 www.my105.com/22090 chev 18degree engine, CHEV RACE ENGINE. NEW BOWTIE BLOCK, 18DEGREE CNC HEADS, PERKINS INJECTION, DRYSUMP(NEW PETERSON PUMP)AUTRONIC ECU,COMPLETE RECOND TO MUCH TO LIST. WELL BELOW COST 650HP. 20,000 ONO. brad 0418928953.

292 www.myl05.com/57674 Sprintcar Engine, -12 Brodix, -2 7/16 Kinsler inj, Donovan Block, 6 meetings on full rebuild, sprint Mag III, Moroso sump. $2,400 ONO. Tim (03) 6435 7997. 291 www.myl05.com/83261 COSWORTH YBB ENGINE & GEARBOX, Cosworth Sierra YBB DOHC 2L complete turbocharged engine and T5 gearbox, engine professionally rebuilt, balanced etc. turbo also rebuilt with HPC coated manifold.

A reliable performance engine, complete with clutch and gearbox. The engine is standard specification, standard bore, the head and block are in exellent condition, no corrosion etc. $15,000 ONO AUD. 0401 473643 / 07 3425 1269 290 www.my105.com/57607

Parts

Autronlc SMC and AFR Meter, Autronic SMC-ECU with AUTOTUNE-upgrade and wiring-loom. Cost$2600, Sell$1600 including millspec professional loom.

Autronic Air-Fuei-Ratio-Meter& Bosch 4wire sensor used only once from new.

Cost$2200 for meter and sensor, sell$1600 Whole package for only $2900. 2900 ONO. Jamie 0421 931 864.

292 www.myl O5.com/10431 yates cylinderheads, brand new cnc yates cylinder heads bare current port suit konica.never assembled,can supply complete if required.also svo block for sale, 6500.00 ONO. brad 0418928953.

292 www.myl05.com/88747

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81

E]PINION

notorspiit EDITORIAl SnFF

Editor: Phil Branagan »editor@mnews.com.au Deputy Editor: Mark Glendenning l mark@mnews.com.au National Editor: Grant Rowley l grant@mnews.com.au

PRODUCTIOH Adv & Graphics Co-ordinator: Viv Brumby « viv@mnews.com.au

RDVERTISINB

Grid size debate swings I was finally compelled to write after reading all the stupid arguments and comments made by fans over the grid size at Mount Panorama this year.

For those of you who do not know,there are currently upgrades happening at the Mount. While these will be finished in time, there were some things that had to be left unattempted to provide the best infrastructure for the 2004 event.

Brendon Sheridan - PR Driven Tel; 03 9877 7271 Fax: 03 9877 7207 mobile: 0407 007 286 » ads@mnews.com.au

This included only building 35 garages in the pit lane. So for all you people whining about grid sizes, it's only temporary and will be back to its usual 44 cars

RDMINISTRRflON

next year.

Managing Director/Publisher: Chris Lambden ® publisher@mnews.com.au

CONTACTS 357 Nepean Highway, Brighton East Vic 3187 (PO Box 7072, Gardenvale, VIC 3186) Ph: 03 9596 5555 Fax: 03 9596 5030 Email: mnews@mnews.com.au

CONTRIBUTORS FI: Joe Saward, Adam Cooper, Paolo Filisetti Europe: Quentin Spurring, Gary Watkins, David Addison US: Phil Morris, Martin D. Clark Speedway: Brett Swanson, Julie Pearce, Geoff Rounds, Tony Millard (UK), Greg Boscato, Daniel Powell Rally: Jon Thomson Flistorics: Brian Reed Drag Racing: Greg Ward, Jon Asher (USA), Dave Ostaszewski (USA), Nick Nicholas, Steven White, Ken Ferguson National: Mark Wicks, Sean Henshelwood, Mark Jones, Dave Conole, Chris Jordan Photographers; Sutton Motorsport Images, Dirk Klynsmith, Bothwell Photographic, Marshall Cass, Nigel Snowdon & Diana Burnett, AFl Images, Neil Hammond, Slipstream Photographic, Allsport, John Morris/Mpix, Frank Midgley, Peter Bury, Mike Patrick (UK), Chris Carter, James Smith, Paris Charles, Bob Potts Motorsport News is published by Australasian Motorsport News - ABN 55 125 120 702 Publisher: C Lambden Printed by: Offset Alpine Printing Pty Ltd, Lidcombe, NSW. Distributed by: NDD Ltd Material published by MOTORSPORT NEWS is copyright and may not be reproduced in full or in part without the written permission of the publisher. Freelance contributions are welcome, and while all care will be taken, Australasian Motorsport News does not accept responsibility for damage or loss of material submitted.

‘Opinions expressed in Motorsport News are not necessarily those of Australasian Motorsport News or its staff.

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82

]ames Scandrett www.bathurstfreak.cjb.net

No, Saward is boring!

So Joe Saward thinks Formula One is boring because the same team is winning most of the races and the team bosses are destroying Formula One by not compromising on new regulations.

There was not a lot wrong with qualifying in the past, the main reason for the changes was to try and halt Michael and Ferrari and maybe they may have slowed them a little at first - but not for long.

There have been team orders in Formula One since it began but maybe by banning deliberate team orders, it was thought that it may halt Michael and Ferrari, but they were wrong again.

Now Mr Saward and Jaguar boss Tony Purnell think we can save Formula One by bringing more interest into the sport by drawing numbers out of a hat for qualifying. Now that will show the world the pinnacle of motor sport at its best, a lottery to decide who races in what position and a reverse grid later,just to be fair.

with claims of too many onemake series and that CAMS lack professionalism in managing categories. It did not seem out of place and quite logical that there be three major categories in Australia.

converter Send us your thoughts: mail: PO Box 7072, Gardenvale, VIC 3186 fax: 03 9596 5030 email: mnews@mnews.com.au I have some advice for both gentlemen. There are many motor racing fans out there who appreciate excellence in their sport, money is not the only ingredient needed for success as Toyota would testify to.

But if Jaguar or any other team think they can beat the opposition by cutting budgets, forget it, go race touring cars!

And from now,if Mr Saward is so bored, give your pass to one of the enthusiasts out there who cannot afford a ticket.

John Kraschnefski jakaut@optusnet.com.au

Cochrane: Good and Evil The outburst by Tony Cochrane over CAMS professionalism was, to some degrees, warranted.

Points in the early part of his dialogue rung true.

So why did the 'Don King of motor racing' have to go further and blow any credibility to his arguments?

It all started rationally enough

It was then expected he would suggest PROCAR fold and the good bits be farmed off to V8 Supercars and Konica Minolta.

But then Mr Cochrane had major brain fade and his pathological hatred of PROCAR fogged his judgement.

He suggested that the rest could go to the Premier Racing Series. Come on. The Premier series are all AVESCO discards.

Once-great categories. Sport Sedans and F4000, with only nine cars in each, and that's the third best series in Australia!

Perhaps Tony could look at his own actions and see who is really harming motorsport in general.

Name ami address withheld

Blue beats Red I am writing to you to make a couple of comments regarding some interesting points that have come out of Oran Park.

Firstly, let me say that I'm a trueblue Ford fan so it is fantastic when Larry Perkins and his star driver have to eat some humble pie over their suspension drama. For someone who reads the rule book like Larry to make a simple 'oversight' is amazing.

I also have read elsewhere that one driver from the red side was critical of how many apexes the winning driver from the blue side missed. All I can say is that that red driver still couldn't manage to pass such sloppy driving! Just imagine how far he would've won by had he made all those missed apexes.

Peter Britnell

[pB: Our Hero

i-fMy son Jack passed away on ,Saturday, the 21st of August, from a rare disease called

Adrenoleukodystrophy ' (ALD for short).

He lost his sight first, then the ability to walk and talk.

Although my son only lived a short and largely [ unfulfilled life, his time here with us was made all the more memorable thanks to John and Alice Bowe.

Jack was a big motorsport ' fan and in particular a John Bowe fanatic. They first met at Wakefield Park when Bowe drov e for PHR Scuderia. Even though JB was busy, he took time out to show Jack around his Ferrari and was given the absolute roval treatment.

pbritnell@airinter.com.au At the end of the day,JB took Jack for hot laps in an XR8 Falcon. JB instantly became his super hero.

Later that year, John and Alice again gave Jack a guided tour of the Ozemail

pit bay.

Jack passed away last week after 18 months with his disease. It was one day after his eighth birthday.

John Bowe is a true champion. He's an honest and reputable person. JB and his team have gone above and beyond the boundaries of any known sport person.

I thank him for the love and support both he and Alice offered my son.Jack Menser.

Scott Menser scottmenser@higpond.eom

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