Motorsport News Issue 305 - March 23-April 5, 2005

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Party like it’s 1985 What about an Adelaide GP?

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Wiil, Wilis, Wiison Teann Dynamik; 2 races, 4 drivers 8 Remote Contoi How will ARTY deal affect V8 Supercars?

11 I didn’t mean it Michael’s sorry (when outnumbered) 15 Account for this Now, the V8 Supercar Credit Card 25 Motor Mouth Murray Walker, Adelaide aficionado 26 Box Seat Saward has doorknobs « on the brain 82 Talk Converter We already know what we think ...

foatnros 28 Five Minutes With Mike Gascoyne Toyota's FI tech guru is laughing now 30 Five Minutes With Kenny Brack Former Indy winner, V8 Supercar rookie?

32 Gored Blimey If you ever thought that Craig Gore was insane, this chat might

race coverage

■ 38 Parting Gift Marcos Ambrose will not be back at the Clipsai 500 next season so he left all the Ford fans a can of whoop-ass they will not soon forget 48 Renault Mega Just as Fisi showed in Melbourne, it was another case of watch the Renault pull away from the pack in the Malaysian Grand Prix 56 Gatorz-ade This just in: Dean Canto is way, way fast in a V8 Supercar STECBii

60 Street Parties The supports at the Clipsai had something for everyone a 62 Mexican Jumping Beans Petter Solberg wins.

Chris Atkinson stars in the WRC

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The former stands ready 1 Marshall, Gore and Walker combine to fo^ OZ-ll^team

THERE will be an Australian driver and Aussie-owned team in this year's Champ Car World Series.

Marcus Marshall has been confirmed as a driver with Walker Racing alongside Alex Tagliani in two Lolas. While no comment can be made for about two weeks, MNews believes that Wright Patton Shakespeare and WPS Racing boss Craig Gore will take a share in the team.

"We are in the final process of putting together a platform to market and develop our brand in the United States," Gore said in Adelaide last weekend. "And unfortunately there are some sensitivities that I just can't disclose today because they involve Government."

Team principal Derrick Walker said that the team, which has struggled with pay drivers in

recent times, is afive and kicking.

"Media speculation had us gone from the series and closing our doors," said the Englishman, "but the reality is we have had the elements of our two car multi-year commitment for nearly two months now. It takes time to find new sponsor partners. This commitment is clearly an indication of how the series is gaining strength and the renewed interest of companies in the future of the Champ Car World Series."

An announcement about the team is expected in the next few weeks. Marshall has tested with the team twice recently though his second test at Fontana in California was cut short when he had a crash.

The opening race of the Champ Car World Series will take place at Long Beach on April 8-10.

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Wellington readies for V8s AUCKLAND'S loss could be

Wellington's gain in V8 Supercar racing.

The V8s, which will race at Pukekohe for the last time next month, may cross the Tasman again next season after Wellington City Councillors last week voted 9 to 4 in favour of the race proposal going out for public consultation, a four-week period which started last week.

Residents and otlier interested parties will be able to submit their views on the race directly to the Council over the internet at http://www.wellington.govt.nz/ haveyoursaypublicinput/ v8supercars.php The local government has backed the race to the tune of NZ$24 million ($22.5m)in works along the course, which will run along the tourist district in the small(2km across) city.

MNews believes that IMG,which would promote the race in conjunction with the Council, is seeking a three to seven-year deal for a three-day event.

A recent residents' survey reported that 72 percent of respondents supported the race.

Wellington is the capital city of NZ and the world's southern-most capital The city's population is 163,000 while a total of 423,000 live in the immediate region. The city last hosted V8 Supercars in a non championship event in 1996.

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AUSTRALIA'S 2005 round of the World Rally Championship will be the last to be held in Perth.

The Western Australian state government has advised CAMS that it will cease its support of the event after the November event.

ARCom Chairman Garry Connelly said on Monday that there was a great opportunity to grow the event but only in the right circumstances.

"We have to make sure that

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lelaide Return?

home of FI for GP in 2008

by CHRIS LAMBDEN in KUALA LUMPUR and PHIL BRANAGAN FORMULA One's teams may be heading back to where it all started in Australia - Adelaide.

Should the current battle between Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management and the manufacturers' organisation, result in a breakaway series, rather than a joint resolution, Adelaide stands ready to assume the mantle of the home of the race in Australia.

Ron Walker's close Unks with Ecclestone have seen the Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman come out strongly in favour of Bemie's cause over recent months,counselling others to steer away from the potential 'breakaway' manufacturers' series.

While the GPWC looks prepared to play hard-ball, most within the sport expect, and hope for, a negotiated settlement that will see the teams benefit more from the revenues coming into FI. If not, however, the manufacturers are prepared go their own way and are already talking to circuit promoters around the world.

The potential for change comes because of the fact that the AGPC has a contract to conduct the Grand Prix until at least 2010, with options beyond that point. But the current Concorde Agreement runs only until the end of the 2007 season and,at this point, only one team has made a formal commitment to stay in the current structure beyond that time.

Ferrari recently signed a deal to stay with the FOM until 2012 but the five manufacturers in the sport- BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Renault and Toyota - are still discussing what they will do post-2007.

Furthermore, all five makers have agreed in principle to supply engines to second teams at an affordable cost, meaning that there would potentially be 10 two-car teams in any

breakaway series. So the obvious question would be, would it be better to watch 20 cars race or two?

With Melbourne so strongly linked to Ecclestone, MNews understands that Adelaide has indicated its willingness to step up to the mark if the opportunity arises.

SA Premier Mike Rann's current public stance is a simple no comment",but reliable MNews spies assure us that preliminary conversations have taken place and that the South Australian government, which acted swiftly to secure the race in 1985,is looking favourably at the possibility to reclaim the event.

Should the event take place,it would be unlikely to greatly impact on the commercial backing enjoyed by the Clipsal 500, which receives goverrunent support,and the Adelaide Parklands tracl« has already hosted two events in the same year before.

But any event would be unlikely to be called the 'Australian Grand Prix'.

That title is reserved for the event so nominated to the FIA by CAMS on an annual basis (currently Albert Park and, prior to 1985, a variety of venues). But'Grand Prix' is a generic title (unlike 'Formula 1' or 'FI', which are trademarked by FOM)so the race could be the 'Adelaide Grand Prix', The other fascinating aspect of any event in Adelaide is that it is not alone. In Japan, Honda owns Suzuka and Motegi and Toyota owns the revamped Mt Fuji track, so there are a number of world-class international venues with the heritage, and facilities, that may potentially play host to a 'breakaway' GP series.

Regardless of a title, the message to Mr Ecclestone is simple - the manufacturers are serious and,in Australia and other countries, there are alternatives to FI ...

PERTH DUMPS WRC AFTER 2005 any new location has the correct funding and structure," he said.

"We have to make sure that any structure protects the events itself."

For some time, it has been thought that a probable successor to Perth as a host city for a WRC round was either Melbourne or Canberra. MNews believes that a feasibility study, with a positive recommendation, was submitted to the Victorian government for appraisal in 2002 23 March 2005

but the event failed to meet with approval due to commercial shortcomings, despite the fact that Melbourne-based manufacturers and importers supported the plan. That would appear to leave Canberra, the host of Australia's Asia Pacific Championship round, ideally placed.

However, late on Monday night, the Queensland government became to first to officially register interest in the

event in a media release.

"I think that there is an excellent opportunity for this event to find a new host city," Connelly says.

"A lot of the commercial sponsorship issues can be addressed more easily on the east coast."

But clearly, the WA event, which has been conducted since 1987, has run its course, with less than 35,000 paying spectators at the '04 event.

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Clipsal 500 date change for 2006 THE 2006 Clipsal 500 may find itself on a different date, as a result of various forces in both Victoria and South Australia. With the Australian FI Grand Prix looking likely to be in late April, there have been moves to see the Clipsal event move forward to occupy a date in early March, That 'traditional' GP date next year in Adelaide will be the opening weekend of the Adelaide Festival of Arts, a huge event in Adelaide that is based in the east end of the city, where the street circuit is also based. It is felt that Adelaide may not be able to accommodate both events in a way that would take advantage of their huge potential.

"Until the Grand Prix date lands. no motorsport dates are done," said Andrew Daniels, CEO of the Clipsal 500.

The Adelaide Cup long weekend has been moved from wintery May to March 13, and the SA State Election will be the weekend after that. The SA Government, the promoter of the Clipsal 500, is said to be keen to see the event held before the state election.

It wQuId be unlikely that the event would be held during the Commonwealth Games period, so it would now seem as though it will be an early March start to the season next year, so despite the Grand Prix date change, the V8 season may still begin around the same time. n Further to our news story postAGP, we hear that Todd Kelly is now fully signed up as a member Team Red. No details forthcoming but, as we reported previously, we believe that the deal runs until the end of the season, which could place The Toddler on the market in December, n Steven Ellery will use a new BA Falcon shell at the next V8 Supercar round at Pukekohe, after extensively damaging his #88 car in a Turn 8 crash at Adelaide.

Triple 8 has until April 9 to fit out the new shell, which is already sitting at the team's Queensland workshop, before the boat leaves to cross the Tasman.

Another Race 1 turn 8 victim was Orrcon Racing's Jason Bargwanna, whose car was able to front up the next day, after an overnight repair valued at $80,000. n The Australian entry of the A1 Grand Prix Series will be launched next Wednesday, March 30 in Sydney. As well as Christian Jones being confirmed as the team's first driver, we hear that the Sydney launch may be used to announce that the Australian A1 GP round in November will be held at Eastern Creek, although Phillip Island is also said to be keen to host the local round of the 'World Cup of Motorsport'.

5

Davo Sidelined THE future of Will Davison hangs in the balance after his drive with Team Dynamik disappeared from under him in Adelaide.

Davison showed up as planned for the Clipsal 500 to find that the team’s entry in the race would be driven by Simon Wills. The team's previous entry, which has been bought

by Tony Longhurst, was driven

by Max Wilson, with support from retailer WOW and Sony.

Davison made himself available to the team until Wilson went out to qualify the car, his session ironically stopping on his out lap when the car ground to a halt.

The former British F3 race winner signed a two-year deal with TD at the end of 2004 and issued a statement at the track; "To say I am disappointed would be an understatement," Davison said. "After hearing of the sale of one of its licences before the Grand Prix, we were again given assurances that our contract would be honoured.

"I feel I did a solid first-up job at Albert Park, particularly as I had not driven a V8 since Bathurst. The last race car I drove was the Minardi FI in November. Having reviewed the replays of the Grand Prix support races, I felt it was the first bit of positive publicity the team had received in a long time and couldn't wait for the season to get underway this weekend."

Davison said that he had no issue with Wilson or Longhurst and that the latter had offered him the drive in the WOW car.

subject to his signing an agreement.

"Together with Kieran Wills [he] approached us about the possibility of Tony becoming involved in my career and running under his newlyacquired licence in the future.

This in turn would enable Simon Wills to resume his seat in Dynamik-entered car. We indicated that we would be prepared to consider such a proposition and invited Tony to put some discussion points on paper for consideration.

"Tony was unable to get anything to us to look at prior to Tuesday this week and required an immediate answer. Although enthusiastic about the concept of his proposals, they have farreaching and long-term implications on my career and require a great deal of consideration and discussion, so any immediate commitment was out of the question.

"We did offer to drive under the Longhurst licence this weekend with negotiations continuing in the background, however Tony chose to enter Max Wilson under his licence, which is clearly his prerogative."

Davison's future is now unknown. He and his father Richard were unable to comment on what may happen now but over the Adelaide weekend, we did notice Davison the younger having a chat with someone who needs a new pilot for 2006.

Some nice Kiwi chappie named Stone ...

- PHIL BRANAGAN

Get Back On

Uynsmith

Out In The Cold Comment by PHIL BRANAGAN WHAT, another motor race without a warmup?

Following the recent Australian Grand Prix, we wrote that we were less than impressed with the 'dumbingdown' of the spectacle of Formula One racing. No-one could reasonably complain that there was a lack of spectacle in Adelaide but the dropping of the warm-ups does appear to be illthought, badly executed or both.

There are reasons why AVESCO has dropped the warmup, the most positive of which is that the board wants 'fan-friendly' events like grid walks, meet-the-driver sessions and the like. We have no qualm with that, apart from the rather obvious question of how to squeeze 70,000 punters on and off a grid quickly.

But not every track will be able to do that. Not every fan is so familiar with the new drivers

and team moves in the off season that they will be up to speed in time for the green light.

The biggest problem MNews has with this issue is one of safety. If a car is bingled in qualifying, is it ideal to test how sound the car is for the race on a single out lap? As Steven Richards pointed out last week, a single 200kmh trip through Turn 8 on cold tyres is hardly enough to make a valid judgement.

Maybe it is a good idea to delete to warmup. Maybe not.

If it is, execute the changes better. But the outcry is deafening: a lot of people want AVESCO to bring it back.

Johnny Diesel, FA-18s and grid girls are all fine but I have this funny feeling that, on the whole, people go to motor races to see racing cars in action. Or am I just old and out of touch? molorsport news

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Ne^ V8 Tieam Track on the Honzon

A Pretty good drive for Nathan ACCORDING to the V8 rumour mill, the HSV Dealer Team will utilise the services of Nathan Pretty in the endurance races this year.

Pretty, a popular driver amongst the Holden brass, is believed to have signed to drive with the Dealer Team, where he will be involved in the team's testing programs throughout the year at Phillip Island.

Pretty won the 2003 Bathurst 24 Hour and has contested the last two V8 Supercar endurance seasons with Garry Rogers Motorsport.

WARMUP sessions for rounds of

the V8 Supercar Championship Series will return in 2005- we just do not know when.

There was a massive outcry about the absence of the traditional morning warmup session at the Clipsal 500,following the AVESCO Board's decision to delete them from the program of this season's events.

But the sessions will return in time for the Queensland 300 in July, the next round at which refuelling of cars during races will be required.

Instead of allowing the cars to have 20-minute shakedown sessions prior to the races, events now feature 'fan-friendly' events like driver autograph sessions and pit walks.

Almost to a man,the drivers at the 500 last weekend called for the sessions to return,led by two time Champion, Marcos Ambrose.

"There is a valid reason - but what about the guys out in the grandstands?" he asked after Saturday's race.

"They have to wait until two o'clock to see a V8 Supercar. We are all here, we are all ready to go. It's stupid. Why would you want to take away a warmup that will improve the show and which allows the teams that have issues to run the cars

JUST when we all thought that the licence transfer market had gone quiet comes news that a new player may be about to come into V8 Supercars. f Long-time motorsport identity Paul Burfitt confirmed this week that he had the backing to buy a team and was anxious to come into the category soon. Burfitt, 31, has been involvedJn the marketing and media side of several teams in the past decaple and has worked with companies such as Wynns, Kmart, Autobarn and Sony Playstation on a number of V8 Supercar programs.

“Yes, I am in the market for a team,” he said on Monday,“and am bringing that plan forward now. My aim is to run two cars.”

Burfitt, a former Formula Ford racer, has been working on his package for four years. While he confirmed that his backing was in place, he would not identify the companies involved. However, MNews sources suggest that there are two substantial brands at the forefront of his sponsorship package, one involved in consumer electronics and one from the commercial aviation sector.

While Burfitt’s backing may be secure, where he might spend it is less clear. The most obvious target is Team Dynamik and MNews believes that he was the losing bidder in the recent deal that saw one of the team's Level 1 licences bought by Tony Longhurst, who fielded a car for Max Wilson in Adelaide.

While TD sold the licence to ensure is financial viability, it is also possible that an offer to sell its remaining licence and, perhaps, a car to a new player in the sport may tempt team owner Keiran Wills into a deal.

Burfitt does not have any obvious links to either Holden or Ford but said that he would base the team in Melbourne.

- PHIL BRANAGAN

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"The V8 Supercar fan on the hill wants to see cars go around the track. We are taking the show away.

We are here for entertainment and this does not entertain the fans."

A similar change in Formula One racing has been met with almost universal criticism, with complaints that the 'show' was being compromised in favour of' showbiz'.

There was a particular irony in the board's decision when two of the board members, Mark Larkham and Mark Skaife, had cars fail to finish Race 1 and they may have benefited from having a Sunday warmup.

The board is expected to raise the matter at its next meeting to discuss whether changes are desirable, or even possible, at future races.* 23 March 2005

n As a new V8 Supercar team, you would think that something like having both your drivers at the startof-season driver photo would be something that you want to see.

Pity then, that the Britek boys missed the shoot and were seen running down pit lane, albeit too late.

Messrs White and Owen were slapped with a $750 fine each, as were Brad Jones and John Bowe, who missed the driver's parade.

"

again?

'The Stone Brothers team does not necessarily need a warmup tomorrow; we have a fast racecar.

What about the guys who want to try something? They do not get a chance. There is a fan issue, there is a safety issue and there is a competition issue.

"I think that it is a crazy idea; if they want to save money,how much money have they saved? Five bucks?

Ten bucks?

Alex on the outer?

WITH Paul Dumbrell certain that he will be racing at all rounds of the 2005 V8 Supercar Championship Series, a question mark hangs over the future of Autobarn Racing.

At the announcement of the national automotive parts retailer's deal last December, it was made clear to MNews that

the deal was for all V8 Supercar events for the next three years.

With the black car and driver Alex Davison now out of the next two 32-car rounds in Auckland and Perth, MNews has been told that the sponsorship deal is now void and that it was possible that another entry may appear in Autobarn colours at Pukekohe.

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n After our news last issue, Gerald McDornan has rejoined Holden Motorsport as media manager, specifically looking after Super Cheap Auto Racing and reuniting with Greg Murphy after the two spent nearly four years together at the former Kmart Racing.

McDornan had a busy weekend in Adelaide, keeping watch over an NZ TV crew filming a 'day in the life of Greg Murphy’ doco.

"They wanted to film all aspects of Murph on the 'job' but when they went to film him going to the toilet I thought it was going just that little bit too far!" he said. "They didn't mind when I said no and they just carried on undeterred."

McDornan's humour is a welcome return to the press room ... n Motorsport News would like to congratulate the six winners of our recent Peter Brock poster competition. Sonya Millar (Burnie, Tas), Allen Kenny (Bunbury, WA) Tevor Collett (Holt, ACT), Dave Hunter (Maidstone, Vic), Ruth McGarvey (Whangarei, NZ) and Paul Cowen (Slade Point, Old) are the lucky winners of the 60th birthday poster of 'The King of the Mountain'.

Thanks to all of the entrants. n Psst! Wanna go to the Shanghai V8 Supercar race? So does Tarrah Turner but the Melbourne student cannot take any more time from her studies, so she is regretfully parting with the trip she won in the Ticket2Ride competition at the recent Australian Motorsport Show.

The six-day trip has a street value of $2900 but, if you ring 0403 658 714 and ask nicely, we think the delightful Ms Turner might discount it a little.

7

Down-uni

WESTPOINT Racing was hit with a 530,000 fine in Adelaide last Saturday but the team will not pay the fine - Ford will.

The Dick Johnson-owned team was penalised for having its driver Steven Johnson on the podium at the end of Race 1, with Marcos Ambrose, Russell Ingall and

i

Craig Lowndes. That is a clear contravention of the rules, which state that the podium is reserved for the top three drivers only.

However, the request to have Johnson Jr on the podium was made by a representative of Ford and the company will pay the fine.

V8 Super Buick Re-branded Supercar te contest Shanghai round

THERE will be a third make on the grid in V8 Supercar racing this season - sort of.

At the Shanghai round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series in June, one Holden will be branded in the colours of'Team Buick'. At Adelaide last weekend, a member of the visiting Chinese delegation let it slip that the 'Buick' would run in the race and that "it will win the 8

championship" in the future. We think they mean the Chinese Championship ...

The 'Buick' entry does not mean that the event's 32-car grid will be expanded but, rather, means a change of livery for one of the Lion's entries in the series.

Buick is a brand of Holden parent General Motors and the cars that the American company manufactures in

China, along with a local partner, are marketed as Buicks.

Holden Motorsport is expected to make its own announcement of the deal in the new h\'o weeks and, while no confirmation was made in Adelaide, MNews believes that the car in question will probably come from the HSVDT/Kelly team or. possibly, the Holden Racing Team.

-PHILBRANAGAN

DICK Johnson's Westpoint Racing team has a new driver - Kenny Brack.

The former Indianapolis 500 winner tested one of the team’s Falcon AUs at Queensland Raceway last week and impressed all who were present with his speed.

Brack, who is still recovering from injuries sustained in a 2003 crash at Texas Motor Speedway, took some time to settle into the car with its righthand drive configuration and Hpattern gearbox but was soon into the low 1 ml 3s, about two seconds off a competitive V8 Supercar race lap around The Paperclip.

Brack, 39, attended the Clipsal 500 last weekend as a guest of the team, moving mostly anonymously among the crowds. The 1999 Indy 500 winner and '98 IRL champion

«'t

Bpack whether the Swede, a former International Formula 3000 champion, might join Steve Johnson, Glenn Seton and Dean Canto at Sandown and Bathurst.

"We just wanted to have a look at him,” said Johnson. “It is so hard now to get someone who can do the job in one of these things, with the testing restrictions and the changes to the Development Series [cars]."

Brack said in Adelaide that his visit to Australia was less about trying to secure an endurance drive than about looking at his future options, which may include ALMS Sportscars, DTM and BTCC. Speaking of open wheeler drivers, also present at Adelaide was BMW.Williams test driver Antonio Pizzonia.

The 24-year-old Brazilian made a flying visit to support friend _^^_and countryman Max Wilson, who returned to the series to Steer Tony Longhurst's entry.

FPR’s new guy ROD Barrett is the new Commercial Director at Ford Performance Racing, taking up the role at the end of the month.

Barrett has a long history in motor racing, as a former racer himself. He a was also instrumental in motorsport 5 as a marketing executive for CocaI ' Cola, co-ordinating sponsorships of 3: Wayne Gardner Racing and BMW's Super Touring efforts.

Barrett will manage all commercial, sponsorship, merchandising and business activities of the Prodriveowned operation.

Hosts with Most Are the V8 broadcast rights changing hands?

NETWORK Ten's role as host broadcaster of V8 Supercar racing may change in the next six months.

AVESCO Chairman Tony Cochrane has predicted that negotiations for the deal to televise the sport after the 2006 season may last that long after recent announcements regarding the broadcasting of rival sports last week. The Seven Network recently advised the Australian Stock Exchange that it had entered into an agreement with Ten to negotiate with the AFL for the post-2006 deal. That effectively places Nine in a tough position to extend its involvement and leaves the number one rating network in the country potentially short of sport product, other than tire New South Wales and Queenslanddominated Rugby League.

AVESCO's deal with Network 10 expires at the end of the 2006 season, which also coincides with the expiration of the network's deal to broadcast AFL football, which it shares with the Nine Network and Fox Sports.

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In Adelaide last weekend, Cochrane declined to rule out the notion that V8 Supercars may look at a deal with Fox that could exclude coverage on free-to- air television.

Seven showed what was then Touring Car racing until the end of the 1996 when Ten took over. Since then, the airtime that the category has received has more than doubled.

Ten had no comment to make on the matter in Adelaide, network spokesman Sam Fleard saying that any comment regarding its negotiations of contracts were premature.

Is BJR Dale's new den? ^.r

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DALE Brede could drive for Brad Jones Racing in the endurance races at Sandown and Bathurst this year, plus selected rounds of the Holden Performance Driving Centre V8 Supercar Series.

Brede, 30, has been linked to a drive in Andrew Jones's Championship-winning Ford Falcon AU in the next round of the series at Wakefield Park.

Mallala and Bathurst are believed to be on the cards as well, however, both Brede and the Jones team could not comment as MNews went to press.

Brede attended BJR's test session at Winton Raceway prior to the Clipsal 500.

The parties are believed to be still in negotiations, and if a deal can be sorted, it will be announced in the coming weeks.

Brede has been a regular of the Development series since its inception in 2000. His best championship result was second place in 2002 behind Paul Dumbrell.

Last year, Brede competed in the entire main game V8 Supercar series with Team Dynamik and was to have been their third driver this year, but is now looking at other options due to the South Australian team's licence sale to Tony Longhurst earlier this month.

- GRANT ROWLEY

n West Australian Michael Patrizi will race in the Asian Formula BMW Series this year, after gaining a BMW scholarship for the category after a test evaluation at the Bahrain International Circuit.

Patrizi had planned to drive for Fastlane Racing in the National Formula Ford Championship this year, but has instead chosen to take the BMW-backed option. Patrizi is now a BMW contracted driver, benefiting from the obvious benefits of being in the BMW system to raise his profile and gain further international experience, after driving CIK karts in Italy in 2002/03.

Patrizi's first race will be at the first round of the series, which supports the Bahrain FI Grand Prix in two weeks. The series also supports the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai and the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix.

The last two Asian Formula BMW champions. Ho Ping Tung and Marchy Lee, have been linked with Formula 1, with Tung testing for Williams and Lee now linked with Minardi. The series champion receives a fully funded drive in the ADAC European or British FBMW Series for 2006, or US$50,000 (A$63,000).

Patrizi will drive for the front running Team Meritus that won the 2004 Championship with Chinese driver Lee, Patrizi's brand new RF05 Van Diemen now sits dormant at Fastlane's base in Perth. n Not only is he a good photographer, but he's also a generous little soul.

To coincide with the launch of his book,'Through my eyes', Dirk Klynsmith donated a carbon-fibrecovered edition to The Advertiser, a local Adelaide paper, for a charity auction. The book retails for $350 but to Klynsmith's surprise, it sold for $1000.

We'd like to diffuse any thought that it gave him a big head, though. n The Beatrice-Lola Formula 1 car, which was the first FI car to drive on the streets in anger, had a disastrous return. Mechanical problems saw smoke billow from the back before stopping at the end of the back straight. The car was there to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first Australian Grand Prix at Adelaide.

9

Engine

Sauber: JV Davidsoh is staying subs for Sato No more repeats ol Brit makes short BAR Honda debut

ANTHONY Davidson has been waiting to race in Formula 1 since he subbed for Alex Yoong at Minardi for two races in the summer of 2002.

Those races did not give him the chance to show his true ability and as a result Davidson has been trying to prepare himself for FI as a test driver with BAR. He had a chance to test for Williams last winter but BAR and WUliams were unable to agree on the terms of the test and so Davidson was left out in the cold.

His name has been mentioned in connection with Sauber in recent days but there does not seem to be much chance of that deal happening as BAR want to keep Anthony available for next season in case Jenson Button goes off to Williams, which is looking increasingly likely, given the poor showings to date by BAR. In Malaysia, Davidson was called in to race for the team at the last minute when Takuma Sato

Michael acc

developed a fever in the course of Friday night and had to be put on a saline drip.

Davidson, right, did a commendable job but his engine blew up after just two laps. Sato should be back in action in Bahrain.

-JOE SAWARD

Drivers pull World Champion into line over Heidfeld Albert Park clash

Hurry up, China!

MNEWS readers wanting to be a part of history when the V8 Supercars thunder into China in June this year should rush off right now to www.ticket2ride-is.us to find out all about the Motorsport News tour to the first ever Asian round of the series.

Tour organisers, Ticket2Ride Global Adventures have had a huge response so far to the tour, but advise that there are only a limited number of places left.

"We've been overwhelmed by the response so far, but anyone still contemplating being a part of this great event should get in touch with us soon as time is running out," said

PETER Sauber says that he has no plans to drop Jacques Villeneuve from his FI team, despite two poor performances.

Villeneuve has been off the pace of Felipe Massa in almost every session so far this year and his lap times have been considerably slower than the young Brazilian, leading to speculation that the Swiss team might fire Villeneuve.

Peter Sauber, however, says that his plan is to improve the car and see what happens when those improvements have been made. Speculation has been rife in recent days about who might replace Jacques with the names Anthony Davidson, Antonio Pizzonia, Robert Doornbos and Alexander Wurz all being mentioned.

- JOE SAWARD

Ticket2Ride's Chris Beattie.

The tour will transport V8 Supercar fans to Shanghai, departing Wednesday,June 8 for six days. Tour members will take in the racing, plus get to explore the fascinating and exotic city of Shanghai.

Pricing begins from just $2875 per person.

Optional packages include a Beijing Stopover to explore the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City and there is also a special Fun in the Sun tropical stopover option.

For more information, call (03) 5971 2700, or log on to: www.ticket2ride-is.us for a full information pack.

THE Grand Prix Drivers Association met on Friday afternoon in Sepang and in the course of the meeting addressed the issue of the incident in Melbourne in which Michael Schumacher and Nick Heidfeld

collided.

Schumacher is one of the directors of the GPDA,alongside Mark Webber,Jamo Trulli and David Coulthard but he was nonetheless called to task for having ignored secret gentleman's agreement which has existed between the drivers not to move over on one another in the braking zones in order to avoid unnecessary accidents and potentially-dangerous wheel-over wheel crashes.

We understand that several drivers spoke on the matter, notably Heidfeld himself, and after much

persuasion the World Champion was convinced that the incident had been his fault. He then apologised to Heidfeld.

We understand that the drivers have now informed the FIA about the arrangement so that action can be taken by stewards if such things happen again. However our sources also say that the drivers have complained to the FIA that they want to see a better calibre of officials after stewards of a recent event had to ask what the normal racing line was through a certain corner. This request has not been officially confirmed.

The FIA Stewards at Grands Prix are usually high-ranking members of the FIA member clubs, many of them being members of the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

-JOESAWARD

JOIN MNEWS IN SHANGHA 10

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"1 Okay, okay, it was my fault: Michael Schumacher has apologised for the clash with Nick Heidfeld - but only after the CPDA forced his hand...

by JOE SAWARD

THE FIA last week decided to tweak the Formula 1 rules concerning two-race engines, overturning its original agreement to let teams stop at the end of races if they were out of the points so as to get a new engine for the next race.

In Melbourne, both BARHondas went into the pits at the end of the race and as a result, the FIA has decided that the rules should be re-interpreted and that a distinction will now be made between failing to finish the race and choosing not to.

"The former is normally accidental or beyond the control of the driver while the latter is not," the FIA said in a statement. "In order to ensure the purpose of the regulation is fully respected, and unless the reason is completely clear, in future we will require the team of any driver who fails to finish the first of two races to explain the circumstances surrounding the retirement to the stewards of the meeting".

It is not clear why the decision has been made but Panasonic Toyota Motorsport's Luca Marmorini was highly critical of BAR'S decision to "retire a problem-free car".

"Toyota is against the existence of such loopholes in technical regulations," Marmorini said. "Toyota fully accepted the spirit and intention of the new two race, one engine regulation. We gave the chance for the team to run in all four free practice sessions in Australia, not only because it is important to learn the car's behaviour at the track, but also because our participation in all sessions over the weekend is part of the FI show.

"Even though our drivers did not score any points in the race, we decided to pass the chequered flag out of respect for the spirit of the new rules. This is what we understand by the concept of racing."

Come along on the trip of a lifetime when V8 Supercars hit China, in June - tours start from just $2875 per head.

For details: Ticket2Ride (03)5977 2608 or www.ticket2rlde-is.us 23 March 2005

Honda raises influence at BAR HONDA has taken three seats on the each board of directors of the two companies involved in the new BARHonda joint venture. The board of the parent company of the team, known as BARH Limited, has three BAT executives and three Honda representatives. The management board of the team itself is similarly balanced. n The organisers of the Malaysian Grand Prix issued crowd figures for the event that claimed that the race had attracted a crowd of 100,000 people. This seemed to be a rather larger number than appeared to be present, although the track can hide a lot of spectators because of its unique back-to-back grandstands.

The VIP count was down in Sepang, with the only stars of international note who turned up for the race being members of the rock band Status Quo, who were performing at a concert on the circuit after the Grand Prix. n The organizers of the Mexican Grand Prix have fallen behind their scheduled for the construction of the Mantarraya racing circuit, near Cancun, but say that they can still finish the necessary work in time for a race, which is scheduled for November 2006.

The plans have run into trouble because of planning problems with the local authorities. The response of the state government of Quintana Roo, which is behind the project with funding from the private sector, has been to try to side-step the problem by finding a new venue 3km from the original site.

What is interesting in all of this is that the Formula 1 teams have long had an arrangement with Bernie Ecclestone to allow them a minimum of 18 weeks in the winter to build new cars. If there is racing in November 2006, the start of the 2007 would have to be pushed back unless the deal, which dates back to 1996, could be negotiated away. n Keke Rosberg's Formula 3 operations will continue this year, despite the fact that his son Nico Rosberg has now graduated into the new GP2 series.

The team, which dates back to 1999, is run by Peter Reinisch and won the German F3 title in 2002 with Gary Paffett. The team will be running two new drivers in Formula 3 this year in Europe, having hired Holland's Giedo van der Garde and Toyota protege Kohei Hirate.

Van der Garde has a year of experience in the series, having been the one of best rookies in 2004.

Hirate was runner-up in the Italian Formula Renault series.

-JOE SAWARD 11

Ford Reshuffle Supercars, With FORD Racing is about to get a new boss.

Ross Booth is the man who will take over from Stephen Kruk as Operations Manager of I Ford Racing.

The recently-married Kruk, left, is about to take long-service leave and will return to a new role with Ford Australia.

Booth has been the Marketing Manager of the Fairlane range of road cars until now and has motor racing experience from a previous role with long-time sponsor Ford Credit.

YOU'VE seen the cars, eaten the chicken and now, you can spend your hard-earned with a V8 Supercar-branded credit card.

Wright Patton Shakespeare Financial Group, Visa International, Bendigo Bank and AVESCO launched the new V8 Supercard in Adelaide last weekend, with double Champion Marcos Ambrose becoming the 'number 1'cardholder.

Cardholders will receive premium access to series'sponsors and licensees including BigPond, Victoria Bitter, Sidchrome,Dunlop,Beaurepaires, Super Cheap Auto and Xbox,as well as WPS Shakespeare,AVESCO and AVESCO Events. More partners will come on line in the ensuing weeks.

WPS has a 10-year deal to be the official financial services provider of V8 Supercars and clearly sees the launch of the cards, which come in Holden red or Ford blue, as a strategic part of its future.

"V8 Supercar fans are passionate about their sport and we want to reward them for their loyalty," said WPS boss Craig Gore.

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from 03/0 MARGOSi "Each of the participating parties sees great potential in the Visa V8 Supercard and we have set a target of the distribution of 200,000 cards in the first three years."

This is not Visa's first foray into motorsport, as the company has been the 'Official Card of NASCAR'since 1999, while 'The Bendigo' was the first financial institution to

Reindler Eyeing UK

AFOS for Darwin?

THE round of the Asian Festival of Speed planned for the Bunbury, Western Australia in September looks set to be moved to Hidden Valley in Darwin, due to the delayed construction of the Bunbury circuit.

AFOS organisers are said to be in negotiations with Hidden Valley to promote the event there themselves, using the original September 10-11 date, to maintain the series' intended presence in Australia. AFOS runs events hosting the Asian Formula BMW, Asian Touring Car and Asian Carrera Cup Championships and holds rounds at the Grand Prix circuits of Sepang, Bahrain, Shanghai and also a round at the Macau F3 Grand Prix.

AFOS was also the calendar that the Asian Formula 3 Series was run on, but this relationship may be ending for this season.

The fate of the Formula Nippon, above, and Japanese Super GT events, scheduled for the Bunbury venue In December 2004 and March 2005 respectively, is unknown, although new support for the venue from Bob Jane may see construction begin in the near future.

Jane has secured naming rights of the venue for five years, with the option of another five.

The venue will now be known as the Bob Jane Bunbury International Circuit and will be aligned with Jane's Australian Auto Sport Alliance.

- CHRIS JORDAN 12

or; 1

KARL Reindler is close to confirming a seat in the British Formula Renault series this year.

The reigning Australian Formula 3 Champion, above, completed two days of testing at Oulton Park recently, and had another day at Snetterton yesterday (Tuesday).

Reindler flies back to his home in Perth at the end of the week where a final decision will be made on which team he'll drive for.

Prior to testing, Reindler had six teams interested in his services.

The deal will see him compete in the whole 10 rounds of the British series with the possibility of competing in selected European FRenualt rounds.

- GRANT ROWLEY motorsport news

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successfully introduce Visa to Australia in 1982. There are now approximately 14 million credit cards in circulation in Australia, with more than 200 types available to consumers. According to statistics, last year Australians made credit card purchases to the value of approximately $125 billion.

- PHIL BRANAGAN

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Lowndes vs Rossi AS if driving a V8 Supercar in a Top 10 Shoot-out is not tough enough, Craig Lowndes had to negotiate Friday peak-hour traffic iast weekend in Adeiaide.

Lowndes found himself passing a motorcycle stuntman when he was getting set for his lap, the bike having been thought to be clear off the track when the #888 Betta Falcon was waved out of the pits.

The three-time V8 Supercar champion concluded his lap without incident but CAMS is investigating the matter and action could be taken against the promoter of the event.

Still In The Hunt AN interested spectator at the Clipsal 500 was young Australian open-wheel driver Josh Hunt.

Hunt decided late last week it was time he attend his first V8 Supercar round away from his local Gold Coast event and was suitably impressed.

"I've been so focused on an international career, I didn't realise just how huge the V8s are," said Hunt.

With the Formula Atlantics series that Hunt campaigned iast year in danger of extinction at present.

Hunt is currently assessing his options.

Supported by Champ Car owner Kevin Kalkohven, the other obvious feeder open-wheel category in the US, the IRL-sanctioned Infiniti Pro Series, is not an option, leaving Hunt to spend the year largely based in Australia.

While Hunt still holds ambitions of Champ Cars in 2006, he sees this season's goal as raising his Australian profile by trying to break into V8 Supercar in Australia, via the HPDC (Development) V8 Supercar Series.

"Not many people know my face or have seen me drive before. If I am going to make it in America will need Australia's support, so I need to get my name out there.

"I want to get back to America a few times during the year to keep up my contacts, and people like Kevin and Jimmy (Vasser) have been good to me, so I want to keep in touch."

Hunt pressed various contacts with numerous V8 Supercar teams in Adelaide, a guest of sponsor Craig Gore of WPS Racing for Saturday and Sunday after checking out the SBR bunker on Friday.

"I thought after the Indy thing last year that interest in me might die off, but it was great at Adelaide to have so many people talk to me."

- CHRIS JORDAN 23 March 2005

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Playstation for V8 Juniors THE next instalment of the V8 Supercar Playstation game is in the early stages of development - and we do mean development!

Expect to see the V8 Supercar Development Series, now known as the Holden Performance Driving Centre V8 Supercar Series, featured on the game. The feeder category's cars were sized up by a gang of'game gurus' during one of the quieter moments throughout the Clipsal 500 weekend, with photos taken of most of the cars.

So all you Canto, Macrow, Luff (or if you are a Holden fan, D'Alberto) fans can rejoice. We expect the Summit/DJR car of Grant Denyer to be popular, just watch that Senna Chicane kerb at Adelaide ... n Australian International racer Barton Mawer has signed with British F3 team T-Sports for the first portion of the 2005 season.

Mawer, who contested selected rounds of the crack British series last year, will drive for the same team for which he drove at SpaFrancorchamps late in 2004.

If Bart cannot find the funds to complete the whole season, he will stay with the team as an engineer. n Tim Slade will drive a Dallara F304 at Round 2 of the Kuhmo Australian Formula 3 Championship.

Slade's sponsor Gawler Farm Machinery has acquired the ex-Fairuz Fauzy car, the sister car to the existing Team BRM F304 that Michael Trimble now campaigns.

The late arrival of Trimble's car has meant that it has taken until after the Grand Prix for the chassis to undertake an overhaul and Trimble will be seen in the regular 'Bronte blue' colours next round at Mallala. n Australian Formula 3 driver Chris Gilmour is receiving help from the F3 community to ensure he is back on the grid for the next round of the championship at Mallala in three weeks time.

Gilmour sustained a broken leg in the wet third race at the Australian Grand Prix support race and is currently on the mend. His Dallara F301 chassis was trashed in the crash, and a new one has been sourced from the Asian F3 team Kinetic Racing. If Gilmour is fully fit, he will use the chassis at Mallala. n Speaking of Formula 3 entrants at Mallala, Tim Macrow has found a budget to compete there as well.

Macrow will use the same F301 chassis that he campaigned at the AGP support races. The rest of the season though is still hanging in the balance.

"We are just taking it one round at a time," he said. "We are hoping to put a good show on at Mallala to get some people interested in helping us complete the series."

13

Red and White Bull?

RED Bull Racing is talking to a variety of different engine manufacturers about a deal for 2006 but rumours that a deal is done with Honda appear to be a little premature at the moment.

Red Bull wants better engines in 2006 and so has been talking to all the available manufacturers -and even a few potential new suppliers. The current engines available in FI are Mercedes-Benz,BMW,Honda,Toyota, Renault and Cosworth. The last-named is probably the most expensive option as all the others would be subsidised by the engine manufacturers.

There is,in theory at least, the chance also of a Ferrari engine but we believe that a deal has aheady been struck with Midland to run Ferrari-engined DaUaras next year. This would,in part, explain the rumours that Midland is supporting Bemie Ecclestone and Ferrari in the dispute over the commercial future of FI. But Red Bull is unlikely to throw its lot in with Ecclestone (as he is claiming)because the team needs engines and wants to stay out of trouble.

"We have not done a deal with anyone," said a source within the team."We are going to stand back and watch what happens before making a decision. It does not make much sense to do anything else until we see which the wind is blowing."

-JOE SAWARD

by JOE SAWARD

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n' Stripes?

LATER this week in Barcelona, American rising star Scott Speed will become the first American to

have a proper run in an FI car for some years when he joins Red Bull Racing's test in Barcelona.

Speed,22, is the reigning German and European Formula Renault Champion. A successful former kart racer, he raced in Formula Russell in 2001 and won the title and then moved up to the Formula Dodge in 2002. He was a frontrunner all year and at the end of the year was picked to be a Red Bull Young Driver. He will compete this year in GP2 with the iSport team.

Speed will drive a 2004 Jaguar R4 14

painted up in Red Bull hues, as part of the team's ongoing development program.

"We will be using last year's car to carry out engine testing work," says team boss Christian Horner. "That does not need to involve our race drivers,so we decided to introduce Speed to Formula 1."

The last American to drive in Formula 1 on a full time basis was Michael Andretti back in 1993 with McLaren. In recent years several US drivers have done demonstration runs in FI cars, notably NASCAR star Jeff Gordon and Indycar racer Sarah Fisher.

-JOE SAWARD

THE squabbling in Formula 1 continued in Malaysia with the fight centring on a press release issued by the teams about Ferrari's decision to test without any restrictions this year.

Although a Ferrari spokesman tried to suggest to the Formula 1 press corps that this was because Ferrari was able to save money by doing more testing and that it was not fair because Bridgestone cannot do as much testing as the Michelin teams,the interpretation of the move in the paddock was that it was an attempt to put pressure on other teams to increase their testing and break away from the union of teams who are opposed to Ferrari.

There suggestions made that the teams had not all

agreed to such a statement and Sauber, which uses Ferrari engines, later put out a statement saying it was not party to the letter. Peter Sauber was not saying much on the subject but McLaren's Ron Dennis remarked that "Peter Sauber was feeling pain in Brazil last year and he is still feeling that pain now.

Do I have to spell it out for you?"

Suggestions that other teams were opposed to the letter were dismissed by the teams mentioned and to further make the point and stop the sniping they issued a copy the release on Sunday night with eight signatures on the bottom and a note that explained that "unfortunately a draft of the above press release was distributed prematurely on Friday

Trading VlOs fo FORMULA 1 engine men Bernard Dudot and Shoichi Tanaka are to retire from their respective jobs at Renault and Honda in the near future.

Both men have been important in the FI projects of the companies involved. Tanaka is being forced to retire because he is already nearly two years over the retirement age of Honda Motor Company. A former president of Honda France, Tanaka

has been in charge of Honda Racing Developments Ltd in Bracknell since 1999.

Dudot's career in motor racing goes back to 1967 when he joined Renault subsidiary Alpine in Dieppe and designed a Formula 3 engine.

This marked the start of Renault's involvement in single-seater racing which would lead to Formula 1 nine years later. Although Dudot's turbos never won the World moiorsport nsmrs

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Aussie GT delay THE Australian GT Championship has abandoned plans to host the first round of its new 2005 series at the Australian Motor Racing Series round at Mallala in April.

Category organisers have yet to gain approval from the Australian Motor Sport Commission for the category rights and will not be able to have the necessary plans signed off in time.

Plans for the series to begin later in the season are still going as planned, with a non-championship, multi-driver endurance race still planned for December.

Taking Aim at the Prancing Horse Teams accuse Ferrari of disrespect to the sport

following which the unit of the teams has been questions.

Consequently it was felt appropriate to re-issue the press release signed by the eight team principals. This was signed by Nick Fry (BAR), Colin Kolles (Jordan), Ron Dennis (McLaren), Paul Stoddart (Minardi), Flavio Briatore (Renault), Christian Horner (Red Bull), John Howett (Toyota) and Frank Williams. Most of the teams attached a copy of the statement to their press releases on Sunday night to make the point.

They also included a letter to Luca di Montezemolo, chairman of Fiat, Ferrari's parent company, calling into

question Ferrari's attitude.

This was direct and uncompromising and noted that for the last couple of years FI teams have worked hard to control costs and reduce testing.

"This year, while eight competitors, including some of the largest world manufacturers, have been very supportive and constructive, coming to an agreement aimed at a further decrease of testing time during the FI season, the Ferrari team has not only declined to operate within the spirit of this agreement but has operated against it, with a cost increase, by implementing a testing program that is extended to

the race weekend, breaking agreements which had been previously supported by Ferrari as well.

"We believe that this attitude is highly disrespectful to the sport," the statement continued, "and we strongly request that Ferrari reconsiders its position in regards to testing constraints and aligns itself with the arrangements agreed between the other teams."

Whatever the details, it is very clear that attitudes are hardening on all sides and mistakes are being made.

A solution is needed as soon as possible so that FI can focus on the increasingly interesting racing that is developing this year.

r Rocking Chairs Championship, his VIO engines from 1989 onwards were hugely successful winning six consecutive Constructors' titles between 1992 and 1997.

Dudot moved on to become technical director of Frost Grand Prix for 1998 and part of 1999 before going to America to help develop the Infiniti Indy Racing League engines (Infiniti's parent company Nissan being Renault's global partner).

23 March 200S

After that program ended Dudot returned to Europe and was taken on to reorganise the FI team at ViryChatillon at the start of 2003.

The 66-year-old will be replaced

by Rob White and Andre Laine, who will become joint Deputy Managing Directors at Viry. White will retain responsibility for all technical programs while Laine will assume responsibility for support operations, - JOE SAWARD

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n Stephane Ratel has suggested that GT cars could be back at Bathurst this year. At Silverstone for the launch of the British championship last week, the Frenchman hinted that he was aiming to take cars to Australia this year. When asked about a venue, he replied: "I would like to go to Bathurst and maybe recreate the 24 Hours."

However, sources suggest that a six-hour race may be the target this year. n The Saloon Car Series will have a new naming-rights sponsor for the remainder of the 2005 season.

RDA Rotors and Drums has replaced CSA Alloy Wheels as the major backer for the rest of this season, with an option to extend the deal when the series moves to the newer Falcon AU and Commodore VX body shells. n Sportscar racing is returning to Brands Hatch this year, with the inclusion on the A1 GP bill of the TAG Heuer GT250. The non championship event will be over two 45-mlnute races and marks the only chance for British GT racers to drive on the Grand Prix circuit after a financial disagreement between Brands owner MSV and SRO, which controls the British GT Championship. n All 12 GP2 teams took part in a three-day test with the new-for-2005 Dallara single-seaters at the Paul Ricard High Technology Test Track in France last week. American Scott Speed, driving for Paul Jackson's iSport team, recorded the fastest lap ahead of Venezuelan Ernesto Viso (BCN Competicion), former Jordan Grand Prix driver Giorgio Pantano (Super Nova) and Nico Rosberg (ART Grand Prix). These teams and Arden International, Campos Racing, Colon!

Motorsport, DAMS, Dave Price Racing, Durango, Hitech Piquet Sports and Racing Engineering will get all their chassis in time for another Paul Ricard HTTT test on April 4.

- STAFF/ADDISON IS

Lee, Can You?

THERE are talks going on to get Formula BMW Asia Champion Marchy Lee YinKin into Formula 1 as the third driver of the Minardi team.

The Chinese market is considered to be

important in the future of FI and Lee would provide someone for the Chinese to identify with, which would help to boost viewing numbers in China.

The 28-year-old Hong Kong driver, right, has had a rather unusual career that began in karting when he was 13. He moved to Formula Campus in France in 1998 and finished fourth and then tried French Formula 3 in 1999 and 2000. He then moved to Formula 3 in Asia and in Australia before deciding last year to consolidate and go back to Formula BMW in Asia, which he won in style with 12 victories in 14 races.

If all goes to plan, Lee will make his first appearance with the team at Imola.

-JOE SAWARD

Clogged Streets

FIRST there was Formula 1 in London and then, last month, in Melbourne, below.

Now there are plans for a FI street event on the streets of the Dutch city of Rotterdam, on August 7 this year.

The plan is to provide a free show for race fans in order to increase interest in the sport in Holland. The primary motivation for the idea comes from the fact that Minardi driver Christijan Albers was born in Rotterdam and that Jordan test driver Robert Doornbos is also a local man. The track would be 3.2km in length and could cope with more than 100,000 people.

The men behind the project are Robert Heiibron and Herman Vaanholt who want to use the event to showcase other cars as well, notably Jan Lammers's Le Mans challenger, DTM cars and Dakar Rally competitors. The project is being considered by the city authorities because it would give the city's tourist trade a much-needed boost and improve its rather shabby image.

-JOS SAWARD

TWO-TIME IRL IndyCar Series champion Sam Hornish Jr. held off a charge from Dario Franchitti to win Round 2 of the IRL Indy Car Series at Phoenix International Raceway.

Hornish, who took his second victory at Phoenix and his 13th win of his IndyCar career, took the lead from his team-mate Helio Castroneves on Lap 190 of 200. Soon after, Tomas Scheckter brought out a caution on Lap 193, and the stage was set for a finish.

Franchitti tried to pass Hornish at

turn one but brushed the wall.

Hornish blazed away to take the win and the series lead while Franchitti's 'do or die' move allowed Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan through to podium places.

Franchitti was glad to have made it through the final lap to score points.

"1 gave it my all on that last restart," he said.

"I tried the move and it didn't happen. We got up in the gravel and touched the wall and that was it.

Right now,I'm pretty pissed off that

Verstappen h<

DUTCHMAN Jos Verstappen, who enjoyed a lengthy Formula 1 career between 1993 and 2003 without ever winning a race, is hoping to continue his racing career in America after sitting out the 2004 season.

Verstappen is still only 33 years old, despite his lengthy FI experience with began with a test with the Arrows team in 1993. That was followed by a test driver role with Benetton that turned into an FI drive at the start of

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that year after ]J Lehto injured his neck in a pre-season testing shunt. He had a dramatic first year in FI with a huge accident in Brazil caused by Eddie Irvine. This was followed by a pitlane fire in Germany that summer and a podium finish in Hungary.

Sadly, team boss Flavio Briatore decided to drop Verstappen at the end of that year and his career never truly recovered. He drove for Simtek in 1995, Arrows in 1996 and Tyrrell in 1997.

In 1998 he dropped out of FI but returned in the midseason after Stewart Grand Prix dropped Jan Magnussen. Very unhappy in the team he sat on the sidelines in 1999 before going back to Arrows in 2000 and 2001. At the start of 2002 he was ditched at the last minute and so had to sit out another season before joining Minardi in 2003.

Verstappen came close to a deal with Jordan in 2004 but last minute problems left him out in the cold

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What will them FI fellas make of THIS! Sam The Man capped a stellar weekend for all things Toyota when he took a last-gasp win for Team Penkse. Team-mate Helio Castroneves was second. we didn't win, but at the same time, I definitely see the good side in that we managed to finish fourth."

Scott Sharp finished fifth ahead of Dan Wheldon, Bryan Herta, Darren Manning, Patrick Carpentier and Kosuke Matsuura.

Australian Ryan Briscoe had a tough race day after qualifying 14th.

He damaged a front wing after contact with Tony Kanaan, w'hich necessitated a quick stop early in the race to replace it.

"I was as low as I could get on the

again and this year there was little interest in FI circles.

Verstappen has been talking about America for some months and is expected to test for Keith Wiggins's HVM Champ Car team in Sebring this week, alongside Bjorn Wirdhelm.

HVM is looking for a driver to partner Mario Dominguez.

The Champ Car teams are now beginning to finalise the last deals and it looks like there will be 18 cars with Dale Coyne Racing expected to run two cars: one for Gaston Mazzacane and the other potentially for Wirdheim. HVM will run two cars as will Mi-Jack Conquest Racing, which is tipped to run Andrew Ranger alongside Nelson Philippe.

23 March 2005

track when Kanaan chopped down on me and broke the wing and that upset the rest of the race for us," the Chip Ganassi driver said "I fell a lap down but the car really was awesome. I really felt like I had the best car out there. I felt so confident with it that we stayed out when everyone pitted to try to make up our lap, but staying on old tires ended up working against us. " Briscoe's day eventually ended in after he brushed the wall on lap 89 while trying to pass Danica Patrick.

"I was trying to get past Patrick on the outside but ended up too high, into the marbles and brushed the wall. It's really disappointing because I feel I had a really awesome car, but I definitely learned a lot more out there today and we'll build on that."

Points: Homish Jr. 90, Wheldon 84, Kanaan 70, Castroneves 70, Manning 52, Meira 51, Carpentier 48, Sharp 47, Franchitti 44, Herta 42.

JON Herb won the Menards Infiniti Pro Series race, which was shortened by 10 laps to 90 laps after heavy rain.

- PHIL MORRIS

JENSEN Motorsport has added to the flurry of announcements regarding the 2005 Champ Car World Series over the past week by announcing they will contest the full 14-round series this year.

The single-car Lola entry will be backed by Konica Minolta and will bring the majority of its staffing from its Toyota Atlantics team.

The Atlantics Championship is in danger of extinction at present, with Jensen's move up to Champ Car only adding to the severe lack of entries.

OWRS co-owner Kevin Kalkohven is believed to be negotiating to bring the Mazda Star open-wheel series onto the Champ Car support bill, to join the US Formula BMW Series as proving grounds for future Champ Car drivers.

■ One of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's most visible pieces of history, its ‘Yard of Bricks' at the start/finish line, is back in its rightful place. On March 9, more than 570 of the 1909-vintage bricks, which were recently in storage for the track's resurfacing, were replaced.

The track was originally built of 3.2 million bricks until much of the track was repaved in 1939. As part of the current rebuild, 19,000 tons of asphalt were laid to repave the Speedway's 2.5-mile oval, pit lane and warm-up lanes.

■ In one of the those titles that happens only in America, the CENTRIX Financial Grand Prix of Denver has announced a sponsor.

PacifiCare Flealth Systems has signed on as the presenting sponsor for the 2005 2.5km street race that will take place August 13/14 at the Pepsi Centre. This will be the fourth time that the Colorado city has hosted a Champ Car round.

■ Memo Gidley has a ride - kind of. After a late-season appearance with the Techsport Racing Technology team last year, the former Champ Car and IRL driver will return to the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship. Gidley will race a Ford Focus in Air Force Reserve colours, that combination taking TRT's first-ever podium finish at the '04 season finale.

Rocketsports has gone back on its handshake deal with Alex Tagliani and is expected to confirm Timo Clock as the second driver alongside Ryan Hunter-Reay. Tagliani has been confirmed as one of two drivers at Walker Racing where he will be joined

by Australian Formula 3 racer Marcus Marshall.

The rest of the field will be Forsythe Championship Racing (Paul Tracy & Rodolfo Lavin), Newman/Haas Racing (Sebastien Bourdais & Bruno Junqueira), PKV Racing Oimmy Vasser & Cristiano da Matta) and RuSport (AJ Allmendinger & Jusbn Wilson). The season kicks off at Long Beach on April 10.

-JOE SAWARD

Jensen on the button

Looking for a Champ Car ride: Verstappen is heading to the USA.

■ Dunlop has taken over sponsorship of the British Touring Car Championship, returning to the title sponsorship that it held in 1987.

The deal is for three years and is reportedly the biggest sponsorship deal in the championships' history.

Previous sponsor Green Flag is understood to be unimpressed about being out-bid.

- STAFF/DAVID ADDISON

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Audi(and contovers

AUDI scored its sixth consecutive victory at the Sebring 12 Hours at the weekend with the ADT Champion Racing Team utterly dominant: JJ Lehto, Marco Werner and Tom Kristensen, opposite, beating team-mates Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro and Allan McNish

in the GTl class. The team of Darren

by just over six seconds, the closest finish in the history of the race.

The two cars were 20 laps ahead of the third-placed car, the Lola-AER of James Weaver, Butch Leitzinger and Andy Wallace. The new Aston Martin DBR9 started its career with victory

return to racing in the United States and was not without controversy as Aston Martin protested the Maserati when practice began on the grounds that the cars that the cars did not conform to the Automobile Club de TOuest's rules that have been

Turner,Stephane Ortelli and David Brabham were also fourth overall and delighted to have beaten the Maserati MC12,right, that was being run by Andrea Bertolini, Fabrizio De Simone and Fabio Babini.

This marked Maserati's official

Conrod? Who needs Conrod?

MOTORSPORT News trivia quiz - who is Australia's fastest V8 Supercar driver?

If you answered Glenn Seton with his 301 km/h blast down Conrod Straight at Bathurst a few years back, then you would be wrong.

As of last week, Australia's fastest V8 Supercar driver is —lamie Sargeant.

"Who?" we hear you ask.

Jamie Sargeant, the former Australian Rally Championship privateer contender, drove Robert Smith's VS Commodore Supercar to officially register a speed of 313.03kmh during last week's annual Speed Week on the remote dry salt lake.

Lake Gardner in outback South Australia.

Sargeant, who had never driven a V8 Supercar before the event, surprised both himself and the car's owner and was a little amused at the title of 'Australia's fastest V8 Supercar driver'.

"It's ironic that I had never driven one

of these cars until this week and now I'm the fastest V8 Supercar driver ever," Sergeant laughed.

"Flaving now done so, I have even more respect for the cars, the competitiveness of the V8 series and the team - they've been terrific and it's been a fantastic experience."

Smith took both his VS and VX Commodores to the lake - and recorded a 308km/h run in the newer, but wider VX - after being disappointed with the new rules implemented for this year's development series.

"We decided to forget the politics, skip Adelaide and head out to Lake Gairdner for an adventure and put some fun back into our racing," Smith said.

"Depending on how we went, we were either going to look like Donald Campbell or Donald Duck.

"Than

and we've achieved something fairly significant."

Regular team driver Lee Holdsworth also completed runs to 280km/h, but wind delays at Lake Gairdner prevented him from going faster and a prior commitment to race Formula Fords in Adelaide meant he missed the final opportunity to make runs.

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adopted by the American Le Mans Series.

The ALMS sanctioning body IMSA rejected the protest, ruling that it was not bound to abide by the ACO rules and could allow whatever cars it wanted to compete. A furious David Richards, the boss of the Aston

Martin team,said that while the marque welcomed competition it was imperative that all cars conformed to published technical regulations.

Richards made the valid point that without long-term stability, GT racing is never going to attract new manufacturers.

The Maserati MC12 is not homologated by the Automobile Club de TOuest. The mid-engine coupe, based on the Ferrari Enzo,is too wide to meet the ACO's maximum width and Maserati said that it could not modify the cars.

-JOE SAWARD

More Lambos AUTOMOBILI Lamborghini is to continue its Murcielago R-GT racecar programme in 2005 in a new deal with Reiter Engineering, which will be the exclusive provider of customer support and a spare parts service out of Its base In KIrchanschorIng, Germany.

Reiter, which has built all the R-GTs to date, is developing technical upgrades and plans five more cars.

However DAMS, the accomplished French team which ran a Lamborghini in 2004, will no longer be involved. n SRO, the organiser of the FIA GT Championship, has received 21 full-time entries for its 2005 series, including five Saleen 7Rs, four Maserati MCI2s, three Ferrari 550 Maranellos and two 575 GTCs, a Chevrolet Corvette C5R and a Lamborghini Murcielago in the GT1 category. n Dunlop has signed a three-year deal to be the title sponsor of the MSA British Touring Car Championship. The 'control' tyre supplier to the BTCC for the last two seasons. It replaces Green Flag Motoring Assistance, which has pulled out after three years as the title sponsor following a brand positioning review.

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21

Saving

JIMMIE Johnson won his first race of the year at Las Vegas two weeks ago after passing Ryan Newman with 55 laps remaining.

Fellow Hendrick driver Kyle Busch was second, with Kyle's older brother Kurt coming home third in his Roush Ford. However, the two Hendrick teams were penalised by NASCAR in the week following the race due to post-race scrutineering issues (see separate story).

Newman claimed pole, but he didri't lead until lap 65, Greg Biffle looked strong in the early stages during a mostly sleepy race, with Johnson fighting a loose car that the team had corrected around the half-way point.

"We found something that worked," said Johnson. "Once we did that, we were railing through the pack and our car was the best when we needed to be."

The Busch brothers put on a great showing in front of their hometown fans, with Kyle passing his older brother for the runner-up slot late in the race.

"The only time I beat my little brother today was getting to the media centre," remarked the 2004 Champ. "He was very stout."

CARL Edwards took his first IMextel Cup win at Atlanta on I Sunday after nipping Jimmie Johnson for the win within sight of the chequered flag.

"Jimmie Johnson was the motivator for this win," said Edwards, who also won the previous day's Busch race.

"I guarantee you there's a V●s dent under the throttle pedal.

That's the hardest I can push / that thing. The car wasn't working down low, so I put it up top and it worked. I had a blast CJ' today."

Edwards took the lead with a ■MSSl quick pit stop 26 laps from the end, but Johnson muscled by on the restart and looked to have it sewn up - especially when Dale Earnhardt Jr. was again a non-factor. This time he made contact with sophomore Brian Edwards almost put his Roush Ford in the wall.

Vickers, wiping both cars out on lap 11, above.

But he cooled his tyres and "I pride myself with being a smart, patient driver," said 'Little E'. "I don't know what my made a run to the high side of track record is, but I don't make many mistakes Johnson exiting turn four on the like that one." final lap and was in front by the - MARTIN D CLARK time they reached the finish line to win by half a car length.

"He did a great job," said Final result: Johnson (Chevyl, Kyle Busch (ChevyI, Kurt Johnson of Edwards. "It's Busch (Ford), J. Gordon (Chevy), Harvick (Chevy), Biffle disappointing to get passed on (Ford), Wears (Dodge), Kenseth (Ford), Newman (Dodge), Stewart (Chevy). the last corner coming for the chequered flag, but all it was a

I Fought The Law

THE teams of Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick all received stiff penalties from NASCAR two days after the Las Vegas event, and left the three leading crew chiefs on vacation for a few races.

Chad Knaus, crew chief for Johnson, was fined US$35,000 when his car was found to be a quarter-inch too low measured from the roof in post-race inspection.

The team will also lose 25 points, costing Johnson the 15 point lead he had over Kurt Busch. Additionally, Knaus, pictured right ivith Johnson, will not be able to attend a race or call the shots via phone for two races.

The same point fine and suspension was handed out to Alan Gustafson, crew chief for rookie Kyle Busch who finished second at Vegas, but his car was too high in the rear quarters, costing Gustafson US$25,000.

Todd Berrier, crew chief for

22

Harvick at Richard Childress Racing, was fined US$25,000, suspended for four races and penalised 25 points, dropping Harvick from eighth to tenth in the standings after his car failed post-race inspection due to a fuel issue. The new ruling states cars must be full of fuel when qualifying; this can be shown by a clear overflow tube from the fuel cell that the catch can is attached to during pit stops in the trunk of the cars.

Apparently, Berrier had come up with a way of capping off the bottom of the sight tube, thus making it look like the car was full of fuel.

Apparently, the car had around five gallons in the 22 gallon system, lightening up the car considerably for

qualifying.

Team owners Rick Hendrick and

Richard Childress are to appeal the decisions by NASCAR, but don't expect to see any changes in the governing body's decisions.

Other teams bitten by rules

infractions included Bobby Hamilton Junior's crew chief Harold Holly for an illegal boot lid, Larry Carter crew chief for Rusty Wallace for an un dated seat belt, and Morgan

Shepherd was fined for using a nonapproved fire extinguisher chemical.

All received monetary fines with no point deductions.

- MARTIN D CLARK

motorsporlnaws

STATESIDE

The Best Fer Last great day for our team after everything we've been through this week."

It didn't take long for trouble to show its head, with Brian Vickers going into into the rear of Bobby Hamilton Jr. on the first lap. This appeared to have a chain reaction further back in the pack, as Casey Meats was tagged from behind by Scott Riggs and a huge pile-up ensued involving Kurt Busch, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Burton, Travis Kvapil, Robby Gordon, Rusty Wallace and Shane Hmiel.

"It's 500 miles, that's all I can say," remarked a dejected Bobby Labonte. "It's 500 miles, not one lap."

Once the red flag had been lifted, Johnson swept around Ryan Newman to lead the fray.

Greg Biffle took over when he pitted earlier than the remainder of the field, the pair leading the majority of the race with Biffle

heading the most of the 325 circuits.

Busch spent much time on pit road repairing the front-end bodywork, but remained on the lead lap until he slapped the wall later in the race and went behind the wall for repairs.

Dale Earnhardt Jr's 2005 season continued to go from bad to worse when he was nabbed exiting pit road for speeding and lost a lap. By one-third of race

distance, he had lost another lap to Biffle and ended his day 24th.

- MARTIN D CLARK Final result: Edwards (Ford), Johnson (Chevy), Biffle (Ford), Martin (Ford), Kahne (Dodge), Vickers (Chevy), Waltrip (Chevy), Blaney jchevy), Riggs (Chevy), Sadler (Ford).

Point standings; Johnson 680, Biffle 598, Edwards 593, Busch 577, Martin 539, Newman 515, Stewart 514, Sadler 482, R Wallace 477, McMurray 475.

You’re All Cut SEVEN drivers failed to make the cut in Atlanta qualifying, including John Andretti in the fledgling PPG Motorsports Cup team.

This race was the fourth of the new season and last using last year's owner points standings to set the provisional starting spots.

Starting this week at Bristol, this year's top 35-point contenders will determine the provisional starting slots at the rear of the field. n Both Chad Knaus and Alan Gustafson, crew chiefs for Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch, were on the pit boxes in Atlanta pending an appeal set for yesterday (Tuesday).

Todd Berrier, Kevin Harvick's crew chief, was not present at the track and serving his first of four weeks.

"I think he deserves a penalty," said team owner Richard Childress, "but not four weeks. I've never won an appeal in my 35 years, but I had to make a statement because I disagree." n Ryan Newman won pole for the Atlanta event, the 29th of his career after 120 starts - which amounts to around one pole in every four events.

- MARTIN D CLARK

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OPINION .

Yesterday And Today

P

EOPLE ask me a lot about what my impressions were when we first came to Adelaide in 1985, 20 years ago.

I will be brutally truthful; everybody knew where Australia was, no problem with that, but not everybody, and certainly not me, knew where Adelaide was. When I heard, with delight, that we were coming to Australia, I got my Reader's Digest atlas out and found out where Adelaide was!

Most of us would never have come to Australia had it not been for Formula One. The experience was absolutely overwhelming. We did not know what to expect - how far ahead, or behind, Australia was in terms of motor racing.

Again, being honest, there was a slightly patronising attitude that Australia had never had a Formula One Grand Prix before, so it would take a while to get up to speed. We thought, 'it will take them a while and we will do what we can to help them.'

Then we got here and found to our delight that it was as though Australia had had a Grand Prix for half a century.

The organisation and promotion were immaculate.

on account that Australia had formed Grand Prix sub committees for safety, medical, whatever. The people involved had gone off and looked at other Grands Prix and taken the best out of them and improved on them for the first Grand Prix in Adelaide.

One of the things that impressed us immensely was that there was even a machine shop in the pit lane. We had never come across that before.

Add that on to the Adelaide experience; we had come from European weather, which is not all that brilliant, to bright skies and sunshine. Then we had a welcoming atmosphere and that has remained so ever since.

The have Clipsal carried 500onappears the to tradition.

We were all mortally sorry for Adelaide, after all it had done, that it lost the Grand Prix. I knew that Adelaide was casting about, trying to find something to replace the Grand Prix. What do you replace Formula One with?

With the benefit of hindsight, when you look at what the Clipsal 500 is, and what great racing it produces to the specialised Australian

3

formula, you realise that this was the obvious thing to do and that it works magnificently well. The whole thing is just like it was in the Formula One days, except for the Supercars, and the racing is obviously fantastic. When you have a second covering the top 15 ... incredible!

I

am not involved in Formula One as I was for so many years, but it will always have a special place in my heart.

I did not stop because I wanted to; I had been doing it for 53 years and I had a gut feeling that it was time to stop while I was ahead. I miss it enormously - coming here makes me realise how much I miss it - but you cannot go on forever and I like to. go to things where I have something to do.

I go to Monaco and, of course, Silverstone, but I am no longer a part of it, I am an outsider. I do not feel that I do not have the right to be there, because people make me welcome, so I go now to the ones where I have something to do. At Monaco, Stirling Moss and I work on one of the ships there; at Silverstone, I get a lot of corporate things to do. The others, I watch on

■MiMiinilllMtor television, and that is a very good way of finding out what IS going on.

I

think that Michael Schumacher will win the World Championship again this year.

He is the best driver, he is with the best team and we need to be mindful of the fact that the 2005 Ferrari is yet to appear. But then, I have a reputation for not always being right so maybe I am no t right again this timel 25

F

OR years now my computer keyboards have been misbehaving.

All too often, Stirling Moss has turned up on screen as Stilring.

Poor Jackie Stewart is inevitably Stewrat. It is either in my subconscious or in my fingers and there does not seem to be anything I can do about it. But the onset of new technology has been a Pandora's Box, just as it has in FI race car development.

Today Stilring and Stewrat are still about, but we have new problems as well. When you try to type the name Robert Doornbos, your computer automatically corrects it to read Doorknobs, which means that writing practice reports is a rather complicated business

because young Doorknobs keeps turning up unexpectedly.

And Lord help us if he ever gets a full-time drive! As a result of this glitch with the machines, young Robert is already known in the FI press office as 'Doorknobs', and I have a vague suspicion that the name will stick.

We speak a very odd language up there in the Media Centre.

Listen into the chat and you will have little idea what is going on as we discuss Mikey, Scrumptious, Falonso, The Webster, Jark, Fuschia-man, Fizzy, Stone Fish, Calvin, Wallpaper, Waify and the rest of the FI drivers. The team bosses boast such colourful characters as The Earthworrn, Beefy, Ronzo and so on. It may'not sound very

complimentary but only the top names get a nickname. Visiting journalists look on in confusion, trying to work out what on earth we are all talking about and notice that we are bitchy lot, trading amiable abuse as often as possible.

One of the oddest things occurs during the practice sessions when one can hear the most extraordinary things being said. If a driver misses pole position by a tiny margin, you will hear someone say: "He's finished. Never did rate him anyway!" If a new name pops to the top of the timesheet you will be greeted with "I always said he was a mega-star".

One might be forgiven for thinking that the FI press corps

change their opinions every 12 seconds. In fact it is an in-joke, the card-carrying FI journos of today are gently mocking the Internet FI press, who never come to races and are under huge (self-induced) pressure to deliver 'news'. This means that they end up creating rather a lot of rubbish. Everything is judged by what has happened in the last 15 minutes, and up in the FI media centre this is a source of amusement.

Jark Villeneuve was not quick in Melbourne as perhaps he ought to have been therefore his career is over. And stories like that spread like a firestorm. isten to the chat in Sepang and you would thought that

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dark was about to leave the paddock with a print of Peter Sauber's boot on the saggy bottom of his overalls, dark says he does not care what the Formula 1 media writes about his future - which is probably a good thing, because he has been really trashed in recent days.

It was the big story in Malaysia. How long, everyone was asking, will Villeneuve stay at Sauber, and who will replace him if he is ousted? Some think it will be Alexander Wurz, others say it will be Antonio Pizzaman.

There are even a few Dutchmen who believe that Doorknobs will get the deal.

The truth is that Sauber is not a man who likes to dismiss

drivers. He makes his decisions and he likes to stick by them. He is a man of his word. Alas, there may come a time when he has to do something because the team cannot afford to have only one car doing well, dacques Villeneuve is the man who will decide that.

The Villeneuve hysteria is to me indicative of the hothouse atmosphere that exists in FI these days. There is a lot of hot air and a lot of people who have lost their sense of reality. They have forgotten the important bit.

The cars and the men. Heroes and extraordinary machines.

E

very now and then, I love to try to meet someone who has never seen a Grand Prix live

before. It reminds me of the raging enthusiasm that so many in FI have become immune to because they have seen it all before. It reminds me that what really matters in FI. It reminds me that it is a great sport and this year it is better. It's great.

The sport is incredibly healthy.

Sure, it could be healthier. It could generate more money if people were not so stupid but that does not matter. That is the side show. The Muppets in the paddock to whom we turn when there is not enough action on the race track.

But the focus should always be the men who go out there and do their magic.

Doorknobs, and the rest of them...

The ■mUMSimnl Box Seat

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Mike Gascoyne

The 2005FI season might heJust two races oU, hutit has aireaiy sprung some surpnses- notieast el which has been the speed ot the Toyotas. JKSAWARO spoke to the technicai ihrectar MOTORSPORT NEWS: Was Jarno Trulli's result a surprise?

MIKE GASCOYNE: People are always going to look at testing and write things. We knew what is going on. We knew the fuel loads and I was always pretty confident in the car. I knew we had done a good job in the windtunnel.

When you have a total rule change, you cannot put numbers on that and say, "We know what other people will do". You have nothing to guide you except your experience.

MN: It must be a satisfying outcome for you?

MG: I think it makes your life easier. The biggest thing, the thing that I am most proud of, is the job that all the guys have done. They are a young, inexperienced team with no big names and it is more satisfying to take a young group like that from nowhere and let them show how good they are. That is the greatest satisfaction for me.

MN:The car was not very quick in Melbourne.

MG: I think in parts, we did look competitive in Melbourne.

We were struggling with the tyres a little bit because the track temperatures were a lot lower than had been predicted.

We knew from testing in Barcelona that in those conditions we would struggle more, but we seemed to have less tyre wear than others teams and in those conditions the people who worked the tyres more had an advantage and we struggled.

We knew that coming here to Sepang that we would not have that problem. I think that the car can probably stand softer tyres than some of the other people in the pitlane. We need to get them working at the colder tracks but we knew the tyre was 26

going to work here and we knew the sort of pace we had. We were not showboating. We were just doing out work.

MN:So you guys haven't just turned up the revs to look good?

MG: We have much lower rev limits than last year. In qualifying, we run the revs higher than in practice. It is the highest it gets during the weekend, but we race with the same revs as well.

I am very pleased for the whole team. I knew we would have a good, competitive showing. I thought we could get a couple of cars in the top eight.

To be on the pace of the Renaults and to be ahead of the McLarens means that we surprised ourselves. In Melbourne, Jarno Trulli had a specific problem in the race. We were on the hard tyre there but here was very different.

I think if you look at the long runs we did in practice you could see that Ricardo Zonta was slightly quicker that McLaren's Pedro de la Rosa. On Saturday morning we took the fuel out and ran new tyres and I think we kind of confused ourselves because we were so quick.

Obviously we must have been

running more fuel than other people did in the first session.

We didn't quite believe we would be where we were.

If you look at Jarno's first stint in Melbourne, he was only two seconds behind the leader after 18 laps with a fuel difference that was about half a second difference. But he was on the hard tyres! So we were pretty bullish here!

MN:The winter testing never really gave much evidence of this pace.

MG: I was never worried about it. We did our work. We ran higher fuel loads than others.

We knew the lap times we were doing with the fuel levels we had and with the aerodynamic update that was coming. We knew what that would bring us and so we did look competitive.

I said to one of the guys back then that you would get very good odds for us to be on pole position at the first race. They all laughed and said: ‘No way'.

Well after Malaysia, that guy is probably wondering what odds he would have got for us being on the front row in Malaysia. I really did feel we had that level of performance.

MN: So Mike Gascoyne does it

again. What is the secret? You haven't even recruited that many people at Toyota.

MG: Everyone always say that I don't do anything and that I get the people to do it for me. Well, that is what a technical director does. He is directing and prioritising, not doing it himself.

The secret is knowing what makes a car go quick. Harvey Postlethwhaite always used to say and I always repeat it: ‘Any idiot can design a racing car. The trick is to design a quick one'.

The technical director's job is to identify what makes a quick one. In FI, that is aerodynamics.

That is my background. I am very pleased for the guy who was our senior aerodynamist.

Niccolo Petrucci has arrived but this car was developed by Jason Somerville, a Williams aerodynamic reject! He developed this car. He listened to what I wanted and did the job I asked of him and he did a tremendous job. Well done to him and the aerodynamic group.

The secret is prioritising and telling the people in the key areas how to do it. And being right!

Maybe we have done it a bit quicker than we did at Renault without getting new people, but then we have the resources of molorsportnews

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Five minutes with...

Kenny Bnack

The USA is getting one of our stars when Marcos Ambrose goes Stateside next year,so it's oniy 1am that ono of thoirs takos an interest in coming hore. MtANT ROWLEY spoke to the Swede MOTORSPORT NEWS: You had a test drive of a DJR Falcon at Queensland Raceway last week. What were your impressions?

KENNY BRACK: I think it was interesting, i think it's a fun car to drive, it's got a iot of power, it's got more power than grip and iots of weight, so if it's a fourth gear corner at 160kph, you stiii have to be carefui with the throttie, as you do if you come out of a hairpin, which is kind of a chaiienging thing for a driver, i thought it was a lot of fun though, it was a different beast to what i'm used to and i wasn't expecting to break the iap record first time out in the car - that wasn't the objective. The objective was to get in the car, feei it out and get used to shifting with the H-pattern.

MN: Was gear-changing one of the most foreign things to deal with?

KB: Sitting on the right-hand side of the car didn't bother me so much, but shifting with the wrong hand, and with a Hpattern box was difficult.

First of all, the cars I've been driving haven't had H-shift, and then you have the new technology with shift without lift, plus you are using your left arm.

It's okay, it can be dealt with, but until it's an automatic thing or instinct, you compromise speed.

To get to that point, you need seat time.

MN: Are more tests needed before you would consider an endurance drive, or even a full time drive in the series?

KB: Yeah, I think that it's a difficult series because the guys here have driven them all their lives and know exactly what the tracks look like and what the cars are doing.

It's very difficult to come in and be halfway competitive with 30

KB: Yes, i think the recovery has been good, i feei i'm back to normai, back to fuii strength and abie to waik around. As good as i can teii, i'm back to fuii fitness.

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that. So, to do it, you have to get seat time and get used to them.

For me, I get a feeling that I'm fairly competitive. There's no point going there and being two seconds slower than everyone.

I've got no interest in that. It doesn't do any favours for me or the team.

But I've got to get more seat time and see how that goes, depending how fast you can adapt to the car and then see if we take the next step from there.

MN: Your most recent race was in the Swedish Carrera Cup series. Did that sedan experience help you in adapting to the Supercar?

KB: I'd driven sedans before in the past. I finished fifth but I only had half a day testing, and I was still a little broken up at the time.

I didn't look at it as a driving future and didn't really care that I hadn't driven the car much prior to racing.

In this situation (racing in Australia), I can't take that approach. If I come for the two endurance races, I don't want to fly out for the endurance races and not have anymore interest in it.

For me, the interest is more long-term. And for that to happen, it needs to be done so it's a reasonable situation from both myself and the team.

MN: Can you see this series as a home for Kenny Brack on a full-time basis?

KB: It's too early to say. I think what you have here is a very strong championship. There is great technical regulations, the series is stable and been stable for years which shows you've been doing the right things.

The other aspect is to think about whether these cars are going to suit my style and see if I can enjoy them. That's important.

It's a step-by-step process, rather than just throw yourself in.

I don't know anymore about V8 Supercar than watching it on television and hearing all the great things about it.

The best way to do it is to test and see if I can get up to speed.

I'm not expecting to win but if you can be somewhat competitive, within reason of your experience, then you take the next step.

I didn't come down here to drink with the boys, I came down here to try and investigate what it's about.

Dick Johnson was kind enough to give me a test and maybe even do some more testing.

MN: Last time you raced an IRL Indy Car in late 2003, your car nearly entered the spectator area. You suffered some serious back, leg and other injuries. Are you fully recovered?

MN: Was there ever a time when you were concerned that you wouldn't be able to race again?

KB: Yeah. I wasn't worried in a sense that it was affecting me, but yes, I was questioning whether I was going to be able to come back. It was a very big accident.

I've never been in that position before and I had no experience with broken bones and broken everything.

I wasn't sure at the time whether I was going to get out of that and feel like an athlete again.

MN: It was a difficult time in the sport. There were a few bad accidents just prior and two months after your accident, Tony Renna died in a testing accident. Did it make you reconsider your future in the series?

KB: No. Basically, as a driver, you think through what you do and if you are going to do that sort of racing you have to be prepared to take the risk.

If you go through a turn at 220mph against the concrete wall, then yeah, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand that that's kind of dangerous.

But all motor sport is dangerous. We've come a long way with making cars safe, HANS devices, helmets, seats, SAFER barriers, I think the IRL has been a leader in that department.

If you look at all those things, at the end of the day, motor racing is high speed, and when shit hits the fan, if you're unlucky, you can get hurt. motorsportnsws

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Paint It Blacn Two years ago, nobody in motorracing had heard of Craig Gore. Now, it is virtually Impossible to attend a race meepng without seeing one of his calling cards - which is exactly what he intended. And there is more to come, he told PHIL BRANAGAN

RAIG Gore looks tired. At the first race of the season.

Maybe it is the strain of running WPS Racing. Maybe it is down to Wright Patton Shakespeare's sponsorship of the V8 Supercar Safety Car program. Or the naming rights sponsorship of the Carrera Cup and the Aussie Racers. Or maybe it is Champ Cars (which, at Adelaide, he could not talk about).

Perhaps Gorey, as he is universally known, is weary from the strain of actually running the financial services company and overseeing its new partnership with Visa International, the Bendigo Bank and AVESCO. Too tired to talk? Nope, that is not The Gore Way. Craig Gore is opinionated, outspoken and confident. If that rubs people the wrong way, they do not have to listen but Gore is not going away any time soon.

When Gore appeared on the V8 Supercar horizon two years ago, he had much to say. He was going to do things his way and, on the way, have some fun.

In the minds of many in the sport, he was either a visionary or a madman.

Which was it?

"I don't think I can make that determination, it's not up to me," he smiles. "I have been called a madman and a visionary and a million other things [for things] that I have done. I don't know, I don't want to make that decision."

But regardless, things have happened. Has it been because of planning or seizing opportunities?

"I think a mixture of both; some things haven't gone to plan. Sometimes, things never go to plan. Obviously, our debacle with Ford [Ed: where Gore branded his cars with what 32

some saw as anti-Ford slogans in Tasmania last year) is disappointing, in both its makeup, its result and where we leave ourselves sitting today. But if I look at where we are as a race team, then I am pretty happy."

Results have been few and far between, with David Besnard's sole win at Symmons Plains last November as the team's only notable V8 Supercar result. So why have so many irons in the fire?

"We are big business and we are projecting the brand of our business, and we want to make sure that the official and creditable financial services provider to this series is a reputable brand. The Safety Car program has some great synergies for our brand, now with Chrysler and as it was when it was Audi.

"The Aussie Racers are a great way to develop young

drivers. If we are going to do this in the long haul, and we are in it for that, it is a great way to develop that culture."

w

hen the black and silvers appeared for the first time in 2003, Gore made the statement that V8 Supercars represented an unbelievable business opportunity. Was that accurate?

"We have justified that. When we approached VISA credit cards to become a credit card n provider, they jumped at it. It took them less than an hour to decide. I don't think that international conglomerate like VISA makes a decision like that on a national basis, and looking to go into China, it was just too easy."

So, what does Gorey think about V8 Supercars?

"The problem that this sport has is that it surrounds itself with morons, and there are still a

lot of morons in the sport. I have been very upfront about saying that from day one.

"There are more petrol sniffing [idiots] in this sport but there are business people that understand what the business has. I still say that V8 Supercars is very, very undervalued except for Formula One. But I think that Formula One is very, very overvalued. It's at a critical point. I am not involved in Formula One but my prediction is that there is a big change coming there. It is now becoming too expensive and too hard. And I think there are other categories in the world that offer enormous opportunity and enormous investment opportunity for the return of sponsor's money, and I think that motorsport in general is on the cusp of turn world-wide.

"I think that there are business people running the sport other than sports people

V8 SUPERCARS

[(and Silver) i.

stocking up on the silver paint Gore's WPS livery already adorns his V8 Supercar team, above, the Safety Car, below right, and an Aussie Race Car - and there is more to come ...

and when that happens here, the V8s will see another change.

We still have a long way to go. If you can put a value on the stock if that stock value is a $100 bucks, V8 shares at the moment are valued at around $33 per share. Before I came into this sport they were valued about $10!"

And, after credit cards, what next?

"Financial services sector is a big sector. With home loans, our calculations are that there are something like 477 loans generated directly out of continued on page 34 73"W!‘"lOS

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33

continued from page 33 motorsport, at an average value of $250,000 per loan. Multiply that out at 52 weeks [and] the numbers are quite phenomenal."

But for right now, there are races to be run. The WPS Fords of Bezzy and Craig Baird are not up the shiny end of the field on a regular basis. Gore admits there is much to do.

"In the off season, we changed the entire front-end of the car and at that dog of a race track Willowbank, we drove around thinking that we were superstars and that we had got it right. The reality is that we got it wrong. We came here and we had to change it back to the old

front-end. That's,the way it is.

Why didn't we f$ow that before we came here?'?

So, has it all been plain sailing?

"I have made more mistakes than I have made good decisions. I make a lot of decisions every day. All I have done so far is what I said that I would do. I camd into V8 Supercars on a three-year program and V8Supercars are our number one priority. We will maintain it as out number one priority.

"We set out to build the brand the business, we decided it was the platform to do that. We are happy with the progress to date.

We have definitely lifted our brand. We had a zero on-track recognition last year, we have got to add a value of 82 percent track recognition to date. We had a one or two percent off track recognition last year and that has grown to around to

around 33 percent to 40 percent.

"I could have done it two ways, I could have spent six million dollars building my brand by marketing and promotion, with no life and no personality. I

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believe that this gives us a better result."

And, after all the categories, the team, the Champ Car involvement, what could top that?

"We will be in the sport for a long time to come, but how will the make-up change? I don't know. I might buy it [V8 Supercars]. You never know! I am not creating controversy, but you never know."

What would he change?

"The TEGA Board needs to become more lateral, from a business perspective, lit is] too focused on racing and they are not focused on the business.

They want to be focused on the business but they are too ... how do I say this without getting myself into trouble? They are too influenced, they are too susceptible to external influence for there to be a fair balance.

"That external influence is driven by Holden and Ford. Until

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I might buy[V8 Supercars]. You never know! I am not creating controversy, but you never know II

- Craig Gore, pictured ieft with Tony Cochrane

there is a real balance on the board, this sport is going to remain undervalued. That's what the manufacturer likes, that it is undervalued, so that they can keep on raping it while it's undervalued, and that's pretty much what they are doing.

"That is my view. Have I got myself in trouble for saying that?

That's the truth; I do not see them on the share register. They dictate the terms on how, and where, the sport goes.

"Last time I looked, I had a shareholding and they were not on the share register. They are used to dealing with people who are bought and paid for. Now the manufacturers will have to deal with people who are not poor and I think that they are trying to get used to that."

Will Holden and Ford be happy with that? Probably not. Will Gore lose any sleep over that?

Probably not. Life on Planet Gore goes on.

Coming

AmoPica FOR all the idea that Craig Gore enjoys'a chat as much ' as the next man, he goes quiet when you talk about America.

Soon, very soon, it will be official that Gore and Derrick Walker will be partners in a twocar team in the Champ Car World Series. But in Adelaide, mention of the USA brought a response that was ... guarded.

“I think that there are huge opportunities in the United States, in all the series over there," says Gore.

“I think that there are huge opportunities for a number of our businesses over there. “[There are] great opportunities for Australia, and I think that we are now starting to look at our fan base, on a global perspective. I don’t think that we look at it any more from a domestic perspective.

“Mark Webber has huge support, and so does Formula One here in Australia. There is an initiative that we are taking, there a great opportunities in the United States and I see also great opportunity in China and the Pacific Rim. “We are in the final process of, of putting together a platform to market and develop our brand in the United States. And unfortunately there are some sensitivities that I just can’t disclose today because they involve Government.

I think that I need to pay that courtesy to those, to be forewarned and first. But I can tell you that we will be going to the United States, that we are definitely moving forward to developing a brand using a motorsport platform.”

We saw a silver and black Champ Car at Surfers last October. Champ Car fans, get used to it.

- PHILBRANAGAN

THROUGH MY EYES

by Dirk Klynsmith d photographic journey through the lost 12 years of motorsport in Australia An essential ndditien to your melerspert library

Through My Eyes by Dirk Klynsmith

Forewords by racing legend Peter Brock and legendary FI photographer Nigel Snowdon.

Over 340 images in colour and b/w in 152 pages depicting motorsport in Australia in the last decade featuring FI, V8 Supercars, F3, Rally, Formula Holden, Super Touring, Procar Categories, Indy Car and more.

The book will be available for purchase at the Clipsal 500 Museum and selected sites in and around the Adelaide Street circuit during the Clipsal 500.

23 March 2005

The book is available in 3 options.

A 200 copy limited edition carbon fibre covered book which is hand-mode to order, individually numbered and signed; a case bound version; and a coffee table version Books are available directly from Dynamik Marketing, 11 Senna Rd Wingfield SA 5013 Ph: 08 8359 6955 or online; www.throughmyeyesbook.com wvw.grophicdakphotos.com www.teamdynomik.com or by sending a cheque or money order to: Through My Eyes, 22 Kawana Cres Loganholme Qld 4129 Ph: 07 3287 9480 Prices as follows Carbon Fibre $350.00(hand-made to order) Case Bound $95.00 Coffee Table $75.00 Postage and handling...

Within Australia including registration $12.95 Overseas AUD$ including insurance AUD$35.00 The official launch of Through My Eyes" is on Monday 14th March at the opening of the Clipsal 500 20 Years of Motorsport exhibition at the SKYCITY ADELAIDE Casino. The book is to be launched by the voice of motorsport, Murray Walker OBE.

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MOTORSPORT NEWS: When you walked into the factory in Milton Keynes and took stock of what you had inherited, what were your impressions?

CHRISTIAN HORNER: I saw that there was a team that had obviously been through a great deal, with the uncertainty of the demise of Jaguar, the sale, the uncertainty of the sale process with Red Bull, and then finally the completion.

Obviously, the staff have been through a lot there, but what struck me immediately was the motivation, the commitment, and the amount of effort that had gone into the new car, which has turned out to be RBI. The first thing that struck me was very positive; I had no negativity from any part of the company. I spent the first month or so looking and understanding how the company works, how it operates and where its strengths and weaknesses are.

MN:So are you trying to fit in with the culture that was already there, or are you introducing something new of your own?

CH: No, I mean, the culture there couldn't be further removed from what Jaguar was to what Red Bull is.

They are two completely different brands, two different visions, two different mind-sets.

My vision is very similar to what Dietrich spelled out to me in December, and basically we've moved reasonably quickly.

I have addressed the 36

immediate weak areas in the company with the recruitment of Mark Smith and Anton Stipinovich, who joins us from Ferrari.

So yes, things have moved quite quickly, and the objectives for the team are very clear.

We're not here just to compete and take part. We're there to compete at the front. Taking part just simply isn't good enough.

There is a clear goal, clear objectives, and that is to compete at the highest level.

MN:To that end,there has not been a lot said in the European press about your car in the lead-up to the season, but you appear to have a couple of quite useful little units sitting in there.

CH: Yes, well, you know, we've had a good pre-season test programme.

Obviously we got the car later than we would have liked because of the lateness of Red Bull entering Formula One - or, the relative lateness of them entering Formula One. But we've completed a lot of mileage, the car has proved to be reasonably reliable, and the drivers have felt confident in the car. So it gives us a good starting point.

This year, for us, is all about laying foundations for the future, and I think that hopefully this car will provide a good platform for that.

MN: Were those weaknesses that you referred to inherent problems in the way that

things were being done within the team, or were they a product of what happened with Jaguar and Ford?

CH: I think that any company that is part of a big organisation inherits that mind-set.

So the way that the company was structured internaiiy within Ford and so on, it was a very democraticaily run organisation, in racing, you've got to have accountabiiity, response, and a common vision.

The great thing about the team now is that it is totaiiy independent, which puts us in a competitive market with ali suppiiers, whether it be engines, whether it be tyres ... whatever.

There are no restraints piaced on Red Buii Racing for the future, which previously hadn't been the case when you are part of a bigger structure.

So that enables us to react quicker, and pick and choose, potentially, the partners that we want to work with.

MN: Doesn't it also mean less security?

CH: Not really. I mean. Red Bull's commitment is long-term.

They were only ever the only serious buyer of Jaguar. It just gives us more flexibility, more than anything else.

MN: Can you explain how the chain of command works? I understand that you are the Sporting Director, but are most of the major calls being made in Austria?

CH: No. Obviously, I report to

the shareholders, which obviously is Red Bull and Mr. Mateschitz. And obviously he has his aides and assistants.

But I am responsible for the day-to-day running of the team, so within my role as Sporting Director I perform team principal roles, accompanied by Gunther (Steiner) on the technical side.

MN:So is basic structure of the team more or less complete now, with the arrival of Smith and Stipinovich?

CH: Yes. I mean, we might want to compliment a couple of other areas, but the key format of the company is now in place, and it allows us to focus on developing RBI, and thinking ahead regarding RB2.

MN: How much of a heads-up did you have regarding the changing of the guard at the top of the team, with Tony Purnell and David Pitchforth being shuffled out?

CH: It was ... I've had a very good relationship with Red Bull throughout the last few years.

And Helmut Marko in particular, who I have worked very closely with over the last few months in F3000 with Vitantonio (Liuzzi).

I made it clear to them - and probably did to you, too, in our interview seven months ago what my ambitions were and that they were very clear, and I obviously took a long, hard look at the situation regarding Jordan.

Obviously when Jaguar came up - as I said. Red Bull were the only really serious bidder there motorsportnaws

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we'd maintained contact, and throughout those discussions it became apparent that there was perhaps unrest with the current management, and that Red Bull wanted to implement their own management with their own management style.

As I said, my principles and objectives were very much in common with Mr. Mateschitz's, and we came to a deal very quickly.

r

When Christian Horner outiined his FI plans to MNews last year, we didn't believe him.

Now, he’s the Sporting Director at Red Bull Racing - and MARK GLENDENNING owes him a beer I'll be judged on what I do, and not how old I am, at the end of the day.

MN: You referred to your relationship with Liuzzi before. You guys are in the unusual position of having three contracted drivers, with Christian (Klien) signed on just for this race...

CH: Well, Christian is on a contract that is ongoing. He is on

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[Jaguar]was a very democratically run organisation. In racing, you've got to have accountability, response and vision. The great thing about the team now is that it is totally independant"

- Horner compares the new regime with the old

MN: Can you elaborate on those objectives a bit?

CH: Well, you know. I'm a young guy . ..

MN: I think you're younger than your lead driver...

CH: I am younger than my lead driver. But I'm competitive. I don't want to just take part. I want to be successful in Formula One. And 1 have grown up in this industry, I might be young, but 23 March 2005

a long-term contract with the team, and he is doing a good job.

He had a good rookie season, he will learn a lot from that, and we will just have to review on an ongoing basis the situation regarding that second seat. It is very healthy to have competition for that, and Tonio, undoubtedly in my mind, is a star of the future.

He just needs a bit of time to acclimatise to Formula One, and

it's great to have that competition between two very talented young guys for that second seat alongside David Coulthard.

MN: So does that mean that if Christian performs to a certain level throughout the year, he will remain in the seat?

CH: We want the best kid that's going to deliver for us in that seat, and if that proves to be Christian, then great. If it's Tonio, then I'd be equally pleased for him, too.

But there's no set agenda to say, 'right, you've got three, five, 10 races'. It's pretty much, we'll review it on an ongoing basis.

MN: On a completely different subject, Nick Fry was telling me that he is on a little sub committee with you to try and work out the future sporting regs. It must be hard to balance all the various interests, when you've got to think about the manufacturer teams, the independent teams, the FI A, the fans ...

CH: Yes. Especially when you are very new to Formula One, as Red Bull are.

Our view is that we've entered Formula One under the current Concorde Agreement, which has another three years to run, and we are bound by that agreement - which, obviously.

Red Bull were happy to enter Formula One under. During that time, we'll see how things develop.

But I've got more pressing.

immediate issues, that my time will be focused on.

MN: So you are delaying the crash-course in politics until a little later?

CH: Well, really, you know, the manufacturers dictate, through engine supply, what goes on in the sport. So really, it's for them to sort out with the commercial rights holder or another party, if that's the route that we're going to do down.

MN: What is the team's battle plan for these first few races?

CH: Respectability, more than anything. We've had good reliability, and we hope to see that repeated in the first couple of races.

Historically, it is the first few races where there are a few cheap points up for grabs.

Hopefully, if opportunities present, we'll be there to take them. We just want to get off the ground as soon as possible, get some points on the board, and move on from there.

MN: If what I have been hearing about your engines is correct, then you might be well on the way ...

CH: Urn . . . it's a great figure, 900 horsepower, isn't it?

Cosworth have done a great job with the engine, but whether we have that amount of power.

I'm not entirely sure. If we have.

I'll be delighted. If we have, I think we'll have one of the most powerful engines in the field. But we'll just have to wait and see.

37

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After years of HRT

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OU can stop early. You can stop late. You can keep going around and around but,no matter what you do, you are not going to beat Marcos Ambrose in Adelaide.

Last season, the man in blue took two wins from two starts. This time around, he did it again, taking two utterly different strategies on the weekend to two more chequered flags. It was not a perfect weekend a Holden qualified on pole position. . that of Rick Kelly-but once the lights went green,it was all about man with the #1 on the car.

We had track position in both races but you could never predict that I was going to win that event this afternoon

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dominance, blue is the new red on Adelaide's famous street circuit PHIL BRANAGAN reported on the Marcos Ambrose 500 [Sunday]," he said. "I got three seconds and I was able to hold that.

The car is straight and I am looking forward to New Zealand."

Behind Ambrose there was all kinds of carnage and drama. Russell Ingall and Craig Lowndes made it an all-Ford Saturday podium, with Steven Johnson fourth. It was looking like another Ford 1-2-3 the following day but a tyre problem accounted for Ingall and Lowndes had to come

back from a first comer spin to drive through the pack to second.

Sunday also saw Mark Skaife put a nightmare Race 1 behind him. After stopping with a broken distributor early on Saturday, Skaifey used a generation's skill and guile (and some brilliant work in the HRT pits) to haul the new VZ all the way to third.

Steven Richards was all out of luck on Sunday, losing a good result with two offs into the tyres, but the Castrol effort was salvaged by a strong drive from Paul Dumbrell to fifth place.

There will be some midnight oil burned before the boat to New Zealand, with a new car to be built for Steven Ellery and repairs for Jason Bargwanna, whose crew worked all night to repair their man's chariot. A lot of other cars left Adelaide with battle scars.

Does it get any worse than this? It might; Marcos is still driving the original Pirtek BA Falcon. The car has

now won about 1000 races and the Stones have a fresh one in the shop, a sister to Russell Ingall's Caltex car, awaiting completion. Ambrose says that he will drive it when he feels he needs it. At this rate, the car might be driven for the first time when someone else replaces Ambrose at SBRin2006...

Race 1 (78 laps) How have500 we decided seen a racemany at thetimes Adelaide by cars making sequential pit stops for fuel and, then, tyres? Lots.

Add 2005, Race 1 to the list. Any ideas that the Stone Brothers Racing Battlestars were going to be run down by someone else choosing a superior strategy in a slower car were dealt with on laps 20 and 21 when first Ingall and then Ambrose made backto-back stops. That meant that, as Rubens might. Ingall had to wait for service from his Caltex-clad crew but, as he explained later, it was better to

rarely like to talk to the media about things like fuel consumption and Ross Stone is no dummy, defending questions about how close Marcos and Rusty were to their fuel windows when they stopped with 57 laps to go. But it is safe to say that, on a green track, both drivers would have short-shifted at one stage or another, even if a lot of yellow laps (16 in all) made it a moot point. Everyone made it home, Johnson reporting that his car had better than 20 litres left in the tank at the end.

Stones scored a '1-2-3', with Lowndes (SBR-powered, of course) zooming through to third. It was grins all around after the race.

"It was a great race in a great car," said Ambrose. "It is just a pleasure to drive right now. Russell pushed me all the way and we set the fastest laps

continued on page 42

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39

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s

OMETIMES, matters can be settled in motorsport by one race; sometimes, it takes one lap. Sometimes, one gearchange is all it takes.

In 2004, the earth moved a little from its axis when, for the first time since Stirling Moss started wearing long pants, a shootout took place without any Holden Racing Team cars involved. At the time, it looked like a blip on the sport’s radar that, surely, would not be repeated during the year.

To be fair to the team, it was not.

Well, a year on, the earth almost tilted again. Todd Kelly was having all manner of set-up problems with his #22 car and it was left to Skaife to fly the red flag. The team boss looked solid, if not stunning, on his first set of tyres, banking the fifth swiftest lap of the session to that point.

But then it went pear-shaped.

Skaife tagged a wall on the run behind the pits and, when he arrived at Turn 13 at warp speed, the 2005

Byes on the prize: Rick scored the first pole of the year.

40

■.

:k& VZ refused to turn left as much as Mark might have preferred.

Boom. Crash. Opera. Skaife was in the wall. He was still fifth but he was at the mercy of the opposition.

“The steering arm broke on the corner prior,” he explained. “From then on, I was a passenger but I didn’t hit the wall too hard.”

So, what about the gearchange? With Skaife’s car wounded, it took little time for the circling sharks to strike, with first Steve Ellery, Craig Lowndes and then Jason Bright leaping into the top 10. Skaife was back in 10th in what seemed like no time at all and under siege.

The gearchange of record was that of Jason Bargwanna. The Stone-powered Orrcon car was on track for a top 10 lap when the former Bathurst winner arrived at Turn 9, as usual. Bargs dipped the clutch and heeled-and-toed down through the gearbox but, as he did, the engine cut out, the rear wheels locked and he ran into the tyres. The car carried on

by Bargs had lost much of a second. Not good enough.

“Curses,” he cursed. “Could have been sixth or seventh, I reckon. At least we know that the car is fast.”

And, McConville? He laughed later that was looking at a 22.2 when he blazed through the second sector (a statement optimistic by around a half second) but he WAS looking alright until he arrived under the rear wing of the Sirromet VZ. Paul Morris had passed the Valvoline car a few laps earlier and looked to have the speed to hold place until at least Turn 9 but, instead, slowed at the previous corner, costing Cam

Mac almost a second.

“We only needed a tenth,” McConville rued. “Why he didn’t just button off at Turn 9 instead of in the middle of the fastest corner on the track is a bit beyond me.”

Morris: “He hit me! I buttoned off half-way down the straight and he just drove into the back of me.”

So, what else was going on?

Much. Fords were fast; there is little unusual with Marcos Ambrose being fastest but four of the top five cars were Henrys; both T8 and Bright,s FPR machine (still a 2004 car) deemed to join Marcos in the top five. The top 10 featured parity between marques but, on the form of qualifying, it looked like a blue party.

Perhaps the biggest surprise among the Holden order was that Team Kiwi was flying. Maybe that should be less shocking after Albert Park but Paul Radisich was second, the Morris-built car looking secure and speedy in the handling department but, like Morris,s, lacking a little in the retardation department.

“It transfers [the weight] to the rear under braking,” The Rat said.

“Paul is having the same problem and we cannot seem to fix it with the [brake] balance.”

The result of all that was second lost during Radisich,s Top 10 lap, “after which I lost interest for a half-lap. Otherwise, it would have been good enough for P4.”

So, Ellery led Lowndes. Eh? Yep, that was how it was. Ellery was going like a blur; in practice, he had something of a confidence crisis but overcame it to be third quickest, edging his illustrious team-mate by around a hundredth, it was his equal career-best qualifying performance and he backed it up in the Shoot-out.

“I will take third any day,%o he said. ,,l have two hard and long races so I am not going to get carried away tonight. I had a few mental issues during the day but I got my ahead around it. I am learning a lot.”

And who was on pole? Rick Kelly did the best job on the first sector and rode the time he picked up all the way to his second career pole, much to his own surprise.

“We were fastest in practice and we did not have the speed [in qualifying] that we had in practice,” he said. “I did not think that it was going to be good enough to be on pole.%o For once, there was a Forddominated grid behind him.

Ambrose was second from Ellery, Ingall („lt is no secret that the Shoot-out is not my strong suit so it was good to be within twomotorsport news

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Practice and Qualifying

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ADELAIDE in March can be, in the immortal words of Robin Williams,"Hot, Damn Hot!" In 2005, the weather gods were a little kinder, with no mid30 temperatures on offer as the V8 Supercar circus prepared for battle.

As usual, the teams prepared their carriages for the heat.

PMM had its Cepicool aircon system installed in Paul Morris's car (though, interestingly, not in Paul Radisich's) and there were vents and hoses installed in almost everyone else,s.

Among the novel systems was that of Larkham Motor Sport, with carbon fibre external vents and in-car hosing directing cool air into the racesuits of both Jason Bargwanna and Mark Winterbottom.

"It works well," said an ice-cool Frosty. "It makes a big difference and does not blow up our racesuits."

Good, as the last thing we want to see is racing drivers looking like the Michelin man.

- PHIL BRANAGAN

tenths of Marcos instead of half a second”) and Bright, though the latter was bounced to row five when the team fell victim to the new-for,05 rule that saw the car

miss its allocated time at the end of pit lane.

‘The car is good and responds well to changes,” said Bright positively, “but this is a much

ver|Car/team | ti me

Marcos Ambrose

Pirtek Stone Brothers Racing Falcon BA

1:22.1776

Paul Radisich

Team Khvi Racing Commodore VZ

1:22.5300

3

Steve Ellery

Betta Hectrical Triple 8 Falcon BA

1:22.5446

4

Craig Lowndes

Betta Bectrical Triple B Falcon BA

1:22.5609

5

6

Jason Bright

CAT Ford Performance Racing Falcon BA

1:22.5692

6

15

Rick Kelly

HSV Dealer Team Commodore VZ

1:22.6948

7

11

Steven Richards

Castrol Perkins Racing Commodore VY

1:22.7015

8

51

Greg Murphy

Super Cheap Auto Racing Commodore VZ

1:22.7666

9

9

Russell Ingall

CaKex Racing Falcon BA

1:22.8108

10

2

MarkSkaife

Holden Racing Team Commodore VZ

1:22.8235

11

12

John Bovre

Team BOC BJR Falcon BA

1:22.9277

12

33

Cameron McConville

Repco Vatvoline Cummins Commodore VZ

1:22.9389

13

17

Steven Johnson

Westpoint Dick Johnson Racing Falcon BA

1:22.9791

14

24

Paul Dumbrell

Castrol Perldns Racing Commodore VY

1:23.0073

15

22

Todd Kelly

Holden Racing Team Commodore VZ

1:23.0607

16

44

Simon Wills

Team Dynamik Commodore VZ

1:23.0889

17 18

^3

Jamie Whincup

Dodo Tasman Motorsport Commodore VY

1:23.1801

Garth Tander

HSV Dealer Team Commodore VZ

1:23.2143 1:23.2405

\9

67

Paul Morris

Sirromet * Ufe,Style,Wine Commodore VZ

20

20

Mark Winterbottom

21

Tf

Larkham Orreon Racing Falcon BA

1:23.2601

Brad Jones

Team BOC BJR Falcon BA

1:23.3289

22

48

David Besnard

23

10

Jason Bargwanna

WPS Falcon BA Larkham Orreon Racing Falcon BA

Glenn Seton

Westpoint Dick Johnson Racing Falcon BA

1:23.4013

75

Anthony Tratt

Toll Racing Commodore VY

1:23.5881

24

r Runnings

D R

Adelaide, SA

25

1:23.3663 1:23.3955

26

5

Greg Ritter

FPV Ford Performance Racing Falcon BA

1:23.6424

27

50

Paul Weel

Super Cheap Auto Racing Commodore VZ

1:23.6548

26

3

Jason Richards

Tasman Motor Sport Commodore VY

1:23.7219

29

34

Andrew Jones

Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Commodore VZ

1:23.8982

30

25

Steve Owen

Fujitsu Racing Britek Falcon BA

1:23.9342

Alex Davison

Autobam Racing Commodore VY

1:23.9380

31 32

8

Craig Baird

WPS Falcon BA

1:24.2139

33

52

Matthew White

Fujitsu Racing Britek Falcon BA

1:24.3102

34

45

Max Wilson

WOW Sight & Sound Commodore VZ

No Time

TOP TEN SHDDTDUT RESULTS 1

R. Kelly

29.0398s

49.3489s

1m22.9438s

2

Ambrose

29.0434s

49.4472s

1m23.0490s

3

Blery

29.3212s

49.9139s

lm23.1918s

4

Ingall

29.3595s

49.7112s

1m23.2425s

5

Bright

29.5355s

49.8946s

1m23.4423s

6

Murphy

29.5344s

49.8967s

1m23.4958s

7

S. Richards

28.9748s

49.3815s

1m23.5688s

8

Lowndes

29.5060s

50.1371s

1m23.7449s

9

Radisich

30.0825s

50.6790s

1m24.0786s

10

Skaife

No Time

different track to [FPR’s test track] Phillip Island or Albert Park. The car has plenty of potential.”

That made Murf the best of the other Lions in fifth but what of the other Holdens? Todd Kelly struggled through qualifying with a misfire that the team put down to

a distributor problem. Steven Richards was happy with the car but less pleased that the team went off on a tangent, with set-up.

By the time the team turned the set-up around, it was behind the eight-ball and seventh (which became sixth).

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41

continued from page 39

\

with about five laps to go."

"I can't be dissatisfied with that," said Ingall,"1 am up against the best driver in the category and 1 still finished right behind him.

"We have got my head around the car now and I am very comfortable in the car. It's all good."

And Lowndes?

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T»1

"It's a great result. These two guys in front of me were hard and I lost a little bit of time behind Russell on

A '

cold tyres. We fell back to 14th and we worked hard and stayed out of trouble."

If Craig was happy(when isn't he?)Paul Radisich was less so.

Defending early, he found Craig all the way down his inside at Turn 9 on lap 7 and conceded the corner. But the two cars met wheel-to-wheel and

"We took the punt," Johnson admitted."The car was fast enough at the end but I could not do

The Rat had to pit immediately for attention to broken steering.

"1 let him have it," said Radisich.

"1 was having brake problems anyway,so it would not have been a great finish, but..."

And to make it a nightmare for anyone in Holden red, Johnson was fourth. Now this was a smart play; the new father made ground when he opted for two (rear) tyres only at the tyre stop and took track position, hanging on for the final laps from a fired up Richards.

anything about the cars ahead."

For a while, the challenge looked to be coming from Rick Kelly and Ellery but the latter was one of the drivers to feel the concrete at the dreaded Turn 8 when, having damaged a splitter the previous lap, he found the T8 Barra understeering out of control. The car was damaged so badly that the team will use a new shell for Pukekohe.

Ellery, who had suffered a 4G impact, was taken to Adelaide General Hospital for observation and

The start and the end:

T_^

The 2005 season started the way it ended - Blue car in front, everyone else behind.

Above, Bargwanna collected the wall at turn eight.

4

released on Saturday night,shaken but largely uninjured. On the other hand, Bargwanna's car would be back for Sunday after a marathon fix by the Orrcon lads. Bargs missed the apex and slapped the wall at 200kmh at the same spot and rode the concrete all the way to Turn 9.

Richo was first in the Holden class.

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predictably making the car's strengths work for him, while his former Bathurst wiiming co-driver Greg Murphy was next. Murf spun at Turn 9 after a touch-up from McConville and,smartly, pitted for rubber on the next lap. He recovered ground and admitted later that sixth was about all the car had in it this time out.

Behind him came Garth Tander and Todd Kelly {see breakout) and Glenn Seton, who hit tyres on lap 8 and had to pit for a new front splitter, meaning that his rubber would have

to run 70 laps. To Dunlop's credit, they did just that and it was the Seto of old as he defended from Todd for lap after lap untU the VZ found a way past for eighth.

Skaife slowed on the pit straight on lap 9 with, unbelievably, another distributor problem. After the Todd episode on Friday, the crew knew that a fix would take a while so they waited until lap in the race before The Boss returned for a sprint test(no Sunday warmup,of course) and set a new lap record for good measure.

And then there was the BOG Story.

After its strong run in Melbourne, the team headed out of Albury in high spirits and Race 1 showed that the confidence was justified, with John Bowe and Brad Jones looking topfive contenders. But JB was given a drive-through penalty for having more than the allowed six team members over the control line during a pit stop, dropping him to 13th, one spot ahead of Brad.

Team manager Kim Jones reacted with predictable calm (5.9 on the Richter Scale) and pointed out that, should the team appeal and get back

H

its 32 seconds, Bowe would have won the race. Now that is adding insult to injury.

Race 2(78 laps)

Another perfect Adelaide sky, a perfect track, a huge crowd.

And another Ambrose win. This time, he waited until past half-way for the fuel stop, having pitted for rubber on lap 9. He made the stop when he did because he was

continued on page 44

Unless I am Very Much Mistaken YOU have, no doubt,felt sorry over the years for Murray Walker.

Was that Mark Blundell or Martin Brundle in the Ligier? The Ferrari on fire was Jean Alesi's (no, it wasn't). Which McLaren hit whose?

The famed commentator was given a microphone at Adelaide to speak on the opening V8 Supercar race of the year, and you could not help but feel sympathy for the veteran. It was bad enough that at one stage in Race 1, the two leading cars were Commodores, similar in colours and driven by the brothers Kelly. Worse, they had near identical paint and were making their stops together.

The confusion was not just Murray's. Both 23 March 2005

Kellys had been called in for fuel under yellow and both (just) missed the pit entry. In the other HSVDT car. Garth Tander had been called in and told that he would have to wait behind Rick for service.

So, when there were no red Commodores in sight, GT looked for one. "I saw a red car and pulled in there," said Garth, explaining why he had parked at the Holden Racing Team pit. "Then I pulled out and drove in here [to HSVDT]."

Disaster? No. Embarrassing? Yep. Strange times in Clayton Land. For the sake of some clarity, let us join hands and pray for a new sponsor, and new livery, for the Kelly Gang soon.

- PHILBRANAGAN 43

continued from page approaching traffic and was soon to have his lap times compromised, prompting the team to call him in.

"Good call," he said on the radio.

For a while, both were hooked up

"The boys radioed me and said that Russell had gearbox trouble," said Lowndes.

"We did the switchback and

and started at the very first corner. In a blur of colour, Lowndes found

managed to pull it off. There was no trouble with his gearbox!"

Skaife concurred ("There was no

himself against the tyres, facing the wrong way and the oncoming hordes. Other drivers may have found the car badly damaged in the actual incident,collided with by another car or compromised for speed when the track was regained.

Being Lowndes, he found none of those things.

"I saw him [Steven Richards]

way he had a gearbox problem!") and he later gained a spot on Ingall in the pit cycle. At the end of the race, the Betta and HRT cars ended up close, despite Lowndes driving conservatively after a warning for using too much kerb at Turn 1. Two years ago. Triple 8 was looking at becoming the owner of HRT. Now, they might be a nemesis.

"I kept thinking of the battles we had when we were together [at HRT] and then at Ford," said Skaife. "It's

there," explained Craig. "I thought I had given him enough room and then he sort of disappeared. We had contact and I turned myself around."

And the incident had one positive affect for the crowd; it placed Lowndes in proximity to Skaife for most of the remainder of

*.

which dropped 'The Kid'right to the back.

reasserting himself back into second.

continued on page 46 n

■

Race 2, turn 2: Lowndes and Richards clashed at the Senna Chicane

great to have him back in a competitive car."

Then there was Ingall. After Johnson blasted by at the start. The Enforcer wasted little time

the race. Two of the major heroes of the sport slugged it out for the next hour. Later, they looked typical; Lowndes grinning like he had completed 78 laps of his coffee table and ready to go again and Skaife almost equally happy, his

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with Ingall. It was a great scrap, particularly on lap 60 when Ingall gained two positions past those two in 200 metres.

It was. He would win by more than 6s, after twice having leads larger than that negated by Safety Cars.

The action was behind, as ever,

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high level of fitness not betrayed by his usual post-race sweaty and red face.

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I The beginning of the end: Wilson spun at the hairpin and was collected

by Tander. The HSV driver tried to complete another lap before collecting the wall at turn eight after a touch from Simon Wills.

Enforced exit: Tyre troubles for Russell in Race 2 dropped him down. isrtcr

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Tables turned

ABOUT the only thing that did not have W,P and S writ large at Adelaide was the Safety Car. Eh? Doesn't the omnipresent financial group sponsor the Safety Car program? Yep, but the new Chrysler 300C went missing in Race 1, replaced by a plain black Holden Monaro, above. Early mail said that the C had suffered engine failure, then a gearbox was mentioned.

The latter was partially right. The final explanation was that the driver, unfamiliar with all things DaimlerChrysler, had found a way to put the car in neutral and could not re-engage D for Drag Racing. After a quick peruse of the instructions, the car was ready for the final laps of Race 1 and Black and Silver were colours of choice again on Sunday - with a reddish tinge of embarrassment in the driver's cheeks.

- PHIL BRAIMAGAN

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Caught on camera: Bright and Radisich showed pace but struggled for results.

AFTER last year's Clipsal 500 there were a lot of people looking for Paul Dumbrell, after his part in a huge multi-car accident.

This year, the Castrol driver again finished seventh overall for the round, but post-race he stood composed and alone in the team garage. What a difference a year makes.

After a solid Race 1 result of 16th, Dumbrell gave Team Perkins consolation after Steven Richards's offs, with fifth place in Race 2.

'Dumbes' drove his own race, making his first stop very early to be out of sequence with the pack and steer clear of the carnage that brought he was embroiled in 12 months ago.

"We had a good strategy," said Dumbrell."We pitted early and got out in the clear.

Keeping out of trouble was the biggest thing and it let us leapfrog quite a few people."

"The lead group were always that bit in front, so I spent my race chasing and chasing. I'm happy with seventh overall - that now means I have been seventh here the last three years."

With a full season of

racing now assured ("as long as they've got my name on the door - I don't care how they do it"), Dumbrell is now seeking this sort of consistency for the entire year. The speed is definitely there (third on the grid at Bathurst last year), but being his third year in the main game, Dumbrell knows this is the year where he will grow or fade.

After Round 1, he's headed in the right direction.

-CHRIS JORDAN

Round 1 of the 2005 TASMAN MOTORSPORT Search for a VS superstar Gouipetitinn CONGRATULATIDNS to John Martin : WINNER TTi I

POIIVTSCORE John Manin Bradley Lowe Luke Wood Dale Wood

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Dane Ruldoph Nick Lowe Oerryn Harriton Daniel Cotton John Mostyn Jai Burgmuller Colin Siedera

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23 March 2005

Wansley Carroll Adrian Duncan

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V8 SUPERCARS continued from page 44 It was looking like another SBR demo run until he started to struggle with a deflating tyre, which left him up the Turn 4 escape road on lap 66.

Afterwards he was understandably upset at the loss of points but there were more positives than negatives for Enforcer Fans in SA,

VBSCS Round

Race

fired-up Wilson, who put all the fussing at Team Dynamik in the shade with a great drive.

"It was a good race," said the Brazilian. "I had problems where I kept spinning but the car was good and I hope I'm back!"

The latter reference was to the fact that Max may or many not drive the car in Auckland. Watch this space.

Paul Weel made his usual great recovery in Adelaide with eighth from Rick Kelly and Radisich.

Of the others, Greg Ritter hit the tyres and a closely-following Jason Richards had no option but to clip him, both cars out on the spot. There were two unusual sights, those of Steven Richards twice making errors and biffmg the Castrol car, while the Westpoint Fords went out with what appeared to be identical engine problems on successive laps. Johnson and Seton struggled home in 15th

■m

\

2 3

Ingall Lowndes

4 5

Johnson S. Richards

6 7

Murphy Tander

8 9

T, Kelly Seton

and 25th respectively.

"Never happened before," mused Dick. "We will not know what happened until we get home."

And, speaking of unusual, Murphy retied early with a broken gearbox, a rare thing with a Hollinger.

"I shifted from second to third and it went crack," he said. "At first I

141, Ingall 138, Dumbrell 135. McConville 129, R.Kelly 126, Bright/Morris 108, S.Richards 105, Whincup 102, Radisich/B.Jones 99, Seton 96. Skaife 90. Owen 84.

Winterbottom 84, Murphy 81. Wilson/Tander 78, Besnard 75. White/Tratt/Bowe 63. A.Jones 51, Baird 48. Wills 42, J.Richards 39, Davison 36. Ritter/Bargwanna/Ellery 0.

thought that I had missed a gear but there was nothing."

So it ended. There is some good news and some bad news for the

bad is that there are 12 races to go before we get to that point.

There is no guarantee that there will be any V8 Supercar racing in New Zealand after Pukekohe in three weeks' time. After this start to

2:07:08.2073

1:23.9767

17

2:07:09.4244

1:24.2299

18

2:07:12.1724 2:07:17.0386

1:24.3549 1:23.7991

36 34 20

1:24.5266

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13 B.Jones 14 Morris

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1:24.2442 1:24.7788

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15 R. Kelly 16 Dumbrell

2:07:43.6668 2:07:46.3157 2:08:32.3141

1:23.9705 1:24.2614 1:24.3020

6 75 11

77 laps

1:24.4583

74

19 Bright 20 J. Richards 21 Tratt

77 laps

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63

76 laps

1:24.7273

11

76 laps

1:25.0851

71

22 A.te 23 Radisich

75 laps 72 laps

1:24.5927 __3£ 1:23.7828 10

67 laps

1:24.8857

23

64 laps 71 laps

1:24.8887 1:24.8154 1:25.0466

36 38 40

24 Winterbottom 25 Owen Df^F White DNFDavison DNFWilson

56 laps

DNFBargwanna DNF Ritter DNF Baird

1:24.4261 1:24.4009 1:24.21^5

38 13 11

1:24.7177

39

31 laps

1:25.4770

7

DNF Ellery DNF Skaife

20 taps 16 taps

1:23.8906 1:23.1903

13 15R

Race

2

VB

Pos I DRIVER I Race Time | Fastest | Lap

Happier days been bad: Murphy had gearbox problems in Race 2.

1

Ambrwe

1:59:11.1013

1:23.1359R

5

2

Lowndes

1:59:17.4615

1:23.6877

30

”l:23.4655 1:23.5374 1:23.9226

21 23 22

3

Skaife

4

T. Kelly

5

Duf^rell

J^17.9126 1:59:33.3809 1:59:37.6892

6 7

M^onvill^ Wilson Weel

1:59:38.2501 1:59:40.8632 1:59:47.9944

1:24.0007

25

1:24.509 3 1:24.4427

68 25

9 10 11 12

R.Kelly Radisict^ Bright White

1:59:51.3224 1:59:54.5585 1:59:54.6351

1:24_^31 _ 5 1:24.0302 22 1:24.6689 29

2:00:01.6610

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31

13

Owen

2:00:17,0300

1:24.4355

27

14 15 16 17

Winterbottom 2:00:18.7343 Johnson 2:00:24.9317 Morris 2:00:27.8641 Baird 77 laps Ingall 77 laps Wills 77 laps

1;24.68_0^ 1:23.7483 1:24.9785

22 21 38

1:24.6992

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B. Jones Davison

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75 laps 75 laps 75 laps 75laps

1:23.5537

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1:24.0666 1:24.4842

46 28 29 2!

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22 23

Whincup Besnard

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Tratt

1:24.9816 1:23.2894 1:24.3241 1:24.4662

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Seton

1:24.2896

26

26

S. Richards

1:23.3554

22

1:24.4538

23 28

DNF Ritter

1:24.1952 1:24.6928

DNF J. Richards

1:23.9705

22

DNF Bargv/anna DNF Tander

1:24.5644 1:23.7780

22 4

DNF Murphy

1:24.0364

6

27 A. Jones DNF Bowe

28

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Dice of the ... year: Mark Skaife and Craig Lowndes were over and under each other of the better part of Race 2.

46

71 73

1:24.66 80

20 21

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opposition. The good is that there will be, if all goes to plan, no Ambrose in Adelaide in 2006. The

the championship, chances are, there will be people lined up at the gates about now ...

1:23.6101 1:23.7195 1:24.4370

2:07:18.9745

17 McConville 18 Besnard Ambrose 192, Lowndes 183, T.Kelly 162, Weel 141, Johnson

2:06:57.2670 2:06:59.4306 2:07:07.5284

2:07:19,3486

10 Whincup 11 Weel

18 19

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1

Pos I Driver|Race Time [ Fastest ] Lap 1 Ambrose 2:06:56.4343 1:23.5119 _ 7J_

Fourth went to Todd Kelly, after two drive throughs - one of surfing over the pit entry kerbs and back onto the track after a late pit call, and another for hitting Max Wilson into a spin at Turn 9.

"I made it hard for myself and had to go to the back twice. I spent the whole race passing cars!" he said later.

Next came Dumbrell(see breakout) and a great recovery from McConville but behind them was a

1

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There are two types of drivers in Formuia One at the monnent: those who drive Renauits, and those who wish they did.

JOESAWARD watched Fernando Aionso dominate in Maiaysia HE Malaysian Grand Prix was, when all is said and done,a most entertaining afternoon of FI activity.

Yes, you can say that there was not enough cut-and-thrust but that was partly due to poor TV coverage.

It was a race full of incident and interest. It was won by Fernando Alonso, as it was always going to be, but behind him we had plenty to get excited about.

Toyota showed that this year, finally, it is in the proverbial ballpark.

Jamo Trulli was a splendid second and it is great news for Formula 1, because another element has been added to the melting pot that is 2005.

Probably sooner rather than later, we will have the new Ferrari as well. because the Malaysian Grand Prix was right up with the 1973 season in the annals of Ferrari history. For

those who do not know what happened back then in the days of disco, the performance was a disaster.

"There can be no excuses after a race like this," said Jean Todt.

"We were beaten by opponents who proved to be stronger than us.

This shows how difficult it is to win.

We know we have all the elements required to succeed."

The team made much of the fact that Ferrari and "our partners" will now come fighting back. This is a polite way of saying that the tyres were no good at all and, to give them credit, Bridgestone took the defeat on the chin.

"Our tyre performance was not up to our usual high standards this

weekend," said Hisao Suganuma of Bridgestone.

Indeed not. The tyres were too hard. Way too hard; even in the bakingly-hot conditions, the cars lacked grip and were left floundering in the midfield. Rubens BarricheUo

and that had upset the balance of the car and wrecked the tyres.

Michael Schumacher eventually finished seventh and got some points. Michael's fastest lap was 12tlr quickest and 1.5s off the pace of the winner. That said it all.

dropped away quickly after a few laps and eventually he had to retire with his rear tyres shot to pieces.

"The car suddenly developed a lot of oversteer," he said. "It was very bad."

However,let us point out that Renault did not win because Ferrari failed. Renault won because the team has done a better job than the others and has delivered a car that is very good indeed. Alonso never needed to push too hard and his fastest lap was only the fourth fastest of the race. He did not need to hurry.

Giancarlo Fisichella was in difficulties after his first pit stop when something broke on his front wing and the aerodynamic balance was disrupted; Suddenly he was struggling and was gobbled up by Mark Webber's

When BarricheUo pitted, it was found that a piece of rubber had become attached to the rear wing

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sutton-inwges.com

BMW.Williams. The result of this was that the two cars collided on lap 37.

Fisichella was later given a warning by the FIA Stewards but it was, to all intents and purposes, a racing incident.

Webber pulled off a nice move and was ahead and able to get through the comer. He left Fisichella plenty of room but the Italian lost control of the car and spun into Webber, wiping out what looked like a good chance of a podium finish for the Aussie. He was not happy but no doubt he knows that Fisichella is a good and

clean driver and if they collided it was not done with any malice.

Fisichella made a mistake and Webber paid for it.

As 1 was braking the rear of the car slid," said Fisichella."Mark had left no margin for error.

Webber said that Fisichella had braked too late, which seemed like a fair comment.

This meant that Nick Heidfeld was able to come through to score the first podium for the team this year. It was a good show from him.

Webber's race had not been easy, in part because Ralf Schumacher had made a horrible mess of an attempt to pass Webber earlier in the race, during which he had punted into the Williams. Both men had been lucky to get away with it.

Ralf finished fifth in the end which is where he started. He might have done better, but down at Toyota they did not care. There were big time celebrations. No just because they had done so well, but also because major rival Honda had done so badly.

Both Jenson Button and Anthony Davidson went out in the first few laps with engine failures.

McLaren had a solid day. Juan Pablo Montoya finished fourth but was 41s down at the end. Kimi Raikkonen was ninth but set the fastest lap, charging back after a high-speed tyre failure caused it seems by a tyre valve failure.

McLaren will be winning this year as well.

23 March 2005

sutton-itTwges.com

Malaysian Grand Prix - Race - 56 laps Driver Car 1 Fernando Alonso Renault 2 Jarno Trulli Toyota 3 Nich Heidfeld BMW.Williams 4 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren Mercedes 5 Ralf Schumacher Toyota 6 David Coulthard Red Bull Racing 7 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 8 Christian Kiien Red Bull Racing 9 Kimi Raikkonen McLaren Mercedes Sauber-Petronas 10 Felipe Massa Jordan 11 Narain Karthikeyan Jordan 12 Tiago Montiero Minardi 13 Christijan Albers DNF Rubens Barrichello Ferrari DNF Giancarlo Fisichella Renault DNF Mark Webber BMW.Williams DNF Jacques Villeneuve Sauber-Petronas DNF Jenson Button BAR Honda BAR Honda DNF Anthony Davidson DNF Patrick Friesacher Minardi

Laps 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 56 55 54 53 52 49 36 36 26 2 2 2

Race time 1:31:33.736 +24.327S +32.188s +41.631s +51.854s +1:12.543s +1:19.998.s +1:20.835s +1:21.580s +1 Lap +2 Laps +3 Laps +4 Laps

Fastest Lap: Kimi Raikkonen 1:35.483s World Championship Points; Alonso 16. Fisichella 10. Trulli 8. Barrichello 8. Montoya 8, Coulthard 8. Heidfeld 6. R. Schumacher 4, Webber 4, Kllen 3, M. Schumacher 2, Raikkonen 1 Contructors Championship Points: Renault 26. Toyota 12, Red Bull Racing 11, Ferrari 10, BMW.Williams 10. McLaren 9 49

Qualifying

Dllferent mgredients Renaults going like blurs, Toyotas up the front, Webber on the second row, and no Ferraris in sight CHRIS LAMBDEN kept tabs on how qualifying in KL unfolded

M

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ELBOURIME'S weather certainly did the new qualifying system no favours and,indeed, criticism of the split-sessions remains, but at least in Malaysia both sessions were run in consistent weather conditions.

As such, it allowed firstly a genuine low-fuel car-on-car comparison and then a tactical session, as fuel-load strategy played out. It actually promised a race of some interest.

Practice was its modern, uneventful parade, with all but the Friday drivers keeping laps to a minimum. There were, after all, 11 drivers facing the genuine consequences of the two-race engine rule - having to try to do two races on one engine. Well, that's half the field, at least!

The mix of fresh and not-sofresh engines threw an additional element into the pre race mix, with suggestions that a race-old unit was likely to be some 15bhp down on a fresh one if push came to shove.

Even an innocent off, being stuck in the gravel for more than a few seconds, with the precious engine still running, and overheating, is now a worrying

moment for the engine boffins, so fevy risks were being taken.

However, Raikkonen, Barrichello and Christian Klien all managed to do just that although all teams claimed the heat didn't get to a risky level.

Race day would be the final arbiter on their optimism ...

Fisi had a big, big spin at the tricky, fast Turn 12/13 left/right hander on Saturday morning and, apart from damaging a set of Michelins, it too would have worried the Renault engine boys.

Jenson Button looked headed for disaster when the BAR pitted trailing smoke. However, closer inspection revealed a fixable problem, so an engine change and 10-spot penalty was averted, even though JB missed the final practice session. “riday's low-fuel qualifying run threw up some big surprises.

The first came very early on, with Michael Schumacher (running fourth after his Melbourne DNF)falling some six-tenths short of Nick Heidfeld, who preceded him in the first group of five. Aha! Unless Michael had made an error, which wasn't apparent, then this

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Where's everyone else?

Oh, there they are: Alonso ivas on his own little planet during qualifying, left. moiorsporinews

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FORMULA ONE

Same Pie

Malaysian Grand Prix - Qualifying Driver 1 Fernando Alonso 2 Jarno Trulli 3 Giancarlo Fisichella 4 Mark Webber 5 Ralt Schumacher 6 Kimi Raikkonen 7 Christian Kiien 8 David Couithard 9 Jenson Button 10 NickHeidfeid

Car Renault

Q1 1:32.582 1:32.672 Toyota Renauit 1:32.765 BMW.Wiiiiams 1:33.204 1:33.106 Toyota McLaren Mercedes 1:32.839 1:33.724 Red Buii Racing 1:33.809 Red Buii Racing BAR Honda 1:33.616 BMW.Wiiiiams 1:33.464 11 Juan Pabio Montoya McLaren Mercedes 1:33.333 12 Rubens Barricheilo 1:34.162 Ferrari 13 Michaei Schumacher Ferrari 1:34.072 Sauber 1:34.151 14 FeiipeMassa 1:34.866 BAR Honda 15 Anthony Davidson 1:34.887 16 Jacques Viiieneuve Sauber 1:37.806 Jordan 17 Narain Karthikeyan Jordan 1:37.856 18 Tiago Montiero 19 Patrick Friesacher 1:39.268 Minardi Minardi 1:40.432 20 Christijan Aibers

Q2 1:35.090 1:35.253 1:35.683 1:35.700 1:35.901 1:36.644 1:35.865 1:35.891 1:36.216 1:36.453 1:36.757 1:37.340 1:37.561 1:37.733 1:37.024 1:38.108 1:39.850 1:40.106 1:41.918 1:42.569

Q1+Q2 3:07.672 3:07.925 3:08.448 3:08.904 3:09.007 3:09.483 3:09.589 3:09.700 3:09.832 3:09.917 3:10.090 3:11.502 3:11.633 3:11.884 3:11.890 3:12.995 3:17.656 3:17.962 3:21.186 3:23.001

union-lmafici-iom

Some red cars go faster: Toyota backed up their lucky front row grid spot in Australia with a geniunely quick one in Malaysia Won't be needing these any more: Ferrari's weekend got off to a low-key start, right. was starting to look like a nonBridgestone weekend.Those poor little petals - so much testing to do to make up for the seven team-strong Michelin squad ...

And what was Rail's Toyota doing at the top of the sheets after 10 cars had run? Ralf of course had a reason "understeer in the first sector" to explain the fact that Jarno Trulli went even faster.

No fuel load advantage of course, so Toyota must have been running massive revs or something?

No. The verdict from those ciose to the action was the Toyota wasn't actuaiiy super-fast in a straight line. Corner speed was good. Was this, at last, Toyota delivering?

The rest of Q1 was somewhere near expected: Renaults at the front (1 and 3), McLaren nearby (4 and 7), along with Williams.

Mark Webber, of course, 'shocked' the Euro-centric FI media by shading his team mate, again, by a quarter of a second to grab sixth, the German eighth.

The Ferraris? Twelfth and 14th. Wow. The Scuderia 23 March 2005

explained that its Bridgestones erred on the consistent rather than outright fast side.

FImmm. Positive spin? Only Sunday would tell.

Indeed, when the lower half of the grid did its Q2 thing on Sunday morning, the consensus was that Michael might well opt for plenty of fuel, with a view to running quite long to the first stop. It seemed his only option worth the gamble. ~inal qualifying simply served to ignite the 'who's on how much' fuel debate.

The World Champion dropped a further spot, to his team-mate, with a time that would end up two and a half seconds slower than Alonso's pole run, nearly four seconds on two-lap aggregate - those Bridgestones were going to have to be bloody consistent!

Times went pretty much to order until the two Red Bulls came out, consecutively, and went nearly two seconds quicker than Michael - and a good few tenths faster than Button, FHeidfeld and Montoya, who followed.

For some considerable time, Kiien topped the sheets!

Montoya's moderate 1m36.7s, without obvious error, suggested that the grey cars would run quite a way on the first fuel load - Raikkonen's lap some time later backed It up.

Fleidfeld's lap had been punctuated by a slight slip onto the dirt at Turn 4, so it was likely that Webber would be a few tenths better.

In the end, it was threequarters of a second and the Williams toppled Kiien from the top of the computer screens, for now. Excellent Webber Q-laps are becoming a tradition ...

Five to go. Ralf made a small mistake and thus fell a tenth short.

Raikkonen was nearly a second slower than Webber and

thus dropped behind on aggregate as well. Did the Maccers have THAT much fuel on, because Webber (fuelled to go to lap 21) was hardly running light?

Three to go. Any presumptuous thoughts of an Aussie pole soon went as the three form horses, fuelled (if you believed the goss)'middle-ofthe-road', banged out mid and low 1m36s laps to retain their 12-3 from Saturday.

And so a fascinating grid was completed. McLarens heavy?

Red Bulls light? And what of Ferrari - could the red cars be a factor?

And all in 40 degree heat. On paper, it looked like an enthralling prospect...

51

FOCUS ON WEBBER

A split second at turn 15 spelt the difference between a podium and a DNFfor Mark )^ebber. f He spoke to CHRIS LAMBOiN throughout the weekend

A

N absolutely genuine chance of a first FI podium for Mark Webber went up in smoke, or rather carbon-fibre, after a mid-race fracas with Giancarlo Fisichella took both out of the Malaysian Grand Prix.

To that point, it had been an almost copybook weekend for Webber, a strong qualifying effort followed by an equally strong, aggressive race. The Williams FW27, just four weeks ago written off as a "seventh or eighth-place" car, has progressed significantly and, in Malaysia, was in the hunt for 'best of the rest' behind Renault and Toyota.

In the end, though, Webber was forced to sit and watch team-mate Nick Heidfeld take the podium and the points for the team.

That Fisi copped a warning from the stewards didn't change the result, and so it was a

disappointed Webber who summed it all up after the race: "Giancarlo was in massive trouble with his rear tyres and going backwards.

"I'd caught him quite quickly and, initially, it was me and Ralf bottled up behind him. Then, after Ralf's move at the same corner and the battle with Nick, it was me and Nick ...

"Ralf's move was okay borderline, but okay. He definitely wasn't making the apex - he was using me to get round the corner!"

On the lap that the crunch took place, Webber had actually snuck inside the Renault on the entry to Turn 14, but the Italian came back, albeit on the dirty side of the track: "I was happy to see him try out that side of the road. I knew it was dirty - we all did. I knew I would out-brake him into the corner - his rear tyres were gone, remember - and I did

left him room, but he just came in too fast and slid into me, "We all knew it was dirty down the inside. There was no way I was going to have a go down the inside. He did and he lost the car.

"It's just massively disappointing. Our weekend's work looked to have us in line for a strong result. Sure, there were 20 laps and a stop still to go once I'd got past him, but I think we were looking pretty good."

Webber was quite lucky not to suffer any personal injury as the Renault sliced across the top of the Williams - the rear end of the blue car flying by perilously close to his head.

u

p until that point, Webber's weekend had been positive, further revisions to the aero on the FW27 proving a plus.

Despite missing the second session, when a gearbox actuator failed, he had a productive practice and qualifying: "It was all about working on long runs - while keeping the miles on the engine as low as possible," he explained after qualifying.

"The rear tyres aren't going to enjoy the race here as much as Melbourne.

"Obviously Michelin have pitched in ... not exactly conservatively here, but the consequences are massive if you're a little bit on the edge."

Having opted for the softer of the two tyre options, there were precious few laps available to do a lot more work: "Having made the tyre choice, we tried to do a bit of balance work on Saturday morning, but it's not totally representative then, because the track's so cold

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- 35 degrees instead of 55 degrees later in the day and the cars are massively sensitive to that change. Even though I had a few laps up my sleeve through not running on Friday afternoon, they didn't 'give' them back to me . .. trying to save the mileage!

The low fuel qualifying lap was a bit conservative. I might h ave done a little better and we might have gone a little bit high on front tyre pressures. That affected the last sector a little, but that was the only real downside.

The second qualifying lap. though, was close to perfect.

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similar fuel loads, so it was pretty okay.

From what we can see, McLaren will probably go longest, Ferrari too but they've got a lot to do from there .. . to be honest, I think Michelin are simply faster here. n the end disappointment. But there are conclusions to be drawn from the weekend: 1: Williams is making significant progress in rectifying the initial downforce shortfall on the FW27; and 2: Webber is sending out signals to his peers that he's for real and doesn't plan to step back in the clinches.

Both suggest that the first podium, so close this time, shouldn't be too far away. Roll on Bahrain

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A Hard Day JACQUES Villeneuve did himself no favours in Malaysia by spinning out the race from 13th place on lap 27.

The team was polite, at least in public, but there were a few off-the-record remarks which seemed to suggest that perhaps the best thing for Villeneuve is to retire gracefully rather than struggling on and getting booted out of his drive later in the year.

But Peter Sauber did a passing impersonation of Dolly Parton at the end of the race and stood by his man.

“The biggest problem is that our car is not fast enough," said the cigar-chomping Swiss.

“Jacques is improving but he is not quick enough. I think if we improve the car he will be able to do better. We will solve our problems one at a time.” _-cas^- JOE SAWARD

Grand Prix of Malaysia March 20 2005 Grid

Positions lap by lap

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^ □ Lapped DC = D Coulthard

© Black Flagged TM = T Montei ro

GF = G FIsIche lla

JM = J Montoya

■ CK = CKIIen

■ NK = N Karthik eyan

■ JB = J Button

■ MW = M Webber

■ JT = J Trulli

■ PF = P Friesacher

I TS =A Davidson

■ NH = N Heidfeld

■ JV = J Villeneuve .<» FM = F Massa

■ RB = R Barrichello

I RS = R Schumacher ^ CA = C Albers motorspoitnews

FORMULA ONE

We Have The Technology

Malaysia presents a completely different technical challenge to Melbourne.

MNews Technical Editor PAOLO FILISETTl analyses how some of the contenders tackled Sepang

s

EPANG is a very demanding track, particularly in terms of reliability.

This season we can consider it as a real testing bench for engines as well as aerodynamics. Malaysia's hot and damp weather causes the engines additional stress, therefore it was important to see how engines would cope considering that this was the second race of the season.

Most of the engines on the grid were already used in Melbourne and therefore had already run the mileage of a race, and thus were potentially weaker.

From the aerodynamics point of view, the track's sinuous layout requires high downforce levels for the wings,so the addition of profiles, is one common feature.

To deal with the heat, many teams operated some additional openings on the bodywork to dissipate the heat from the engine more efficiently.

TF105 New Front Wing TOYOTA introduced a new evolution of its front wing. The new version sports a much deeper central spoon profile than the previous version.

In particular, this section of the wing features a curved spoon, not partially flat as it was the previous version.

Furthermore, the side extremities of the wing are slightly higher than the central sections so to improve the efficiency of the endplates.

A new flap was also introduced with extended wide sections close to the endplates, producing some downforce.

Williams FW27 Barge Boards THE FW27 featured additional barge boards, coupled to those already seen in Melbourne turning vanes.

In this way the British team tries to overcome some aero problems regarding a leak of efficiency and downforce provided by the original aero package.

In this way, it is believed that the airflow in this area is better managed, 23 March 2005

!

both for a more efficient cooling of the engine, and also improving the efficiency and capability of the undertray to generate downforce.

Williams Winglets THE FW27s front wing featured two triangular winglets placed inside the endplates.

Unlike those seen in Australia, these winglests, this time were slightly curved upwards,so to create even more downforce and accelerate the airflow passing between them and the main wing profile.

This helped in improving the handling and sharpness of the front ends.

BAR 007 Barge Boards THE 007 carried an evolution to its barge boards and turning vanes concept.

In detail, while in the previous version the barge boards placed at the level of the front axle were separated from the turning vanes in front of the sidepods, now they are connected by means of a low barge board, in a similar way to the ones introduced by Williams.

McLaren MP4-20 Revised Barge Board Mounting THE MP4-20 sported a change

related to its barge boards.

This change is not part of a planned development of the car, but instead is the solution adopted to overcome the weakness of the barge boards mounting to the bodywork.

In Melbourne, Kimi Raikkonen lost one of these elements due to a hard touch with a kerb. To solve this problem, McLaren added some layers of carbon fibre and slightly increased the width of the mounting connected to the barge board to make all the structure more solid.

Red Bull Chimneys

LLRACINJEJEDM

RED Bull has sported the biggest chimneys on the grid for this race.

Part of this is due to the traditional design of the cars sidepods that need a huge heat dissipation to keep the engine cool.

Therefore, the already big top chimneys were increased in their dimension,so to provide adequate cooling to the Cosworth engine.

Anyway, notwithstanding their big size, it appears that these elements

didn't disrupt the aerodynamics of the car too much,especially at the rear. Apart from this, no additional gills were added to the car, unlike many other cars that sported new venting gills specifically for this race.

55

Mreets haueriio

In every session. Dean Canto finished with his name at the top of the sheets.

GRANT ROWLEY saw consistency end dominance ail rolled into one A-

D

EAN Canto stamped an early claim on the Holden Performance Driving Centre V8 Supercar Series by scoring victory in both races during the Clipsal 500 last weekend.

Canto, 24,found car balance early in the meeting and finished at the head of every session over the weekend. He later noted his Gatorz

Falcon was 'the best Supercar he has ever driven.'

"1 think the consistent temperature helped us here this weekend," Canto said after his win.

"We nailed the set-up early in the weekend and each time we went out, it was quick and 1 knew where 1 could push and where I couldn't.

"Consistency is going to pay off this year, considering the points system and competition. My car though was just awesome. It looked after its tyres - there isn't a bad thing to say about the car or team."

Howard Racing's Adam Macrow claimed two runner-up finishes in his Development Series debut, while Tony D'Alberto proved that 2005 isn't going to be a Ford cake-walk by placing his Belmont VY Commodore in third place overall.

Flat right rear tyres haunted Warren Luff, but Canto scared 56

everyone with outright pace that will be hard to match ...

Race 1(24 laps) Canto launched welllap from a quick, clean first andpole, set maintained that form for the entire 24 laps. He nursed his tyres throughout but was still able to consistently gap the pack. It was a dominant display with which he said he hopes sets the tone for the year.

Luff comfortably beat Macrow at the start but despite Macrow's reasonable amount of experience in Supercars, trying to make a quick start in these cars is a foreign exercise for him. He fluffed the start from grid two and instantly dropped back behind Luff and D'Alberto.

The Decina car tried to hang with Canto but didn't quite have the speed of his Dick Johnson Racing rival. Luff would have been more than happy to accept second place while the team continue to fine-tune the ex-Russell Ingall Falcon BA, but it wasn't to be.

As Luff crossed the finish line to start lap 18, he felt something strange in the rear. By the time he reached the turn nine hairpin, his right rear was flat.

The car just dropped down at the

Q

motorspon news

HPDC V8 SUPERCARS

The best oftimes,the worst oftimes

rear and I nursed it to the pit," he said.

After changing the tyre. Luff rejoined in 10th and eventually finished ninth after relegating Adam Wallis one spot on the last lap.

After his average start, Macrow settled into the rhythm of the race before relieving D'Alberto of third on lap seven at the hairpin. Third became second when Luff lucked out.

"This meeting was all about points, points, points," he quipped."There's no use hanging the car off the wall so this is the perfect start. I certainly didn't have the pace of Canto but there are a lot of races to come this year."

D'Alberto posted his best championship race result by coming home third in his 2004 Bathurst winning Commodore. Not out to break records in his team's debut meeting, D'Alberto was on a (successful) points gathering mission, although a break in concentration nearly saw the 19-year-old collect the turn four tyre wall.

PCR's Phillip Scifleet also grabbed his best race result in the Development Series by finishing behind D'Alberto.

His lap times may have been Is slower than the leaders,(who, mind you,are in much newer cars) but he finished

continued on page 58 23 March 2005

Thursday of the ciipsai 500 weekend in Adelaide typically spoils a few driver's weekend.

Memories of production cars motinting tyre walls, Aussie Racing Cars rolling over and various cars on fire serves to prove that while the main game cars sit idle in pit lane, it's well worth Thursday's entry ticket.

This year, a Thursday pass was even more desirable, considering that popular television star Grant Denyer would be making his debut in the HPDC V8 Supercar Series.

Denyer tippy-toed through the practice session before qualifying, when the harsh realities of Supercar racing were brought home. Denyer skipped over the Senna Chicane curb, skidded into the inside wall and bounced off its nose over to the outside concrete. Weekend over.

I feel more silly than sore, he said after being taken to hospital and receiving treatment to his broken wrist and popped shoulder.

The first HPDC session for the year was also a car bender when Tony Evaneglou had a minor clash with V8 rookie Greg Smith. But worse was to come. The Dexion driver propped forward on the exit of the Senna Chicane only to have Mark Porter slam into his driver's door. right. Evangelou was out for T2i

the weekend (the car 'banana'd') and Porter missed qualifying due to the damage.

Meanwhile at the front of the grid, Denyer's team-mate Dean Canto grabbed pole by a sizey 0.4s. He even claimed he was slightly baulked by a slower car on his quick one ...

Macrow managed to steal second on his final fast lap while getting back into the swing of Supercars, plus learning the circuit. Luff was third despite a battle with overall balance in front of Tony D'Alberto and Phillip Scifleet.

- GRANT ROWLEY

continued from page 57 well in front of Gary MacDonald and Grant Elliott. The latter two were actually the closest on the road as most of the pack spread themselves apart.

Elliott was lucky to survive a minor scrap with the tyre wall on the exit of turn four mid-race.

Mark Porter's indifferent weekend continued at the start of Race 1. He blazed away and made up three positions m the first three corners before being touched and turned by Development rookie John Henderson at turn four. The incident also delayed Shane Beikoff.

Porter then picked off car after car to finish seventh, ahead of a consistent Mark Howard.

Aaron McGill and Dean Wanless clashed on lap six at the hairpin and lost time. Wanless lost even more when he was forced to pit due to body work rubbing on his left rear tyre.

Jay Verdnik had a difficult race.

Despite power steering problems, the

exhaust burnt a spark plug lead which made the ex-Team Dynamic Hi-Trans a regular pit-lane visitor.

Jose Fernandez endured a frustrating debut with Britek Motorsport when steering and handling problems made him 2005's first DNF. Testing restrictions have not helped his cause ...

Race 2(27 laps) Macrow time around got a better and was start able thisto hang with Canto for the six race laps thanks to some fruitful overnight tweaks. But he soon realised that the black DJR Falcon was superior in the consistency department. After Macrow's initial threat. Canto's win from there was a mere formality. He reset Andrew Jones's lap record on lap 12, and considering the cars are 100kg heavier, it was a remarkable feat.

D'Alberto did not threaten Canto and Macrow, and likewise, was not threatened by his pursuers and finished third.

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"We didn't quite have the speed to match them but I wasn't being caught so 1 just held my ground," the Victorian said.

"I don't think we've got the balance right yet but it's a great start to the season."

Porter made a cracking start from seventh to be third by turn four, but an electrical gremlin halted the car half-way up Bartels Road on the first lap. Pulling a positive out of the weekend was difficult for the Hyundai Construction Racing driver.

Porter's stranded car brought out the Safety Car. MacDonald made a better fist of the first few laps and found himself in front of Scifleet. Scifleet soon

readdressed the situation and finished fourth, and fourth overall for the weekend ahead of MacDonald and Wallis, who impressed with a quick turn of speed. Wallis set his fastest lap on lap 21 as he chased and pressured MacDonald.

Fernandez had a slightly better run, although handling issues still dogged the car. Seventh place ahead of Howard at least got points on the board.

Luff's disastrous run continued in Race 2. The Decina driver moved up to sixth place before he scored another cut tyre (right rear again) on lap 16. After pitting, he rejoined in 14th before finishing ninth.

Turn four was again the scene of a first lap clash, and again it involved Henderson. The Falcon driver clashed

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motorsport news

HPDC U8 SUPERCARS HPDCVaS Rd 1 Adelaide

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Race Time | Fastest On

1 Canto 34:15.6925 M:24.7523 11 2 Macrow 34:34.5821 1:25.0525 13 3 D'Alberto 34:42.6407 1:25.3943 3 4 Scifleet 34:59.6378 1:26.3908' 5 5 MacDonald 35:10.3964 1:26.M40 7 6 Elliott 35:14.9426 1:26.6037 14 7 Porter' 35:21.7551 1:26.6878 14 8 Howard 35:38.8157 1:27.5634 14 9 Luff 35:40.5699 1:25.0797 13 10 Wallis 35:42.1964 1:27.8740 23 11 McGill 23 laps 1:27.7706 8 12 Deane 1:28*4374 9 13 Beikoff 23 laps 1:28:8173 ^6 22 laps ’ V:29?1Mr”l4 14 PapeMell 15 Henderson __ 1:30.4134 ' 4 16 Loadsman 22 laps 1:30.9696 22 17 Smith „22_ laes_ 1:33.5751 21 DNFVerdnik ' 17 laps 1:29.0295 11 DNFWaniess 13 laps 1:26.6764 9 DNFFemandez 12 laps 1:27.7494 6 2*7 LAPS 1 2 3 4 5

Canto 43:31.2656 1:24.1621R 12 Macrow 43:46.2199 1:24.5464 8 D'Alberto 43:58.2522 1:25.2359' 11 Scifleet 44:03.8466 1:25.8391 8 MacDonald 44:23.5593 1:25.8360 8 44:24.8592 1:26.4021 12 6 Warns 7 Fernandez 44:31.9836 1:26.8409 11 8 Howard 44:43.8960 1:26.5650 14 9 Lull 27 laps 1:24.8441 26 10 McGill 26 laps 1:26.9940 7 11 Wanless' ' 26 laps 1:27.7188 11 l2 Beikoff _26iaps 1:28.9394 11 13 PapendeJI 26 laps 1:28.7905 14 14 Smith 25 laps 1:314683 11 15 Loadsman 24 laps 1:33.3690 DNFDeane 1^7.2670 10 DNFVerdnik 10 laps i:27.'l933 10 DNFElliott 7 laps ” 1:26.4886 7 DNFHenderson DNFPorter

Podium men: Adam Macrow, above left, and Tony D'Alberto, above right, are ready to take the challenge to Canto. with local driver Mark Papendell.

Henderson failed to complete the lap and the rest of the race.

Elliott's good run ended in a cloud of engine smoke on the eighth lap while Verdnik suffered more problems. This time, he hit the wall on his out-lap before the race had started, and then claimed more concrete during the race.

Round 2 of the HPDC Series moves from the concrete-canyons of Clipsal fo cow country at Goulburn's Wakefield Park. We look forward to your company there ...

24 LAPS

PCDIMTS

Engine trouble: Grant Elliott ran well until an engine gremlin in Race 2 stopped bis good progress.

Canto 192, Macrow 186, D'Alberto 180, Scifleet 174, MacDonald 168, Wallis 150, Howard 150, Luff 144, McGill 135, Beikoff 123, Papendell 117, Smith 105, Loadsman 105, Elliott 81, Fernandez 78, Porter 78, Wanless 66, Deane 63, Henderson 54, Evangelou/ Verdnik/Denyer 0.

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Dan the Max Man Elliott takes clean-sweep in fantastic Formula Ford action DANIEL Elliott has come out of the blocks with a flurry in the 2005 Ford Racing Formula Ford Championship, leaving the streets of Adelaide with maximum points.

Elliott and his Fastlane Racing team were the supreme force of the weekend, showing superior pace over the more fancied teams right from the outset, as Elliott scored pole and three race wins.

“I came here just wanting a good result,” said Elliott. “I was more worried about damaging the car, but when we were fast in practice I thought we could be a good shot.”

Elliott, driving a new RF05 Van Diemen, is making a return to Formula Ford this year after running low of budget in an earlier attempt on the category several years ago. After keeping his skills up in top level karting, he is back and will be tough to beat, with the next round of the series at his and his team's home circuit at Barbagallo in Western Australia.

Elliott's strongest competition came in the form of CAMS Rising Star driver Brett Hobson.

Hobson's Borland-run Spectrum was another to impress, ahead of more established team-mates Shane Price and Anthony Preston.

Hobson was looking at a clean sweep of second places for the weekend until Price was able drive his Havoline-backed car inside of Hobson at the end Brabham Straight with three laps to go.

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races, losing out in a tight battle with Richards in the second.

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upper hand in the battle for the newly-named Wright Patton Shakesphere Carrera Cup Championship,coming out on top of a fierce battle with Jim Richards to take the opening round of the year at the Clipsal 500.

It was clear from the outset that Coulthard and Richards were very evenly matched, making the start to each race crucial.

His first round win in the series, Coulthard won the first and third

I-

“I didn't really expect to be this fast this early,” conceded Hobson.

“I just wanted to finish, but when I started to run right at the front I thought I'd better go for it.”

There was nothing, though, that he could do about Elliott.

“He just had so much (power) on the straights and once he got that gap, that's it.”

Hobson's best opportunity was in Race 1, where after a poor start he regathered to take the lead, only for Elliott to reclaim the lead a lap later. The race was red flagged early after Dale Wood's car was left trying across the Senna Chicane after contact with Shannon O'Brien.

Preston had a forgettable weekend, able to salvage a few points after breaking the front suspension in Race 1 with a huge hop across the Senna Chicane kerbs.

Championship team Sonic

FABIAN Coulthard has taken the

Motorsports had a frustrating weekend, but as disappointed as the team was, they still left the track with a reasonable tally of points for the season ahead. David Sieders and Dean Fiore were able to achieve a third place each and were continually amongst the flurry of the lead pack.

But the Sonic boys were just not quite able to match similar Van Diemen of Elliott and Fastlane, but we all know that Sonic do not like losing.

After early weekend problems with a gearbox, Elliott's team mate Nathan Caratti made it up to the right end of the field in Race 3, placing fourth and cementing the Fastlane team as a force with Borland and Sonic for 2005.

- CHRIS JORDAN Points; Elliott 61, Hobson 46, Price 38, Fiore 34, Sieders 30, Caratti 26, Thompson 22, Pappas 7, Liefting 6, Preston 5.

"This is the way we wanted to start the year," said Coulthard."Jim was tough and it will be a tough year. We just have to keep on our game."

In third in each race was Luke Youlden, who is quickly becoming used to the subtleties of the Porsche vehicles.

"It was good to follow the other guys," said Youlden. "It was the first opportunity I've had to follow them real close and get the general feel of it all and pick things up that they do."

Contetsting his second Carrera Cup meeting, Youlden is coming up to pace extremely quickly and indeed in the third race was able to keep touch with the lead two.

"I'm getting the hang of it a bit more session by session," said Youlden. All bodes well for a three way battle for the 2005 Championship.

In fourth place for the round was Jonathon Webb, who continues to impress driving for Paul Cruickshank Racing. Webb had to fight with Alan Gurr and an on-form Klark Quinn for many of the laps over the weekend.

The young brigade in the category this year had a mixed weekend. Ian Dyk again showed improvement and consistency, finishing the final two races of the weekend in seventh. Dyk

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Points: CoulthGrd 174, Richards 168, Youlden 144, K.Quinn 114, Gurr 108, Webb 102, Dyk 69.

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team had only finished repairing Reynolds's car Tuesday before the race after the young driver's Melbourne Grand Prix accident.

"It's just inexperience," said Reynolds, who emerged sore, sorry, but unharmed from the accident.

Marc Cini was another to suffer from damage, after he and Peter Fitzgerald made contact at the Senna Chicane. As Cini spun, he was collected at full speed by Theo Kondourous, seen above right.

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displayed wonderful racecraft to pass both Cameron McLean and David

"I'm getting the hang of it," said Dyk. "I just want to keep finishing and the improvement will come."

Unfortunately a significant victim of this racing was 2004 Formula Ford Champion Reynolds.

Reynolds was running well in seventh in Race 3 when he clipped the armco apex of turn 8, sending hard into the concrete wall. The Sonic

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D

OWN Mexico way,it was a case of Fetter Solberg 1, Rest of the World 0.

The Norwegian was in stunning form and added his first gravel win of the year to his Swedish victory to take the lead in the World Rally Championship. Solberg's performance was masterful while his team-mate(and WRC rookie) Chris Atkinson again did plenty to suggest his star is on the rise, despite a forced retirement.

In the end, the all-new Subaru WRC 05 won by 34.5s over the Peugeot pair of Marcus Cronholm and Markko Martin, who were never really able to erode Solberg's lead.

Atkinson was as high as fourth on Day 1 and impressed with his speed on a rally that he had never contested before. However, his rally came to a premature end. After a rock damaged the car's power steering early on Day 2, the young Aussie was sidelined a short time later when another rock tore a wheel from the number two Subaru. He restarted on Day 3 but a lack of oil pressure sidelined him just 2km from the end of the last stage.

Atkinson's performance again had 62

the raBy fraternity pondering the prospect that he could record a podium finish before the year is out.

His stage times were fast enough to embarrass some well-established

reputations and he is clearly on the radar screen.

While the antipodean focus may have been on Atkinson, the fightback of the rally went to reigning Champ and Solberg's key rival, Sebastien Loeb, who may well have provided a challenge to the Subaru driver had he not damaged a right rear wheel on Day 1. HLs fourth place was more than anyone could have hoped after his disastrous opening day trials.

The Frenchman had to nurse his Citroen through two stages after noticing the damage,eventually blowing two tyres as he attempted to complete to drive back to service on the wheel hub. The Citroen was stopped by the Mexican highway patrol but later received a police escort to the service park. Loeb finished Day 1 in 14th but in a stirring drive, made up 10 spots to scoop up valuable points with fourth in the end.

"I would have been happy with

sixth," said Loeb."I'm very happy considering the start we had. Fourth was more than we could have hoped for."

The Mexican rally took its toll on machinery, with its mix of fast roads and tight, twisty tests, with rocks adding plenty of spice for those that chose to overstep the mark. Solberg took the lead on the opening test and always had matters under control and was able to respond to any challenges Cronholm and Martin mounted.

Solberg wasn't totally happy with the set-up of the new Impreza at the start but overcame the problems, dialling out oversteer and adjusting the car at every service break.

"There are still 13 rallies to go but obviously I'm very pleased," said Solberg. "It's been a tough, tough weekend and an almost perfect win."

It seemed a little quiet at Peugeot without the omnipotent Corrado Provera in charge. It was the first rally since the company re-entered the WRC that he was not running the show but despite his absence, the show rolled on and the French maker snared its best points of the year.

Gronholm battled brake problems in the Peugeot throughout Day 1 and was forced to change pads by the roadside between stages in an effort to retain braking power.

By the final day,the Peugeot drivers had settled for secure podium placings and the Manufacturer's Championship lead rather than mount a risky challenge on Solberg.

"It's been a good weekend, especially for our team," said Martin.

"I maintain my second in the Championship and we had a lot more speed than previous rallies. The car is improving."

Mitsubishi's return from the doldrums continued with a stirring drive from Harri Rovanpera to take fifth in a car that was anything but easy to drive. Both the Finn and team-mate Cilles Panizzi struggled with the Lancer's handling, the car running an active diff for the first time. Another six points has Mitsubishi now equal second in the manufacturer's standings.

"It was on the limit, I cannot go better but the car will get faster, it is very encouraging," said Rovanpera.

The Finn had the added challenge

motorsporineiNS

WORLD RALLY

Markked man: Martin was third in the improving Peugeot 307, above. while Atkinson, left, climbed to fourth before hitting a rock on Day 2.

V-

1*1

Fetter Solberg took his second straight WRC win in Mexico whiie an uniucky Chris Atkinson impressed everyone (again). JON THOMSON reports

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Tough weekend: Toni Cardemeister is now third in the Drivers' title after he had his lowest score of the season with sixth.

of having his windscreen broken by rock-throwing spectators on the last stage and was lucky to escape crashing out of the rally.

Ford may have expected better than sixth place for Toni Cardemeister, who led the title coming into this event. However, the Finn had never contested the Mexican event and, along with battling a bout of the flu, he was never really at ease on the challenging stages.

The early star for the Ford team was German Antony Warmbold, but he fell back when Roman Kresta put on a charge. Kresta was sidelined when a front suspension top-mount broke and then Ford's Spanish debutant Dani Sola took up the challenge. However, he went off in a big way on the second leg, leaving Cardemeister to try to fight off Rovanpera and Loeb on his own. His three-point tally keeps the blue oval team equal second with Mitsubishi, eight points behind new leaders Peugeot.

Warmbold did a good job in his first full works drive in the Focus, taking seventh ahead of Panizzi.

23 March 2005

’■■ir

I

Hey Rocky! Loeb struggled in on three wheels after hitting a rock.

There were plenty of trials and tribulations at Skoda, the new Fabias suffering intermittent brake problems. Jani Paasonen went off early on Day 1, while Armin Schwarz made some progress with the car's transmission and then ran into brake problems on the second leg but eventually took ninth. Paasonen restarted on the final day and hit a cow on the last stage but still dragged the car to the finish.

Solberg heads to New Zealand

with the upper hand in the ti tle chase. The Norwegian has turned the tables on Loeb, who is now playing catch up just as the Subaru driver had to last year.

The fast-flowing New Zealand roads are sure to provide an exciting platform for the next phase of the WRC battle. After encouraging performances on two events he had never driven before, Atkinson now gets to drive on familiar roads in the Shakey Isles...

1 Fetter Solberg Nor Subaru Impreza Phil Mills GB 3h41m06.2s 2 Marcus Gronholm Fin Peugeot 307 Timo Rautianen Fin 3h41in40.7s 3 Markka Martin Est Peugeot 307 Michael Park GB 3h42m44.5s 4 Sebastien Loeb F Citroen Xsara Daniel Elena Mon 3h44m57.3s 5 Harri Rovanpera Fin Mitsubishi Lancer Risto Pietilainen Fin 3h45m04.3s 6 Toni Gardemeister Fin Ford Focus RS Jakke Honkanen Fin 3h45inll.8s 7 Antony Warmbold D Ford Focus RS Michael Orr GB 3h47mQ7.2s 8 Gilles Panizzi F Mitsubishi Lancer F Herve Panizzi 3h47m07.9s Drivers' Points: Solberg 20, Martin 13, Gardemeister 17, Loeb 15, Gronholm 12, Rovanpera 11.

Manufacturers' Points: Peugeot 31, Ford 23, Mitsubishi 23, Subaru 20, Citroen 16, Skoda 4.

WRC 3 MEXICO

03

Suspension Animation The E PEUGEOT is believed to be considering a change of suspension supplier in a bid to solve the handling problems it has been battling with the 207 WRC. The current suspension has been designed and built in-house by the team and is proving unpopular with the drivers because the system does not allow changes to the settings once the shock absorbers are on the car.

Peugeot team technical director Michel Nandan says that the suspension is the main priority at the moment.

"We are still looking at ways to improve suspension," said Nandan.

"It is possible to get a system that can be changed by the drivers, but it will mean more complicated hydraulics, so what we have to do is make sure that this is going to be beneficial."

Both of the team's key drivers, Marcus Gronholm and Markko Martin, have complained about the lack of flexibility in the set-up once the car leaves the service park.

"We have to find something, because the handling is not fantastic," said Gronholm, who has been a critic of the 207 since it was introduced at the start of 2004.

- JON THOMSON

SUBARU team boss Dave Lapworth has tipped Chris Atkinson as a potential winner of WRC events as soon as next season.

Lapworth is confident that the pace Atkinson has shown thus far marks him as a rally winner in 2006.

“The expectation rises every time he is in the car,” said Lapworth.

“We set him the target of getting within 0.5s per kilometre of Better (Solberg) by the final leg, but he actually achieved*,.

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9 SUZUKI has confirmed the worst-kept secret in rallying, admitting that it has built a prototype World Rally Car ahead of its proposed attack on the World title in 2006 or 2007.

However, head of SuzukiSport Monster Tajima has told the media that the programme is yet to be signed off by the company, and that there is still a chance the project may not go ahead.

Tajima confirmed that a 4WD turbo Suzuki WRC has been built, but said that further details were still sketchy.

"Our aim is still 2006, but maybe 2007. It is not sure yet," said Tajima.

In the meantime, Suzuki is pushing ahead with the development of its new Swift Super 1600 car which is set to take over from the Ignis. It will be homologated in July and will make its competition debut at the Rally of Japan in September.

The Swift is being developed in Europe and was originally set to debut at Rally Finland in August, but it was decided to delay the launch until the company's home event.

- JON THOMSON 64

motorsport news

RALLYING

toy's Got Skills that on the first day.

‘There’s no reason why he can’t be winning in 2006 if this development pace carries on next season.’’

Atkinson himself believes he has stepped up to the front-running group in the WRC following his impressive run in Mexico last week, and believes he can be in the top four in New Zealand.

Atkinson has proved to be the sensation of the 2005 WRC, but the young Aussie is keeping his feet on the ground as he heads for more familiar terrain in New

Zealand next month.

He is convinced that fourth place was a realistic goal in Mexico and was only robbed of a finish by a couple of errant rocks that halted his progress.

“It’s just nice to know that we’re running nearly at the front. We weren’t in the group we were in Sweden - we’ve moved up,” he said.

‘That’s given me a lot of confidence and we can only improve. It’s a comfortable sort of pace - we never spun and we weren’t on the ragged edge.

“I’m understanding the car better. It would be nice to do a consistent job in New Zealand. It’s an easy rally to make a mistake."

Atkinson goes to New Zealand safe in the knowledge that he will have a fresh engine aboard his Subaru after he retirement with one stage to go in Mexico.

Atkinson was forced out on Leg 2 with broken suspension, but rejoined on Leg 3, only to park the Subaru with low oil pressure a few kilometres from the end of the rally.

- JON THOMSOf^

So Far, So Good CODY Crocker and new co-driver Dale Moscatt have had a great start to their new partnership by winning the opening round of the Chinese National Rally title on March 13.

Moscatt has clinnbed into the lefthand seat replacing Greg Foletta this year and the Chinese event was a major test for the new pairing with the NSW co-driver passing with flying colours, "Winning our first event together is a good sign for what we've got coming up," said Crocker.

"Dale and I went into the event to see how well we worked in the car.

There are a few little things specific to my notes that we need to fine tune, but Dale was on top of everything in the car and I could just relax and get on with the job."

The pair’s next event is Rally New Zealand from April 7 to 10, where Crocker and team-mate Dean Herridge are among the favourites to take Group N honours. n Last weekend marked a special birthday for the Bates twins, with the pair celebrating a major milestone.

While one wag was heard to comment that Rick Bates was celebrating his 40th birthday and Neal his 36th, the identical twins of course both passed through the magic gate into middle age on the same day.

The Canberra twins have come along way since the early 1980s when they they burst on to the rally scene in a pair of grotty (but very fast) Datsun 1600s

sutton-imagcs.com

You’ll Never Walk Alone Peugeot offers support to customer teams in 2006 PEUGEOT'S factory team may be making a withdrawal from World Rallying at the end of this year, but it may offer significant support to privateer teams that decide to run in 2006 and beyond.

New team boss Jean Pierre Nicholas has said this week that the company would offer significant technical support for teams running the superceded 206 and the current 307 in the WRC after this year.

He confirmed that the French carmaker was interested in maintaining a presence in rallying at the highest level, but not as an official factory team, "What we are looking for is good teams to buy our cars, to be taught how to run our cars. We put our technology at their servdce," Nicolas said.

Senior management of the PSA group, which controls both Citroen and Peugeot, is apparently looking at a number of motorsport arenas with a priority being given to ensuring the two brands do not clash with each other again, as they have done during the last three years in the WRC. - JON THOMSON 23 March 2005

n The world's longest rallying event has come to a close in Vladivostok, in the far east of Russia, after a 9300 mile trek from Murmansk in the far north-west of the country.

The route took the 68 competitors on the Expedition Trophy across the wastes of Siberia through snow and ice, often without roads. The aim was to win a prize worth US$150,000. The event was the idea of extreme sports fanatic Alexander Kravtsov, who built a special railway carriage to follow the race and house the officials, support crews and journalists.

Only seven of the teams were in contention in the final stages and reasons for retirement were weird and wonderful, including two Chevrolet trucks with American crew members that stumbled upon a nuclear missile base and were apprehended by the Russian Army.

The leading team was beaten to the finish by three minutes after they took a wrong turning with 24km to go.

There are plans for a bigger event next year with US$300,000 of prize money.

- JON THOMSON/ JOE SAWARD 65

King Farr Lite's

ROBBIE Farr’s recent winning spree continued when he won the Sprintcar King of Wings Nanovich tribute event at the Kwinana Motorplex two weeks ago.

Farr finished the heats with a win, a third and time trialled third fastest in the pole shootout, before winning the 30-lap A-Main.

Farr broke away from the pack early, while Trevor Green made ground on the high line, but slowly fell back as the race wore on.

Phil March, driving a Monte Motorsports car, then worked his way into second place and gave Farr some heat for a few laps.

Max Dumesny started mid-pack due to mediocre heat runs and found it hard getting through the skirmish.

Once Dumesny cleared them

it look several laps for him to dispose of Jeff Leisk and Michael Figleomeni, thereafter he fought most of the event out with March. Meanwhile, Farr was lapping traffic in the Titan Garages mount with ease.

The ^eal race was for second and third between March and Dumesny. Dumesny finally passed March in the late stages, albeit too late to catch Farr.

“I have had such a good run in Western Australia in the past five years,” said Farr. “I just wanted to get out front as quick as possible and go.”

Dumesny was reasonably couldn’t happy with second get through the traffic quick enough to have a run at Robbie,” he said.

- DARREN SUTTON

After 20 hotly-contested rounds, Troy Little has finally cliched the PCR Track Channpionship. GREG BOSCATO reports

TROY Little has dominated the final rounds of the Parramatta City Raceway sprintcar championship, the 23-year-old Sydney star winning his fourth PCR A-Main in a row last Saturday night and taking out the 2004/5 track championship.

Little, who started back in position nine in the final A-Main,took the lead on lap 12, after race leader Peter Attard flipped in turn 2. From there it was Little's race, with Adrian Maher second and Ian Loudoun third.

Maher, who was running second early, got tangled with a lapped car and damaged a rear tyre. After replacing the wheel, Maher had to start at the rear, and his drive through the pack was a highlight of the night moving by his team-mate Loudoun with just two laps remaining.

Going into the final round. Little was leading the points tally and really only had to pick up starting

\RSP0R

points to be unbeatable,so going into the final A-Main, Little had already wrapped up the PCR crown.

"I was worried it was going to rain," said Little. "1 thought'God, don't rain - let's get it over and done with so 1 can celebrate our track

Farr wins Krikke Boys

ROBBIE Farr has done it again, taking out his fourth Krikke Boys Shootout at the prestigious Sprintcar event at Western Australia's Bunbury Speedway.

It front of possibly the largest crowd ever seen at seen at Bunbury - all emotionally charged due to the presence of the 'Bunbury Bullet' Ron KrikkeFarr was awesome. Starting from the front row in the 30-lap A-Main, Farr quickly disposed of his opposition and settled in for the long haul at the front of the pack to the chequered flag.

"This is one of those big races we really want to win, I admire the Krikke family so much," said Farr. "My crew put together a fantastic car tonight and I really can't thank them enough for what they do".

"I don't think I have ever experienced a crowd or atmosphere like this one throughout my entire career - it 66

has been simply unbelievable".

Second place finisher Michael Figleomeni started out of position seven in the final and looked as though he may cause an upset but with five laps to go Darryl Clayden crashed heavily I

into the wall, destroying his car and setting up a green-whitechequer finish.

Farr was too strong on the short burst and never allowed Figs to get a sniff. Jamie Maiolo put in a strong drive, outclassing

r

mon Sutton

polesitter Ken Satori for the third and final podium position by getting around Satori with only five laps to go.

"We are starting to get consistent now as a team and I am really enjoying it," said Maiolo.

Mark Wells in the Krikke Motorsport Murphy chassis came home in sixth place, one place lower than where he started, having not quite the right set-up right for the main event.

Recently crowned World Series Champion Max Dumesny shot out of the blocks early in the night to make it two heat wins from two starts and after the dashes started out of three in the big race. As always Dumesny came on strong well into the race, only for a rear tyre to blow on Alan Nash's car causing him to spin in front of Dumesny. Dumesny had nowhere to go, dashing any hopes of a good finish.

- DARREIM/JASON SUTTON motorsport news

championship. But I'm stoked. I just go in every race and I race the track, not another driver."

ITie other main race of the night was the running of the final Dash for Cash. The top eight from the summer saw Grant Tunks(Dash points leader) starting from pole. Tunks's team had worked hard after the second-generation racer flipped over in hot laps. Tunks got the jump but it was Maher who forged into the lead, leaving Tunks to claim second with Little third.

Early qualifying saw Bruce White with a fast 11.644s lap set quick time

with Little and Garry Rooke close behind in the 51-car field. Joining Tunks upside down early was Mick Turner, who was out for the night. Preliminary heat wins went to Mark Blyton,Glen Saville,John Shore and Allan Woods while Ian Madsen took out the C-Main and Rod Bright won the B-Main.

A nasty crash in Heat 4 saw Queensland racer Lance Baynton going to hospital after flipping over in turn 4.

THE previous week PCR meeting saw Troy Little continue his brilliant form, winning his seventh PCR A-

Main for the season.

Little took the lead of the A-Main on lap 5 going on to take out his third victory in a row with Grant Tunks repassing Garry Rooke on the final lap to claim second leaving an impressive Rooke in third.

Standout of the night was young South Aussie racer Craig Vanderstelt in the ex-Kraig Kinser 410 Outlaws Maxim. Having his first drive of the car, Vanderstelt set quick time and was impressive all night only to crash out in the main. Also crashing out during the night were Craig Brady, Jamie Jones and Stephen Grassmayr.

Top ofthe LUKE Dillon won the Great Southern Sprintcar Showdown,held over two nights at Avalon Raceway two weeks ago.

The South Aussie grabbed the ascendancy with a big inside pass into turn three after tailing Garry Brazier for the first 24 laps. Dillon then eased away over the closing six laps as Brazier battled with Grant Anderson and Ian Lewis,falling as far back as fourth before a brave last lap outside pass restored him back to the runner-up position ahead of Lewis, David Murcott and Anderson.

"It's a good time to win five grand at the end of the season," Dillon beamed."I didn't want him (Brazier) to know 1 was there at ail and I hit the brakes real hard a couple of times," Dillon explained of his strategy not to show his hand too early. "I have been watching Garry race for a long time, so I assume he knows all the tricks and it feels good to beat him."

n vvwbi Musuaiian iviau Drown nas

won the Australian Formula 500 Title, staged at Tasmania's Moutnain Dew Ice International Speedway two weeks ago, leading every lap of the final.

Second was Warren Renting, with Jamie Veal promoted to third after Ken Willshir was relegated to fifth for hitting the startin gline cone at at restart. n Jason Dawkins has won the .$65,000 Nu-Tech Tasmanian Sprintcar Series by finishing second to Phil Coates at Cranes Combined Carrick Speedway last weekend.

Adrian Redpath was Dawkins stiffest competition for the title, but a DNF put pay to his chances, giving Dakins the series win by 119 points. n Terry Bracken won his first AMain of the season last weekend, winning Round 8 of Queensland's Comp Cams Sprintcar Series at Brisbane international Speedway.

Bracken pulled off a stunning move to beat Cameron Gessner.

I

Brett Swanson

Grant Anderson was the victor of the A-Main on Night One, which was declared after only three laps due to the track's curfew. Ian Thomsen was second, ahead of Brazier and Dillon.

- BRETT SWANSON

n Kiwi Speedcar ace Michael Pickens has dominated the prestigious 30-lap Australian Speedcar Grand Prix at Avalon, defeating new Aussie Champion Steven Graham.

In doing so, Pickens added his name to a long list of the sport's greatest names as winner.

"Man, it's an awesome pleasure to be on the same trophy as guys like Steve Kinser and AJ Foyt, it's just a pretty special moment," said Pickens.

- STAFF/BRETT SWANSON

Hoosier Tire Australia 2005 WORLD OF OUTLAWS CHAMPIONSHIP Australian Distributors for

Xoosirr

^^ RACING TIRE

For more /nfonnat/on on Hoosier Drag and Speedway Tyres calk

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

23MarGll2005

Houston Raceway Park 19/03/05

1 2 3.

4 6 6 7 8 9 10

. . . Donny Schatz , . . . Steve Kinser . Craig Doliansky . . Shane Stewart . . . . Danny Smith . ... Kraig Kinser .. Danny Lasoski .. Paul McMahon . . . Joey Saldana Brandon Wimmer

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

.. Jason Solwold ... Jason Meyers Randy Hannagan .. Daryn Pittman . . .. Jason Sides .. .. Tim Kaeding Tim Shaffer .... Brian Paulus . .. . Terry McCari .. Brooke Tatnell

2005 Standings to 14 March 2005

1 Craig Doliansky 2 Steve Kinser ..

3 Kraig Kinser ..

4 Jason Meyers .

5 Danny Lasoski 6 Donny Schatz .

7 Mark Kinser. . .

8 Daryn Pittman.

9 Shane Stewart 10 Joey Saldana

943 929 902 896 892 881 877 855 833 816

11 Sammy Swindell 790 12 Paul McMahan 789 13 Tim Shaffer ..

767 14 Jason Sides .

752 15 Randy Hannagan ... 747 728 16 Tim Kaeding .

714 17 Terry McCarl .

18 Brian Paulus .

703 19 Kevin Swindell 699 20 Jason Solwold 678

67

Getv(

Big numbers run al

DOUG Kalitta, Whit Bazemore, and Jason Line were amongst the winners of the Mac Tools Gatomationals in Gainesville, Florida last weekend.

Kalitta's 20th national win

More Bray

by ANDREW VAN LEEWEN

BEN Bray proved his love for Western Australia at the 34th Westernationals by defeating Brett Stevens to take his second Top Doorslammer victory in as many events at the Quit Motorplex three weeks ago.

The final was closely-fought indeed, as both drivers dipped into the 6,0s. Bray's 6.06s/236mph was slightly faster, which gave him the outright victory.

Bray had little trouble in the first round. His 6.06s/236mph was too good for his father Victor, pictured above. Peter Hamilton pushed him harder in the semis, Bray's 6.15s/234mph just enough to advance.

While Bray cruised through to the final, Stevens had to work every step of the way. It took a 6.10s/233mph for 'The Boss' to eliminate John Zappia in the first round, and a 6.13s/ 231 mph to beat top seed Queenslander Gary Phillips in the semis.

Of the 11 cars competing for eight elimination spots, Phillips took only two runs to become top seed, with an unbeaten 6.03s/235mph pass on his first run. Bray Junior

was right behind with a 6.06s/236mph on his second.

First of the locals was Peter Hamilton in his Statesman. His 6.22s/236mph was good enough for third seed. John Zappia and Robin Judd were the other sandgropers to qualify, with fourth and sixth respectively.

Stevens had to rely on his first pass to get into the field after failing to improve in the latter runs.

His 6.23s/232mph was enough to secure fifth seed. Victor Bray snuck into seventh with a 6.35s/233mph while Maurice Fabietti was the final qualifier.

Steven's night, though, got a whole lot better after won Top Bikes over Sydney Standring with a quick 7.16s/198mph.

Stevens qualifyed third and blitzed the first round of eliminations, using a 7.10s/196mph to beat Brett Jonas. Team-mate Troy McLean was next on Steven's hit-list and his 7.33s/174mph elevated him to the final.

Despite not faring well in qualifying. Standring had a good run through the early eliminations to book a finals date against Stevens, It took Standring only a 7,96s/175mph to eliminate local Kim Stevens, and then a DNS from Mark Drew made life easy in the semis.

Brian White Media

t n

^

(5.182s/296.24mph)came at the expense of Larry Dixon, who led at half distance but battled to regain control of his tyre-smoking rail.

Bazemore, right, won his final against Bob Gilbertson, but more importantly, it moves him ahead of John Force in the championship standings.

Jason Line lined up against Dave Connolly, who jumped off the launch pad with a stellar 0.006s reaction time. But Line calmly reeled Connolly in and passed him near half-track.

Reigning POWERade Champion Andrew Hines became the first Pro Stock Motorcycle rider in NHRA history to record a 6s pass.

Hines took advantage of the exceptional conditions on Friday during qualifying for the 36th annual Mac Tools Gatomationals at Gainesville Raceway to record a 6.991s at 196.16mph.

Hines stopped Blaine Hale in round one, but red-lighted in the second frame and gave the win to Steve Johnson, who went on to take

Interes BRUTON Smith has been

"engaged in ongoing talks" to purchase the NHRA. According to Southern Califorina's Inland Valley Daily Bulletin article two weeks ago. Smith was quoted that he wouldn't call the talks "negotiation" yet but said he had discussed a purchase of the Glendora,

< Luck changing: Brett Stevens managed to make the Top Doorslammer final against Ben Bray, but lucked out. A win in Top Bike went some way to feeling better.

68

moiorsport news

DRAG RACING

lup Gatop going Gainesville, while Aussies qualify like little champions

II U

the overall win.

On the Aussie front, David Grubnic grabbed the top qualifier bonus of US$4,000 from Budweiser to spearhead the field in Gainesville.

Grubnic recorded a 4.481s pass at 331.85 mph to secure the number one spot in the field.

Grubnic, who earned just one low qualifier award in his first seven years on tour, now has collected six in the past 13 months since teaming with Connie Kalitta's trio of dragsters.

After taking a Round 1 4.53s/322mph win over Bruce

Litton, Grubnic's day came to an end when Clay Millican's 4.64/295 defeated the tyre-hazing 4.69/295 of Grubnic.

In a related note, Kalitta's team will expand to four cars at the first Las Vegas event. Team test driver, Ben Marshall will be driving the fourth car. Word has it that it will be a one-race deal with backing coming from an associate of Grubnic's current team sponsor Zantrex-3.

After opening the event with two tyre-smokers on Friday, Andrew Cowin recorded a 4.58s/316mph to

put the Cowin Family dragster into the 10th spot. The team passed on the final shot, while preparing the car for eliminations.

In the opening round,CoWin posted a 4.94s/216, taking advantage of Brandon Bernstein's red-light start.

In the second frame. Cowin almost pulled out a win against Doug Kalitta, leading from 330 feet past the 1,000-foot marker, but once again his engine erupted in flames and his car slowed, allowing Kalitta to take the win.

- STAFF/DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

Troxel gets drive that doesn’t exist... yet DON Prudhomme's Snake Racing has signed a development contract with driver Melanie Troxel In its effort to secure sponsorship of a Top Fuel dragster team to compete in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

The contract between Snake Racing and Troxel marks the first time an NHRA team owner has reached such an agreement with a driver prior to having secured a primary sponsor.

Troxel, a successful, two-time national event winner in the NHRA's Lucas Oil Sportsmen Series, finished second in the 1999 championship points standings before making the transition to the Top Fuel class during the 2000 season.

The Colorado native hit the Top Fuel scene in 2000 driving the Schumacher Racing Exide dragster to her first career final round at the Texas Motorplex. Since her professional debut, Troxel has seen limited action over the past three seasons, having most recently driven the Western Rock dragster briefly in 2003. n Ameriquest Mortgage Company, a leading national mortgage lender and official marketing partner with NHRA, has been named as the title sponsor of the second NHRA POWERade Series event at Route 66 Raceway near Chicago, Illinois.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

t in NHRA purchase remains California headquarteredsanctioning body.

Among SMI's holdings are Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.

That makes racetracks that Smith's group operates host to four NHRA national events.

Jerry

23 March 2005

Archambeault, NHRA's vicepresident of public relations and communications, denied knowledge of such talks. "I don't know what that's all about." he said.

"We have talked with Bruton when we visit his tracks but about track business. But there are no discussions about his buying NHRA. Smith admitted "he was

include dragstrips in Commerce, Georgia, near Atlanta; Gainesville, Florida Columbus, Ohio, as well as Indianapolis Raceway Park, a complex that also contains a 0.686 mile oval-track and a 2.5-mile road course. In addition, NHRA has a lease with the Los Angeles County Fair to operate Pomona Raceway until 2025.

Inc., which owns several highprofile race tracks and Sonic Automotive Inc., which is the United States third-largest dealership group, SMI also owns Atlanta Motor Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway and North Carolina Speedway in North Carolina, and Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. Its tracks are the sites of 10 NASCAR Nextel Cup, six NASCAR Craftsman ' Truck Series, and two Indy Racing League events besides the four NHRA i.races.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

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scene

Bowlev

edited byi

Exemnlapy Perfopmane Alajajian gets early Performance Car lead on Adelaide's streets

by RICHARD CRAILL IT may have undergone a complete behind the scenes reshuffle over the motor racing off-season, but the racing in Round 1 of the 2005 Donut King Australian Performance Car Championship was exactly as it was when the old era of GT Performance ended last year- close and competitive.

Twenty-five entrants representing seven different marques fronted for the opening round, with a number of season 2004's pace-setters returning for a fresh attack at the championship.

By the end of the weekend though, it was 18-year-old Chris Alajajian who found himself in the enviable position of leading two national championships at once, taking the overall round win to back up a similar result he scored in a Formula 3 a month ago.

Qualifying saw Mark King take his Delphi Mitsubishi Lancer to pole position, a scant 0.06s ahead of the ever-competitive Peter Floyd in his newly-sponsored BP Ultimate HSV GTS. Garry Holt was next in another Evolution Lancer, while Alajajian was fourth in the ProTechnica WRX. Rick

Shaw made it four marques in the top five after slotting his brand new Mazda RX7 into fifth place.

The session was marred by a massive crash by BMW M3 driver Beric Lynton, who slammed sideways into the turn nine wall at over 160kmh. Lynton was unharmed, but the same couldn't be said for the M3.

King managed to convert pole position into a Race 1 win, utilising his four-wheel drive traction to his advantage off the line from where he was never headed. A new lap record only served to show that King will be one to beat this season. Floyd was next, while Alajajian and Holt staged an almighty battle to decide the minor podium position, which eventually went in the Subaru's favour.

King looked to have the second race shot to pieces as well, before being judged to have crept at the start. Alajajian caught and passed Floyd on lap four and was never headed. Impressive series rookie Barry Sternbeck took his HSV to third.

Alajajian lead all the way in the final race, scoring a commanding victory ahead of a raging battle for second between Floyd and an

5

Crushing: Alajajian won two of the three

MMT-mii

races, while Nesbitt, right was lucky not to tip over... in

aggressive Garry Holt that went to the HSV at the line. Sternbeck was impressive, taking a fourth place in what was a very strong debut weekend.

Points: Alajajian 80, Floyd 72, Holt 56, Sternbeck 55, King 54,Shaw 48, Gary Young 47, Phillip 32, Nesbitt 30, Dontas 28.

m i 4

H^

Warding off the challengers

THE opening round of the 2005 Wright Patton Shakesphere Aussie Racing Cars championship produced all the crash, bash and close racing we have come to expect from the category in recent years, but Brad Ward stormed through to claim the first round of the series.

Race 1 barely got into stride before Bill Gremos rolled his VY Commodore at turn one after clipping a kerb. The car skidded across the track on its roof before slamming into the barrier and flipping over. Fortunately, Gremos walked away unhurt.

Travis Edwards passed leader Paul Kemal after the race restarted, leading his team mate home for a VIP one-two ahead of David Burch and James Ward.

Ward scored a win in the second heat, working his way past Kemal and Edwards after starting third. Kemal scored another 70

second place, whilst Brad Ward gave the family a strong overall result with third overall.

Race 3 was highlighted by a controversial incident involving James Ward and Kemal, the latter coming off second best after a latebraking move into the final corner. Brad Ward took the win after a frenetic race, leading home David Burch and a recovering Tim Monte.

Kemal recovered from the altercation for the fourth race, charging from 13th on the grid to take the lead by half race distance. He held off a charging pack including Brad Ward and an impressive Colin Sieders (who started 22nd) to score a terrific victory.

- RICHARD CRAILL Points: B.Ward 246, Sheridan Phillips 230, Mark Duckworth 227, Tony Foster 216, J.Ward 215,Shane Wolki 213, Kyle Clews 205, Kemal 202, tMick Simmons 194, Chris Clearihan 191.

Brad is back; Sporting WPS logos. Brad Ward was consistent and deserving in Adelaide.

moiorspori news

ncupsAi:

EVEcr moom, ivERr home

TOOMMA

Marcus Magic

MARCUS Zukanovic is making the most of his brilliant form at the minute, driving to victory in Round 1 of the Yokohama V8 Utes Championship at the Clipsal 500.

Zukanovic was pushed all the way in a panel-rubbing battle with Damien White in the final race to take his second race victory of the weekend and his second V8 Utes round win of the year.

“He forced we wide coming around turn 9, but we stayed side by side,” said Zukanovic. "It was a bit wild out there, but we came away with the win.

“We are having a ball racing at the moment and the car is going well. The racing is just so close; I can't wait for the next round. I want to keep winning, but it will be tough.”

Race 1 was fought off the track as much as on it, when race winner Charlie Kovacs was disqualified for an illegal alteration to his gear shift.

Kim Jane and Gary Baxter were also disqualified for the same illegality. This elevated Allan Simonsen to the win, ahead of White and Zukanovic.

Race 2 was marred by a

shocking first corner accident, when contact between Adam Bressington and Ian Luff sent Luff into the tyre wall, contacting it heavily before bouncing out in front of the pack. The Coopers cars of Allan Simonsen and Jack Elsegood were left with no where to go, as Rod Wilson's Commodore also lay sideways across the track, but it was James Moffat that faired the worst.

Moffat's Falcon speared straight into Luff's car, the impact severe enough to put Luff's car in the air and send both away for extensive rebuilding before the next round at Wakefiled Park in May. After a lengthy delay, the restart saw Zukanovic clear out for an easy win, ahead of White and a great effort from the remaining Coopers car, with Ian McAllister in third.

Newcomer Kerry Wade again

IF you thought that Historic Touring Car racing was all about gentleman drivers keeping their precious machinery straight. Round one of the 2005 Biante Model Cars Australian Historic Touring Car Series held in Adelaide on the weekend would have changed your mind.

At the end of three races, it was V8 Utes driver Jack Elsegood that proved that he is more than capable to trade his Falcon Ute for a 70s GTHO, by taking out the round.

Elsegood won two of the three races in his XY Falcon, as well as scoring a front-row

start during the hotly contested qualifying session.

He won the first race at a canter, backing up that result with a hard-fought Race 2 victory after a battle with fellow Falcon driver Brad Tilley. Third in the final race on Sunday gave Elesegood the overall victory.

Tilley was the epitome of consistency for the duration of the weekend; claming a trio of second place finishes after scoring pole position in qualifying. His second place in Race 3 came after what Tilley described as "the toughest race I have ever competed in."

Steve Mason upheld GM

honour against the blue oval, taking his Camaro to third overall. Mason scored two third place finishes in the opening two heats, and a battling fourth in the final seven-lap race that

23Mareh2005

Bea'Ute'iful: Kovacs, below, took a race win, while the rest went hard.

s s.

YOKOHAMA is the namingrights sponsor for the 2005 V8 Utes Series.

The eight round championship, which for the first time supports the V8 Supercar Championship Series, strucka deal with the tyre giant last week.

The Championship, which began last weekend in Adelaide, will be known as the Yokohama V8 Utes Series.

The tyre supply arrangement is part of a commercial partnership with Yokohama Tyre Australia. The tyres will continue to run on 17 inch CSA alloy wheels.

Changes to the competition rules for the 2005 Yokohama V8 Ute Series include a new points table paying every finisher in a maximum 32-car field between 39 points and one point, plus an extra point in each race for the fastest race lap. showed that he is a serious threat for this year, with third in the final race, ahead of the first Commodore home, Team Brock's Ryal Harris.

- CHRIS JORDAN

successfully capped off a combative weekend.

- RICHARD CRAILL Points: Elsegood 55, Tilley 51, Mason 43, Christopher Stilwell 38, Simon Phillips 34.

71

[Wakefil

Victory to McFarland, To\

THE 2005 NSW State championship commenced recently at Goulburn's Wakefield Park Raceway, and to say that the opening round had everything would be a large understatement.

A huge field of over 30 cars entered the first round of the Pettaras Press NSW Formula Ford Championship and it was North Queensland-based John Martin who scored a comprehensive round win in the Borland Racing team Spectrum 10.

It was a near-perfect showing

by Martin. He topped the time sheets in qualifying and then went on to score wins in Race 1 and 2 ahead of team-mate and CAMS Rising Star steerer Paul Laskazeski on both occasions. In the third and final race of the day.

Tougher on two wheels: The Formula Ford racing at Wakefield Park was a highlight.

(which was reduced to six laps from 12 due to time restraints), Laskazeski moved past Martin in the closing stages to score an exciting victory. At the completion of the weekend, Martin took out the round, ahead of Laskazeski, which also means they are leading the fight to win the test

Bairds

Eu.in Cameron

CRAIG Baird wrapped up the 2004/05 Battery Town New Zealand Porsche GT3 Cup in the penultimate round of the series at Taupo Motor Racing Circuit two weeks ago.

Baird, 34, was pipped for pole in qualifying by arch-rival Matt Halliday but made amends with two great victories in Races 1 and 2.

The first race was tinged with controversy after Baird and Halliday clashed at the hairpin, Baird was able to continue with minor guard damage, but Halliday was worse off. He had to pit to replace a damaged front-right rim and punctured tyre. He eventually finished ninth.

Ross Rutherford and Dean Cockerton claimed

the podium positions.

Race 2 saw Halliday storm back to third, but was awarded second after Rutherford was handed a five-second penalty for

72

with Tasman Motorsport s v8 Supercat Holden team.

Newcastle's Ben Guest rounded out the podium finishers after a consistent display.

The influx of newcomers impressed, including Brad Lowe and Luke Wood, Colin Sieders, Dale Wood and Stephen Payne.

The event was marred by a nasty crash at the completion of Race 2 when ex-Formula Vee steerer John Mostyn crashed heavily into the wall on the main straight after contact with a fellow rival at the chequered flag.

Mostyn was not seriously injured, but his Spectrum 07 was extensively damaged.

Points after Rd 1: Martin 86, Laskazeski 82, Guest 70, Lowe 64, □.Wood 54, L.Wood SO. Dane Rudolph 44, Garry Watson 44, Damien Meyer 33, Payne 32,

I

jumping the start.

All Baird needed to do was finish second in the 22 lap final race to seal the crown - and he did exactly that, Hal liday aggressively nosed his GTS inside Baird at turn 1 and he held on to win, but the title was gone.

Rutherford fired his Porsche off the track and failed to finish, handing third to Dean Fulford ahead of Rhys McKay and Paul Kelly.

Despite his DNF, Rutherford sealed the Tag Heuer Carrera Challenge for drivers 35 and over.

Fulford is currently second ahead of Angus McFarlane The Porsche series concludes at Pukekohe during the V8 Supercar round between April 1517.

Points: Baird 1369, Halliday 1169, Rutherford 1097, Fulford 967, Kelly 760.

WHILE the large amount of Formula Fords stole the show, the rest of the action in Round 1 of the New South Wales State Championships Wakefield Park was just as intense.

Brett McFarland took out the HQ Holden's trophy event ahead of Darren Novek and Daniel D'Aquino, while Mick Kerslake was the victor in Races 1 and 2.

Andrew Towndrow scored a clean sweep of the Clubman Challenge by winning all three races. The likes of David Grant, Gordon Campbell and fastest qualifier Lynton Wettone did their utmost to peg back Towndrow, but to no avail.

Ex-karter Troy Boldy made a perfect start to 2005 in his Jacer by taking out the Formula Vee trophy race. Adam Proctor was second ahead of Ian Chivas and Leigh McGarcde.

Ben Porter scored the win in Race 2, while youngster Ryan Simpson took pole and Race 1.

JOHN McIntyre sealed his second round win in a row during the penultimate round of the Parker ENZED NZ V8 Touring Car Championship two weeks ago at Taupo.

Despite McIntyre missing a round of the series earlier in the year, his speed of late has seen him jump to third in the points standings and within striking distance of the front-running pair of Wayne Henshaw and Andy Booth.

McIntyre score pole position from Kayne Scott and went on to claim the first two races for the weekend.

The final race was littered with incidents, including a controversial clash between championship

moiorspon news

NATIONAL SCENE

eld winners and warriors

vndrow, Boldy, Coles, Liebel, Wilkinson and more

%

The Combined Touring section saw Phil Coles take Race 2 and 3, along with pole position. Michael Barbara was the only drive to get on top of Coles all weekend when he took out Race 1, with Coles placing second in that event.

Cody Liebel ended the perfect run of Peter Saunderson in the AF2/ Super Sports category when he won the trophy event. Up until then, Saunderson had scored two wins, along with qualifying on pole for the opening race.

Gavin WOkinson scored an emphatic victory in the under 2-litre Improved Production section trophy by defeating Bob Jowett and Justin McClintock. Jowett headed the field all weekend after winning the first two heats, with Wilkinson finishing second and third respectively in those events.

Barry Polovic was the cream of the Sports Sedan pack and capped off the

meeting with victory in the trophy event, downing Chris Jackson and Steven Shiels. The Race 1 and 2 wins were shared between Polovic and Anthony Macready.

The Production Sports cars saw William Adams win the trophy race ahead of the ever-pressing pair of Anthony Skinner and Bill Pye. Adams survived an earlier clash, right, with Stephen Borness to take the trophy. Race 1 and 2 winner lain Pretty was sidelined in the final race which saw any hopes of a hat-trick of wins go out the window.

Learme Tander was at her dominant best when she mastered the

Ding, dong, dollars: Stephen Borness and William Adams clashed at the final turn, while Bill Pye opted for the long route, below.

Wakefield Park circuit to claim pole and win all three races in the Over 2litre Improved Production class.

Round 2 of the NSW state championship will be held at Eastern Creek Raceway on April 9 and 10.

-DANIEL POWELL

Attack Nice Autumn Night BARBAGALLO Raceway hosted the second round of its state series two weeks ago with the Autumn Night Masters.

Formula Ford kicked tilings off with the first round of their state championship. Mark Douglas started the season in style, bagging pole by more than half a second from Justin Locke and William Hall.

The trio battled hard in the first race. Douglas snuck away in the closing laps as Hall and Locke scrapped for second place. Hall reached the line first, albeit less than 0.1s before Locke.

contenders Henshaw and McIntyre. McIntyre was ordered to serve a drive-through penalty, however, he managed to score enough points to take the round win. Booth avoided most of the carnage to take the Race 3 win which puts him 84 points in arrears before the final round of the championship at Pukekohe Park Raceway next month, which supports the V8 Supercars.

Henshaw picked up h\'o second place finishes in the first two races, while Brady Kennett and Paul Pedersen also scored respectable results over the weekend.

Points: Henshaw 1074, Booth 988, McIntyre 908, Scott 830, Manuell 758.

23 March 2005

Hall managed to take the lead early in Race 2, but he slipped off the road while battling with Douglas. The result was a DNF for Hall and an easy win for Douglas from Locke and Adrian Corp.

Race 3 was much the same, with Douglas streaking away from Locke and Michael Epple.

Grant Hewlett was the man to beat in HQs,qualifying on pole and winning the first race from Grant Hill and Anthony Fogliani. Roger Hurkens came from down the grid to win the second heat from Ross Dyer. Hewlett maintained his good results with third. Ken Coppin made it three different winners from three races in the final, taking the flag ahead of Hewlett and Hurkens.

The Paul Stubber/Camaro combination, pictured above right, was once again too good in the Historic Tourers.

Stubber set pole by 0.7s before winning the first race from Leigh Turner by a cool 6s. Not even the reverse grid format of Race 2 could slow Stubber down. The yellow Camaro took only a single lap to hit the front. From there, he romped to a 14s victory from Greg Barr and William Colton.

Stubber failed to make the grid in Race 3, leaving Turner to take a strong win from Barr and Steve Hooten.

Street cars were again dominated by the Rotary Shop RX-7s. Kerry Wade and Matt Cherry occupied the front row for Race 1 before Wade sprinted into the sunset.

Cherry fell off the road on the second lap but managed to salvage third place. Stuart Dickson finished second.

In tlie reverse grid Race 2 it was Cherry who dealt with the traffic best to take a strong win from his team-mate Wade, while Kevin Ledger continued his strong Improved Production results with third.

Wade bounced back in Race 3, however, he did have to face an inspired challenge from Cherry to take the win.

Cherry finished less than Is behind Wade, while Dickson finished off a great night with third.

In Saloon Cars, it was Paul Fiore's night. The exFormula Fordster took his maiden tin-top victory after qualifying third on the grid. In Race 1, he hit the lead before running wide at Ford Corner and losing out to Grant Johnson. Race 2 was less successful for Johnson as Fiore jumping to an early lead. Mechanical dramas for Johnson meant Fiore's team-mate Brad Boley could sneak through for a team 1-2, with Nathan Callaghan in third.

Despite constant pressure from Callaghan, Fiore held on to win the third and final race with Boley in third.

- ANDREW VAN LEEWEN 73

Green Plate Grab

by MARK WICKS THE battle for the green plates hots up in Perth over Easter with the 43rd running of the AKA National Sprint Kart Championships.

Over 260 entrants will compete in 11 classes at the Warmeroo circuit.

While the numbers are down on previous years, the quality at the front of the fields isn't.

One of the toughest classes on paper, and the largest of the championship with 40 starters, is Clubman Heavy. Current Champ Kel Treseder is set to come under fire with the likes of Troy Hunt,Remo Luciani, William Yarwood,Clint Cathcart, Damien Meyer, Peter Lawler, Reif Corbett, Jace Lindstrom, Tyson Pearce,former 'Lights' Adam Graham and Jason Hryniuk plus locals Brad Fitch, Kip Foster and Blake Mills. Picking a winner from that lot is impossible.

Clubman Light is also strong, the Sera cousins, Kristian Lindbom,BD Soutar-Dawson and Jayme Light all set to be front-runners.

Matthew Wall heads up the Formula 100 field with Hryniuk, Lindbom,Corbett, Deepal Kandola

and Daniel Elliott the likely contenders. Placings could also be achieved by a number of non-regular FlOO drivers such as Tim Vohmann, or one of several locals.

Former Clubman Super Heavy Champion Anthony Higgs returns to the sport. The South Australian jumping straight into the Nationals and up against Aus #1 Scott Simpson.

Victoria's Danny Buzadzic is the lone non-WA entrant in Formula Australia Heavy and will have to work hard against the locals with some of WA's best drivers in the category,including reigning champion Brad Fitch. Cameron Thorpe will try to defend his title in Formula Australia Light.

With drivers shuffling classes in the off-season, predicting wirmers in the junior categories is also difficult.

Kiwi star Earl Bamber joins the Junior Clubman field, as does last year's Junior National Light Champion Leigh Nicolaou. Nicolaou will also run J-Light but will be pushed by several experienced juniors, or one of several who have progressed from Rookies in the past 12 months.

After a week of practice, qualifying commences on Good Friday with the finals scheduled for Sunday, March 27.

A GROUP of local drivers won the first-ever Victorian ProKart 24-hour race at Oakleigh on March 12-13.

All nine drivers in the team, which included Britek V8 Supercar driver Steve Owen,were rookies to endurance kart racing, but still managed to finish almost 40 laps clear of second place. After an almost trouble-free run, the team completed 1760 laps (over 1600km). Owen was a surprise inclusion in the event. Just days out from the V8 Supercar season opener, Owen used the event to help condition for the demanding Clipsal 500 and was particularly careful not to blister his hands.

Second place went to the first of the regular teams. Team OFlK-1(OFIK = Old Farts In Karts!) who lost many laps early in the race with broken steering.

Close behind was the Civic Avengers team. Gnome Racing, utilising a number of Geelong drivers, grabbed fourth and victory in B-division. They had been running up with the leaders before receiving a time penalty when a miscalculation saw them run a driver underweight.

The next round of the Championship at Newcastle on April 2-3.

-MARK WICKS 74

Karting Briefs THE renowned King of the Creek meeting returned to Eastern Creek last month.

Run over two days, Saturday’s competition was hit with a rain storm that flooded the race surface.

Sunday's fine weather gave a consistent track for the remaining classes. Calculated on points through the meeting, Fergus Symes ITony Kart) was awarded the Junior 'King of the Creek' title while Phil Herbert (Top Kart) and Geoffrey Auyoung (Arrow) were equal winners for the Senior title. Kristian Lindbom (Top Kart) took out the Pro Clubman feature.

n Intercontinental C is shaping up to be the class in the Pettaras Press Cl K Australian Championship.

A likely field of over 20 karts is set to grace the grid at Geelong. Newest addition is Formula A regular Matt Wall (JT Arrow) who has swapped over from the lOOcc class. Other entries include Jason Burns (Redspeed), Jared Bishop(PDB Gillard) and Paul Williams (First) plus many of last year's regulars.

Unfortunately, the swell in ICC numbers appears to have been at the expense of Formula A, the once premier class of Australian CIK racing unlikely to make a field for the opening round. n The traditional European season opener, the Winter Cup at Lonato, Italy, was once again a huge event with all three categories well oversubscribed. Britain's Ben Hanley won Formula A for Maranello/Maxter/Bridgestone ahead of Marco Ardigo (Tony KartA/ortexA/ega) and Sauro Cesetti (Birel/TM/Bridgestone). Tony Kart's Davide Fore was classified 4th having been given a 10 second penalty for contact when he made a pass for the lead on Hanley in the final lap. New Zealand's Mitch Cunningham raced

with the CRG factory in Formula A. He qualified 35th and scored 17th and 25th in the heats but didn't have enough points to progress to the finals. Roberto Merhi (Birel/IAMEA/ega) won Junior ICA while Simone Brenna (Tibi/TMA/ega) was victorious in senior ICA. n A few weeks later at Parma's Margutti Trophy, Cunningham put in the best run of his Euro campaign so far, making it through to the 34 kart final, but retired after just six laps. He had earlier qualified 21 st of the 57 entrants and scored fifth and 11th in his heats to put him on grid 25 for the final.

Tony Kart scored a 1-2-3 in the freezing conditions, Edoardo Mortara beating home Davidb Fore and Marco Ardigo.

n 2005 represents the 20th year of existence for the South Australian manufactured Omega brand of kart.

To celebrate, all Omega chassis released this year will be commemorative 20th Anniversary karts. The company recently released their new dirt speedway chassis, the Synergy. The kart combines the off set chassis concept popular in the USA with already proven designs used in Australia. n SBS will be televising this year's Australian Superkart Championships.

The opening round for the non gearbox classes will be held at Mallala April 16-17. The Gearbox rounds will also receive television coverage. n A data logging seminar specific for karters will be run by AIM Sportsystems on March 24.

Held in conjunction with CBSquared Race Engineering, it will be presented at Parramatta Kart Warehouse and costs $30. Reservations and enquiries to 0405 489 113.

- MARK WICKS

motorsport news

INDUSTRY NEWS

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The latest range from RPM Racegear is now available through all Revolution Racegear outlets.

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Tyre Change

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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!

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UM Well sorted and reliable , completed 5 Targa H TAS 4 rally TAS. Entered and ready for Targa H 2005. Fresh 2.8L motor, 4 new Yokohama H Advans, new 4 wheel discs and much more. A ■ complete package. Phone Terry for full details. iM $16,000. Terry 0419 113 397.

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Bolwell mk4, Roadster. Reliable,well maintained,ideal entry to hillclimb, supersprints.gear, Speed on tweed and more. Very quick,great handling. Trailer and many spares.

19,000 Neg. geoff 0419620266.

307 www.myl05.com/62718 f

Falcon XY, Fresh 351, new Avons, Goldtrack LSD, new harness. Hirst shifter, Lincoln calipers. Spare bodyshell also available. Racecar $25,000. Also XY roadcar. $19,000. $25,000 ONO. Tim 02 65835955, www.myl05.com/69283

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Porsche Carrera, 231 b.h.p model, metallic blue with blue trim, 3 owners since new.

Australian delivered, Porsche Melbourne service history with books. Well maintained daily driver for last 7 years no longer fits the kids in the back! Mark Bisset 0419 332 342. $45,000 Neg. David 03 98657643 / 03 306 95341426. www.my105.com/7964

Team Mondeo offers for sale, 2 race ready Mondeo S/T (fresh engine/g'box/brakes etc). Heaps of spares; 18719" rims, panels, gear ratios - enough genuine Cosworth/ Ford M'sport bits to build a 3rd carl! Also on offer; 42' t'porter/trir- belly lockers & Tieman tail lifter. Apr.OS Vic rego. $110,000.00 the lot Neg. Peter 0428-117070 / 02-9597-6393. www.myl05.com/25838

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VS Commodore V8 Supercar, Car built by Perkins Engineering Chassis No;018 Log book with race history Some spares. $45,000.00 Neg. Dean 08 9258 9333 / 0418 927 491.

306 www.myl05.com/59796

Near New GT3 Cup Car, Brand new never marked or damaged body. Just 3,000klms only competed in 6 events, lncl.2004 upgrade, fully prep, for season 2005.

219,000 Inc GST. Russell 0411724176. www.myl05.com/98245

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t the best hq In australla, this Is possibly the best hq for sale in australla this car has been totally been rebuild from the ground up, chassis of the body restoration the quality of the car is amazing, done 2 races this year and totally upgraded for 2005 been in storage scince 1996 histories etc. $10,000 Or Best Offer, kerry 0418835727. www.myl05.com/88562

Nissan Skyline GTR, Professionally built tarmac rally car, full reg, CAMS logbook.

Full Chrome Molly cage. Big dollars spent with all receipts, current owner for 6 years, more details available by request, genuine reason for sale Tim 0418 501 509, 306 www.my105.com/40494

23 March 2005

racecar, LC Torana better than new inside & out, only done two hillclimbs. Ground up pro build Logged NO. Best example available bargian @ $25,000. 25,000 ONO. Garry 02 4225 7504 or 02 4225 8532.

308 www.myl05.eom/54530

2003 Cup Car, cost new $265,000, perfect condition with, fresh gear box, clutch, brakes and much more. This car has only done 9 races in 03 and 2 in 04. The price of the car is negotiable and a flexible struefure will be considered. Trade/swap on a black 996 twin turbo preferred. Genuine enquiries welcome. Dean 0418 507 403.

306 www.myl05.com/54759

Mazda R100 Coupe Sports Sedan, Midmount engine, LHD, Full floating rear, all new driveline, fully rebuilt engine, 3mm carbon apex seals, two sets 16x10 wheels, near new Dunlops, guages, extensive fiberglass, liftoff front, 2pac paint, big brakes, Dorian timer, SAAS seat and wheel, new belts, adjustable Konis, spare LSD and two RX5 boxes. $12,750 Neg. Peter 0410 658 463 / 02 9635 7841.

306 www.myl05.com/71190

Hurd/Krause Torana, Chev powered 300KW LX Torana, Freshened Engine. This car has at least 4 National Titles, Numerous State Titles.Times Phillip Island 1.47, Symmons 1.00.39, Baskerville 59.4 This car requires a serious driver. $26000. Mark 309 0408133510 / 0363695416. www.my105.com/49063

Porsche 993RS, Regular class b winner, enter in nat. Porsche series, prof, prepared to win class B, strong motor, uni chip, gonzo exh.,loads of upgrades, lightweight stripped body, big red brakes. Upgrade LSD, 8x18" wheels, spare tyres, proflex shocks, data logger, only raced 2 seasons, contact for full list. $75,000 ONO. Russell 0411724176. www.myl O5.com/1836

Honda Integra "Type R”, As driven by Adam Beechey to victory in last round of 2004 GT Production Championship at Mallala: Built by Wayne Park in 2000 from new car. CAMS approved roll cage, proflex shocks, 3 sets of wheels, drybreak fuel system and heaps of spares. Ready to win in 2005 series . $25,900.00 ONO. 308 www.my105.com/69972

79

vl auscar, great club car for beginner, new suspension,roh rims new 465 holley .full floater with full spool 10 bolt, brakes good, must sell clearing out shed. 8000 ono ONO. frank 0418577709.

306

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1999 GT3 For Sate, Fastest non Cup Car in Aust. Recent body refresh. Recond Bilstein Shock pkge, rebuilt g/box, diff, brakes.

Upgraded ECU, Motec data logging, extensive spares incl 4 sets of wheels.

Ready for Targa or the Porsche Drivers challenge or Aust GT sports cars. All original GT3 Road parts. Road Reg NSW. 307 $150,000. Tim 0409090932. www.myl05.com/7999 tr

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SPORTS SEDAN, Chrome/Moly Torque Tube Space Frame, magnes uprights, Koni fully adj, Harrop 4 pot,20B Triple rotor Kim Ledger, Hewland Transaxle FGB 200,slick & wets wheels, spares etc. $60,000 Not Neg. Richard 0412320940. www.myl05.com/75926

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GROUP C GEMINI, Gemini tx coupe 1977. group C car. fully documented history Inc log books, came 2nd inclass bathurst 1979, raced 1977>1984. very original inc cage, Detroit locker diff, sway bars, engine.

Webbers. TE front fitted to run 1983 series.

" j Porsche 73 RSR (replica), Reg.M2 class Winner lightweight panels, HUGE brakes, Motec, Individual Throttle bodies 3.0 Carrera engine recent fuil rebuild of engine, g'box, diff no expense spared.($45K).

Extensive chrome moly cage . Too many extras to mention. Very consistent performer. 3 sets of wheels /tyres.Excellent Marque sports car. log book. $68,000 Not Neg. michael 97426928 / 0412542910. www.myl 05.com/17232

Little required for CofD, last driven 1989.

Dean How 0408 867 262. $25000 Neg. dean 0359762011 / 0408867262.

305 www.myl05.com/57979

VW Beetle Turbo Sports Sedan, Tube frame, coil over suspension. Avon slicks, mounted wets, hot Subaru RS Liberty Quad Cam, Avo Turbo, EMS Management system, 300 BHP, Kombi box, Detroit locker, spares, trailer, hill climb car, very competitive. $20,000 Neg. John 0417 454 402.

305

Mazda RX3 Sports Sedan, This car has done minimal racing, is in immaculate cond, cams log booked & ready to race in 2005,strong engine,g/box,clutch, needs some suspension sorting, call for more details. 12,500 Neg. Simon 0409875381.

306 www.myl05.com/58396

Mitsubishi Mirvac Mirage, Ready to race In Under 2lt Production or Rally. Great condition. . $15,000. Greg 02 9327 6561 / 705 353.

306 0414

www.myl05.com/95122

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MX5 Race Car For Sale, Campaigned in Production Sports Car Championship and CAMS Supersprint Championship, 40+ podiums (current Supersprint Class & Category champion). Aluminium flywheel, quad throttle-bodies, adjustable cams, extractors. Microtech ECU & handset. Body in great condition, no dents, full respray, full tonneau. Adjustable ri de height, Bilsteins, King Springs, Braided lines. Trailer available (extra). 17,750 ONO. Ed 0418 573 891.

305 www.myl05.com/87322

SEDANS/ SPORTS CARS, RSI 600 BDA ESCORT.Cams NC log book.twin cam CK49 body shell,1660cc BDA engine.close ratio gearbox.LSD, watts linkage, antidive, bilsteins, AP clutch, alloy fuel tank and radiator.world cup crossrn'ember.ect. $45000 ono. Phone Collin: 0438 441 480. www.myl05.com/34924

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www.my105.com/21439 Australia's Fastest 2wd, 97 Australian

EVO 7, Race winning car, ready to race the 2005 season with AVESCO, Many spares. .

Garry 0413 879 879 / (02) 9688 3003.

306 www.myl05.eom/28980

championship winning car. ex Dean Herridge. Brand new gear box, 4 sets of light weight race ri ms.heaps of spares!!

Rally Winning P3/F2 EVERY NUT/BOLT ALUMINIUM this car has been built by Maximum Motorsport.Selling because we want a group N. WILL TRADE FOR WRX converted rally car. $26 000 Neg. 305 0425798083. www.my105.com/26476

Porsche GTS, (ex TNT), excellent condition, engine, g/box and diff rebuilt 3 meets ago. Motec eng mgt, on board air jacks, dry break fuel system, too many to list, suit prod sports, porsche drivers challenge, gt, supersprints or rally or put on road (was registered etc) - $145,000. Bob 98997766 305 www.my105.com/25267

Suzuki Swift GTI MK1, Swift GTl Mkl. U2 sports sedan. Full cage, race seat, 4 point harness, 4 wheel disc's, koni shocks and adjustable suspension, 14" slicks. Fresh engine, Autronic, LSD, Grp A Drive shafts etc. Plenty of spares, wheels, engine, brakes, standard seats and trim. Reliable and enjoyable first car. $7500 ONO. Steve 0404 802 901.

304 www.my105.com/94843

7]RfiFwaytosellyourgearl From just $25* just log on

(*$25 applies to ads entered directly onto my105.com) Advertising can also be supplied using this form ($10/$15surchage to text only/text -f pic advertisements) Advertisements will appear in next possible issue of ..lotorspi: . I website for three months. .low PLUS them-M Please read & cross the desired services and calculate the total.

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CLASSIFIEDS Parts

Open Wheelers

Drags t..

Historic Formula Ford S-African, pretty South African formula ford .inboard suspension, elligble historic series, ready to race- D.A.W. current producer of race cars in SouthAfrica-must sell-possibly trade road car or ?. $16,500.00 Neg. miles 0419335670 / 03-9808 9241 www.my105.com/69431

CHEAP FORMULA FORD, Tidy Van Diemen FF suitable for circuit racing or Speed Events, ideal first Race Car. Ready to run but needs new safety belt and FF Spec, tyres. Test drive for $495.00 at Oran Park no licence required. $10,000.00 ONO. 306 Peter Finlay 0298731773. www.myl O5.com/10695

Tailgate loader, suit semi or ridged van.

Complete with platform, hydraulic unit, winch & remote control. Ideal for open wheeler or small sedan. $10,000 ONO. 303 0419 362 479. www.myl05.com/92835 Jerico Gearbox, 4 spd Jerico Nascar gearbox, straight cut racing box used in 500hp VN holden club car in 2004.

Excellent condition never damaged and regularly serviced. Ultra reliable and great to use. Includes shifter. Stop mucking around and get a proper race box. $4250. Jeff 0418 305 239 466. www.myl05.eom/30853 V8 Supercar Team equipment, V8 Supercar parts, pit equiment, tools, racing helmets, race clothing, hospitality equipment, see items ONO. Jim 0412052489.

304 www.my105.com/65036

Transporters/Trailers

v.iVrW'-.

Locost Clubman, 18RG mtr 120 RWHP. 5/sp Celica g/box. Scorpion diff 3.3 ratio.

4W disc brakes. Wheels 13x10 rear, 13x8 front on slicks 8ths old. Very competitive car built 2yrs ago. Oran Park GP circuit 1.20, Class Champion 2yrs running very reliable car including enclosed purpose built tilt trailer. Priced to sell. $15,500 ONO. Marlin 0401 410 657.

306 www.myl05.com/84473

IDEAL TRANSPORTER, FLAT FLOOR, 680 ENGINE 185HP 5SPD SEMI AUTO, 2 SPD EATON 4 DIFF. IDEAL TRANSPORTER . BUS VERY CLEAN AND RELIABLE.REGO 22/03/05. 6,500.00 ONO. DARRYL 041897938 www.my105.com/80773

2 kart trailer, THIS TRAILER HAS BEEN WELL PLANED AND BUILT AND IS EXCELLENT TO PIT OUT OF IT HAS INTERNAL STORAGE COMPARTMENTS IT ALSO HAS A 4INCH DROP AXEL WHICH ALLOWS IT TO SIT MUCH LOWER ITS ALSO VERY GOOD TO TOW. S8500.00 ONO. dave 0413873483.

304 www.myl05.cotti778591

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CL CHARGER BIG BLOCK, HARD TO FIND CL CHARGER WITH A HEAVILY MODIFIED 383,HEADS FLOW 624,F268 CRANE CAM.M1 MANIFOLD,BOWLAWS 780 CARBY, INCH BILLET AXLES OZ NOS SYSTEM SHOULD RUN HIGH 9S S$SS$$ OF RECIEPTS NEVER RACED YET LOTS OF BALLS TOP STREET CAR .SHOW CAR ETC. $35000 Or Best Offer, kerry 0418835727.

306 www.myl05.eom/7506

Motorsport Jobs

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1994 Chevy Silverado extra cab 1500, 5.7 litre V8, automatic, power windows and steering, bed liner, air conditioned, alloy wheels, registered 6 seater, mid blue in colour, 140 thousand kilometres, excellent condition, original unmodified vehicle.

305 $35,000. John 0425 224 228. www.my105.com/27450

Passionate Volunteer, Huge skill base , media liason to long distance towing, team player ,good mech ability calm logical thinker ,honest ,reliable, (prefer FORD based team, my passion). Dave 306 Brandenburg 0408802001. www.myl05.com/37431

Karts for sale

Two Kart Trailer, Two kart trailer, designed by ex-racer so well thought out and designed, alu sheet over RHS, drop axle, heap of room, 2 front doors and single rear on struts, tows well with low profile. 2950.00 Or Best Offer. Anthony 02 6242 4925 / 0407 407 776.

304 www.myl05.com/83104

www.niyl05.coin

CRG Piccolo As New, CRG Piccolo current model race prepared, comer balanced and “as new,” suiting new kart buyer with fresh SL1 slick tyres. Very competitive kart.

Rolling chassis $1500 or $2500 ono including fresh blue printed, dyno tuned and optimised Comer engine. Dyno readout, lap times setup sheets and race spares available. $2500. Glen 0414 602 955.

306 www.myl05.com/24469

Wanted Street/ Super Street Commodore, 3.8L, complete car ready to race or roller in good condition. Plus spares & suitable trailer. Will travel for the right car. Peter 0438452923.

305 virww.myl05.eom/43207

Sponsor Seek F3 Dallara ol Spless, Winner Mallala, Gold Coast Indy 2004, Currently fastest 01 in Aust, Engine Fresh from Spiess before Wakefield Park. Car race ready BRM prepared. Spares package available. Will trade road car. Phone Gil 0418856227.

306 $70,000 gst inc. www.myl05.eom/3607

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Chevron B29 - reduced. Well known B29 reduced for quick sale. $55000 - nrg Neg. 306 Rob 0407 671193. www.myl05.com/54894

23 March 2005

www.sponsorseek.com.au

V8 Supercar Transporter for sale. Truck only 30k since rebuild. 830k. Three car trailer with hydraulic rear door. Trailer repainted 04. Alloy steers and chrome drives. Excellent condition. Prime Move ONO AUD. Jim Morton 0412052489.

304 www.my105.com/47113

TILTING CUSTOM TRANSPORTER, Immaculate tilting transporter built to the highest standards with NO expence spared.

Kitchen, bedding, insulated, generator, compressor, elictric winch, sink, work bench, and heaps of storage and much much more. Travelled less than 5000klm. .More photos available. $39900.00 ONO AUD. Paul 0400933030.

304 www.myl OS.com/71359

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357 Nepean Highway, Brighton East Vic 3187 (PO Box 7072, Gardenvale, VIC 3186) Ph: 03 9596 5555 Fax: 03 9596 5030 Email: admin@mnews.com.au GDNTRIDUTORS FI; Joe Saward, Adam Cooper, Paolo Fiiisetti 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, Darren Sutton, Daniel Powell Rally: Jon Thomson Drag Racing: Dave Ostaszewski (USA), Nick Nicholas, Ken Ferguson National; Mark Wicks, Sean Henshelwood, Mark Jones, Erin McCowatt Photographers: Sutton Motorsport Images, Dirk Klynsmith, Bothwell Photographic, Marshall Cass, Nigel Snowdon & Diana Burnett, AFl Images, Neil Hammond, 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.

F1 rules need changing

F1 stinks (his words)

Congratulations on your magazine. I am a loyal purchaser since Issue #1. i find it a

You guys hit the nail on the head with your opinion on FI's status (Issue 304).

worthwhile replacement for the old Racing Car Nms (shows my age).

I would like to raise a couple of points following a great Australian Grand Prix weekend.

But while we're going to talk about things all-Fl, lets point out how crap Network Ten's covarge was. I mean, how many times were we shown rubbish that was

Firstly, I feel that the qualifying system will shake out as the year progresses.

Second, the engine replacement rule is and has been proved farcical, as shown by BAR pulling up one lap short.

My thought is to say you have one engine per car for the whole weekend, practice, qualifying and on race day.

If the engine builders can't supply the teams with an engine to last that long, then that car either fails to finish or fails to start.

Keep up the good work.

Tom Ryan Dubbo, New South Wales

And the car goes to ...

My name is Stephen Newman and I'm 51 years young. I have been buying your magazine since the very first issue and am still buying them now. So, yes, I have every copy inbetween too. That's 304 issues, as

you would know.

So, please keep up the great work as I am an avid reader of your magazine and look forward to the great news every fortnight.

Do you think I may be eligible for a cap or t-shirt signed by the MNews staff? (editors/journalists etc.) please contact me in the event of this happening.

Stephen Newman samandsteve@aapt.net.au

Love to MNews/TEGA Firstly I would just like to say to Ambrose, you Ijloody ripper - and how good was Lowndesy? Excellent Clipsal 500! Adelaide always pulls off a great show.

The issue I wish to discuss

converter Send us your thoughts: mail: PO Box 7072, Gardenvale, VIC 3186 fax: 03 9596 5030 www.mnews.com.au however is the new two rattle gun rule. I don't know what other people think about this, but I personally think that is was a good move.

Each team this weekend began to experiment by changing either four tyres or just two. Time really didn't seem that great an issue - look at Ambrose, all four changed (Race 1) but only two in Race 2 and both times he still got out in front.

It is a credit to the teams to pull off such masterful stops in a small amount of time, and also makes for some great butterfly moments, ie. will they do this or that? Congratulations TEGA for finally getting something right!

Love the magazine, keep up the good work (to use a worn out cliche).

Chris Colter Blackheath, New South Waters

Marcos heading to the ‘Busch’

Also, the on-track action they covered was appaling. Instead of showing the driver photos, they cut it to show Crompton's head and if that wasn't bad enough, his commenlry would have put anyone to sleep.

Michael Sato salol@bigpond.com

Who gets the best seat in the house?

In Motorsport News Issue 304, your major local artical was on Ambrose leaving for NASCARs and who you thought the contenders for his seat were.

I believe that Mark Winterbottom should be there because it is my undestanding he still has an SBR contract.

He signed a five-year deal with them after karts in which he had one year in Formula Ford, one year in the Konica seires (which he won) and then the Stone Brothers organised the Larkham deal which is a two-year contract that runs out this year. So, SBR still has one year left on Mark's contract.

Datnel Hollingsworth dphollingsivorth@bigpond.com ED: Yes, no and no. Frosty did have a five-year contract with the Stone Bros., however, they disolved it just after the Larkham deal had been secured. This means he'll be

It has to be said, the poor good ole' boys won't have a chance next year.

Marcos will 'cream it' in the 'Busch' as he's the only one with intimate knowledge of the map of Tasmania.

already aired a couple months ago - team launches etc. And where was the on-track interviews?

}B

sabinebasha@bashasnowra.com

a free agent at the end of this season. So yes, he could potentially be in line for the drive, he'll just have to prove to them that he is worthy ...

●Opinions expressed in Motorsport News are not necessarily those of Australasian Motorsport News or its staff.

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82

n

Yee Har! The Motorsport News team celebrates Stephen Newman's letter. R to L, staff journo Chris Jordan, national ed Grant Rowley, asst ed Mark Glendenning, work experience kid Chris Atkinson and ed Branagan.

motorsport news

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