Motorsport News Issue 323 - November 23-December 6, 2005 by V8 Sleuth

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23 Ntvanler-6 Dacanbar 2005

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news and opinion \

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Dick’s empire A telco, a mortgage co and a Davo It’s the ToiiHSVDT Can we call them Team Alphabet? Newey gets wings Red Bull snares McLaren's design ace

*10 Tassie V8 fans rejoice Symmons gets V8s to 2010 12 Chip’s new donks GanassI goes Honda in the IRL 25 Motor Mouth DJR’s new plans put in perspective 26 Box Seat How to be politically correct... in FI? 82 Taik Converter Things V8s need, and A1 corporate

28 Five Minutes With Mark Winterbottom Frosty's will be a factory man soon 30 Five Minutes With Jarno Trulii Things are on the up at Toyota FI 32 Championship Bouts With Phillip Island on our minds, we look at some of the classic final rounds in Australian touring car history 36 He’s been promoted Paul Cruickshank on making the step up to the big show 38 Hoiden it ali together Meet Simon McNamara, Holden’s motorsport manager 45 How the titie was won MNews details how Renault and McLaren's 2005 title challengers were put together

race coverage iJi

48 Tander clean sweeps Tassie All the action from Symmons Plains, where Holden takes the podium spots as the Fords fought for the title lead 56 Duval wins After a year as a tree magnet, the Belgian comes up trumps in the West as Atkinson stars on home soil

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62 Tatnell’s juggernaut Brooke clears out In World Series, but Johnson has a win now ...

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Photos: Cover; MNews Contents; Dirk Klynsmith, Joel Strickland. sutton-images.com

regulars 20 Stateside 64 Speedway

Drag Racing

60 Rallying 68

National Scene

Marketplace 3

WHEN YOU

NEED TO KNOW

there’s only one choice OTORSPORT News continues to lead the way in providing factual, head-of-the-pack news. Its team of professional motorsport journalists have once again streeted the field when it comes to keeping you, our readers, ahead of the pack when it comes to knowing for sure what's going on in Australian motorsport. This issue sees a raft of confirmations from teams and drivers - most of which you read first in MNews. And that's before today's exclusive on the re-branding of Dick Johnson Racing... ■ MNews November 9

WINTERBOTTOM: FACTORY RIDER Yep, an MNews exculsive. Frosty to FPR (see page 28 for more)

Winterbottom: Faaor^ider

■ MNews November 9

ATKO SORTED Subaru. Told you so two weeks ago. ■ MNews November 9

SIGNED? SEALED? Whincup to Triple 8: Will Davo to DJR. Done deals.

■ MNews November 9

MORTON READIES FOR 2006 We told you Michael Caruso would get the Decina Fujitsu series gig. Confirmed this week. ■ MNews October 26

SUPER CHEAP GRABS CAM

3E3

The team's confirmed Weely's gone and everyone knows who's coming!.

Oil

■ MNews October 26

TOLL DEALER TEAM Yep, we told you four weeks ago that HSVDT was winning the race for Toll ■ MNews October 26

IS SETON ON THE OUTER? Confirmed just days ago; Seto out, Davo in.

Stick with MNews - we'll keep you informed ahead of the rest... 4

Johnson telco to bankroll DJ by GRANT ROWLEY ICK Johnson Racing's Ford Falcons will carry new primary sponsorship in 2006 ... from Dick Johnson himself! The Dick Johnson Group has recently entered into an branding agreement with Telstra Wholesale to become a licensed reseller of fixed line and mobile telephone services. Johnson's Falcons are expected to sport signage from the yet-to-be-named telecommunication business, as well as the V8 Mortgage Centre venture, which is also part of DJG. This news confirms the news carried in our last issue that Westpoint will have its last race as DJR's major sponsor this weekend at Phillip Island. The Westpoint/DJR sponsorship agreement was initially a multi-year deal, but MNews

understands that Westpoint will have no involvement with the Queensland team in 2006. Dick Johnson Racing's general, manager Steve Chalker would not.be drawn on the specifics of the new deal, although he did tell MNews that;"We are doing things differently next year," Johnson's telco deal is similar to that of other resellers such as AAPT, Virgin ‘Mdbile'&nd Primus. Basi'caTly, Telstra supplies the hardware, and Jphnson'S company will resell it to its customers. Initially, only land-line and mobile services will be offerect. MNews understands that DJG will not be an ISP (internet service provider) for the first 12 months while the new business is established, but that it does plan to target the broadband market within the first two years. Interestingly, Johnson first looked into

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Seton Ponders GLENN Seton does not know in which direct to head now that he knows he will not be with Dick Johnson Racing next season. The two-time V8 Supercar champion was told last week he was being released from the team next year in favour of Will Davison, while Steven Johnson will stay with the team. i Seton,40,says that he is in two minds as to whether to pursue a full-time drive with another Ford team next season or to

seek a co-driving role with a potential race winner. "There are a few things there," he said on Monday."Larkham has a seat and so does Briteic but 1 have not spoken to anyone yet. 1 have not pursued a drive at this stage. "If it is an endurance drive, it can be hard to be competitive at the front of the field in today's competitive climate. I would also like to work with a team full-time and contribute to moving them forward." One thing that remains tantalising for Seton is a Bathurst win, having finished on the podium twice in the last three years without winning the race. "A Stones (Brothers Racing) or a Triple 8 opportunity may excite me. But [if] another team would offer the opportunity to move forward, that

interests me as well. 1 need to take a little time and understand where 1 want to be right now." One thing of which Seton was certain was his desire to maintain his links with Ford. "1 want to be in the Ford fold. 1 believe strongly in sticking with what you have. Ford have always been good to me and I want to be faithful to them. 1 motorsport news

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nt us mortgages.com.au yo u Dick Johnson Racing, Steven Johnson and new full-time signing Will Davison will launch the telco company and the team's new DJ 'brand' warpaint on December 15 in Brisbane. Long-time DJR sponsor Shell will continue to have a presence on the #17 and #18 cars but, as was the case this year, its involvement remains limited.

Dick Johnson will soon announce a majofl national telecommunications-business of his own. The new company will also sponsor his V8 Supercar team in 2006 and beyond.

Future

think that the people at the tracks expect that." Another factor that Seton is considering is how close he is now to resetting some of the records in the category. The Phillip Island round this weekend will be his 201st round start, one behind Dick Johnson, who made 202 starts, the most for any Ford driver. Peter Brock holds the total record at 212 starts, meaning that Seton would surpass him next year - if he can find a seat... 23 November 2005

BY the time you read this. Steven Johnson will have put pen to paper on a new deal with DJR. The deal's not signed yet, although it should be done by Phillip Island, Johnson told MNews on Monday. "But I will be re-signing with them. Johnson said that he expects that the new arrangement will be for two years, probably with an option for a third season that could potentially see him remain in DJR colours until at least 2008. Johnson will line up alongside young Victorian Will Davison who was last week confirmed as part of DJR's 2006 line-up (see separate story). - MARK GLENDENNING

Subar-poo! HSVrijTge Atkinson stays with Subaru WRC team

CHRIS Atkinson is staying with the Subaru World Rally Team. The Prodrive-owned team will run a 2006-spec Impreza for the 25-yearold from the Gold Coast and his co driver Glenn Macneall. He will partner former world champion Fetter Solberg. "It's fantastic to have a deal with Subaru for next season," Atko said on Monday. "The aim was to stay here with Subaru for 2006 and carry on from this year. We had options but this was what I wanted." The Aussie is believed to have been high on Ford's list of wanted drivers before he agreed terms with the team. Ford announced last weekend that Mikko Hirvonen would drive for the team next season. Atkinson had an impressive maiden season competing against rallying's elite, topped on the stage wirmers' list only by Sebastien Loeb, Marcus Gronholm and Fetter Solberg, despite Atkinson racing on stages he had never seen until the pre-event recces. "We came in with no experience and to be challenging for podium finishes in the first year was fantastic," he said."For the last rally of the season, I was feeling very

comfortable in the car." One thing to which all drivers will have to adjust is the new regulations that forbid the use of electronic differentials. The change is not expected to slow the WRC cars greatly but will change the way that the drivers treat them.

MNews understands that four teams(rumour suggests HSVDT, HRTand Larry Perkins on the red side, FPR on the blue) put their hat into the ring, in a process overseen by Tratt, before the/ decision was made to go with the Kelly team. "There was momentum there from sponsors, employees and our small but passionate team that the time was right for a step up," Little said at the launch. "Toll is a successful company by any measure, and I was very conscious of the need for us to have ontrack success or withdraw altogether." The deal is, if optioins are

AUSTRALIA'S biggest transport and logistics company. Toll Holdings, has been confirmed as the prime sponsor for the HSV Dealer team, nee Kelly Racing, next year. The new-look team will be known as the Toll HSV Dealer Team. The news, first rumoured by MNews four weeks ago, was formally announced on Monday evening in Melbourne. After many years of backing the privateer efforts of Anthony Tratt, Toll boss Paul Little decided during this year to up the ante and seek a presence with one of the major teams.

"From what I know,it's not big in terms of feel," says Atkinson. "I think that it will be a bit easier to drive the car. You will really need to focus on what the car is doing." Atkinson will be in Australia until the end of the year before starting testing in Sweden in the first week of January. The 16-round championship kicks off at Monte Carlo on January 20. -PHILBRANAGAN

Briscoe Closer

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RYAN Briscoe's imminent future - most likely in Champ Cars - should be revealed in the next couple of weeks. Briscoe is back in the US, having fully recovered from his huge Chicagoland IRL crash, and is keen to cement his 2006 plans before returning home to Sydney for Christmas. With Toyota pulling out of the IRL with immediate effect, leaving it as a one-make Honda-engined formula, it is unlikely that Toyota-contracted Briscoe will remain in it, despite a strong relationship with the Chip Ganassi team.

Our US sources are still suggesting that a Champ Car drive is on the cards and Kevin Kalkhoven's PKV Racing team is the most likely destination. Watch this space.

Frosty c

Stones? No, Woods

MARCOS Ambrose has his NASCAR seat for 2006 - with

Wood Brothers/JTG Racing. As exclusively predicted in Motorsport News, the two-time V8 Supercar Champion will race a Ford F-150 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series next season. It is not confirmed if Ambrose, right, will complete a full season in his first year in the 6

USA alongside Bobby East, "It's great to get this deal finalised before the final V8

Supercar race at Phillip Island next week," said Ambrose. "I want to end the season on a high with a win and who knows, maybe a third title." Ambrose will move to North Carolina with wife Sonja and daughter Tabitha in January.

I o S I I

MARK Winterbottom will be a factory Ford driver in 2006 and 2007 after signing on to join Jason Bright at FPR. The move, revealed exclusively in the last issue of MNews, will see the 24-year-old suit up for the Prodrive owned team for at least the next two years, with the team holding an option for a further three seasons. "FPR was the best option," he said, motorsport news

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exercised, for three years. The re-liveried team will make its race debut at the 2006 season-opener, the Clipsal 500. While no announcements were made in respect of long distance co-drivers, Tratt has the option to slot into one of the spots for next year's Sandown and Bathurst races "as long as I've driven something appropriate throughout the year - the days of the part-timer are over," he told MNews. And while, again, no specific announcement was made, it is expected that, as part of the overall package, secondary Toll signage will also appear on the two HRT Commodores in 2006.

TOLL Holdings is a massive Australian success story. After modest beginnings as a general freight company, it was sold in 1986 to a management buyout team led by current managing director (and former Porsche racer) Paul Little. Since then, it has progressively grown through acquisitions and organic growth to become Australia's only true 'Integrated Total Logistics provider', with an emphasis on e-commerce applications. In the past 16 years. Toll has made no less than 43 corporate acquisitions, including TNT, Brambles, Mayne Express and IPEC/Jetsroad. Today it employs more than 20,000 workers across more than 450 sites and generates more than $4 billion in annual revenue.

Little only by Name Toll ChiefPaul Little told CHRIS LAMBDEN how, and why, he headed In a new direction

MNEWS; You've been a long-time backer of Anthony Trait's privateer effort-ivhat decided you to take a step up into the

big-time?

MN:There luerefour teams in the frame once it became known that Toll was on the look-out- what finally steered you in the direction of the Kelly team? PL: Clearly, there was a lot of interest in partnering Toll andfrom our point of view, it was a question of picking the right team, the one we thought we would best get on with culturally, but also one that was going to give us results. So it was more about the individuals in the

"I would only drive for Ford, because Ford has supported me since my karting days. You have got to show loyalty to the people that have given you the opportunities. I am big on that, I have done it through karting and Formula Ford, and I am not about to change now. "I am excited about joining forces with a driver as experienced as Jason Bright along with having the

23 November 2005

technical support of Prodrive. It has always been my goal to join a major team so I could be in a position to compete for the Championship. I am looking forward to building a strong relationship with the team, and the new season can't start soon enough!" - MARK GLENDENNING For more on Winterbottom's move to FPR, turn to our interview on p28

TWO years remain on the contract for Dunlop to supply tyres to cars in the V8 Supercar Championship Series and the Fujitsu Series. So there is not hurry to prepare for a tender, right? So that must mean that the tyre technicians we spied at a recent round were there on holidays, not there to consider the design of their next bid. They paid close attention to what was going : on, took lots of notes and spoke to each other in words that did not sound to us much like French ... n Spot the Driver Dept: Jason Bargwanna will race at Phillip Island this weekend, despite looking and sounding like heck in a handcart. The Orrcon Ford pilot laid low for 10 days following Symmons Plains while he fought off the affects of chicken pox but was due to crawl out of bed and go training yesterday ITuesdayl. Just don't expect him to be his usual chirpy self at the.Island this week.

PAUL LITTLE: It was a question of either making the step or moving out of motorsportfor us. We still remain ambitious to do well, but we were very conscious of thefact that we had a successfid company backing the team and our on-track performance wasn't what we would have liked. So it was just a question of trying to get up the pointy end.

onfirmed at FPR

Don’t give me that black look

team that we saw sitting behind the

office.

MN:A multi-year deal? PL: It's built around us being able to pick up the options as we go and ive're pretty keen to do that. It's a deal that's been written in a way that I'd be very disappointed if it didn't run over three years. MN:You have an existing AVESCO licence. What are your plansfor that? PL: Our view is that we won't need it now. So we're currently looking at leasing or selling it.

n Psst! Wanna see Peter Brock race one more time? Then get ye to the Winton 4-Hour Ken Leigh Memorial HQ Enduro on:the weekend of December 3-4, because Peter and his brother Phil will be racing a HQ, sponsored by their brother Lewis. The Brock brothers teamed together often in the Seventies and Eighties in a variety of racing Holdens with a best result of 3rd outright in a Torana L34 at Bathurst in 1976. n Dexion Australia has confirmed that Craig Lowndes will be the Brand Ambassador for the storage products giant. "I'm extremely excited to be part of the Dexion family, they are a company with strong values, understand the importance of strong relationships, innovation and strive for excellence at all times," Lowndes said. n Do not look for new World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaiux at Bathurst next year. The Turkish round of next year's WTCC clashes with the Great Race so the likeable Pom and 1000 fan will have to wait another year, at least. n Noted Ford Racing engineer Steve Hoinville will drive the Robinson Racing Developments FPV F6 Typhoon in the final round of the Donut King Australian Performance Car Championship at Phillip Island this weekend. Another entry change is that V8 Ute regular Dennis Cribbin will jump aboard the second Peter Boylam BMW M3, which has been campaigned recently by Geoff Morgan.

Sauber Lives On...Sort Of BMW has surprised many by registering its new Formula 1 team under the name BMW Sauber FI Team. The name will most likely have to remain the same for the next five years as teams can only change their names every five years - unless all the other teams agree to allow a new name change. The rule was designed to maintain stability in team ownership and build up brands. The idea of keeping the Sauber name alive is no doubt designed to act as a possible shield if things do not go well. BMW has confirmed that it will have two technical directors: Willy Rampf in HinwiI and Heinz Paschen in Munich while Walter

RiedI has been named as the man who will coordinate the activities of the two units. The big question remains as to who will drive alongside Nick Heidfeld in 2006. A decision is expected this week. A meeting is due between Jacques Villeneuve and team boss Mario Theissen. Villeneuve has a contract for next year but there have been signs that BMW is not very keen on the idea, talking to other drivers about possible deals. This has been offset by suggestions that Villeneuve's contract has a massive buy-out clause, clearly a message for BMW. The deal which makes the most sense as far as we can see

# 1fl

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\ is for Dan Wheldon to become the team's test driver in 2006, learn the cars and the circuits and move up to replace Villeneuve in 2007. The problem with this, so we hear, is that BMW is not willing to give a

commitment for 2007 and so Wheldon is not willing to take the risk that the Bavarians might leave him as a test driver - a position in which an Indianapolis 500 winner does not want to be. -JOE SAWARD

Join The Club GP2 Grows to 26 Cars

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THE GP2 series has expanded to 13 teams for 2006 with the original 12 operations being joined by a new organisation called Trident Racing. This is a team which has been established by Gimmi Bruiu's manager Maurizio Salvador!. Salvador! is a veteran promoter, making his mark in the 1970s as an agent in the music business. This later transformed into a company which promoted Italian rock singers such as Zucchero and Eros Ramazzotti and also worked on Italian dates for tours by international stars. The company was also involved in TV production but recently has looked more to personal management deals with Bruni and others. , Shareholders in the new team include Ramazzotti, Dutch soccer star Clarence Seedorf and former racer Massimo Sigala. Bruni,above, will drive one car but the second driver has yet to be decided. Several other teams bid for the place as the 13th team,including Carlin Motorsport. Team owner Trevor Carlin says that he is now looking at buying an entry from one of the existing GP2 teams. -JOE SAWARD

Tune In To The GP! WHAT do IIMXS and Oasis have in common? They're at the top of FI star Mark Webber's hit list according to publicity released to push the AGP's latest'win an MP3'ticket sales push (see page 19). Webber lists Listen Like Thieves (INXS), Hello and Wonderwall (both Oasis) as his top three. Friend Lance Armstrong's girlfriend Sheryl Crow gets a gig at seven, with Favourite Mistake ...

Extreme MaK THE Midland Group has announced that it will enter the Formula 1 World Championship under the name of MF1 Racing rather than as Midland F1. The change suggests that the Midland company is not going to use the sport in any high profile way and that the team is probably being funded privately by Midland boss Alex Shnaider. It has been clear for some months that Shnaider’s partners in Midland were not very keen on the move into FI. The team has unveiled its planned new livery, a combination of white, silver grey

and red, which has been chosen to differentiate the team from others in the F1 field (although the original yellow colour did that rather well). The team has also applied for a licence via the Russian Automobile Federation, based in Moscow. Interestingly, Shnaider was born in St Petersburg but grew up in Israel and later in Canada. His Midland steel business is based in the Ukraine. It seems, however, that Shnaider believes that his best chance of raising money for MF1 is in Russia. Although Tiago Monteiro has apparently got the money he needs to be the team’s second motorsport neiMS

T 1

Newey Grows Wings

Drink Milk and coiiect award DAN Wheldon is getting more nominations than Cate Blanchett

ADRIAN Newey,the pre-eminent Formula 1 designer in modem times,is to leave McLaren at the end

recently. The Indy 500 winner has been nominated for Speed Channel's Driver of the Year, as well as

of January and will move to Red Bull Racing. There is more than a little irony in the move,given that Newey tried to leave McLaren in 2001 in order to join Jaguar Racing (which later became Red Bull Racing). McLaren boss Ron Dennis talked Newey out of the deal he had signed with Jaguar's Bobby Rahal.

n We hear that there are changes afoot at WPS Racing. Not only are two new Fords, and two neyy Porsches, on the way to the shop from Santa, we believe that the team will have a new team manager next season after the recent departure of the experienced Ian 'Wally' Walburn.

International and British Competition Driver of the Year from Autosport.

This time, Dennis could not convince Newey to stay. It is probable that this can be traced back to 2003 when the team decided that it wanted to push ahead with the development of a revamped MP4-18 rather than adopt Newey's idea of a completely new MP4-19. The result was an embarrassing failure until Newey's car, which was called the MP4-19B, was rushed through. The new car was very successful and formed the basis of the car that has dominated the racing this year. Newey is known to have been unhappy about the way in which he was treated over the MP4-19 decision. The interesting thing now will be to see how the team does without him. The new MP4-21 has been developed under his guidance and the effect of his departure is unlikely to be fully felt until 2007. Similarly, his effect on design at Red Bull Racing is unlikely to be huge in 2006 when the team will be running its new car, which has been designed in recent months by Mark Smith and his team of engineers. The arrival of Newey is hkely to confuse matters at Red Bull, as Smith

eover

was only recently named technical director after a revamp of the management structure moved Gunther Steiner from that role. It will

driver in 2006, alongside Christijan Albers, it is also clear that Formula One Management does not want to lose its access to the Indian market by way of Narain Karthikeyan and would rather see him in one of the cars. Monteiro may have more available than Karthikeyan but the Portuguese market is tiny compared to India. “I beiieve that Midland Group’s 23 November 2005

decision to enter its team under the Russian flag will push forward the development of Russia’s motorsport and open new horizons for Russiah racing drivers at the international level,” said Shnaider. Perhaps, but Shnaider needs to find some Russian money fairly quickly unless he wants to go on paying his own bills. -JOESAWARD

be interesting to see how Smith and Newey work together. Officially Newey's title will be chief technical officer, which leaves plenty of room for confusion. Newey has been with McLaren for the last eight seasons, during which time the team won the World Championship twice with Mika Hakkinen. Prior to that he worked at Williams where his designs between 1991-1997 won a total of 58 Grand Prix victories,four Drivers' titles and five Constructors' Championships. -JOE SAWARD

n Gary Paffett, the British driver who has won the 2005 DTM touring car title for Mercedes-Benz, will be tested over two days by Team McLaren Mercedes later this month on the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. Paffett Is keen to prove his ability so that he can join the team full-time in a testing role, with a view to racing in Formula 1 in 2007. ; He said: "This will not just be 10 laps to say 'well done' for winning the DTM". B Argentina honoured its five time Formula 1 World Champion, Juan Manuel Fangio, this week. Ten years after his death, a statue has been erected in a downtown plaza in the national capital, Buenos Aires. Fangio is depicted with a MercedesBenz W196, with which he won the title in 1955. fl Grand Prix Masters looks as though it could gain a Siiverstone race next season, but as a race at the Siiverstone Classic, rather than as a stand alone event. The Classic, run on July 28-30, caters for a variety of ages of car - and now drivers, too, it seems. This seems to tally with Siiverstone operating a muchreduced calendar of promoted events in 2006. B Modena public prosecutor Fausto Casarl has formally indicted former Ferrari employees Angelo Santini and Mauro lacconi on charges of stealing information from the Ferrari FI team and giving it to Toyota. Casari has recommended that charges against a third man (Antonio Tentorio) be dropped. The case will be heard by Judge Alberto Ziroldi at the Tribunals di Modena next year. Toyota is refusing to return software which was supplied by the two men because, it argues, this has now been substantially modified and handing it over to Ferrari would create a significant advantage for Ferrari. - ADDISON/SPURRING/STAFF

Hi Ho Silver New hardware on the way at WPS BEFORE a lap has even turned in the final round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Phillip Island, WPS Racing is already looking toward the new year. In 2006, the Craig Gore-owned team will debut two new cars, more staff and a totally refurbished facility. One Beehag Ford Falcon shell has already been completed and is currently being worked on by the team. Another shell is expected to dock in the shop by December 23, and team manager Keith Evers hopes that both new cars will be on track for Round 1 at the Clipsal 500. "The plan is to have both new cars completed for the first round,but there is a lot to do between now and then," he told MNews. Evers also said that WPS Racing are looking for at least three new engineers for the 2006 season. Evers hopes to have at least 20 full-time staff working on the race team directly. The move to source more engineering talent is due to the departure of Ian Walbum. "Ever since we started in the category, the competitiveness of the field has raised four fold," he said."It's been very frustrating this year. At the end of 2004, we won the race at Tasmania and we were strong at Eastern Creek, but for one reason or another, we haven't been able to move forward. It will get better, it's just growing pains." The WPS Racing facility will also have a major refurbish over the Christmas break. And to add to the Christmas capper, the team will take on two Carrera Cup cars in 2006. -GRANT ROWLEY

A FEW hours after 30,000-plus punters poured out of Symmons Plains, the Tasmanian government moved to secure the state's V8 Supercar round for two further years. Tasmanian Premier Paul Lennon announced that the extension would means that the cars would race at the Launceston track until at least 2010. "The State Government worked hard to secure the return of the V8s last year and our faith has been repaid," Lennon said. "A record [three-day] crowd of more than 62,000 people at I Symmons Plains over the

weekend was the best possible way of ensuring Tasmania's future in the V8 circuit." V8 Supercars Australia CEO Wayne Cattach pointed to the benefits that the events brings to the Island state. "The huge success of this event has proved just what Premier Paul Lennon had ; predicted when he mad^ it his personal mission to bring V8 Supercars back to Tasmania," Cattach said. "The Premier said 'build it and they will come' and his vision has proven to be absolutely correct. The second ^ successive record crowd of

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This man is Richard Lyons. He has won in F Nippon and Japanese GT Could he be V8 Supercars’ next big thing?

Speed for Sale Japan with Nismo in the Super GT RICHARD Lyons came away from Championship and Domoco his first look at V8 Supercar racing Dandelion in FNippon. But the 26at Symmons Plains impressed year-old did say that he was not and hopeful of an endurance seat in 2006. prompted to look at V8s because of the recent move from the Japanese Lyons has raced in Japan for the GT scene to Stone Brothers Racing last five years, securing the by friend and rival James prestigious Formula Nippon title Courtney. in 2004 and is looking beyond what "I was actually surprised that might be considered 'normal' James was not even doing the options for further his career. endurance races here. A lot of "I came for a bit of a holiday," people always knew about the the Irishman said last week."My series." girlfriend is from Southport and While he is keen on doing, at while I was here,I wanted to see a least, Sandown and Bathurst next V8 race. The cars are powerful and do not have a lot of grip. I like to 4 year, Lyons says he also has other try a bit of everything." ^'^otential opportunities to consider, Lyons is yet to secure a deal for jB^ncluding a Le Mans drive and, next season,though he confirmed ^^perhaps.Champ Cars. that he has offers to continue in "It is all about having a fresh challenge," he said."I could stay in l Japan and continue racing there for another 10 years; I could go back \ there for Year #6 next season. There is nothing wrong with that, but there is nothing wrong with seeing what else is there as well." -PHILBRANAGAN

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Power Torque I AUSTRALIAN Grand Prix Chairman Ron Walker heads the list of'motor racing people'in the latest list of the Most Influential People in Australian Sport. The list, published in sports magazine Alpha,includes only two current drivers, Mark Skaife at 82 and Mark Webber,above with Walker, at 96. As a general sporting magazine. Alpha makes some 'interesting' observations,including the fact that Peter Brock's nine Bathurst wins were "mostly with Holden" and that Tony Cochrane had a successful career as a driver. Hmmmmm ... Network 10 Sports chief David White is listed at 47 while Craig Kelly, whose company manages Skaife and who is involved in the management of the Holden Racing Team,is at 55. Media baron Kerry Packer is rated at number one on the list.

'1 like to try a bit Of The list is: everything" I 30 Ron Walker -Lyons, left, hints that he would I 47 David White like to try a V8 Supercar i 55 Craig Kelly

82 Mark Skaife 84 Tony Cochrane 9l Peter Brock 96 Mark Webber motorsport news

T 62,019 at the weekend was testament to this. "And not only is the event a massive success, the improvements of the facility are a legacy for all Tasmanians for the other 51 weeks of the year." The 2.4km circuit hosted rounds of the ATCCA/8 Supercar series for three decades until 1999, when AVESCO moved the race because the teams outgrew

upgrades, including a new pit complex, the series returned last year and more than 60,000 fans rolled in to see local hero Marcos Ambrose race at the track for the first time. The event, which is organised and promoted by AVESCO Events, was

sponsored this year in a oneyear deal by Ferodo, though MNews sources suggest that the event's success may prompt the brake component maker to return in 2006. - PHIL BRAN

Vatesar? AVESCO is extinct. As reported in Motorsport News last month, the organising body of V8 Supercar racing has updated its name to V8 Supercars Australia. The category manager felt that the old name, which stood for Australian V8

More FI for Ten NETWORK Ten will continue as the exclusive broadcaster of Formula One in Australia until at least 2010. The network, which has telecast the sport for the last three years, announced that it had extended its deal last week. "The three years that we have worked with the Formula One family have been mutually beneficial," said Network Ten's general manager, sport, David White, "and we look forward to continuing the relationship for the next five years." Ten commentator Neil Crompton said he could "hardly wait" for the opening race of the 2006 season. "There have been a heap of changes already since the final race of 2005 and there will be a lot to see," he said last week. "There are new rules, new engines and new drivers, and even a new team. This is a really exciting time to be involved in Grand Prix racing." 23 Nouember2005

More wheel time for Valentino VALENTINO Rossi did three days of testing at Ferrari last week, his longest test with the team to date. The motorcycle champion has made a number of contradictory statements about his ambitions in Formula 1 but Ferrari seems keen to indulge him because each new test brings positive publicity for the team. n n It has been revealed thatVakeo Fukui, the president of the Flonda Motor Company, likes to test the BAR-Flonda Formula 1 cars. Fukui, who has been Honda president since June 2003, is not the first Honda president to have the occasional run in an FI car. Nobuhiko Kawamoto also liked to sample the FI cars from time to time.

Now IS It

Is Bert's hair real? Ten's Mick Doohan and Mark Webber pondler the TV.

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Supercar Company, was still not easily recognised in the international sporting landscape after a decade and that the simpler handle was the way to go for the future. "The acronym AVESCO is still unfamiliar to a lot of people but the moment you mention V8 Supercars people of all walks identify with it immediately," V8 Supercars Australia Chairman Tony Cochrane said. "The international Motorsport community particularly in China and Europe are becoming very familiar with our product and know the name V8 Supercars. They are not generally familiar with AVESCO until the acronym is further explained." For the time being, the category's AVESCO Events division will continue under its current title. - PHIL BRANAGAN

n It has been a bad week for Willi Weber, Michael Schumacher's highprofile manager. Michael's brother Ralf has announced that he will no longer be managed by Weber. The two have been associated since 1993, ; during which time Weber has negotiated some impressive deals for' the younger Schumacher brother. Recently, however, Ralf has been less than content and decided to end the contract a year early (and presumably pay Weber a considerable sum of money). Weber is also in more legal trouble with the Stuttgart Prosecutor's Office. Earlier this year Weber paid $61,000 to a charity to end a long-running action in which he was accused of perjury in a case over Michael's management. Now Weber looks like he is heading back to court to answer charges of alleged financial irregularities with a promotional company called Pole Position Marketing, which was at one point involved in the Schumacher merchandising industry. n The Bahrain International Circuit has announced that on December 2 work will begin on the construction of Sakhir City, a business park which will include at least two hotels. Bahrain is busy marketing itself as a conference venue to build on the investment made with the racing circuit and as part of that programme the organisers say that they are going to push down the price of hotels at the Grand Prix. For the last couple of years hotel rooms in Bahrain have been the most expensive of all the races. It is worth noting that hotel capacity near the circuit will be increased dramatically witht he completion of the Al Areen project, which should be finished by 2008. This will feature A five star resort hotel, plus residential facilities, luxury apartments, town houses, villas, restaurants, retail outlets and entertainment venues in the planned downtown area. -JOE SAWARD 11

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Monza under threat?

Italian GP faces environmental problems by JOE SAWARD

Jabby Crombac GERARD Crombac,known to the Formula 1 world as'Jabby', has died of cancer in Paris.

He was the most experienced of all Formula 1 journalists, having attended around 530 World Championship races. Crombac was bom in Switzerland and was passionate about automobile racing from his childhood. He began his journalistic endeavours two years before the FIA established the World Championship, working as a mechanic with France's Raymond Sommer'in the early years. In 1949 in England he met Gregor Grant,a journalist of the Light Cnr magazine, who was planning to launch a new racing title called Aiitosport. Crombac agreed to supply the new magazine with international coverage. In 1962 he joined forces with former racer jean Lucas and reversed the name of the English magazine and created Sport Auto which became France's most important racing magazine for many years. He continued to run the magazine until he sold it to the. Emap publishing company in 1994. Crombac was imusual in that he did a variety of different jobs in the sport, ranging from timekeeper and mechanic to team manager(with Matra in the early years), championship organiser,steward and racing politician. He was for some years a member of the HSA Technical Commission. For a while he was even member of the HA General Assembly, representing a national sporting authority that could not afford to send a delegate to Paris for the meetings. Crombac was a great friend of many drivers and team bosses. He put Ken Tyrrell in contact with Matra in the late 1960s and played an important role in talking Honda back into FI in the early 1980s. He was a close friend and biographer of Team Lotus boss Colin Chapman, pictured with Crombac above, shared a Paris apartment with Jim Clark, and was always very proud of owning one of Clark's road cars. Crortibac's knowledge of racing was extraordinary. Fortunately, he finished his autobiography shortly before his death. -JOE SAWARD 12

IS the historic Grand Prix venue at Monza really under threat? Residents of the Italian village of Biassono recently made a complaint about noise from the Autrodromo Nazionale at Monza and Milan magistrate Marco Manunta gave them hope that racing might be stopped there when he ruled that the Italian Grand Prix is a "socially-useless activity that has a major impact on the environment." Manunta imposed noise restrictions which would make it impossible for the Grand Prix to take place. The circuit has the ability to appeal that decision and will do so and, while the environmentalists will for a while feel that they have won a victory, it is unlikely that it will be a victory for long. Italy needs the prestige of its two Grands Prix and the last time the race at Monza was under threat - back in 1994, when safety dictated that some trees needed to be chopped down and environmentalists objected - the FIA cancelled the Italian Grand Prix. Within three days, the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had personally intervened, the race was back on and Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone had both been awarded the country's Order of Merit - the highest award that can be made to non-Italian citizens! The major flaw in the ' argument put forward by the locals is that they all knew that the Autodromo was a racing circuit when they bought their houses, unless they have owned the properties since before 1922 when Monza opened for business as a race track. Nowadays only 45 percent of the park is owned by the public. Since 1964 there has been no additional building allowed in the park, although new buildings have been built to replace old ones.

A Blast from the Past: The Monza banking last hosted a Grand Prix in 1961. Now, the whole track may be under threat from environmentalists.

All road works lead to ... A DECISION is due this week from the board of the British Racing Driver's Club over which company will be chosen to be a partner in the redevelopment of the Silverstone racing circuit, home of the British Grand Prix. Nine bids were originally received but these have now been reduced to four in recent weeks. These include St Modwen Properties PLC; MEPC, which develops and operates business parks, and America's Anschutz Entertainment Group,a sporting and music entertainment company which

operates sporting venues in the US. The precise details of the plans are not public but they are expected to include commercial and leisure facilities designed to generate money from facilities other than the racing circuit. These are likely to include a hotel and a technology park and probably other attractions to pull in crowds. Silverstone may end up being the latest in a series of Fl-related theme parks with convention centres and museums. -JOE SAWARD

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Those MFs get tests sorted THE MF1 team has announced that it will be testing Belgian Jeffrey van Hooydonk alongside Thomas Biagi and Markus Winkelhock at Jerez in December. The team has already announced a deal with Christijan Albers to race and a testing contract with Nicky Pastorelli and is close to a deal with Tiago Monteiro, although we hear that the team is under some pressure from Formula One Management to try to include Narain Karthikeyan in the driver line-up. n JVC is to increase its support for Albers, who will act as an ambassador for the Japanese company's Benelux division. n Speaking of Albers, he will be joined by Rally Australia winner Francois Duval in next month's Race of Champions in Paris. The Dutchman and the Belgian will form a 'Benelux' team. s

f I Glory Days: Canassi and Honda won three straight CART titles in the 1990s and are now reunited in the IRL.

Chip gets Hondas

Way now clear for Toyota to depart IRL a year ahead of plan

TARGET Team Ganassi will compete in the IRL IndyCar Championship next season with Honda power. As reported in the last Issue of MNews,the team will soon confirm that it has ended its relationship with Toyota, allowing the manufacturer to withdraw quietly from the series a year ahead of schedule. With all teams running Honda engines next season, the series will become a de facto control engine category. However, it is still not 100 percent clear who will drive for the Chip Ganassi-owned team. The high-profile owner continues to hold discussions with the management of 2005

Champion Dan Wheldon but we believe that the Briton is holding out, still hoping for a role in Formula One next year. That means that the future of Ryan Briscoe is uncertain. As we reported earlier this month, the Australian is in contention for a seat with PKV Racing in the rival Champ Car World Series, the feeling being that the Toyotacontracted driver competing with a Cosworth engine in a regulated one-engine series is less of an 'evil' than him driving in the other championship with Honda power. Both in the world's showrooms and on the racetracks, Toyota and Honda remain fierce rivals - some

say, enemies. We expect that Briscoe will be confirmed as Jimmy Vasser's replacement at PKV before the end of the month. In the meantime, the IRL faces season 2006 with the knowledge that all teams will run similar powerplants supplied by a company that clearly courted, and preferred, a return to the CCWS and which only committed to a continued IRL program once that option had closed. The rules of the series forbid any proprietary engine supplier (ie, Cosworth) providing engines to teams without the backing of a major manufacturer so,for '06 at least, it is Honda or bust...

Chinese and Japanese agree on date swap THE FIA announced last week that the Japanese and Chinese Grand Prix, scheduled for October 1 and October 8 2006 are to be switched,following agreement between the two national sporting authorities. The move was approved by a fax vote of the FIA World Motor Sport Council. The date switch makes little

23 November 2005

difference and shows that Formula 1 is confident enough about dealing with the Chinese that there will not be a problem getting all the necessary equipment out of Shanghai and into Suzuka in the limited time available. The season will still end on October 22 in Brazil. -JOESAWARD

n BAR-Honda broke the 400kmh (248.6mph) barrier in its record attempts with a modified at the Mojave Airport, 160km to the east of Los Angeles. The airport rents out its runways on a regular basis and these are used for a variety of purposes, including by the motion picture industry and for TV commercials. The team decided to use the facility after rain at Bonneville Salt Flats made it impossible to run on the famous record-breaking tracks. Alan van der Merwe broke the 400kph mark on three separate runs, his fastest run getting up to 415kmh (257.9mph). BAR hopes to go back to Bonneville in the spring of 2006. n Red Bull has overtaken Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi in making money at US convenience stores. According to the latest figures Red Bull generated US$282m ($384m) in revenues while Diet Coke made $260m and Diet Pepsi $220m. The major reason for this is that Red Bull is more than six times as expensive as the two colas and so has generated more revenue for less volume. Red Bull's US sales increased by 38 percent in the first eight months of the year but its market share has been slipping, notably to a brand called Monster. Red Bull has yet to face a concerted attack from CocaCola and Pepsi. The two companies are planning to launch their own energy drinks. Coke with a drink called Full Throttle and Pepsi with No Fear and Adrenaline Rush. n Toyota Motorsport and Bridgestone have formally confirmed that the German-based Formula 1 team will switch from Michelin for its tyres in 2006. -JOE SAWARD 13

Specs by GRANT ROWLEY

Aussie Racing Cars and was given a RECENTLY-crowned Aussie Racing number of test days in the Car Champion Tim Monte will drive Queensland team's AU Falcon. a VY Commodore in the Fujitsu V8 While the testing was quite limited, Supercar Championship in 2006. it has given him a nice platform for The Canberra youngster, who 2006. wrapped up the ARC title at "I hope we can finish all the Symmons Plains two weeks, will races," he said. "Hopefully we can drive for Sydney Star Racing in the be somewhere near the top 10. The team's ex-Garry Rogers Motorsport i Commodore. The car was last seen cars obviously have a lot more in VX fotm in the hands of Grant horsepower, and the brakes take a Elliott in 2004. The Holden is bit to get used to. A little bit different to the Aussie,that's for sure!" currently in Paris Acott's Melbourne The first round of the 2006 Fujitsu workshop being converted to VYlohn Morns/Mpi\ V8 Series is at the Clipsal 500 on spec. March 23-26. Monte told MNewsthat he is looking forward Meanwhile,the team's current driver Grant to his debut in the Development series. Elliott will step aside in 2006. Elliott has been "It's will be a big learning curve," he frustrated by a lack of sufficient budget, admitted. "I think that once we get some laps although he has been able to haul the team's in testing, we should be OK. I can't wait to do AU Falcon into the top 10 on occasions. He it though." will concentrate bn the Commodore's One advantage he has is that he isn’t a total preparation during racing and testing. V8 rookie. Monte has sported Dick Johnson - GRANT ROWLEY Racing backing over the past two seasons in

THE 2006 Fujitsu V8 Supercars will run in exactly the same specification as their Championship Series / siblings. Next year, Fujitsu (nee Development)cars will have all the sensors returned to the cars, and will also run at the same weight as the main game racers. Coupled with the series running five of its seven rounds with the main series, this news has inspired some of the Championship Series teams to consider running a car in the junior class. And the team at the top of the Development tree, Dick Johnson Racing, will be involved again in the series next year. "WeTl be back," DJR team manager Dean Oir confirmed."We'll have a presence, but it's a bit early to know any details. We get a lot out of it by giving co-drivers miles and bringing them up to speed. From a team point of view, it's worthwhile. We've been in it for three years and we'll definitely be back for a fourth." Another main series team that has

Caruso confirms Decina deal MICHAEL Caruso will make his comeback to V8 Supercar racing in 2006 with Jim Morton’s Speed FX Racing. As predicted by MNews (Issue 322), Caruso will drive the ex-Stone Brothers Falcon BA In Decina colours In the Fujitsu Series. The Caruso/Morton deal also includes a three-year driver management agreement, while a number of negotiations continue with potential supporters to join Decina. As MNews went to press, the 2003 Formula 3 champion got 15 laps behind the wheel at Queensland Raceway. While not pushing, he was glad to be given some early seat time. “It was alright,” he said. “A little bit different to what I’ve driven before, but good to get back in the car. “I can’t say I’ve got expectations for next season. I just want to do a good job. The cars obviously good and the team and I definetly want to be 14

Pecri

’I

SPA BAT wA

A at the pointy end of the field.” Caruso did admit that one of his aims for the season is to score a drive in the V8 endurance races at Sandown and Bathurst. Morton rates Michael’s abilities highly. “Michael drove with me for six years in karting, and we had an enjoyable time,” he said. “Our best result came when

we won the North American Junior karting title against at least a dozen of Europe’s best.” Caruso drove with the Holden Young Lions squad in the early part of 2004, but left the team after just two rounds. He has driven selected rounds of this year’s F3 championship, picking up a win at Mallala. - GRANT ROWLEY

CCup BRETT Francis and Alistair Bye have answered the calls of two WPS Carrera Cup teams for this weekend’s final round at Phillip Island. Francis will replace Luke Youlden in the VIP Petfoods Racing entry while Youlden races in the New Zealand V8 Touring Car Championship. Francis has enjoyed support from VIP in Formula Ford, both as a driver and team owner, and has also worked on the VIP Porsches this season. Bye has Porsche experience in motorsport news

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settled fer FV8s

Newman Haas No to Brickyard NEWMAN Haas Racing will not be going back to Indianapolis in 2006. The team ran two cars this year but were setback when Bruno Junqueira crashed heavily and suffered two fractured vertebrae that required surgery and kept him out of the Champ Car series for the rest of the year... The new Champ Car calendar makes it hard for teams to race at Indianapolis with events in Houston on May 13(the same day as pole position qualifying at Indianapolis) and at Monterrey in Mexico on May 21. Qualifying in Monterrey will clash with another of the Indy 500 qualifying days.

'«»● <ifeH3^uury

looked at the possibility of runrting a car is Paul Morris Motorsport. The Queensland-based Holden squad is considering a number of options, however, team manager Nigel Barcley was non-committal. "It's something we're looking at," he said. "There's been a lot of /(●/ill iVI(irri>Af/i

I I

discussions, but really nothing concrete as yet. I would like to see us do something, but it is all subject to sponsorship." Meanwhile, in pre-Phillip Island HPDC V8 news, Scott Leadsman has converted his VX to VY specification and will use it for the first time this

weekend. Dean Savage will also have a new VY for 2006. Also, one of John Faulkner's Commodores has been given the VY treatment and the former racer is in negotiations with drivers and teams regarding a possible entry in next year's championship. Martin.DJCtitrk.

Truex Colours tarmac rallying at Targa Tasmania and the like, and like Francis, will be making his Carrera Cup debut. Bye is replacing Cameron McLean in the Sherrin Hire Racing car, as McLean is also racing in the NZ V8 Series this weekend. Alan Gurr will return to the Carrera Cup grid at Phillip Island, having missed the Bathurst and Indy rounds. Gurr’s Glenfords Racing team-mate Fabian Coulthard is likely to claim the title at the Island. -CHRIS JORDAN 23 November 2005

MARTIN Truex Jr has overcome all manner of scares to seal his second straight NASCAR Busch Series title at Homestead last weekend. Truex, who will graduate to Nextel Cup next year, started his weekend off on the wrong foot by shunting his car in qualifying. He switched to the back-up car, forcing a start from the rear of the 43car grid, and then went a lap down after an unscheduled pitstop due to a tyre problem. But some great driving and well-timed cautions got him back onto the lead lap and, arnazingly into the top 10. ‘There were times this year when we just weren't running very good,” Truex said. “But we all stuck together as a team. But this thing was three times harder to win than last year's, and I'm three times prouder of this team.” Truex is only the second driver to win back-to-back Busch titles, with Dale Earnhardt Jr having done the same trick in 1998 and 1999. The race was won by Ryan Newman ahead of Greg Biffle and Mark Martin - three guys we’ll obviously have to keep an eye on in the future ... Ted Musgrave finished 19th in the final round of the Craftsmen Truck race, but wrapped up his first title.

n The Road America circuit at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, is to have a US$5m upgrade to increase the size of the paddock, improve the medical facilities and make some adjustments to the track itself, although the layout - one of the most challenging in the ; world - will not be altered. Five of the., circuit's corners will be resurfaced and run-off areas will be increased. There are also plans to build a Paddock Village, a 35-acre industrial estate for teams and other motorsport businesses. ■ The Auto Research Centre in Indianapolis is to be expanded next year with the construction of a new building at the site, which currently houses 27 staff working with the half-scale rolling road wind tunnel and a vehicle dynamics rig. The company, is owned and run by Adrian Reynard, who hopes to expand the business beyond motorsport and is aiming to attract car manufacturers to use the facility in order to apply advanced vehicle dynamics to save fuel. The expansion is being partially funded by the city of Indianapolis and Indiana development agencies. ■ Franck Montagny will be seen testing for Renault again at least twice before the end of the season but the Frenchman is expected to move on next year and is looking for a ride in Champ Car racing for next year. He is understood to have been talking to Paul Gentilozzi's Rocketsports Racing. ■ DaimlerChrysler has sold its 12.4 percent stake in Mitsubishi Motors to the US investment bank Goldman Sachs. The German firm previously owned 37 percent of Japan's fourth biggest car manufacturer as part of its globalisation plans but quality problems and revelations that the firm had hidden defects in the cars led to the company's market to collapse, which cost DaimlerChrysler a huge amount of money and led to disputes in the company's management, -JOESAWARD 15

di Grass! High France 8,W

BRAZIL'S Lucas di Grassi has joined a long and illustrious list after winning the prestigious Macau GP last weekend. di Grassi took the ead from Robert Kubica with just two laps to go to cap off what had been an eventful race right from the get-go. when polesitter Loic Duval was penalised for jumping the start. Third place went to Sebastian Vettel. Karl Reindler, below, did a solid job as Australia's sole representative. The West Australian was forced to start from the mid-field after being stripped of his best two qualifying times for ignoring yellow flags. At least he wasn't alone, with di Grassi and Franck Perera being similarly punished. While 12th place might not have been what Reindler had in mind at the start of the weekend, he did a lot better than Japanese driver Taku Bamba, who was thrown out of the race for hitting a stationary car on the grid during the formation lap for the qualifying race. Nice one, Taku.

LA MARSEILLAISE is rapidly becoming the theme music to the A1 GP series, with Team France taking its eighth win on the trot in Malaysia last weekend. Alexander Premat's win for France was again the product of great speed and even better teamwork, with main rivals Switzerland (Neel Jani) and Great Britain (Robbie Kerr) both striking problems during their pitstops. France had earlier won the sprint race ahead of Switzerland and Great Britain after Premat took the lead from Jani on the final lap. A1 Team Australia spent the weekend in a world of hurt. Christian Jones started the weekend in the car before handing the keys to Will Davison, and by the time qualifying was over Davison knew that he was in for a long weekend. The Victorian had not had a chance to run on green tyres prior to qualifying, and after banking a conservative opening lap he was planning to go full-tilt on his second attempt. But the weather had other ideas. "The first lap was really exploratory, but it was OK," Davison told MNews."We were late getting out for our second run, but I was 0.7s up on my previous lap when I got into turn seven and it started to drizzle. It was really greasy, and Team Lebanon spun in front of me and

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sutlan’imafies.i

I spun at the same spot." Davison was forced to start from rear of grid, and his sprint race came to an early end when he hit the back of Team Czech's Tomas Enge. Fie returned to the garage and retired from the race. "The field just stopped at turn two," said Davison. "It caught me out and I went straight into Enge. It was my mistake." After all that, the final race was a simple matter of damage limitation, and Davison kept out of trouble to finish 11th.

THE new Spectrum Oil got its first track test at Calder Park on Monday. The brand-new car, complete with the 1.6 litre Ford Fiesta engine, was pedaled around the Victorian track by 2005 Formula Ford Championship runner-up Shane Price. Price said that the engine was responsive and easy to drive. "It had good power, you can feel the power difference," he said. "It's smoother, obviously fuel injected, so it's a lot more responsive." Although he is not driving in the series next year, he said that the new chassis will be a genuine threat in the championship stakes next year. "It feels quite nice," he relayed. "It's going to be on the pace." The single biggest change to the Spectrum Oil was accommodating

the new engine. Chassis and bell housing positions were modified to suit, as was the engine cover and main body panel. Revisions to rear suspension were also implemented,aimed at improving the way the car puts power down. The design of the new chassis has also incorporated changes to bring it in line with European regulations, which will allow the Australianmade chassis to easily enter the overseas market. Ford Motorsport manager Ross Booth made time to have a drive of the new car. Other representatives from Caltex and Bosch were also there to enjoy a spin in the other Spectrums at the track. - GRANT ROWLEY

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Nelson and son THE UK-based Cirtek team has pulled off a coup by persuading triple Formula 1 World champion Nelson Piquet to 00-drive his son, A1 Grand Prix driver Nelsinho, in its 'customer’ Aston Martin DBR9 in the 1000-mile 'Mila Milhas' race in Brazil in January.

Thafs The Spirit

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"The car didn't feel that good at the end, to be honest," Davison said." We think something might have still been damaged from the crash. "It was a frustrating weekend, because we were actually the most competitive that we've yet been in qualifying, and we've got absolutely nothing to show for it." Davison and Jones will again accompany the team for the next round in Dubai on December 11. - MARKGLENDENNING

ANGLO Australian Motor Sport will contest the 2006 Australian Formula Ford Championship with a brand-new chassis to Australian racing. Spirit Racing Cars is a new UK-built chassis, constructed by Circuit Developments Limited, which is based near ' Snetterton, Norfolk. The car will be available for competition in national and state-based championships through Anglo, who is the sole distributors of the chassis in Australia and New Zealand, The Spirit WL 06 is the second chassis constructed by Circuit Developments, and has been built to accommodate the new Fiesta engine, and easily adopted to fit the outgoing Kent power plant. The car has enjoyed reasonable success in the UK. . The team plan to take delivery of up to five of the Spirits initially, and run at least three in the first year, in both state and national series.

Spectrum

Anglo team owner Tim Beale is champing at the bit to get the cars on the track. "We're pretty happy about the deal," he told MNews on Monday. "The guys behind it in the UK are very enthusiastic to make it work. They’ve been involved in the industry for 20odd years'and th§V khb\5C''Vvhat to do and what people want. I’m pretty excited about getting the cars. "What they've tried to do is make a cost-effective car. The focus of the design is on the new engine. The name Anglo Australian Motor Sport name will be retained by Beale, but the team will compete under a different guise, to reflect its 'factory' status. Beale will also have regular correspondence with the Spirit factory team in the UK who will assist with technical support. The team will announces its driver line-up in the coming weeks. - GRANT ROWLEY

n The 2006 Le Mans Endurance Series will comprise five races on 14 May at Spa-Francorchamps, 16 July on the Nurburgring, 27 August at Donington Park, 24 September at Monza and on an unspecified date in Istanbul. Donington has gained the fixture from Silverstone. n Giovanni Lavaggi, the Italian sportscar racer and former occasional Formula 1 driver, has revealed a new LMPl sportsprototype project, Lavaggi, a qualified mechanical engineer, has designed the car himself to take a naturally aspirated,, 6-litre Ford V8. The chassis has >● passed its FIA crash-test and is now underbuild. Lavaggi plans a full programme in the 2006 Le Mans Endurance Series and will file an entry for the Le Mans 24 Hours. ■ George Bolos has been appointed as the VP for marketing and sales of the FIA World Touring Car Championship by Eurosport, the TV broadcaster which recently became the outright owner of the series promoter, KSO (Kigema Sport Organisation). Bolos was centrally involved in the organization of the Athens Olympics in 2004 and was previously a regional CEO for French retail group Continent and Pepsico Inc. - QUENTIN SPURRING

POSITION VACANT: HEAD MECHANIC Tony D'Alberto Racing is a Melbourne based Level 3 V8 Supercar team competing in the V8 Supercar Development Series and requires a Head Mechanic to oversee the mechanical preparation and maintenance of the team VY Commodore. Applicants will have relevant experience and responsibility in motorsport. V8 Supercar experience is preferable but not essential. This is a full time position, all enquiries should be directed to Allan D'Alberto on 0407 772 902.

TONY D'ALBERTO RACING

23 November 2005

fAndy rules ^ the World

went BMW's way - almost - in final round of the World Touring ^7Car Championship at Macau, with Brit Andy Priaulx emerging as the V 2005 World Champion. Tire British driver started the

third for Seat. Muller looked to be in contention until the final lap when a damaged driveshaft dropped liim from fourth to 10th and Muller

weekend in fine style by taking pole position and after trouble struck title rivals Dirk Muller and Fabrizio Giovanardi, cruised home to take the title.

Lisboa. With the team passing on the good news, the BMW Great Britain driver was happy to follow BMW Team Holland's Duncan Huisman home in Race 2. While Alain Menu gave Chevrolet its best finish of the season with third place, the results of the 52nd and final race of the year allowed BMW to take the

"What a weekend," he said during the post-race celebrations. "To get on pole position and have things go so well in the races was just a dream come true. I had the title last year (the European championship) and now I have this one to go alongside it. I never really knew how something like that would feel until now." It was a big night of partying for the BMW team ... Priaulx was second in both races. with by Augusto Farfus Jr taking Race 1 in his Alfa and Rickard Rydell

chances lasted only until lap 3 of the final race when he walled his car at

manufacturers' championship as

well.

It was a tough weekend for Alfa in its final WTC outing, with Gabriele Tarquni crashing in qualifying in a clash with Rydell. Priaulx, 31, is now the second BMW driver to win the championship, 17 years after Roberto Ravaglia won the 1987 title, driving an M3.

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ANY ideas that Alfa Romeo's withdrawal from the World Touring Car Champion would dilute the quantity and quality of the grid have been but to rest with Seat Sport's confirmation of a six-driver squad for the 2006 series. Gabriele Tarquini and James Thompson, who have both raced for Alfa Romeo in this season's championship, have been snapped up by Seat. The Spanish maker has also signed former Vauxhall BTCC star Yvan Muller and has retained its 2005 drivers, Jordi Gene, Rickard Rydell, above at Macau last weekend, and Peter Terting. - QUENTIN SPURRING motorsport news

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Phoenix Rising A LATE move by Kyle Busch spoiled what looked like a Greg Biffle domination of the penaultimate round of the Nextel Cup at Phoenix two weeks ago. "It was great racing with Greg Biffle," said Busch. "He's a great competitor, and he raced me clean." Jeff Gordon was third ahead of Tony Stewart. Meanwhile, Bobby Gordon, who failed to qualify for the previous two races, switched to from Menard to DEI engines and after qualifying 12th brought his self-owned Chevy home eighth following a spirited battle with Jimmie Johnson in-the waning laps. - MARTIN D CLARK Rnal result; Kyle Busch (Chevy), Biffle (Ford), J Gordon (Chevy), Stewart(Chevy), B Labonte (Chevy), Edwards(Ford), Johnson (Chevy), R Gordon (Chevy), Jarrett (Ford), Kvapil (Dodge). suuon-imofies.i.

Rudd Quits RICKY Rudd will step out of the driver's seat at the end of this season. "I have the desire and ability to win’ races," said Rudd, below. "But a little burn out is beginning to set in. 1 may drive a few races next year if someone needs a substitute driver." ft- MARTIN D CLARK

NOVEMBER 7 was moving day in NASCAR, with three drivers changing seats for the 2006 season and beyond. Roush Racing released 2004 Champ Kurt Busch from his contract to drive the Penske Miller-backed car, while Ganassi Racing also let Jamie McMurray, right, out of his binder a year early so he could replace Busch. Ganassi's planned fourth team has been scrapped, as would-be sponsor Home 123 and Ganassi could not agree terms. Casey Mears will replace McMurray in the Texaco Dodge. - MARTIN D

:Ii

Labonte's A Petty Man AFTER 11 years, 2000 series champion Bobby Labonte, above, has departed Joe Gibbs’^Racing for Petty Enterprises to replace Jeff Green in the #43 Cheerios Dodge. "I know about race cars and I still think I know what I want in a car, but sometimes you don't get it," said Labonte (obviously referring to his last two seasons with Gibbs, where he hasn't won in 72 races). - MARTIN D CLARK

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STATESIDE

All Hail King Tony

TONY Stewart wrapped up the 2005 Nextel Cup Championship on Sunday at Homestead Miami with a conservative 15th place run. Race winner Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards tied for series runner up, with Biffle officially getting the nod on countback, having taken more wins this year. "I was really nervous with the 99 car (Edwards)," said Stewart, below. "He was leading a lot of laps, and knowing that we had to watch out for Jimmie (Johnson), we tried to be patient and free the car up. "This championship is for Greg Zipadelli (crew chief). This is the one I didn't get him the right way in 2002. With all the turmoil I put the guys through, we were all torn at the searns as a race team." Following a spin in practice, Stewart's Joe Gibbs team took a cautious approach to the race. "With me spinning on Friday, it shook my confidence," Stewart admitted. "I knew I was loose, but I never would have dreamed I'd have lost it like that in practice. We went a little overboard on being cautious and tightening the car up, and we just got it too tight. That was my fault. Today it was a matter of taking small steps, and my confidence came back to me earlier in the race." Needing to finish 20th or better, Stewart caught a break with 15 laps to run when the eighth caution came out for debris on the track, putting him

at risk of being lapped. The caution took a possible first win away from Casey Mears, but undoubtedly steered Stewart to the title. Biffle won the race by a nose after a 20 race dry spell over his Roush stable-mate Mark Martin. The top four was a Roush whitewash, with Matt Kenseth coming home third and Carl Edwards fourth after leading the most laps (94). However, his final pit stop for four tyres over his rivals' two cost him in the end. Jimmie Johnson crashed his way out of the race and the . title on lap 127 when his right rear tyre lost pressure and he spun in front of race leader Jeff Gordon. "I lived my whole life for this," grimaced Johnson. "To end up blowing a tyre and being out; that's part of it. But I'll be back next year." His Hendrick team-mate and previous week's winner Kyle Busch also spun into the wall on lap 25, and with Brian Vickers also getting involved in a wreck Gordon left as the sole Hendrick finisher and the 11th place points finisher. - MARTIN D CLARK

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Final result: Biffle (Ford), Martin (Ford), Kenseth (Ford), Edwards (Ford), Mears (Dodge), Blaney (Chevy), Johnson (Chevy), Newman (Dodge), Harvick (Chevy), J Gordon (Chevy), Mayfield (Dodge). Final point standings; Stewart 6533, Biffle 6498, Edwards 6498, Martin 6428, Johnson 6406, Newman 6359, Kenseth 6352, R Wallace 6140, Mayfield 6073, Busch 5974.

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Red 5 beats Greys Nigel wins Masters opener, Emmo stars, AJ out with injury

IT was on for young and old at the opening round of the GP Masters Series at Kyalami. No,that does not sound right. With a minimum age of drivers set at 45, it was on for old and, urn, really old. Nigel Mansell turned back the clock with a polished display, taking pole and leading all the way in the race but the man behind him, Emerson Fittipaldi, pushed hard. "What a race!" beamed Mansell, ignoring the pain of any number of medical ailments that would have kept mortal men in hospital, let alone a racecar. "He just didn't give up and nor did I expect him to. "He really is a legend and someone I admire immensely. Today, however, he was a pain in the arse! Told you he was in pain ... In fact, Emmo was astonishing. He only decided to do the event when in Australia for the A1 Grand Prix the previous weekend and, at 58, he was the oldest driver in the field. He qualified second. chasing Nigel hard and stuck to him like glue for all 30 laps. An amazing race and one which was a joy to drive!" he

said with that million dollar grin. "I remember a few years ago when Nigel came over to Indycars and the late great (Aryton) Senna told me to watch out for Nigel's car control. Today I witnessed that first-hand again." Third was former FI nearlyman Riccardo Patrese, who looked as unflustered in his retirement as he did in more than 200 GP starts. Andrea De Cesaris came home fourth followed by Derek Warwick, Hans Stuck, Christian Danner, Eddie Cheever, Jan hammers, Eliseo Salazar, Patrick Tambay and Rene Arnoux, all drivers on the leap lap. Jacques Laffite made it through 13 laps whilst Stefan Johansson was first man out, retiring on the second lap. Alan Jones was an unfortunate non-starter, the 1980 world champion feeling the strain of not having a seat fitting or any pre-season testing. He suffered neck spasms after practice and was excused by medico Dr Steve Olvey, leaving Salazar to grab the ride. No, he did not have to fight off any attempts to kick

him ...

This car has no doors: Touring car legend Hans Stuck turned back the clock to his open-wheeler days. He was a former Euro F2 champ, y'know. Grey power: The legends of the sport lined up for the school pic. Alan v Jones, already in civvies after suffering neck spasms, right far right.

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More Sons of Guns in the USA

Hakkinen staying in DTM MIKA Hakkinen will remain in the DTM with Mercedes-Benz next season.

5CH'*rn

The 37-year-old two-time World champion has signed an extension to his deal to race for the HWA team,for which he raced this season "From the very beginning, everybody supported me very well and I felt really comfortable," said Hakkinen. "Winning my third DTM race at Spa was the highlight of my season and I want to continue wiiming races next year." Hakkinen finished his rookie season fifth overall as the third best Mercedes driver behind Champion Gary Paffet, above with Mika, and Bernd Schneider, who was fourth. In 10 Formula One seasons, he won 20 GPs, aU with McLarenMercedes, took 26 poles and scored 420 points.

HOWARD REYNOLDS

THE latest addition to the next generation of American racers, Graham Rahal, has tested an Infinti Pro Series car at Putnam Park. The 16-year-old son of former Indy 500 winner and Champ Car star Bobby Rahal drove a car owned by Sam Schmidt, who was impressed with the times the teenager put together in a 40-lap run. Despite the test, and the fact that Dad owns an IndyCar team, Rahal Jr still looks set to race in the revamped Formula Atlantic series next season.

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We’re all going on a summer holiday BTCC teams take six-week holiday to watch Socceroos

TEN meetings at nine circuits will make up the 2006 British Touring Car Championship. The series will feature a sbt-week break between rounds four and five, a move prompted to avoid clashes with football's World Cup in Germany. The 2006 championship, which will be the last for BTCC rules before it adopts Super 2000 regulations for

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2007, will kick off at Brands Hatch on April 8/9,followed by rounds at Ireland's Mondello Park, Oulton Park, Thruxton, Croft, Donington Park, Snetterton, Knockhill in Scotland and a return visit to Brands before the series finale at Silverstone on October 14/15. All rounds will consist of three races.

n Porsche Motorsport North America has announced a six-car squad of new Daytona Prototypes with a 3.8-litre engine in the 2006 Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series, beginning with the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January, Brumos Racing has been testing a GT3-based flat six and will race new Fabcar Evolution Daytona Prototypes. Synergy Racing will enter a new Porsche-powered Doran JE-4, alongside several GT3s. Alex Job Racing will enter a Porschepowered Crawford in the Rolex 24 and hopes to run the entire Series season, pending final sponsorship arrangements. - PHIL MORRIS

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Trees^ Phones and Hunger I 'M here today to admit that I was a massive Dick Johnson fan. He was my boyhood hero. I shared a bedroom with rny brother for the better part of my youth, but he didn't have a say when it came to the posters on the wall. Shell Sierra and Falcon paraphenalia were visible from the moon. I actually have a small Dick secret (hang on, that's come out wrong). It was during Bathurst 1983. I was nearly three years old, DJ was flogging his (3reens Tuff Falcon XD around The Mountain in Saturday's Hardies Heroes, and I was probably picking my nose or chewing the furniture. And as history.goes, Dick speared off the track and slammed into the trees. My dad jumped out of his chair, ran out the front to tell mum of Johnson's environmental crimes and badly stubbed his toe on a step. No biggy? I think not. As my mum and dad will tell you today, I gave them months and months of sleepless nights because of nightmares - nightmares of Dick's XD crashing through trees. They even had to take the poster of Dick's Falcon off my bedroom wall. Mind you, I was only three and I can't remember any of this. But the good news was that 1 eventually got over my tree torment, and dad's toe wasn't broken.

hile I still have every bit of respect for what Johnson has done in his career, my fanatical DJR stance has been somewhat diluted due to the job that I do. I think we should all have our personal favourites, 23Nct!S!!!Ser25C3

Willl6nMBlMiin 1

but it was -hard not to throw some ideas around the MNews office. Dicktaphone. Dial-a-Dick. DJ, Phone, Home ...

and I wouldn't refund any of my Shell/FAI flags or hats, but as a motorsport journalist, I'm not sure how pleased Skaifey would be if I asked for a quote while wearing my Dick Johnson Telecommunications T-Shirt. Yes, that's right. Australian motorsport's 'man of the people' will soon announce that his name will be attached to his own new telco company, which will initially offer fixed line and mobile phone service to all Australians. Dick started his career as the classic Aussie*battler, but today, the Dick Johnson Group has evolved into a company with big dreams. And I can see no flaws in its business structure: a household name, smart staff and two very fast and very loud billboards. The interesting part of all of this is that to promote his new (yet-to-be-named) telco business, Johnson has had to 'divorce' with Westpoint. When you can afford to replace a paying sponsor with your own sponsorship, you must be reasonably confident of the position you're putting yourself in ... Coupled with his V8

Mortgage Centres, DJ is putting his 'house on it,' so to speaks Building Dick Johnson Racing beyond simply just a race team has just about everything to do with the people making the hard decisions. Johnson has aligned himself with some very successful and astute business people - harking back to the Ross Palmer days. Shell's Ross Brodie and now Steve Chalker, the general manager of the Dick Johnson Group. Perhaps, Dick and his business crew have been looking at what Craig Gore has been doing. OK, Gorey's cars haven't exactly set the world on fire, but if WPS, Visa V8 Supercard or Aussie Vineyards have been remotely successful through Gore's motor racing adventures, you can only imagine the potential that Johnson's mortgages and phones should have. Considering Johnson's strong household name and Chalker's business smarts, it seems inevitable that the Dick Johnson Group's new telco company will be a force in the market. There is no official name for the Dick's telco company yet.

hile on eve'rything Team Dick, it wasn't a great surprise for the people in the know to see the recent confirmation that Glenn Seton was asked to clean his desk a year prib^'fo his contact expiration. It was a big shock, though, for some of the people on the fringe. How could this be, they asked? Seto is a legend. Why has he been dumped? To be honest, I can't really answer that for you. But the facts could help. Will Davison is young, bloody fast and super committed. Seton isn't so young these days, fast when he can be and, although he says he's still hungry. I've seen Davo eat. He's a growing lad. He loves his tucker. For DJR to promote its new look in 2006, they need two drivers that will push each other. Steven Johnson performs at his best when he has a fast team mate, and Davo is just the man to do it. If Glenn can't find a decent ride, hope he doesn't finish his career with a team that won't do his history justice. Come back as an enduro driver, Glenn. I'm confident that one day, a Bathurst trophy has your name on it. 25

The Power Of Humanity T

HIS is the quiet time of the year - or so they say - but Formula 1 is now such a year-round business that I can honestly say that the pace of life has not much changed since we trudged wearily home from China. The travelling has slowed down but all that meant was that there was time to clear up the mess that had been left behind after eight months of things being left undone. Last week I went to Monaco to take part in the Formula 1 Sponsorship Forum. This was billed as being a place where different elements of the industry could exchange views and learn. A forum is by definition a place where people meet up and talk in an unofficial way. In Roman times it was the marketplace. It was about men meeting men, women meeting women, and various other combinations of that, and

suUon-mwfiei.con\

exchanging ideas. It was thus rather disappointing to see that only four FI teams had any real representation present. Obviously the other teams do not think they need to learn anything ... Did I learn much? There were a lot of people trying to sell things that I did not want, but I did pick up a lot of interesting information. The real value of the event was talking to people and explaining how things work and how the sport needs to work together better to fully exploit its potential. This was the message of the first speaker Juan Villalonga, the former head of Telefonica, and it popped up over and over in between the sales pitches. There was plenty of time to mull this over as I sat in the auditorium listening to someone rabbiting away (seemingly

endlessly) about the Grand Prix de Catalunya. All racing circuits love to tell people how much money their event brings to the local economy. The larger that number, the more chance there is that the government will give the circuit money or people will not question the government funding of the event. The man from Bahrain said that his race had generated US$110.6m for his country. A few pom-pom girls at that point would have helped ... The thing that he forgot to say was that a good percentage of this income was provided by the participants of FI: the teams, the media, the sponsors and their guests are responsible for paying a large chunk of this and the locals exploit this to the maximum, hiking their prices through the roof when they know the weekend of their Grand Prix.

It happens everywhere. In Monaco the hoteliers should be issued with masks and saw-off shotguns. The same is true in Bahrain and Canada. And that is the funny thing! The money that goes into the local economy comes back out again in the form of race fees that are paid to the Formula One group. Formula One Management pays out some of the money to the teams and the teams give it to the hoteliers and other locals who charge the earth for generators, candy bars, you name it. So, in fact, the money is going round in circles and no-one is really gaining anything from it! In fact they are all getting annoyed with each other about it. When you try to explain the Formula 1 attitude to sensible business people, they do not understand it. 1 mentioned to one big FI sponsor who was present that a member of the Formula 1 press corps goes to a race and is asked to pay up to US$300 a weeKend simply to get access to a high-speed

FORMULII ONE

Is FI Listening?

Internet connection. That is, the circuits in question want the media to pay to promote their event. "You're kidding me!" the guy said. "That's nuts!"

“The other interesting thing that emerged from the conference is that sponsorship is now not just about exposure. Page impressions and TV eyeballs still count for a lot, but sponsors are looking for an emotional connection with the consumer. There is so much advertising in the world today that it no longer works and companies

need the public to 'feel good' about them. It is all very touchyfeely, but it is true. We watched a video of Robbie Williams getting an emotional attachment to his audience and it was impressive what one man can do to a large crowd. But if you feel the pull, you want to like the guy. We watched Tiger Woods selling Buicks and it was the same thing. He's a human being, and other human beings like that. There were questions about whether Formula 1 has anyone with the charisma of a Robbie or a Tiger. Of course we do. Formula 1 is about heroes, extraordinary men who do extraordinary things. It is full of character. Yes there are some

dull ones, but sometimes they are being dull because it is easier that way. The less helpful they are, the less they have to do. They are lazy and have been allowed to get away with The teams - until Red Bull came along - have got into the habit of thinking that drivers should not have opinions and should only say 'corporate' things. This is rubbish and always has been. Sponsors want exposure, and as long as the drivers don't say stupid things about the product they are advertising, they can do no real harm. One can understand why a whisky company which is championing responsible

driving would get upset if its driver is busted for drink-driving. but otherwise it should not really matter. The public want to get close to the drivers because they want the emotional attachment to heroes. Emotion is what drives the TV viewing figures up and down. The message that emerged from all of this is that Formula 1 needs to be more human. I wonder if the decision-makers and people of influence were listening - even if they weren't there.

Five minutes with.

Mark Winterhottom

Aiter two years. Frosty'wiii suit up tor Larkham Motor Sport tor the test time at PhUiip isiami hefore hecommg a works Font Uriver with FPR in 2006. MARK GLBWBVNKVG spoke with him aboiitit MOTORSPORT NEWS: You've landed a hell of a deal for yourself with FPR -two years plus a three-year option. MARK WINTERBOTTOM: Yes it's a long-term deal. Which is good, because you've got to move down from Queensland, and they're showing their support in me. It's good to be with a factory team. MN: FPR has had an up-anddown year this year, but you can see the team's potential. MW: Absolutely. I think Tasmania showed that - they qualified second. They've had some strong results, and they're inside the top 10, and they're only going to get stronger. I think next year they are going to be a very strong team. They are in it to win championships, and that's what I do it for as well. So it fits. MN: It's a massive step up for you personally from where you have been. MW: Yes. It has been good at Larko's for the last two years, I have learned a lot there. But it will be good to go to FPR - I have seen their facilities there, and they have a lot of people there who have a lot of experience as well, with Prodrive. That is definitely different to what I am used to. There is the pressure of a factory team, but everything I have ever driven has had pressure. Whether you are winning or coming last, you have always got pressure. So I don't think that will be any different to the norm. I am looking forward to the challenge. MN: What are you most looking forward to? MW: I guess ... hopping into a team that has got world-wide support. Everything is in-house in the workshop, so you can go into the workshop and talk to the 28

MIM: Did you have any other options on the table? MW: Not really. I had to work out the situation with Larko first, before I could do anything else, and FPR was the best option, and that's the one 1 took. There weren't many options out there. I would only drive for Ford, because Ford has supported me since my karting days, and FPR was the best decision anyway. I'm happy that ; I am going there.

"I am lucky that FPR looked at what I can do and not my position in the championship. That makes me feel good. - Winierbottom on turning a rough season into a good opportunity engineers and really work together to get the car right. You've got everything there to do that. So there's no reason why we can't go forward and get results. MN: Are there any nerves? You'll be moving yourself right under the microscope next year. MW: Not really. I mean, there are nerves when you drive for Larko, there are nerves when you drive in a go-kart race for an Australian title or something. I actually enjoy pressure - 1 have had tests at the Institute of Sport which suggest that I actually perform better under pressure. I like challenges, and that's why we're in this sport to try and do the best you can. If you've got the equipment there and the pressure and you're not doing it, you don't deserve to be there. I am looking forward to the challenge, and the pressure that comes with it. I'm not worried about it at all. MN: On paper,2005 has not been a great year for you. Do you feel fortunate that FPR has

been able to look beyond that? MW: Yes, this year has been ... a bad year is probably a nice way of putting it (laughs). But we've shown some speed. We got a new engineer mid-season [Greg Wheeler], who straight away put me into the Shootout in Darwin, which was my best [qualifying] result for the year. Since he's come on board, we've qualified quite well - we had a fifth at Darwin, a 12th at Willowbank, Bathurst and Sandown I didn't qualify the car, Indy we had engine trouble ... there have just been a few little failures that have stopped us from getting a result. The luck hasn't turned around. Hopefully we can turn it around at Phillip Island, get a result, and build some momentum going into next year. But I am lucky that FPR looked at what I can do and not my position in the championship. That makes me feel good, because you know that they are supporting you, and that they believe in you. That's a good feeling to have.

MN: It's nice to see that level of loyalty to the manufacturer. MW: Ford has been great to me. They gave me the opportunity to go karting, and gave me the Formula Ford scholarship through Ford and Howard Marsden ... You have got to show loyalty to the people that have given you the opportunities. 1 am big on that, I have done it through karting and Formula Ford, and I am not about to change now. MN: You said before that before you took the FPR gig, you had to work out the situation with Larko. There was actually an announcement from LMS a few weeks ago declaring that you were staying put - can you shed any light on what happened there? MW: Not really! We just had to sit down and talk about what was going to happen next year, and I guess in business terms we had to do a plan for next year and see where I stood in that, and where they stood in that, and we both came to a decision that it was best not to renew it and go our separate ways. But we still have a good relationship, there is no bitterness - we play touch footy together on Thursday nights. So we're still mates, and it's all good.

motorsportnews

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Five minutes with...

Janno Trulli

A yean after the move from Renauit to Toyota the itaiian has compieted a season notabie ton great nuaiifying performances but with some struggies in the races. JOESAWARD spoke to him MOTORSPORT NEWS: If you had to mark yourself out of 100 what percentage would you give yourself for your performances in 2005? JARNO TRULLI: 1 would give myself 80 or 90 percent this year because I always did very well in qualifying and I raced very well as well. I always got the potential out of the car and I did a lot of good performances and I am pleased about that. I think that the system of qualifying this year was more difficult than it used to be and for some reason 1 don't really know it seems like I was able to get more out of the tyres. Maybe I am a bit more sensitive to the tyres than some of the other drivers, 1 don't know. I felt normal when I was driving but it seems that I could use the tyres more than others. MN: What was missing for you this year? JT: The car was pretty good and I think at the start of the year I was really very confident that we could score some really great results but then the others came back a bit and the thing I think that was missing in the middle of the year was luck because for a variety of different reasons I lost out on three or four potential podiums. If I had been able to achieve those results, it would have been a 99 percent year. You only score 100 percent when you win the World Championship! What you need in FI is to be able to develop the car as fast as the other teams and we needed to improve on that because we dropped back a bit after the good start but things got better as the year went on and the most important thing was that the team listened to me and reacted to what I was saying. That was really good. That is the mentality I want in this team. 30

I did everything I could on alf occasions and I am pleased with the results. It could have been better, but it was not bad.

Although the result Is very important you cannot analyse a driver on the results alone. You have to look at the races, not the results"

- Trulli says what we expect Half to say... MN: What was the most disappointing thing this season? JT: There were a lot of disappointments this year from my point of view. In Canada there were only seven laps to go and the podium was there waiting for me and the car broke down. At the Nurburgring I think I could have won the race but I had a problem on the grid and so I had to go to the back. In Monaco I could have fought for the podium as well. And then there was Indianapolis where I was on pole position and we didn't get to race at all! Which was the worst? I don't know. Maybe it was Canada. Maybe Spa. I was driving really well in both races.

season and then things went completely wrong. Up to that point it was a good season, maybe it was about 80 percent. After the mid-season it was not possible to do anything. I had so many problems with the car, with different behaviour with the tyres all the time. It was a disaster and I could not understand what was going on. There are still a lot of question marks about that, but I don't ask myself any more. I just get on with 1 have to do now. The best thing I could have done was to move to Toyota. I found good people with a lot of commitment. It is nice working with them. They are people who are passionate about the sport and committed to this project and I really like that.

MN: When you compare this season with last season, what was different? JT: The difference? Last year my season lasted only half of the

MN: When was your turning point this season? JT: There was not really a turning point. The [season] just went from one race to the next.

MN: What was your most impressive race this season and why? JT: Obviously when you get a podium in a race, it is good result and I have done a lot of good races this year. Spain was good. Malaysia too. And Bahrain. But although the result is very important you cannot analyse a driver on the results alone. You have to look at the races, not the,results. Results are just numbers. Sometimes those numbers tell the correct story and sometimes they do not. Why is it that last year most of the people in FI did not see that for the first half of the year I was much faster than my team-mate? They forgot that. The problem is that some people in FI see what they want to see and not what they actually see. MN: What are your own targets for next season? JT: I hope for a better season than this year has been. MN: What are your prospects for next season? JT: Well, we have had a great season this year and I imagine and I hope to move forward from that to an even better season. We don't know what is going to happen. It is difficult to say anything right now so I am cautious about saying anything. If last year you had asked people at Ferrari how they were going to do this season they would not have imagined having such a bad season, so it is always best to wait and see until the new cars are all running before we start making predictions about the future.

motorsportnews

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1998:Same blokes,reversed role I

N only a few more sleeps, a new V8 Supercar Champion will be crowned.

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Can Russell Ingall lose the bridesmaid tag once and for all? Has Craig Lowndes left his run too late? Or could there be a major upset? You'll have to get yourself down to Pliillip Island for the answers to those questions. With just 49 points separating Ingall and Lowndes, the 2005 title chase joins a long list of seasons that have been decided after the final , chequered flag has fallen. In fact, since the Australian Touring Car was first run as a series in 1969 (rather than just one round), the finale has decided the title winner 17 times.

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Perhaps an even more telling fact is that in only two of those cases was the title pinched from the person leading into the last round (1978 and 1987). Could history repeat? RusseU Ingall has won just one round this year (Oran Park). If he is to win the title and not take the Phillip Island round win,it will be the first time since Dick Johnson won the 1984 ATCC in his Greens Tuff Falcon XD

Chris Carter

IN 1998, Craig Lowndes went into the final round of the championship with a six point lead over Russell Ingall. But as he did so often back in that era, Lowndes absolutely dominated. He scored pole and took all three race wins. While the finale at Oran Park may have been an anti-climax, the penultimate round at

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Hidden Valley set up the fascinating finish. Both Lowndes and Ingall were debuting the new VT Commodore, and Lowndes ran into engine trouble in Race 2. Ingall had pegged back a seemingly impossible points gap, but could do little at OP. It was the first of Ingall's four runner-up positions in Australian Touring Car racing.

that a person has won the series with just one round win to his name ... While we wait patiently, MNews takes a look back at some of the classic showdowns.

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L IfS SUPEBCABS 'Spry

n Speed, reliability and results. Ifyou get these three right, you are on the way to a championship ...or are you? GRANT ROWLEY looks at some of the classic Australian Touring Car showdowns

2003:Domination,sore backs and road rage ALL Marcos Ambrose had to do in the last race of the season was complete 50 percent of the race. Having done that,the title was his. Doesn’t sound dramatic, does it? Well, Mark Skaife and Greg Murphy also had mathematical chances of winning the title. Murf was out on Sunday morning with a flared-up back injury, while Skaife finished 2003 waving his fist at Russell Ingall on the sidelines ...

You're invited to be part of Australia's fastest growing motorsport Why not see what it's all about for yourself? Attend a race meeting at your local club and talk to the drivers and crew. There are classes to suit almost everyone from 7 years to 77 +. Midgets 7-11 years Rookies 10-12 years Juniors* 12-16 years in TWO weight divisions Seniors*Over 10 classes of varying power & driver weights to choose from. * Other more powerful classes available for experienced racers.

23 November 2005

1981:Where legends were bom

THE classic. Ford verses Holden. Johnson verses Brock. On Johnson's home ground at Lakeside Raceway, he secured his first Touring Car title after a nail-biting race. On unadjusted points, Johnson led Brock by 10 points going into the last round. On adjusted points, the gap was just one. In other words, whoever won the race would win the title. Johnson and Brock drove the entire race nose-to-tail, and in front of a vocal Queensland crowd (and complete with broken rear sway bar!), DJ won the race by 0.2s and sealed the first of his five Touring Car titles. "It was a real buzz because it was a wheel-to-wheel duel for the entire race,from the time the flag dropped until the chequered flag came out," Dick said on his farewell video True Blue. We came out on top and won the championship, and that was a real good feeling. Brock said that the race was one of the classics. It was one of the hallmark races," the three time Touring Car champ said. "It was a turning point for Dick. All of a sudden, he had this self-confidence and self belief that he deserved to be up the front flying the Ford flag. He was now the guy representing the hopes of the Ford fans.

Contact your state's karting office for details

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Z2 The Australian Karting Association Inc For information about karting and how to get started in your State or Territory call

1300 30 5270 (1300 30 KART] New South Wain v.ww.ak.insw.k.TningauMralia.com.nu Victoria www.vka.jsn.ju Queensland www.akjqld.asn.au Tasmania South Australia Western Australia WWW.kafiinRwa.com.au Northern Territories South Australia Tasmania

V8 SUPERCARS 0

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Five drivers could have wonwas the 1990 championship ... but there only one Godzilla in the race. Gibson Motorsport's factory Nissan team started the year with the trusty Skyline, but with three rounds remaining,the new fourwheel drive GTR had come on the scene. Mark Skaife christened the car at Barbagallo and

Mallala and ironed out Godzilla's gremlins. Richards took the reigns and dominated the final round at Oran Park. But the meeting was significant, as four others had a shot at the crown at the final. Dick Johnson, Peter Brock, John Bowe and Colin Bond were in contention, but not in the same league as Godzilla.

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A VERY young Nissan' driver by the name of Glenn Seton led BMWbacked Jim Richards by three points going into the 1987 Grand Finale at Oran Park. And the opening duel between 'youth and experience' was fascinating. But a clash, plus a busted turbo, meant that Seton would have to wait another six years before he claimed the championship trophy. Richards, above, raced on unhindered to win the race and his second title.

78/79:rn fair Tat BOB Morris led into the final round of both the 1978 and 1979 Touring Car finales at Adelaide International Raceway. n 1978, Brock snatched the title from underneath Morris when the popular priveteer failed to finish. In 1979, Morris held a five point lead heading into the decider, and got his revenge by winning the race and adding a' Touring Car crown to his 1976 Bathurst win.

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99/00:1000 reasons to party

1995:Take a Bowe THE 1995 SATCC was not decided until Oran Park, due to a lateseason charge by Glenn Seton. Peter Brock also had a shot at the title, despite not winning a round all year. However, it was DJR's John Bowe who won both races at OP and sealed his first (and only) crown after a strong season.

WHEN Bathurst first became part of the championship,the final round of the Shell Championship Series was played out on The Mountain. For the drivers and teams(and the die-hard purist), this was a pretty big deal. Not only was the biggest race of the year going on, but there was the added pressure of considering the championship stakes. In both years, the Holden Racing Team went into the races as short-priced favourites to wrap up the crown - and both years'Team Red'sealed the series. In 1999, HRT regulars Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife both had a shot at winning the title - as did Russell Ingall, Garth Tander and Glenn Seton. HRT split its drivers to allow both to have a fair shot at the prize. By finishing second with Cameron McConville, Lowndes,above, won his third crown. In 2000, only disaster could have robbed Mark Skaife of the crown. Paired with Lowndes, the 'Dream Team' were only doing what they needed to ensure Skaifey won his first title with Holden ... but someone invited Matt Neal. While being lapped by the leaders, the British Touring Car driver had a major case of brainfade in the Big Kev Commodore at Hell Corner. He tried to race Skaife and pulled a desperate braking move, which ended with Skaife and Neil Crompton colliding. For a few dramatic minutes, the title hung in the balance. The right rear tyre of Skaife's car was cut and two pit stops were needed to completely rectify the rubbing guard. In the end,Skaife finished sixth - enough to ward of closest series rival Garth Tander, who won the race ...

motorsport news

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Even ouf tryrel packages are pabeatable. Motor racing's legendary Murray Walker has named the Clipsal 500 Adelaide 'the

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greatest touring car event in the world' and in 2006 it's going to be a world beater yet again. There'll be 10 hours of V8 Supercar track action over four days, sensational air displays, grid girls galore, our four best concerts ever and eight race categories that will blow you away. The Clipsal 500 Adelaide launches the AVESCO V8 Supercar Championship Series for

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Is blue paint faster or cheaper? Slowly but surely, Paul Cruickshank has built himself a solid V8 Supercar team. Here is a brief overview of the cars he has prepared

2003: Mundy and Wanless, above.

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GRAIVT ROWLEY spohe to Paul Gruieksliank about

2005: Luff, Scifleet, Webb, above, and James Cressey.

ORK-RELATED apprenticeships usually last three years. Whether you are attempting to be a qualified mechanic, plumber or jockey, you have to live on low wages and cop the taunts of your older and established employees during the first stanza in your chosen field. In motor racing, the same rule applies, and it's the same for drivers, teams and their staff. Year 1 is reserved for getting beaten from pillar to post. Year 2 is learning from the mistakes of Year 1 and Year 3 is the crossroad - you either enjoy the success you've created for yourself, or you throw it away and decide after all this time, you want to be a rock star. So what happens in Year 4? It's the real world now,and there's nowhere to hide. You rely on the skills you've been taught and the experiences you've endured. This weekend at Phillip Island, V8 team owner Paul Cruickshank completes his apprenticeship. After three years in the V8 Supercar 36

Stepping into Development Series, he will take the big step into the Championship Series in 2006. Interestingly, the Queensland-based New Zealander points out one piece of advice that set him up for the next phase of his racing career. "When I first set up my business, Ross Stone said to me,'you are going to need to do three years in Development series before you step up'," he recalled. "Even after he said that, 1 thought we could step up in one or two years - we know what we are doing - but Ross was spot-on. It's taken us three years to build some infrastructure and systems and get good people on board. Three years Is really the minimum, unless you have thousands and thousands of dollars where you can short-track stuff. But we did it at a level where we contained the level of expansion and growth reasonably." Cruickshank established Paul Cruickshank Racing(PCR)in 2003 after learning the finer points of motor sport in NZ,before working in England for West Surrey Racing. A

short year at Prancing Horse Racing back in Australia gave him enough time to evaluate his options and see where he wanted to go. He admits now that even before PCR turned a lap, his aim was the V8 Supercar main game. tr "I've had a stint overseas and in New Zealand, but I really love the V8 -Paul Cruickshank category," he said."1 just think its fantastic. Really, I've got no other ambition in life other than to have a solid, stable Supercar team and business. "We've done three years of the Development Series and we've done two years in Carrera Cup,so I feel that there's not a lot more we can achieve by continuing on the same line. Just from a business point of view, you can't really grow the business any further with what we've been doing. "Also, what I've found really hard Is to get two really good ^ Development Series budgets. You get one good one and one reasonable f one. To get two good ones each year I is a really hard task. The Porsches

"I've got no other ambition in life other than to have a solid, stable Supercar team and business

motorsport news

the Main Game have been the same. The cars are the same and pretty much cost the same to run, but with the V8, there is a different level of preparation, which gets you a different level of performance, so the price is different. And really, the whole reason we set up the team was to eventually get into the main series."

buzzing around. So how hard is it to take the leap of 'main game'faith? "It has been hard," he acknowledged."But no harder than what 1 thought. Even running a Development and Carrera Cup team is hard going. It's been no harder than what I thought, though, because 1 knew it was going to be bloody hard."

Putting thetook pieces of the puzzle together a great deal of time and patience. At the time of printing Cruickshank couldn't confirm all the

Results-wise though, Cruickshank is very conservative - particularly for Year 1.

details of his deal, but Motorsport News understands that Phillip Scifleet is in the box seat to drive a

"I've said to all our guys that we are not going to be in the same race as the Stone Brothers and the Holden

Rietmans and Doric-backed ex-Triple 8 Ford Falcon, using the #7 Rod Nash Racing license required to compete in the series. Cruickshank has added another

Racing Team and the like. We've set some internal goals that we've got to achieve. The old sayings of top 10 in year one and podiums the year after, to be honest, we are not even aiming that high. We know what we want to do and we think we know what we

four men to his team, boosting the total to 14. The initial commercial arrangements he has set up are for three years, and Cruickshank's 'grand plan'is to build his team into a two-car outfit, while keeping at least two or three Carrera Cup cars

23 November 2005

are capable of. If we can finish within the top 25 in the championship, that will be OK for me. It doesn't sound high, but we have that much respect for the opposition out there that we

can't- we won't- finish in the top 10 in the first year. 1 mean, you never know,in one of the enduros, you might have a bit of luck if things roll your way (but) we understand ,though, where we sit. "All the teams in the championship are all good teams. We think we have reasonable ability within our own structure. We have a healthy respect for where we fit in." But how long is he content with running within the top 25? "Not long!" he laughed."We are going to split the season into sections and try to get better all the time. We have to get our package right and get everything working right. In two years time, or at the start of 2007, finishing 25th is not going to be acceptable. We want to get into the midfield as soon as we can, but we also know we aren't going to do it in the first five or so rounds." It may take a while for PCR to find itself on the front row of the V8 grid, but as the team has proved in Carrera Cup over the past two years, it has the capabilities of challenging the

likes of Jim Richards and co. Cruickshank agrees that his Cup Car commitments will only add value to the V8 element of his business. "We are obviously going to need an enduro driver and if our guys shape up in Carrera Cup, there is no reason why you wouldn't give them a run," he said. "Jonathon Webb was the only front-running guy out of the Development Series and Carrera Cup who didn't get an enduro drive this year. He's probably knocking on the door now so we'll give him a run in one of our cars before the end of the year to see if he likes the V8 stuff. "But yeah, it's a good stepping stone for the guys and its on the same race meetings so it makes good sense to do it." Cruickshank may not receive a certificate for completing his Development apprenticeship at Phillip Island, but come Race 1 at the Clipsai 500 next year, PCR will be on the grid. And a new, harder, and more challenging challenge will

begin. 37

His name may be unfamiliar to many fans, but a lot of^ _ Holden Motorsport’s fortunes lie in the hands of Simon McNamara. MARK GLENDENNING hooked up with him

MOTORSPORT NEWS: From the V8 Supercar point of view, Holden is going through a relatively tough time at the moment. You had a long streak of success, and you're now likely to lose the title for the third year in a row. SIMON McNAMARA: The V8 Supercar thing is a frustrating game in that, other than Marcos[Ambrose], the guys that are doing pretty well for them [Ford] used to be with us. So from my point of view it's frustrating, but I can certainly see why, if I was a Blue Oval bloke, they would do what they do. I'd be trying to do the same thing; trying to get the best guys over. 1 still think that on our side of the fence we've got the best drivers, and we are still working pretty hard to make sure we hang on to the best drivers. The problem is that we don't do the sort of thing that I understand they do. We don't do the big factory contract and all that sort of stuff. We're more ... I personally try to do a thing with our guys where we try to build a family feel within our group. All of our drivers get along really well, we have functions every now and then - once a year 38

we have a specialist driver function which I think seems to be gaining a bit of a legendary status out there ... Our guys all love that sort of thing. 1 get companies ringing me up in the middle of the year saying, Tm trying'to lock in soand-so for a function at the end of the year, but they won't lock in until they know when the driver function isl' So it's good that our guys are pretty happy with that. It's hard for them when they get an offer to go to the other side. I know that Brighty [Jason Bright] struggled with it for a long time. But it got to a point where it was too financially rewarding, I suppose, and from a business point of view I can understand that. MIM: You have lost quite a few guys that you would rather not have lost... SMcN: From a personal point of view, to do with Holden, I would not wanted to have lost any of them. Certainly I would not have wanted to lose Craig [Lowndes], Jason or Russell [Ingalll. And I wasn't overly happy about losing Jamie [Whincup], either. But at the end of the day, business is business. On the other hand, I was quite happy that

we got the Rat [Paul Radisichl, and we have worked pretty closely with Paul to make sure that we hang on to him and keep him on our side. MN: How about James Courtney? Until very recently there seemed to be a perception, both in the public and within certain elements at Holden,that you did have him locked in. SMcN: Yeah, there was a perception, I think, within some areas of Holden that we had him, and there was a perception in some areas of Holden that we didn't ever have him. But the Courtney thing is a hard case. James Courtney is managed by a guy who is pretty smart [Alan Gow], and unless you could see a piece of paper from somebody like Alan, I would never believe that anything is done. Alan is a pretty cluey bloke, and I am sure that he had us played off against Ford, and Nissan played off against Toyota in Japan, and who-knows who else played off against whoever somewhere else to get the right deal.

motorsportnews

But yeah, that is a bit of a loss for us, to lose James.

And the Stone Brothers are pretty cluey blokes, too.

MIM; Why wasn't he put under some sort of long-term deal by Holden when he first signed on for the enduros? Was the option simply not there? SMcN: From a Holden point of view, the deal with us is that we don't do the personal deals with the drivers, other than with a couple for when we want them at launches and that sort of thing ...

MIM: It was an HRT deal, not a Holden deal. SMcN: Yes.

MIM: Skaife, Murph ... SMcN: Skaife, Murph, Steven Richards, Garth, the Kellys, that sort of thing. So we were never really, from a company point of view, involved in the negotiations with James. The teams obviously have to talk to us about who their drivers are going to be at the endurance races, and when they told us it was James we were pretty happy about it. But it was never Holden's role to go and sit him down and talk to him about what he was doing. We let the teams handle things like that.

23 November 2005

MIM: Does it hurt more to be beaten by a Ford driven by one of your guys who crossed over? For instance, if Craig starts belting everyone next year, will that be worse than being done by Marcos? SMcN: Not necessarily. Losing is not good no matter what. I'm pretty happy with our Bathurst record, and if we have a win down at Phillip Island we'll grab the manufacturers' title again, which is seven or eight out of 10 years. So that's not bad. But I still don't like losing the championship. I suppose there is that little element where it hurts to be beaten by Russell, or James, or Craig, or Brighty. There is a bit of pain involved in that. But as you know, business is business and money talks.

There was a perception, I think, within some areas of Hoiden that we had Courtney, and a perception in some areas of Hoiden that we didn't ever have him. ir

- McNamara rues one that got away

MIM: How did this shift happen in terms of the championships? What changed? SMcN: I think it comes back to the point that HRT was so dominant for so long because they probably had a 30 or 40 percent bigger budget than anyone else. So they could do all these little things like, after every weekend you rebuild the engine, or try new things. You know, all the little tweaks that everybody does.

continued on page 40 39

continued from page 39 But also, the benchmark has come closer across the whole category. If you look at Symmons Plains, there wasn't even a second across the field in qualifying. OK, it's a tiny little track, but if you go back six or seven years there probably would have been two seconds in it. The driving standards have lifted. And also, all the cars are so close now. It's hard for anybody to find that little bit extra. And there are quite obviously better drivers than others. I think that plays a major part in it. But I think Ford got serious and put a bit more money in. Putting more money into blokes like the Stones is going to help, because they are pretty cluey and they know what they're doing. They have been the benchmark by a mile. MN: Yet as I understand it, SBR didn't start getting real money from Ford until it was already successful. SMcN: Yeah, well, from our side of the fence how would you know? No-one tells us. We speculate a bit, but no-one tells us. Ross (Booth, Ford Racing Manager) is not going to tell us how much money he spends, and we're not going to tell him. But I understand that it was a bit like that. MN: When HRT's streak ended,there were no teams capable of picking up the banner. Teams like Kmart, as it was back then, and Perkins were good enough to win rounds, but they couldn't necessarily do it over the course of a whole season. SMcN: Yeah. There have been a couple Larry has always been around, and Garry Rogers was strong a few years ago. But my philosophy is that I don't want to just win, I want to dominate. So if we win, I

want 10 Commodores in the top 10. They [Ford] can have 11th, if they want to; that's alright. MN: You would have been happy with Symmons,then? SMcN: Yeah, I was happy with Symmons. But that was the frustrating thing - we got a 1-2-3, and it felt great, but you know in the back of your mind that you're not going to win the championship. So that was a bit of a let-down.

"I don't want to just win, I want to dominate, if we win, i want 10 Commodores in the top 10. Ford can have 11th if they want to; that's alright. tl

- There are no grey areas in McNamara’s racing phiiosophy

But 1 want to have a bit of domination, and I'd like to see all of our teams step up so that if Mark falls over, someone is there, if Richo falls over someone's there. I think next year a few of our teams will be a fair bit stronger. The HSVDT will be stronger. PWR will be stronger. HRT will be stronger. Garry is still working on what he is doing with drivers, but Larry is still there, and they are still a strong package. MN: Has the return of TWR had any effect on the way that the teams work together? SMcN: Not really. It's not that big a change.

Respect My Authority

SIMON McNamara has served a long apprenticeship with Holden while working towards his current position, having held a variety of sales and marketing roles while waiting for an opportunity to pop up on the racing side of things. "All the way along, because 1 am a bit of a motorsport fan, I was just been helping in the motorsport area if I could, and trying to get my way in there," he said. "And .-VH.eventually I got in there." ' ‘ .' As Holden Motorsport Manager, McNamara efffe‘fft1vdl^ oversees all of Holden's racing operations. '**“ VThe basic gig is to look after our motorsport progra which is, these days, 90 percent V8 Supercars," ‘ McNamara explained. "But we also dabble in some other things, like raWiej when they're on, off-road and tarmac rallies, and also, other categories, like when Nations Cup was around. "My mandate is to try and help as ma/^fp^oplea^ can,from a company point of view. Most people mml^ that we're the bottomless pit of cash in motorspw^^ which we're not, but there are other areas help. "We can help with some bits here and thej^ or a I bit of money, or put them on to somebody t able to help get them a sponsor. That sort^ "We handle just about everything}"'. 40

Holden Motor Sport was a neccessity because of what happened with Tom's organisation. It's not our core business, at the end of the day, to build race cars and bits. Tom was the best man for the job and he was available to do it again, so the logical extension was to go back to sort of the same operation as it was before. MN: Has it changed the way that funding is allocated to the teams? SMcN: No. The funding for all of our teams is determined by our head office at Holden Motorsport. The decisions are between the Managing Director, and Sales and Marketing Executive Directors, and myself, and Ray [Borrett], and submissions based on what our teams think, and what we think, and what we want to do for the future. The Clayton operation is purely a motor racing deal. MN: Moving away from Supercars, would Holden take its rally involvement as far as following Ford into the ARC, or will you stick with events like the Safari and Targa? SMcN: I don't think we have a car that would be competitive in the ARC. MN: Neither did Ford, but they adapted one. But I suppose it is quite expensive ... SMcN: It is a pricey thing. We have looked at it to see how it runs, and spoken to the guys that are in charge of it. It is a pretty impressive operation with what they do there, I was quite impressed with their whole set-up, infrastructure, and the way it's run. But we don't really want to go into something half-arsed. If we are going to go into something, we want to go in full-blown. I don't think we have a car that could be competitive, and we don't want to get to a point of hybriding-up one of our cars with someone else's, some other marque's, to make the car that way. Our off-road stuff is really the Safari, with our two Todd Kelly-built beasty Rodeos, and when the Safari runs again, which I think is not next year but the year after, we'll be back into that, hopefully with guns blazing. We might have a look at what we can do next year with those cars, because they are sitting there ready to go. MN: One final thing. Holden's parent company GM is in serious financial trouble - how vulnerable are you guys if it tanks? SMcN: To be honest, I'm not sure! We've discussed it occasionally, and I don't think it would affect us too badly. We're going OK over here. We're selling a fair few cars, the company is pretty strong, we've got a new headquarters, we've got a pretty smart boss, we've got an allnew car coming next year, which is a good thing. So we're moving forward pretty hard.

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MNews FT tech guru terms how two championship-conteniling teams came at the problem from different directions - and both succeeded

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t is interesting to understand how two such different cars as the McLaren MP4-20 and the Renault R25 could create such an equivalence of performance throughout 2005,so that they could arrive at the final round with the Constructors' Championship still undecided. Indeed, reliability issues played a part in McLaren's ultimate demise, but it is a fact that the two cars came into 2005 using quite different aerodynamic concepts, with quite different solutions to problems along the way. The one common outcome that the two packages delivered was a performance in acceleration and top speed that no other cars on the grid were able to equal. The fundamental differences between the two cars is reasonably simple to understand, and so we will look at the respective areas of the cars which were important, and look at the developmental changes made along the way as the 2005 FI championship evolved,

roll centre

he main difference between the McLaren and Renault centred around the aerodynamic concept and the suspension geometry particularly at the front of the cars. The key to the difference was the front suspension mountings. McLaren abandoned the 'double keel' concept used over the past two years for a 'no-keeT concept, featuring the front suspension at the level of the lowermost comers of the chassis (see above right). In this way, the team found multiple advantages, both in the dynamic behaviour of the car and from an aerodynamic point of view. The first provided the car with a lower roll centre, which means the car has less'yaw'in the corners, in turn reducing the load applied by lateral forces to the tyre shoulders and thus improving the contact patch area of the tyres. In turn, this means

front camber angles can be less than on other cars. In simple terms, this allowed the MP4-20 to be kinder on its tyres than the opposition, and thus the use of slightly softer tyre compounds or constructions - crucial in the year of one set per race. On the other hand, Renault was still able to maintain a 'sharp' front end, using what was termed a single keel concept, hi fact it was more of a V-keel, providing an advantage in terms of aerodynamic cleanliness, even though the roll centre was clearly higher than on the McLaren, implying higher camber angles at the front. Renault's solution, possibly not the most elegant, was simply to move

additional ballast at the front. It did, however,add to the stability of the car and made it less sensitive to pitch and dive. The most important thing under these circumstances was for the team to have a very accurate set-up in terms of maintaining a constant rideheight, to optimise the aerodynamic balance of the car. For this reason, it was interesting to see increased use of a ride height laser sensor, mounted under the Vkeel, monitoring ride heights during practice - particularly noticeable in the later races at Spa and Japan. The original layout of the R25 had. not been able to provide the desired degree of aerodynamic stability, and the first major development aimed at

Fine margins

While a crucial aerodynamics role in theplays modern FI car, it doesn't stop there. A key mechanical development which aided McLaren (and BAR) in 2005 was a major step forward in gearbox design which eliminates any time loss at all from gearchanges. Even with the most sophisticated electronic controls, there has to date been a microscopic time lag, time off full throttle, as one gear has 46

engaged the other. The newest development, albeit a more risky one, reduces that time gap to, effectively, zero. On track, that can add up to two or threetenths of a second per lap. Worth it? You bet. All teams monitor each other's performance using differing means (including sonic recordings), and the existence of the reduced-lag gearbox has been known about for some time. Expect Renault, and most other serious teams, to have their versions on-track for 2006.

No keel, you say? The key to McLaren's success was abandoning the single and twin keel concepts in favour of a lower roll centre, above.

assisting this came with tlie introduction, at San Marino, of the front wing featuring the double upper profile (later copied by most other teams). This clearly increased downforce at the front, without any significant increase in drag,by increasing the air pressure between the main wing profile and the additonal, upper ones. While this was a brilliant development, it was a solution to a particular problem - insufficient

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Horses for courses (let's call it evolution): The R25 front wing changed at Imola (above left), where the additional profile was introduced. It was refined over time (above), although the team reverted to a refinement of the original design for Spa (above right). stability at the front end - which was perhaps the weak link in the R25 as first designed. The solution was so successful that it over-solved the problem! Two races later, at Monaco, Renault was thus able to introduce a huge corresponding development to the rear end aero of the car to successfully re-establish that crucial aero balance. It featured a double profile to the side flip-ups in front of the rear wheels, with an additional fin placed underneath them so as to improve the extraction of air from the back of the car.

n contrast, McLaren didn't have to make any serious changes to its car during the season, simply refining the base design here and there. One interesting development was the introduction of the 'horn' wings, just behind the engine air intake. This certainly had the effect of improving the overall balance of the car while, at the same time, improving the flow of air to the rear wing. It works in the same fashion as the

tunnel work concentrating on the engine cover area is something that was,frankly, of lower priority to most of the chasing teams. McLaren also produced a number of small rear aero developments along the way. In France the team introduced a vertical sculpted fin placed under the big flip-ups in front of the rear wheels, to further improve management of air flow at the rear of the car. This, along with various changes in dimension of the chimneys on top of the sidepods, was one of few major developments through the season. Other small changes included,in the barge board area, the addition of small triangular fins to increase the amount of air flowing under the car (and thus downforce). Variations on wing end-plates also appeared, as in Germany,where an increase in the width of the wing end-plate 'protrusion' was balanced by a reduction in the width of the main wing section, keeping the whole thing within overall width requirements. This was coupled with McLaren's introduction of the double

mid-wing placed on the top or side of the engine cover used by most teams. But of most interest was the fact that no other team went to the trouble of

front wing section to reduce a slight understeering tendency in the car.

adopting the McLaren approach. In the end, the massive amount of wind

Other aero changes were limited. In Hungary, Renault introduced a rear wing gurney tab with a 'saw-

Fins ain't what they used to be: Small hidden fins were needed at the rear of the R25 to balance tbe front aero gains and retain aero 'balance'. tooth' profile and slits on the wing end-plates, all designed to reduce turbulence around the rear wing. But the overall story of 2005 was two basic concepts starting some distance apart, but drawing closer as development(and appreciation of each other's work)came into force. After some years of FI cars looking almost identical, it was refreshing to

And then ... McLaren cut the main wing width to accommodate additional end-plate 'winglet' width (below), and added its own small fins at the rear of the sidepods (right) to aid air flow to the rear of the car.

23 November 2005

see two somewhat different concepts being developed into similarly competitive packages through the season. This will be even more magnified in 2006, the introduction of V8 engines allowing the designers the ideal change in platform for the car's design. Let's hope there is some more original thinking...

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Haifa decade had passed since Garth Tander wore the round winner’s garland. At Symmons Plains, the West Aussie dominated all three races, and MARK GLENDENNING was on the Apple Isle

HE racing might not have been of the standard that inspires poetry and song but Garth Tander could not have cared less, breaking a five-year drought by sweeping all three races cn route to the round win at Symmons Plains two weeks ago. Tander simply shone around the tiny Tasmanian circuit on a weekend that saw more than one of the big teams confounded by the peculiar demands of the 2.4km layout. It's absolutely aw'esome," Garth smiled."Five years is a very long time, and there has been the odd occasion where we may have had the round win and something happened, so to finally get one is awesome. In the last 10 laps I was just praying that nothing would go wrong. The car was just fantastic from the

pitstops were better than ours this weekend, and that really changed the result. If you're in front, it's a lot easier to defend than it is to try and get past." Completing a Holden trifecta in third place, and rounding out a great weekend for HSVDT,was Rick Kelly. It was great to have the two cars up the front tlris weekend," said a happy Kelly. It was a weekend that could ha^e huge ramifications for the championship, with both SBR cars struggling for grip and brakes, and Marcos Ambrose's weekend being furtlrer compromised by a disastrous second race. But it wasn't just the Stones that were walking around

continued on page 50

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Less than on&^econd covered the entire V8 Supercar field in Symmons Plains qualifyiiig, but the cream still rose. MARK GLENDENNtNG reports but the trick to getting a rT sounds a no-brainer, good timelike at Symmons Plains is not screwing up. Keeping things tidy is important at every track, but Symmons Plains tends to make drivers pay a higher price for 'only' getting a lap 98 percent right than anywhere else. It's just so damn short - a V8 Supercar covers ever inch of it in about 52 or 53 seconds, and there are only three or four corners worthy of the name. While this means that there are theoretically only a few things that you have to get right to string a lap together, the flipside is that if you get something wrong there are no opportunities to make up for it. This is especially true of the awkward little hairpin: go through there even slightly wonky, and you've just compromised yourself for the 50

long, long back straight. There is so little room for error that half a tenth can literally move you six spots up the timesheets. Some dark and spooky clouds were waiting to greet the V8s when they rolled out for their two-hour run on Friday, and despite the natural congestion that comes when 32 V8 Supercars try to share 2.4km of road, the session passed fairly unremarkably. Just one red flag interrupted things, and it was brought out when GRM super-sub Dean Canto encountered problems. "It broke a wheel," he related. "I was right in the middle of turn 6 when it happened,so it was pretty exciting ..." The clouds finally delivered upon their threat of rain just as the final stages of the session were ticking away, bringing things to a halt five minutes

1 had no idea and turned into the corner and... whammo ft

- Whincup recalls his clang with Ellery. Is that seat warm,Steve? early. Steven Richards scored bragging rights for Castrol Perkins Racing by going quickest, just edging out Rick Kelly, with Craig Lowndes and Jason Bright upholding the honour of the Blue Oval just behind them. But for the leading title protagonists it was a worrying start to the weekend, with both SBR cars struggling to acclimatise to their trip across Bass Strait. Marcos Ambrose and Russell Ingall both complained of set-up problems, and neither managed to get a good run on new tyres. At the

end of the afternoon,the Pirtek car was 12th, three spots ahead of its Caltex compadre. There were myriad other little dramas playing out elsewhere along.pitlane. Paul Weel spent most of the day in the garage after his car burst an oil line, while Glenn Seton also lost a lot of running time to an engine problem. Over at Orrcon, Jason Bargwanna was quarantining himself in the team truck after coming down with a nasty case of chicken pox. Despite feeling rather ordinary (and looking even worse), Bargs was able to rally himself to get into the car for each session, but it was clear that he would have preferred to have been home in bed with a bowl of soup. ~ ualifying was scheduled to ^run over two 20 minute v-Z. sessions for the faster and l^ ■infjfir-

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locked up and dived to the inside," Whlncup explained. "I had no idea and turned into the corner and ... whammo." At the end of proceedings Todd Kelly was at the top of the sheets ahead of Bright, while SBR had begun to recover from their slow start by getting both cars into the top liO. Ambrose was eighth, while IngaH squeezed in by a bee's whatsit when he churned out the TOth quickest time about three seconds before the red flags came out for the Ellery/Whincup incident.

Top 10 Shootout

slower halves of the field, but that went out the window when a V8 Ute punched a hole in the Armco in the session prior. Proceedings were delayed for over an hour while the fence was repaired, and to save time the session was rolled into a combined halfhour affair. Predictably,just about everyone was complaining about not getting a clear lap. The threat of rain during qualifying didn't amount to anything, but that didn't stop people from firing off left, right and centre. Mark Skaife and David Besnard both got away with trips off the tarmac before Paul Morris succeeded in beaching himself at the hairpin. Two minutes after he was rescued Anthony Tratt did the same thing, prompting another red flag. Jason Bright survived a spin (also at the hairpin) before the session was finally ended two minutes early when Steve Ellery got into a clang - once again at the hairpin. Ironically, the other car involved was driven by Jamie Whincup,the guy who will replace Ellery at the Eights next year. With a broken steering rack, the Tasman Commodore was not going anywhere without a tow truck. "Steve was behind me.

The flyer is not onesingle-lap of the most potent weapons in Ingall's arsenal, and Symmons Plains was no different. Ingall was still struggling for grip, and his 52.6624s effort never looked like causing any headaches for the quickest guys. Paul Dumbrell was next out after having been on the money in the #11 Perkins car all weekend, but after two splits there was nothing between he and The Enforcer. That all changed in the last sector though, where PD found almost 0.4s. Ambrose bettered him by a scant 0.07s before Richo came along and did a 52.0726s. Now,things were getting serious. Garth Tander starting things off on the right foot with a green first split before dropping away slightly over the remainder of the lap and falling just 0.01s short, while team-mate Rick's efforts came undone with a slightly scrappy final split. He still did better than Lowndes, who felt that his 52.5360s was not a fair reflection of the Betta Falcon's potential. "I just didn't push as hard as I should have," he rued. "The car wasn't quite right - it was a little nervous in the rear - but we still didn't get the best out of it." Richo's time had looked good, but it was only when Skaife, Bright and Todd also swung at it and missed that it became clear just how quick it was. "The car has been pretty good all weekend," said the pole-sitter. "We didn't quite manage to get a decent run in qualifying because of traffic but we managed to squeeze a lap out of it in the Shootout, so it's all looking good."

Factory racers: Rick Kelly, below, gained one spot in the Top 10 Shootout, but Jason Bright, above, dropped from second to eighth.

continued from page 48 with furrowed brows, with HRT also being forced into recovery mode after a soap-opera start to the round.

Race 1(42 laps) Some races are endlessly recorded on video and replayed in lounge rooms during the racing drought over the off-season. But by the time you read this, most of those who taped race one at Symmons Plains will already have gone over the top of it with the new episode of The Simpsons. A classic it was not. A shower of rain as the cars were preparing for the start had the potential to make things interesting, but it had already dried up by the time the formation lap started and had no real effect, other than to make the grid girls wet as well as freezing. The race itself was always about two men. Steve Richards and Tander were starting side-by-side on the front row, both had plenty of car speed, and both were secure in the knowledge that unless something went badly wrong, there would be very little opportunity for anyone else to get past them. Tander handed the initial

In the hunt: Craig Lowndes, above, doesn't quite need a miracle to win the title, but he needs Ingall, top left, to drive less like he did at Symmons.

advantage to Richards with a slow start. "I missed it by a mile," he admitted."The start itself was pretty good,it was just that my reaction was very, very average. It was just lucky that the row behind me had bad starts as well." The HSVDT VZ was forced to follow Richo for seven laps before swooping into the pits, two laps earlier than Richards. The HSV crew did a near-perfect stop, and when Richards returned to the track after his own stop he was dismayed to find himself staring at the back of Tander's car. The pair held formation to the end of the race. "It looked like Richo was struggling a bit on colder tyres, so we thought that if we pitted early and put in a couple of quick ones, we might be able to jump him in the pits," Tander explained."It was a fantastic stop by the guys,and it's The place to pass: Pits were the best part of the race track to execute a what won us the race." pass on a rival, as Rick Kelly shows us, above. Below, Jason Bargwanna's "You know when you are it the car 100th Touring Car race was a dud. He was struck down by the chicken and the stop is happening how good pox, and this wayward bumper didn't help his cause. or bad it's going to be," Richards t said. "I heard both wheels come offwhich was a good start- and only ; one go back on. That's the nature of the game. You make a small blue on the track and you pay for it, you make one in the pits and you also pay for it." Rick Kelly rounded out a great v9toRoq afternoon for HSVDT with third

place after a fierce battle with Ambrose that was also settled in the pits. 52

"Last year I won the first race here and that [the pitstops] are what won it for us,” Rick grinned."We're very fortunate that the guys are so quick there, because it moved us both up one spot today." Marcos Ambrose was fourth in a SBR Falcon that was still battling to put its power down,but more than anything it was a payoff for his Shootout effort, that saw him jump five positions on the grid. Team-mate Russell Ingall also salvaged a reasonable result out of a difficult car by finishing eighth, but with just one more round to go and a healthy points lead, he could afford to be slightly conservative and stop his rivals from making too big a dent in his championship lead. Paul Dumbrell,Steve Ellery and Steven Johnson all did superb jobs to finish in the top 10, but the luckiest man of the afternoon was Craig Lowndes. The #888 car was sitting in sixth place and chasing Mark Skaife when Skaife got it horribly wrong at the hairpin. The #2 HRT Commodore went in way too hot, way too wide, and skidded to a halt sideways right across the middle of the comer. Lowndes arrived at the apex and found himself with a windscreen full of red, had nowhere to go but mto the left-front of the Holden. He got away with it and finished fifth, but Skaife's car was screwed. Now lapping in the 56s range, red Leader slid back through the field and finished a very unhappy 25th. It capped off as bad a race as you will ever see for HRT, with Todd Kelly suffered from cooked brakes and nurfing into the dirt bank on the inside of the hairpin on lap 23. A few laps later, he dropped his right-rear wheel onto the dirt while chasing Ambrose at the same spot and spun again. He eventually wound up 15th. Remarkably, there were no Safety Cars, although there were a number of other minor incidents. Paul Morris was forced to park the Sirromet Commodore after hitting Max Wilson at the hairpin and bending an upright, while Greg Murphy's hopes were scuppered when he was hit by Bright on lap nine. Murph was dropped from seventh to 15th, and opted to delay his pitstop as long as possible in the hope of rain or a Safety Car. It didn't work, and he finished a frustrated 20th. "Brighty had a complete brainfade," he grimaced."But the car was slow anyway. It was nowhere near comfortable, and it was very bad at the hairpin. We're very disappointed at how slow it is."

Race 2(42 laps)

ace 1 might have been a stately .procession but Race 2 was the complete opposite, the 42 laps crammed with incidents, punctuated

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kv^r, by sporadic bursts of racing. From lander's point of view, it was all smooth sailing. The #16 HSVDT driver was aggressive through the first corner to keep his advantage over Richards, but after that it was simply a matter of maintaining control. Unlike the first race, Tander and Richards pitted on the same lap (lap 7), but the HSVDT crew was able to keep their man in front and the pair held their positions through to the end of the race. Lowndes was third after a long battle with Rick Kelly was settled in favour of the Triple Eight driver courtesy of a nice move at the hairpin on lap 33, but behind him there was all kinds of chaos. From the perspective of the championship, the race's defining moment came on the 37th lap, when Ambrose's middle pedal sank to the floor on the approach to the hairpin. The Pirtek car looped into a spin and completely shredded its rear tyres. Marcos rattled back for some new boots, but following two unscheduled stops he had plunged from third (after leap-frogging Rick in the pits with a quick stop) to 27th, and his championship aspirations were on the ropes. Jamie Whincup's race lasted about 20 seconds after the Tasman driver was launched somewhere in the

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Show stoppers: A record crowd made their way out to Tassie, but local boy Ambrose had brake issues and saw his championship hopes faded.

Going bonkers at Brambles: Jamie Whincup, above, and Matthew White, below, got themselves in all sorts of bother on the approach to the famous Symmons Plains hairpin.

direction of Hobart by Todd Kelly on the opening lap. On the grass and out of control, the Tasman driver set a new record for most cars passed in a single move before coming to a stop deep in the gravel with a broken rim. "I seriously thought I'd overtaken the whole field," he joked. "I was still doing about 150 kmh at the apex ..." Bargwarma was also having a tough afternoon. Still feeling rotten, Bargs's misery was complete when he became involved in a series of incidents, some of his own doing, some brought about by others. It was not the way that he'd hoped to mark his 100th start in the series. continued on page 54

23 November 2005

continued from page 53

I WHILE all manner of disasters were playing out elsewhere ; along pitlane, Paul Dumbrell was quietly going about the business of having his best weekend of the year. ; 2005 has not been a stellar season for the young i Melbournian, despite a promising start at Adelaide where he j finished the weekend in seventh. But at Symmons Plains, he was on the money right from the get-go, and only a slow-ish stop in the third race, which casued him to lose a few ; positions, prevented him from finishing all three races in the I top TO. Fifth outright for the weekend was a good reward for ' his efforts. j ; i I .

It later transpired that PD had borrowed a set of gloves from Tasman Motorsport's full-time nice guy Jason Richards. Given how Dumbrell's weekend panned out, we're not too keen on Jason's chances of seeing his gloves again ... - MARK GLENDENIMING

A clash with John Bowe on lap 17 brought out a Safety Car after various bits of Bargwanna's Falcon were left scattered across the track, and his misfortune helped trigger HRT's recovery from the previous day's catastrophe. Having started the race back in 25th (and getting away with hitting the tyre stack at turn one on the first lap), Skaife had decided that there was nothing to lose by delaying his compulsory stop and waiting to see what unfolded on the track. The plan paid off when he spotted the Orrcon shrapnel, and by the time the Safety Car came out he was already on his way into the pits. He rejoined 15th, effectively making a leap of 10 spots before the race even reached half distance. Nice piece of work. Skaife eventually finished 12th behind Todd, who had passed his boss on lap 30 while in the midst of making his own little comeback. Kelly Senior was 30th at the end of the first lap after being hit at the hairpin and suffering a puncture. He had clambered back to 20th by the

; AS the battle for the title reaches its climax, ^ drivers will look for any opportunity they can to get an edge - any edge - over their rivals. : At Symmons Plaiits, this took a new twist when Mark Skaife staked a claim on Russell Ingall's tyres. Obscure as it is, claiming a rival's Dunlops is permitted under rule 13.4.3: "The fitting of control tyres for the top ten drivers In the point score will be done first and any driver in this group may 'claim' the tyres of any other driver in the top ten before they have been fitted to rims. Only three drivers may 'claim' tyres at any one Meeting ..." Under the rule, drivers can claim as many of another's tyre bank as they wish, and when rubber was allocated on Friday morning in Tassie, Skaife put his hand up for all 12 of 54

Ingall's allocated tyres. Dunlop's V8 Supercar tyres are so identical that even their parents can't tell them apart, so any advantage that Skaife may have hoped to gain over the Enforcer was purely psychological. Nevertheless, news of the switch sparked plenty of interest along pitlane, with many having been previously unaware of rule. "I didn't know about that," said Rick Kelly. "What else can you claim?" Incidentally, the rule has only been employed once before. That was also at Symmons Plains way back in 1998, when Larry Perkins decided that he wanted Craig Lowndes's Bridgestones. Given that Lowndes went on to win the round and set a new lap record, it's safe to assume that the ploy was ineffective ... - MARK GLENDENNING

time he'd completed his stops, and ended things in 11th. There are all sorts of things that separate the top teams from the rest, and the ability to make something out of nothing is a shining example. "We threw the whole weekend away with one silly mistake yesterday," said Skaife succinctly. It was a similar tale for Murph, who was a little happier with his car than he had been on Saturday. Starting from the midfield, the Supercheap car pitted early along with the leaders, and shuffled its way up to fifth by the end of the race. But over at FPR,it was a different story. Bright stayed out longer than the other quick cars, making his scheduled stop on lap 17. It should have spat him out in a reasonably good position, but a problem with the left-rear meant that he was in the pits for an agonising 26.3s. Game over.

Race 3(42 laps) arth won the start. Garth won

the race. And as far as tracing the path to victory goes, that was about as complicated as things got. Richards also looked primed to repeat his earlier performances by chasing Tander around for the whoie race, but those plans inadvertently went out the window courtesy of Craig Baird. The WPS car had spun at the hairpin, and attempted to get going again just as Richo arrived on the scene. "I could see that something was going on," Richards explained."I came into the comer and saw Bairdo lying broadside there, and basically as I was about to turn into the corner he started driving towards the inside of the track. I had to turn around the outside of him,and there's nothing but marbles out there, so I ended up spinning." Richards recovered, but not before Rick and Lowndes had skipped through. The battle between the #16 HSVDT Commdore and the #888 Betta Falcon was the highpoint of an otherwise ordinary race. Lowndes held the early advantage, but another cracking stop by HSVDT allowed Rick to poke his nose out of the pit exit just in front of the blue and yellow car. Lowndes kept the chase up for much of the race, but Rick was unflustered and pushed on to secure third for both the race and for outright honours. Ambrose was the big mover of the race, opting to hang out as long as possible before making his stop - a trick that was getting quite a work out on a weekend where so many quick cars were having shockers. Marcos did the longest first stint of anyone any the race, and had a 15s lead over Tander in his pocket when

moiorsportnews

n n

IfS SUPEBCABS

Uirk Klxnsntilh

AT the end of the final race,some of you may have noticed a fair bit of damage to the front of Craig Baird's WPS Falcon. The more eagle-eyed among you may ' have noticed that when the car crossed the finishing line a couple of minutes earlier, it was in rather better shape. Yep, you guessed it. To a season that has produced almost everything, we can now add a crash on the cool-down lap. Reports of what happened are , sketchy, and Bairdo was nowhere to be seen after the race. The triumphant HSVDT pairing of Garth Tander and Rick Kelly, who were cruising in formation at the top of the straight when it all happened, had a grandstand seat and even they were unable to clarify things. "To be honest I was a bit of a bystander in that," said a bewildered Kelly. "I wasn't sure what was going on. On the cool-down lap, for some reason, he's come rocketing down behind me, and tried to go past me, and ... to be honest I don't know what he was doing. But obviously it ended up in a bit of an incident." Sources within WPS were equally mystified, and were unable to shed much further light on it other than to say that there had been contact and Baird had been spat into the wall. See, even the cool-down laps in V8 Supercars are entertaining. And those Euros still reckon this isn't the best touring car series in the world? - MARK GLENDENNING

qualifying.

"The car was fantastic under

brakes, which is so important around here," he said. "A lot of where we are comes down to that." Keeping one's head down and seeing what eventuates is not an approach that one normally associates with Ingall or SBR, but with a championship to think about and a car that was not remotely happy at Synunons Plains, that is what they were forced to do. Ingall never looked capable of causing any headaches for fhe leaders, buf fo have a relatively hard weekend and still fake sevenfh outright with one round remaining is the kind of fhing fhat championships are made of. If will

23 November 2005

Race 1 Tander 2 'S.' Richards 3 4 5 6

R. Kelly Ambrose Lowndes Dumbrell

7_ Bright 8 ihgail 9 _Bei7 ' 10 Johnson 11 V.j-’R'Chards‘ 12 Radisich 13 14

Weei_'_ __ McConvilfe

15'f.'Kelly_ 16' Wilson l'7 18

Jones Whincup

19 ^ 21 22

Bargwanna _ Murphy Winlerbottom Seton

23 24 25 26 2'7' 28 29

Bowe Besnard Skaife Baird ■ White ' trati" Canto

30' ■ a 'Kelly DNF Mo'rris " EXC Brabham Race

' R, Kelly'

5 6 7

Murphy Dumbrell _ Johnson J. Richards

9 10

Ingall Radisich

12 'oT

52.7076_ 31 52.9429 ' 17

42:18.5232 ■■■■'5l'754'y _ 13 42:19.1924 _" 52.m7 ’M 42:20.'9906 ' 52.6814 " 15

T3” Ellery^”'" M' ' ■Wifso'n 15 McConville 16 Morris

■'42:2T.r852^52.7717' " 29 42':~2l8907 SliOl'l 29 42:24.1326 52.94'6r' '40' 42:24.3893 "52.692Ci 40 _4_2:28.3735 42:28.9219

Jones Winlerbqitom Brabham

24 ■ Weel _ 25 Besnard 26 Wh[te 27 Ambrose 28' B'owe' ■ 29; q. l^l!y ”■; 30 Bargwanna_ 3\ Tratt' _ DNF W'hinc'up"

Cruise and Collect: Tander won three from three at Symmons Plains. 1 fake something akin to a meteor vsscs F>ciitsnrs strike to stop him from winning the title at the Island. Ingail 1754, Lowndes 1705, Ambrose 1668, T, Kelly "We had brake issues on both cars 1632, Skaife 1622, S, Richards 1601, Tander 1601, Bright 1552, Bright 1470, R. Kelly 1454, this weekend and we need to go McConvilie 1409, Johnson 1380, Murphy 1332, back to the drawing board in that Seton 1283, Ellery 1274, Radisich 1244, Whincup area," he said. 1235, B. Jones 991, Morris 971, Baird 954, Dumbrell And so the circus moves to Phillip 934, Besnard 862, Weel 858, Wilson 839, Bargwanna 785, Ritter 739, A. Jones 733, White Island for one last stop before 599, Winterbottom 598, Tratt 511, A. Davison 469, everyone decamps and finds a beach Owen 434, Wills 403, Canto 312, Brabham 210,0. fo lie on. Theoretically there are a Kelly 200, Muller 192, Macrow 184, Youlden 176, handful of drivers still in the hunt, Pretty 172, Brede 168, Cleland 168, Faulkner 156, but realistically there are only two, Gurr 156, Courtney 152, Porter 152, Jim Richards possibly three. Barring a miracle, it 152, Scott 152, Halliday 148, Menu 148, Marshall 144, Tagliani 144, Luff 140, McLean 136, will again be a Ford that wears Fernandez 128, Simonsen 128, White 128, W, number #1 next season - but which Davison 124, Holdsworth 116, Scifleet 116, one? Evangelou 96, Coleman 92, D’Agostin 92. There's only one way to find out.

_ 52.4250 _ 16 '5'l3606 " 13'* 52.5179 16

42:15.2440_ _ 52.705'3'' 14 42:16.9741 ' 52.'840'7 28 42:17.2345 52.7768 17 42:17.6409 42:i8'd503

Race

U.AF=»S

42:10.5926 __ 52.6403 42:13.5152 52.6620

n__ Kelly_ 12 Skaife

42 42:01.6956 42:02.7158' 42:'09:e762

2 _ S. R[chards 3 Lowndes

'2'1 22 23

38:r5.6299^‘ 53.0440 24 '38:16V3'5i2 ^52.'8658^ 12 ■38:16.8437 ‘5l998'6 '23 38:17.1045 '52.8662 ' 19 38:19.1968 53.1787 14 38:26.4451 53.1667' 39 '38:26.8967 52.5795r 17 38:27.1184 " 53.1877 42 '38:29.7617 ' ■■'53.1740 28 53.0921 l'2 ■53.5139" 26 11 '52.8421 20 34'iaps_

Tander

37:37.9265 52.1863R 9 37:38.9493' 52.3162r ’ 11 37:42.4512 ’ 52.2840r 11 37:43.2359 52.5U8r 14 37:50.1054 52.5792r 11 37:51.9739 52.7679 10 37;'54j833 '52.5793r 12 37;55.0807 52.7950 39 37:56.3272 '52.6631 r '40 38:06’2982 52.8263 11 38;07.377r'" 52.5498r 11 38:07.8124 52.9076 '18 38:0'8,2B05'''52.7701 ~23 38:08.8475 52.9865” 20 36:09.0489 '”52>10'3r 21 38:09.6500 52.9108 18 38:11.4260 53.0061” ~14 38:15.1429 52.9878 10

20iaps ■"'52.8839 ^

19 Selon 20' 'Canto'

There may not have been a lot of iirspirational action elsewhere in the top 10, but instead there were a lot of drivers reaping the rewards of being smart and consistent. One of those

1 2

PCS I Driver| Race Time|Fastest|Lap

17 _ Bright 18 Baird

he finally paid his crew a visit on lap 29, returning to the track in seventh. He was sixth at the chequer after drilling past Todd with a few laps to go. Given how dismal things had looked earlier in the day, it was an astounding piece of damage limitation.

was Steve Johnson, who was pleased to finish up eighth in the race and sixth overall after struggling badly in

VBSCS Rd

Symmdns Plains, Tas

_ 53;d747 52.9329

29 ' 31

42:34.7589 53.17'i2yj32 42:35.6989 '_'52.6587 ' 27 42:42.5240 ■_'52.8033” 33' 42:44;7065 ' 52.7376 35 42:45.0036 12 _42:45.1534 42:50.1383'

53.1420' 53.0195'

28' 28

40 laps '40iapr

52.5476 ■53.1251

28 33

■ 38Taps" _ 52.6990 ' 24 ■ 35 laps'' 53'.3l'96' 9 ; ■

32 laps ”'52.8872 _J9 0 laps' 42

LAI=S

Tander

37:27.6869

52.0645r

2 R. Kelly 3 _ Lowndes 4 S. Richards

37:'28.9664 37^35.'4204 '37:37.5607 37:4b.742'7 '37:41.2304 '37:43.'3004

52.1239r_ 15 ' 52.2866 16 '52!017dR ll" ''52.4952 ' 24 '52.4259' 33~ 52.4841 25

Murphy

Ambrose

7 ■ 'I Kelly ' Johnson 9' 'Skaife 10 ‘ Ingall 11 Dumbrell 12 Radisich 13' Morris ' l'4 J. Richards 15 ' Wilson _ 16 Bri'ght”" 17 McConviile 10 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

Ellery Jones ' Seton 'We'el '

37:47.8380_' ”5'2.6956 ' 23 37:48.014'3 ■^52.6969 24 ■ 37;48.'6'^T' " 52.5747 28' 37:56.3282 52.6180' 29 37:50.6610 ””52.7783 ■ lY 37:57.7355 52.7539 22 37:57.9561 52.7210 " 22 '37;59.'4 2 9 6 5 2.7741 21 3'8:01.3883 52.6355 'i4 38:'02.0809' ■'52.Bl'27 ' 21 '38:66'.9363 ' 52'.6l'65'' 29

38:09.1692 52.6879'_ 12 38;l'0'.4'34'2'_ '52'.'87d9 \'7 38:13.7106'^ 52.9985 " 12 38:'l'5.1174 52:5996 24 Wfiit'e _ ■30:19.0246 ■■52.9033'' 21 Canto 38:3l'7154 ' ' "52.6079 ' 25 Brabham 52.8381 12 Winterboito'm ' 38:40.5956 52.7325 25 38:4Z512'5 O.'keNy 518965 21 Baird' 41 laps '52.9108 15 41 laps Bargwanna 53.033'4 24 Bowe 41 laps 52.7398 21 41'laps Whincup 52.9106 35 41 laps Besnard_ _ '52.7672 15 Tratt 41 laps

Redemption! ^ CITROEN

Three months after his career looked to be in rums Frangois Duval broke through for his maiden WRC win in Perth. RYAN LAHIFF reports on a Telstra Rally Australia where,just maybe, Duval and Chris Atkinson ushered in rallying’s new generation

HREE months can be a lifetime in motorsport. Just ask Francois Duval.

During the northern summer,it looked like the Belgian had wasted his big chance with the gun Citroen WRC squad. Intent on matching the performances of his mercurial team mate Sebastien Loeb, Duval wrecked so many Xsaras that his co-driver Stephane Prevot quit, refusing to ever get in a car with him again, and team boss Guy Frequelin benched him for hvo events. As if to underline his misfortune. his replacement Carlos Sainz scored 11 points in those two rallies, twice what Duval had scored for the w'hole season to that point. A driver that had looked so promising at Ford in 2004 looked to be on the way to rally oblivion. Fast-forward to Perth in November and it was a different Duval. He and co-driver Sven Smeets were standing on the top step of the podium, the world at their feet, after scoring their first WRC win. While only quickest on four of the events stages, Duval benefited greatly from a number of leading retirements and maintained a solid pace to grab the lead after SS13 and hold onto it for the remainder of the event despite consistent pressure S6

from some of the sport's most experienced drivers. I've been waiting and hoping for this victory for so long," exclaimed Duval at the finish. "1 would like to say a big thank you to Citroen, to my parents, to Guy Frequelin who has given me so much help. Frequelin, the Citroen Sport team boss who made the difficult decision to remove Duval from the team for h\'o events mid-season as punishment for a string of failures. was equally overjoyed with the result. 1 am sincerely delighted to see Francois take his first WRC win with Citroen," said Frequelin. 1 want to thank them for this success which enables us to conclude the 2005 season and our first spell in the World Rally Championship in style. In another strong showcase of the recent improvement to Mitsubishi's World Rally Car, Finnish veteran Harri Rovanpera managed to capitalise on a trouble-free event to claim second, equaling his best result of the year with the Japanese team. "1 am very, very happy for the whole team," said a delighted Harri, "and especially for all the mechanics who have worked so hard since the beginning of the season.‘

Mitsubishi's result bodes well for next year when rule changes banning active differentials comes into effect. The squad opted to cease development on planned active front and rear differentials at the start of the season in advanced preparation for 2006, and while both Rovanpera and Gigi Galli have struggled at

times during the year it offers Mitsubishi an early lead over their rivals in development time. In another startling performance, privateer Citroen driver Manfred Stohl claimed his second podium for the year, finishing third outright, to back up from his amazing second at the Cyprus Rally earlier this season,

motorsport news

■il-

IfIfORLD RALLY

Making a splash: Duval capped off bis year with Citroen in the best way possible, taking a classy win in Perth. Blues Brothers: No matter what happened to Chris Atkinson, left, he kept his right foot buried and starred in the Subaru. Team-mate Fetter Solberg, below, looked to have the rally in bis hand until hitting a kangaroo on Day 2.

I S'

The team runs with a fraction of the budget and technical knowledge of their factory rivals, making their performance even more impressive. It was however a rally as intriguing for its spectacular failures as the final result. Stand-in Peugeot driver Daniel Carlsson saw his event come to a fiery end after rolling his

23 November 2005

307 WRC on only the third stage of the event, the accident igniting a fire which destroyed the car before fire crews could extinguish the smoldering remains. After witnessing unquestionable dominance from World Champion Sebastien Loeb this season, it was surprising to see the Frenchman not

only retire but also significantly rearrange his Citroen Xsara during the course of the first afternoon. Loeb's steering had been damaged after hitting a kangaroo earlier in the day before his misjudged a braking point and hit a tree. "We were about 80kph over a crest when I just missed my braking

point," Loeb said. Marcus Gronholm was another to finish his event on the opening day after the suspension collapsed and the local police determined the vehicle was unsafe to traverse the distance back to service. continued on page 58 57

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I'm yust vild about Harri: Rovanpera gave Ralliart chief Andrew Cowan a great send-off with second in the improving Lancer, continued from page 57 Another driver to briefly hold the lead before entering retirement was Subaru's Fetter Solberg, who appeared to be well in control of the event over the course of the second leg, before he too had a close encounter with the Australian wildlife. "Everything was going perfectly, the car was just right, we had the

speed and then something just came out of the blue," said a bitterly disappointed Solberg recounting the events that led up to his heavy encounter with a kangaroo. "I suppose I should be glad the kangaroo was hunched down when we hit, if it had been up in the air then at 190kph I think it would have been through the screen!" There were two big name retirements on the final day when

iVsis?

Cohn McRae parked his Skoda while Toni Gardemeister, who had been impressive during the debut of the latest specification Ford Focus, stopped with a broken water pump. McRae brought the Czech marque an unimagined level of publicity and looked poised for a fairytale podium finish until stopped at the final service with an inoperative clutch, while Gardemeister's retirement dented an otherwise encouraging

weekend for Ford's 2006 model Focus. Team-mate Roman Kresta claimed sixth behind Gigi Galli, while Toshi Aral emerged from the Group N battle to claim the PWRC crown in his Subaru. The WRC enters the off-season and, with a number of drivers still to sign deals and new specification cars to be tested, it will be an interesting couple of months before the series kicks off in Monte Carlo next January.

It's Nine for number

AT first glance, some of the headlines from Chris Atkinson's Rally Australia assault looked a little familiar, and disastrous; bent steering, a broken spoiler, a sixth-gear spin and a series of nearmisses. But the standout drive of the 2005 event saw the young Queenslander and navigator Glenn Macneall bag an event-high nine fastest or equal-fastest times. If anyone still needed convincing that Atkinson belongs on the world stage, his strong fourth place silenced the critics. And it came after Atko led the rally on Day 1, only to have a bent steering arm send him back through the field to 13th, setting up a spectacular fightback. At one stage Atkinson was under the car, straightening the arm by banging it with a rock so that he could continue to service. On Day 2, he faced the double challenge of not only sweeping the roads but had to complete four stages without a front spoiler, leaving his Subaru to understeer from corner to corner. "What a rally full of highs and lows," he said when it was all over. "When you look at what we have achieved with so many stage wins, it has been a good rally but you always want more. "It was the one that got away. If you take away the time we lost on the opening day it could have been a very different result, but we have still got to be very happy with what we have achieved this weekend and also throughout the year." At the same event last year, Atko announced his presence to the world with fifth outright and first in Group N. To scald through the pack and finish within six seconds of a second podium finish in his rookie season, this year's event was clearly a graduation day for the WRC rookie. 58

s 5

motorsportnews

IMfORLD RALLY

man ■*wezia ■

.H~

Bouncing Czech: The marriage of Colin McRae and Skoda, above, almost resulted in a podium, the Scot robbed of third place by a dodgy clutch.

:m Rally Austr $ 4

^005

1 Frangois Duval Sven Smeets

B Citroen Xsara B 3:19:55.0

2 H. Rovanpera Fin Mitsubishi Rauno Pietilainen Fin 3:20:47.9!! 3 Manfred Stohl A Citroen Xsara Ilka Minor A 3:21:28.0 4 Chris Atkinson Aus Subaru Glenn Macneall Aus 3:21:34.0 Mitsubishi 5 Gigi Gain Guido D'Amore 3:22:59.4j 6 Roman Kresta Cz Ford Focus RS 3:22:34.0 f Jan Tomanek Cz 7 Daniel Sola EFord Focus RS 3:25:32.4 Xavier Amigo 8 Armin Schwarz D Skoda Fabia KarlWicha 0 3:27:59.3 Drivers' Points: Loeb 127, Solberg and Gronholm 71, Gardemeister 58, Martin 53, Duval 53, Rovanpera 39, Kresta 29, Stohl 22, Hirvonen and Galli 14, Atkinson 13. Manufacturers' Points: Citroen 188, Peugeot 135, Ford 104, Subaru 97, Mitsubishi 76, Skoda 21, Skoda 12.

WRC 16 AUSTRALIA 23 November 2005

SRTA deserved to exit with a bang, not a whimper IT'S bloody typical, isn't it? Subaru Rally Team Australia has been beating up on the local rally scene all season, with Cody Crocker banking the manufacturer's 10th straight title and Dean Herridge giving the opposition nightmares. Then, in the biggest event of the year, with the world watching and in the team's final ever event, it all goes pearshaped. On Friday, Herridge was parked by a rare engine problem while a broken control arm in the front suspension put Crocker out. Cody restarted under SuperRally rules and went on to top 11 of the 26 stages in which he competed, leaving him 11th in Group N and 20th outright.

"All I wanted to do was end this rally on a very strong note, and we've done that," said a smiling Crocker after the event. "It was important to me to demonstrate my speed tp the international rally community, and it was important to my team and to Possum Bourne Motorsport to show that we produce the best Group N rally cars in the world." "It is a sad day for Subaru Rally Team Australia that it has come to the end but it has ’ been a great journey for all of us involved." Crocker and Herridge will be back in the future, in slightly revised forms, but just like Atkinson, this was one rally that got away from the boys in blue.

Focussed on the here and now

Is Ford's new Focus going to be the car to beat in 2006? \

FORD'S new Focus RS WRC06 had completed about 900km of gravel and asphalt testing before the trip to Perth. Of that running, Roman Kresta had driven the car for 300 metres - only enough time to advise the M-Sport mechanics to move the driver's seat a

tad. Until the shakedown, he had never driven a rally car of any description in Australia. So to finish sixth is a pretty impressive run for a new car. The Fords were subject to greater security than ever before, M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson understandably

unwilling to show his new toys to prying eyes. The cars have been built to the new '06 rules, meaning that the electronic diffs of the older '04 Focuses are a thing of the past. With the speed shown in Perth, the new Focus could be a car to be reckoned with next season. 59

Subaru eyes 2-car PWRC TONGUES began wagging in the local ranks at Rally Oz after key personnel from Subaru Australia were in attendance at a meeting of the Production World Rally Championship(PWRC). SRTA's Greg Foletta and Phil Rogers were present at the meeting of team bosses from the PWRC ranks on Wednesday before the rally. The reason for their presence and involvement is debatable but it re-sparks rumours that Cody Crocker may form a two-car team^

with freshly-crowned PWRC Champion Toshi Arai, pictured below. While no mention of the Production World Rally Championship or Asia-Pacific Championship aspirations were present in announcements of Subaru Australia's decision to discontinue their involvement in the National Series, there have been significant rumours of an International Group N assault. -RYAN LAHIFF

Skoda's Red Alert

Schwarz wants to save factory team with Red Bull $$$

I n p 3

WRC cuts back on TV THE television coverage of the World Rally Championship is set for a dramatic scale-back after rights holder ISC admitted that costs were running out of control. Sources within ISC's production team made the strongest comments yet that the forced cutbacks would provide substantial cost savings. Building the viewership of the WRC was seen by ISC as the most effectiv e way to increase the appeal of the sport to a motorsport public that was well attuned to Formula 1.

Substantial funding was poured into technology projects, including the Virtual Spectator system and helicopter camera tracking systems. "An awful lot of money has been spent on television over the past few years, and it hasn't provided a huge return," said MNews's source. "Expect to see some changes next year. The changes will come into effect at the 2006 season opejiing Round in Monte Carlo. - RYAN LAHIFF

SKODA is on the verge of announcing a complete withdrawal of its factory team from the World Rally Championship. However team driver Armin Schwarz is believed to be attempting an 11th hour bid to take over the Czech maker's rally activities using money from Austrian energy drink company Red Bull, Schwarz, whose driving career came to an end at Rally Australia where he finished eighth, has been working hard to keep the VW-owned company in the sport and to ensure a long term position for himself running the Skoda WRC effort. While it was believed Skoda would scale back its commitment in 2006 and not run all rounds, the management has been told by its parent company VW to pull out of rallying and reduce costs. Schwarz told MNews in Perth that he is trying to put something together but it is a difficult prospect and there is a lot of work to do. "I don't know whether it can happen," said Schwarz."VW does not have a lot of spare cash for a Skoda motorsport program so it is hard." Asked whether Red Bull money would perhaps hold the key the cagey German smiled, saying the energy drink company is spending in other areas. "They have spent all their money on FI," said Schwarz."We will see." It's clear from the speed that Colin McRae showed all weekend that the car has enormous potential and could be a wirmer with a little more development, better management and some top shelf drivers like McRae. The Scot cost the team almost $lmillion for his drives in rally Great Britain and Australia as well as more than 1000km in testing, which were part of his demands before he climbed behind the wheel of the Fabia. -JON THOMSON

The Lion leaves without a roar AFTER bursting onto the scene in the all-conquering 206 WRCar in 1999, it was an inauspicious end to Peugeot's current involvement in the World Rally Championship at Rally Australia. A raging inferno engulfed Daniel Carlsson's 307 WRCar on just the third stage while Marcus Gronholm's front suspension collapsed on the seventh stage. 60

Totally destroyed in the blaze, Carlsson's car, right, was sent straight to scrapheap but Gronholm could have restarted the second leg under the SuperRally regulations, however the team made the decision to pull the plug early. The decision disappointed fans and media who were keen to see former World champ Gronholm finish his last event

with Peugeot before he switches to the Ford camp for 2006. "We were all extremely motivated before the start of our last participation in the World Rally Championship," said team boss Jean Pierre Nicolas on the „ verdict not to restart Leg 2. I "But now we have nothing left I to fight for, why should we rep join?" - RYAN LAHIFF

motorsport news

BAI.IY NEWS

Scot Free

Duval Wins and Wonders

RALLY Oz was the final event for Ralliart boss Andrew Cowan. The Scot, winner of the Southern Cross Rally in 1972 and 73, will continue to act as a consultant with the company, which is now under the direction of Isao Torii.

Youngster wins in Perth - will he Join Loeb at Kronos? by RYAN LAHIFF

AFTER being on the outer with Citroen earlier in the year, victory at Rally Australia has thrust Francois Duval squarely back into the drivers market. The young Belgian appeared destined for the scrap heap after a string of costly accidents during the first half of the season, and was even dropped for two events in place of multiple World champion Carlos Sainz.

Securing his maiden victory at Rally Australia will provide significant momentum for Duval as he enters the off season driver negotiations merry-go-round. "At this stage I have no idea what will happen next year," Duval explained following the event. "I hope I can find a new drive with a good team, but I'm not sure." With the youngest factory driver in the Championship having the faith of Citroen, particularly that of team boss

Guy Frequelin, the French brand are keen to see Duval remain with the marque as a Privateer in 2006 before they return once again as a factory team in 2007.

n The UAE Desert Challenge has been won by Mitsubishi. Stephane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret won in their Pajero Evo from the BMW X5 of Jose Luis Monterde/ Tiziano Siverio. The astonishing Kamaz truck of 'Chagin' was fourth outright while KTMs dominated the motorcycle division, led by Frenchman Cyril Despres.

"We are trying very hard to find a sponsor for Francois, to try to keep him in a Citroen next year, perhaps with Sebastien (Loeb) at Kronos or with another Privateer team," said Frequelin. "It would be very disappointing if he couldn't drive next year.

n Two Champ Car titles are fine and FI ambitions just dandy - but can Sebastien Bourdais cut it in the dirt? That question was answered when the Frenchman took to the deserts of southern California in the 38th Baja 1000. Also along for the fun were his Newman-Haas team mate Oriol Servia, Robby Gordon, Boris Said, Michel Jourdain Jr and former Indy 500 winner Buddy Rice. For the record, the event was won by Larry Roeseler/Troy Herbst's Ford buggy for the second year straight, while Johnny Campbell (Honda) took the motorcycle title for the ninth year in a row. n An interested spectator in Perth was Alistair McRae. The Scot was in WA to keep an eye on brother Colin's progress, as well as cast an eye over the local rally scene, with a view to securing an ARC seat for next season. One thing Ali will not have to worry about is permission from his wife Tara, who originally hails from Kalgoorlie ...

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Tatnell strikes first Brooke and Krikke in white hot form BROOKE Tatnell fired the opening shot in World Series Sprintcars two weeks ago, racing to an all-the-way win at Brisbane International Speedway. Unheralded Victorian Matthew Reed claimed top time in Time Trials, but that was the only point in the night the Krikke Motorsport Maxim did not look like the best car in the field. After qualifying sixth, Tatnell was obviously fast in the heat races, taking third in one heat, and winning the other to top the pointscore heading into the Dashes. After winning a controversial A Dash, there was no looking back and not even a rain squall mid-race, which turned the track to ice, could slow Tatnell. "Right now, we're riding a wave of confidence," said Tatnell. "These guys have given us an absolutely awesome car. Everything's come together at the right time. It doesn't take one thing, these aren't easy to win anymore." Robbie Farr led the rest of the field, staying clear of Max Dumesny, who had to fend off Terry Bracken in the early running. Once the rain started to fall Bracken dropped away but still was well clear of the remainder of the field. "It was dry slick, then it was raining, it was definitely weird conditions," said Farr. "But to come out of five and run up to second is good, and I think we had something for Brooke. The longer the race went on the better we were getting." It was a good night for the Titan Team with the Pirate emblazoned car of Drew Kruck 62

by MARK JONES

'3! 1. A1 2, 036 3. V5 4, 025 5. 02 6. 018 7. 069 8. 054 9. 075 10. 05

Brooke Tatnell Robbie Farr Max Dumesny Terry Bracken Drew Kruck Stephen Bell Peter Thorley Richard Morgan Darren Jensen Darrell Hodges

WSS R1 BRISBANE having a career highlight to qualify third for the A-Main, only to spin to the rear and climb back through the field for a solid fifth position. Stephen Bell finished sixth in the second Cresta car, after David Muir stepped aside for the more experienced driver. Beil battled Darrell Flodges for the B-Main win before his own climb through the pack. Peter Thorley was seventh on his Sprintcar return after a long layoff driving John Kelly's new Maxim. Richard Morgan, Darren Jensen and Flodges completed the top 10. Jason Johnson was one of only three retirements in the A-Main with a deflating right rear tyre, a fire removing Todd Wanless and Ben Atkinson the other retirement. Luke Dillon missed the A-Main, spinning out of a progression spot on the final corner of the B-Main. - MARK JONES

JASON Johnson made his own statement that Brooke Tatnell is not going to have World Series Sprintcars to himself with a dominant performance at Charlton Speedway in Toowoomba for Round 3. Tatnell however, underlined his points lead with third place behind Robbie Farr. The Louisiana resident, above,

was undefeated after time trialling a disappointing 15th, winning both of his heat races and the A-Dash for pole position. Into the dramatic feature race Johnson out launched front row partner Farr by the smallest margin to race away to win the much-interrupted feature. "We didn't qualify so hot," said Johnson. "We changed the car after qualifying and made minor adjustments throughout the night and it stayed fast.

Flying

BROOKE Tatnell underlined his impressive BIS form, overcoming a broken motor in Time Trials to take an all the way win at Rockhampton Speedway for Round 2 of World Series Sprintcars. Defending series Champion Max Dumesny finished second ahead of Terry Bracken in his debut WSS podium finish. The Central Queensland drought took its toll on the track, with little moisture being able to penetrate the Showground surface. The track started to turn dusty and slick after hot iaps, leading to a one lane racetrack that was taking on rubber by the end of the night. The field raced almost as a pack as the 30 laps flew by without stoppage. Only three cars were lapped as conditions kept the field close. “I can’t thank this team enough,” said Tatnell. “They’ve given me an awesome race car. I'm sitting here looking like a hero because of the hard work they've put in during the

week. The car is perfect.” “The car was really good, the best all night for the feature,” said Bracken. “The podium was a good feeling, nine times out of ten Brooke is going get it right. To run third with those blokes, you can only gauge how you’re going by running against the best.” Bracken started on the front row beside Tatnell and held second in the early running. A small mistake let Dumesny by, but Bracken held firm. Luke Dillon came home in fourth position, lucky to finish after not being able to fit new tyres for the torturous feature after steering problems earlier in the night, with Jason Johnson fifth. Danny Reidy claimed sixth from Darrell Flodges and Robbie Farr, who had a controversial night after being allocated points for Fleat 5 where he was a non-finisher. Matthew Reed and Mike van Bremen completed the top 10. Earlier in the night. Drew Kruck continued his resurgence to claim motorsport news

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This ain't over P

Johnson brings Tatneirs dream World Series start to an end

"1 wasn't aware how close Farr was, I just drove my own race. (In the feature) you just drive your lines and hit your marks. The win gets the spirit back up." The early part of the feature was a feisty affair with a pile-up occurring in the first attempt to start the race that started with contact between Drew Kruck and Max Dumesny, pictured above. Darrell Hodges was eliminated in

the incident and Dumesny was forced to stop to have a rubbing nerf bar pulled off a wheel. Multiple modified production champion Peter Lack crashed and rolled in the early laps with several other cars involved, with Kruck forced to retire. Luke Dillon tried hard to hold third place in the early running under the blowtorch of Dumesny, but the pair were surprised by Tatnell, who

climbed around the outside into a third he would never lose. At half distance, Gladstone racer Tony Wynne spun and was collected by Dillon. The contact ruptured Wynne's tail tank which quickly became a fire, which threatened to consume the car but for the quick response of the marshals. Once Turn 1 was surface was dug up to remove the foam and fuel, the fire went out of the race, and Johnson,

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Jason Johnson Robbie Farr Brooke Tatnell I Max Dumesny Danny Reidy Cameron Gessner Andrew Scheuerle Todd Wanless Terry Bracken Mike Van Bremen

Points: Tatnell 3203, Dumesny 2770, Farr 2593, Johnson 2275, Reidy 1764, Dillon 1521, Gessner 1508, van Bremen 1319, Reed 1280, Veal 1077.

WSS R3 TOOWOOMBA Farr, Tatnell, Dumesny and Danny Reidy completed the top five. Cameron Gessner topped the battle of the Queensland cars in sixth, ahead of Andrew Scheuerle and a charging Todd Wanless. Terry Bracken, Mike van Bremen and Ken Veal were the only other finishers with the improving Dan Morton a later retirement after climbing the wall with all four wheels in the air.

Start for Tatnell B-Main victory after both Andrew Scheuerle and Tony Wynne dropped out while leading with Cameron Gessner second and Todd Wanless third. -MARK JONES

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Max Dumesny Terry Bracken Luke Dillon Jason Johnson Danny Reidy Darrell Hodges Robbie Farr Matthew Reed Mike Van Bremen

WSS R2 ROCKHAMPTON 23 November 2005

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by GREG BOSCATO GARRY Brazier bounced back into the Winner's Circle last Saturday night at the Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway with a flag-to-flag victory in the 30-lap A-Main. Brazier, right, racing the Paul Jeffery-owned J&J, started from the front row and simply took control at the green and after winning, his heat and Dash races. The multiple Australian champ continued his winning defeating Adrian Maher with a very impressive Joel Knott picking up third. While both Brazier and Maher were comfortable in front, Knott, Rod Maxwell, Grant Tunks and Ian Madsen fought hard for the minor positions. Knott and Maxwell traded third position a number of times before Knott came out in top, leaving Maxwell, Tunks then Madsen to pick up the top six places. "It was a long night," said Brazier. "That sort of track suits me and we finally got the car, well, close in the Dash. We weren't great in the feature,(Adrian) Maher might have been set-up a little better than me for the bottom, but I still had a bit there." "Garry is discovering what I can give him and 1 am learning what he wants in a car," said car owner Jeffrey. "We should have been way tighter in the Feature, but we have been changing a few things lately and we'll come back faster again." The shock of the night was Troy Little, who after setting quick time in qualifying and scoring a close second to Brazier in the opening heat, had his machine develop engine troubles just before the Dash race. For the A-Main, Little strapped himself into a borrowed Steven Lynch Eagle, below right, but after bending a wheel after getting caught up with the spinning Mitchell Dumesny early. Little stayed out of trouble and finished a lap down in 17th position. Knott has been impressive this summer and was second quick in qualifying with sensational rookie Sammy Walsh third fastest in the quality 50-plus Parramatta field. THE previous week PCR Track Champion Troy Little continued his dominant form,sliding by Adrian Maher early in the AMain top score his second feature victory in two weeks. Little easily defeated Maher with Tunks, Trevor Green, Ian Loudoun and Joel Knott making up the top finishers. 64

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It was Little who took control of the feature, but behind him Maher had an in-form Tunks on his tail, with Tunks gaining the upper hand early in the event. Later in the race Tunks's tyres started to go off, allowing Maher but by this stage Little was well over a lap in front. In fact, Little had lapped all but the top place getters in the 30 lapper. Points: Little 1690, Maher 1682, Green 1650, Loudoun 1610, Blyton 1608.

motorsporinews

SPEEDWAY

Young rider dies in crash

DinM Beard

American stars to return, Tatnell undecided on team PARRAMATTA City Raceway officials have announced the list of American drivers confirmed to compete at Outlaws Downunder III at PCR this January 19-21. Steve Kinser again headlines the Outlaws stars,joined by his son and reigning Knoxville Nationals Champion Kraig Kinser. Fellow legend of the American scene Sammy Swindell also returns for what will be his third tour to PCR.

Paris Charles

With Danny Lasoski splitting with Tony Stewart Motorsports, there was speculation on whether Lasoski would tour Australia, but two Sprintcar chassis have been loaded for Lasoski.

Joining them is Dennis Moore Jr, Joey Saldana, Craig Dollansky, Jason Sides, Brandon Wimmer,Paul McMahan, Jason Meyers, Donny Schatz, Danny Lasoski, Daryn Pittman, Shane Stewart and Brian Paulus, who have previously raced downunder. Joining them as first time visitors are Jon Allard and Jason Solwold, The PCR international racing series will start on Boxing night and Saldana, Wimmer,Meyers,Paulus,Stewart, Schatz and Dollansky all racing the lead-up events.

Word around Sydney is that Skip Jackson will be returning back home this Christmas and will be again racing a Sprintcar for Rod Bowen. Australian World of Outlaws star Brooke Tatnell has

stated that he is unsure which team he will be racing for in the Outlaws Downunder III meeting. His Outlaws team Rush Racing, his new Australian squad Krikke Motorsport, or even the family Tatnell team are all possibilities, as Brooke and father George have retained enough equipment to run again, with a Maxim sitting idle back at the Tatnell workshop. - GREG BOSCATO

Western Spnngs repneve ONE of the world's great speedways has earned a reprieve and will remain open, despite looking like closing over the past 12 months. Auckland's Western Springs Speedway will continue to hold race meetings in 2006 and beyond after the venue brokered a last-minute deal to remain open with the Auckland City

PROMISING Australian Speedway rider 23-year-old Ashley Jones lost his life in an accident at Myrtieford, Victoria two weeks ago. Originally from Albury, Jones had only returned home a week prior to the accident, which occurred in the final. Jones was airlifted to Royal Melbourne Hospital but died of his injuries. Jones had raced this year in the UK Premier League with the Championship-winning King's Lynn squad. Jones shared a house with fellow rider and close friend Kevin Doolan this season, describing this year as the best of his life. Jones, below, was widely considered one of Australia's most promising Speedway riders, placing 12th and 13th in the last two Australian Solo Championships and proving to be a star of the future both here and abroad.

Council and the Springs Stadium Residents Association. A 10-race calendar has been announced, beginning this weekend. Noise level restrictions had forced unworkable parameters on the inner-city venue, but negotiations between the three parties at the 11th hour have saved the picturesque speedway from

what looked to be imminent extinction. Western Springs promoter Dave Stewart has guaranteed residents one weekend each months free of racing and will continue to investigate solutions to the SSRA's objections. The traditional Boxing Night event will remain, with international fields of Sprintcars and Midgets.

i, ’“'OTORC CLING

n Round 5 of Proton World Series Sprintcars at Heartland Raceway, Moama has been moved. The venue has been hit by heavy rainfall, rendering the track unraceable on the original December 2 date. Heartland will now host Round 15 on January 5, replacing Wagga, as that circuit has failed to gain a track licence, n Michael Burford has won the opening round of the Revolution Racegear 360ci Sprintcar Series at Adelaide's Speedway City. Michael's father Dennis was second, and Mark Caruso's late mechanical failure gave third to Ross Wright. -STAFF/GREG BOSCATO

Hoosier Tire Australia Proton World Series Sprintcars 2005/2006 Championship Australian Distributors for

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2005/6 Standings to 19/11/05 gWil

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23 November 2005

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MATT Shepherd completed his Top Fuel licence testing last week at Western Sydney International Dragway - but only after an incident.

The run was to be to half¬ track, but when he got there, he found the throttle stuck and ended up in the sand trap. Shepherd recorded a run of 5.03s at

272mph.

Damage to the car was contained to the front wing assembly and a bent steering arm, but the driver emerged from the wreckage unharmed.

OF KO\

IHRA Closes with T

HE IHRA closed out the 2005 season recently with Clay Millican winning an unprecedented ninth-consecutive race at Rockingham, a track he has virtually owned since 2001. Joining Millican in the professional Winner's Circle were Mike Janis in Torco Pro Modified, Frank Gugliotta in Torco Pro Stock and Rob Atchison, whose Rockingham performance enabled him to claim his thirdstraight Alcohol Funny Car title. Millican's win put the finishing touches on his fifth-consecutive World Championship in Top Fuel. His ninth win of the season came

against Doug Foley. This was the fifth time that Millican and Foley have squared off in a final round this season, with Millican coming out on top four times. The Werner Enterprises pilot defeated Bobby Lagana in the first round, with both cars experiencing troubles. Millican then defeated Louie Allison, who shut off early. That set up the final round against Foley, where Millican recorded a winning 4.55s/319mph to Foley's 4.64s/293mph. Millican reclaimed the IHRA elapsed time record back from Andrew Cowin, running a 4.484s during Saturday night qualifying. In Torco Pro Modified, Janis defeated Carl Spiering in the final.

6.13s/234mph to 6.17s/231mph. After a season plagued by DNQs, Janis started race day from his number four position of 6.09s/ 235mph. A 6.13s/233mph dispatched Billy Harper and sub-par runs of 6.86s/202mph and 6.53s/180mph took out 2005 champion Mike Castellana and new e.t. record-holder (6.046s) Mike Bell. Spiering, the third qualifier at 6.07s/233mph used 6.14s/232mph, 6.13s/232mph, and 6.20s/232mph passes to defeat Harold Martin, Rick DiStefano and Steve Bareman. Team-mates Mike Castellana and Shannon Jenkins recorded the quickest times ever for nitrous breathing Pro Mod cars during the event. Castellana recorded a stout 6,10s/229mph in his Western Beef Chevy Cavalier, while Jenkins stopped the timers at 6.12s/228mph in his Iceman '68 Camaro. In Torco Pro Stock, Frank GugUotta finished his late-season surge with a win over Robert Patrick, recording a final round 6.40s/218mph against Patrick's troubled 8.48s/114mph. Patrick, above, had been rivaling newlycrowned champion, Steve Spiess, as having the car to beat all weekend, and he eventually lowered the world e.t. record to a 6.360s, the quickest Pro Stock pass in IHRA history. Patrick qualified in the record quick field (6.44s bump) in the fifth

moiorsport news

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In just five races Bareman drove the Summit Racing Equipment '53 'Vette to two final rounds and set both ends of the IHRA performance record for the class at 6.050s and 236.46mph. The team will have two cars at their disposal in 2006 as Oddy's Jerry Bickel-built Dodge Stratus has now been repaired. The team plans to test early next year and then begin the season at the IHRA season opener at San Antonio, Texas. n Don Schumacher confirmed that Brian Corradi will be the crew chief on the Mateo Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Stratus Funny Car for the 2006 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Corradi, became crew chief for Dean Skuza in 2003 after joining that operation in 1996. Corradi also worked on Frank Pedregon's Funny Car team for 10 races this year.

Rock and Roll

Record run: Robert Patrick made it all the way to final round, setting a new IHRA Pro Stock elapsed time record of 6.360s.

spot at 6.38s, and recorded winning passes against John Montecalvo, Ed Machacek, and Spiess. The record-setting weekend saw five new members join the Lenco 6.30s Pro Stock Challenge. Jerry Haas,John Nobile, Rick Jones, Patrick, and Daniel Seaman all dipped into the 6.3s range,joining Brian Gahm,Spiess, and Gugliotta to fill out the first eight spots. With the Alcohol Funny Car title stUl undecided between Atchison and Jim Sickles, Atchison lowered the

23 November 2005

elapsed time record to 5.694s when he dispatched Thomas Carter in the first round. This coupled with Sickles bowing out in the opening frame and giving Atchison the 2006 championship. Atchison backed up that run with a 5.713s/246.30mph against Neal Parker. This set the stage for the final against familiar foe Mark Thomas and Atchison lowered the record once again, posting a 5.685s/247mph against Thomas 5.81s/240mph. - DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

n After tuning the Top Fuel dragster of David Baca to a semi-final appearance at the NHRA Auto Club Finals at Pomona Raceway, Baca announced the signing of friend and former partner Rick Henkelman as crew chief for the 2006 season. Baca qualified third with a pass of 4.485s at 324.28mph and reached the semifinal running consistent elapsed times in the 4.50s range.

Kalitta gets Funny

TOP Fuel dragster driver Scott Kalitta will make a return to the cockpit of a Funny Car for Kalitta Motorsports when the 2006 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series kicks off its 2006 season at Pomona Raceway. Johnny West has been named as crew chief for the new race car. West will be assisted by Larry Meyer, another veteran NHRA nitro tuner, as co-crew chief. The new flopper will be draped with a Monte Carlo body, while Connie 'the Bounty Hunter' Kalitta's air cargo company, Kalitta Air, will serve as the new flopper's sponsorship partner until further corporate funding can be attained. - DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

n Former Top Fuel and Funny Car driver Bruce Sarver, a two-time winner in the Funny Car class, took his own life November 10. San/er was 43. Sarver scored two wins in 10 Funny Car finals and had two runner-ups in Top Fuel.

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n One day after celebrating in the Pro Stock winner's circle at Pomona Raceway for the fifth time in his career, Jeg Coughlin announced that he's leaving Don Schumacher Racing, and plans to race part-time in the sportsman ranks. "Things didn't work out here exactly the way I had hoped," stated Coughlin, above. "\ started questioning if I was still enjoying myself mid-summer, and when that happens, it suddenly hits you that you need to step back and reevaluate what you're doing. I'll be back, but I need a break." - DAVID OSTASZEWSKI 67

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Bitter, Sweet

Zukanovic dominated a rough V8 Ute finale at Symmons Plains by MITCHELL ADAM

T certainly wasn't his best weekend of the year, but Damien White did enough to see off a late charge from Marcus Zukanovic and claim the 2005 Yokohama V8 Utes Championship at Symmons Plains Raceway. White entered the final round of the season with a 56 point advantage over Zukanovic, and thanks to that comfortable margin, was able to hold off Zukanovic's threat and take his second-consecutive title White didn't finish higher than 12th in any session after struggling with gearbox and differential problems early in the weekend. On the other hand,Zukanovic's start couldn't have been better. He

Halt in proceedings: Dane Allan Simonsen had a balljoint fail at turn two and slammed the safety fence so hard that it ripped apart. It caused lengthy delays.

claimed pole position, and converted it into a lights to flag victory in the opening race. In the second inverted grid race, he came from the mid-pack to finish fifth aboard his Falcon, while White could only manage a pair of 13th placings in the opening two races. This helped Zukanovic close the gap dramatically, but to take the title he needed to win the final race, and have White finish 20th or worse. Zukanovic fulfilled his side of the equation by taking the win, while

White finished 12th, which got him across the line. The focus of the weekend was on the championship battle, with six drivers entering the weekend with a shot at the title. Ryal Harris started proceedings equal on points with Zukanovic,but left 76 in arrears after a tough weekend which included a mechanical failure and midfield finishes in the other two races. Using podium finishes to leapfrog Harris in the championship standings were Gary Baxter and Rod Wilson. Baxter was second in the first race

AFTER winning the 2004 V8 Utes Championship in a. Holden, Damien White decided to stay in the category another season, and just to prove to the doubters wrong, he won back-to-back titles, but in 2005, he did it in a Ford. But it was a close run thing. Having a 57 point lead going into the final round, you would/ have though the title was secure ... He left Symmons Plains with an eight point winning.gap over Marcus' Zukanovic. "It is very satisfying to win this championship," he said. "There were some people who said that there were doubts over our car last year, so to separate myself from that team and to jump in a Ford, and to win it, was fantastic. "Warren Luff won back-toback V8 Ute titles in 2002/03, but ri'owTve done it in a Holden and a Ford ... so I’vS” even got one up on the Luffster! "The points at the end were very close, but we knew what the points structure was and the first three positions in Utes racing are worth something, but beyond that, it's only one point for each position. If you dicing for seventh and eighth, it's hardly worth taking a risk." - GRANT ROWL£Y

after pushing Zukanovic all the way. The race was called short after a suspension failure sent Allan Simonsen's Falcon Ute into the armco at high speed on the exit of him two. The incident brought out the red flag. Matthew O'Grady was third followed by Jack Elsegood and Wilson in fifth. Wilson and Baxter kept the points ticking over with top eight finishes in the reverse grid race, which was won by James Brock from Dave Griffin and Simonsen. n Gavin Bullas had crossed the line in second place but was latter pinged by officials for a driving infringment against Yanis Derums. Baxter and Wilson battled it out in the final race of the weekend, which

was also Wilson's swansong event, having announced his retirement at the end of the Symmons round. Wilson put a late-race move on Baxter to claim second place in the race. Simonsen's weekend ended with fourth in the final race, with Griffin and Brock completing the top six. Another retiree, two-time Bathurst winner Allan Grice, finished 16th in his last motor race. Points: White 634,Zukanovic 626, Baxter 601, Wilson 596, Harris 550, Brock 536, Moffat 523, Jane 518, Bullas 481, Simonsen 468.

motorsportnews

NATIONAL SCENE

Washington's Daily Double Bryce picked up the Aus GT crown, while Hackett dipped out with mechanical heartache

o say that the fifth and final round of the Speed Energy Drink Australian GT Championship/Porsche Driver's I Challenge at Goulburn's Wakefield Park i Raceway was a dramatic affair would be a I major understatement. I Heading into the final round, I Lamborghini Diablo GTR driver Peter j Hackett had a stranglehold on the series, i but by the end of the weekend, his nearest ! rival Bryce Washington in his Porsche GTS I Cup Car, was declared the Champion of i both the GT crown and the Porsche Driver's I Challenge. The round spoils, though, were reserved

for Tasmanian Greg Crick, who was making a cameo appearance in his Dodge Viper ACR. Race 1 and 2 was captured in dominant fashion by Crick, while Hackett was sidelined due to clutch and gearbox woes, which put Washington into the box seat for the title. With Hackett's team unable to repair the gearbox problem, he was a non-starter in the third race. Drama on the warm-up lap then hit Crick, which turned out to be a fuel switch malfunction. The ex-V8 Supercar driver was able to continue on, but was forced to start at the tail of the pack for the rolling start.

Up front, Washington built up a | comfortable lead and managed to hold out 1 a hard-charging Crick. Third was a dead j heat between John Kaias and Mark Eddy, who were stuck together throughout the weekend in a fierce battle between the Porsche GTS drivers. | It a truly remarkable run of fortune for j Washington, as he was able to take out two ; championships on the one weekend. ! - DAIMIEL POWELL : Final points: Washington 462, Hackett 414, Palmer 277, n Teulan 263, Bryson 219. ' PDC points: Washington 421, Kaias 311, Eddy 307^3^^ Malcolm Lynn 195, Simon Middleton 172.

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23 November 2005

Commodore Cup:

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HIS second round win in succession moved reigning series Champion Geoff Emery to the top of the RDA Rotors Commodore Cup standings for the first time in 2005. Emery controlled the opening part of the weekend at Symmons Plains, winning the first two races. He led both from start to finish but it wasn't a walkover, with Marcus Zukanovic pushing him all the way en route to a pair of second places. In the third and final race of the weekend, Zukanovic broke Emery's stranglehold on proceedings, passing him and taking the win. Second place was good enough for Emery to take the round honours. The now former points leader Ashley Cooper had a tough time, but found pace as the weekend progressed. He finished third in the final race, and third for the weekend. Like Cooper, Stephen White lost ground to Emery and Zukanovic in the championship standings. He entered the weekend second in the points and just five shy of the lead. He scored top four finishes in the opening two races, but a final race DNF hurt his title cause. David Gittus and Phil Howe had consistent weekends, finishing the round in fourth and fifth respectively. Adis Bebonis was the best of the older model VHs in eighth overall for the weekend. Emery and Zukanovic will carry their momentum to the final round of the championship at Eastern Creek on December 2-4; with the top four separated by 22 points. - MITCHELL ADAM

Mini Monte THE 2005 WPS Aussie Racing Car Championship was decided at Symmons Plains Raceway in favour of Tim Monte. After a tough opening round of the year, Monte fought back into title contention with a dominant middle stanza of the championship and led the series standings heading into the Apple Isle for the first time. He recovered from an incident to finish 13th in the opening race, but progressed up to fourth place in the second. Every position was crucial, as Sheridan Phillips, his main title rival.

collected a pair of second place finishes. In each instance, he finished behind Paul Kemal- who extended his unbeaten win run to eight in a row. Kemal tagged the rear of Phillips at the hairpin in the third race and they eventually finished 19th and fifth respectively. Their incident allowed Monte to take the race win, ahead of Nick Simmons. The title went down to the final race of the season, with Monte in the box seat. He finished sixth and wrapped up the championship, while

Points: Emery 727, Cooper 718,Zukanovic 709, White 705, Holdsworth G40, Bates 609.

Finishing in Style Nine out of 1

PETER Hackett won his second national open wheel championship two weeks ago at Wakefield Park Raceway, taking two race wins at the rural track to score the Australian F4000 title in crushing fashion. Hackett won nine of the 10 races he started this season and never looked like being beaten at the New South Wales circuit, scoring pole by 0.8s and leaving the weekend as the new lap record holder - slicing 0.2s off the existing mark. “It’s all gone to plan this weekend,” said Hackett. “We came out to finish the races and 70

HE may have already clinched the title, but that wasn't enough to stop Alfa Romeo ace Tony Ricciardello from giving it his all during the final round of the Kerrick Industrial TranZam Sports Sedan series held at Wakefield Park ^Vwrr two weeks ago. 1 Ricciardello took two race wins en route to the overall round victory, but was MB f forced to work for his success. Darren Hossack pushed the champion hard and 1 ® beat him in one - the first person to do so this year. take the championship this Neil McFadyen scored pole position in his Mazda Series 6, returning to the weekend and that’s what we’ve series after making his debut at Oran Park in September. He out-gunned been able to do." Ricciardello by 0.8s. A spin, however, dropped him back in the opening race An aggressive Derek Pingel after leading early, the Alfa Romeo took a 2s victory ahead of Hossack and was the bane of title contender Ty Kerry Bailey's Nissan 300ZX. McFadyen eventually finished ninth, lowering Hanger’s weekend, scoring a the class lap record by over Is in the process. fighting second in the opening A last-lap pass saw Hossack steal the Race 2 win by just over 0.1s. David race before being relegated to the Wall was an impressive third, while McFadyen failed to finish. The final race was a thriller: Ricciardello executed a penultimate-lap pass on bottom step of the podium, behind Hossack to steal the lead in the final corner after the Saab driver had frontHanger, in the final. - RICHARD CRAILL running the whole way. In a four-car battle to the flag McFadyen was third. Des Wall capped off a disappointing weekend with fourth in his Corvette. Points: Hackett 201,2 Ty Hanger 171, - RICHARD CRAILL Pingel 122, Crighton 66, Clearihan 52.

moiorsportnews

NUTIONAl.SCEHE

Lotus Title Shapes by MITCHELL ADAM

Phillips was 13th. Putting his Race 3 incident behind him, Kemal showed why he has dominated recent rounds, taking another race win from seventh on the grid, ahead of Simmons. Coupled with fourth in Race 1, third in Race 2, and second in Race 3,Simmons' consistency across the weekend eamt him the round win - his first in the series. James Ward led the final race early, but ended his season as reigning Champion in third place ahead of Brad and Phil Ward. Mark Duggan took the Masters Cup round win, while Shane Wolki secured class title. Points: Monte 369, Phillips 363,Janies Ward 352, Brad Ward 350, Kemal 348, William Yarwood 338

THE shape of the 2005 Kumho Tyres Lotus Trophy championship battle got a massive overhaui in the penuitimate round at Symmons Piains Raceway recentiy. James Harrigan and Damien French split the wins in the two completed races, after the opener was cancelled due to a heavy crash. They moved up the championship order, while previous leaders David Sieders and Andrew Fisher had weekends to forget. Harrigan won Race 2 and was sixth in the reverse grid encounter to claim second for the round and the championship lead. Reigning series Champion French was the round winner, after finishing fourth in the Race 2 and winning the final ::..j A consistent Tim Poulton was third for the weekend. John Pegonis won Class B on a countback, having finished tied on points with Simon Arthur. Sieders and Fisher’s title aspirations were hampered by separate incidents at turn seven.

Hairpin hassle: Poulton and Thomlinson would have impressed precision driving team with this wheel stand at Symmons's hairpin.

The latter clashed with Bruce Thomlinson and failed to finish, with a similar fate awaiting early race leader Sieders, who collected a spinning Richard Buttrose two laps later. Fisher recovered to fifth in the final race in a borrowed car, while

Special Vehicles WHILE the HSV Dealer Team were sorting out the V8 Supercar pack in the main races at Symmons Piains, some genuine HSVs were making iife even sweeter for Hoiden's performance arm in the Donut King Australian Performance Car Championship in Tasmania two weeks ago. South Australian Steve Cramp won the penulitimate round, while Peter Floyd extended his series lead. It will take some sort of misfortune for Floyd to be overcome in the championship finale at Phillip Island. Cramp's round win made him the sixth different round winner from six rounds this year. "It's been a long time coming," he said. "I broke my own lap record twice, it was great. The car was fantastic — it could've been a 30 lap race and the car would have just kept going. The times were great all the way through." Peter Floyd was second for the round, in front of another Holden of Barrie Nesbitt (Donut King Holden Monaro). Garry Holt's Mitsubishi Lancer was the fastest four-wheel drive at Symmons, but a mix up in Race 2 with Floyd saw him cop a drive23 November 2005

through penalty. n. Beric Lynton had an encouraging run. He brought his BMW M3 home in third place in Race 2. Race 3 was red flagged and no result given when a nasty incident occurred at turn three. Nesbitt came together with Mark King and while the pair were recovering, Peter Leemhuis and King clashed and made heavy contact with the tyre barrier. Both drivers emerged unhurt. "Barry just must have been in my blind spot and I moved across to get my line and I didn't realise he was that far up," Leemhuis explained. "It's a funny spot where you come out of that corner there. One car is lower than you and you just don't see it. I'm disappointed, but that's the way it goes. With the final race cancelled, points from the three race format were distributed over the first two races. Cramp claimed the round win and leaps from 13th to sixth in the championship standings. Points: Floyd 403, Holt 355.5, King 308, Barry Morcom 255.5, Lynton 240, Cramp 214.

Sieders battled to 20th with gearbox problems. The title will be decided at Phillip Island on November 25-27. Class A Points; Harrigan 1096, French 1094, Fisher 1024, Sieders 1014. Class B Points: Arthur 832, Kingsley 824, Clements 728.

Four in a row »/SK Parts Charles

Passion, Honour,

REX Broadbent and Michael Goedheer have won their fourth Classic Adelaide Rally, driving their 1974 Porsche 911 RS to a commanding overall victory last weekend, also winning the Late Classic class. Broadbent and Goedheer used their experience on the rally to beat seven-times Bathurst winner Jim Richards and Barry Oliver, who at their second attempt at the demanding rally placed second in their 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo Cup, 1m22s behind the winners. Locals Roger Patterson and Paul Whatnell were third, also in a 1974 Porsche 911 RS. Consolation came for Richards and Oliver in winning the Heritage classification, taking into account car modification. Carrera Cup driver Paul Freestone and his wife Christine were second in Heritage in an 1958 Austin Healey 100/6 BN4 and third went to Nick Streckeisen and

former outright winner Michael Dale in a 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo. Rick Bates and Jenny Brittain won the Classic section in their 1973 Porsche 911. V8 Supercar star Steven Richards was the fastest car through the Wednesday prologue around Victoria Park, but the pre-event favourite's event ended on the first stage at Upper Hermitage, when his fuelinjected 1970 Ford Escort RS1600 blew a gearbox. - CHRIS JORDAN NEXT ISSUE: More Classic Adelaide coverage, including the trials and tribulations of the Motorsport News Ford Escort entry ...

ALTHOUGH entries were down on previous years, the compensation for Historic Sandown goers was that the cars that attended were of a world standard - plus this year,the weather was kind. A large array of Historic Touring Cars, Sports Racing cars, Formula Fords, regularity and MGs were on track, with the rcaing between the folk almost incident free. Rob Sherrard's fabulous Porsche 962 was one of the popular guests at the outerMelbourne facility. The car is best known for placing third at Le Mans where it was comfortable cruising at a tad under 400kph. At Sandown however, it proved difficult to get off the start line, but once it got moving it was seriously fast and won the first race in the hands of its owner. In the classic Group C and A Touring Car races, David Hole in

Sweeping away those in the way LOCAL racer Adam Allan used the broom on his 42

competitors in the Sims Metal/Yokohama 2005 Australian Improved Production Championship at South Australia's Mallala Motorsport Park. From the outset, Allan made the most of his home track knowledge, topping the time sheets with a lap time almost 0.5s from his nearest rival Anthony Wallis. At the drop of the green Allan pounced to lead the field away into the first turn while Scott Flemming bogged his Mazda RX7 down on the line and was quickly shuffled down the field. With clear track ahead, Allan started to open the gap as the rest of the field jostled for position. After an uneventful 20 laps of competition a jubilant Allan took his Datsun 1200 across the line to claim his first national crown. New South Welshman Flemming had his work cut out for him as he fought to work his way back from the lower half of the top 10 to edge out James Sutton for the runner-up position. Steve Knight finished where he started in fourth aboard his all-wheel drive Mitsubishi Lancer while the Boastworx team of Wallis and Shaun Duns were next two home. 72

Seventh to ninth position were all claimed by visiting interstate drivers Adrian Kroonstuiver(NT), West Australian Kevin Ledger and Michael Uebergang (Qld). Local Tim Playford rounding out the top 10 aboard his RX3 Mazda. - PARIS CHARLES

the Walkinshaw VL Commodore and Terry Ashwood in the ex-Jim Richards/Gibson Motorsport Nissan Skyline swapped places a number of times until Hole took the outight victory. Ashwood finished second. Peter Harburg, pictured above main, won the majority of the Group M and 0 class races. Alan Richardson took the spoils in the final MG race.

Race-long

RICHARD Huer dominated proceedings in the Kingswood races at the Wakefield Park AMRS round recently, winning all three races - but not without holding off two furious finishes in a competitive weekends racing from the closely-packed 17-car field. Race 1 was the most competitive. Huer and Rodney Moynahan had a race-long dice for the lead before going side-by-side to the line; Huer wirming a thrilling finish by under 0.1s after starting from pole position. Race 2 was just as close. Huer this time defeated Peter Kalpaxis in yet another close result- the margin just 0.2s between the two. Moynahan was third a further second up the road. The third race was relatively pedestrian, however. Huer beat Brett Smith and Kalpaxis to the line by a couple of seconds in the most lope sided score card for the weekend. - RICHARD CRAILL

motorsport news

NATIONAL SCENE

Queensland State fim down to the wire

THE final Queensland State championship round of the year last weekend (hosted by the MG Car Club of Qld) also played host to the Supersport Super Challenge. Queensland Sportscar Champ Grant Watson, driving his self-built Kawasaki-powered Prosport Mulsanne took a three second victory over NSW Champ, Peter Saunderson (Radical Clubsport) with William Sherwood third (Saidor 166S). The final state championships still up for grabs saw Shane Bradford (Mazda 323 Rotary) wrap up the Sports Sedan title while Chris Donnelly (EB Falcon) and Phil Crompton (Ford Mustang) each beat Geoff Gillespie's stunning new BMW M3 turbo to the race wins. A broken first gear was not enough for Adam Uebergang (Mazda RX7) to lose the Improved Production title to Justin Keys (Mazda RX3) despite Keys two wins.

The Geminis put on their usual brilliant show, with Ash Jarvis taking the first win, but a last lap confrontation saw Nick Rangeley cede the title to 17-year-old Ben Singleton who had to win the last race just to be in with a chance. A pair of fourths were enough for Troy Norris (EA Falcon) to wrap up the Saloon Cars. The wins were claimed by Kris Walton on his state level return over Jake Camileri and Jono Beikoff, all in Fords. Gary Bonwick wrapped up the HQ Holden title, defeating his rival Mike McCloud in both races. Gary Sturdy (Dallara F304) took both Racing Car races over Trent Usher (Van Diemen RF96K). Grant Bromley (Jacer JF2K4) defeated Matthew Mackelden (Elfin NG) in the Formula Vee races. Steve Cloake (Stockman MR2 Honda) took a clean sweep of the four Superkart races. - MARK JONES

Promoter's Dream HOME track advantage - and a slice of luck - played right into Garry Wilmington's hands during the penultimate round of the Gulf Western Oils Australian Touring Car Challenge at Wakefield Park recently. The circuit promoter snatched the overall series lead with a strong performance across the three races. Commodore driver Matthew Hunt,lending below, took the round, beating Richard Mork and Wilmington for the weekend's honours after some frenetic racing. Former series leader Terry Wyhoon diced hard with Hunt and Wilmington

23 November 2005

before taking a narrow victory in the opening scratch race. That win, however, would prove to be Wyhoon's only highlight. Mechanical dramas sidelined the Falcon in Race 2.

Peter Vicary lead from start to finish to take the second race, while Mork won the final ahead of Peter Kelly and Hunt. Kelly scored overall Super Tourer honours, Mark Telfer (Commodore) the Future Tourer round and George Vergotis(VL Commodore) won Group A. -RICHARD CRAILL

HATIONAL SCENE

SSS: Big cash payouts during finai rounds of the year

Karting Stalwart Quits DAMIEN Meyer has decided to call it ! quits. The 28-year! old has been racing karts for nearly 20 years and had his last race meeting at Newcastle’s Premier

Besnard and Mark Webber, but didn’t pursue a professional career overseas. He did, however,finish inside the top 10 at the first-ever Rotax World Finals and has competed on and off in Formula Ford for a couple of seasons. He also grabbed another Australian karting championship in 2001, winning the Rotax Heavy title, and earned seven state titles and two Super-8 finals throughout his career. While he doesn’t plan on returning to the driver’s seat, he won’t completely rule it out. “Who knows, 1 might get bored in six months!” he said, “but I’ll still do some test and development work for CRG so hopefully that will be enough.” He also plans to help some junior drivers. “You see some kids today, and they don’t look like they’re having fun, and that’s not good for the sport.” “I’ve had good fun, but now it's time to change focus and concentrate on the (family) business a little bit more.” - MARK WICKS

R i /

state Cup round a couple of weeks ago. “It’s been a big > commitment, in both time and money, over ail those years to keep running up the front,” Meyer told MNews. “It’ll be hard, but 1 just feel it’s time for a change and to see what normal people do with their weekends.” Having started out as a 10 year-old aboard the little known Trakart chassis, Meyer had a short spell with Tony Kart before switching to CRG in 1991 and winning his first National title in Juniors. Meyer has driven CRG exclusively ever since. “I actually contemplated retiring last year, but the CRG people, who have been really supportive over all these years, convinced me to keep going another year.” Meyer grew up going wheelto-wheel with the likes of David

Karting Briefs

IN a move to entice more offshore entries, the Kartsport New Zealand body is offering free entry for overseas competitors at the 2006 CIK Trophy of New Zealand. To be held on the undulating Hamilton circuit in January, several Australians are expected to compete. WA's Paul Williams has already indicated he will race in Intercontinental C while NSW's Warren White Jnr will line up in the Junior class.

■ In line with the next CIK-FIA chassis homologation period, European manufacturer Swiss Hutless will 74

TWO of the main state-level karting series concluded with their final rounds on November 5-6. Thousands of dollars worth of prizes and product were won during the year in Victoria's Golden City Power Series and NSW's Premier State Cup. But the biggest prizes went to the winners of Rotax Light and Rotax Heavy at Newcastle's PSC final. Kristian Lindbom (Arrow) and Kel Treseder (Top Kart) picked up the $10,000 cash prize for each class courtesy of DPE, Rotax and Bridgestone. For Lindbom, the prize was some consolation for defeat in KartStars. The JT driver won the pre-final ahead of series leader Jason Hryniuk and soon drove away to a commanding lead in the final. Hryniuk's great run came to an end with a loose airbox. Peter Orr was second ahead of local Hayden McBride. Treseder's effort in Heavy was significant- the Queensland driver had to commute south from Bundaberg for each of the NSW races. Treseder led the opening lap from pole with Tom Williamson and ■Damien Meyer filling the placings. Treseder also won the tough Clubman Heavy class ahead of Hryniuk while Daniel Erickson won Clubby Light over Lindbom. Multiple each category: George in RM1, David Sera in Senior MAX and Jono Taylor in junior MAX.

release new models in 2006. Two of their frames will be called Toxic and Diabolik - but it wasn't the company's marketing department that dreamt up the names. Instead, the firm ran a competition and received over 1500 suggestions from karters around the world.

■ The Rafferty's Rules team won the 200 lap TaG enduro at Raleigh Raceway earlier this month. After nearly four hours of racing, drivers Gary Chick and Warren Henry steered their CRG to a narrow 6s victory with virtually no fuel left in the tank! Queensland's 'Crash Test Dummies' team won the Heavy division.

■ Tasmania's Ben George has been awarded a wild card entry to this weekend's Rotax World Finals in Malaysia. George, who won the 2005 Austrian Rotax MAX championship, will make a start in the RM1 class. For the first time, Australia will have a driver in

■ The South Australian Festival State Cup concluded recently and the new Champions are: George Gutierrez (Midgets), Paul Sharman (Rookies), Scott Kissock (Jnr National Light and Jnr Clubman), Rowan Booth (Jnr National Heavy), Kyle Booth (Senior

state champion Matthew Hart was again the Midget winner while Grant Dyga (Rookies), Ryan Reynolds (Jnr National Light), Daniel Baker (Jnr National Heavy),Tommy Quinlan (Jnr Clubman), Daniel Stein (Snr National Heavy)and Dean Oven(Clubman Super Heavy)also enjoyed wins. MEANWHILE at Puckapunyal, there was another big entry for a GCPS round which also hosted the Leopard final (sec last issue). Dean Foster upstaged James Sera to take the Clubman Light victory and Lee Mitchener made his first appearance in the series to win Clubman Heavy. Leigh Nicolaou kept his perfect Junior Clubman record intact with another win. Mark Dorbolo made a return to the sport and promptly won Senior National. In the finals, nobody could get near Jason Stania (Clubman Super Heavy), Christian Palumbo (Rotax Light), Michael Pereira (Rotax Heavy), Trevor Whitby (Clubman Over 40) or Frank Fella (Rotax Over 40). The same could not be said for the other classes, Cameron Waters (Midgets), James May (JNH), Daniel McLeod ONL), Franky Costanzo (F/Australia) and Luke Rochford (Rookies) all having to fend off challenges to take their wins. - MARK WICKS National Light), David Baliga (Senior National Heavy), Mason Merritt (Clubman Light), Paul Pittam (Clubman Medium), Michael Cross (Clubman Heavy), Jason Holding (Clubman Super Heavy), Simon Layne (Clubman Over 40) and Darryl Rice (Sportsman SA-C) ■ Ben Walter won the $2000 Bartercard Sportsman Eliminator event at Launceston recently. Drawing grid 16 for the start, Walter carved through traffic to avoid elimination as the person in last place each lap was removed from the race. After contact in the early stages. Heavy Cup winner Jared Bishop and Light Cup winner Aiden Shelton were early casualties. Zane Wyatt and Josh Saunders filled the podium, all three drivers on Arrow. - MARK WICKS

motorsponnews

A New Plan

Peter Peirano, principal of Piranha Insurance Brokers, is a motorsports nut. He’s also an insurance broker with vast experience. Peter put ‘insurance’ and ‘motorsports’ together and created an insurance product that’s long overdue in the Australian Motorsports Industry. The Real Deal Motorsports Insurance Plan was designed by Peter Peirano and is underwritten by CGU insurance Limited. From drag cars and bikes to speedway, V8 Supercars, HQ Holdens, Rally Cars or Exhibition Vehicles, a plan is available for all types of motorsporting vehicles including race vehicle transporters insurance. Two options are available; Option A provides full accidental damage in transport and storage. Cover is available for tools, merchandise, driving suits, crew uniforms, spare parts and any other items associated with your racing activities. Option B is a simple and affordable plan which covers against collision in transit and fire, flood or explosion while in storage. Cover is excluded from when you leave your pit to move to and enter the staging lanes or race track. Visit www.piranhainsurance.com.au to download the complete brochure, get a quote or find out more about the company and insurance products offered, or call Peter or Nathan Peirano on (freecall) 1800 650 077.

Grand Prix Motorcycles has opened one of the largest independent motorsport workshops in Brisbane catering for motorcycles and race cars alike. As the name suggests they are into bikes and the team have vast experience in race and street performance preparation for most motorcycles. Grand Prix motorcycles is a one stop shop for all motorcyclist needs, a fully equipped workshop provides servicing and the ability to supply and fit all parts and accessories. Drawing on their knowledge and experience in performance engines Mark and Brett are now servicing and preparing race cars and karts. Competitors in categories such as Super karts, sports cars, Aussie Legends,Speedway, Future Racers, Formula Ford and Formula Vee have benefited from the experience, knowledge and service provided by Grand Prix Motorcycles. For more information contact Grand Prix Motorcycles on 07 3277 3998 or visit the workshop at 246 Evans Rd,Salisbury, Queensland.

Reverse seaei gleve GMP RACING PRODUCTS now have one of the most comfortable race gloves on the market.

This new FIA approved glove has the stitching on the outside, making it far more comfortable than stitching on the inside like most other gloves, which can lead to blisters and sore spots through rubbing. The new gloves are on special until the end of this year at only $99. Call GMP Racing Products on 03 9543 6222 for more information or the location of your nearest stockist.

Island Clubbing Phillip island Grand Prix Circuit is launching the latest development at the island track; the Island Summit Ciub is a state-of-the-art clubhouse offering panoramic views of the track with a stunning coastal backdrop. Members of the Island Summit Club will have entry to international events such as the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, World Superbike Championship and V8 Supercars with the finest

catering, viewing facilities and reserved parking. Membership of the Island Summit Club also entitles you to special circuit access and privileges for all other public events held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit including some of the nation’s most competitive racing on two or four wheels. Two days per year will be set aside for exclusive track days for members which will include activities such as HSV Hotlaps or ultra fast go-karting on the new mini GP track. Applications for membership are strictly limited, for more details contact Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 03 5952 2710 or visit www.phillipislandcircuit.com.au

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23 November 2005

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Datsun 1200 Coupe, under 2ltr sports sedan, top hp JTS A15 motor, new button clutch, toyota 5 speed, 4 wheel disc, 3 diff ratios, as new sllcks,8 sllcks/rims/4 wets. New seat, harnesss, battery, lots of fibreglas, quick car cheap and easy to run. Regrettable Sale. $8,500 ONO. James 0407 664 200, 324 www.myl05.eom/20723 HULK CIVIC PRICE DROP, awsum show car custom colour wif hulk aibrush thousands spent one of a kindl must see to bellve! dwn_n_drty_prelude@hotmail.com for pics ectl. 8000 ono Or Best Offer, jay 0424841783., 324 www.myl05.eom/28603

Aussie Racing Car. Falcon Complete Spares, fully enclosed trailer, very competitive car, ring for more details. $45000. Clinton 0403198747. 325 www.myl05.com/45436 Fraser Clubman, Imported 1997. Assembled by D.svid Hill, Penshurst Power Steering. Always garaged. Leather seats, alloy wheels (good tyres), healed windscreen, immobiliser, tonneau, hood and doors. . $40,000 Neg. David 0407479263 / 0262479263 324 www.myl05.com/56462

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2llr sports sedan nat. champ 03/04, A class leading car that will be sold ready to race.with 2 sets of rims.some moulds&parts. car is ready to race &win. $20,000 ONO. david 0357273202 / 0357273328. www.myl05.com/6548

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V Group Nc Boss 302 Mustang winner Biante series 2002 and 2003. Over 500 h/p 10 minilltes, 3 diffs, 2 gearboxes and much more. $110,000 or best offer by 10/12. John 0407 781 846. 325 www.myl05.com/32529

group c a9x torana, group c touring car 1977 bob morris 4 door a9x bathurst torana , original gmp&A4 door race shell 1 of only 10 .hilly restored with original cams log books .fresh tate engine, full race and ownership history offers in excess of $110,000 call Chris 03 9725 4441 0407 889 910. $110,000. Chris 0407889910. 324 www.myl05.eom/16347 Alfa Romeo, Alfa Romeo Built for Tarmac rallies no expense spared. Reg'd. Eng balanced 175bhp, lightwt pistons, 11.3/1 comp,48mm webers, very tomuey, head refreshed 2003, Bilsteins, c/r gearbox, 50% LSD,f/glass panels, plexglass windows, 15x7 wheels, 2 sets of Yokahama tyres, aluminium/foam fuel tank, vent/dlscs, 4pot calipers, fun car ready to rally. $29,990 ONO. Brian 0418519948. 324 www.my105.com/62958

Collectable/Memorabilia FORD ESCORT MK1, Excellent condition. Body work Is straight, no rust./Wways garaged. Car only used in supersprints. Great handling, quick with potential. Great targa car. Log Booked.$7,800 Neg. Sasha 0418 680 293.. 324 www.my105.com/7573

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Formula Ford VECTOR MG95 with trailer. Excellent condition. Complete ready to race. Lamer engine. Price Includes custom trailer, 2 sets of wheels & tyres,3 nose cones, nose box, 1 set wide pods, 1 set narrow pods. Assorted spare suspension springs sway bars bellville washers. Assorted spare wishbones & suspension components. Lap timer. A MUST SEE.$23,000 Neg. James 0400 700 007 324 www.my105.com/32243

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FI: Joe Saward, Adam Cooper, Paolo Filisetti Europe; Quentin Spurring, Gary Watkins, David Addison US: Phil Morris, Martin D. Clark Speedway: Brett Swanson, Julie Pearce, Geoff Rounds, Tony Millard (UK), Greg Boscato, Darren Sutton Rally: Jon Thomson Drag Racing: Dave Ostaszewski (USA), Nick Nicholas, Ken Ferguson National: Mark Wicks, Mark Jones, Daniel Powell, Erin McCowatt, Andrew van Leeuwen 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. ●Opinions expressed in Motorsport News are not necessarily those of Australasian Motorsport News or its staff.

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TEGA and AVESCO are always looking for new ways to enhance the racing and spectacle in V8 Supercar racing, but one suggestion that I have not heard raised concerns tyres. Can Dunlop produce some different compounds for the V8 Supercar teams to choose from on a race weekend? Even if they just had two (a normal and a softer option), then the teams could select which specification they want after the Friday practice session. The interesting part would be that you have to use the same spec tyre for qualifying and the races. This would mean that those who picked the softer tyre might qualify a better, but drop back a little during the races. This would provide the category with a lot of passing on the circuit, something we don't see enough of in a lot of categories these days. We would still have a control tyre, so it would be fair for the all teams, but would just create another area for the drivers, engineers and strategists to work hard in the search for an advantage.

Rob & Gloria gloria.rob@bigpond.com

V8 Sportsman class could help young talent In New Zealand they have their own V8 Touring Car class. The class consists of Commodores and Falcons and the cars are powered by a smaller V8 engine. In Australia, AVESCO should look into introducing a similar class - V8 Supercar Sportsman. A Sportsman class would be another way to help young Australian drivers who are on limited budgets make their mark in V8 Supercar racing. Like its cousin, these Commodores and Falcons could be

Tai converter Send us your thoughts: mail: PO Box 7072, Gardenvale, VIC 3186 fax: 03 9596 5030 www.mnews.com.au the combatants, sponsors, racers and in many cases state or regional government that deserve a lot more praise than is received. It has gone to Shanghai, it is going to Bahrain but after two wellsupported forays, it can't make its way back the nation's capital and someone needs to be made accountable for this. Why on earth would you present the ACT round on a long weekend and in the middle of winter, even though it was well-supported despite these two conditions? 'Ibis inevitably led the ACT Minister for Sport to spear the event after two years of a proposed five-year contract period. Michael Attwell mca_48@bigpond.net.au

A1 GP Corporate at Eastern Creek well below standard After enjoying corporate facilities at Eastern Creek V8 Supercars, Champ Cars at Surfers and Melbourne FI, we thought we'd do the same for the first Australian round of this new and exciting open-wheel category, AIGP

at Eastern Creek. Olympic Games-style country versus country in cars that look and sound great. Unfortunately, I was one of the many 'suckers' who paid $5000 and more for corporate packages. When I've booked a corporate table for other events, it's always been 'special', corporate at the Eastern Creek AIGP certainly was not. Every corporate event I've been to, all 10 of us have been given free programmes. I had to go begging, and received just one programme. On the Sunday morning, we were first to arrive. The organisers boasted over 200 corporate sales for the Sunday, but none of us who paid $5000 for a table of 10 were told that we would have to share our tables with the many extra people. Nine tables of 10 people equals 90, not over 200! As we couldn't follow the racing, due to no large screen opposite the pits/ corporate area, we thought we'd go watch Race 1 from Corporate Hill, which was great. Upon returning to our table, my mate, his son and I saw our invited guests standing sheepishly beside our designated table. When I said,'let's sit down, who wants a beer?', some redneck moron said 'piss off we're sitting here'. He and two mates hurled abuse at me and my guests, so I went to the event promoters and complained. More abuse followed, including the redneck moron further intimidating my guests and threatening my life. He should have been thrown out. Also, all our programmes and merchandise were stolen and one of my guests had his phone stolen. At next year's Aussie round of the AIGP, we will be joining the 'smart' punters and purchasing General Admission tickets and sitting on the 'HilT at the first corner. S. Wilson. Alexandria, Neiv South Wales

powered by a smaller V8 and run on a harder 'Group 2' tyre compound. Back in the Thunderdome days, AUSCAR Sportsman helped a lot of drivers and teams and make their mark in AUSCAR racing. A V8 Supercar Sportsman class could do the same for drivers wishing to make their mark in V8 Supercar racing. Malcobn Webster Ferntree Gully, Victoria

2 years $285

Overseas expansion, but no Canberra V8 race ... May I add my support to Greg Fawcett's Talk Converter letter

$390 $495

Post your cheque/money order to the address above, fax your credit card details (Bankcard, VISA, Mastercard, or Amex) to 03 9596 5030 or email to admin@mnews.com.au

Option tyre would spice up V8 Supercar racing

(MNews #318) and his support of a stronger V8 Supercar profile in the country that conceived it. Mr (Zochrane is often seen lauding his efforts in the growth of the series - and deservedly so. But in fact it is

Lots of tyres, but only one option: Readers Rob and Gloria think that an 'option' tyre could improve the spectacle of V8 Supercar racing.

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DRAG PARACHUTES I

After 27 years on the track,it's time to hit the road. In 1978, Yokohama developed the ADVAN brand with a focus on the rigours of circuit racing and rally competition. After a generation of producing race-winning tyres, ADVAN is now focused towards designing and engineering the best ultra-high performance passenger car and SUV tyres.

R-spec treaded race tyre for circuit racing, club sprints and tarmac rallies. Call the Yokohama Motorsport Dealers in your state.

When you select an ADVAN premium brand tyre from Yokohama you can be guaranteed to benefit from the latest advancements in technology and a transformation in the handling of your vehicle. ADVAN... Drive to the next level.

Premium road cars. Speed rated to 300 kmph & over.

Bob Jane T-Marts 13 2625 Vokohama Network 13 1509

For high powered SUVs. Rated to 300 kmph. Bob Jane T-Marts 13 2625 Vokohama Network 13 1509

Tyres made for living. That's YOKOHAMA