Motorsport News Issue 347 - 25 October-7 November 2006

INDY: INSIDE WILL POWER’S CHAMPCAR WORLD THE NEWS BEHIND THE NEWS

news

No.34725 October -7 November 2006 Australia $6.50 NZ $8.00 inc GST

TRIPLE 8'S NEW DEAL - OFFICIAL VE RACER ON TRACK

ISSN 1320-9744

9 771320 974012

\

BREAKING THROUGH THE 5 r II

1

\ ■

li I

'*

;( f

k

TECHNOIOGY a I BARRIER

1 \

cs

M

fl

i

' I

V

a

surface finish: < 4 microinches

f

a

a

k:

DiamomI Finish Rings

TM

T*

i K

2?Ty

w

ngs...

.g-yr-

iT/:

compression gas fc),i *■

I

JM

*_J

ly

*>* .i f

,,iPioprt|IJiyiantl-lriclion', ' : aarbspade.coaijn9t..Ji.-

HU

,S

I

available in BaplesS’or convenlional

4— radial wall:+/-,0005“

t ^D^^joCrSiCE^

\

■I

I

r

i

1

s

pressure ^ loading ^ , >?*●

.J d selection...

I.J

Only Total Se|P offyrs/you the winning piston ring technoiogy

■ Advanced ProfllingT/ Steel Rings ;^ m Diamond FtnlslifT» Rings m Gold FinishxM Riiig Sets ■ Gapless® Top* Rings i Gapless® 2nd Rings

■ Napier 2nd Rings ■ Classic/Conventionai Ring Sets ■ Advantage Ring Sets ■ Gapless® One Piece Oil Rings ■ ProRaiL & Custom Oil Rings ■ PVD & IP Coatings

MRFMMIINCE |WHOLESALE

■ TigI tet Tolerances ■ Cus p i Face Profiles ■ Any ^qre. Thickness or RadiallDimension ■ DorefSizes Available in .001’’ Increments

'-Vi.

Visit us oniine for ouf fuii product range avaiiabie from your iwarest distributor www.performancewliolesale.com.au

Ph: 07 3^081986

Home of the Gapless^ Piston Rip h TotalSeal.com

I

* patented ^patent pending

Issue 347 25 October7 November 2006

www.mnews.com.au

26 Box Seat

Beginnings and Endings

28 Opinion

Watch out,she's gonna fall!

i

' 82 Talk Converter Barry and the Ford teams

30 Five Minutesmth Fernando Alonso 32 Five MinutesWith Rick Kelly 34 Please Dial888 and leave a message Roland Dane on Bathurst, Lowndes and TeamVodafone 38 Teeming Australia Will Powertocked Indy-and we were with him all the way 42 My name's Ryan.I am a Champ Car driver Behind the Scenes at Briscoe's first CCWS race 44 Loeb and me, by Marcus Gronholm

1

RACE

!, 48 Their own private (Gold Coast) V8Party Todd wins,Rick closes the gap on Lowndes 56 Comeinnimber#l7!

I

Nelson Philippe is Indy's latest first-time winner 58 No Place like Home Massa talms Brazil, Alonsa takes title, Michael takes off 66 Mission:Ppssible Marcus Gronholm keeps the WRC title alive

J NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL 18 Bikes 20 Stateside

■VOftlA

22 Rally 66 International 68 Speedway 70 Drag Racing 72 NationqScene

77 Race Shop/Industry News 79 Classifieds

Photos Cover Holden Motorsport sutton-images.com Contents: sutton-images.com Dirk Kiynsmith Sony Ericsson

rai/iEs-SNEw MAE-OFEJCIAi

u

mum MAACEAOATAACA

TeamVodafone live!

IT'S official:Triple 8 will be TeamVodafone next season.

As exclusively revealed last issue, the Bathurst-winning Ford team and the telecommunications giant will begin a three-year partnership at the Adelaide 500 in yet-to-be announced colours.The deal, said to be worth as much as $20m by industry insiders, was announced today jointly by Vodafone's Australian Chief Executive Officer Russell Hewitt and Triple 8 Race Engineering Principal Roland Dane.

"Motor Sport fans are driven by passion, which Vodafone will fuel by bringing our partnership to life in new and exciting formats," Hewitt said.

The team will provide subscribers to the telco's

Vodafone live! 3G services with race previews with drivers Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup, inside-the-garage feeds direct to handsets and other news and information.To demonstrate the potential of the 3G link,60 Sony Ericsson handsets were delivered to the media today, all pre-installed with video of the announcement featuring Lowndes and \A/hincup.

"To know you have the backing and support of a global brand like Vodafone is a huge compliment and we are really looking forward to delivering a Championship result in 2007,"said Lowndes.

Vodafone operates in 26 countries world-wide and partner networks (ie, networks that can

been accessed by Vodafone customers) in another 33, and has 186.8 million customers, making it the second-largest mobile phone carrier in the world. It has operated in Australia since 1993 and its local customer base is around 3.1 million users.

Sony Ericsson, which becomes the team's'Official handset supplier'and sponsor, is one of the world's dominant mobile phone brands, selling more than 50 million handsets in 2005.

While the TeamVodafone deal will take over from Triple 8's Betta Electrical deal,the team will continue with many of its current sponsors, and details of the TV cars (including livery) are expected to be unveiled in January.

VEON

Holden Teams hard at

but Craig may get a call

COMMENTS made by Craig Lowndes after the Surfers Paradise round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series on the Gold Coast last weekend may have landed him in hot water.

Lowndes was given a late drive-through penalty in Race 3 for short-cutting the turn one chicane when Russell Ingall passed him.The Bathurst Champion needed to come to a stop in the middle of the chicane to avoid a penalty, but he didn't.

He tried to readdress his error later, however,the damage had been done. He dropped from fifth to 14th place.

The Race 3 penalty came after he was handed a time penalty (equivalent of a drive-through)for breaking traction on the warm-up lap of Race 1.

V8 Supercars Australia is set to investigate whether Lowndes could be further penalised for 4

insinuating that the championship was being manufactured against him.

Comments made by Lowndes on Network lO's coverage as well as other print media will be examined over the coming days. If V8SA feels that Lowndes has a case to answer, it will be referred to the Investigation and Prosecuting Officer Peter Wollerman.

After the Surfers Paradise rounds, Lowndes's championship lead has been reduced by Rick Kelly from 101 points to 30.

At Barbagallo Raceway last year, Marcus Ambrose made comments to the media that saw him cop a 25 point deduction, and a $25,000 fine.

Lowndes now faces a nervous wait to see if further action will be taken .., -GRANT ROWLEY

OTHER than winning the race,seven-times FI world champion Michael Schumacher could not have departed Grand Prix raci with more styie and' nache than in,his stunning dispiay g^HUqTlg Sunday's Braziiian ^rand Prix.

motorsportnews

NEWS % PM branaqan

TARGET work on new V8 Supercar

DEVELOPMENT of Holden's new Commodore VE V8 Supercar continues, with more aero testing set for Woomera this weekend.

The prototype of the car, which is being launched today (Wednesday) in Melbourne, has already run at Holden's proving ground at Lang Lang in the hands of Mark Skaife and Todd Kelly (pictured). Interestingly, the car features a'compromise'colour scheme that identifies it as neither a Holden Racing Team nor a Toll HSV DealerTeam example. And the media pics avoid the car's rakish and controversial rear wing.

All of the Holden-supported teams have taken delivery of VE bodyshells and are hard at work on the 2007 racers, while simultaneously continuing to prepare and race the current VZ models. A number of teams have had staff miss recent events to ensure that their build programs stay on schedule.

According to Holden Motorsport Manager Simon McNamara,the aim to have all new cars on the grid at the Adelaide 500 is within reach.

"We've been working in tandem with TEGA on VE development for over a year now,and Holden's ambition is for all our sponsored teams to start up next year with new cars," he said.

ars in Brazil but Alonso takes theiitle Without doubt,a Bridestoi "Tor it," a philosophical Michael pressure problem in qualifying. lave on Schumacher summed up shod Ferrari was the.kh Schumacher was making rapid post-race. rated by Felipe the day _ progress anyway in the opening "We had an insanely quick car laps, until a left-rear puncture ^Jjjissa'srelatively comfortable seconds after passing Renaultls*'" '**win - but the ease with which today. We probably had enough ^ Schumacher made timeon Giancarlo Fisichella-aWB rid of speed to lap everyone,to ba^ ^is divided as to and disposed of his peers was honest. I'd havetosay irwas a lap eigh class finale..wKlffhe car, with the ^^-wJagflWthere was slight contact. spectacular - as was the pass While Felipe Massa's emotional By the time Michael had made on his Ferrari replacement, Kimi jSBggg'we've got. But it just wasn't meant to be today,for me. home-soil win. Feriaawele'TMonso's it to the pits and resumed with Raikkonen,late in the race,^jir>"I’m really happy for Felipe that chamDionsli>ie»n!ncnina second. fresh rubber(and fuelled up), fourth. he could be the next Brazilian or ev^'Trtenson Button's 14th-torace leader Felipe Massa was 100 He se^la.e»fa^s fastest lap with after Senna to win here." third blinder would have created metres away from lapping him. and threw in a'purple headlines on any other day, on From here it was'on the edee''-"'"‘* sector'(faster still) on his final rac lap.

Sunday it was Sahumacher's never- ten-tenths stuff ajLthe«TO^as Joe Saward's Brazilian GP To even his greatest detractors, say-die'eomeback from last to emphasi§gd»b^Sa>uple of fourth which left commentators page 58 it was the exit of a champion. j3a.®Effigntswhen the Ferrari got off 5 Minutes with Fernando Alonso "The race was rather chaotic, the incredibly narrow grip line at struggling for superlatives. page 30 I guess that's the right word Interlagos.

Starting from \ oth^aMePfue\ 5 www.mnews.com.au

New TEGA board elected ^^^^jrow^ley_

independents is a "natural progression."

"We need to make progress," he said."It can only be a more stabilising thing as they come with a lot of business experience.The sport is not so much about wheel nuts, its commercial knowledge that they'll bring forward."

Hewson, who has had a life-long interest in

A

THE TEGA board has expanded from four to six members.

The Touring Car Entrants Group of Australia elected two new shareholders onto the board, and also introduced two independent representatives.

Roland Dane (Triple 8)and Kees Weel (PWR) have replaced Garry Rogers(GRM)and Mark Larkham (WPS) as the shareholders representatives, while former Federal Liberal Leader John Hewson and businessman Roger Cook join the seven-man board as the independent members.TEGA boss Kelvin O'Reilly is the chairman.

Dane,Weel, Hewson and Cook have Joined existing members Mark Skaife (HRT)and Steve Chalker(DJR).

Cook, Hewson and former AFL boss Ross Oakley were recently appointed to head up a cost containment commission that will implement a new cost structure for 2007.

I

;,V—

"■V-L Men

A

v:

S| II ^

Of the six members, four will be appointed onto V8 Supercars Australia board soon.

Weel, now in his 10th year as a V8 Supercar owner, told MNews that the board change is a breathe of fresh air.

"Change is a good thing," he said. "It gives a chance to offer fresh ideas and continue to improve the communication between TEGA and the shareholders. It was a good opportunity for myself to get on the board and build the business."

Weel said that the inclusion of the two

Extra tools in the chest

motor racing, is looking forward to the new role.

"I've been involved in the sport for a long time and am very happy to be on board," he said.

"Motor racing and particularly V8 Supercars is a fantastic sport that and one that I have followed for most of my life.

"I'm excited about playing an active part in trying to help shape the sport into the future."

TEGA represents the 18 V8 Supercar shareholders, and owns 75 percent of V8 Supercar Australia.The board is made up of two Ford and Holden representatives, plus the two new independents.

The new board will meet for the first time in the coming weeks to plot the short and long term future of V8 Supercar.

PCR secure Glenfords back for 2007, and pay its respects to a lost friend PAUL Cruickshank Racing has re signed Glenfords Tool Centres as the team's major sponsor for 2007.

The Queensland team will be known as Glenfords Racing next season, although the driver of the team remains unconfirmed. One driver closely linked to the drive is Ford staiwart John Bowe.

The month of October has been a tough one for PCR, but re-signing its major sponsor, and the team's best-ever result has boosted morale.

The Glenfords Ford squad used Shannon O'Brien's spare Falcon chassis Surfers Paradise last

weekend, and is likely to continue to use it for the rest of the season.

PCR's regular car was almost destroyed in an accident at Bathurst earlier this month, and the team only received the O'Brien chassis on the Wednesday after Bathurst.The Glenfords crew worked a full week to prepare the ex-Larkham Motorsport BA for Indy.

But the weekend couldn't have gone better.Team driver Marcus Marshall finished a season-best 18th overall, including three top 20 results.

The Indy weekend meant a lot to team boss Paul Cruickshank, who left his men to prepare the

O'Brien Falcon while he attended close friend Mark Porter's funeral in Hamilton, New Zealand two weeks ago. In respect, Marshall competed at Indy with Porter's #111 on the doors, right.

"It's been a tough couple of weeks, given that we lost a mate, and we had our own big crash at Bathurst,"he said.

"The boys really picked up the ball while I was in New Zealand. I'm very proud of them and I'm glad for Marcus (Marshall) as well. We got our best result this weekend (three top 20 places), plus we dominated the Carrera Cup." - GRANT ROWLEY

THERE'S NEVER BEEN WHY?

gWiV’S Pilf?cnn

j

Because when you subscribe to Motorsport News, you also get FREE and

EXCLUSIVE access to MIUEWS PLATIIUUIVI , our 24/7 website, with news updated daily, plus other exclusive features.

BE FIRST WITH ALL THE IMPORTANT MOTORSPORT NEWS! Yes, that's right! Australia's number one motorsport magazine, delivered to your door every two weeks plus FREE and EXCLUSIVE access to MNews Platinum 24/7

ALL FOR UNDER $3 A WEEK

;*««s

●e Hto ovwt

(Australian 1&2 year subscribers)

NEWS

Weels keep turning

Sypercheap stays with PWR,but what about Murph?

SUPER CHEAP Autos Racing is going full steam ahead into 2007,despite some uncertainty about who will drive one of its Commodores.

While industry rumours continue about the status of Greg Murphy with the PWR Racing team, principal Kees Weei has dismissed suggestions that his Melbourne-based squad would part ways with sponsor Supercheap at the end of the season, regardless of Murphy's future.

"Supercheap is here next year," he affirmed."That is certain and not tied to anything else."

Weel would not comment on the future of Murphy,citing privacy.Talk that Murphy had signed a deal to joinTasman Motorsport at the end of the season appears to be quite premature,at the very least, and MNews believes that the NZ hero is still a wanted man at PWR. One thing that Weel could confirm is that Cameron McConville is staying with the team ("and I am very happy about that,"said Weel)and that two cars would run next season "at this stage". MNews believes that there could be a third entry run from the stable, dependent on licences, and that former full-time driver and endurance co-driver Paul Vi is in line to resume driving for the team.

However, we believe that others will be ahe Weel Jr to replace Murphy,should the team st two-car outfit. Our sources tell us that the nur one target for PWR is Will Davison, currently with Dick Johnson Racing. While Davison is under option to DJR for next season, we believe that there have been talks regarding the youngster moving to the Dandenong team.

We further believe that another option is Paul Dumbrell. Again, he is under option to a team (Jack Daniel's j Racing) but we believe that there is k a chance that he could move to the SCAR team, with current team owner Larry Perkins's blessing. LP and Weel Sr are close and SCAR is an engine customerof Perkins Engineering. ’ The other option - and here we get into extraordinary waters - is John Bowe.

The long-time Ford man is sure to part company with Team BOC at the end of the year and, while we believe that his number one choice would be a move to the Paul Cruickshank Falcon team,there is a high level of respect for JB inside SCAR, not the least of which comes from former team-mate McConville.

While the Murphy matter is yet to be sorted, we believe that PWR would prefer to keep him as team leader but, if that proves impossible, if there is a way,there could just be a Will ...

-PHILBRANAGAN

Signed up

o 55

JASON Bargwanna and Max Wilson will return to WPS Racing in 2007 and beyond.

Former Bathurst winner Bargwanna said that the decision to return gave both himself and the team some stability.

"We've started to kick some real goals," he told MNews.

"The team is getting closer to where we need to be, we still have a long way to go, .., but with the momentum we've shown recently, I can't see why we can't acheive some good results."

One of the challenges for WPS Racing is their old ^ hardware'(ex-00 Motorsport Fords from 2003),and that they are the only Falcon team which doesn't receive Ford factory support.

Despite this,the team has " secured five top 10 results in the last six rounds.

Team manager Mark Larkham said that Bargwanna and Wilson are a strong part of the Queensland team's buildingprocess.

"An important part of the building process is some stability and the re-signing of both drivers helps achieve that outcome,"Larkham said.

-GRANT ROWLEY

REASON TO SUBSCRIBE TO motorsportnews!

How do I subscribe?

a ^^

Easiest? Via the www.mnews.com.au website, using secure National Bank internet credit card payment.

Discounted 1 and 2-year subscriptions available - OR, WHY NOT TRY OUR SPECIAL 8-WEEK (4-ISSUES -F MNews Platinum)'SAMPLE SUB'?

mi

1^;

1 Year

2Years

8 Week'Sample Sub'

(26 issues)

(52 issues)

(4 issues- web payment only)

$148.50

$285

: $25 ;

New Zealand,SE Asia ; $210.00 Rest of the World $270.00

:$390

$35

$495

$45

SUBSCRIPTIONS (A$) rjs-iei3»r«.-ie=*=*a

Australia (incGST)

7

(1 and 2 year subscriptions also available via fax, phone, and email-see p82 for details)

Check it all out on www.mnews.com.au

( iRkoswolth I FI

1I

%

era

BMW holds its aces THE BMW Sauber FI Team announced just before the Brazilian Grand Prix that it will as expected be retaining Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica next season. The two will be joined by youngster Sebastian Vettel, despite the fact that the German is under option to Red Bull in 2009.The team was going to test Timo Glock but it seems that Glock's best hope of a ride in FI is now a testing deal with Honda. n It is expected that Anthony Davidson will be confirmed as a Super Aguri FI driver in the next few days and that means that Honda needs a replacement for the chirpy Englishman. Honda sources say that there are four drivers in line for the job with Christian Klien, Gary Paffett, Glock and James Rossiter believed to be the men on the list. n Franck Montagny has finally been confirmed as the Toyota test driver for next year. The Frenchman will thus make the unusual switch from being a Honda driver to being with Toyota. n Renault F1 boss Flavio Briatore says he is going to take legal action against the powerful Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Serra, which alleged recently that he has links with a number of Mafia bosses in Italy and the United States.The Italian says he will sue for damages of $8m. n Speaking of Briatore, Nelson Piquet Jr has confirmed in recent days that he is now maanaged by the Renault FI bos. Piquet says that his aim is to replace Giancarlo Fisichella at Renault at the end of 2007- although there are many in FI who feel that this could happen sooner than that if Fisichella is not more competitive next year. n There is to be a change of management structure at Bridgestone Motorsport next year although longtime boss Hiroshi Yasukawa will remain the man in overall control,a position he has held since 1981. At races, however,the management of Bridgestone's FI operations are to be handed over to Dutchman Kees Van der Grint, who has been associaated with Bridgestone since the mid 1980s.

-JOE SAWARD 8

Gone but not forgotten: Cosworth was the last remaining link with some names like Lotus and Jim Clark...

msaward AN FIA back-flip in allowing Ferrari to supply two customer teams has sealed Cosworth's departure from Formula 1.

It means that the company can continue to supply both Spyker and Red Bull (Torro Rosso).

The announcement that Ferrari will be allowed to supply two customer teams with engines in 2008, which was agreed last week by the FIA World Council, is an odd decision. Article 43 of the 2008 FIA Sporting Regulations states that:"a major car manufacturer may not directly or indirectly supply engines for more than two teams of two cars each without the consent of the FIA".

The rule goes on to define a major car manufacturer as "a company whose shares are quoted on a recognised stock exchange or the subsidiary of such a company".

The rule was designed to give small specialist engine companies the chance to supply several teams,so as to be able to remain in business. But the

sport goes into 2007 with no independent engine suppliers left, Cosworth having been driven out of the sport because it cannot subsidise its engines as the manufacturers can afford to do.

Ferrari cannot hide behind the notion that it is not a major car manufacturer. Ferrari shares are not quoted on a major stock exchange but its parent company, at least according to the FIAT website, is FIAT and the Italian giant says it is listed "on the Italian Stock Exchange (Borsa Italiana), and on the New York Stock Exchange."

The other point is that there is a material advantage to be gained, given that there is now a testing restriction which means that an engine manufacturer running six cars will get more mileage and thus more data than teams that are running four engines.

This problem has already been encountered in NASCAR, where teams grew bigger in an effort to get more testing.This meant that the big teams soaked up more and more of the available sponsorship and the smaller teams were forced to either go out of business or merge with rivals in order to survive.

At last:Something to watch FRIDAY will change from as yawn to a must-see day in the 2007 Formula One World Championship.

While the two-race engine regulations remains in place, they have been modified so that they now take effect on Saturday morning.Teams will be allowed to run two cars in each of the two 90-minute free practice sessions on Friday without any engine restrictions.They will also be allowed to run a third 'test'driver.

so long as he drives one of the two nominated cars.

As well, teams will be allocated with 14 sets of d ry tyres per ca r for the weekend, dividecJ into a maximum of four sets on Friday and 10 sets for the remainder of the event.

What this means is that, whereas previous test drivers like Flonda man Anthony Davidson, right, have flogged around in a third car while the stars hid in the garages,teams will now be

encouraged to run as many laps as they can to set-up their charges for qualifying and the race.

There have also been changes to FI's Safety Car regulations, in that the pits will now remain closed until the cars are assembled behind the Safety Car (as is the case in the Champ Car World Series). This move is to remove the incentive to continue around the track at race speed in order to pit for fuel and tyres as quickly as possible, not an ideal

motorsport news

NEWS

Speedy

HEAD ROLLS AT WILLIAMS

Patrick head takes the helm:Sam Michael benched:AT&T money arrives MAJOR changes in the technical structure at WilliamsFI are in the wind following the announcement of major new sponsorship.

Despite suffering its worst season in Grand Prix racing, the team has attracted major(US$45m a year) sponsorship from US telecommunications giant AT&T and will soon announce a second major sponsorship deal with Philips, which is believed to be upping its involvement with the team next year.

This means that the team will have a healthy budget as it goes into its first year with Toyota engines.

Signing AT&T is a major coup for Williams, as the firm is a prestigious global player, which has been involved with McLaren in recent seasons. Prior to that, AT&T backed Jaguar Racing.

The key element of the team's technical 'restructure'is the return of Patrick Head to a bigger role than has been the case in recent years. Head has agreed to spend more time at the factory and will now live close to the factory during the week and travel to his family home in London at weekends.

Sam Michael remains the technical director but his job description has been somewhat redefined

and it is thought that he will be seen less at races next year.

The team has announced that Ed Wood is to be the new chief designer. He has been in that role for five months after joining the team from the Prodrive WRC programme. Prior to that he was a senior development engineer at Renault FI and before that was at Ferrari.

The team has also made some significant changes in its aerodynamics department with the appointment of Jon Tomlinson as the new head of aerodynamics.Tomlinson joined Jordan in 2000. He then followed Mike Gascoyne to Renault and has been there for four years, working closely with chief aerodynamicist DinoToso.

Amit Chakraborty, who previously worked with Adrian Newey at Williams, returns after several years as a senior aerodynamic engineer at McLaren.

Chakraborty, while former Williams and Jaguar designer - and Ford Performance Racing technical director-John Russell returns, having recently relocated from Australia. Chief aerodynamicist Loic Bigois remains but will report to Tomlinson.

-JOESAWARD

!

givLniages.cSm

scenario when the tracked is deemed to be unsafe to continue racing.

Lapped cars will be waved through the pack and around the track to reassemble at the back of the queue, meaning that any cars that lose a lap in the early going have a greater chance to reclaim it.

There will be two types of tyres allowed per race weekend, but teams must nominate one type prior to practice.

A number of 2008 regulations were also approved at the recent FIA meeting, including a control ECU, which will be mandatory for testing as well as races.The 10spot grid penalty for an engine change will continue (it was to be changed to a ballast penalty) and there will be a five-spot grid penalty should a car have its gearbox changed.

Gear ratios may be changed only once without penalty and under only supervision.

USA driver Scott Speed may be the loser as a further shuffle of drivers appears possible within the two Red Bull FI teams.

For a while now it has been assumed thatTonio Liuzzi and Scott Speed would be the drivers at ScuderiaToro Rosso next year (with Mark Webber And David Coulthard at Red Bull). Both men have Red Bull contracts and have had large sums of money invested in their careers to date.

There is however a problem as it appears that Red Bull is only commited to supply 50 percent of the running budget for Scuderia Toro Rosso next year and that co-owner Gerhard Berger is obliged to find the rest. To this end Berger recently hired former Williams marketing man Jim Wright with the brief offinding money for the team.With limited success to date,there are suggestions that the team may need to take on a pay driver.

In this respect Berger is fortunate because the Red Bull team is currently running Robert Doornbos, who comes to the party with ($US510m)sponsorship from Har Muermans,a Dutch property developer.

It is not yet clear how this situation will be resolved but there were rumours in Brazil that Scott Speed needs to watch his back.., -JOE SAWARD

More silverware for Mario MARIO Andretti(66) was awarded the title of"Commendatore della Repubblica italiana" by Antonio Bandini, Italy's Consul General in New York on Monday in recognition of his remarkable career and good character, which have reinforced a positive image of Italians throughout the world.

In a career that spanned an unprecedented five decades, Mario Andretti has achieved prominence in almost every category of motor racing. n There are renewed rumours that Korea's Hyundai Motor is once again taking a serious look at Formula 1, following the announcement that there will be a Korean Grand Prix in 2010.

Hyundai looked at entering the sport on several occasions to support its move from being a mass-market supplier to building premium car for luxury markets. n Renault has finalised a threeyear title sponsorship agreement for its Formula 1 team with ING, a global financial institution of Dutch origin.

Renault FI's current title sponsor, Japan Tobacco's Mild Seven cigarette brand, departs Formula 1 after the Brazilian Grand Prix, ending a 13season sponsorship of the Benetton and Renault teams.

Starting in 2007,the team will be known as ING Renault FI Team.

ING, which is new to motorsports, employs 115,000 people in more than SO countries, offering banking, insurance and asset management to over 60 million private, corporate and institutional clients.

Renault FI president Alain Dassas commented:"This is an important agreement for the development of our team, providing stability that reinforces our long-term commitment to the sport." n The presentation ofthe renamed Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team will take place in Valencia, Spain, over the three days 14-16 January 2007. n Michelin CEO Michel Rollier has dedicated his company's efforts in the 2006 FI season to the late Edouard Michelin. Michelin, who was CEO prior to Rollier, died in a boating accident in May.The French company ended its association with FI in Brazil, leaving Bridgestone as the sole supplier for 2007.

- JOE SAWARD/QUENTIN SPURRING 10

motorsportnews

NEWS

On Her Majesty's Service

Is the Aston Martin name on its way into FI? THE Aston Martin name could : enter Formula 1 through a link ; with Dave Richards and Prodrive.

With news that European : billionaires Bernard Arnault and Albert Frere may make a bid to buy Aston Martin (currently owned by Ford)to expand the luxury brand names controlled by their LVMH conglomerate, comes the suggestion that this may provide the impetus for ; an expansion of the current ^ deal between the company and Prodrive, which runs Aston Martin Racing, building the DBR9 race cars, and with a licence to construct road-going versions for sale.

Prodrive plans to enter FI as

a customer with chassis and engines.

The obvious partner for the team is being suggested as Cosworth, which is building some pretty impressive engines, but has been pushed out of the sport because it cannot offer customers cheaper engines than those that are being subsidised by the car manufacturers.

Arnault and Frere could thus be a godsend for Richards, right.

He is a man with ambitious ideas and bringing a Ferrari-type brand into FI would be a great move for him as he embarks on the Prodrive FI adventure.

It is worth noting that Arnault has previously had ambitions in

FI - back in 1999 he invested in Prost Grand Prix with the aim of using the team to sell Prostbranded luxury products for worldwide distribution.That failed but LVMH representatives keep a close eye on FI developments.

- JOE SAWARD

1 The Big Switch n

LAST weekend's Lexmark Indy 300 winner Nelson Philippe is believed to be investigating a switch to Formula 1.

The 20-year-old, whose success at Surfers Paradise made him the youngest-ever winner of a Champ Car race, is believed to be working on a deal to suit up for the Spyker FI team, which was formed following the purchase of Midland FI. Philippe is understood to have ample backing available should he need it, but having now tasted success in Champ Cars, he may decide ' to remain where he is in the hope of a repeat performance.The Floridabased Frenchman remains tight-lipped about the subject, although he told journalists at the Gold Coast that he would welcome a future in the Champ Car World Series.

Another case of watch this space ...

- MARKGLENDENNING

II

Bye Bye,Imola

THE latest version of the 2007 FIA FI World Championship calendar confirms the departure of Imola from the schedule.

It confirms the Australian GP is 'on its own'on March 18 followed by a three-week gap before the Malaysian GP on April 8. Teams say that the cars will almost certainly have to be flown back to Europe because none of the teams will have cars available for testing at that stage of the year. The cars will then have to go back out to www.mnews.cotn.au

Malaysia for the race on April 8 and will then be rushed to Bahrain for the third race of the season on April 15.

The World Council confirmed the idea of alternation for the German GP between Flockenheim and the Nurburgring with the 2007 race going to the Nurburgring.

Interestingly, both China (see left) and Japan remain conditional on deals being done.

-JOE SAWARD

c_ I

!■ C ^

ts

k .1

i>il I

tl IS

;sa

I

ssa

!l I * '!5H *f» . .-r

F <-1 If

11

aird in for'TKe Rat' AS we reported last issue, Jamie Whincup has had his option picked up.

The Bathurst winner will be subject to a review at the end of 2007 but, such has been his performances this season. Triple 8 boss Roland Dane expects it to be a relative formality, so expect to see The Whiz race for TeamVodafone until at least 2008. n We sadly note the passing of Eddie Perkins. The father of Larry, Terry and Gary and grandfather of Jack was a life-long enthusiast of the sport, who was linked with Volkswagens for many years of his life. A former competitor in the famed RedEx Trials, Perkins Sr also raced internationally, competing in events such as the 1958 Monte Carlo Rally in a Porsche 356.

Sadly, Eddie suffered failing health in recent years and missed Jack becoming the first third-generation driver to compete in the Bathurst endurance classic. Perkins Sr was 86. n The tree that claimed the life of Peter Brock has been cut down.

Since the fatal crash last month, the tree has become a memorial for Brock. However,the City of Swan in Western Australia deemed its position unsuitable and had the tree removed.

"The decision to remove this tree was not taken lightly,"said City of Swan CEO Mike Foley.

"It was done in the interests of road safety,following advice from Main Roads WA and the Police.

"Unfortunately the exact location of the crash is not suitable for a memorial and is unsafe for people to gather or park their cars, as it is on a bend with low visibility." n Psst! You kids! You wanna see a Spyker? Well, you can.

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation has announced its schools program, which will allow registered school groups to participate in on-track learning activities for free. There was a small program run at this year's race, with more than 4,000 students from 120 schools in attendance and for 2007 organisers are expanding the program to accommodate more than 10,000 students. n Patrick Carpentier is going Sportscar racing full-time. The former Champ Car and IndyCar driver has confirmed that he will join Venezuelan Milka Duno in the SAMAX Motorsport entry in all 14 rounds of the Grand American Series next season.

72

CRAIG Baird will drive the Team Kiwi Racing Commodore in two of the remaining three rounds of the V8 Supercar Championship Series.

The Carrera Cup series points leader will compete in the next round at Symmons Plains and the final round at Phillip Island, replacing Paul Radisich, who continues to recover from his massive Bathurst 1000 incident earlier this month.

TKR has leased an ex-Paul Morris Motorsport chassis to complete its obligations for the remaining rounds of the championship.

Baird has prior commitments to race in the New Zealand Porsche series, which clashes with the penultimate round oftheVS Supercar championship at Bahrain.

Baird will honour his NZ Porsche obligation, which leaves a spot open for another Kiwi to drive in the series's first visit to Bahrain (The Desert 400).

TKR boss David John is currently speaking to a number of drivers about the one-off seat. A1 Grand Prix driver Jonny Reid,former V8 regular John Faulkner and young Fujitsu V8 Series driver Chris Pither have all been mentioned as likely candidates MNews understands that

a S-

5?

'S

3

seven-times Bathurst winner Jim Richards (a native Kiwi) declined an offer to help out.

Team Kiwi endurance driver Fabian Coulthard is not an option, as he has been released from his TKR contract. Coulthard remains tied to Paul Morris Motorsport until 2009.

In the meantime,Team Kiwi continues its battle to find the appropriate funding to carry on beyond this year.The team were meant to use the sale of the Commodore that Radisich destroyed at Bathurst to link with Ford Performance Racing next

year, which was confirmed back in August.

TKR is seeking help from businesses and individuals to secure enough money for Radisich to drive an FPR-spec Ford Falcon in 2007.The team has established an ANZ trust fund, which has been set-up in order to ensure they can purchase the car.

ANZ has opened accounts which are available online through the TKR website(www. teamkiwi.co.nz) or any branches of the ANZ in Australia and New Zealand.

-GRANT ROWLEY

Diffey on the move TFIE first part of the V8 Supercar TV commentary jigsaw has fallen into place, with Leigh Diffey confirming he is returning to the USA. Diffey will rejoin SPEEDTV and will be moving to Atlanta in January.

"I have signed a three-year deal with SPEED and am very excited to be returning,"said Diffey.

"Ten has been wonderful to me over the past two years and I'll be sad to leave them and Australia again but the opportunity is too good. I originally returned for personal and family reasons but now that they're all sorted it's time to take care of some unfinished business in the US. "SPEED is waiting for all the calendars to be finalised and then they'll assign talent to various series, but at this stage it looks like my brief will be Rolex Grand American Sportscar Series and the American Le Mans Series.This excites me as both are flourishing at the moment.

With so much confusion in the two American open wheel series people are investing in Sportscars.

"In just the past few months we've seen the like of Andretti, Fernandez and now Rahal commit to the ALMS and that's huge!

"SPEED in now in 67 million households in North America and for me to work with that kind of audience is a wonderful opportunity.

"I'll be returning to Australia each year and continuing my relationship with Network Ten on projects such as live Golf broadcasts. I want to thankTen for keeping me as part of the family even I have chosen to head back overseas.

"Ten has done an amazing job with motorsport over the past decade and it's been a privilege to be a part of the team. Congratulations must go to David White(GM Sports) for demonstrating such vision and commitment."

m

A

<-1

C35-

*

1

t'

motorsport news

NEWS

I

/ li

if

0^ -

-

^1

n '

X

=v \

4

4

.V'

im Ss

1^

yn ;t

^1

■0

»

Britek Focus on Fiesta?

EXPECT an announcement shortly regarding Britek IVlotorsport's involvement in the 2007 Australian Rally Championship.

MNews understands that the fledging V8 Supercar team will enter two 4WD turbo Ford Fiesta's in next year's NEC ARC as the factory Ford squad.

It is unlikely that the Jason Bright-owned team will build the cars themselves, instead purchasing them from a European source.

While current Ford Focus driver Michael Guest is confirmed for.the program, the occupant of the second car remains unclear at this point. MNews believes that standout privateer Darren Windus is in the box seat to get the ride. Windus finished fifth in this year's rally championship in his privately entered Subaru Impreza.

Ford Australia's motorsport manager Ray Price could not confirm any of the

details, although he did say that plans are progressing for next season.

"We tested the water in 2006 to see what it was like back in rallying," he said.

"We are looking at going ahead with our plans for 2007, but we need to take it to the next level."

Full details of the program are expected to be released by Ford soon.

- GRANT ROWLEY

In the heat of the moment SUGGESTIONS that Paul Morris Motorsports driver Alan Gurr was withdrawn from the final V8 race at Indy on Sunday for team 'disciplinary'reasons have been refuted by the team, after a coming together between the two Sirromet Wines team cars of Gurr and Paul Morris late in race two and a subsequent heated discussion between the pair.

In a statement issued on Monday, the team says that Gurr's engine was overheating in race two, and that the need to conserve engines for the forthcoming rounds was the deciding factor.

The statement confirmed that after the race www.mnews.com.au

Morris expressed concern to Gurr that he felt the contact was not necessary: "I felt it wasn't worth the risk of putting two cars into the wall, and creating more work for the team, when we were both running mid-field on the last lap. I think any team owner would feel the same way."

The statement continued; Morris refutes any claim that being beaten by Alan Gurr in yesterday's second race was a factor in car 39 not competing in race three at indy.

Paul Morris quote: "This wasn't a consideration.

It was simply about the engines, and not wanting to risk more damage when we are trying to get ready for Symmons Plains."

J

i

?l

I J

"I would say the fans in Australia more intensf than®''^^°^‘^

i*

-. ■● f;r

s

e

\

J

nelsqn

^H\UP U

I

lih??o^^‘ Canada like to drink their beer like'"to ?ieepj here they

here for WU°to“lo mS l

■Ye^r

9,

A

W

o happLr

■ill Powe

)'

i

\W'

anyonrhi^^ffle ^

f f,

U

^ pips him for p ole in the funny stakes ’sr

'♦ ■

I

1

t3

T3

£?

tf

I °'.

n

is

rl.

I

i

V fa quick ca t° Ml

% enough

f ?fiaawi- after

«fs finS ®

t Jk

Bar”''

V

I

il iMJEOC R

[f

/'

■

i

[

1

PLANHER

Ilf Om A B C

D E F

I

G H

N O P Q R S T

u

'Prize Giving Sunday

October WK 39 40 41 42 43

M T W T f S S 1 30 31 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 21

asi«p - ' n '

^*52, 20OU m

,<>■? ■

V W

tion

X Y

JAMIE Whincup has been flying high recently, but he was brought back to earth when he was caught driving a moped outside the Indy precinct without a helmet.

The Bathurst winner copped a $225 fine and was given three demerit points. It was a little embarrassing for Jamie, especially considering the boisterous Indy crowd jeered him on ... n Victorian driver Michael Trimble has set his sights on contesting next year's British Formula 3 Championship following a successful test with Raikkonen-Robertson Racing at Pembrey recently.

Trimble tested with the 2006 championship-winning team that took British ace Mike Conway to this year's title.

Trimble, 21, completed a full day's running with the squad at Pembrey and after coming to grips with the unfamiliar Avon Tyres, the F306 Dallara chassis and Mercedes engine,set an impressive 49.8s lap of the 2.34km circuit.

The time compares favourably with the best lap set by Double R driver Conway; whose best testing lap at the circuit is just 0.2s quicker.

"It was just such a good experience to have and it's made me more determined than ever to raise the funds to get over and race in the championship next year,"said Trimble following the test. n Optima Sport's David Clark is making a steady recovery from injuries sustained in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series support event at Bathurst on Octobers.

His right leg is currently in plaster for breaks both above and below the knee and recent tests identified a chipped bone within the left knee.

"David's voice is still very croaky as a result of the emergency breathing and life support measures taken at the time of the accident and in while in intensive care,"said team owner David Macdougall. "it is encouraging that he is coherent and alert" It is expected Clark will remain in a hospital bed for several weeks while multiple fractures of the pelvis continue the self healing process. All other previously announced injuries are healing in line with expectations.

Clark is not expected to return to racing duties for the final round of the series at Phillip Island.

16

Gronholm:Rossi will do it tough

MARCUS Gronholm predicts that Valentino Rossi will have his work cut out for him when he competes in next month's Rally New Zealand.

Rossi will drive a privately-entered Subaru, with the car being supplied by Subaru World Rally Team. It will be the five-time MotoGP Champion's second crack at the WRC, having driven a Peugeot 205 at Rally GP in 2002. On that occasion he failed to make it through the first day, and Gronholm says that while Rossi has talent,the skills that are needed to compete at a high level in world rallying cannot be acquired overnight.

"It is not easy,"said the Ford star."I think he can handle the car very well, and he has done some short races on the small tracks. But the most difficult thing for him, I think, is to make the notes and listen to the co-driver, because you don't know the roads.That is the difficult thing. You need experience. But I think he

BF3for Mansells TFHE Mansell brothers are moving to British Formula 3 next year.

Leo and Greg Mansell will race in the championship with Fortec Motorsport in a pair of Mercedes-Benz-powered Dallaras.The sons of 1992 World champion Nigel Mansell will be overseen by Australian engineer Mick Kouros.

Leo, 21,and Greg, 18, I competed in the British I Formula BMW Championship j this year and had limited 1 outings with Fortec in F3.

Testing is expected to begin next month.

is a good driver, there is no question about that.

"It is not easy to come and do full speed, especially in Australia or New Zealand, where the roads are very fast. You need really to trust the co-driver, and your own notes.That is not possible after only a few rallies."

While Rossi will undoubtedly attract much attention in NZ next month, Gronholm will be focussing on trying to add the 2006 World Championship to the two that he won in 2000 and 2002.The Finn has a free swing at this weekend's Telstra Rally Australia while lead rival Sebastien Loeb continues to recover from a shoulder injury, but he needs at least two wins and a third from the remaining three rallies to close the 25-point gap.

-MARKGLENDENNING For more with Marcus Gronholm,see page 44

Webber to win in Tassie MARK Webber may have suffered through his worst season in FI, but is certain that next week's Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge is a win-win occasion.

Webber will be part of his own four-man team in the six-day,12team challenge that will raise funds for the two Australian charities supported by the GP star -TLC For Kids and the Cancer Council Tasmania's Cancer Plus programme.

Aussie fans can visit the MWPTC website(www. markwebberchallenge.com/ donations) to pledge support to the beneficiaries of Mark's worthy cause which, in his words, is "doing something special for sick Aussie kids and their families.

"All donations of any size are hugely appreciated and will go directly to the Mark Webber Challenge Foundation for distribution to the nominated

Men in tights: Webber recently warmed up for his Challenge by running second place in a 35km muddy race amongst a 160-strong field in Hampshire,England. charities at the close of the event' Don't forget to keep an eye on www.markwebberchallenge. com for up-to-date information on the event - and subscribe to the mailing list to receive daily leaderboards and reports during the race!

motorsport news

NEWS

AJ:Now or never

AJ ALLMENDINGER has been given a deadline by Forsythe Racing by which he must inform the team of whether he intends to stay for another year.

The American made an immediate impact when he switched to the tea m from RuSport half-way through the season, and was in the hunt for the championship until he crashed out of last weekend's race at Surfers Paradise.

However, he has also been strongly linked to the second seat in the Team Red Bull Toyota Camry in next year's NASCAR Nextel Cup.

It will be interesting to see what AJ does, because he has to make a decision as to whether he stays here or goes to NASCAR,"Allmendinger's teammate Paul Tracy told MNews.

He has to decide that in the next couple of weeks, or else he is in jeopardy of losing the deal that he has right now.

Allmendinger made his NASCAR debut in the Craftsman Truck series in September at New Hampshire, where he drove for Bill Davis Racing. He crashed in qualifying, but started in 32nd place and drive through to finish 13th.

-MARKGLENDENNING

Reed tests Supercar

AMA SUPERCROSS star Chad Reed traded his Yamaha YZ450F for a V8 Supercar last week when he sampled Alan Gurr's #39 Sirromet Commodore.

Special dispensation from TEGA allowed Paul Morris Motorsport to make the car available for the test at the Holden Performance Driving Centre immediately before it was packed up and sent to Surfers Paradise for the V8 round.

Reed completed sighting laps of the track a road car and one of the Centre's school cars before being handed the keys to the Supercar for 12 laps.

"It was awesome,"he enthused."! have always had the long-term goal of competing in the endurance races, especially Bathurst. It was amazing to have the chance to get behind the wheel, and I have to thank Paul Morris Motorsport and Yamaha for being kind enough to make it happen."

Reed has already returned to Florida to begin preparations for the 2007 and 2008 seasons, where he will suit up for the new Yamahabacked L&M Racing team.

-MARKGLENDENNING www.mnews.com.au

Gore slams Champ TEAM Australia co-owner Craig Gore let fly at newly-crowned Champ Car triple-Champion Sebastien Bourdais after the Frenchman crashed into Will Power at last weekend's Lexmark Indy 300, destroying the Australian's shot at a win on home territory.

"I think he [Bourdais] snapped a cog and got greedy,"Gore said.

"He had no reason to do that.

He knew AJ was out, he was stili going to win the championship.

He just couidn't deai with the fact that Wili was out-pacing him and out-driving him.

"Sebastien was just out-done mentaily, and i think he couidn't deal with it. But that will be the last time he holds that trophy.

The champion's trophy, that is.

He has wort it three times, that's fair enough. But the series was fairly depleted in the first two years, he didn't have anyone to compete against.There was PT [Paul Tracy], and all he does is crash.

"But I think what Will has shown this weekend is that as team, we can really compete. Sebastien hasn't got to Formula One because he isn't good enough, and he's here today holding that trophy up, and he's not really deserving of it."

When asked by a US journalist to clarify his statement that Bourdais was an unworthy champion. Gore continued: "Well, I might be a little bit emotionally upset by the whole process. But at the end of the day, what he did today didn't benefit the series, it didn't benefit this event, and was quite stupid in my book. You're from America so you're probably supportive, but remember the French didn't support us in Iraq, either."

Gore was later reported to have apologised to Team Australia co-owner Derrick Walker for his outburst, while Walker and Bourdais were seen making peace later in the afternoon.

-MARKGLENDENNING 77

NEWS

lii IBWaWMliTil Stonerjoins Capirossi in factory Italian team:Gibernau future unclear IT'S official; Casey Stoner will race for Ducati next season.

The 21-year-old from Kurd Kurd, NSW, will ride an SOOcc Desmosedici GP7 alongside veteran Loris Capirossi in 2007 and is under option for 2008. He will replace Sete Gibernau, who he ironically took down in an incident in the last MotoGP at Estoril.

"I am really happy to have been given this opportunity to race with the Ducati Marlboro Team next year,"said Stoner.

"Ducati have made a lot of progress in the last

couple of years and I think they can also do a great job with the new 800.1t's a great privilege for me to be Loris Capirossi's team-mate. I watched him race before I started my career and now it's a real honour to be in the same team as him on the same bike.Finally I'd like to thank Lucio Cecchinello. We have worked well together over the years but I feel that the possibility of racing in a factory team is the best thing for my future".

Stoner is expected to test the new GP7following next week's final round of the series at Valencia.

Charlie to LCR WHILE Stoner heads to Ducati, its former rider Carlos Checa will replace him at the LCR Honda team.

Checa,34, who has raced a Dunlop-shod Yamaha this season and had a best result of seventh place, will ride a Honda 800 V4 on Michelin tyres.

"This is a very important challenge in my career after a season which has been marked by a non-stop struggling,"Checa wrote on his website."I am very motivated for both the bike and the people."

Honda LCR has also announced that it will run an entry in the 250cc World Championship next season for 20-year-old Briton Eugene Laverty.

Back to Biketober

TROY Bayliss will substitute for Sete Gibernau at Valencia this weekend.

Bayliss, who contested the 2003 and 2004 MotoGP championships with Ducati, will race alongside former team-mate Loris Capirossi in Spain as Gibernau recovers from injuries to his collarbone and hand.

"I feel really good it's Valencia, 18

because it's a track I know like the back of my hand and I've always had good results there,"said the World Superbike Champion.

"I'll be thrown in at the deep end and won't have much time for practice but I know the bike pretty well.The only thing I won't have tried are the Bridgestone tyres, but we'll take it step by step and see how it goes from there".

OCTOBER 2007 is shaping up to be a busy month with the news that the GMC Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix will take place at Phillip Island from 12-14 October.

The race will revert to its traditional date, a week after the Bathurst 1000, next year after moving to September this year to beat the federal government's tobacco advertising ban.

"In a sports-mad country like Australia, there are many events competing on a very crowded calendar,"said Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO,Tim Bamford.

"With the 2007 GMC Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix scheduled for the weekend of 12 - 14 October, sports fans and event goers alike can make the journey to Phillip Island confident that they won't be missing out on any other major sporting events."

2007 MotoGP Calendar Mario

Qatar ‘

Mar 25 Spain Apr 22 Turkey May 6 China May 20 France Jun3 Italy JunlO Catalunya Jun24 GB Jun30 Dutch TT

Losail Jerez Istanbul Shanghai Le Mans Mugello Catalunya Donington Assen

JullS Jul 22

Germany Sachsenring USA Laguna Seca Brno Aug 19 Czech Rep.

Sep 2 San Marino Misano Estoril Sep 16 Portugal Sep 23 Japan Motegi Oct 14 Australia Phillip Island Oct 21 Malaysia Sepang Nov 4 Valencia Ricardo Tormo

motorsportnews

Omi a,f>iece of Bathurst Hi^fhory 888 Race Engineering and Sparco give you the opportunity to own a piece of Bathurst history by investing in a replica Craig Lowndes 2006 racesuit.

ELECTRICAL

/\ife*sGo 5dc

The suit is identical in design and ^ appearance to Craig's Bathurst Jj winning suit(except being m manufactured from non-fireproof M material) and will make a wonderful V display.

I

fdUt MSC %

I

kL

|( LOWNDES

Each suit will be personally signed by Craig Lowndes and is only $999

/iI

v/» I

Call

today

for your nearest dealer

1800 797 344 to order your suit today

t t

/

I

CQ

^®Wndes

otthe beststart FOLLOWING his last lap run in with Dale Earnhardt Jr and Jimmie Johnson at Talladega, Brian Vickers was offered extra security at the Charlotte round.

Vickers, however, declined the offer, which was probably little more than a publicity stunt on behalf of Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Hendrick Motorsports received threats via phone toward the team and Vickers during the days after Talladega, and negative graffiti had to be pressure washed from the entrance road to the Hendrick complex. n As speculated earlier in the year, current IRL Champ Sam Hornish Jr looks likely to make his way into NASCAR with help from Penske Racing.

With a possible debut coming at the November 11 Phoenix Busch race, Hornish is expected to continue with a full IRL schedule next year in addition to some ARCA, Busch Series and Nextel Cup races when his open wheel schedule allows.

TEAM Red Bull, which can be considered to be Toyota's flagship Nextel Cup operation in 2007, attempted to qualify for its first Cup race at Charlotte a fortnight ago, but failed miserably with veteran Bill Elliott behind the wheel.

NASCARmichael

Elliott was the last car bumped from the 43-car grid when Michael Waltrip qualified his car 24th. Elliott would normally have a former champions'provisional starting slot to fall back on, but that spot was awarded to 1996 champion Terry Labonte who is the most recent former champion.

Elliott's Bill Davis powered Dodge posted a 185.370mph lap compared with pole-sitter Scott Riggs who attained a 191.469mph lap. Sources revealed the team failed to make the field as a decision was made to use a race set-up during practice thinking they could fall back on the champions'provisional to make the race if necessary, the plan of course did not pan out,thanks to Labonte.

- MARTIN D CLARK

n Juatr Pablo Montoya was among 50-plus Cup Series drivers taking part in the sixth and final NASCAR test of 2007 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Although no official speeds were available, Montoya ran well according to team sources.

"Casey(Meats)and Reed (Sorenson) got in my car yesterday and they ran my car,"said Montoya, who will attempt to qualify for his first Busch Series race on October 28.

"You know, we don't do that in Europe. In Formula!, you never see someone go and say,'you're making this wrong.'You actually go to your guys and you say, 'you see what they're doing wrong?"'

- MARTIN D CLARK

m

lll

AMA Motocross 15-time champion Ricky Carmichael has signed a driver development contract with MB2 Motorsports for 2007.

Plans are in place for the 26-year-old to run 16 AMA races next season, plus some Late Model Stock, ARCA and possibly NASCAR Truck Series races. It's the second major announcement from MB2,who recently acquired a new owner in Bobby Ginn,as Mark Martin will drive a partial schedule in Cup for them next season alongside rookie Regan Smith.

- MARTIN D CLARK

Thattrucking life

●*>«l

NCTS regulars Ragan and Reutimann to step up to Cup in '07

DAVID Ragan has been named a somewhat surprise replacement for Mark Martin in the AAA Ford at Roush Racing in 2007.

The 20-year-old has driven a Roush Truck in 15 events this season, along with two Busch and as Nextel Cup races at Dover and Martinsville.

"I didn't expect it to be this soon,"said Ragan "When I found out I was excited, but then I realised I'd have my work cut out for me. I've got some big shoes to fill and quite a legacy to follow."

Ragan will attempt to qualify the 06 Ford in three

mi

more Cup events this season at Atlanta, Texas and Homestead-Miami.

In other driver line-up news, Michael Waltrip Racing has confirmed the rumour that David Reutimann will drive the 00 Burger King/Dominos Pizza Toyota in 2007 alongside Cup veterans Waltrip and Dale Jarrett.

Reutimann will race with number made famous by his grandfather, father, uncle and cousins in tracks at his native Florida.

- MARTIN D CLARK

T% %

«»

I

rj

/

pi^rliiiis Ingtiieeririg Chassis 0^0 & 041

Liieii Price & jack Perkiiiis dLiring 2006 season.

Cairs are Gomplele «iith Nolden Molorsport Engi nes and are ava liable post Philip Islands

■sa -rr \

m CoifitaiGtJLarry and Jack: 03 9587 6199 or 0459 330 979 20

A I

* 4

i

motorsport news

NEWS

Would you like Coke with that?

Robby goes Ford

Will Rahal Jr take soft drink cash to Newman/Haas?

RAHAL for Champ Car in 2007?

Possibly, if rumours circulating the Champ Car pitlane at the Gold Coast last weekend are anything to go by.

Graham Rahal,son of three time CART champion and 1986 Indy 500 winner Bobby, has been linked to a ride with Newman/Haas with backing from Coca-Cola.

Described on his personal website as the'rising star of American motorsport'(despite the fact that he drives for A1 Team Lebanon), Rahal spent this year driving for Mi-Jack Conquest in Champ Car Formula Atlantic, and was the youngest-ever starter in the Rolex Daytona 24 Flour at 17 years of age.

A move to Champ Car would provide the series with a highprofile American presence, something that it stands to lose if 2006 championship runnerup AJ Allmendinger switches to NASCAR,as is expected.

With Sebastien Bourdais having just secured his thirdstraight Champ Car title, it must be assumed that his NHR team-mate Bruno Junqueira would be sacrificed to make space for such a deal to happen.

Where that would leave the Brazilian is unclear, however his experience and profile would undoubtedly stand him in good stead to replace Allmendinger in the sought-after Forsythe seat alongside Paul Tracy.

-MARKGLENDENNING

1

ROBBY Gordon Motorsports, the only remaining owner-driver team in the Nextel Cup Series, will switch from Chevrolet to Ford in 2007.

"I had a lot of success with Ford early in my career, and I owe a lotto Ford," Gordon said.

"I think our Nextel Cup program is at the point now where we're ready to take it to the next level, and Ford has pledged its complete support of helping me realise my dream of winning a NASCAR championship as an owner/driver."

The change will also see Gordon move his engine program from Dale Earnhardt Inc. to a Roush-Yates deal.

Gordon, who started his career driving Ford off-road trucks and then Fords for Jack Roush in circuit racing, has three Cup victories and also plans to grow to a two-car Cup effort and run some Busch Series races.

- MARTIN D CLARK

m

'/

b ri

Si!

jET-mr

JET-HOT

Helmets (Fully FIA approved)/

I

Heat IVIanagement Ceramic Coating

Nome>;/^ $650

ORDERS

I)

1800 700 468

Sparco Racesuits

Sparco Seats $499

$799 JET-HOT Hi-Lustre:

f

JET-HOT DIRECT

l Reduced engine bay temp l Corrosion protection l Improved performance l Streamline gas flow l Looks that don’t compare l Other colours available

Motor RacingJacks $495

/ y

3 1

/

Hi-Performance Pre-Coated Headers

For JET-Hot listings of car makes and models see the JET-HOT website: www.jet-hot.com.au // www.buildastreetmachine.com // www buildahotrod.com

www.mnews.com.au

Factory 9, 19-25 Grange Rd Cheltenham VIC F 0395655320

PM9S85S340 27

Tasman

Rally of Great Lakes takes ARC b andrewivan leeuwen

Flat right into Bridge

A NEW event will join the NEC Australian Rally Championship in 2007.

AFTER months of speculation it was hoped that the Rally of Turkey would shed some light on the performance capabilities of Fiat's Super 2000.

Unfortunately it was a short-lived outing for both Fiat Puntos, with newly crowned European Rally Champion Giandomenico Basso and Turkish driver Volkan Isik both retiring on the opening leg.

To add insult to injury both drivers skidded off on the same corner, hit the same bridge parapet, both broke a wheel and damaged their Punto's suspension. A less than Super debut on the WRC stage for Super 2000. n In an unexpected move Cody Crocker will line up at next month's Mt Buller Sprint, the multiple Australian and newly crowned Asia-Pacific Rally Champion sent to do battle by Les Walkden.

Described by Crocker as a case of"what Les wants, Les gets",the Victorian driver will take to the wheel of one of Waikden's tarmac spec Subaru Impreza WRXs. "It did come as a bit of a surprise to me too when Les said he wanted me to drive at Mt Buller, but it's certainly something I'm not going to be knocking back!"exclaimed Crocker when asked about the entry.

■ If Carlos Sainz was upset about not getting to sub for Sebastien Loeb, driving a Renault FI car may make up for it. The Spanish veteran will drive a 2005-spec R25 three times this weekend during the World Series by Renault finale in Barcelona.

-RYAN LAHIFF/STAFF

The Rally of Great Lakes will run in the areas surrounding Forster, providing a return to New South Wales for the ARC. Organisers plan to kick off the new event with a Friday-night ceremonial start in Newcastle.The rally's service park and headquarters will be based in Forster and crews will compete on forestry roads located within a 60km radius of the rally's base.

"We are pleased to welcome back a round of the championship in NSW,which has a very large base of competitors and enthusiasts,"said Australian Rally Commission (ARCom)Chairman Garry Connelly.

But the 2007 calendar is not

from Rally Oz COLIN McRae's hopes of a final Rally Australia drive have been dashed by Citroen's announcement that Xavier Pons will drive the Kronos entry in Perth.

Despite McRae's excellent form in the event - he has twice . won on the ball bearing gravel and was headed for third last year in a Skoda - Kronos Team Boss Marc van Dalen announced that his faith had been restored in Spaniard Pons, who had a run of disappointing retirements earlier in the season before returning to form with a fine fourth place in Turkey.

A rushed return for Loeb was always highly unlikely, both Kronos and Citroen not wanting to run the risk of causing further damage to their star following his mountain biking accident.The only driver who can beat him to the title, Marcus Gronholm, needs to win all three remaining events.

It is well within reason that Loeb could also sit out Rally New Zealand in mid-November to ensure his injured arm mends thoroughly before emerging for the season finale in Great Britain to hold his title trophy aloft - RYAN LAHIFF

SP73R Gary's Motorsport Tyres Unit 3,13 Penny Place Arndell Park NSW 2148 P 02 9676 8655

VICTORIA

Stuckey Tyre Service 828 Sydney Road Brunswick VIC 3056 P03 9386 5331

SP85R

^- .

V.

I ●K I !

!’■ ●'

The Hills are no longer alive: Simon and Sue may have had plans for a second honeymoon in Tassie. Now, they may plan to spend time in Newcastle.

D01J

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

Slix Motorsport 147 Sherriffs Road Reynella SA 5161 P08 8387 8233

TASMANIA

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Fulton Enterprises 41 McKenzie Street Mowbray TAS 7248 P 03 6326 9199

Kostera's Tyre Service 7 Mead Street KalamundaWA6076 P 08 9293 3500

motorsport news

NEWS

laOut

2007 CALENDAR Jan 19-21 Feb 09-11 Feb 16-18 Mar 09-11 Mar30-Apr1 May 04-06 May 18-20 Jun 01-03 Aug 03-05 Aug 17-19 Aug 31-Sep 2 Oct 05-07 Oct 12-14 Oct 26-28 Nov 16-18 Nov 30-Dec 2

lack to NSW: November finish such good news for Tasmanian rally fans, with the new event replacing the Safari Tasmania rally on the six-round schedule.

"The loss of our naming rights sponsor [Subaru] was a major factor in making the event economically unviable," said Safari Tasmania Chairman Rob McGuire.

"We're very disappointed not to hold a round next year, and we'd like to thank our fantastic group of volunteers and officials who worked hard to run the NEC ARC events in previous years."

The 2007 ARC will kick off with the Coates Rally Queensland late March, before moving to WA for the Quit Forrest Rally(Apr 2829), the Rally of Canberra (Jun 23), the Toyota Rally SA (Aug 4-5), the Rally of Great Lakes (Sep 1516), and finally, the NGK Rally of Melbourne(Nov 10-11).

07,'08 WRC DATES SET ryahl lahiff FOLLOWING a marathon meeting of the FIA World Motorsport Council in Barcelona the calendar for the World Rally Championship has been set down for not only 2007 but also 2008. in a move to add strength and stability to the WRC,the Council was determined to showcase its renewed aspirations for long-term motorsport planning and strategy.

In an added boost for the newly announced, Queensland-based Rally Australia, the event has been granted a September timeslot for 2008.

The 2007 calendar is as previously published, with the

exception that Rally de France - Tour de Corse and Rallyede Espana have swapped time slots. It still contains Norway, Portugal and Ireland, at the expense of Cyprus, Turkey and Australia.

The 2008 calendar sees the three candidate events which were introduced for 2007, Norway, Portugal and Ireland removed from the calendar, along with Mexico.They are replaced by Australia and Turkey, which make their return, the Jordan Rally which joins for the first time and either Cyprus, South Africa or Poland,the final choice subject to each being inspected by the FIA in 2007.

’T-

Monte-Carlo Sweden Norway Mexico Portugal Argentina Sardinia Greece Finland Germany New Zealand Spain France Japan Ireland GB

2008 CALENDAR Jan 25-27 Monte-Carlo Feb 08-10 Sweden Mar 07-09 South Africa* Mar 28-30 Jordan Apr 11-13 Cyprus Rally* Apr 25-27 Argentina Sardinia May 16-18 Greece May 30-01 Jun Jun 13-15 Turkey Jun 27-29 Poiand* Finland Aug 01-03 Aug 15-17 Germany New Zealand Aug 29-31 Australia Sep 12-14 Oct 03-05 Spain Oct 10-12 France Oct 24-26 Japan Nov 28-30 GB * South Africa, Cyprus and Poland will be subject to inspection in 2007. One of the three events will be included in the 2008 calendar.

The FIA also stated that future Candidate events must first be part of an FIA Regional Championship.

Away from calendar confirmations, the Commission also announced that a tender would be issued for a single tyre manufacturer to supply all World Rally Car entered in the 2008 Championship, with BFGoodrich widely tipped to win the bid.

T

5CT'

I -If'

i

,4

Along With the Manufacturers' division of the 2006 Australian Rally ^ Ghampionship,Toyota Racing Development has also taken out first and second place in the Drivers' and Co-drivers divi^ons Toyota conifatulates Simon and Sue Evans, and Neal ^^Jes on their exceptional driving, and the entire TRD team in developing and maintaining the turbo four wheel drive Corollas over the gruelling rally season. We race. We learn. You win.

Keep up attrd.com.au MANUI-ALIUKEK

DRIVER 8i CO-DKIVBK

® TOYOTA RACING DEVELOPMENT we race, we learn, you win 23

CP PCvantage puts you in the ariwer's seat.

GP Advantage is a program designed to reward true FI fans.

TM As a member, you’ll enjoy FORMULA 1 Australian Grand Prix tickets at 2004 prices^^, first pick of seats, access to the GP Advantage Bar, a Pit Straight Walk and the option to pay in three convenient installments.

And best of all it’s free. F1 - Don’t hold back.

Grandstand

Four Corners Grandstand Package - A different grandstand each day.

Choose Fangio, Clark, Schumacher or Piquet Grandstand for the Sunday and you’ll be allocated seats in the remaining three grandstands for the other three days. Visit www.grandprix.com.au for further information.

TO BOOK GP ADVANTAGE PACKAGES INCLUDING ACCOMMODATION CALL THE GRAND PRIX TRAVEL OFFICE ON 1300 300 701.

OFFER CLOSES 31st OCTOBER 2006.

a;

f Prost Grandstand excluded. # Terms and Conditions apply.

15-18 MARCH, 2007TICKETEK 131 931 GRANDPRIX.COM.AU AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

<cr

●n

o

<

o 2 CC

Price $599 $599 $429 $459 $399 $399 $399 $359 $359 $359

The Place To Be

ff7oO'r7&7m//a7''^rR

MCLBOURNE 15-16‘17‘18 MARCH 2007

3 /

Three reasonsto smile motor mouth

frith sebastien bourdais

we had a small contact,it had!no in two or thiiee pai^s. impact on; my car,but apparently it The first part, li had to be damaged his. My race was ruined I@UISS Indyall 300 racetowas caiieful the because :l had from there on> because we had to do was finish^ but fhad to make makeiita three-stop and it wasjust sure that I was going to finish. going doWihhlHfrom there.

The second one was once AJ Mter injthe race,the Newman/ [Allmendinger]; had his problem, H®s team decided to pit me as because then we were going to soon a^he window opened in fightfor the win, because there order to try to pick some positions was mothingito fight for anymore. up, but we received a penalty after And then after the incident with that,Jnd that really wrecked our W/ill [Powerji and the fact that we raee/lin the last lap i tried to set were gioingto have to make it on a 'the best lap and that didn't work three-stopper, it was.just kind of... , /out either, and I locked up a wheel make ilitto the finish'. . while going a second faster than At the beginningi'we were il] had for the whole race.That was sawingi aillbt offuel> and!I think we :■ going to be a solid 1im32.9s, or were iprObably going; a lap fuiither * 'l!m32;8s or something like that. It than Ifflilli and certainly a lap or was pretty friggih'quick. So in that twoifurther than Paul [Tracyt who’ way, it was a really disappointing apparently was struggling j he day. wasima'king mistakes and failing; back, and he was stuck asa result,; ut in another way it was a really because he was not saving as historic day for the series* for the Newman/Haas team and for much fuel and he was being me. When I first came into the aggressive and! coming back at usvSoatonepointI made a small series! neverwould havethought mistake at the first chicane, and that i was going to be part of this it wasn't my time to try to cutest kind of dream streak, and i have to him, because he made it arJund extend a very special thankyou to on the outside and it was t® risky. all of my team, because they have We'll never know if il was r been awesome, and without them going to make it past him dr not, I certainly would not be here, I saw AJ stop out there on because a yellow came out^a'nd during the pitstop, that's whfen the racetrack, and I completely Paul ruined Will Power's race, understood the implications of because at that point Will's car was what was going on from there. damaged, and on the restart he Once I saw him stopped I knew was not as quick as he had been. that the championship was won, I tried a couple of times to and I got on the radio and said, pass him, but I wasn't quite close 'let's go racing'. We had been enough. And then coming off the holding back the whole time and second chicane! got a very good making sure that we did not get run and used the Push-To-Rass into any kind of problems. and made the move on him. He squeezed me just a little bit, and I don't know what happened, but the car started to bounce really, really hard over the bumps in the midd le of the track.

As soon as I touched the brakes, the right-front locked and then I was never going to stop the car, so I just bailed out. I don't know if Will thought I was going to make the corner or what; he turned and

I in might sound little arrogant saying this,abut I think that winning three-straight Champ Car titles has never been done before. Back when Ted Horn did it in 1946/47/48, it was a completely different format,and the competition was so different that it is very difficult to compare it to today.

To me,the real era started In 1979 when this series started,and there was no dirt anymore. It is Just a great feeling. Also, I got my first win on a real oval this year in Milwaukee,and that was a real high of the season. It's tough to go back over all that we have done over the last three years, and there's so much to say, but I'm just going to leave it as history I guess.

B

He [Power] started to bounce really, really hard over

-diffepenta'ehiewetinentsfrom different eras is to realise that the 1|i have always had'reservations about Miehael beGai!ise'(0f whole eoPieept is entireiypo'intless - and'thus nothing you . what happenedtih when there were too manyquestion '. wili read'from now on-has any:basis in factThere'is no science marks about the iegaiity of his car. When many ofthe same that farifmeasure greatness.'fhe numbers are not the deciding people went offtoferrari with ihim those doubts remained; ifactor. lurking darkly behind every SueCess.#’nd yetone had to Back in theeariyfsgrss When %rton Senna was at theheight respect what Wichael achieved.ThereiS nOdbubtthtt once Of'hiS powers he'mgfthe’greatluan Manuel FanfiOi fhey talked v/AyrtOn Senna was gone,Schumacher dominated'iFIr, his only and Sennaiiateradmittgd thatfangio had told'him that he was really'seriouS ehailenger before'Pernando AIbnsO being Mika ●a great champion'buf inota great sportsman. Senna was deeply Hakkinen. ● ^ marked' by that and toid ’Fangio that he would try to achieve it. A'las,'Senna did notfive much longer but before his death; he i^fh the days leading up to fis retirement, thousands of words had mellowed a'great deal and become a better person.

31 were Churned out with the opinions about Michael; lit was For manyihe is oneof the greatest.'For others it is Jim'Clark. faSeinating; there are SOmewho use different criteria: there are a numbe'r Sir Stirling Moss,for exampie/ifsaimaS who finds himself who think that Gillies Villeneuve was one of the all time uncertain how to judge Michael. greats, throughout thehistory of motor sport drivers have He has done a fantastic driving job on so many occasions," gone beyond themselves, beyond'the established limits, and' Moss says.;“But i wasreally upset by what he did at the achieved' remarkable things, it is at moments such as these Monaco GR He's a flawed hero; really. What he did there was that their greatness is remembered'. But perfection is merely unaeceptabie.ii!fcnow times ihavechanged'manhers etc, but!' a momentiin time. No-one is perfect all the time and'trying to don't accept that,fcan't aeGept it. compare great d'rivers is a ipointiess exercise.

Me was certain ly the best of his era - he did a terrific job. It's

aMaginifcujHiJ3

J. not fairlo:eonnpare @pas,ibutf6rm'e he!s t!(Ot®e>best Wadl.pbop^nton Sdn'na lived he-would”hawe d'onfe ®veniib01itef,ib;utfer ime'iPa’ngio was the best* IP'or'ISlikii'LaudavOntthe'rother ha'ndiWidha'efi'siiiheMi He is 0Utstandingri!.aud!ai says, 'tuan Wanuef Pangioi had' five ftitl'esilv the next best.

'If y0U#dge Michael as a racing driver, no one has' everiperfonmed at the top for so long as him, and that means Ihelhas done consistent work on his drivinf;r ●t keeping up the with technology, the way he has always pushed to'd'evelop himself and the car, he^uSt kept pushing and'never stopped.To win one world \ ehampionship is easy. You had the right car at the right ®me; iut not seven" fo'ifiie iis ttheibest ever?

“Yes," says'lLaud'ai''lt willbeat'long^timebeforeariyOne else winsieightWSrld'Championships" And' What of Si r Jackie Stewart?

Thesiiate to say that M'ichael is the best ever, bis ● remarkable tecord'Of vietonies'notwithstandlnfi simply because there arelapses'ittbis iperfbPma nces whidh ma'ke you'wonder aboutbimrstewart says. "He''g:oeS off the rOad'dUrinrgrthe course of most Grand’Prik^' ' i. weekends, tjust worry that this reflects a slight flaww bis aihrouhd' capability as a racing driver.'

And' Stewart bated':the’'MonaC0 trick this year. 'fhat'Was ib©thiiunf©FtanfffOand!unnecessary," and'lf itwasdeilberate,'® was eertainlyvefy badly dOhef Michael's ©wh rivals are'also split onbisfreatnesSi If you take the overall pietarg'then'thereTsbb dOubt -■

.a

about'IWIehael and’what'hel^s A Jp1,"says Hakkinen."Heihas'won’fnSre^GHStmpiptlnip . ■itibamanyone else.'lt’h'asibeen’a''gfeafa^Hiiey&rigi!ft^ 'i'ibut'Unfortunately'icannot give yol5;tl1©ia1jrpf^f'fiw good Michael'is -.ifpom’one to’'1'O for exarnple. Itls?^ igomplicated, but cerrainly what he has-aehievrd^ir^ Something remarkablbf ‘ "j Jacques Villeneuve;bnstt!f^thgKh#i; wa's''nPf^?5 .'"Michael isn't a greatfhahmpibibeGaus&^ln'e'sIpiayfd' Mjr &o many dirty tricks-and'fsR't a’greatluiihiht'biingf ●yilleneuve says.

----v \ ^^<^1 think the probleiilsthat yoti*d@n't'eversbe ' , ^1s®uepersonality;iHe%a rader^b'uta'pure radeiv^r^: pothingibut a'racer andl because If tHayPthiSkthe'^fl ■ ■|ay‘;heihangs:fpbis1heimet peop'lewiUjustfStpiA®' ="Sehnai,’lby®bhtras®will' neverbe fordbttenvStme:. ' bfthSt is the'JamesflBean factor, of course^beca'use''^ i ’^he was'kllled ih fetibh at a young age/but not all ff = i(I^d]g©)iliitiMS[lr ■|t.|don!t even thihk Michael wiiriiveO:n in''peopies plmories as Strong-Or as'lOngiasiilairr'Prostbasw^^^ M®ih1yihPt as strOniJff^SIlOng; as^H!'g,el''M'ahSglfina^^■X ”^1Rose people attained' atiheroStatusthatpi'chMIitf^^ ' ■■●iasand‘never«llt''’^:y^^ ●' ^ y-*

sS^Salfls siidand'dbne, thefeare nl ansWe?s. We ; ●,Wy each havebUrbp'iniOnSahd'we can argueiiiihtir ■. "^tbifiows'eomelhpmg’-a'lthougbp'efhapstheehefg)^ ■^sbetterspeht’i®bklng%hBad'tOthebpave''neW'W0rld ^ ^ ' ©ff|in'2007.j ^ * fime waitsferrnb^iman.SJ W f '■

-V

^ ■ic

OPINION

Rules:How far can we go?

CALL it anti-political correctness if you like, but the reality that top level race drivers can be pinged (as two were during the V8 show at the weekend)for wheel-spinning on a warm-up lap doesn't sit well with me.

As it often does,the effect of the new rule, introduced at the Oran Park round in July, is highlighted when it first involved a contender - in this case Craig Lowndes. No question of guilt,the rule is there, bad luck.

But should the rule be there?

In my view, no. It's just another small step in the emasculation of the spectacle ofV8 Supercar racing. Those last seconds as the cars approach the grid, the build up and release of nervous tension, the sheer brio of 650 horsepower warming up rear tyres is now gone. Like Drag Racing without a burn-out.

The reason, according toTEGA boss Kelvin O'Reilly, is safety.

"There are people, marshals,on the grid and,on occasions, burn outs have got out of control.The marshals are there to ensure that

opinion

i

Chris lambd

mnews pub!

drivers position their cars correctly -1 guess that's been the case as long as I've been involved [in motorsport]."

Probably true. But I think the wrong solution has been reached.

It's the marshals who should go.

If a V8 Supercar driver can't stop his car on the correct grid spot, it's time to give it away.

Save on staff, save on risk - take the marshals off the grid and leave it to the cars. And then we

can allow the drivers to express themselves...

Of more danger, it seems,and perhaps hoving into view of the ruiemakers are ... grid girls.

Grid girls, you say? Yup. Grid girls.

Did you know that championship contender Rick Kelly was close to being'taken out' by one at Surfers(and we don't mean to dinner).

Not for the first time, we are told, one of the young i beauties fainted-on i this occasion at the 1 post-qualifying press M conference - and came I within millimetres of a A sickening head-clash jSj with our Holden hero as she plummeted to the ground.Imagine that?

What a headline: Kelly outed by head-banger!

According to one of the grid-girl minders,the problem is that"they just don't eat, or drink ..."

What to do? Call in the rule-makers? 1 sense a

minimum fluid intake regulation coming on. 100ml? 200ml? How to police it? Clearly, it's a safety issue and something must be done.

But in the meantime let's be really sensible and give the grid back to the cars and drivers.

I Still call Australia home I'M living in Indianapolis and working for Team Australia,so I'm definitely proud to come back home to work for the local team.

Craig Gore,Team Australia and Walker Racing have all given me a great opportunity to be involved in the Champ Car World Series, so I have to thank them for everything.

I'm living my dreams.

I've been able to move across to the other side of the world, experience a different culture, see 15 states in four months, plus I went to Canada twice. It's pretty mind blowing when you think about it.

Everyone always asks us if we have any Aussies in the team.

Besides Will Power and Craig Gore, I'm the only Australian. I'm the token Australian, so they have nicknamed me'Token.'My hat even has'Token'on it.

Team Australia is extremely popular with the fans, both here and in America.The fans 28

opinion

withandrewmoulden team australia mechanic

really like the colours of the cars and the trucks. They are the most photographed cars in Champ Cars. They are a bit of an eye opener.The yellow really stands out and the kangaroos are popular.The Americans are obsessed by them.

For most of the year, I have worked on Team Australia's Atlantics program and it's been a lot of fun. Because there is only a small amount of guys working on the cars, I was able to work on a lot of different aspects of the car. Gearbox, diff,just about everything. In Champ Car, they have dedicated people to work on specific parts of the car.

When I first joined the team, it felt like Atlantics was a step back. I used to work for WPS Racing, and Champ Car is at a very similar level to V8 Supercar, but 1 think I got a lot out of my n year with the Atlantics guys.

Especially considering we won the championship with Simon Pagenaud - that was awesome.

Both Simon and Will (Power) are pretty dedicated drivers.

I've ended up forming a good friendship with them. We go to the gym and train together a fair bit.

Simon is the nicest guy you'd ever like to meet. He's always willing to get his hands dirty and help out.

Will is a cool guy as well. He's a county kid and as laid back as they come. He has a heart of gold. It was a shame he got bumped out

by Sebastien in the race. Just like everyone else on the Gold Coast, we thought we were on course for the win, but it wasn't to be.

motorsport news

HRH Range available now

Ladies LoVeTee RRP $25.00 Ladies Denim Shorts: RRP $59.00 The 22 Cap RRP $25.00 NSW

OLD

VIC

Mt DruittThe Lions Den Westfield Shopping Centre Mt Druitt New South Wales 2770 Phone:02 9675 2400

Robina The Lions Den Level 3 Bazaar Street Robina Town Centre Robina Queensland 4226 Phone:07 5562 0672

Fountain Cate The Lions Den Westfield Shopping Centre i^ountain Cate Victoria 3805 Phone:03 8790 2934

Parramatta The Lions Den Level 2,Westfield Shopping Centre Parramatta New South Wales 2150 Phone:02 9893 8288

LoganholmeThe Lions Den Hyperdome Shopping Centre Pacific Highway Logan City Queensland 4129 Phone:07 34516333

Available at your local Holden Dealer and Lions Den Stores

LION r DEN

Five minutes with

lll

FERNANDO ALONSO

The fightfor the World Drivers' Championship went down to the final race ofthe season but the Renault ace took second place-and a second title. Here is what he said after the race Fernando, exactly what you wanted; World Champion again, that must sound great.

Yes, it has been a fantastic weekend and now I probably need some time to believe that I'm champion again. I'm 25-years old,two championships now, and two Constructors'as well. Last race for Renault after five years' relationship,fantastic way to finish the relationship with this success.

I will have these memories with them all my life and to finish the last race like this is something that you never dream of, you never even try to dream of, because it's always more than what you expected.

What were your feelings when you heard that Michael was in trouble, that he had a puncture?

Well,.first of all they told me to drop the revs, on lap three or four, which was a little bit of a surprise, so two or three laps later, they told me that Michael was position 19, because he had to stop and then I understood why we dropped the revs already on lap four. But then, no feelings.

It doesn't matter for me what result Michael did today. I was only concentrating on being in the top eight. It may seem easy, but anything can happen and I didn't want to lose concentration.

Also the safety car (period) was quite dangerous, a lot of debris on the track, so I tried to avoid any pieces of the car and maybe have a puncture.There are always many risks in a race and you always have to avoid them.

And you were battling most of the time; who was the biggest threat?

Jenson [Button], Jenson for sure. I think at the beginning with Kimi, I didn't want to push too much because I knew that I had the opportunity in the pit stop. If not, third position was OK for me as well but then with Jenson, it was quite close.

I didn't want to push the revs 30

up. I was waiting; if Jenson was coming too close to me I would let him past, but on the straight, my car was quicker and Jenson didn't push me too much.

Did the team inform you regularly where Michael was, or not at all?

When he had the puncture,they told me to drop the revs and three laps later in lap seven or eight they told me he was PI 9, but they were telling me it was the Constructors Championship and we needed to score enough points between us, Fisi and me, I think the Drivers' Championship we were already aware we needed to finish in the top eight and it didn't matter what Michael did.

After losing a 25-points lead, did you have some worries along the way?

w

Do you regret saying during the season that things were arranged to give Michael the championship?

No, I didn't say that. 1 only said that there were some decisions that were not sportive and not fair and I know that and I think the people who did it, they know that, and now it is time for us.

You said Renault was your family in Formula One. What will be your best memory of all these years with them?

The best memories will be both championships, what we felt last year, the emotion and the atmosphere in the team and what 1 will feel now when I go down into the garage.These 10 minutes you are with the guys are the best memories, because we grew up together and now we have won two consecutive years both

What we can say is that Felipe will be one of the favourites next year. I think both Ferrari drivers are always in the positions to win races and championships and so I think Felipe, Kimi,the Renault drivers and hopefully the McLaren drivers will be, also with Jenson and Rubens. All the top teams, will normally be the favourite ones. But until the fourth or fifth race you will not see a clear picture.

What are your immediate plans before you go testing again?

Well, I don't know yet. I think this week I will be in England. I want to go to the Renault factory for the last time to say thank you to everyone personally and hopefully I can go to France and do the same thing with the people for the engines and then the next weekend on Saturday or Sunday I will go to Spain to my home city and celebrate the title with them.

are 25 - do you think you can I will not be that long in Formula 1 You win seven world titles?

- ALONSO IS NOT PLANNING TO WIN ANOTHER FIVE TITLES

Well, we lost too many points, more than we expected because of the problems we had. We had . one problem in Hungary with a rear tyre and we didn't finish the race, and then at Monza, with the engine failure. With these two races the advantage went very quickly and then for the last three races - China, Japan and Brazil we arrived equal points to Michael and to Ferrari and I was convinced we were able to win.

I had no doubts in this last couple of weeks. I knew that Ferrari was quick, but we were also quick and I think sooner or later everyone would be put in his place.

We deserved this championship and we had very bad moments this championship unfortunately with some decisions and I think we deserved it and this is just the best.

championships and for me, it is something I will never forget, the years I did with Renault.

Can you repeat what you said about Michael?

Well, I said for us not only for me, but all drivers, we are happy to race with Michael in the last couple of years. In my case I think we all wish him the best for his new life with family. He has been a great champion with all the records in Formula One. For me,to race with and to win the 2005 and 2006 championships with him on the track for the last two years, has more value and I am really proud to have raced with him.

Will Felipe Massa be your most difficult opponent when you defend this championship?

I don't know. It is too early to say.

I don't think so because I will not be that long in Formula 1.

Compared to a normal race, how much less revs were you using today?

I don't know. I think we were at 80 per cent of them.

Today, Michael Schumacher's time in Formula 1 finishes; do you think this is now your time in Formula 1 ? Do you think Fernando Alonso's time in Formula 1 begins today?

I don't think so. I think you always try to finish someone and to take another new one into the role of champion of Formula One, and I don'tthinkthis is possible.

Formula 1 changes a lot every year:the rules, the cars and sometimes you are not able to win and sometimes it's impossible. So I think what is true, in the last two years we were the best out there; the package, Renault, Michelin and me, we became Champions twice and that is the only truth.

motorsportnews

Five minutes with

lll

RICK KELLY

He may be Holden's Main Man when it comes to the Lion's Championship aspirations but that does not ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN mean that the Toll HSV Dealer Team ace is feeling the pressure MNEWS: After the crash in the shootout, did you think the weekend was over before it had really started?

RICK KELLY: It certainly made my life a little bit more difficult, that's for sure.

In the shootout you're guaranteed to finish at least 10th, I guess, which allows you take a few more risks. Unfortunately I overstepped that mark a little bit and came unstuck, which made our life a little bit more difficult.

Well, after that things turned around for you. Do you feel that in the championship,the pendulum is starting to swing your way?

To be honest, not really. I think from my point of view I've just got to get on with the job and keep bringing home the points.

Really it's just taking it session by session, race by race, and not worrying too much about the championship because that's what me,[engineer] Erik [Pender] and the rest of the team have done year to date, and that's why we're in the position we're in where we can possibly win the championship. We're best off sticking to that approach and hopefully we'll get the results.

So that's how you tackle the rest of the season...

Exactly - session by session, race by race. I've just got to do the best that I can.The team have given me a car all year that's been capable of great things, and in a lot of cases even better than where I've been able to put the car in the results. Espcecially last weekend - they gave me a car to win the round with and unfortunately I couldn't quite get that result for them,so I've got to make sure I use the great car I've got to my advantage and bring home the results.

Are you feeling the pressure?

There's no pressure. All we can do from where we are is have a shot 32

We're out to focus on our own race and the job we're doing, not what problem that guy encounters.

But to the best of my knowledge, the two penalties we got were for things that were clearly explained to us in the driver's briefing and in depth over the weekend.

But it's not about what Craig's doing at this point.

You must be looking forward to Symmons Plains after how well the team did there last year?

Yes, and hopefully we've made a few more gains since then. Last year. Garth and the team were unbeatable, and that's the plan this year.To goto that track and get those results so we can close the gap in the points to Craig.

If 1 don’t win a round, then who cares!

- PSYCHOLOGY, THE RICK KELLY WAY at the championship. If we get it, we get it, and if we don't, we'll make sure we do next year.

get that win. We are chasing the round win, but we're not going to compromise our points tally to try and achieve that.

How important is it that you've , To you, how important is it to have got support from your stablemates at Holden? a round win in a championship season?

You know, at the moment we're It's not what It's about. When you just out there to run our own set out at the start of the year, race, and I'm sure those guys your ultimate goal is to win the understand the position we're in championship.You've got to work and they'll have that in the back out what the best plan of attack to , of their minds in making sure they try and secure that is, and I think don't do anything to compromise that we did that at the start of the our results. On the track, that means if they're racing around me, year quite well, and we've stuck to the plan.The plan was never to go making sure my car stays on the out and win every round, it was track! But they've been fantastic, so we haven't got a problem there. to consistently finish in the top five and that would give us the points bank to hopefully win the How's it been, being oh the championship. podium with your brother three rounds in a row?

If I don't win a round,then who caresl But we won a race at Indy It's good,the only disappointing and the team have proved that we thing is I haven't stood on the top have winning speed. step at either of them - or all year actually. We've had a great year What do you think of Craig as far as finishing on the podium Lowndes's penalties at Surfers? goes, but we haven't been able to

What about Bahrain? As the unknown factor, is that going to play a big part in the championship?

Everyone's going to go out and try and win that race.The cars we are in J:his year were really strong in China last year. It is a bit of an unknown,so we will do all the preparation that we can before we head over there to ensure that the results over there are leaning our way. And I've got a gut feeling that the track might just suit us.

Do you look forward to the overseas races?

The opportunity to go and race overseas is fantastic, especially as we get to drive our regular race cars. That's a good thing. I've never been anywhere much around the world, apart from the places I've been lucky enough to race, so to go to Bahrain is great.

How much is holiday and how much is work?

We pretty much fly in before the meeting and allow ourselves just enough time to have a look at the track, and then we're pretty much out of there straight after the race to deal with the tight end-of-year schedule we've got.

motorsportnews

!

It

i

j

f

5=C-t -t(»

vR-.J

C£-iVOc

tlirCMARK

h

'/

INDY

■-,’r'---.-

jf.

^f.

S&

i

/ r/

lmJ

r>

1

'1

Cl

'K'”I

r

iV

[;

Bl ...^ >.

>

r

ciaieUe

●1 ●S

w

a

irr;.

i/ji

iCt^

BI4

wO

k \lm>

big

Net fs '§ 3

fJiiiW/SfiDMID

a

w 1 ■ '>i iV

n

i %

u1 I*

a

,fB

i

G

nd

H

r;. '; 11

w

eiGF

^ *

33

fHaving a ma;]or, vorldleague "brand involved vith ii9 ha0 "been a part of that 9trateg^| DANE ON 70DAP0NE

H

as there been a single key in making the team competitive or have there been steps along the way? f don't believe that there is ever only one single thing.

It is a combination of different things, different inputs, different people.

Can you choose the significant ones? For sure, signing Craig was significant one, in terms of what he brings to the team as a driver and skill, and in terms of sponsor relations and his relationship with the fans.

Apart from that,there are a lot of people here who are key to what we do - some of them inherited from the Briggs organization who have stayed with us and grown with the company,and others who came along afterwards.They have all contributed to making a team that functions with the inputs you need.You need the right drivers,the right financial resources, people who are prepared to work hard and sponsors who understand that the sun does not.come out every day.

Once Triple 8 became the owner of what was Briggs Motorsport you put a plan in place. How closely have you been able to follow that plan?

Pretty closely. I suppose that the other ingredientthat we have been working on for a long time is on the commercial front - trying to set ourselves up for the long-term.That is why the deal with Vodafone is so important; we have been working on that for a long time. Having a major, world-league brand involved with us has been a part of that strategy.

Before we get onto Vodafone,let's talk about Betta Electrical. You'inherited'that sponsorship with acquiring Briggs. Was that a plus or a minus?

Betta Electrical has been a very good sponsor. We did inherit'them but they did not have to stay with us; we convinced them what we were going to do, and what our plan was.They were happy to stay with us and we are very pleased to have given them some good results over the last two seasons, particularly a Bathurst win.

They have been very supportive, a very good

sponsor, but that did not stop us from looking at the long-term and wanting to achieve the goal that I had in mind - to attract a world-renowned brand to the portfolio.

One more on Betta. What is the status of its sponsorship now?

We did a deal for Surfers with the receivers of the company and we are very happy to be able to continue to represent the brand and to give something back to the individual franchise holders around the country who have been supportive of our program.Whether it carries on for the last three races is something that I cannot tell you.That is the nature of dealing with receiverships, if we can continue it, we will. If we can't,for whatever reasons,then we move on and look towards 2007.

You are certainly not the first V8 Supercar team principal to go knocking on Vodafone's door. What was the key in sealing the deal with them?

I think that we offer a different approach than other people might.They certainly were very impressed by the proposal that we put to them,and impressed by out commitment to what we do.They also liked the image of the team - not being too straight-laced but also being very focussed on our objectives.They have told me that they thought that it was the best, and only,fit for them to come into V8 Supercars. Why else?

You'd better ask them!

How long is the deal?

Initially it is a three-year deal.Vodafone has a history of continuity on the sponsorship front, so I am obviously hopeful that it could be a lot longer.

They certainly have got the right to renew with us and,if you lookattheir history-for instance,the Port Power in the AFL-they have been very consistent sponsors in sport.

Will we be seeing parallels and shared ideals between your team and McLaren in Formula 1 ? rnn^ini ri~rf nn

QI0iE[S]IiIIllIIIClS

Triple 8 boss Roland Dane did not take long to celebrate Ms team’s Bathurst win. There is a new Vodafone sponsorsMp deal to launch - and a V8 Supercar title to win He spoke to PHIL BRANAGAN

A,

%A

i

●»

mmM

iOT7IWTiiirjyg',fflmiWi

r

'

I

continued from page 34

Is there some particular satisfaction in the knowledge that HRT was the top V8 Supercar team when Triple 8 arrived and now you are beating them with what was a middle-of-the-grid team?

There is a lot of satisfaction in taking a middle-of-thegrid team and making it competitive. It is not a question of who was running at the front and who was further back.The satisfaction comes from making a mid-grid runner - never with a podium, let alone a race win - and being able to take a lot of those people forward and turn them into believers in their own ability.They have become winners.

They are in a very different arena and what we do needs to be tailored to what we do here. We are not looking at what they do, we are looking at the Australian market. We have to be mindful of where the sponsors operate and where they are marketing their products and services.

As is often the case, all this could have been much, much different.The first team that Triple 8 looked at was the Holden Racing Team when its ownership was in play.

For sure. Our first port of call was to ask Holden what its plans were with HRT. I think that it was a missed opportunity by them;they could have done something with us, but they didn't,for whatever reason. So we moved on, to something else.

That is history; to be honest, I am very pleased to be working with Ford and I cannot imagine not working with the crew that we have here as well, that I would probably not be working with if we were in Melbourne.

Are there any difficulties associated with Triple 8's links with Ford in Australia and Vauxhall/GM in the UK? None. We have not come across any. It is something that goes with this business and has done for many years. It still goes on with companies like Prodrive, which represents different companies in different arenas.TWR used to do that as well.

We run it completely and utterly independently. Ian Harrison and I talk quite regularly, partly because we are good friends and partly because we seek to bounce ideas off each other,from a business point of view. But when it comes to work matters, inside Ford or GM-land, we do not discuss it.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN THE ANNUAL 2Q06:

Craig vas a significant step, in terms of vhat he "brings to the team as a driver and his realtionship vith the sponsors and the DANE ON LOWNDES

One of the most significant changes you have made was the Stone Brothers engine deal. Effectively, you shut down your own engine shop.What has that meant to the overall competitiveness of the team?

Really what it did was to centralise into one place a lot of overhead.That has made it more economical for Stones, more economical for us and whoever else is a part of that - at the moment,Jones and so on.

By the end of 2004, our own Triple 8 engine was running pretty well but what made the difference for us for 2005 was the creation the facility at Yatala that has been able to concentrate on engines.That has allowed us here at Triple 8 to concentrate on the chassis side of the business in a way which,to be honest, we are used to. In Europe, it is quite common to have the engine and the chassis programs divorced from each other.The same guy is in charge of the program at Stone Brothers and we have no concerns about equality of engines.

A win/win situation?

So far, it has been good for us and important for Stone

RACING YEAR BOOK

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS AND SERIES V8 Supercars, Fujitsu V8s, Carrera Cup, Formula Ford, Formula 3, Rally, V8 Utes, Aussie Racing Cars etc.

NATIONAL EVENTS Speedway, Drag Racing, Karting, Trucks, Drifting etc.

SPECIAL EVENTS Australian Grand Prix, MotoGP Phillip Island, Rally Australia Perth, Gold Coast Indy etc

«ij

Bv;

Ul r.>r#

m

V..

.ORIX V

1

AUSTRALIAN MOTORSPORT 2006 PRE-ORDER BEFORE CHRISTMAS FOR FREE DELIVERY! Order now at www.theannual.com.au

AUSSIES OVERSEAS Webber,Atkinson, Ambrose, Power, Stoner, Vermeulen, Bayliss, Crump, Tatnell etc INTERNATIONAL WRAP Formula 1, GP2, WRC,WTCC, DTM, NASCAR,Champ Car, IRL IndyCar, MotoGP etc.

L'J.

or send cheque or money order for $25.00 to; Grant Mark Media PO BOX 2343 Brighton 3186 or call (02)9970 5111 The Annual will be available January 2007 in selected Newsagents l Angus and Robertson Bookstores l Dymocks l Borders l All motoring bookstores l All good bookstores

Also order The Annual2005 now for Immediate delivery(while stocks last)

%

For more information contact; Grant Rowley -0438198 047- grant@theannual.com.au

INTERVIEW Brothers. We do not have unlimited space here in Brisbane and it made sense from that view.

The facility atYatala is as good as anything in Australia. It is good to be a part of that.

There is only a limited lifespan for the'old-spec'engines. When do you plan to move to the'new-spec'?

The difference is the'C'or the'D'cylinder head and we are somewhat dictated to by whether we damage any cylinder heads, if we need to replace any, we cannot get the'C' heads any more.

Performance-wise,they seem to be on a par.There is no advantage at the moment to go to a'D'head. So it will just be something that we evolve into in due course.

In terms of drivers, you have picked up Jamie Whincup's option.

He has a three-year deal with us anyway, and that is subject to some performance criteria being met in each year. Jamie was clearly inside those criteria at the point of the review, which was post-Bathurst, so it was automatic for next year. It goes to the end of 2008, so as long as the performances in 2007 are good enough ... it would be difficult to say at the moment that anything other than having him kept on would be difficult to imagine.

From the outside, it looks like the cost-containment program thatTEGA has been working on is moving slowly. As a team owner,are you satisfied with the progress?

I think that this is a difficult thing to get right. Certainly, of the stuff I have seen over the last couple of years,far and away the best thing I have seen are the engine plans that are on the table right now.

All the teams put their hands up for it at the forum several weeks ago. Every single team indicated that they were in

TALK TO DEXION TODA For Australians Most Effective Storage Soiutions Bring order to your business! Talk to the experts at the showroom, or ring to have one of the team visit you.

call 1300 DEXIO^ormn dexion.com.au/su^pty(^e0tTe /

0DEXionr^ SUPPLY

/

favour of it and,for me,that indicates a very significant move in the right direction, to try and save us from ourselves a little bit from carrying on spending too much on engine development, which we certainly would do over the next couple of years.

Has the cost containment program been a bit stagnant?

There are some areas where it would have been nice to see some thing move a bit faster. But this is very difficult. Unless you do it with a reasonable amount of consensus, it will always get bogged down.

But I think that there is a very good feeling of cooperation among the teams at present, so hopefully, that will create the environment forTEGA to suggest that it can enforce some more moves in the future, to contain spending in the future to a reasonable level.

Is Australian touring car racing more or less political than it is in the UK? I don't think that there is more or less.There are elements of politics in it here, as there are in the UK or anywhere else.

The difference here is that there are more teams involved.

That makes it a little more difficult sometimes to handle the greater number of people. But I do not think that it is any more or less political than anywhere else.

Will anything less than a title this year be a failure?

No, because our objective is always to win races. Leading into here [Indy] we have won five out of nine rounds; regardless of what happens in the championship that to me is a sign that we have done our best.

If the championship does not come our way, I can still hold my head high and so can the rest of the team.We gave it decent crack and you do not win five rounds - and nine rounds over the last year and a half- by accident.

INSIGHT %

GLORY DAIfS

The ending to the race failed to follow the script, but every other part of Will Power's weekend at Surfers Paradise was one for the books MARKGLENDENNING

F

OR two-and-a-half days,Will Power and Team Australia were living out a fairytale.

Power, celebrating the first anniversary of his arrival in the Champ Car World Series, rode a wave of media and public attention into Surfers Paradise last weekend, and he responded in a manner way beyond what anybody - except perhaps the team itself - could ever have expected.

The first jolt came on Friday when he landed provisional pole, and in the process whipped the already frenzied attention on the #5 Team Australia Lola up another couple of gears.

It was the same out in the public areas, where the 75 metre trip from pitlane to the drivers'compound morphed from a short stroll to a serious undertaking as the Queensland native was swarmed with wellwishers looking for a handshake, an autograph, a photo, or help remaining upright after their 14th beer of the day. It was a far cry from 12 months earlier, where MNews had walked with Will along the same stretch, and the one person who recognised him as a Champ Car driver thought that he was Justin Wilson.

The 25-year-old was unperturbed by the sudden glare of the spotlight, which was just as well - 24 hours later, it ramped up even more when he backed up his Friday effort to secure the first pole position of his career.

The dream continued on race day, where Power used pole to full effect and held the lead for the opening section of the race.

Disaster appeared to be averted in pitlane when Power survived a hit from Paul Tracy, but despite the loss of some winglets, everything still seemed to be on target - until Sebastien Bourdais came along

www.mnews.com.au

and finished the job that Tracy had started.

The Frenchman got a run out of the second chicane, gave his PushTo-Pass a squeeze, and found the corner approaching a lot faster than he'd expected.Trailing a long plume of smoke from a locked wheel, Bourdais sailed into the escape road, nudging Power just hard enough to cripple theTeam Australia car.

Power was able to finish the race, but with a series of unscheduled pitstops to fix a broken steering arm,the win that had seemed so close became a what-might-have-been and he finished a dejected 12th, a lap behind the leaders.

Immediately after the race.

Power's demeanour was,frankly, pretty much what you'd expect from someone who had just had the chance at a first win in front of a home crowd ripped out from underneath him.

"I just turned in and bang, he took me out,"he said disbelievingly.

"The good thing is, we made a good step forward this weekend.

We came to the first track I'd actually raced at and I was quickest, so that's a good deal. We had pole, we were good enough to win the race, the car was good enough to win the race ... all we had to do was not get taken out.

"Going into the corner I saw that he was close, but I thought he wasn't going to go for it. You don't look in your mirrors when you are braking into a corner and there's no-one up your inside. He came from way back. It's a similar thing to what Alex [Tagliani] did last year. Sebastien was so far up that he actually went past me before he hit me, whereas Alex hit me in the rear.

"We had a car good enough to win the race, I was controlling the race, and I think we were on

w

All the attention is crazy!

- POWER ADJUSTS TO LIFE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

target to pit on the same lap as Sebastien. He just really surprised me, I never thought a three-time Champion would go and do something like that.

"I was pretty determined to finish, but I was so disappointed while 1 was in the car. It pisses me off. It's the second race in a row where I have been taken out, I've been quick enough to run at least onto the podium,and to finish it like this again, I tell you ... give me a boxing bag, please!

"The support from everybody has been awesome. I'm stoked that all the fans were so behind us. I'd loved to have won, I really would have. But that's how Champ Car racing is. You always get these sorts of incidents.

People just lose their mind and go for something that's not there."

Power's team-mate Tagliani salvaged something forTeam Australia by finishing third, and he also had some advice for his comrade.

"For sure, it's going to take him a couple of nights to get over what happened this weekend,"said Tag. "It happened to me in Montreal in 2003 - I started from pole and led for 67 laps, and on lap 75 I was out of contention.

"And when it's something out of your control, you're just wondering ... why? It's really something that you have to get over, but it is definitely something that breaks your heart for a week or two."

You had to look pretty hard to find anyone who felt that Power did not deserve to win last Sunday.

But even though the trophy went elsewhere. Power did more than enough to cement his reputation within the series.

Having set pole for the first time brought all kinds of new pressures upon a driver, but coupled with the demands upon him away from the car. Power found himself in a whirlpool unlike anything he'd ever experienced. He seemed to take it all in his stride.

"All the attention is crazy!" he said."But it's great to have ail this at my home race.There's always a lot of expectation coming here, but I work really well under pressure. It tends to get the most out of me. I mean, I got pole, so it didn't seem to hurt me too much.

Actually, I have never had a race weekend where I slept so well, or was so relaxed on race day, in my life.

"But it is definitely more attention than I've had before!

It's good, you know. Weekends like this, you've just got to keep pushing on and not think too much of it."

In the press conferences after qualifying. Power played a straight bat to the inevitable questions about whether he was affected by seeing his name at the top of the qualifying sheets for the first time.

But later on, after some reflection, he admitted that that it had taken a bit of getting used to.

"It felt weird. I was blown away when I got pole. I looked at my time, and I was in the top five in practice, and I knew I didn't do a very neat lap when I did that lap. continued on page 41 39

Steering The Ship MOTORSPORT NEWS: Did you guys surprise yourselves this weekend?

BRANDON FRY: A little bit. I thought it was probably going to be a good weekend for us, because Will has run here before.

He's really good at picking up tracks, but on tracks that we've gone to before, he has been even more competitive.

So the fact that he raced here before meant that I figured we'd have a pretty good chance. And we did a lot of work for this race ...

MN:Yeah, you spent some time on the shaker rig?

BR: Yes. We spent three days at the shaker rig. Basically, you put the car on the shaker rig, and it has four hydraulic rams underneath the car, and then it pulls down on the front and the rear to simulate downforce. And you can simulate the car running around the track.

So what you do is, you change things like your dampers and your springs and your rockers, and it allows you to work out whether the car has more or less grip.

MN:So when you unload the car at the track, it's already at 95 percent straight out of the box?

BR: Exactly. And that was a huge help for us. Basically, everything that was good on the shaker rig proved to be good on the track.

That was really good for us, and it started the momentum rolling.

We had a good car to start with.

Will had been here before so he was confident coming in, and unlike some of the tracks we've been to this year where he hasn't had to spend the first practice session learning the track and wasting tyres, he was able to wait until the end of the session when there was a lot of grip, go out at the end and be quick right away.

So it just starts the bail rolling.

Next year, I would expect that with Will knowing all the tracks, we'll be able to go and do that at every race.

MN:Talk us through qualifying, because it seemed like things went exactly to plan on Friday and Saturday.

BR: It did.The first day, everything went very well for us. We were sort of on the fence as to whether to use the red tyres or not. Will did a really good lap on the black tyres 40

While Power was out in the car, his race engineer Brandon Fry was planning his MARKGLENDENNING driver's next movefrom pitwall

earlier, and we sort of knew that we were in the running for pole for the day.

So we decided to take a kick at the cat and got pole, and from that point, we then started saying, well, do we not run the red tyres on day 2, and wherever he qualifies, he qualifies?

We considered not putting as much effort in and just concentrating on the race.

That's what we did in Saturday practice, and he wasn't quite as quick because he was running around on full tanks for most of the session and starting to think about the race.

So we went back and forth, and Will said,'I think I can hold onto pole if you let me run the red tyres'.

So what we ended up deciding was, I said,'Fine, Will. I don't want to put a whole lot of laps on the red tyres, so we'll do a four-lap run, and if you can get it done in four laps, then that's your shot', as opposed to the six laps that we ran the day before.

And he went out and put in on pole again,so we got it done.

MN: Moving onto the race, was everything running to plan over those first dozen laps in terms of pace and fuel management?

BR: I think so. Sebastien [Bourdais] is a very good driver on fuel economy, and we knew that

going into the race. We said to Will, 'On pace we're not sure that there's going to be anybody quicker than us, but where we can fall into a problem is if we run quickly, burn too much fuel, and Sebastian goes a lap longer.'

The fuel effect at this track has a big impact on lap times,so if you're able to go a lap longer, you're going to gain quite a big advantage on the guy who can't do that. So basically at the start of the race, we were pushing really hard to get good fuel numbers.

And he was doing it, and just sort of controlling the race. I was really impressed with that, because in the past, that's one thing that drivers can really struggle with if they haven't spent a lot of time at the front. If they've got someone to pace them, it's quite easy to save fuel. But when you're setting the pace and trying to save fuel, it's a very difficult thing to do.

Will did an awesome job. We were going deep enough that I felt that we would have been in really good shape, had we continued on.

MN:What did you think when Paul Tracy pulled out on him in pitlane?

BR: Guys send cars like that all the time, so 1 wasn't surprised that it happened. I was obviously very

disappointed for us. My biggest concern was what it was going to do to the handling of the car, and if that would hurt us so that Will wouldn't be able to keep the pace. But he did a hell of a job continuing on, and continuing to save fuel.

MN: And then came Sebastien.

BR: Yeah.That one was really disappointing. I was surprised that he did that at that stage of the race. Sebastien didn't have a whole bunch of pressure from behind like he had earlier in the race, AJ was gone,so there was no reason for Sebastien to try such an aggressive move, in my mind.

Will was working on saving fuel, and I think Sebastien was doing everything he could to push Will into burning more fuel. I think that's what was going on. And I thought,'That's fine, let him do that. It's not going to bother us'.

And then for him to try and aggressive more like that... I was pretty surprised.

MN:What was the extent of the damage?

BR: It was a left steering arm, and it was bent pretty badly. We ended up hammering it back straight. You know, it's not a very good way to do things, but at the end of the day, that's what you do to keep running laps.

motorsportnews

% continued from page 39 so I thought,'it's looking pretty good'.

"I put on blacks and did a 1 m32s, and I thought,'woah,the car's really hooked up'. But when we went to reds and the car did a 1 m31.4s, I thought,'shit!'. Then Derrick said 'last lap'on the radio, and I thought,'OK, let's make this one count'. We were up in the first sector but then the reds came out, so there was obviously even more in the car."

The team earned pole despite not really having made qualifying a priority earlier in the weekend, opting instead to use the practice sessions to refine their race set-up.

"We just concentrated on doing race stuff,just on heavy fuel loads and stuff," Power explained."That's why we were only eighth-fastest on Saturday morning.The car kept a pretty good balance, it just lost a bit of traction.The key was saving fuel. It always is. If you get into the lead it is sort of an advantage, because you can control the pace.

But you can never really plan a race. You just do it.

"The fact that this was the first time I had come to a track that I have raced at helped a lot. What

also helped is the knowledge of the car,just knowing the car so well. I'm in tune with the car a lot more than I was earlier in the year, and now I can really wring its neck.'

Power probably takes little consolation from the fact that his dramatic exit from contention for the win probably did as much to boost his profile as a victory would have done. And it is a fair bet that in the days and weeks ahead. Power will replay the incident with Bourdais at turn 4 in his head over and over while lying in his bed late at night.

But drivers learn a lot from such things, and Power will emerge from the disappointment of the Indy 300 as a stronger driver.

You might remember the good bits of Will Power's weekend at the 2006 Indy 300, or you might remember the bad. God only knows how Will himself will look back on it in years to come. But either way, it won't be a race that anyone will forget in a hurry.

"I remember- back when 1 was racing here in Australia and winning a lot, I couldn't stand having anyone in front of me," he told MNews last weekend.

"And I haven't felt that in a long time."

Words From The Top

Team Australia owner Derrick Walker shares his thoughts MARKGLENDENNING on an eventful weekend MOTORSPORT NEWS;You had the best and the worst of everything in the space of a couple of hours DERRICK WALKER;Yeah,there was good news and bad news.

The good news was that we stepped up to the plate as a team. We really prepared a lot for this race, because it is an important event for us.

We got there with Will, although AlexTagliani didn't have the car that he needed. But it paid off; Will was up at the front and it wasn't just a fluke. It was a lot of effort, so I feel really gratified.

IVIN; The team looks like it has been building up to a weekend like this for a few months.

DW: If you look at a race programme, it takes some time to grow.Team Australia's Champ Car programme is in its second year, and each year it continues to grow stronger. And this time. www.mnews.com.au

we've made a quantum leap.

Will has become more familiar with the series, he has started to show his talent, and we've started to get the car better for him.

And with Alex, if you take away all of his crashes and other things that have happened to him along the way, he has actually been up there knocking at the door,and today's result shows that when even when he doesn't have a good car, he can drive a smart race and get us on the podium.

The more we can keep it together and the more we can work at it, the better we can get.

ly Did we think that we were going to be on the front row? No. But I'm not surprised, knowing Will, and that if we give him the car, he has the capability to drive cars that well and he can put it on the front row.

We didn't come in thinking that we were going to be on the front row, we just thought we had a good thing going. Will did the rest.

MN; Despite all the preparation work you did, did pole posititon surprise you?

DW: I don't know if surprise would be the word. We've MN;And it must be rewarding believed for a long time that . seeing Will come of age as a we've had some good set Champ Car driver. ups coming, and some good, DW: It is gratifying, because when we started thisTeam encouraging signs that we believed were going to pay off.

Australia programme, we needed

an Australian.That was crucial, to have at least one Australian who can run upfront.

Let's face it, if you represent a country as we pretend to be, in our own way - we take the liberty to be Team Australia when you do that, there is an expectation for performance,so we needed to get a driver who can do that.

Will needs seat time and he hasn't had a lot this year, because it's his first season, really, yet he has come of age.

I feel really happy for him, because he has been battling away for a while and this was his day in the sun. He deserves it.

47

Kick ass pic by John Morris/lvlpix

The Hard Ro^d*

PPt'

Ryan Briscoe waited a long time for his Champ Car debut and had his ups and downs at Indy

s

TARTING 11th and finishing 11 th masked what was actually a pretty good Champ Car debut for Ryan Briscoe - a guy who lately has seemed to debut in a new racing series every other weekend.

"It's been good," said Ryan at the end of his first weekend in the #10 RuSPORT Lola.

"I was hoping for a better result, but just getting to the end was great. It was exactly what we needed going into Mexico, but it was just a bummer, going down a lap. But it happened, and we just kept on pushing hard from there."

Briscoe fell a lap behind the leaders about a third of the way into the race when he moved to avoid another car and briefly stalled his engine.

"I think it was Mario[Dominguezj," he recalled."Fie came up on the inside on me, sort of at the last minute, and I saw his nose there so I had to give him room so that we wouldn't touch. But in giving him room I went a bit wide, and stopped in front of the tyres, but I didn't get my foot on the clutch in time and the engine stalled.There was no contact, but I stopped while avoiding contact.

"But everything was pretty good.

42

It is definitely a tough track. And in the race, I didn't really get to show a lot of pace until the last five laps, because up until then, having gone a lap down, we kept coming in to fuel it up. So I did pretty much the whole race in full tanks!

"That made the car pretty tough to drive; it wasn't that great on full tanks - or rather, I didn't have the experience to get the set-up right. But as the fuel came down right at the end it was great, I was attacking cars and passing cars, and it was really good. So it was great to finish the race on a really positive note."

The race may have peppered Briscoe with a few dramas, but it also offered some moments for the highlight reel, such as his opportunistic move around Jan Heyien and Katherine Legge.

"I came across them fighting each other, and I managed to get them both!" he said. "At these sorts of tracks, they are the opportunities that you've got to wait for - guys in front dicing and making mistakes, and just trying to sneak through.

"That happened a couple of times - that's how I got past Power, and also (Andrew) Ranger. It's so tight around there. You put the car in places where you think it just

shouldn't be, and luckily it all went smoothly."

Getting to grips with a new car at short notice is a big ask at the best of times, but Briscoe and the team expected his job to be made easier with the benefit of the experience of team-mate Justin Wilson. Briscoe had leaned heavily on Wilson's data early in the weekend to find a baseline set up, and the team were pleasantly surprised to find that the pair's driving styles complemented one another. But a spanner was thrown into the works on Friday when Wilson crashed and broke a bone in his wrist, leaving Briscoe to fly solo for the remainder of the weekend.

"Losing Justin didn't help, especially through practice and qualifying, just comparing two sets of data from the same track," Briscoe agreed.

"I was still learning the circuit.

And I couldn't have had a better benchmark; Justin would have been fighting for the win, and it [his injury] made life a bit more difficult. The team was great and they've got a lot of experience here, and we sort of got by."

Briscoe's weekend built itself slowly.Things deviated from the

script on Friday when he tagged the wall in practice, forcing him to watch first qualifying from the garage.

"The crash was a big surprise," he said. "It was turn 2, and it was my first flying lap. I was full throttle coming out of the corner, and I was just letting it come out towards the wall.There are tyres that stick out from the wail a little bit, and instead of just glancing it, the front tyre nicked and it grabbed; it pulled the steering from my hands and put it straight into the wall.

"I wasn't expecting it; I was already looking ahead to the next corner, and all of a sudden it has gone 'bang' and yanked out from under me. I was just like,'oh shit, what happened there?' So that was something to be careful of for the rest of the weekend!

"It wrenched the front corner, so it hurt the front wishbone and everything. But that was about it. I don't know the rules that well here in Champ Car, but it's kind of weird - they brought my spare car all the way over here, and then they wouldn't let me use it in qualifying.

There's some rule about how the extent of the damage on the car wasn't enough to justify using the spare car. But we had 15 minutes

aBftfnoTogpon^Bws

f

■iTJ

ij;

INSIGHT

HiiSUlISlflTH ■'●WilKifri

mm llfl'l

C,-*

PACKAGE and there was no time to repair it for qualifying. It was a bit of a bummer, but what can you do?"

Qualifying on Saturday was a different matter - Briscoe ran comfortably inside the top 10, and felt that he could have done even better.

"I was pretty happy," he said.

'And if I'd got another lap, I have no doubt that I would have been half a second quicker. That would have put us around P7, probably."

On the whole then, a positive start to Briscoe's Champ Car career - a career that is guaranteed to last at least one more race, in Mexico on November 12. As far as something longer-term goes, Briscoe was probably probed about next season 100 times over the course of the weekend, and was no closer to being able to give an answer on the www.mnews.com.au

99th than he had been when first asked. In the meantime, he was just happy for another opportunity to run in front of a home crowd.

"It's been great racing back home, you know?" he grinned.

"These last couple of months have been something different for me, and I'm enjoying it heaps.

Being in a foreign category in Australia is definitely cool.

"A big part of the crowd here that I am getting support from is theVB crowd, just because they know me now from Sandown and Bathurst. It's good. It's been busy with media from all sides, the Australian media and the American media. But I think it's the same for any of the drivers racing here this weekend. It's just full-on. But it's all fun stuffnothlng that anyone complains about."

-MARKGLENDENNING

PACKAGE INCLUDES [CONTAHO GLOVES] [CLUBMAN BOOTS] PACKAGE DEAL UPGRADES TO OTHER OMP RACEWEAR ^ILABLE

-a

Mrap’GRIP SEAT NMED!Kl:$989^HURRXr TOSPEEDZONEWMO. ENDS DECEMBER 31 ‘06

Ft

/ D

i

'J/tSu lb

&.!iY|l||tYI|297M:46M\—I liIiMililiiJililiiAiLTMaiKLi MMM 22 1 OMaitMiS' 4.1044-\-BALLARAT 43

^^\'l®SSrsnori news 6^'

...

INTERVIEW

K

»

V. -i

A

/T»

>^i me

D

ed in another World r

Bj-MARK(GLENDENNINCG

5

I

T'S a situation so bizarre that even Marcus Grbnholm can do little but shrug his shoulders and chuckle.

In 2000,the willowy Finn picked up four wins in his Peugeot 206 and secured his first world championship.Two years later he became a double world champion, helped along by five visits to the top of the podium.

This year, he has swapped his French coupe for a Ford Focus and is on track for his best season ever, having already notched up five wins with three rounds remaining - yet Sebastien Loeb still has a 25 point advantage in the championship. And that's despite the Frenchman having watched the last round in Turkey on TV courtesy of a broken shoulder, caused by a trip over the handlebars of his mountain bike while out training.

"It is a crazy year,"Gr6nholm laughed."It was the same last year.

Sebastien is always finishing the rallies."

Over the last couple of years, Loeb and Citroen (via the factory team in 2005, and the workssupported Kronos Racing this season) have meshed into an numbing blend of speed and reliability that have helped make Loeb the most successful driver in WRC history, despite having only joined the series on a full-time basis four short years ago. From Gronholm's perspective it makes for some formidable opposition, but he enjoys the challenge even if it does leave him shaking his head sometimes.

"Everything in his team is so good,"Gr6nholm said.

"Loeb is a very good driver, the team is good,the car is always running without any problems...

"It's funny. In Turkey, Colin McRae was driving the car, and on the last stage he had a broken alternator.

Flow is it possible?(laughs) For Loeb, it would never happen. But Colin was there parked on the side.

and I drove past thinking,'how is it possible?'

"Or look what happened in Sardinia. I was leading by 40s, everything looked good,and then we hit the same stone under braking in the middle of the road. On my car it broke the oil pipe. And he hit it even harder, and it was no problem for him to continue.The chassis was bent on his car, but... nothing. Fie just drove on! I thought,'shit!' But OK, now he has bad luck."

Grbnholm had virtually written the 2006 championship off when he first got word of Loeb's injury three weeks ago, but the sudden relegation of his rival to the sidelines injected some renewed hope - even if he needed a little convincing that Loeb's problems were genuine at first.

"At first I thought that somebody was joking when they sent me the message,"Grbnholm said.

"But then later we started to get more information, although we didn't know how bad it was.

"Of course, it is not so nice that he is not driving. It is not really the same feeling when he is not there, fighting with me. But OK, we have our chance now,so why not take it? We have three races left and he is 25 points in front, so I need two wins and one third place.That is enough. It's possible,so we'll see."

While Loeb's absence is a boost for Grbnholm's hopes, it also makes every rally absolutely crucial for the Ford driver. When he flies into Perth for Telstra Rally Australia this weekend,everything will be at stake.

"Beginning in 2000 we won in Australia three times, and then after that I made some small, stupid mistakes here,"Grbnholm shrugged.

"Now I really want to do my best and win it again, and I really think it is possible. It is important for the championship as well. continued on page 46 45

continued from page 45 "1 don't know if there are any tricks for doing well in Australia, but you need to trust the car - especially when you are the first car on the road, because there is really no grip and you are cleaning it for all the other cars behind you.

"Also, 1 think you need good notes, because you are going into the forest and there are a lot of trees, and a lot of the time you can not see far ahead,so you do not know where you are going.

Like the rest of the WRC,Gronholm is acutely aware that this year will mark his last visit to Western Australia. It's an event that he likes ("I brought my family out this time,to show them this nice place!" he grinned), and one that he will be sorry to see go.

"It is a little bit sad, because Australia is quite different to other rallies," he explained."

There were some stages where we were on really ball-bearing gravel. So to drop out Australia from the calendar was not so good, because I like it. Cyprus and Turkey ... [screws up nose] I don't care so much that they are out.

"Sometimes it is good to have new rallies, but it is also quite difficult if we have to change all the time. We have to make new notes, and that is more jobs for the driver and co-driver (laughs). It is much easier to go back when you know exactly what you have to deal with.

"But next year we have a few new rallies one on snow in Norway, which is really good, I think. But it is certainly sad to not have Australia.That is a good rally."

Loeb's dominance this season has rather overshadowed the fact that Gronholm and Ford have had a pretty strong year themselves.

Gronholm's team-mate Mikko Flirvonen has been one of the revelations of 2006,and the car itself has been fast, if occasionally plagued by the odd teething problem.

"In fact, I was expecting more trouble, because I was used to Peugeot having a new car with so many problems," Gronholm said.

"There were just a few small things that caused us some small problems, but not much at all. It was really good straight up."

And at 38 years of age, Gronholm himself is still developing as a driver, as illustrated by his first-ever win on tarmac at the season-opener in Monte Carlo back in January.

"That was nice," he agreed.

"OK, it's not really a proper tarmac rally that we won, but still, it was my first time. So that was good. And it was also my first rally with Ford,so it was a good feeling to start with a win. Very good.

"Before I was with Peugeot, I had done only one or two rallies in tarmac,so I had to practice in the World Championship. And that's probably not the best place to do it. It's good, but I should have had more experience before. But I didn't."

So with the championship battle having seemed lost just a month, ago, Gronholm goes into the final rounds with his fate having been put back in his own hands.

Or has it? Sebastien, after all, can afford to sit and wait. If Gronholm has a bad round, Loeb doesn't need to leave the couch again until it's time to fly to Monte Carlo to pick up his third World Champion trophy.

But if Gronholm wins a couple on the trot and things start looking shaky, he can jump back into the Xsara and attempt to finish the job - assuming, of course, that he is fit enough. It's a tricky situation, and even Gronholm says that he does not know what he would do if the situation was reversed.

"It's very difficult to say," he admitted.

"Especially because we don't know how bad his shoulder is. If he comes back too early, he can make it worse and be in trouble for the beginning of next season. So I don't know.

"It's different if it's here [ED: pointing to his wrist], but if it's here on his shoulder, it's difficult."

The wash-up is that a championship that looked done and dusted just a few weeks ago now offers all sorts of possibilities. But Gronholm can't afford anything other than an all-out attack in the Western Australian forests this weekend,and whatever the outcome may 5? be, you can guarantee that it will be worth watching.

As it usually is.

GRONHOLM IS READY FOR RALLY OZ

I don^t know if there are any tricks ihr doing: well in on need to trust tne car

t

Different Sebastiens: Gronholm caught up with multiple Champ Car titlist Bourdais last weekend while the other Seb, Loeb,is his usual rival, above.

molorsportnews

DENSO AND THE WRX

DENSa

V

1

T

The story behind the Impreza's success is best toid by the raw statistics: six Worid Raily Championship titles and 46 outright raiiy wins. The impreza has been the defining car in Subaru's eievation from reiative obscurity to a legend in world rallying. From its inception in 1993, the impreza has provided a sensory assault on motorsportfans across the globe.

To be a leader in this fiercely competitive environment requires cutting-edge technology and demands the very best components and equipment at every stage in the operation. From pre-event preparation to extracting every last bit of performance from the car, DENSO - as a two year technical partner - has ^ been carefully selected to help the team reach its targets.

DENSO plays a pivotal role in the success ofthree world class motorsport teams, k With our technology and know how getting the Subaru World Rally Team, Moto GP's Casey Stoner and the Toyota FI Team over the line, imagine what our spark plugs can do for your weapon

I

I

\DENsq limowiq

L DENSO iridium power® spari^lu« I T I

T

1

A

T

$

t(5; ML T

V8 SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES round 7 7 -surfers paradise Sl'i!]'! ^ >! i TT \ ;i n

I

j

T

\

11 TTT

tI

n

I

mM >tuiui

i

iiy™

»

g

Cc

lyiHy got pretty good atfinishing ^umf nis siini in loimbv i.t!^ " ecfaifs. Back in red and white,TK proved hestill knowshM to come first l t*

GRANT ROWLEY

'1

●j-

motorspon news

V8 SUPERCAR ■0

I

JlP

F you play with fire, you are going to get burnt. Both V8 Supercar Championship Series title hopes Craig Lowndes and Rick Kelly played with the hot stuff, but the degree of their burns varied.

Rick had the fastest car in the first two days of competition at Surfers Paradise iast weekend, but he made a simpie error and crashed in the top 10 shootout.

From there on, he didn't make a mistake.

Craig didn't have the fastest car, but seemed content to piod along in or around the top five. However, two driving infringements sparked controversy, and an extra shot of life into the championship.

But the man who won the round doesn't have a championship to worry about... or does he?

The Holden Racing Team's Todd Kelly put a bad season behind him with his seventh career round win.

Coming off back-to-back podiums in the recent endurance races with his brother, Todd had Rick's best interests close to his heart at indy.

Over the past two months, the pair have been looking out for each other. When Rick crashed in the top 10 shootout, Todd was genuinely upset, even though he was the one who took pole position.

Rick spent the rest of the weekend in catch-up mode, but the HRT/Toll HSV Commodores are damn quick cars, and barring problems, he was always going to get up there. He finished third overall, but more importantly, is now just 30 points behind Lowndes in the series. After the disappointment of the shootout, life was pretty good in Rick-land.

"It's fantastic," he said.

"I made a mistake in the shootout. I was disappointed about that, because it's so difficult to pass here.

"The car is going really well. We had good speed at Symmons Plains last year, so it would be nice to gather more points back before going to Bahrain."

Happy days for Holden, not so happy forTriple 8, who went from the highest of mountain highs, to the lowest of deep ocean lows.

Lowndes made two mistakes over the race weekend, both of which cost him priceless points.

His first error came in Race 1 when he broke traction on the warm-up lap, earning him the equivalent of a drive-through. Then, he skipped across the turn one chicane while in an all-Ford fight for the minor places in Race 3.

It will be tough for Lowndes from here. Holden has four cars working towards Kelly's title.

Ford has one man, a team-mate who is capable, but no further ammunition.

Don't expect Mark Winterbottom to give Craig any favours. The revelation of 2006 was again in fine form, taking second overall and a bag of points that keeps him in touch, even if he is a bit of a long-shot.

"It was a great weekend," he said.

'I'm very happy with what the guys have given me. We chipped away at it and improved the car for Race 3."

The weekend had its ups and down. The streets of Surfers don't lend themselves to great racing, but a couple of the corners had been open up a fraction, and a number of kerbs, were lowered. This saw the lap record sliced by over a second in both qualifying and the race. Add the championship fight, a startline crash and the party atmosphere on the Gold Coast, you have yourself a decent motor racing meeting.

Racelj 22 laps

Todd Kelly, Tander Winterbottom hit and the first chicane in that order, and by the end of Saturday afternoon's 22 laps, their positions remained unchanged.

That may not signify an exciting race, but there were a number of twists that unfolded.

After the Oran Park round in August, teams had been warned about'breaking traction'on the warm-up lap. Before Race 1 at Surfers, no main series V8 driver had been penalised. But Craig Lowndes and James Courtney, who finished Race 1 in fifth and sixth place, were demoted to 11th and 17th respectively (equivalent of a drive-through penalty) for executing a burnout on the exit of the final corner. The decision, confirmed on Sunday morning, tightened the championship, and flared tempers.

Lowndes lived Race 1 dangerously. He lost a spot to Jason Richards in the compulsory pit stop, and then dropped behind Courtney. It took Lowndes a lap or so to pass Courtney, but Richards was a little more difficult. Lowndes got close to him at the start of Lap 21 and continued on page 52 49

.4 .

QUALIFYING

King ofthe (conaete) Jungle The Kelly family had a mixed run through qualifying.Todd took pole, Rick hit the GRANT ROWLEY wall

I

SiMUIUUKam——

T'S a funny business,this V8 Supercar racing.

Rick Kelly shattered the lap record when he qualified on provisional pole at Surfers Paradise. People were surprised, but no one made too much of a song and dance about it. If Rick (or anyone else) had beat the lap record in the last round of the series at Bathurst, then it would have been big news.

Rick's efforts all became academic,though, when he made an error in the top 10 shootout that is likely to have some serious championship consequences.

Before the shootout, you had to work hard and long for a quick time.The majority of the front runners agreed that it was taking a little longer to get the tyres up to the optimum temperature. Plus, the conditions were cooler than predicted, which aided the top five driver's jaw-dropping times.

Rick narrowly eclipsed Mark Skaife's 2004 lap record in the second practice session, but went 1.2s quicker in qualifying proper.

It was a remarkable time, but Rick didn't even know it. A technical problem meant that he was 'flying blind'.The telemetry on his dash wasn't working, and radio communication with engineer Erik Pender was poor. If you throw all this into the qualifying pot, it makes Kelly's new lap record (the first time the V8s have dipped below the 1 mSOs mark) all the more impressive.

"We are pretty happy," he said.

"It is probably not as hot as it has been here in previous years.

but it is definitely fast. We had a bit of a problem because the dash readout was just throwing random numbers at me and I couldn't quite hear what Erik was saying on the radio. I had no choice but to just give it a bit of a shot and thankfully it was good enough."

While Kelly ended on top, the qualifying session could have gone one offive ways.Toll team-mate Garth Tander, Ford Performance Racing's Mark Winterbottom and Jason Bright, as well as Rick's brotherTodd were the guys seemingly capable of taking pole.

Tander, back in his regular Toll car after racing in red in the enduros, briefly held the top place until being bumped.Set-up wise.Tender's car had changed dramatically from the opening practice session,The #16 machine ended up more towards Rick's settings, and it worked a treat, FPR upheld Ford's honour.

Bright set the early pace in practice, and elected not to try and secure provisional pole and save his second set of tyres.

Winterbottom tried for a time and looked good for a pole lap on his final attempt, but he lost a couple of tenths in the final sector.

Winterbottom's improvement at Indy was astounding. Last year with Larkham Motor Sport, Frosty's qualified with a time of 1 m53.7s.This year, he went more than four seconds faster...

Todd Kelly was on course for pole, but had to dart out from behind the slowing Paul Dumbrell.

motorsgortnews

V8 SUPERCARS

Gillette V8 Supercar Challenae^il^TI?!fff «

ItffiWO DRiVER"ie 1 IS Rick Kelly GaithTandfejg 3 S MarkWinterbottom C^i*ToddiKdlfv~

/

l . l-i.-

w

S

6 Jason Bright Russplljlng^ 7 88 JamieWhincup Craiaikowtiini.

9 3 Jason Richards

MI

n

JamesCdur^7 7 Steven Richards

Greg:MufpJt^ 13 2 MarkSkaife StevenJBlinsSiD IS 10 Jason Bargwanna PauhDMt^ 17 34 Dean Canto i Wiil Davisdl 19 SO Cameron McConville MaxTVilsdh; 21 14 BradJones Fall idhhiBowe-ti 23111 Marcus Marshall Warreftiliuff; 25 33 Lee Holdsworth » Alanid^ 27 SS Steve Owen

rs~8

as 9Andrew Jones

29 67 Paul Morris h30 26 Jose Fernandez

& Fa

The avoidance cost Toddler a few tenths.

WhileTodd was challenging for pole, his team leader wasn't.

Mark Skalfe couldn't find the right set-up, and even worse, was mystified as to why the car was so slow. Even with a healthy green tyre bank from his short Bathurst 1000, Skalfe couldn't make the cut.

It was the first shootout he has missed since the last round of the 2005 series at Phillip Island.

While HRT only had one car in the top 10, Stone Brothers Racing had both. Reigning Champ Russell Ingall was happy in sixth, while James Courtney was rapt with 10th, even if he had to lose both his rear vision mirrors on the concrete-lined streets.

"To be more than a second quicker than last year, they are unbelievable times," Ingall said.

"It shows the improvement and development in the cars over the last 12 months."

Bathurst Champions Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes www.mnews.com.au

Bugger!Both Rick Kelly, top, and Jason Bright, above,could have been on pole ofit hadn't been for mistakes in the shootout.James Courtney tore off both mirrors on his way to seventh on the grid. pictured left.

ended the qualifying proper seventh and eighth.

Whincup glanced the turn nine concrete wall on his opening flying lap, anticipating understeer.

He damaged a rim. Lowndes was one spot behind.

Tasman's Jason Richards battled with the flu on Friday but still made the shootout.

Steven Richards proved to be fast in both the practice sessions, and qualifying was no exception.

It was unfortunate that the black Commodore broke a rocker at the hairpin while on a hot lap.

According to Richo's data, car #7 was on for a mid-1 m49s, which would have put him near the top five. He would start 11 th.

Jason Bargwanna finished first in the bottom 50 percent qualifiers, and even made a 0.2s gain on his final flying lap. He was bumped out off the top 10 almost immediately when the fast guys ventured out, and would start Race 1 from 15th.

Bargwanna's team-mate Max

TEAM/CAR Toll HSV Dealer Team ^ommodore Ml Toll HSV Dealer Team Commodore Ml Ford Performance Racing Falcon BA Holden Racing Team Commodore Ml Ford Performance Racing Falcon BA Caltex Racing Falcon BA Team Betta Electrical Falcon BA Team Betta Electrical Falcon BA Tasman Motorsport Commodore Ml Jeld-Wen Motorsport Falcon BA Jack Daniel's Racing Commodore Ml Supercheap Auto Racing Commodore VZ Holden Racing Team Commodore VZ FirstRock Home Loans Fakon BA WPS Racing Falcon BA Jack Daniel's Racing Commodore Ml RepcoValvoline Cummins Commodore VZ APVC Racing Falcon BA Supercheap Auto Racing Commodore VZ WPS Racing Falcon BA Team BOC Falcon BA Team BOC Falcon BA Glenfords AEG Racing Falcon BA Fujitsu Racing Falcon BA RepcoValvoline Cummins Commodore VZ Team Sirromet Wines Commodore VZ Autobarn Racing Commodore Ml Tasman Motorsport Commodore Ml Team Sirromet Wines Commodore Ml Fujitsu Racing Falcon BA

TIME 1:49.1004 1:49.2498 1:49.2S63 1:49.3668 1:49.69S3 1:49.9370 1:S0.07S6 1:S0.144S 1:S0.1802 1:S0.2SS9 1:S0.4010 1:S0.4194 1:S0.462S 1:S0.6438 1:S0.8247 1:S1.0944 1:S1.2S49 1:S1.29S8 1:S1.3623 1:S1.363S 1:S1.8013 1:S1.8637 1:S2.1SS2 1:S2.2890 1:S2.3489 1:S2.43S8 1:S2.S204 1:S2.6438 1:S2.8702 1:S3.S389 iTiHS

1 T.Kejly r 50.2804 1:23.8320 1:S1.SS20 2 Tander S0.4132 1:24.1387 1:S2.0716 3 Winterhott^50.7882 1:24.4510 1:52.4183 4 Lowndes ~ 51.8705 1:25.5117 1:53.5047 5 Whincup'/ 52.0740 1:26.0812 1:54.1459

6 J. Richards S2.1187 1:27.037S 1:SS.0SS3 7 Courtney S2.6398 1:26.9935 1:55.1134 50.6864 1:27.3962 1:55.2650 8 Bright 1:01.0895 1:35.2628 2:03.3545 9 Ingall lOR. Kelly 49.8189 1:27.2528 No Time

Wilson was a few spots and a few tenths behind. He gave the WPS crew some overnight work when he backed the #8 Falcon into the turn three wall.

John Bowe destroyed a front right tyre after a major brake lock up at turn three.TheTeam BOC driver claimed an inconsistent brake pedal haunted his session.

There were also troubles at Paul Morris Motorsport. Morris himself only completed seven laps in practice due to an engine problem.The team changed donks between sessions, but it offered little reward, as Morris would start 30th.

replace, but his championship chances copped the biggest hit.

The shootout was held in greasy conditions due to a light shower soaking the track about 30 minutes before the session started. However,the track got faster and faster as time went on, which will make Rick kick himself even harder.

Rick's brotherTodd took pole. His lap was clean and tidy.

He was ahead ofTander, who pressed his Commodore against the wall on the exit of Bartercard corner.

Bright was the fastest to the first sector, but skipped across the Bartercard chicane, costing him any chance at pole.

In Stone Brothers land, Courtney had to deal with the slipperiest conditions, which was reflected in his lap time. Due to other's mistakes, he found himself seventh.

The rear-end of Ingall's car stepped out at the first chicane and he spun.

T

he top 10 shootout at Surfers Paradise could be the defining session of the 2006 V8 Supercar Championship Series.

R Kelly looked set, surely,for pole. At worst he would have been second, but a mistake at Falken corner saw him slam into the wall. No major damage to the car. Just a lower wishbone to

57

SURFERS PARADISE NOTEPAD THREE top 10s and seventh overall for the round went to Steven Johnson.

After his Bathurst crash, and a pretty thin year on the results front, you might think that Johnson would be pretty happy with this result.

Well, your wrong. Johnson Jr is a bad loser.

'We still need to find a bit more car speed,"the ever-competitive Johnson said.

We can't do much about it for the rest of the year. We have some new things coming on for next season. but we are just going to persevere with what we have for the remaining rounds.

'The car is strong, but we are just lacking a little bit everywhere.'

■ Jason Richards's side of the Tasman garage was pretty happy up until Race 3, when brake and engine problems saw him fail to finish.

The poor result cost him a podium chance.

His team-mate Andrew Jones was on the back foot early.

In Race 1, Jones was given a dubious drive-through for passing Warren Luff and Alan Gurr under Safety Car. In Race 2, the #23 machine clashed with Steve Owen, with the pair bashing concrete and doors. Jones came off worst and was forced out with a broken front left upright.

And in the final race, Jones was involved in the start-line shunt and retired.

■ GRM's Dean Canto touched the concrete in Race 2, damaging the left rear wheel nut, which made it nearly impossible to take the wheel off.

He pulled outoftherace. In hindsight. Canto said he should have told the team to look at the wheel before trying to take it off...

More damage came when he accidentally crashed into his team mate in the start-line shunt in Race 3.

■ Team Kiwi Racing missed its first V8 Supercar meeting since Bathurst in 2000.

While there was no black car at the track, the team merchandise still made the trek north.

Apparently, the shirts and hats sales were at an all time high, as TKR attempt to find the budget to go ahead with its Ford deal and compete in the 2007 championship.

-GRANT ROWLEY 52

ba■SI

) ■ <1

SS I I a

Lurking in the shadows: Winterbottom, above, was a quiet achiever, but finished the round second. Meanwhile, Lowndes and J Richards were lucky to escape a Race 1 skirmish unscathed. continued from page 49

tagged the back of the Tasman driver. Richards kept his car off the wall and continued unhindered.

Lowndes wisely elected not to push the issue any further and consolidated fifth, in terms of the championship, he was a winner, until the stewards had their say.

In Jason Richards's eyes, Lowndes was a villain.

"It could have been a big accident,"J Richards said."I'm sick of having big ones!"

For the race, most teams went for a compromised car set-up, as the weather forecast predicted that it was going to rain cats and dogs before half race distance.

The rain didn't start to fall until 15 minutes after the race ...

The half/half set-ups affected the speed of some cars, such as Russell Ingall's SBR Falcon. OI'#1 was set-up for slip and slide, and it cost him. Fie started ninth and finished 10th. On the other hand, SBR team-mate Courtney had gained one spot and showed good speed with a more balanced set-up.

The spot that Courtney picked up was that of Whincup, whose Triple 8 Falcon popped out of gear on lap four and slammed into the Falken corner concrete.

The biggest improver was Steven Richards. Flaving shown plenty of pace in practice, Richards climbed from 11th to seventh, which turned into fifth after the Lowndes/Courtney penalty.

To the disgust of the Flolden heavies, though, Richards passed Rick Kelly with two laps remaining, demoting FJolden's championship challenger another spot.

Mark Skaife had a shocker. Fie was on track to take a top 10, but a loose wheel nut after his pit stop saw him return to pit road.To rub Surfers Paradise sea salt into his wounds, he skipped over the turn seven chicane and was handed a drive-through.

The only Safety Car period of the race came on lap one, when Max Wilson was facing a concrete wall after a turn one skirmish.

Fie couldn't find reverse and the Chrysler was called.

The lack of Safety Cars saw the car's brakes given their first real test. Every team has worked

hard on their brake package over the season, with a focus on this event, which is renowned for its punishment on the middle pedal. Brake fade was a common problem, even for race winner Todd Kelly.

"I tried to look after the brakes and tyres," Kelly said."It was a struggle.There was a period when i was getting brake fade. I played it safe, but I pushed on at the end to get a comfortable break."

Race:|_22 laps

w

arm conditions, biff and barge and eight cars under the lap record. Again it wasn't a classic race, but it was hot and close.

Tander grabbed the win by beating Todd Kelly to turn one.

Kelly became the first V8 driver to dip into the 1 mSOs bracket in a race, but could do little about Tander's lead.

Jason Richards ran as high as third, and when he came into pits for his compulsory stop, he was right on Tander's tail. A slowish pit stop (and a lack of grunt

motorsportnews

V8 SUPERCARS

compared to others) dropped him down to fifth.

Winterbottom took advantage of Richards's slow stop to step back up to third, ahead of Rick Kelly.

An injured Bright (sore shoulder), Lowndes and Ingall were next, and also all under the lap record.

WPS Racing's Jason Bargwanna was ninth, and happy with the car's balance. Not so for Steven Johnson, who finished 10th, but it may have been higher if not for a tiny mistake which let Ingall and Lowndes through.

Johnson's team-mate Will Davison copped the equivalent of a drive-through penalty for a pitlane infringement. It dropped him from 11th to 20th.

Steven Richards had an engine change overnight, and starting from fifth, he was hopeful of advancing up the order. But a clash with Ingall about 25 metres after the start broke a tie rod and put him out of the race.

The race saw two Safety Cars - one for Andrew Jones's Commodore, which was damaged a front upright in the clash with Steve Owen and the wall.The iwww.mnews.com.au

other SC period was for Paul Dumbrell, who clashed with McConville.The argument sent Dumbrell heavily into the wall on the exit of the first chicane.

McConville raced on to take 11th, just ahead of the recovering Courtney.

Allan Gurr put in a strong run to beat team-boss Paul Morris, but strangely would not start Race 3, suffering what a team press release called 'overheating problems'...

&S,

RaceSi 22laps

t was a simple split second decision that reduced Craig Lowndes's championship lead from 72 points to 30.

While the Kelly brothers and Winterbottom bolted into the distance in Sunday afternoon's cooler race, Lowndes was trapped behind Bright in a fierce fight for fourth and fifth. To make life tougher for Lowndes, he had Ingall in tow.

Lowndes had continually tried to out-drag Bright on the exit

of the Lexmark hairpin. After a couple of close calls, Lowndes had a big go on lap 19. It didn't work, with Ingall getting a better run up the inside on the main straight.

Ingall was in front, but there was no room for Lowndes to go through turn one,so he elected to cut across the chicane.

As the rules state, he needed to stop before continuing, or at least redress the situation. He didn't, and was ordered to complete a drive-through penalty, if he had stopped, he would have lost his spot to Ingall and the close Courtney. In the end, he finished 14th.

Rick took the win from his brotherTodd.Todd led the opening laps, but predictably, Rick emerged in front after the pit stops had been complete.This gave Rick maximum points for that race, but still handed Todd the overall round win. .Winterbottom nabbed another third pace, capping off his third podium for the season.The #5 crew decided to put his best set of tyres on for the start of the race and was the last of the front runners to stop on lap 14.The strategy worked. He got out in

front ofTander for third place, but Tander, with warm rubber, quickly jumped back in front.

Winterbottom didn't need to get stressed though, asTander made a mistake at the final hairpin that lap. He creased his Commodore against the tyre wall and fell well down the order.

Tander wasn't the only one to leave the circuit with a damaged car.The race actually started with a bang. Paul Morris and Brad Jones collided. Skaife slowed to have a look, and Murphy hit him.

Holdsworth slowed even more and was rammed by his team mate Dean Canto. Holdsworth then bounced into Marshall, and Dumbrell also got involved.

Everyone except Marshall was out when they returned to pit lane. For Skaife, driving HRT's spare shell, it was one of his worst weekends in memory.

From the sand and sun, it's off to the Apple Isle - Symmons Plains Raceway. Last year. Toll HSV punished the pack. If they do what they did then, Lowndes won't have the championship lead.

There are only nine races to go, and one awesome championship finale approaching.

53

V8SUPERCARS

WINNER RICK KELLY:

Fighting on the streets

Reduced the championship gap to Lowndes from 101 to 30. Rickster has finished on the

I'M very happy with the way the Glenfords Falcon ran this weekend.

podium seven times from 10 rounds this year.

TODD KELLY: TheToddlerisjustasfastin red as he was in black and orange.

It may have been the second podium forTodd in the HRT car this year, but its been a tough year, and this one was thoroughly deserved.

HOLDEN: Despite Ford's high at Bathurst, the championship momentum has quickly swung back in Holden's favour.The championship is a possibility.

MARKWINTERBOTTOM: People waiting for the young ster to crack are still waiting.

Another intelligent weekend ... still third in the championship.

THE MEDIA: indy is a great place to entertain guests, and the media love to be entertained.

The media centre service was great and the parties were even better. Now a faster remedy for hang-overs...

LOSERS CRAIG LOWNDES:

After our crash at Bathurst two weeks ago, we elected not to fix our regular #20 Ford and lease one of Shannon O'Brien's Falcons. It turned out to be a good decision, because we had our best weekend for this year.

We didn't start work on the car until the Wednesday after Bathurst. We measured everything up, worked out what wheel weights it had and we went from there.

Basically, once I had all those measurements, I went out and used the information I had and worked out a set-up. It wasn't difficult. It was all pretty straight forward.

I have had a bit of experience with the Beehag shells in the past through my former work at Dick Johnson Racing. I know

RESUIlljgV8S RACE 1 (22 LAPS) POS DRIVER

TIME

F/LAP

1 Hlfllflt 43:18.0998 1:51.5790 20 43:19.4477 1:51.5458 12 2 Tander 3 WinterbaIiau43:21.72851:51.4576 16 4 J. Richards 43:30.7986 1:51.5708 12 5 S.Richanlj 43:38.8250 1:51.5022 8 43:39.4297 1:51.7729 14 6 R. Kelly 7 Bright 2 43:40.5582 1:52T2270 14 43:42.1742 1:52.1746 14 8 Ingall 44:00.1655 1:53.1862 6 10 Johnson 11 Lowndhl! 44:02.0087 1:51.7460 15

A low blow for Craig. Certainly questions can be raised over 'breaking traction'on the warm-up lap, but when you cut across those Indy chicanes, you need to stop...

12 Dumbrell 44:02.7423 1:52.9855 13 13 McConvillj3j4j02.9774 1:53.0305 9 44:04.4790 1:53.3389 12 14 Davison

OFFICIALDOM:

lOlittTITtliTS: 44:19.3321 1:52.5499 7 20 Marshail 44:20.3748 1:53.3664 15

Penalties for wheel spin on the warm-up lap? You are kidding.

Our top drivers are capable of doing a burnout without endangering lives, if officials aren't confident that a race driver can'break traction,'they shouldn't have a CAMS licence.

15

^ 44:04.8739 44:08.6500 16 Bowe 17 Cauttng 44:09.2862 44:18.2590 18 Canto

21 Holdiwgil^221-0510 44:26.3430 22 Gurr 23 Morris 44:35.3945 24 Luff 44:35.8246

MARK SKAIFE:

54

1:53.5758 17 1:53.4893 15

to concentrate on adapting to the car. Being a different car, it has a different steering position and a different pedal box.

Really, the whole environment is completely different. I don't think Marcus got entirely comfortable until the final race.

He ended up only 0.3s away from his qualifying time.

Marcus was probably down on a little bit of confidence after his Bathurst accident, it was good for him to do some good lap times and race competitively.

He didn't inherit the positions, he earned them.

Our regular car and this one are very similar. Perhaps the biggest difference with the car

>yer

pcrfoIco" . Engineer.

is the rear anti-roll bar set up.

It's slightly different to our car so once 1 did the calculations, i knew where we were.

RESUg§V8S RACE 2(22 LAPS)

RESU^5V8S RACE 3(22 LAPS)

POS DRIVER

POS DRIVER

1 I’Tander:^ 2 3 4 5 6 7

TIME

F/LAP

46:22.3973 1:51.1616 16 46:22.9077 1:50.8518 14

T. Kelly Winter5Sj]TT46:27.97481:51.f443 14 46:29.1431 1:51.4165 14 R. Kelly J.Richan16 46:29.9339 T-5T.3170 13 46:30.3934 1:51.2064 16 Bright

Lownd^ jte32.0218 46:32.6141 8 Ingall 9 l!flffiMilit-.l4b':49.0976 10 Johnson 46:49.7313

1:50.9566 14 1:51.1718 16 1:52.~6099 14 1:52.7503 22

11 McConVill 46:51.4770 1:52.6140 16 12 Courtney 46:51.9150 13 Wilson/^ 46:56.1773 14 B. Jones 46:56.8233 15- Bowe .J _47.lQ0.7105 16 Marshall 47:11.7609 » 47:15.4038 17 Gurr

1:52.6623 16 1:52.3039 15 1:52.2039 16 1:52.^37 16 1:53.0369 17 1:52.8014 17

18 Morris 47:18.4224 1:53.2049 18 19 Davisons 47:21.8074 1:52.7322 18 20 Murphy 47:22.4198 1:52.3247 17 21 Skaife 1r 47:39.0427 1:51.4236 21

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 )A/hincup 43:55.9684 1:50.8797 18 9 Johni^ 44:01.3627 1:52.2716 18 10 5.Richards 44:05.0852 1:51.0234 17 11 BarqwanniD44:11.9981 1:52.4690 5 44:12.7975 1:51.7520 11

12 Murphy 13 Wilson: 14 Lowndes 15 Owen t

DNF Richartlii DNF Luff DNB Skaife

11 laps 1:54.5519 9

DNF Holdsworth

21 laps 1:53.3153 17

DNF Fernandez DNF| DumbrelllF DNF A. Jones

dnf| Jones -1 DNF Morris

DNF Whincup

ISIaps 1:55.0208 8 3 laps 1:55.2884 3

dnf| luff UK DNF 5. Richards

4laps 1:53.8462 2 2 laps 1:57.2174 2 1 lap 2:11.1693 1

VBSCSJj

-RD 10

DNF! Femanls

44:14.3778 1:527480 10

44:14.5369 44:15.5798 44:18.7591 16 Canto 17 Davispijr^ 44:26.6212 18 Marshall 44:27.6210 19 Tander_ji 21 laps 20 Jones 19 laps

21 laps 1:5T0759 17 21 laps 1:52.4837 17 18 laps 1^5^2.6660 17

25 Skaife f 44:54.1359 1:52.1152 22 45:08.7235 1:53.7921 16 26 A.Jones 27 Owen ^ 21 laps 1^.9023 8

FfLAP

P 43:42.6381 1^70582 9 Ingall' j Courtney 43:44.0438 1:51.4748 12 McCgAlIfe 43:46.2740 1:51.3450 17

*21 laps 1:51.6386 17

1:54.2944 16 1:53.6115 15

TIME

_43:10.3641 1:50.6829 11 43:30.8899 1:51.2435 14 T. Kelly Winte^M43:34.42581:50.8535 18 43:42.0566 1:51.3887 9 Bright

22 Whincup 23 Holdswella 24 Owen 25 CantO' f

28 Wilson Can the run get worse - may be starting to regret those "shooting themselves in the foot"comments about Ford when the shoe was on the other foot.

1:52.8824 11 1:53.2348 8 1:5l78383 9 1:53.4711 12

how the Beehag shells work,so I used that knowledge to help with the set-up.

Straight out of the box, we were pretty close to the mark.

It allowed Marcus (Marshall)

1:51.0955 9 1:52.2955 19 1:51.8183 8 1:52.5273 8 1:52.4735 15

1:50.6432 18 1:51.7625 13 72 laps 1:52.4996 5 ~'llap 5:45.507 11

DNF Dumbrell DNF Bowe

Lowndes 2601, R. Kelly 2571,Winterbortom 2283, Ingall 2211,Tander 2105, Whincup 2000,Jason Brightl988,5. Richards1982,T. Kelly 1927,Johnson 1927,Courtney1827, Dumbrell 1716, Bargwanna 1639, Wilson 1541, Davison 1526,Canto 1494,Skaife 1485,J. Richards 1469,Morris 1467, McConville 1456, Owen 1402, Holdsworth 1398, Bowe 1386, B. Jones 1366, Murphy 1280, Radisich 1235, A.Jones 1013, Luff 845,Marshall 751, Ellery 594,Fernandez 548, Coulthard 478,Gurr 457.

molorsportnews

CARRERA CUP ■<f

Davo keeps the title alive THE 2006 Wright Patton Shakespeare Carrera Cup Championship may well prove to be out of reach, but Alex Davison wasn't holding back at the Lexmark Indy 300.

Former title winner Davison entered the weekend 183 points in arrears of Craig Baird, with 360 points on offer in the final two rounds. Baird could've sealed the deal by finishing ahead of Davison for the weekend, while the latter had nothing to lose.

Davison struck first, topping practice and taking pole position.

He took the lead from the start of Race 1 and wouldn't be headed again, going on to take the win.

Baird, meanwhile, succumbed to pressure from David Reynolds midrace and had to settle for third place.

Compared to what awaited him in Race 2, it was a great result. On the opening lap, Baird encountered gearbox problems in his VIP Petfoods entry and was forced out of the race - his first

DNF of the year - while Davison again headed home Reynolds to take the win.

As it turned out, the Championship was unaffected by Race 3. A pair of incidents on the opening lap required the Safety Car, and eventually the chequered flag was shown after five of eight laps.

For Davison it was a painful solitary lap short of reaching the required 75 percent race distance for it to be classified as a race and no points were awarded. Davison was leading at the time, with Baird having recovered to 10th in the two racing laps.

"PCR gave me an awesome car, my job was relatively easy," Davison said.

"I've been getting off the line well this weekend. It's the first time in those two races that I've led into the first corner off pole.

I've thrown a few wins away this year in clouds of tyre smoke."

Jim Richards was fourth in the opening race behind Baird, a

result which became third in Race 2 as he won out in a battle with fourth-placed David Russell.

Jonathan Webb and Rodney Jane split the fifth place finishes, with Jane getting the nod in Race 2 ahead of Webb.

Klark Quinn and Dean Fiore came together at The Esses in Race 1, ending Fiore's weekend, while Quinn recovered to ninth in Race 2.

The race included a Safety Car

for a mid-race incident involving Paul Freestone and Aaron Caratti.

Recovering from an early spin, Caratti made contact with the rear of Freestone's car on the run to Falken Tyres Turn, with cars greeting the concrete. Freestone's car came out the worse of the two, sustained weekend ending damage.

- MITCHELL ADAM Points: Baird 1050, Davison 937, Reynolds 849, Richards 750, Webb 573.

EvGrything happens here first! ●1,400 Exhibitors ● 4,000 Booths 42,000 Buyers From 40 Countries ●World’s Largest Racing Trade Show More New Racing Technology Than Anywhere On Earth! ●SAE Symposium and AETC Conference

For information contact PRI at:

31706 South Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651-6974, USA Telephone: +1 949.499,5413 ● Fax: -hi 949.499.0410 www.performanceracing.com ©Laguna Coast Publishing, Inc, March 2006 TS4986-JH

www.mnews.com.au

DECEMBER 14-16, 2006 Orlando, Florida ● USA Orange County Convention Center ● North/South Building

55

CHAMP CAR WORLD SERIES round 13-indy 300

Phil the Thrill While a lot of drivers-including Aussie Will Power-should have won the Indy 300, Nelson Philippe did and kept the amazing string of one-time winners alive MARKGLENDENNING

N

O driver has even won the Indy 300 twice - and Nelson Philippe knows

that.

The 20-year-old gave the CTE team its first Champ Car win in a race that saw Frenchmen win both the event and the series and 100,000 Australians threaten to toss beer cans at least one of them.

Sebastien Bourdais drove what he described at the worst race of his career to seal his third-straight title but in doing so, he bundled local hero and race favourite Will Power out of contention. A final lap spin did nothing to add icing to what had been, by Bourdais's standards, a low point of his Champ Car career.

"I Just can't believe this day has finally come,"Philippe said."I am so full of adrenaline, 1 actually feel like throwing up, but at the same time, it is the best feeling in the world!This is just incredible, my crew was perfect today and Will Phillips, my engineer, gave me a great car all weekend.The strategy was fantastic and I am just so thankful for the amazing job from my team."

Three years ago, Philippe was a genuine rich-kid going racing.

While the fastest drivers at Indy did not get the results they deserved, no-one can accuse Nelson of being a buy-driver any more - he qualified fifth and ran in the front group all day, maximising his fuel strategy. At 20 years and three months, he became the series'all-time youngest winner, eclipsing Scott Dixon.

Former winner Mario Dominguez took second ahead of AlexTagliani.The Mexican gave his Push-to-Pass button one last shot at the start of the final lap but fell short of the CTE car and had to settle for holding out Alex Tagliani.The Canadian was gifted a spot when his former sparring partner Paul Tracy gifted him a place, penalised from straight lining a chicane while battling with Dominguez, but it was thin 56

reward for a race Team Australia dominated and should have won.

As upsets go,there could have been a real doozy in Queensland.

In his third CCWS race, Antonio Pizzonia found himself in the lead of the race, having had his fuel range stretched by a series of Pace Car periods.The Formula 1 reject was on the way to a good result had the track stayed yellow but had to pit under green on lap 53 and fell to, basically, nowhere in the order.

Tag and Tracy led home countryman Andrew Ranger, who stayed out of the way for the whole race and Bruno Junqueira, who had good car speed in the Newman Haas Lola but, with Bourdais behind,found himself unable to use it when trapped behind Ranger.

But while the Frenchman was cranky with himself, he at least has a third Vanderbilt Cup to sit next to on the flight across the Pacific.

That was cemented early when the two men with mathematical odds of taking the title, AJ Allmendinger and Justin Wilson, were out of the chase early. Allmendinger was fortunate to make the race at all, the Forsythe team having to repair his car when he walled it in Friday qualifying - when Tracy was already installed in the spare after he wiped the wall.

Allmendinger had trouble early but that was nothing compared to his first fuel stop when he left with the hose still attached to the car, starting a minor pit fire and earning a drive-through penalty. He pitted later with sensor trouble (probably caused by fuel apparatus) and called it a day when he punched the concrete at ANA. Wilson did not even make it to the race after breaking a bone in his wrist when the RuSport Lola tagged a tyre bundle in practice and spun the steering wheel in his hands.

So, another winner in Australia, a race to come in Mexico and a

real announcement that Power and Team Australia have stepped up a level with this performance.

The Bad News is that the team did not get its due kudos at home;the Good News is that Will can win at home in 2007 and make it 17 different winners next year.

Don't tell Ricky Bobby: While one Frenchman celebrated, right, Bourdais licked his wounds after driving one of the worst races of his career, below. Old sparring pardner Paul Tracy, bottom, was fourth.

motorsportnews

CHAMP CARS

Marshall Cass

RESUIIg3INDY 300(16 LAPS) POS DRiVER/RACETIME

1

Je Suis un Vanqueur: Nelson Philippe was three colours happy after becoming Champ Car's youngest winner, top.

Everything but the kitchen sink: AJ Allmendinger's chances of wearing down points leader Sebastien Bourdais ended when he took his refuelling line into battle, above.

Pizza with a Rocket topping: Antonio Pizzonia gambled(and lost) on a fuel economy win in his third CCWS outing,left.

www.mnews.com.au

NAT/QUAL

nfBfeiBKilfppe

F QE-HVM 1:50:50.985 1:32.348 5 2 Bi!i^i§Dpminauez MEX Rocketspprts 1:50:51.713 1:32.974 10 CON Team Australia 3 Baia^giia^ 1:50:57.039 1:32.845 9 4 CON iB^llTragy?

Fersythe 1:50:58.223 1:31.959 3 5 BTlArrdrewRanaer CON Conquest 1:51:00.362 1:33.564 12 6 MBTunoUtinquelra BR N^man/Haas 1:32.265 4 1:51:01.232 7 BH(!h'arlesfZw6lsman*NL Conquest 1:34.282 15 1:51:07.834 Newman/Haas B.quraaisF 2 1:31.774 1:51:09.963 9 EnSreMWfrth* D Dale Coyne 1:35.176 17 1:51:13.180 Bizzdriia* BR Rocketsports 101 1:33.736 13 1:51:35.071 Brisco’e?'

AUS RuSPORT 11 1:33.043 11 58 laps AUS Team Australia 12 MWilllRow# 1 1:31.403 58 laps E 13 sewia: PKV Racing 1 6 1:32.371 43 laps BEL 14 Hevierg Dale Coyne 14 1:34.182 42laps 15 BBK'atliefinelL'eaq'e* GB^ PKV Racing 16 1:34.634 42 laps 16 PJAWAIIMIhger USA Forsythe 7 1:32.536 ISIaps GB QE-HVM 17 i DamOlarker' 8 1:32.821 12 laps RuSPORT GB dn; JlrefflitF 57

F9RPULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

round 18- brazil

A Worthy End

Felipe Massa became the first Brazilian to win at home since Ayrton Senna,Fernando Alonso sealed his Drivers'title and Michael Schumacher left us with a display of brilliance and dignity JOESAWARD

-

F

ELIPE Massa won the Brazilian Grand Prix in convincing and emotional fashion at Interlagos, but the local hero was put in the shade - not by Fernando Alonso, who drove intelligently to second place and a second World Championship, nor Jenson Button who came from 14th for third.

All were completely overshadowed by a stunning drive from Michael Schumacher who, in his final race, did everything he could to get to the front after a problematical qualifying and then an early race puncture. It was Michael at his very, very best.

Fie drove through the field in brilliant fashion, humiliating the likes of Rubens Barrichello and Giancarlo Fisichella and outfoxing even Kimi Raikkonen. Fie ended his FI career(we think) with the fastest lap of the race on his penultimate lap, in fourth place.

But it was not enough. Alonso had the Drivers'title by 13 points and Renault took the Constructors' by five points. It was a great day for the sport, a great day for the concept of sporting behaviour, a great advert for FI - and a great TV show. he tension and excitement that had built up before the race was what one would expect from a cheerful and enthusiastic Brazilian crowd.

Formula 1 is all about passion and while Interlagos has a host of drawbacks, it is a place where FI sees the passion up close and personal and no-one is left unmoved by such things.This is why we go racing. This is what it is all about. All the bad stuff that goes on in the grubby back rooms of the sport evaporates on days like this.

The passion drowns the cynicism.

When you analyse it all, the race 58

This will do nicely: Fernando Alonso was overshadowed by Massa but got the second title in the bag with second.Jenson Button,following, was third in a pretty stellar drive whiie Kimi Raikkonen, below, was given the business by Schumacher but will arrive at Maranelio a happy man ...

itself was fairly straightforward.

Massa took the lead at the start with Raikkonen and JarnoTrulli ahead of Alonso and Button.

Michael Schumacher had a lot to do but was already down on the inside line, trying to find a way to pass the men ahead of him. Fie was squeezed by Robert Kubica, who had Ralf Schumacher and Nick Heidfeld outside him.There was no room and Michael had to give but as they went thundering down the hill Michael was trying to pass the two BMWs. Ralf was no

longer a problem.

At the bottom of the hill, Kubica tried to go down the inside of Fleidfeld and the two BMWs went fractionally wide. Michael was inside both and into seventh place in a trice.Two down,seven to go.

Behind the two BMWs there was a disaster for Williams as Nico Rosberg ran into the back of Mark Webber.This removed the front wing of Rosberg's car and the rear wing of Mark's car. As Nico headed up the hill to complete the lap he did not head for the pits. A

strange thing to do. And then he lost control of the car and'crashed heavily into the tyres in the fast corner before the pit straight.

There \was wreckage all over the place and on this occasion the Race Direction decided that a Safety Car was necessary - a good decision after the lunacy that we saw in Turkey.

This was, of course, a great help for Michael Schumacher because it meant that the top seven stayed together behind the Safety Car and he did not lose time.

The track was cleaned up and the race restarted at the end of lap six and Massa took off at great speed.

Now Michael began to lose time. No-one could keep up with Massa. Raikkonen was second but slow, and Trulli did not last long, disappearing into the pits after 10 laps, which left Alonso in third.

More importantly, however, there had been drama as Michael challenged Fisichella for fifth place.

Michael towed past the Italian with amazing ease as they flew towards Turn 1. Fisi came back under brakes. It was close but the two cars did not touch. Michael was through, but within a few yards however it was clear that the Ferrari had a left rear puncture.

Fisichella almost ran into the back of the Ferrari as Michael lifted off.

Michael struggled round to the pits. By the time he got there the tyres was in shreds. Michael was at the back and more than half a minute behind the rest of the field.

What could he do from there?

The answer was that one must never, never underestimate Michael Schumacher. With a tankful of gas and nothing to lose Michael drove a tremendous race.

It took him until lap 28 before he even caught the backmarkers but then he worked his way through, aided to a small extent by the fact that some of those ahead were pitting so he did not have to waste

motorsportnews

FORM

t

c

)

Sealed with a Kiss

'THE race was rather chaotic, I guess that's the right word for it," said Michael Schumacher as the dust settled on a stellar career.

"We had an insanely quick car today. We probably had enough speed to lap everyone,to be honest. I'd have to say it was a class finale with the car, with the speed we've got. But it just wasn't meant to be today,for me."

"I'm really happy for Felipe that he could be the next Brazilian after Senna to win here,"said Schumacher.

He may have agitated millions with some of his split-second decisions along the way but, on his final day as a Grand Prix driver, Michael Schumacher was all class.

He ended in style.

Will his records ever be beaten?

A huge ask, but people used to say that about Fangio ...

excessive time passing them.

Those who were there were overtaken without fuss. By the time Michael pitted on lap 47 he was sixth. His stop dropped him back to eighth and then Kubica disappeared into the pits for his second stop. Michael drove by Barrichello with barely a fight. He came up behind Fisichella and for nine laps they played cat and mouse. Michael made a mistake at one point and lost time but was soon back on the tail of the Renault and on lap 63 he went for it into Turn 1.

Fisichella tried to hold him off but ran wide on to the grass. He blew it.

Michael was gone. Ahead was Raikkonen and Michael was soon on his tail and for five laps they tussled and then Schumacher went for the inside. Kimi closed the door, or so he thought, leaving no more than a Ferrari's width between he and the pit wall. It was enough.The Ferrari plunged down the inside and millions held their breath. Side-by-side ... it was Kimi who had to concede.

Nobody touched, it was brilliant.

It was very fair. But Michael was ahead.

But time ran out. There was too much to do to catch and pass Button and Alonso.The game was over. Michael had given his all.

And he had lost. www.mnews.com.au

But he went out in style.

And while Brazil danced, in Spain they danced for Alonso's second title.

"I scored eight points today and won two back to back World Championships, it was a long race.

I was trying to help the team to become Constructors'Champion!

We manage to have a good race despite lots of pressure from Jenson Button. But we did it.

"Champions for the second time.This is fantastic. I had always dreamt to become champion after Michael Schumacher. We wish him the best for his new life. He is a great champion."

And,oh yes. Button. Jenson had a blinder too. Both Hondas were quick from the start, but it was the Englishman who made the most of it in his best race of the year.

Strong and positive. Button was understandably chuffed.

What else? Both Toyotas failed with indentical rear suspension breakages; the BMWs went slowly backwards; and Takuma Sato finished 10th!

Good work Felipe, good work Fernando. Good work Jenson. But this was Michael's day. Whatever his life holds from here on, people will remember that he gave absolutely everything until the final chequered flag.

For all who witnessed it, it was awesome.

Q

UALIFYING had gone working on the rear end. pretty much to form as Michael stayed on board, the top 10 lined up in pit suggesting it was a fixable lane for the final Q3 shootout. problem, but in the end,they ran out of time.

Jenson Button had missed out It was a fuel pressure problem. again after traction-control dramas. and both Williams cars, and Pedro so they said.The big question was whether or not the engine might de la Rosa's McLaren had just missed the cut. have to be changed - and if that There were mere hundredths happened Michael would tumble even further down the order, to in it - a couple of tenths between 20th. third and 10th so, outside of "We could still pull off a 1-2 the front-couple, car speed was tomorrow,"a stoic Ross Brawn said. amazingly close, even across tyre manufacturers.

'The cars are performing strongly.

Schumacher had been at his The Bridgestone tyres mean we can do consistent lap times and fastest in Q2, with a sizzling lap the weather forecast of slightly of 1ml 0.313s. It was a mighty higher temperatures should all performance.The man was on it. work in our favour."

And when the lights went green The funny thing was that the at the end of the pitlane for the men at Michelin were talking in a start of Q3, Michael led the top 10 similarfashion: away.

"Our rival is clearly very quick As they came out on to the over a single lap,"said Michelin's downhill straight, the Ferrari didn't accelerate. It was odd. Cars went Nick Shorrock,"but from a race perspective we feel very confident past, one after another. about our pace and consistency."

Around the paddock, brains Michelin did, however, admit were whirring: what strategy was that the tyres were not in their this? What was to be gained from such a move? ideal operating window in The TV cameras cut to Ross qualifying. And warmer weather was not going to help.

Brawn in the pits - the look on his face said it all. This wasn't a For Fernando Alonso, all of this scheme.This was a disaster. was just academic. He needed just a point so fourth fastest was sortWhen the car finally got back to of okay, staying out of trouble and the pits the Ferrari men pushed hoping that things would go well it into the garage and began

60

in the race.

Alonso's satisfaction was somewhat obscured by Schumacher's pain and by Massa's delight. Being on pole in a Ferrari at your home Grand Prix is as good as it gets for any racing driver and Massa didn't let himself, or the team,down. He was euphoric: The car was fantastic," Felipe said."The tyres are fantastic. I feel quite strong. It's fantastic to be here and I am really happy."Say no more!

The misfortunes of others created a rather odd-looking grid with Kimi Raikkonen's McLaren second, a very unexpected result given the team's recent lack of performance.

"For sure we will be fighting for the win now," Kimi said, sounding rather optimistic."It is going to be difficult but our pace is strong in the long runs."

An even bigger surprise was to see JarnoTrulli third. In recent races we have a few light-fuel qualifying sessions from the Toyota team but with Jarno you never really know. In Montreal he was exceptional - and had a lot of fuel on board. As usual with Jarno you are just never quite sure.

Team-mate Ralf Schumacher was seventh.

Honda suffered from losing Button early on but Rubens

Barrichello's fifth place on the grid was promising. Giancarlo Fisichella was sixth and never really looked like a threat to Alonso and the Ferraris - a shame because a good showing by Fisichella could play its part in deciding the title in Alonso's favour.

The two BMWs were eighth and ninth, probably carrying a lot of fuel, as this has been what they have tended to do this year.

On paper Massa looked to be in a position to run away with the race but with Michael Schumacher needing the victory, the feeling was that Massa would bottle up the field in the first part of the race, to give Michael the chance for one last throw of the dice.The sideeffect of such a strategy is that cars caught in the ruck can trip over one another... and that's where Alonso would be.

Sunday looked fascinating ...

moiorsporinews

FORMULA 7

Missing in Action

Felipe Massa,complete with race suit in Brazilian colours,snatched an emotional pole, but most eyes were on pit lane.Where was Michael? What was going on?

I

I i

I

I

I

s I 1

j j

SOME OLD DOGS, NEW TRICKS AND A LEOPARD SSPOTS WHILE Michael Schumacher headed for Brazil with little chance of winning the World Championship, a number of his rivals were prepared to make sure there was no hanky-panky.

Given Michael's history of unfair play, people were forced to consider several differing options.

If Felipe Massa took off Fernando Alonso and Michael won, it would give Michael the title. But would Ferrari really do such a thing? The feeling was that it would just be too unsubtle and that such a move would force the FIA to act against the team.

Down in the paddock, there were some who were not going to leave it up to the guardians of the sport:

"If Felipe takes off Fernando, then Michael Schumacher is not going to finish," one driver told MNews.

"There are several drivers who would make sure that did not happen ..."

There was a sort of twisted sporting logic about such an idea. If things were going to get dirty, then the mud would really fly. Or would it?

Was the remark really meant or simply designed to be reported back to Ferrari to dissuade the team from doing anything stupid on Sunday?

What would the strategies be?

No-one could say because so much would depend on who lined up where on the grid.

And that, as Q3 showed, would have a twist in its tail.

1

Grand Prix of Brazil a^LIFYING

BRA Ferrari 248 FI Felipe Massf 2 3 KimiRaikkdnen FIN McLaren Mercedes MP4/22 3 fv iTA Toyota TF106C JarnoTrulli 4 1 Fernando Alonso E5P Renault R26 5 Rubens BarricHellbj BRA Honda RA106 6 2 GiancarloFisichella ITA Renault R26 7 RalfSchumacheF r~5ER Toyota TF106C 16 NIckHeidfeld GER BMWSauberF1.06 9 Robert Kubka jg^P0LBMWSauberF1.06 10 5 Michael Schumacher GER Ferrari 248 FI 11 9 Mark Webber AUS Williams CosworthFW28 12 4 Pedro De La Rosa ESP McLaren Mercedes MP4/22 GER Williams Cosworth FW28 13 10 NicoRosberg 14 12 Jenson Button GBR Honda RA106 15 15 Robert Doornbos NED Red Bull Ferrari RB2 16 20 Vltantonio Liuzzi ITA Toro Rosso Cosworth STR01 17 USA Toro Rosso Cosworth STR01 Scott Speed 18 Christijan>Albera - NEOSpykerMF1M16 19 David Goulthaii^ ; GBR Red Bull Ferrari RB2 20 Takuma SatOi. ^‘ JPN Super Aguri Honda SA06 21 SakonYamampfdl ' JPN Super Aguri Honda SA06 22 Tiago Mbnteilr^'' P0RSpykerMF1M16

B 1:10.643 1:10.775 1:10.680 M 1:12.035 1:11.386 1:11.299 B 1:11.885 1:11.343 1:11.328 M 1:11.791 1:11.148 1:11.567 M 1:12.017 1:11.578 1:11.619 M 1:12.042 1:11.461 1:11.629 B 1:11.713 1:11.550 1:11.695 M 1:12.307 1:11.648 1:11.882 M 1:12.040 1:11.589 1:12.131 B 1:11.565 1:10.313 DNS B 1:11.973 1:11.650 i M 1:11.825 1:11.658j B 1:11.974 1:11.679j M 1:12.085 1:11.742; M 1:12.530 1:12.591M Iil2.855 1:12.861s M 1:12.856 B 1:13.138 M 1:13.249 B 1:13.269 B 1:13.357 B DNF

-●*^1

What more do you want?

The all new SponsorG race suit has everything you could askfor!!

3 Very Lightweight

FIRT

V

Call 1800 797 344 for your neared dealer SPARCO #1 in World Motor^port

www.mnews.com.au

67

!. n

mm WINNERS >N MICHAEL; Yep, Massa won the race and the locals ate it up, and Alonso sealed the championship. But everyone else in this race was a second-rater compared to the outgoing seven-time World champion. Love him, hate him, do what you want, but driving of this calibre will be missed.

FERRARI: Renault stiched up the Constructors'trophy again but the Prancing Horse was the class of the field in Brazil.

Raikkonen must be licking his lips waiting for testing to start.

JENSON BUTTON: He was utterly overshadowed

by Schumacher but, on this day, on Michelins, he was a class act.

SUPER AGURI: Somehow,Team Nippon has come up with a pretty handy car. Yes, Brazil was a 'Bridgestone'track but both cars looked pretty good - and Yamamoto's fastest lap beat Barrichello's!

LOSERS WILLIAMS: The drivers ran into each other and Webber must be thinking, 'Thank God that is over'.

NICO ROSBERG: Keke, if your son really thinks that the lap 1 SNAFU is not his fault, get out the strap.

TOYOTA; So much money,so little talent.The world's biggest car company will have to stop aiming for the top of Division 3 and get serious about Formula 1 one day. In Brazil, Team Moneybags was soundly thrashed by Super Aguri!

62

t\. /i»j

I

l\Sf \

"v G

Wings,Flags and Valves WITH a long season winding to a close (and a long plane trip for almost everyone in Formula 1) the Grand Prix finale had some interesting items on show.

Aero modifications led the way, as usual, most of the changes in detail. Renault,Toyota and Ferrari all had new front wings, as did McLaren but the most interesting tweak was McLaren's new front'winglets'. The two pointy horizontal planes are placed, one on each side of the chassis, in the foremost section of he chassis and serve a function similar to that of the'ears'on Renault's R26.

The units allow a more stable front end (one of the weaknesses of the current car) and it was no surprise to see them on Sao Paulo's bumpy braking zones.

These strange elements, in reality have function very similar to the winglets that appeared on the top forward section of the Renault chassis during the season.

An interesting feature being discussed for next season is the new GPS driver warning system, which is mandatory from next year.

From Race Control, all the cars are shown on a screen featuring the track layout. When a marshal post contacts the race director, he switches on the proper light on the cars passing through (or approaching) that relevant section of the track.This with exception of the red flag, waved at all marshal posts and switched on all In cars simultaneously.These LEDs, should avoid the problem of flags not seen by the drivers even if waved by the marshals.

- PAOLO FILISETTI

moiorsportnews

FORMULA 1

RESUig BRAZILIAN GRAND PRIX POS DRIVER

1 2 3 4 5

TIME

Massa Alonso

F/LAP

1;3]:53.751 1:12.877 23 1:32:06.628 1:12.961 70

Button

1:3^3.145 1.13.053 71 M.Schumacher1:32:17.847 1:12.162 70

Raikkonehi 1:3^:22.254 1:13.281 58 Fisichella '1:32:24.238 1:13.121 70 BarrichiHgl 1:32:34.045 1:13.391 48 8 de la Rosa 1:32:45.819 1:13.817 63 9 Kubica 1:33;Q1.393 1:14.117 25 10 Sato 70 laps 1:13.401 47 11 Speed 70laps 1:13.862 69 12 Doornbos 70 laps 1:13.700 62 13 Liuzzi 70 laps 1:13.687 69 6 7

A

r\

. y

For the third time, Mark Webber was out ofthe Brazilian Grand Prix before he managed to complete a single lap...

14 Albers 15 MonteiroZi 16 Yamamoto 17 Heidfeid!

TO Iaps 69laps 69 laps 63 laps

DNF Coulthardl DNf Trulli

13 laps 1:16.045 12 maps 1:14.882 9

DNF R.Schuma9iSiI

10 laps 1:16.835

DNF Webber DNF, Rosberc

1:14.591 61 1:14.410 38 1:13.379 67 1:14.163 18

8

Jjap 1 lap

FASTEST LAP: M Schumacheron lap 70,1:12.162

For theMark thirdWebber time in three years, was taken out by his team-mate in the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Christian Klien (2005), Antonio Pizzonia (2006) and now Nico Rosberg make up the exclusive group of drivers involved.

"Yeah, quite a statistic,"Webber told MNews after parking his rear wing and diffuser-less Williams in the garage at the end of lap one.

While the official team release was relatively forgiving of Webber's young team-mate ("It looks like Nico lost his braking point. It's always bad when team mates collide, but he didn't do it on purpose."), privately Webber

was quite disappointed: "It wasn't a little hit. He was

couple of tenths would have made several place differences.

"It was an interesting last few minutes (of Q2).

"Rubens and Robert(Kubica) were in front of me as we started

never going to make the apex -1 was alongside Pedro(de la Rosa) going intoTurn 4 and he (Pedro) was locked up making the apex himself..."

^^^in^Monso134,M.Sdiumadier121,Massa 80, ^^E72,fttd8»en65,Button 56,BarridieHo 30,Montoya 26, Wro,R.Sdaima(her20,dela Rosa 19,Truni 15,Cou!thanj 7,KuNq 6,Rosb»g 4,Klien 2,Uuzzi 1.

CONSTRUCTDRS'POINTS:Renault206,foTari201,MdarenMercedes no,Honda 86,BMW5auber36,Toyota 35,Red Bull Fwiari 16,Williams-Cosworth 11,Toro Rosso Cosworth 1.

the crucial lap and both locked fronts going into Turn 1. 1 probably lost a tenth by reacting to that, holding back, but got it back at Turn 4, nailed 6, but then lost 23 tenths out of 7. Close, but not

In the end,the Aussie was relieved to get what has been a demoralising season over with, and on a plane home.Webber returns to Australia next week for the Mark Webber Challenge.

"It'll be good to have some time out, right away from FI, and get back to it refreshed," he told us.

The Williams team leader missed the top 10 Q3 session by hundredths of a second - indeed a

close enough."

Testing with Red Bull Racing, using the current Ferrari-powered car, starts in December"purely to get to know the team,the people, while we wait for the all-important new car, in January."

do iwntiul*

e»rt w tfi»r

Not Waving the Flag,Waiving the Rules FOR Felipe Massa the chequered flag was a welcome sight.

"Winning my home Grand Prix is amazing. It has been 13 years that a Brazilian has not won the Brazilian Grand Prix.

"Thirteen years ago it was Ayrton Senna. Everyone watched that race. Even me -1 was still a kid and 12 years old.

I watched it from home, not at the track. At the time, on TV, I saw ail the spectators running towards Senna and I saw the same today and it is magic, because it was for me.

"I had never never expected this. It is fantastic.

A dream comes true. I saw all the people Jumping and dancing just for me because I won. It is fantastic that is is just for me. It is www.mnews.com.au

absolutely fantastic."

"When I took the flag (from the spectator) I remembered Ayrton Senna taking the flag in Monaco for instance. For me a flag at my home Grand Prix was fantastic. I stopped to find a flag and I think that someone tried to jump in my car! It was great." ^ But could Felipe have courted trouble?

Formula 1 is a sport that has a million rules. Some of them very silly. We saw that at Monza when Fernando Alonso was penalised for supposedly costing Massa time on his fastest lap in qualifying.The rules said that Alonso should be punished and he was punished severely and,

most FI fans believe, unfairly with a drop of 10-places on the grid.The rule was stupid,the FIA people said, but It was there and had to be applied. It should be changed.

Fast forward to Interlagos. Massa has won a fantastic race. He is driving around the track waving a Brazilian flag, handed to him by a delirious spectator. It is a great moment.

And yet, hidden away in the Sporting Regulations is Article 154, a rule that states that"after receiving the end-of-race signal all cars must proceed on the circuit directly to the post race pare ferme without stopping, without overtaking (unless clearly necessary), without receiving any object whatsoever and without any assistance (except that of the marshals If necessary)".

It would have been ridiculous to apply such a rule at such a moment- but the rule exists and it could have been...

Where is the logic in that?

63

ILD

his title hopes alive.While Sebastien T rained in Turkey. It hailed in Turkey.The sun shone in Turkey {okay, only on the final day). And Marcus Gronholm prevailed in Turkey.

While championship leader Sebastien Loeb nursed his fractured arm at home in Switzerland, Gronholm did what he had to do to keep the flame alive under his 2006 Championship ambitions. He totally outclassed the field but in a careful manner, which guaranteed him 10 points in his chase of the fabulous Frenchman.

"To win with no problems in such tricky conditions is a fantastic achievement from the whole team,' said Gronhoim, who took his 23rd WRC victory."Yesterday was one of the worst days I have seen in the WRC. It was a difficult rally with 64

so much mud and 1 felt far more relaxed when I no longer had to push after Better Solberg retired.

It was incredibly hard to attack on roads that were so slippery it was difficult to stand up."

It was, indeed, perilous.The mud made conditions hard for the drivers, a nightmare for the crews and forced the organisers to cancel three stages and shorten others, as the roads turned into paths of brown glue.

In Loeb's absence, Ford scored a rare 1-2, its first since Rally Mexico in 2004. Mikko Hirvonen equalled his career-best result in the other Focus RS, even if it was a distant 2:23s behind his countryman.

"We made no mistakes which is excellent in these tough conditions,"said the youngster.

"They constantly changed and

we even saw hail yesterday."

There was a turnaround for Subaru in Turkey and Solberg was third. But not Better; as usual, his luck was awful. After chasing Gronholm on Friday, the Norwegian hit a rock and broke his Impreza on Saturday, leaving him to rue the loss of eight points. Into the fray drove brother Henning in his OMV Peugeot 307,earning him his maiden podium finish in the WRC and family bragging rights, as he is now ahead of his works-driver brother in the Drivers' Championship.

And, in the finest traditions, the older Solberg and co-driver Cato Menkerud had a blubber at the end.

"When we reached the finish, Cato suddenly started to cry," Solberg recounted, surely the

happiest driver at the finish, "i couldn't help myself and joined in. It is such a wonderful day for us.'

A Citroen was fourth but not that of'Super Sub'Colin McRae. The world's most famous rally driver was running seventh until the final stage when the Kronosprepared car stopped with an electrical problem - which almost certainly left Gronholm wondering why those things never happen to Loeb ...

So Xavier Pons took fourth after a late charge, which saw him gain two spots on Sunday.The last of those was when gearbox problems struck the 2005 Focus of Kosti Katajamaki, which was classified fifth after what had been until then a drama-free weekend.

Chris Atkinson looked to be In contention for a podium finish to

motorsport news

WORLD RALL

w^utton':jlmage^n

Blue Battler: Atkinson never stopped trying in the Subaru,top.

Mum,we have good news: Henning Solberg score the first podium ofhis career, above, while little bro Fetter wentlooking for that rock, right.

Ford Rally Team

carry into his home event in Perth next week but he spun on the penultimate stage and fell 8s adrift of Katajamaki.

"It's been a tricky weekend as the speed is encouraging but still we want better results," Atkinson said.

"We struggled with the set-up ali weekend and trying to find the right balance,so it's good to get to the finish."

Daniel Sordo was seventh after a steady run (just what the doctor ordered after his recent concrete-crunching adventure in Cyprus) until he topped two of the final three stages - but the Citroen team did manage to shoot themselves in the foot somewhat.

Management nominated Sordo and McRae for Manufacturers' Points and left out Pons, costing them three points and gifting www.mnews.com.au

Ford a seven-point lead. In what is going to be a tight finish, the slip could prove to be dramatic.

Manfred Stohl was eighth after dropping a vital handful of seconds to Sordo on the final stage.

So,to Western Australia for the final time. Last year, the event was a crap-shoot after all the big names dropped the ball, and McRae was the story of the rally, losing a podium finish at the final hurdle (in a Skoda!) if the ball bearing gravel has proven over the years that anything can happen, Gronholm will be hoping that the anythings that do will happen to anyone else.

One slip-up from Ford and Loeb is going to take another title.

Whatever happens, next week's rally is a must-see event.

Coming soon on PlayStation 3: Colin McRae finished out ofthe points in the Citroen, below.

RESUj^§RALLY TURKEY 1 Marcus’GfoSIMill Timo Rautiainen 2 MikkoHilffliSi. Jarmo Lehtinen 3 HennihqiSSIBIl Cato Menkerud 4 XavierPoni Carlos Del Barrio 5 KostiKagiM£i_ TimoAlanne: ChrisAlM^ _ Glenn MacNeail 7 DaniefS^¥ Marc Marti

ManfrediSjMIL iika Minor

Fin Fin Fjn Fin Nor Nor Esp Esp Fin Fin

Ford Focus RS 3:28:16.3 Ford Focus RS 3:30:39.7 Peugeot 307 3:31:22.3 Citroen Xsara 3:31:43.7 Ford Focus RS 3:31:44.8

Aus Subaru Impreza Aus 3:31:52.8 Esp Esp

Citroen Xsara 3:32:41.1

Aut Aut

Peugeot 307 3:32:46.6

43,Stohl 34, H Solberg 25,P Solberg 23, liter 20, Pons 18,Gronholm Atkinson 87, 17, Gall!

15.

E'oints: Loeb 112, Hirvonen Manufacturers'Points; Ford 153, KronosCitroeSH 145,Subaru 83, OMV-Peugeot 67, Stobart-Ford35.^

sutton-lmages.com

Portuguese Men of War Abay#2 SAM Abay has narrowly lost the Formula BMW Asia Series after heading into the final race meeting leading the pointscore.

Abay struggled to get on the front-running pace at Zhuhai in China last weekend, finishing the three races with two fourths and a fifth. His championship adversary Earl Bamber won all three races, handing him both the championship and the Rookie title.

Daniel Ricciardo finished the weekend with three second place finishes, after having been fastest in qualifying.

TONI Elias may have taken his maiden IVIotoGP victory at Estoril a fortnight ago, but in the scheme of the 2006 championship it was the first handful of laps that stole the limelight.

With the two series leaders Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden qualifying pole and third, it looked as if it was going to be a cracker of a race. But a dynamite start from Hayden's Honda stable-mate Dani Pedrosa saw him weigh into the battle of the lead. It all changed on lap 5 when Pedrosa slipped up under braking,taking both himself and Hayden out of the race.

"I don't know what to say really - it just hurts,"said Hayden.

"I don't expect Dani to pull over and let me by, but I definitely didn't expect him to do that.

We're professionals and Dani

did come to my motorhome and talk to me afterwards and we shook hands. I told him there's a way to make it up to me and that's if we run one-two in Valencia."

Honda's misfortune meant the pressure was off Rossi, however the reigning Champ was unable to take maximum points away from the race. A late charge from Toni Elias saw him sneak through for his maiden win - by just 0.002s.

Rossi was second, with Kenny Roberts Jnr coming from 13th on the grid to finish third.

Casey Stoner failed to finish after a crash with Sete Gibernau.

Chris Vermuelen finished ninth, while Garry McCoy came home 15th aboard the all-new llmor X3.

Points: Rossi 244, Hayden 236, Marco Melandri 217, Loris Capirossi 209, Pedrosa 202,

ANDREA Dovizioso has kept the 250cc World Championship alive with victory at Estoril ahead of Hiroshi Aoyama.

Alex de Angelis finished third, while points-leader Jorge Lorenzo had to settle for fifth.

Points: Lorenzo 276, Dovizioso 263, De Angelis 203, Aoyama 193, Roberto Locatelli171.

IT was a record-breaking weekend for 2006 125cc Champion Alvaro Bautista at Estoril, with the Spaniard scoring more the most ever points and the most ever podium finishes in 125cc history.

Bautista took a comfortable win ahead of Hector Faubel and Mika Kallio.

Points; Bautista 325,Kallio 242, Mattia Pasini 185, Faubel 172,Sergio Gadea

Final Points: Bamber 290, Abay 274, Ricciardo 231,James Grunwell 164, Aaron Lim 144.

Over and out MICHAEL Patrizi has finished eighth in the 2006 Formula BMW UK Championship.

The West Australian had a troubled run at the final round of the championship at Silverstone a fortnight ago, finishing eighth in Race 1 before failing to finish Race 2.

"I would have liked to have finished my final event in Formula BMW on a better note but it wasn't to be,"said Patrizi.

"It's been a tough and challenging season but I will be a stronger driver because of it."

OliverTurvey and Niall Breen shared the race wins.

Final Points: Breen 304,Turvey 209, Ross Curnow 203, Euan Hankey 188, Michael Meadows 151,{Patrizi 73).

66

Schneider bags hisfifth BRUNO Spengler may have won the penultimate round of the DTM Series at Le Mans a fortnight ago, but Bernd Schneider stole the headlines by wrapping up his fifth title.

The 42-year-old came home fifth in France, however that was enough to secure the championship with a round to spare. Schneider has previously been champion in 1995, 2000, 2001 and 2003.

"I am really, really happy, having won my fifth DTM title," he said.

"I will be back to defend my title next year. I still enjoy racing in the DTM very much."

But the race win went to Spengler, who led the pack from pole position to take his third

VlfLlUU!U[jyUVi^UUk50

V00|_ gd

victory of the season. Hot on his heels was Mika Hakkinen, while Tom Kristensen was the first Audi home in third.

Points; Schneider 66,Spengier 53, Kristensen 50, Martin Tomczyk 38, Hakkinen 25.

MICHAEL Bartels and Andrea | BertpHni were crownediPliAGT 1 champions atthe penultimate . round ofthe series at Adria a i fortnight ago. !

The Maserati pair wrapped up the title with second place at Ad ria.They were beaten to the race win by team-mates Thomas Biagi and Jamie Davies. , Tim Mullen and.Marino franchitti won the GT2 class.

Points: BartelS'69, Beitolini 69,Sascha Bert 55,Jarek Janis 54,Jean.penis beletraz 52,Andrea PiccinI 52. r

motorsport news

INTERNATIONAL

Jimmie closes in PIT-STOP strategy in the closing quarter of last Sunday's Martinsville Speedw/ay race made for an exciting finish, with Jimmie Johnson coming from ninth on the grid to take victory.

The win gained him four positions in the Chase, leaving him third in the standings,just 41 points in arrears of leader Matt Kenseth.

bumped him two positions to fourth in the standings.

Bobby Labonte came home a solid third on older tyres, giving Petty Enterprises its best result in years.

Points leader entering the Martinsville round Jeff Burton finished 42nd after an early skirmish left him with light front end damage.

Home state favourite Denny Hamlin finished a strong second after popping Johnson in the rear with five laps to go, but he didn't have the muscle to keep up with the victor. His runner up finish

FOR the second race in succession at Lowes Motor Speedway, Kasey Kahne headed Jimmie Johnson to the finish line a fortnight ago.

Jeff Burton stalled his car on pit road just as Mark Martin was knocked out of contention byJ.J. Yeyley, who tried to pit as Martin was making a move under him.

Had the caution not aired.

Burton would have gone two laps down. As it was he overcame his one lap deficit to finish a solid third, with fellow Chase contender Dale Earnhardt Jr good for fourth.

- MARTIN D CLARK Points: Kenseth 5848, Kevin HarvickS812, Johnson 5807, Hamiin 5801, Burton 5800, Earnhardt Jr 5754, Martin 5752, Kahne 5749,Jeff Gordon 5607, Kyie Busch 5677.

MARTIN D CURK

MA unlucky at Kroger 200

' ftibmateflM

Festival time Three Aussies go for FFord's biggest prize I BRANDS Hatch played host to ; the 35th Formula Ford Festival I last weekend, however it ! wasn't a festive time for the j three Australian's taking part, i John Martin had a frightening i end to his weekend in the : Duratec class when he made j heavy contact with a stalled car : on the start/finish straight in the semi-final.The car had stalled at i the start, and was collected by , Martin, who arrived unsighted the following lap. Martin was I uninjured, however the driver i of the other car was knocked ; unconscious.

www.mnews.com.au

Nathan CarattI ran as high as fifth in qualifying for Team JLR, but got caught up in the carnage of the final. He failed to finish.

Paul Laskazeski was the lone Australian in the Kent class, and looked to be on the pace by qualifying second fastest in the Spectrum.

Having been taken out of the heat race, Laskazeski started the final from 14th, where he braved the rain to come home fifth.

RichardTannahill won the j Duratec class while Noel Dunne | took the Kent crown. i

MARCOS Ambrose was unlucky not to finish in the top 10 at the Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway last weekend.

The Team Australia driver was on course for a solid finish after running near the front throughout the course of the race, however a touch from behind forced him to pit with 14 laps remaining.

He recovered to finish 25th.

"We were going really well and we were running towards getting a top 10 result,"said Ambrose.

"We came in and changed all four tyres and went all the way back to about 33rd and had the pace to come right back up to 12th.

"Late in the race there we got hit from behind and it punctured the tyre and then it delaminated,so we had to come in to change it. it was a good finish gone because we had such a good truck. It was really good to run at that pace here and that's a good sign for our short track program. It felt good

to be running so strong but it's disappointing we didn't get the result we deserved."

Jack Sprague won the race.

The next round is at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend.

Points:Todd Bodine 3197,Johnny Benson 3118, David Reutimann 2930, Ted Musgrave 2923, Rick Crawford 2846, (Ambrose 1779). ly

CRRFTSMnS

Martin D Clark

Picture Perfect -

ALLAN McNish and Dindo Capello rounded out a dominant season for Audi by winning the final round of the American Le Mans Series at Laguna Seca last weekend.

The McNish/Capello combo exploited the economy of the Audi R10 on their way to victory, with McNish completing the final 1 hi 7m of the race without making a pit-stop.

Emanuele Pirro and Frank Biela were second in the sister Audi.

67

Rain stops play

RAIN prevented the running of Round 4 of the TPCR Coca-Cola track championship series last Saturday night,and it was a iucky break for Troy Littie.

Troy Little went into the round 4 of the TPCR Coca Cola track championship leading the pointscore, but had just a two point advantage over second placed Trevor Green.

During qualifying, a nozzle line came off Little's Eagle,and with nearly 60 Sprintcars packed

into the Parramatta pits,the time saw Little way back in 55th position,forcing him into the non-qualifiers race.

Then the heavens opened.

The meeting was cancelled, allowing Little to hold onto his points lead.

Dumesny had earlier set the fastest time with Ken Sartori, Marty Perovich, Adrian Maher, Green and Garry Brazier the top six qualifiers.

-GREG BOSCATO

THE South Australian Sprintcar season opened at Murray Bridge Speedway a fortnight ago, with 10 Sprintcar teams taking part in an open test session.

Amongst the drivers were Michael Burford, Owen Pitt, Ricky Maiolo, Justin Sloan, Darryl Wright, Wayne Rowett, Ryan Jones, Matt Egel and Lee

2007 Speedway Grand Prix 1 - Italy-April 28 2- Poland - May 12 3- Sweden - May 26 4-Denmark-June9 5 - Great Britian - June 30 6 - Czech Republic - July 28 7 - Sweden - August 11 8-Latvia-August 25 9- Poland - September 8 10 - Slovenia - September 22 11 - Germany - October 6

Dillon.

As well as practice there was three 10-lap hot runs, which produced some exciting close running with good times set by all.

The next run for the Sprintcars will take place on October 28 at Speedway City in Adelaide. n Cameron Gessner won the first round of the 2006/07 Comp Cams Sprintcar Series at Brisbane International Speedway on October 7.

Starting from first, Gessner dominated the feature race, leading each of the 25 laps. Robbie Farr was unable to mount a convincing challenge, only coming close to Gessner while lapping traffic, and settled for second position after having won on the previous weekend.

Ben Wright was passed by Farr at the start, but remained composed and rounded out the podium.

Defending Comp Cams Champion Andrew Scheuerle opened his series account with fourth position, while Terry Bracken finished in fifth.

A third lap crash took out last year's season runner-up Richard Morgan, and former Australian Champion Todd Wanless. n Brooke Tatneli had just one race meeting during his short three-week stay at home.

The October 14 meeting saw him back with former crew chief Allan Felsch.

"This was the best way that Felschy and I could pay tribute to my dad," said Tatneli."This isn't about Brooke Tatneli, this is about everyone in speedway paying a tribute to my dad!"

-HORNE/KOREIS/BOSCATO 68

THE 2007 Speedway Grand Prix calendar has been finalised.

The season-opener will move to Lonigo in Italy next year, and will be staged a week later than It was In 2006.The finale will also be a week later, and moves from Poland to Germany.

The FIM Speedway World Cup has also had Its 2007 schedule confirmed. Rounds 1 and 2 will be held at Denmark and Coventry respectively, while the final will be hosted in Poland on July 21.

Scheuerle the last lap hero ANDREW Scheuerle scrambled to a late victory at the MSAQ Club Show at Maryborough Speedway a fortnight ago.

Scheuerle looked unstoppable early in the proceedings, setting quick times in the hot laps session, and later clinching the inside-front starting spot after winning the dash.

Peter Thorley threw a spanner in the works when he jumped Scheuerle at the start of the A-Main, and led the way without looking troubled. Scheuerle's night looked to be falling apart after Darren Jenson passed him for second position, but Jenson crashed and rolled the next lap, bunching the field together on the restart, and putting Scheuerle back right behind Thorley.

With heavy dicing for position for the minor places, Thorley and Scheuerle continued to race nose-to-tail at the front until they hit lapped traffic. .

However,Thorley's night took a turn for the worst when a minor altercation with a sideways backmarker at the end of the second-last lap forced him to go low, allowing Scheuerle to sweep through on the outside and take his first win of the season.

A hard-charging Ben Wright also took advantage ofThorley's misfortune, collecting second place after starting the A-Main in 10th.

A disappointed Thorley recovered to take the final podium position.

- DARIUS KOREIS

motorsportnews

SPEEDWAY

Little takes big win at Parramatta WITH five Australian Sprintcar champions in the field,Troy Little stormed to a brilliant victory at the Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway a fortnight ago, defeating a fast-finishing Brooke Tatnell.

Tatnell, back home to visit his ill father George, was having a guest drive in the second Genner team Maxim. After starting back in position seven,Tatnell moved through the field, passing second placed Sartori late in the 30-lap A-Main. During the feature race, Tatnell's Maxim had broken a torsion bar stop in the right rear arm and it had dropped onto the right front.

Little had regained control from Ken Sartori around lap 20 and pulled away.Tatnell, with only a few laps remaining, couldn't catch Little, allowing the Sydney ace the victory. Sartori was third, while Trevor Green, Craig Brady and Marty Perovich made up the top six finishers.

Robbie Farr had engine troubles early, and swapped to Todd Wanless's new Cool chassis. He didn't last a lap in the A-Main after an incident saw him breakthe front axle.

Young Ian Madsen looked to have at least a podium finish lined up, but with just nine to go a broken steering box saw him turn right,flipping over towards the

outer fence. He took Garry Brazier with him, and with Brazier having to restart from the rear, the former champ was a distant 11th at the checker.

Round 1 winner Max Dumesny looked to be off the pace and finished back in eighth place, while NT star Danny Reidy,'having

only his second-ever run at Parramatta,took second to Kiwi champ Kerry Jones in the B-Main.

Reidy was a non-finisher in the Main.

Sartori was impressive all night, setting the quick time in qualifying over Bruce White and Marty Perovich.

The WA star also took out a great victory in the opening dash event.

Heat race winners were Tatnell, Green, Dumesny and Adrian Maher, while Little scored his first win of the night in the second dash race.

- GREG BOSCATO

Jumping forjoy:Brooke Tatnell gotsome air on his way to second place, far left. Ken Satori had to settle for third after being the fastest qualifer.

Hoosler Tire Australia

Xoo$trr

^^ RACING TIRE

FormoreInfo on HooslerDrag &Speedway Tyres call:

NSW: 0296791990 VIC: 0393316477 SA: 0883320800 www.mnews.com.au

WORLD OF OUTLAWS 2006 CHAMPIONSHIP USA Race Park- Outlaw Desert Classic

Australian Distributors for

F029679V87 F0393317444 F0883640296

Points as of21st October

Slow and steady winsthe race Troxel named Sportswoman of06 NHRA POWERade Series driver Melanie Troxel, who has advanced to a Top Fuelbest eight final rounds this season, has been honoured by Billie Jean King's Women's Sports Foundation as its 'Sportswoman of the Year.'

Past Sportswoman of the Year Award winners include a 'who's who' of the greatest female athletes of alltime -from Annika Sorenstam and Juli Inkster to Sarah Hughes and Michelle Kwan to Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. Troxel, who drives the Skull Shine/Knoll Gas-Torco Racing Fuels dragster for Don Schumacher Racing, is the first auto racer to win the award. n Robert Patrick drove his Purvis Ford-sponsored Mustang to a $20,000 payday by stopping Frank Gugliotta in the final round of the Pro Stock Showdown during the IHRATorco Race Fuels President's Cup Nationals. Patrick recorded a final round 6.32s/221mph to defeat the game 6.37s/220mph of Gugliotta.

Patrick recorded a 6.36s/219mph in the opening round to stop Pete Berner, then made history with the quickest pass ever by an IHRA Pro Stock at 6.312s to defeat 2005 IHRA series Champion Steve Speiss.

IN the strangest final round in Pro Modified history, Quain Stott won his second race of

2006 against team-mate Tommy D'Aprile in the IHRA President's Cup Nationals at Maryland International Raceway two weeks ago.

In a farcical race, Stott and D'Aprile left the starting line and coasted to the other end of the track, stopping just before the finish. Stott eventually crossed the line first, in 41 s at 25mph!

Clay Millican clinched his sixthconsecutive eMax IHRA Top Fuel championship with a victory over a red-lighting Rick Cooper in the final round Millican's Werner Enterprises dragster took out newcomer Kevin Jones in Round 1 with a 4.68s/314mph,then recorded a 4.86s/283mph against low qualifier TJ Zizzo to advance to the final with Cooper.

Jeff Diehl won his first Pro Nitro

Funny Car title when he defeated Paul Lee, who was making his fourth final round appearance of the year. Diehl clocked a 5.39S/241 mph in the final to stop Lee, who shook and skated to a 5.73/198. Diehl took out point leader Dale Creasy Jr. in round one and second place runner. Jack Wyatt in round two.

The Pro Mod field was the quickest in history, ranging from Scott Cannon's low qualifying and new e.t record of 6.019s down

to the 6.165s bump spot of Ed Hoover.

Rickie Smith drove to the winners circle in the Pro Stock class. After a 30s staging battle.

Smith used a holeshotto defeat Tony Gillig, 6.37s/219mph to 6.35s/220mph.

Neal Parker used a holeshotto defeat new points leader, Mark Thomas in the Alcohol Funny Car final, 5.84s/240mph to a much quicker and faster 5.77s/247mph.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

n 2005 NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster champion Steve Torrence made his Top Fuel debut in Richmond.

Torrence, piloting a Torco Skull Shine dragster, identically prepared by teammate J.R. Todd's team docked a 4.59s/315mph to qualify 11th.

Torrence's debut was however spoiled in the opening round when he lost traction against Larry Dixon. n Bill Reichert and his Rislone Engine Treatment/Bar's Leaks team clinched their first Top Alcohol Dragster World Championship with a semifinal finish during this past weekend's Torco Race Fuels Nationals.

Reichert qualified his Rislone backed injected-nitro dragster second in the field with a 5.20s pass at 276mph. In Round 1, he defeated Dave Hedges with a 5.29s at 273mph.

Reichert then clinched the title with a 5.251sat275.17mph win in round two.

Frank Manzo wrapped up his 10th NHRA Lucas Oil Alcohol Funny Car championship. Manzo, who has won the last four events on the NHRA trail, locked up the title in Reading.

-DAVID OSTASZEWSKI 70

AMANDA Shepherd made her first launches in a Top Fuel drag car at Western Sydney International Raceway recently.

As part of the State of Origin Supercharged Outlaws meeting at WSID,Shepherd,!8, drove her father's Dragster in a couple of familiarisation tests.

Amanda acquitted herself well in the nitro-burning monster with two strong launches and an impressive third run during

whfgli she butl8R6^offjiusr»»s^^ tralE; Amandaias rOGenlifT completed her eompetitionl licence with the Ken Lowe Drag Race School at Willowbank and now embarks on the quest for her Top Fuel ticket.

Assuming Amanda enjoyed herself and wants to have a drag racing career, this is the first stage of getting her Top Fuel licence.

motorsportnews

DRAG RACING

McClenathan is back CORY McClenathan stopped Rod Fuller to score his first victory on the NHRA POWERade tour since : 2004 at the Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Virginia Nationals.

McCienathan's victory ended a two-year winless drought,as the ' Fram Boost dragster recorded a final round 4.64s/304mph to defeat the tractionless 5.92s/262mph of Fuller and the Valvoline/David Powers dragster.

Earlier in the day McClenathan drove to a 4.59s/311 mph Round 1 win over David Grubnic,and a 4.72s/300mph defeat of David Baca. But the biggest win of n the day came in the semis when McClenathan carded a 6.98s/227mph win in a tyre smoking pedalfest with point

leader Doug Kalitta.

Eric Medlen defeated Cruz Pedregon in the Funny Car final 4.81 s/301 mph to 4.87s/297mph.

Pedregon had to pedal his Advance Auto Parts Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and that was enough to allow Medlen to take the win. Medlen,the low qualifier at 4.72s, used 4.83s/286mph, 4.79S/301 mph and 4.79s/303mph passes to defeat Tim Wilkerson, Jack Beckman and Scott Kalitta.

After stopping Tommy Johnson Jr. in the opening round, Pedregon trailered two of the Team Force trio by stopping Robert Hight in Round 2 and John Force in the semis.

Pro Stock saw Jason Line score the round victory over

-i ».

It ii

■u

Tom Martino, 6.59s/208mph to 6.64s/207mph. Line established a new elapsed time and speed records in the first round at 6.558s/209.75mph in a win over Erica Enders. He followed this with 6.57s/209mph and 6.58s/209mph wins over Dave Connolly and Greg Anderson.

The cool weather coupled to

a smooth racing surface helped propel the factory hot rods into a new level of performance. No less than four drivers dipped into the 6.50s, led by Anderson's barriersmashing 6.598s. The recordquick bump spot of 6.630s was quicker than the national record just two races ago.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

The Markers aim high

Kate and Diana Marker will race in the NHRA in 2007, following in their father's footsteps...

AUSTRALIA will have a bigger presence in American drag racing next year.

Queensland drag racer Steve Marker has been competing in NHRA's Division Series in his Top Alcohol Funny Car for a number of years, and has now introduced his twin daughters to quarter-mile racing - American-style.

Kate and Diana Marker will suit up in 2007 to contest selected rounds of the 2007 NHRA Powerade Drag Racing circuit in separate A/Fuel Dragsters. The ladies will run under their own team banner, KDR Racing Team.

Both Kate and Diana along with their parents, Steve and Jenelle (Marker Motorsports), operate their respective teams out of their Gainesville, Georgia race shop.

Kate recently finished her Top Alcohol Dragster license at the Texas Motorplex behind the wheel of Tom Conway's A/ Fuel Dragster. She will drive one of Conway's cars in an NHRA Divisional race at Las Vegas next week in a prelude to her activities next year. She will drive a A/Fuel Dragster.

Kate started licensing at Frank Hawley's Drag Racing School earlier this year.

On the Monday after the

www.mnews.com.au

O'Reilly Fall Nationals InTexas, Kate made one half pass (5.72et/184mph), followed by two full track passes 5.69et/251 mph (cylinder out at the hit) and a final 5.355et/258mph to secure her license.

Kate will do more testing this year to further acclimatise to her new surrounds before her 2007 debut in one of Conway's A/Dragsters.

Diana will now get her chance to complete her licensing in TAD early in 2007, again at Hawley's school in Florida.

The twins previously raced an A/ Modified Dragster in Australia for two years.

If pedigree counts for anything, then both Kate and Diana should be okay. Steve, in his Marker Motorsports Team Top Alcohol dragster, currently sits in seventh place in the NHRA Divisional Series.

While some of the Markers are based in The States, they still call Australia home. Scott Marker, the son of Steve, lives in Brisbane and races a HQ Monaro in the Super Sedan class.

It goes without saying that the Markers are very much a racing family...

- GRANT ROWLEY

Markers everywhere: Diaria and Kate, above, will drive in the NHRA next year in a A/Fuei Dragster, beiow.

NATIONAL SCENE Edited by Andrew van Leeuwen

APPC Wraps Up THE final round of the Shannons Australian Production Car Championship will be held at Oran Park Raceway next weekend.

With David Ryan securing outright honours at the penultimate round at Queensland recently, the spotlight will be on the battle for the remaining series podium spots. John Moulder and Nick Dunkley from Class A and Colin Osborne from Class B are the likely challengers.

Steve Briffa will return to Class A after having missed out on the Queensland round due to mechanical problems.

Briffa's car has been involved in some off-track action as well, with a display at Narellan Town Centre last weekend. n Scott Fleming took the major silverware away from the Improved Production Nationals at Baskerville Raceway a fortnight ago.

Having been a comfortable fastest in qualifying, Fleming breezed through the heat races, never finishing off the podium.

Come the final, Fleming muscled his way into the lead on Lap 6 and stayed there, taking his Mazda RX-7 to a 4s win over Scott Willing and Ryan Brown.

Noel Clark was the big winner ion the Formula Vee class, winning all four races.

Damien Wickham dominated the HQ races, while Tony Horsham and Terry Warren shared the Targa wins.

Historic Touring Car races were won

by Michael Cross and Warren Bryan. n Victorian Formula Vee driver Taylor Gore will step up to Formula Ford in 2007.

The 17-year-old will take on the 2007 Victorian Formula Ford 1600 Championship with Minda Motorsport, the team that has backed 2006 series leader Taz Douglas. n There was a mixed bunch of winners in the Historic Front-engine cars races at Barbagallo Raceway a fortnight ago.

Bryan Scrivenor took round honours in his Dodge Special after winning the final race. He finished just four points ahead of Glen Caple and his Austin Healey Sprite and John Davies in his Austin Healey 100/4,despite neither driver winning a race.

Other race winners were Harvey Leys(Porsche 911)and Neil McCrudden (Repco Holden Special).

72

FFord regular Josh Scott has his eye on Europe after an F3 test with BRM AUSTRALIAN Formula Ford standout rookie Josh Scott had his first taste of Formula 3 power at Mallala recently.

The 16-year-old drove one of Adelaide-based Team BRM's F3 Dallaras, and was impressed with his one day assault, "i loved it,"Scott said."They are an awesome car. it was good to get in a car that has a lot of grip and and a lot of power.

"The test gave me a big appreciation of the downforce that they have and their braking capabilities."

While Scott told MNews that his focus next year will be on winning the Formula Ford title, the test gave him a great opportunity to get some early experience in the wings and slicks machines.

"The test was really something for the future," he said."I'm going to do the Formula Ford

Championship next year and then step into a more powerful openwheel cars. I want to go to Europe, and my ultimate goal is Formula l,but time is on mysideatthe moment.

"The biggest reason for the test was to get in the car early and get a feel for it."

Scott has impressed in Formula Ford this year. Unlike other young drivers, he elected to jump straight from karts to the nationallevel Formula Ford, rather than spend a season in state racing.

This gamble has paid dividends, as the New South Welshman has already won a race, which made him the youngest-ever winner of a national race in Formula Ford's 35-year history.

"I couldn't have wished for a better year so far," he said.

"I got the race win at Queensland Raceway, and broke the lap record at Oran Park. I've had a couple of really good results."

Scott will be back in action in three weeks time at Symmons Plains for the penultimate round of the Formula Ford Championship. He currently sits in ninth place.

- GRANT ROWLEY

F3 gets setfor season finale THE final round of the Kumho Tyres Australian Formula Championship will be fought out at Oran Park this weekend.

The event will see Garth Walden make his Formula 3 debut, while Fujitsu V8 Supercar driver Chris Allajajian will make a one-off return to the series aborad his Dallara F304.

Leanne Tander tested at the circuit recently, and will definitely start the round.

Recently crowned Champion Ben Clucas is said to be keen to do the Oran Park round, although budget constraints will leave his entry undecided until Friday.

Queensland podium finisher Stuart Kostera will be joined by his team owner Maher Algadgri in the red and silver F304s.

The round is also Bill Maddocks's swansong.The veteran will hang up the gloves after the meeting.

motorsport news

NATIONAL SCENE

Marcustakes itto the streets The Z Man wasjust too good in the V8 Utes at Surfers Paradise MARCUS Zukanovic was dominant at Round 7 of the V8 Ute Racing Series at Surfers Paradise last weekend.

Zukanovic claimed two race wins and a second place in his BF Falcon, nearly doubling his advantage over Jack Elsegood in the championship standings with one round remaining.

"We gained some vital points on Elsegood this weekend," he said, 'So, really, I couldn't be happier."

Starting from pole, Zukanovic lead all of three laps of Race 1 before it was red flagged due to a crash involving Bredon Tucker, prematurely ending the race.

Damien White got the better of Jack Elsegood and snuck through to finish second in what was a short but intense battle.

"The red flag spoilt things a little, because we could have run away in the lead, but we're happy to take the result anyway,"Zukanovic said.

With the top 10 finishers from Race 1 being reversed for the Race 2 grid, Zukanovic started in 10th while Scott Jennings started from pole position.

Starting from second, Darren Palmer passed Jennings for the lead, while Zukanovic passed four cars on the first lap to leap into sixth.

A Safety Car paused racing for two laps, and when it was restarted, Zukanovic gained another position.

On lap four, Zukanovic passed James Brock and Johnson, and on the second last lap he passed

Palmer. On the sixth and final lap Zukanovic gained almost 2s, running directly behind Jennings into the final corner. Jennings got slightly sideways by himself off the hairpin curbing, resulting in the slightest of brushes between himself and Zukanovic.

As a result, Zukanovic was able

to take victory by 0.05s.

Rain before the final race made things interesting for the drivers.

Zukanovic lost the lead off the start to Damien White, with Elsegood running in third.

The rain continued to fall, and the leading positions remained the same as White went on to take

the race win.

The only change on the rostrum occurred when Kerry Wade passed Elsegood for third position.

- DARIUS KOREIS Points: Zukanovic 650, Elsegood 617, Grant Johnson 565,Gary Baxter 545, Wade 528,White 503, Brock 464, Kim Jane 456, Jennings 404, Ashley Cooper 367.

»■

What Can Be Coatad?

YoutiaiffBoat just about anything. New or Used.ry7^i:sU HeadcrsTfurbos. Intake Manifolds. Brakes Partsj, Engine Cemponents. Intercoolers £ Many More PartslM

i

Benefits of Ceramic Coating

● Increased H.P. £ Torque ● Reduced Temperature , ● Increased Engine Efficiency ● Extended Component Life ● Protects Against Salt Spray

CALL LAURIE TODAY ON 08 8354 2060 www.mnews.com.au

A DIVISION DF

Address: 6 Reese Avenue. Richmond. SA 5033 73

Kemal wins the crown,Clews wins the round and Percat stars in the wet in Aussie Racing Cars at Indy PAUL Kemal won his second Aussie Racing Cars Series crown in the eighth and final round of the championship at Surfers Paradise last weekend, while Kyle Clews captured the round win.

Kemal entered the round with a substantial points deficit to Nick Percat. But at the beginning of the meeting, Percat was plagued by bad luck - a jammed throttle resulted in a sizeable accident on his first lap of qualifying.

The crash damage sidelined him from the first race, while an engine problem forced him out of contention in Race 2.

Kemal seized advantage after Percat's misfortune, passing Maurice Masini on the final lap to win the opening race, with Josh Hunt taking the final spot on the podium.

The battle between Kemal and Masini resumed at the start of the second race, with the two swapping positions for the lead twice on the opening lap before Masini dropped to fourth.

A Safety Car intervention appeared to be Masini's salvation -jumping to second position at the restart. But his gain was short-lived, and he returned to fourth position by race end.

Kemal consolidated his lead, and took his second win of the event, while Clews jumped into second position, and Hunt finished in third.

Rain fell prior to the start of the third race, and conditions were treacherous enough to cause a number of drivers to spin on the warm up lap.

74

With Kemal the hot favourite to continue his winning streak, it was Percat who.wanted to prove a point in the final race of the season.

Starting at the very rear of the 39-car field, Percat passed 20 cars on the opening lap, before a Safety Car momentarily halted his progress.

Kemal led the race until the second last lap, when he over-ran the first chicane, dropping him to seventh.

Percat's continued to charge through the field, and benefited from Kemal's blunder. On the final lap Percat was able to hold his advantage, taking an astounding win in what had only been a six lap race - including a two-lap Safety Car period.

"It felt conservative because I had to stay off the white lines due to the wet track," Percat said.

"It was amazing passing so many cars, and it made me feel better aboutthe overall result of the weekend," he said.

Due to his two race victories and a seventh place, Kemal secured his second title.

"Of course I hoped I'd win, but 1 didn't truly expect it - Nick had a big points gap," Kemal said.

"Overall the weekend was fantastic, and I'm delighted to win the championship."

Steve MacGregor won the 2006 Masters Cup. - DARIUS KOREIS

n 1 5#

"M

'SiI AUSSli;

*UCBVQ. CHAMPION

Final Points: Kemal 328,Percat 320,James Ward 312,Tobia Kipper 309, Brad Ward 305, Phil Ward 298, MacGregor 285, Clews 282,Shane Wolki 275, Ben McCashney 272.

motorspoitnews

NATIONAL SCENE ' m -^.0

tm

JUST 0.009s separated Asher Johnston and Taz Douglas as they crossed the finish line in that order in the Formula Ford feature race at Philip Island last weekend.

On cold tyres no one could match championship leader Douglas, who pulled out early leads that proved to be the winning breaks. He scored victory in the opening two races from Paul Pittam and Johnston.

But it was a different story in the feature race. Johnston made a better start than Douglas and led early in the race, although it wasn't long before Douglas was back in front.

The pair traded lap times throughout the 10 lap affair. Douglas led out of the last corner for the final time, but Johnston slipstreamed his way past and with two wheels on the dirt claimed victory by the smallest of margins.

Kristian Lindbom kept the championship alive by scoring an eighth and a third thanks to Brian Sampson who loaned him his car after Lindbom suffered engine dramas.

-AARON SHAW

Island Spectacular PHILLIP Island held the penultimate Victorian State Circuit Racing Championships round last weekend.

Just 0.5s was the biggest margin for victory from three races in Formula Vee. Drew Beachem and Daniel Reinhardt won a race each, while Stephen McFarland took out the final after drafting past Reinhardt down the main straight.

Porsche 944 driver Brent Rose claimed a hat-trick of wins. He held off challenges from Robert Lange,SteveTupek and John Morriss.

Lange led most of Race 2 but a late race spin put him out of contention, in HQs Carl McHenry and Mario Gaffiero won Race 1 and 2 respectively, with Glen McDonald winning the feature race. Gaffiero had pace when all four tyres were on the tarmac, but he wide on the final corner in Race 2, causing a dust storm as he powered through the grass down the main straight.

Benjamin Schoots stormed to three race wins in Improved Production racing. Daniel Vereker was never within challenging distance as he claimed a fourth and two second placings. John Zourkas and Geoff Dunkin fought it out for third, with Zourkas coming out on top.

In Sports Cars, Brett Bedggood's gearbox gave way early in the meeting, handing Andrew Luxton victory in the opening two

races. A tyre failure in the feature race denied Luxton a hat-trick, gifting Bedggood the win.

Mort Fitzgerald and MatthewTurnball each scored a pair of podiums.

Michael Miceli won two HistoricTouring Car races, but failed to finish in the feature.

Ray Chains inherited the lead and won from Geoff Taylor and Marty Lambert. Challis had finished second behind Miceli in the opening two affairs, and victory in the feature gave him the round win.

Dean Camm shot to an early lead in all three Sport Sedan races. He won Race 1 and 2 but was denied victory in the feature race by mechanical issues. Rod Smith won the feature race and was a close second to Camm in the opening two races. Luke Chambers was third in the feature.

Mort Fitzgerald scored another clean sweep in the MG's. Neil Hopwood managed two second placings and a third, while Simon Gardiner scored a second in the feature race.

-AARON SHAW

Spring time in WA

WITH the WA state championships out of the way, Barbagallo Raceway played host to the Spring Endurance Challenge meeting a fortnight ago.

Team-mates Kerry Wade and Grant Johnson were untouchable in the Saloon Car heats, but lost an early lead in the 30-lap final with a botched pit-stop. Wade pedaled hard to get back in contention, and by lap 25 he was challenging for the top spot.The race came down to the wire, with Wade passing Nathan Callaghan's VN Commodore on the final lap to take the win.

Wade also dominated the Improved Production Cars and Street Cars category, driving his RX7 to a new lap record of 1 m02.62s in the process. Even a reverse grid start couldn't keep him from winning, as he weaved his way from behind through the entire field to earn a convincing win. Tony Lucente's purring Fiat 124 was a perpetual second in all the weekend's races.

Simon Emmerling's BMW was towed off the track after a serious crash in the Sports Cars category. No one was hurt, but the incident warranted a red flag and a restart of the race. Shaun Walker and Nathan Vince were close rivals all weekend, but the superior handling of Walker's Porsche 930S outdid the raw power of Vince's Falcon EL and Walker, www.mnews.com.au

t-

' Brian White Media :

pictured above, was able to get to the line first in two of the three races.

The Formula Fords gave the crowd some of the fastest and most closely contested laps of the weekend. Cade Bell was a familiar sight out in front, but with Simon Wheeler and Glenn McNally snapping at his heels the whole way, he had to work hard for his wins.

The trio went head to head in all three races over the weekend,always challenging each other for the lead, but in the end Bell was able to take out three very close finishes.

David Turner and Nathan Callaghan won the Price Attack HQ100, while John Tarr was the class of the field in the HistoricTouring Car Endurance race.

-JAMES HUMPSTON

Veefor Victory

THE biggest Formula Vee field WA has ever seen descended on Barbagallo Raceway a fortnight ago for their National Challenge meet, with 38 drivers over both the 1600cc and 1200cc categories vying for the title.

New South Welshman Ryan Simpson dominated the heats, easily racking up enough points over rival Guy Lingard to take pole position for the 1600cc final.

Simpson took off to an early lead in the final and extended it with every lap, taking the honours well ahead of thefield.The real excitement was happening behind him, with Guy Lingard, Matthew Pearce and Ian Chivas I tussling for the minor placings. Lingard managed to pull away on lap 10 to take second place over Chivas.

The action-packed 1200cc final saw Ryan Stott and Nick Herford constantly trade the front position. Stott lead on the final lap only to be overtaken by Herford in the dying stages, who crossed the line first by a very narrow margin.

-JAMES HUMPSTON 75

Tmr 4

Fore splits with TK

ydpctj;|

THE latest news from Europe suggests that Davide Fore has split with Tony Kart and will line up with rival Italian manufacturer Maranello in 2007.

This is big news on the world karting stage. Fore is synonymous with Tony Kart, having been its lead driver for many years and taking three world championships with the team.

The 32-year-old Italian has driven and worked for Tony Kart for many years and even married into the family that runs the company.

Oztrian Champ BEN George claimecJ an unprecedented third consecutive Austrian Rotax Championship with victory at the final round at AT Speedworld circuit near Vienna recently.

TheTasmanian has dominated the series, and held a healthy lead entering the round. He won both races having earlier qualified fastest.

"It's been a good year for me in the championship and I want to say thanks to intrepid for a great kart, HRS engines, all our sponsors and the team for all their support," he said.

George will again represent Austria in the Rotax DD2 class at the World Finals in Portugal next month.

-MARKWiCKS

n In what is believed to be a first in karting, an all-ladies race meeting will be conducted at Lithgow in January.

Only female drivers will be allowed to enter the event which will raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

The unique event will cater for Midget, Rookie and Junior karters, through to various senior categories and an Over 40s class.

:Japan^§LiKabtM%|1i<af#:pt^ig|^^

the:|qpiSik(dr[yif(S3diaf|ihg(inOse?':-'i . taHtaiJkdhkthejpperffaslMobarrai _ [

’ letia's victoryHastsyear., Wall!(A!!ro.W')!.qj!!aiifiedi'seG0ini'' ;Ipnloeal track expert Akita ! Sh1maml:(foiiiy!Kart)i'll5)gwas, leading;the qualifyingrheat^until the last lap when New Zealand^ ' driver.Matthew ilHamiJton (Arrow) 'fired'uptheinsidaatthilast .corner t@-stea I the winv n fhe ■intalrwas ittiihtinMaffiair,-

straiijfitandiilhgardiiMahy^

AUSTRALIAN Rotax Light champion Hayden McBride finished fifth at his international debut two weeks ago at the final round of the Dutch Rotax Series.

Driving with the local Gillard team, McBride was the pace-setter in practice. But when it came High Performance Pistons & Pins

what to expect," said McBride.

"It was a great learning experience and I have to sincerely thank Paul Gallo from Gillard Karts Australia for the opportunity he provided me with."

McBride hopes to be a regular on the European scene in 2007.

-MARKWICKS

to qualifying, he struggled with setup, taking fourth fastest time in the 28 kart field.

After two heat races, the Newcastle driver started the final fourth, but was bumped off the trackand fell to lOth.This gave him fifth place for the round.

"Coming over here I didn't know

POSITION VACANT I IRELLI —— *

Pirelli Motorsporf Distributor

Racing Series department requires an P International New Zealand's Toyota Engineer and Motorsport Number 1 Mechanics to work at

For tbe coaplirfs Plntll Conpaiilloo rort{|o of Cmit, Com load legal Rally T|ftM wpported by Tratkild* AfleadoDw, Eipcfl filttog ond Advks, (ootad rwf PiralU Moton port Dlftrlbvlor tloto 1996.

l| races over the NZ Summer Series (NoVOE-Apr ■ '07). Any applicant will possess a high S standard of work and attention to detail,

^ Contact: Rod Wilson F/rS.'

Trofoo Motorsport Pty lid 42 Industriol Pork Orrvo.

y Previous experience with Single Seater race ■ cars is a must.

'/A \ It V

ULYDAlf, VIC Ph: (03) 9735 2588 Fax: (03) 9735 2955 Mobile:041 7511 911 ■|: rod@motorsporttyres.com.au

Please email andrewc@lifesport.co.nz for further details

dsno

High Performance Components

Hyperco Race Spring Full Range Available Ph: 08 8362 4417 Fax: 08 83628811 racing@nttyres.com.au 76

-« ■ i

t@gjethi|rfp|hi'iiitturh''Wall' . etsplainedi , TliilapkediWISind and knew^ ih:adfeehd!iigjii!iof a'gapitp keepTt itoitheliihif

Double Dutch

■ The CIK-FiA has announced a number of controi items for international CIK karting in 2007.

Duniop and Totai have won the exclusive contracts to supply tyres and fuel for the CIK-FIA championships, and the 2007 World Championships will be held at Mariembourg, Belgium.

The most interesting outcome was a three-year contract for Oell'Orto to supply carburetors for the new 125cc Super-TaG engines.

-MARKWICKS

.1

■is

●

Essential tools for serious plumbers!

●

Single or Double Ended

●

....

^ * ' . ''

Double Ended allow hose to hose end assembly,also fit swivel nuts etc.

^

EARUS

i-

I#

ovoilablo- 178, 330& 385mr

Heights SO-260 mm (7 to 34 rows/; Ail 50 mm thick i| AN male thread inlet adaptors standard

● Highly efficient cooling

/

Mounting Brocket Kits available for easy Installation.

Coolers from 34 to 60 to special order.

EARL^

Dlstribolod In Australia by -

DIsinbutod in Australia by -

PEWORMANCE PRODUCTS

ZE

● Three widths ●

Single Ended to tighten hose ends to adaptors

Anodised Aluminium to minimise scratches. Sizes AN3 to AN20

International Motorsport

rsi EW

12 Stanley St gllvarwater NSW 2128 Ph: 02 9748 8011 Fx ; 02 9748 6241

peRFOkMANCE PROVUCTS

12 Stanley St Silvorwoter NSW 2128 Ph; 02 9748 6011 Fx : 02 9748 0241

motorsport news

7

Advertising in RACE SHOPcosts as little as $75 per issue!

Call Brendon Sheridan on 0407007286 now.

j|CAi4t1?

Competition LSD's&Gears

i

t

g^RAIME m^ams Camshafts

LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL

KAIIUOtARS & FINAL DRIVE

NEW EXPANDED RANGE

For details call: VIC 039873 5400

rNSW 02 4577 2400 SA 08 83404333

j VIC 039553 4200

OLD 07 32744797 WA 08 9331 8488

I

ma

Holley Performance System Distributors

I Call 08 8132 1888 for your nearest distributor |

[I

S^EeDFLOW

l Fast profile design service to your requirements l Custom ground roller, solid and hydraulic

PISTON RINGS __Ti3taX Sottl. ino.

www.cranecams.com.au

www.holley.com

CROWCAMS

TOTAL SEAL ^

I

Roller Lifters

Roller Rockers Ignition Systems Valve Springs & More!

CRANE TECHNOLOGIES PTY. LTD. Phone: 08 8363 5566 Fax: 08 8363 5633

RACE SHOP

^

profiles using unique computer controlled

Premium Motorsport Hose & Fittings!

machines for unrivalled accuracy .

including a huge range of one piece

I Heakdown Gauges & f

Py

CROW CAMS

l Matching race valve train components

Pisson Rings, Ring Compressors

super duty pushrods

Pe

P 03 93570469 F 03 93570001

(

/ $295*/ // J, // /

LiOlTlwoicjht Alt-imitnium Alloy

Balancers

The True Performance Alternative O'

l 1000kg and 3000kg Capacity l 12 month warranty l Weights●26Rg

l

Extremely durable bonded dampening material

Stands

l l

Easytoreadcomputeretchedtimingmarks Available in economical cast iron Street,all

$99Jair

i

steel SFi approved Race & new Serpentine for Chev,LS1,LTletc Visit out website www.precisionparts.com.au

COMPO/VIOT/VE k MOTOFtSPORT WHEELS

VIC 03 9386 533-l<w NSW 02 9676 8655

2 tonne and 6 tonne capacity y 2 lonns aCoy

SA 08 8387 3522

$139* pair

WA 08 9293 3500

-f

5495*

I

3 lonno model *all

P 02 6937 8888 F 02 6921 7536 6 tonne

indudoGSTFmightcsocM.aonal

1300 76 55 39 Fax: (07) 5478 9833 ]/\7Qmng ^ web: www.waranaimports.com emaiUnfo^warar^im£ortsxom

m

TAS 03 6273 7555 NT 08 8941 5388 STOCKED TYR2 SERVICE

QLD 07 3217 1188

www.stuckey.com.au

REmmKABLE WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY for engine experts ● Accurate, Repeatable, Versatile ■ Take manual control or hands-free ● Local design, support, development, installation and on-site training ● Top names demand top equipment - users include: NIZPRO, HSV,

m

For more information and a demonstration contact:

FIRT& John Sidney Racing

AREX Computing PO B ox 151 Montrose 3765

■ Engine, chassis, go-kart or motorbike

P 03 9751 11-42

DynoLog

D ynamometer

PERFORMANCE FRICTION BRAKES

● Bikes ● Cars ● Trucks

●l

● in-house electronic corner weight scales ● computerised in-house engine dyno facility Australian agent for Paco product.^ Phone Peter or Jamie Lamer P 03 9439 8986

M 0419 379 024

F 03 9431 2419

ivivw. larnerengines. com.au larner@minerva.com.au

F03 97512173 , aelder@melbpc.org.au

.4^

It's Quicker It's Cooler It's Patented

● Full FIA range in stock

^

● Supreme quality at

Head office●’073807 6870 0417 641 814 (Bris) ● 0414 661 744 (Melb) www.performancefriction.com

● Available in twin shaft and unique single shaft designs forall parallel and cant valve engines ● Strongest race rocker available with unique lifetime warranty for road and race applications

P039S55SS22 F03955541S2

1 aterra.com.au

www.mnews.cotn.au

tofind'dtiiheiH^t'

4130 steel tube and sheet AluminiumTube andSbeet forall your Metal requirements EREE.Sp.^aoT OJffei: lo.gR/yioforaptSrtiW.ewsjceoaerj FREE Motorsport News 6 mont/i suhscripLoa or pair of uniden handheld radios and charger with every order. Conditions apply. Ask Matthew for details.

RACING FUELS

● Available in Red, Black or Blue ● Bolt down, detachable or wrap around sensible prices

ms vrmm HI

Call now for your nearest dealer Ph:1800 797 344

CAMS SCHEDULE G: UNLEADED RACING FUEL NSW:

Hi-Tec Fuels

VIC:

Race Fuels

QLD:

Motorsport Fuels

SA:

Performance Fuels

TAE:

Devonport Performance

02 4569 6396 0419 511 517 07 3269 6823 1300 726 084 03 6427 0700

WA:

Race Torque

08 9302 638 8

www.racefiMels.com.au

helblerra PLATINUM

RACE ROCKERS The world's strongest & most affordable shaft type roller rocker

wU <h

^

I

NOCOMPROMISES

Dealer Enquiries Welcome

r

Ph 02 4577 7769 or email performancemetals@bigpond.com We are here to serve you www.performancemetalsaustralia.com.au

M 0408 055 541

-●?

w w w . y e

2

s

visit our website: www.crowcams.com.au

Racing Gar Jacks H a r m o

Contact your state distributor...

(02)9771 5877 Hardiman Auto Supplies (02)9838 7272 Motorsport Connections Victorian Speed Pro (03)9794 5177 Performance Wholesale (07) 3808 1986 (08)8363 5566 Crane Technologies Goqear Racing Services (08)9443 4400

^Made in Sweden, 1 quality, durability, ■ light weight, less internal friction, tight plumbing options, 6 stage with oil/air separator and more.

Used by leading ^LCrot/p A Teams (Perkins).

Drags (Anderson), Nascar (Gibbs).

World's leaders in Motorsport Safety Technology Helmets ● Suits ● Boots ● Gloves ● Harnesses ● Crew Gear & all accessories for all motorsports QUALITY. PRICE ● SERVICE Simpson Safety Equipment Australia 11/62 Newton Road Wetheriil Park NSW 2164

P 02 9756 0202 F 02 9756 0203

AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTORS

Phone: 08 8363 5566 www.cranecams.com

.

rCRAfVf

TECHNOLOC.IES LTD.

77

Advertising in RACE SHOPcosfs as little as $75 per issue!

Call Brendon Sheridan on 0407007286 now.

I FIO-FAST v>il Irstln S geStst el let] m Ini ibea I Dcule. Geae art tbs doyt ol eibg 0 Icnut. noFUi dm ekeid a gsutu el T»t Ml 01 7051 dnsTT. art

OtAMOND 5 —'

●;f

-"m^EZIERE lbs MBar? IM Sum Perrpi, »●* d KSt I rwJuctM. Ion bejn eid pKltm l«SH Oca J o6« P3C(» Purpie'JnSbFefd. ClaTt:i:l end U:pa eed ladidt hi pclhbcd. i«F, bbdcdUu.AA UMSin taire tM I’ca xamMy ad cci Im ctfaeOl mddeg ecf , pK«pti«latiicjpu»flcTncMdtob<rj'

Mlt-«dP.dini'dirc« Irwa lh« lately oi o cm phte loiged nilli a .030' wnt. A.oloUt i» 5/16 S V».

TREND

Motorsport Memorabilia

at Oran Park monthly - In your car

I.

A

I

m

Voryl listing foes.

No solos commi No going c Your itom will be our site until

PU55V |F36bSP|

iiuj?/u]}u'-; Jjows of tiU/iJjo/ii luth ji-j/iz Tel: 08 9353 1155 Fax: 08 9353 1222

Includes race lecture & OLT (race/raiiy)

Formula Ford Zetec Drives - $650 for 40 laps in our Varr Diemen 98/99 Zetec cars.

‘Cl

I

ac2i.^

CAMS RAaNG & RALLY LICENCE COURSES

and

V85LTR

210° RADIUS FOR HIGH LIFT APPLICATIONS

mkcxxpQ:

Iintemational

Buy and Sell Custom Number Plates

3D.M -U-X-

jrjtus oi ha/'Jsueb finu~yafiz Tel: 08 9353 1155 Fax: 08 9353 1222

No pre-requisites. Held

ULTIMATE NUMB3R PL4TES

In nUBo IcdwK. Fdv CN( Uaiiiatd pidsn lu (onnlul OncSty; Fttihin Uochuxii 0i(^grnm Icr bcllit ua!>ng; Diarand lumtd Slim; (lie tsdiuud dn n£(h.^Fened pinuii F*" OiomorKd (irel! B «l el(Wan phlnv l»i eny opplkoltoa PKItem oyedleUile SID & ShBltT nnBbu%slk-« U SiC, itC, 307-3S1f( 307-3SIC & Msfiar Keni

■

tid.

www.ultimatenumberplates.com

i

automotive^amn products,

ithly.

Racmg

Drivers

Titanium values Betalners. Locks.

Guides & Seal Inserts

School

For more info please call, fax or email Peter or Gaye; P 02 9873 1773 F 02 9871 1018 peter@finlays.com.au w w Waf i n 9ays.com.au

CAPRI COMPONENTS Race car preparation & storage MG V8 Racecar preparation Spares for Capri, Datsun/Nissan 240Z, 260Z, 280ZX, 300ZX, 231,32 p 03 97101091 f 97101887 e caprizedsparesi @optusnet.coin.au

I

rWHOLESALE

TRACr/OA/

● World's #1 range of race car seats ● Largest range of colours and styles ● Latest materials for driver safety ● Ergonomic design for ultimate driver comfort ● HANS compatible models available

Ph:1800 797 344

I

f^r7?Hn7frrrr777Frrr.TTr.^mTftT;.^mi^

^TYJfES SU$P£f^S/OA/ CEA/TPEj

I

nr

BSKelletsRd Rowville 3178 P 03 9764 2811 F 03 9764 8740

;y'YOKOHAMA

t

AV#N

motorsport

RACING TYRES

Distributors for Victoria & Tasmania Your high performance tyre & suspension specialists

nearest dealer

fROIXMASTER Chain Sets

Vernier Pulleys Product of Australin

Balancers

t

^RACMQ SHOCKS

Floating Hubs

W

Single adjuster through 4 way adjusters available

p 08 8362 4417

Spools

INJECTION

Fuel Inlectlon Systems & Pumps, Air Density: Gauges a Components

f08 8362 8811 penske@nttyres.com.au

^Visit our Web for Your Nearest Distributor (a^ www.romac.com.au

GOODYEAR All Classes 13" 15" 16" 17" 18 I.

V

Ph: 08 8362 4417 Fax: 08 8362 8811 racing@nttyres.com.au

03 9645 9713 0419 368 157

78

As used by top touring car, speedway & drag racing teams.

Zf

Sports Remedial Massage

Member: Australian Traditional 'Medicine Society 7492A

16 Moubray Street Albert Park Vic 3206

HEWLAND

● 0.050" length steps from ^ 6.00" to 10.00" M ● 0.080" wall hardened steel NEW street race version also available

. i

I EASTERN RACEPARTS \ c

● 0.080" wall chrome moly ● one piece construction ● available in Vi6" & Vs" diameter

^A

John Curran

mossage service

ONE PIECE RACE PUSHRODS

CAMS

P 03 9357 0469 F 03 9357 000 7

visit our website: www.crowcams.com.au

Ph/Fax02 9526 6666 Bryan Miller M 0417 274 507 P 02 9524 3389 1 Tamba Place Lilli Pilli NSW 2229 easternraceparts@hotmail.com

FIA HARNESSES 2010 expiry, lightweight buckle, 3" webbing, clip in ends Black, Red, Blue ● 5 pt - $539 ● 6 pt - $579

FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY Aust Standard 4 point belts fr $ 145

SIMPSON)I sales@simpsonraceproducts.coinau P 02 9756 0202 F 02 9756 0203 RACE PRODUCTS

● FVIocal ● Aircraft Bolts ● Girling ● Goldine ● Silverline

!

A

I ●J

m

'MtCHELMnt

1. For Motorsport tyre requirements contact:

EUROPEAN

|: TECHN I QUE 338 Swan St RicFimond VIC 3121 P03 9428SS47

'

[4

Tecfinical Support Contact

57

07

Trevor Slieumack 0418 548 578

OffioaldhUibutor of Mkholln Motouport lyi in Auitf8la6ia|

motorsport news

CLASSIFIEDS

RACE AND PERFORMANCE CLASSIFIEDS

online classifieds

Find hundreds more race vehicles and parts for sale at www.my105.com WANTED DROP DECK TRAILER

I m oiriewtytoakiog fuf a drop decktiailer rangS^i 4^ ft long and arocuid-4.6 mtrs fugh.

f

phcBD for your D^affloce. Darren CH08 l

!

^

www.my10S.com/35229

FALCON Sports Sedan Shell 2set

■4

Holden VU UteSPac

Auto Ute Make good tow vehicle GTS Mags 47,000 km Phone Ted 0412288060. $17,500 ONO.

www.my105.com/2741

344

2 sets of factory light weight high tensile pr essings,roof,bonnet,pillars,door frames,etc, 2 sets factory lexan headlights & tail lights, all catches, hindges grilles included. Completed fibreglass moulds for all 1/4 panels, boot & bonnet. All NEW. 1 years work! $955 03 54 281331

FORDF-150 Fuel BJected 3Sj^/5.Si; Rebliilf.

moDtoni

www.myl05.com/92170 34s

tDfs

fronrajiill/ W whes!^ ta^ii ndtSaa. lining/ axhaua. .^1 IKOOatESLOffi^ili e^m332a;^ www.myl05.com/46253

to 1000BHP IMSA GTP motor kits

Lamer Rebuilt 1600 FF Engine

kit includes new billot crank, carrillo rods with SPS Carr bolts,pistons,almost everything some additional parts and machiningwillberequired.As developed by Electromotive/ Nissan to win the IMSA GTP 1989 championship, and run at Le Mans.These motors cost $55K USD in 1990. Will run 35psi boost/8200rpm for 24hour racing, or 45psi boost in qualifying. $ depend on parts,spares and stroke, www. nissanracingengine.com.au for more infomation. Please no time wasters. $9kto $lSk. Jeff 03 54 281331.

www.myl05.eom/87608

Transporter with Kitchen, Bed, Storage, Bed, Fridge, Microwave, 240 and 12V either Sedan+Open wheeler or two open wheelers, tail gate lift, electric winch, belly lockers, 12 mths rego and TP. $20000 Neg. Stephen 45728886.

www.myl05.com/48646 349

Hi-LiteYourAd

FULLY ENCLOSED TRI-AXLE RACE TRAILER

Transporter Two Car Transporter

EARNER REBUILT 1600 Formula Ford Kent motor complete including clutch - dyno time only since rebuild including crank etc. Kept as spare but now excess to requirements. Ready to bolt in and race. Price $5,800 FIRM. Sydney (02) 9817 5654 anytime,

348

Transporters/Trailers

Engines

ISUZU JCR420 Pan body MR licence. Tare 8580 GVM 12850, 22 Li/1 OOKm-Full tailgate hydraulic lifter NSW reg 02/07. $55,000. Dave 0418 418 555/02 4887 1244.

Fully lined; wired 24/12 volt fully lit, electric loading winch, super strong chassis - towing arm & park leg, kitchenette, cupboard space & forward living area, secure external lockers, electric brakes on all axles, internal storage, will take any size race or drag car anywhere. $33,000.00 Phone: Josh 0439 731 695. or email for enquiries, info@bcglaw.com.

www.myl05.com/72855

348

www.myl05.eom/60632

349

www.myl05.com/74935

348

Brand New MRT Trailers'Open Tandem Car Trailer NEW 20ft Race Car Trailer

Custom Car trailer Custom Tandem Axle Car Trailer Brand new, full tilt, would suit the lowest of cars, includes jockey wheel, alloy mag wheels, winch, spare wheel and ramps. . $7,500.00. Rob 0407680087.

www.myl05.com/68393 348

www.mnews.com.au

New 20ft trailer with black flat panel walls NO rivets. Aluminium floor, 60001b loading winch with FWD and REV gearing and remote, powered drop down rear door, fi xed compressor with outside air line fi tting, 240v power, 12v rear loading light, alloy wheels with new tyres, fixed 6 drawer tool box on side door, disc brakes, fi rst registered 09/06, work bench,. $24,990. Jim 0417438837.

www.my105.com/31290

348

Tandem axle 12' tray length, 6'6" internal width, 4'3" drawbar Low front wall, allows vehicle overhang Hydraulic brakes Tie-down hoops front/rear All lights, wiring & plug fi tted Trailer approx 400kg Designed for up to 2000 kg gross Painted Charcoal Grey or silver Beaver tail, for easier loading Jockey Wheel 1.8m Aluminium ramps, fi tted to slide away Spare wheel (fitted) Brand new Goodyear light truck tyres & black steel rims 12 month warranty (conditions apply) . $4099.00 ONO. Glenn Smith (03) 9357-6882.

www.myl05.com/42496

348

/ am very happy with the service I received. All three of the enquiries you forwarded were firm buyers and it was sold on a first come first served basis.

Again thanks.

I. Hills

Get it seen Get it soid!

79

RACE AND PERFORMANCE CLASSIFIEDS

7

22ZZ7 online classifieds

Find hundreds more race vehicles and parts for sale at www.my105.com

SELL yoil^arts,

motorsport vehicle or anything to do with motorsport via our internet classified partners my1 OS.cqm for as little as $35!

Yes,3 months on myl05.com, plus an insertion here in MNews, all for as little as $35.

Fastest EA in Australia Currently 7th in the National's, top 5 2005 won e/ creek, Has the h.p & handling to be competitive at top level. Can remove the pfitzner g/box to lower price.

Plenty of spares, avail after oran pk or e/creek can del nsw/vic gtmracing.net 10,500 ONO. 08 82856020 / 0438430081.

www.myl05.com/91522 FORD FALCON AU V8SUPERCAR

PWR v8supercar chassis pwr 03 buiit 2000. Comes with ali pit gear required to run the car including fuel rig and boom, and servicing tools. Has very recently had a full strip down and crack test. Huge spares package will be included, must be sold Car is presently in NZ but ready to ship. Contact Warren Davis on 0414 646 873 or e-mail wj_davis2003@yahoo.com.au for any inquirey. 595,000.

*(if directly entered onto my105.com)

Either log on to my10S.com and follow the prompts(photo must be digital, if required) OR you can still advertise via mail/fax($10 surcharge applies)and send us your car photo if you require one ($10 pic processing fee).

www.myl05.eom/74010 Commodore GENIII6 speed

Type/write your advertisement clearly (no more than 50 words), nominate your category and include your pic(s). Mail or email(include credit card and your details) - see addresses below.

Ads without pics may be faxed,along with your details/contact and credit card details.

Chevy Nova 1964 Sport Coupe 19St Span Conpp FB}(Its w&tVEdBr.Top tery cataganri tdBR dmditran. Ready triRfie. i^WJfe.'&Dss K)4655 45Sh’'wH™ Roll(RS 4655 4558.

LogI hp 327 mail

www.my105.com/94543

350

348

Quick sale, personal reasons. Ex-DJR Radisch 18 2000, Kelly 71 2004,Smith 86 2005-6, Next Fujitsu Series Blast P.l, & all spares & gear,2 rattle guns, hoses, many body panels. Splitter, bumper, rims, brakes (rotors, pads, calipers), clutch, tail shaft, diff gears, etc. Very strong engine & best parts, rebuilds DJR & Sports Engines.

New rods, pistofis, rings, valve springs, rockers, pushrods to keep strong & reliable. New set of pistons & crank. $115,000 Neg. Greg Smith 0411724711.

Standard ad (no pic) - my105.com & MNews $45

Extra issues(per issue) 'Colour'block ad (per issue) 'Feature' -IJ^ewsS my105.com

0

vs GENIII 6 speed manual 300kw rear wheels class Improved production, car Is one year old, no money to spend AP 4 spot front and rear brakes, adjustable front suspension, raced in Adelaide finished second in the class, never had DNF, suited to high speed tracks, too many details to list, if sold in Adelaide comes with sponsor. For reference call Bruce Hindrich on 0407 389 302. $35000.00 Neg. All Panels & Parts 0883848418/0412438900.

www.myl05.com/99648

Sedans/Sports Cars; Open Wheelers; Speedway; Drag; Engines; Parts; Transporters/Trailers; Employment; Photographs; Wanted.

Additional options:

-a

V8 SUPERCAR-Race Ready for P.l.

Categories include;

Photo

348

«

www.myl05.com/76473 $10 $35 $20

348

Sedans/Sports Cars

$75

CHECK LIST- have you supplied: Typed/written advertisement;category, photo; credit card details(number, expiry, name); your details(name, address, phone, email)?

1

SEND TO: Mail: My105,Suite 8,11-21 Underwood Rd, Homebush, NSW,2140

Email; mnews@my105.com Fax:-^029746 2100 ^ Notice to advertisers: wiare unabte to retura photos supplied for advertising.Ads wflfappear as soon as possibie after receipt MNews/mylOS ciassifieds arefor the sale of private goods and vehicles only.Photos marked'proof'will not be used:

I

Welsor Clubman MK5 1600

MG Midget'73 RWA Gp 2B

Welsor clubman mk5 1600 (group-q-sports) long history, cofd, log-book v9057 ailsteel ford xflow-engine, roller-rockers. Top h/ p, 2 meeting since rebuild, dry-sumped, cosworth oil-pump, close ratio gearbox, twin 45mm webers. Ground-up restoration 01. Spare engine, gearbox, 4 diffs, various ratios, wet weather wheels-tyres. Set of bodymoulds, enclosed trailer. Must sell. $28,000.00 Neg. lan-moyes jim-foulis 0409701800 / 0418346174

Current Vic State Race MG Championship 2nd outright and the front running 4 cyl 3 years. 2002 ground up construct. Fibreglass front and flares. No body mods. Telescopic front end. Current spec roll cage. Collapsible steering column.9 3/8"front discs dual circuit, braided lines.TranX LSD. CRSC'factory gears'.

John Kenealy 1275 to 1495cc Motor and G/B strip inspect refresh 2006. 3 sets Rims with Slicks, Intermediates and Radials. Ultra reliable, $17500 Neg. Jim 0408 107788,

www.Myl05.eom/26701

www.myl05.com/86767

Clearance Sale,only 2 left 1st 2004 and 3rd 2005 Class D Vic State Championships Fresh Engine and G/Box, ready to race Comes with spare parts package For Sale $6000.00 or for lease. AlsoTransporter available Ph: Michael 0418 377 372.

www.myl05.com/33679

348

motorsport news

CLASSIFIEDS

RACE AND PERFORMANCE CLASSIFIEDS

Open Wheelers

online classifieds

Find hundreds more race vehicles and parts for sale at www.my105.com

For Sale - Mazda Sports Sedan ●SpaceFrame-TorqueTube,TransaxleHewland FGB oil cooler & pump new gear sets, ratios to suit all tracks -Motec systems Dash -GTBSMO Roller bearing Series 6 13B motor-dry sump, new rotors, housings, shaft, end plates, (Requires rebuild) ● Koni adjustable shocks, new"Ibac”springs -new slicks, intermediates, wets on rims, body panels and moulds. Sale price: $55,000. Genuine inquiries only. Luke McPherson 0352779296 / 0418582882.

www.my 105.com/53696

Ford Falcon Racecar

HDT LCXU1 V8 Replica Perfect Replica of the FIDT XUl V8 prototype driven by Bond/Brock. Proven fast car for Targa/Hillclimb/Sprints. Full nut and bolt restoration. 6 point CAMS cage, Cobra seats, RPM harnesses. Comes with spare hotwire wheels. Email for hi res pics and detailed description. Qld Rego and engineered. $28000. Rory 07 4125 9900 / 07 41296969.

Ford Falcon racecar ideal circuit/speedway car. Ex oz car 9 inch detroit locker full auto meter liquid fi lled gauges comes with 302 Cleveland engine fi re bomb fully adjustable front end. Very well made car. Comes with a lot of spares included. $8,000 ONO. Rick 0401 228 039/(03) 9748 0949.

www.my 105.com/43454

www.my! O5.com/11809

348

Shrike NB 89.003/F4 Complete Race package ready to race. FGB trans, spare ratios. 3.8 litre engine. 2 sets lightweight wheels. 6 x Avon slicks. 2 X Avon h/climb tyres 4 x new wets.

Reco. Penskies, AP Brakes. Spares included.

Custom built fully enclosed Tandem axle disc brake trailer. $42,900. Phone Rodney. 0733969255. Mobile 0418-951 111. $42,900.

For Lease

348

SHRIKE NB89.003F4

348

1 3

www.my 105.com/89732 348

2 RACE CARS for $10,000

Formula Vee for lease

Targa / Sports GT"C" Front Runner 20061 Very Reliable & Consistent I Baskeville 66.1003 , Symmons Plains 69.78 , 4age20v Twin Cam . Haltech EK6! Great Club, Hillclimb & Circuit Carl Flave Lots Of Extra Mag wheels. Race Tyres, Parts, Laptop, Trailer, All Are Available

By Negotiation. Cams Log Booked With Full History. $12,000 Or Best Offer. Yogi 0428 636502.

2 genuine V8 commodores. One is complete and ready to race. One is complete roller, just needs an engine. Both are in excellent condition. To be sold with heaps of spares.

Can race immediately in current Victorianstate series as sports sedans. Both set up as ride cars. Can be easily converted to future tourer specs to race in current Touring Car Challenge. Take the lot for $10,000. Phone Terry 0408555821.

Beacham racing are looking to secure a driver for the 2007 Formula Vee Season.

www.myl05.com/36792

348

Front Runner Ford Escort mkl

www.myl05.eom/87505

l^-i

i

currently available. Beacham Racing currently have a commanding lead in the 2006 Victorian Series with multiple race wins, pole positions and lap records. Be part of this succesful team in 2007. Arrive and drive packages available.

Drew Beacham 0438278247.

www.myl05.com/8498

348

For Lease Champ Winners

Fresh engine gearbox, clutch, springs and shocks. 3 meetings old. Only VN to set fastest race laps in QLD saloon champs 05.1 st place QLD short circuit championship. New seat, harness. $7500 ONO. Also brand new VN saloon car 1 meeting old $9500. Ring for details, can do package deal that includes, spares, trailer. Can deliver Sydney or Southern Qld. Dave 02 6762 1942, 0419 441164, AH 02 67654277

Built 2006 to the highest safety standard using all the right gear. Debuted 11th outright Targa 06. Reliable 500HP, Huge Alcon brakes.

In-car electronic adjustable suspension by Tein, 303-f Terra, Peltor intercom, 2 sets of alloys plus lots more. A magnificent car wet or dry. Not just another STi or EVO, this 34 GTR has the performance of cars more than three times it's price. Jason ph. 0419 712 451 orjas. pam@optusnet.com.au. $99000.

Old Gemini Race Series cars available for AASA & CAMS events, including Topgear meetings.

State Champ racing. Hill Climbs, Sprints & track days. We can cater for the individual or for multiple entries, as well as corporate track days. We cater for all budgets & specialise in CAMS licence upgrades, as well as cater for the recreational racer, see http://www. racecarleasing.com Ph today for a package to suit your needs. Russell 0412375742.

www.mnews.com.au

www.myl 05.com/58003

www.my105.com/68331 348

WHERE SPONSORS FIND YOU!

. ^

34GTRV-Specll

348

Excellent condition ready to race, full set of spares and spare engine available. $50,000 Neg. Stephen 0418 685 575.

! v«Aiw.sp©nis©fseek.GGra,0ij

3:

VN saloon car for sale

www.myl05.com/8876

F3 for quick sale

SponsorSeek

>>Vj

Opportunities to win in the 2007 Victorian State Circuit Racing Series, CAMS National series and the 2007 Formula Vee Nationals are

www.myl05.com/48523 348

Post Your Proposal Today

I

$60

National exposure for 3 months.

vwvw.sp©ns©rseek.c©m.au 81

TALK CONVERTER Go Lowndes!

up in the commentary box.

Ian Gibson

mas extremely disappointed with the decision to penalise Craig Lowndes on the weekend.

He was penalised for overtaking Rick Kelly in NZ this year as well - and he seemed to be the n Editorial Editor; Phil Branagan

editor@mnews.com.au

Deputy Editor: Mark Giendenning mark@mnews.com.au News Editor; Grant Rowley grant@mnews.com.au National Editor: Andrew van Leeuwen andrew@mnews.com.au H Production Graphic Design & Web: Jayne Uthmeyer design@mnews.com.au ■I Advertising P 03 9877 7271 F 03 9877 7207 Manager: Brendon Sheridan M 0407 007 286 ads@mnews.com.au Advertising Admin; Margaret Nelson artwork@mnews.com.au ■ Administration 357 Nepean Highway, Brighton East, VIC, 3187 (PO Box 7072, Brighton, VIC, 3186) P 03 9596 5555 F 03 9596 5030 admin@mnews.cotn.au Managing Director/Publisher; Chris Lambden publisher@m news.com.au ■ Contributors F7; Joe Saward, Adam Cooper, Paolo Filisetti Europe: Quentin Spurring, David Addison WS; Martin D. Clark, Phil Morris Speedway: Greg Boscato, Geoff Rounds, Darren Sutton, Tony Millard (UK) Hally: Ryan Lahiff Drag Radng:Dave Ostaszewski (USA), Ken Ferguson, John Bosher National: Mark Wicks, Mark Jones, Mitchell Adam

Archerfield, QLD

%

(ChlO), race drivers, and hangers on - when you RE-ADDRESS something, you write another address on it.

driver trying to overtake on the weekend and ends up with a drive-through penalty. I hope he gets some help from other Ford drivers in the remaining rounds as I know Rick Kelly will get plenty of help from all the Toll HSV and HRTcars.

It does not seem fair to be able to swap teams and drivers as Toll and HRT does, maybe if they're the same team they should get only one pit bay for race weekends, as did FPR have when they were running three cars.

Go Lowndes in the remaining rounds!

Leanne McIntyre Leanne.mcintyre@bigpond.com No laughing matter...

Another fortnight of positive and negative comments for Channel 10, but maybe it's time for a review of the standards of track commentary.

Barry Oliver put in the iong hours at the microphone over the Bathurst weekend for his normal bench-mark high standard, but given his many years as a professional race track announcer, one expects such high standards from Barry Oliver. Sure, he got

Send us ygurtfioughts: PO Box 7072, Brighton,VIG,3186 mnews@mnews.coiih.au

confused twice during the top 10 shootout to the hoots of the crowed, but where are his back ups in what must be a difficult task on the run?

1 year $148.50

2 years $285

A$210 A$270

A$390 A$495

Fussy (name supplied) Melbourne, VIC

usually somewhere near the front.

And for that reason, it will be

i guess the day was saved when Barry took over the microphone with the comment"we have a race to calF'and proceeded to do so.

May be its about time Barry gets the recognition he deserves and he (and race fans at track

As a man just out of my teens, for as long as I can remember Schumi has been in Formula 1 -

weird when he's not on the grid at Albert Park next year. It really is the end of an era.

So forget the controversy, and remember the man for seven World Championships, a feat that may never be bettered.

Thanks for the memories, Mike!

side) gets some professional back

Martin O'Reilly Devenport, TAS Poor Willy What a shame for Will Power.

Ifonlyoneofthemost appropriately named racing drivers had got up for the win.

Especially in front of his home crowd in Queensland, it would have made for a memorable weekend.

Pretty sure Will won't be eating out at McDonalds or feasting on French cuisine any time soon ...

Tim Remart t_rem@hotmail.com 1

» ^\mnews plDlmumj

poll results

What was the biggest moment of the Bathurst 1000?

J Richards airborne: 31 %

www.mnews.com.au

Lowndes winning; 31 %

8 WEEK TRIAL SUBSCRIPTION AVAILABLE NOW

Whincup's move on T Kelly: 20%

from as little as $25 (online payment only).

See website for full details.

82

do they?

slagging off at the Kiwis with accent jokes when he heard one of the cJ rivers was a Kiwi,

POST cheque/money order to the address above FAX credit card details (VISA or Mastercard) to 03 9596 5030 (int'l +613 9596 5030) EMAlLto subs@mnews.com.au or PAY ONLINE at:

Indudes access to MNews Platinum!

And while we're on things that drive me crazy,the phrase is'The powers THAT be'not'The powers TO be'. Motor sport people don't have to SOUND like footballers

Seeya Schu!

I realise I may be fairly alone, but I'm sad that Michael Schumacher has retired from Formula 1.

Motorsport News is published by Australasian Motorsport News ABN 55125120 702 Publisher: C Lambden Printed by: Webstar Printing 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.

Australia (incGST) Overseas (airmail); New Zealand & Asia Rest of the World

When you put right something you have done wrong (ie if you have jumped a chicane!), you REDRESS it. Not re-address!

His backups appear to be a couple of comedians taken from a FM morning talk show, known more for their quick one-liners than their motorsport announcing abilities. During the first hour of the race one of them started

Photographers: Sutton Motorsport Images, Dirk Klynsmith, Marshall Cass, John Morris/ Mpix, AF1 Images, James Smith, Peter Bury, Neil Blackbourn, Chris Carter, Coopers Photography, CBR Photographies, Paris Charles, Bob Potts, Neil Hammond, Joel Strickland, Mike Patrick (UK)

!

Address or what?

Note to TV commentators

Skaife crashing on Lap 1:12% Close call: Lowndes's penalties from Surfers are bound to spark some talk.

Paul Radisich's crash: 6%

motorsport news

MACK MERCHANDISE SOMETIMES IT'S HOT JUST THE TRUCK THAT HEEDS DETAILIHG Hard working. Reliable. Tough as nails. Just like the badge they wear, Mack clothing and accessories are long lasting, look great and fit the Aussie road-going culture like a glove. Stand out from the crowd with some legendary Mack gear.

GET YOUR BULLDOG INJECTiOH HERE...

ALL PRICES INCLUDE GST & ARE VALID FOR THE DURATION OF SPECIALS OR WHILE STOCKS LAST

Order these and other Mack products online at www.macktrucks.com.au

mitObarn THE AUTOMOTIVE SUPERSTORE

BAHRAIN

You & 5 mates could be off to Bahrain for the V8 Supercar race!

V

/u

2

g

Count the keys on this poster & SMS the answer & your name to

IpALJEABRAHOI^ 1975 5333

w

DONT To help celebrate our 21st Birthday we B giving you a 5 mates the chance to out WIN a trip to the llrst-ower V8 Supercar CO In Bahrain. Your key to win Is to work uld win in this poster. SMS your entry and you and S mates ce all h ny keys there r drawn at random fro your way to B hrain for all the V8 Supercar Action. W1 EST. Drawn on 1/11/06 by 5th correct entries received by 29/10/08 at 11:89p ,264 George St, Sydney, nnger at 4.00pm at Level 7 Tower Building. Australia Squa d in the public notices section of The Australian 2000. Winner will be annou 6/11/06. newspaper

FIND YOUR LOCAL STORE IN THE rs.

§ l All major credit cards accepted l Interest free terms available o

io 96 STORES Arovy\d Av^+ralla

I For your nearest store n WWW.aUtObam.GOm.aU

YELLOW PAGES UNOJR

'll

I I I

I

autObarn THE AUTOMOTIVE SUPERSTOHE

autObmu THE AUTOMOTIVE SUPERSTORE