2015 Valvoline Winton 300 official program by Wakefield Park

The Benalla Auto Club Proudly invites you to our first

Black Tie Ball Saturday 19th December, 2015

at Winton Motor Raceway 41 Fox Street, Winton VIC 3672

Arrive at 6:30pm for a 7pm start Dress code is Formal Attire $60 per existing BAC Member $80 for BAC Member partners and non-members Registered Officials in 2015 are free $80 for Registered Officialâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s partners

Dinner and live band included Drinks at bar prices

RSVP by Wednesday 25th November 2015, on (03) 5760 7100 Limited seats available and no tickets will be sold after 25th November 2015 (Strictly no ticket, no entry)

November 7-8 2015

CONTENTS

| Schedule of events................................................... 4 | Valvoline Winton 300 entry list............................. 5 | Event preview........................................................... 6 | Last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s race......................................................... 10 | Valvoline Winton 300 drivers and teams............. 14 | Valvoline Winton 300 - by the numbers.............. 35 | Super TT................................................................... 36 | Alfa Romeo.............................................................. 37 | Lap records............................................................... 38 | Circuit map.............................................................. 39

2015 VALVOLINE WINTON 300 The official program of the 2015 Valvoline Winton 300 PROMOTER Winton Motor Racewy Pty Ltd 41 Fox Street Winton VIC 3673 Phone (03) 5760 7100 Fax (03) 5766 4249 race@wintonraceway.com.au www.wintonraceway.com.au ORGANISING COMMITTE Wayne Williams, Sarah Ackerly CLERK OF COURSE Daryl McHugh DEPUTY CLERK OF COURSE Jessica Nicholson AASA STEWARD Rex Monahan CHIEF TIMEKEEPER Melissa Hatton MEETING DIRECTOR Wayne Williams EVENT SECRETARY Sarah Ackerly COMMENTATORS Dave Stillwell, Lachlan Mansell THANKS TO ALL THE OTHER OFFICIALS WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME FOR THIS EVENT PROGRAM EDITOR Lachlan Mansell PHOTOGRAPHS Judi McDonald, Rene Martens, John Smith

Valvoline Winton 300

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Saturday 7th November 2015

NO ENGINES TO BE STARTED BEFORE 8:30AM 7:45 9:00 9:15

Winton 300 scrutineering (garages) Super TT scrutineering (scrutineering bay) Alfa Romeo scutineering (scrutineering bay)

Event Time Category Description Duration 8:30 Drivers Briefing - all drivers P1X 9:00 Valvoline Winton 300 Group X Practice 1 20 min P1Y 9:25 Valvoline Winton 300 Group Y Practice 1 20 min P1Z 9:50 Valvoline Winton 300 Group Z Practice 1 20 min Q1 10:15 Super TT Qualifying 15 min Q2 10:35 Alfa Romeo Qualifying 15 min P2X 10:55 Valvoline Winton 300 Group X Practice 2 20 min P2Y 11:20 Valvoline Winton 300 Group Y Practice 2 20 min P2Z 11:45 Valvoline Winton 300 Group Z Practice 2 20 min 12:15 Lunch 45 min 12:15 Valvoline Winton 300 - Drivers Briefing Q3a 13:00 Valvoline Winton 300 Qualifying Bottom 50% 30 min Q3b 13:35 Valvoline Winton 300 Qualifying Top 50% 30 min R1 14:10 Super TT Race 1 10 laps R2 14:40 Alfa Romeo Race 1 10 laps S1 15:10 Valvoline Winton 300 Top 10 Shootout 1 lap R3 15:45 Super TT Race 2 7 laps R4 16:10 Alfa Romeo Race 2 7 laps

Sunday 8th November 2015 7:45 8:30 8:45

Winton 300 scrutineering (garages) Super TT scrutineering (scrutineering bay) Alfa Romeo scutineering (scrutineering bay)

Event Time Category Description Duration W1 8:30 Valvoline Winton 300 B Main Warm-up 15 min R5 8:55 Super TT Race 3 7 laps R6 9:20 Alfa Romeo Race 3 7 laps W2 9:50 Valvoline Winton 300 Outright Warm-up 15 min R7 10:15 Super TT Race 4 7 laps R8 10:45 Alfa Romeo Race 4 7 laps R9 11:10 Valvoline Winton 300 B Main 94 laps 14:10 Lunch Valvoline Winton B Main Podium Presentation National Anthem R10 14:30 Valvoline Winton 300 Enduro 100 laps Valvoline Winton 300 Podium Presentation

November 7-8 2015

Valvoline Winton 300 Entry List - Cars 1-61 No

Sponsors

Driver A

Driver B

Elements Racing

Christine Boak

CXC Global

Car

Colour

Alistair Jack

Toyota GT86

Silver

Dylan Thomas

Jacob Andrews

Mitsubishi EVO IX

Blue

Property Investment Store

Glenn Townsend

Anthony Soole

Lotus Exige

White

Contract Personnel

Calum Ballinger

Neil Dedrie

BMW M Coupe

Blue

Hydra-Wash Sweeping

Michael Hall

Andy Harris

Mazda MX5

White

McGuinnessauto.com

Scott McGuinness

Matthew Atherton

Toyota Celica`

Red

Daniel Reynolds

Matt Stubbs

BMW M3 E46

Silver

Bright Print Group

Adam Burgess

Craig Burgess

Ginbetta G50

White

Pinnacle Automotive/ Rods Pools

Rod Stait

Jake Williams

BMW 328i

Blue

Pinnacle Automotive

Daniel Kapetanovic

David Krusza

BMW 328i

Black

Kaitlyn Hawkins

Wayne Williams

Ford Falcon EA

Blue

Driver C

Ross Wood

Shore Hire/Wayne Cooper

Wayne Cooper

Scott Bargwanna

Mazda MX5

Silver/Black

Complete Contracting/ W. Cooper

Harrison Cooper

Jordan Cox

Mazda MX5

Black

Valvoline Australia

Ian Kegg

Mark Nottage

Hyundai Excel

Silver/Black

110

Targa Racing/MX5 Parts

David Viner

Rob Viner

Mazda MX5 NC

Black

119

Sherrin Racing/ Sherrin Rentals

Michael Sherrin

David Ayres

BMW 135i

Orange

Targa Racing/West End Mazda

Tony Bonanno

Paul Keefer

VW Scirocco

Blue

141

One Way Racing/Bevisco Elliot Wright Commercial Interiors

Mark Morsillo

Triumph TR7

White

Peugeot 205

Red/Black

Datsun 1200 Coupe

Yellow

144

Parry Anastaisis

John Taylor

155

Jamie Augustine

Mark Defanis

Damien Moore

159

Group 247 World Wide

Rod Markland

Craig Markland

Fiat Abarth 695

Yellow/Red

175

Ensign Racing

Tony Ross

Paul Chapman

Mazda MX5

Black

222

Auto Colours/Supreme Dry Cleaners

Chad Cotton

Jase Collins

Future Busa

Green/White

551

Jim Sharples Racing

Daniel Flanagan

Damian Lomax

Nissan 180 SX

Black

771

Truckrite.com

David Shaw

Paul Jabke

Ford EB XR6

Black

818

BYP Racing

Benny Tran

Honda Civic

White

888

TransHelp/All City Recyclers/ Louis Mobile Mechanic

Andrew Walker

Hyundai Excel

Red/White

996

Aarron Hodges/ SCS Motorsports

Aarron Hodges

BMW E36

White

997

Team Hipster

Glenn Potter

John Angiolella

BMW E30

Orange

Daniel Jilesen

Sam Gerard

Holden Astra

White

Mazda MX5

White

998

David Lo-Iacono

999

Deck Speed Racing

Daniel Deckers

Luke Otten

TBA

Deck Speed Racing

Chris Deckers

Carl Kosutar

November 7-8 2015

Valvoline Winton 300 Preview

All to Play For

The 2015 Australian Endurance Championship is set for a thrilling finale at the Winton 300, with just five points separating three teams after the Wakefield and Willowbank enduros. This is it; the decider, the finale, the grand climax, the moment of truth. When 63 teams hit the track for this year’s Valvoline Winton 300, only one will walk away with the grand prize in Australian club-level motorsport, the coveted Michael J. Ronke Memorial Trophy. And only one will walk away with the Australian Endurance Championship crown, after two rounds that have already been fiercely fought out across 300km endurance races in two separate states. Coming into this year’s event as the red-hot favourites, with a seemingly unstoppable run of momentum, are Future Racer pilots Nathan Jess and Matthew Thomson. Last year’s dramatic Winton 300 victory (see separate story) broke something of a lean spell for Jess and Thomson in the 300s - Jess hadn’t previously finished on the podium in a 300km enduro since 2009 - but they have been fighting at the front of the field ever since, finishing third in March’s Wakefield 300 and winning May’s Willowbank 300 at Queensland Raceway. However, Jess/Thomson will face some stiff

opposition from a couple of teams. Sitting just one point in arrears on the AEC ladder are Michael Caine/Gerry Murphy, who finished second in both the Wakefield and Queensland 300s in their Mazda RX7. Caine/Murphy also played a key part in last year’s Winton 300 epic, coming within a lap of holding out Jess/ Thomson for the win, and they will be seeking redemption in 2015. The other prime AEC contender is the Steve/ Jake Shelley Lotus. Jake and Steve comfortably won the Wakefield 300 - Jake becoming the most successful driver in the event’s history with three wins - before finishing fifth in the QLD 300 to head to Winton just five points behind Jess/Thomson. A win in the Winton 300 would secure the AEC for the Shelleys, and it would be Jake’s third national title after his previous triumphs in 2012 and 2013. Rounding out the top five in the AEC points, and with an outside chance of snatching victory if the top three strike trouble, are the Calum Ballinger/Neil Dedrie and Grant/Iain Sherrin Queensland BMW teams.

Valvoline Winton 300

With these teams thinking about the AEC as well as the race victory, there might be some conservatism in how they approach the race, but there are many other teams for which the championship is out of reach, and they are heading to Winton with the single objective of brining home the MJR Trophy. Of these, it’s hard to go past the David Raddatz/ Shane Otten Mazda MX5 Turbo as a leading contender, especially after the way they masterfully controlled last year’s race and looked set to take an easy win, only to be black-flagged a handful of laps from the finish for excessive smoke. There are a couple of fast Ginettas - Craig/Adam Burgess and Ron Prefontaine/Robert Hackwood - both of which could be outright challengers if the strategy is right, and the Glenn Townsend/ Anthony Soole Lotus Exige has been in podium contention the last few years, only to miss out because of a fuel miscalculation in 2013, and an electrical gremlin last year. The Racer Industries Holden Astra of former

V8 Supercar Development Series runner Daniel Jilesen and his co-driver Sam Gerrard shouldn’t be discounted either - it won last year’s QLD 300 in the hands of Ryan McLeod/Steve Owen. There are plenty of others who could stake a claim for being legitimate chances at a podium finish or better, which include the Daniel Kapetanovic/David Krusza BMW 328i (which has a perfect record for top five finishes at the Winton 300), and the speedy Deck Speed Racing Mazda MX5s of Daniel Deckers/Luke Otten and Michael Hall/Andy Harris. And that’s without even mentioning the other past Winton 300 winners in the field: Chad Cotton (2012 winner, partnered with Jase Collins in the Team Surpreme Future Racer) and Nick Cancian (joined by his dad Malcolm in the EZY Profile Mazda MX5 Turbo). The Winton 300 has a history of producing cracking racing, drama, controversy and epic finishes, and all the indications are that the 2015 episode will well and truly live up to the reputation this race has so richly earned.

November 7-8 2015

2015 Valvoline Wakefield 300 Results

2015 Willowbank 300 Results

1st

Steve Shelley/Jake Shelley Lotus Elise HPE

1st

Nathan Jess/Matthew Thomson Future Racer

2nd

Michael Caine/Gerry Murphy Mazda RX7

2nd

Michael Caine/Gerry Murphy Mazda RX7

3rd

Nathan Jess/Matthew Thomson Future Racer

3rd

Grant Sherrin/Iain Sherrin BMW 135i

4th

Calum Ballinger/Neil Dedrie BMW M Coupe

4th

Neil Dedrie/Calum Ballinger BMW M Coupe

5th

Daniel Sugden/David Krusza BMW 328i

5th

Steve Shelley/Jake Shelley Lotus Elise HPE

6th

Gavin Holland/Daniel Byron Mitsubishi Evo IX

6th

Robin Lacey/Sean Lacey Mazda MX5

7th

Ed Kreamer/Martin Duursma Mitsubishi Evo IX

7th

Tony Ross/Paul Chapman Mazda MX5

8th

Brian Anderson/Michael Cruse BMW M3

8th

Mark Mackay/Justin Ruggier Mazda MX5

9th

Grant Sherrin/Iain Sherrin BMW 135i

9th

Rockie Whitbread/Wayne Patten BMW M3

10th

Dylan Thomas/Dave Thomas Mitsubishi Evo X

10th

Mick Benton/Ashley Thompson Ford FG F6 Typhoon

2015 Pointscore After Round 2 of 3 1st

Nathan Jess/Matthew Thomson 91

6th

Mark Mackay/Justin Ruggier 60

2nd

Michael Caine/Gerry Murphy 90

7th

Michael Sherrin/David Ayres 53

3rd

Steve Shelley/Jake Shelley 86

8th

Tony Ross/Paul Chapman 52

4th

Calum Ballinger/Neil Dedrie 76

9th

Robin Lacey 51

5th

Grant Sherrin/Iain Sherrin 73

10th

Daniel Sugden/David Krusza 36

Valvoline Winton 300

2014 WINTO

A finish that will always be

“We are approaching our 10th hour on air, and Matthew Thomson and Nathan Jess are going to win the thing, Chaz Mostert and Paul Morris-esque!” That was the call from track commentator, Zak Caban, as the Canberra Hydraulics Future Racer headed into turn 11 on the 100th and final lap of last year’s Valvoline Winton 300. Motorsport enthusiasts had barely recovered from the 2014 edition of Australia’s greatest race, the Bathurst 1000, in which Mostert and Morris had overtaken Jamie Whincup and Paul Dumbrell for the win on the very last lap. It hardly seemed possible that such an enthralling finish could occur in any endurance race ever again, and yet the Winton 300, widely regarded as the pinnacle of Australian motorsport, managed to deliver an equally insane run to the flag just four weeks after the Mount Panorama blockbuster.

Having qualified in Division 1, Jess and Thomson needed to make two compulsory five-minute pit stops; the cars in the other divisions were only required to stop once. Jess ran in the top three early in the race, shadowing the 2013 race winner Nick Cancian in the early stages. A Safety Car on lap 14 allowed Jess to complete his first pitstop, handing over to Thomson. Despite a scary moment through the sweeper during his stint, Thomson made good progress through the field, pitting out of third position on lap 48 to hand the car back to Jess for the run home. Some 20 laps later, Jess made what turned out to be a critical move on the David Raddatz/Shane Otten Mazda MX5 to get back onto the lead lap. At that stage of the race, Jess was around 1.5 to 2s per lap faster than Otten, but with more than 90 seconds to make up, he realistically needed another Safety Car to be a chance at victory. His prayers were answered on lap 90 when the Steve Murray/

November 7-8 2015

ON 300

e remembered Ryan Walker/Patrick Duncan Commodore crashed spectacularly with a brake failure at turn 10, and the race restarted with just seven laps remaining. Just prior to the Safety Car, Ottenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MX5 had started blowing copious amounts of smoke. After monitoring the situation in the laps following the restart, the officials finally displayed a mechanical black-flag to Otten and he pitted from the lead just two laps from home; it was a cruel blow for the team that had been in control of the race for most of the day. That left the well-driven Gerry Murphy/Michael Caine Mazda RX7 in the lead, Caine mounting a robust defence against Jess with two laps to go. Sensing an opportunity on the very last lap, Jess sent the Future Racer up the inside into turn 1, forcing his way into the lead. Caine tried to fight back but his efforts were in vain; Jess took the chequered flag and clinched victory. It was the only lap Jess and Thomson had led all day.

Otten returned to the circuit to cross the finish line; he and Raddatz were ultimately classified second after Murphy/Caine were relegated to third with a post-race penalty. Michael Hall/Andy Harris flew under the radar on their way to fourth, while Daniel Kapetanovic continued his perfect run of Winton 300 top fives, assisted by Daniel Sugden. Newly-crowed Kumho V8 Touring Cars champ Justin Ruggier became just the fourth man in Australian motorsport history to win two national titles in the same season, wrapping up the Australian Endurance Championship alongside Mark Mackay in the distinctive, Ray Vandersee-owned Skelta G-Force. After locking out the top three positions in the Wakefield 300 earlier in the year, Lotus was the manufacturer tipped

Valvoline Winton 300

by many to contend for honours in the Winton enduro, so it was a surprise that none of the four Loti even made it into the top 10. The Arthur Magaitis/Justin Levis Lotus was the best of them in 12th, requiring a tow back to the pits for repairs after grinding to a halt behind the Safety Car. The Steve/Jake Shelley Lotus was strong early, but was delayed with several unscheduled pit stops to address suspension problems. Shelley Jnr returned to the track, setting the fastest lap of the race and raising the ire of his fellow competitors when he became embroiled in the battle for the lead in the closing laps. At least they finished, which was more than could be said for the John Prefontaine/Robert Hackwood and Glenn Townsend/Anthony Soole Loti; Prefontaine/Hackwood were well-placed strategically after a first round of pit stops, but copped a five-minute stop-go for a fuel spill, and then retired with alternator problems, while Townsend/Soole also retired with mechanical dramas.

It was also a less than ideal race for the 2013 winners Nick Cancian/Rob Hay in their Mazda MX5 turbo. After leading early, the bounce of the strategy ball never seemed to work for Cancian and Hay, but they were still on for a top six finish before an engine sensor failure sidelined them on lap 67. The pole-sitting Ben Schoots/Bill Schoots/Wayne Alway Mazda RX7 also continued the raceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s record of never being won from pole position, chalking up a DNF with overheating problems. At 3hr 2min 4sec, the race was the second-longest in Winton 300 history and produced a record six Safety Cars, but it will always be remembered for that amazing finish, surely one of the most memorable moments in the history of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action track.

November 7-8 2015

Targa Racing Continue B-Main Domination For the first time in the history of the Winton 300, the number of entries for the race exceeded the circuit’s grid capacity, so a “B-Main” was held for the slower cars in the field, following on from the successful introduction of the two-race format during the Wakefield 300 earlier in the year. Terry Nightingale, Adam Dodd and the Targa Racing team backed up their win in the Wakefield 300 B-Main with another victory in the Winton 300 B-Main, thanks to impeccable strategy from the team and smart stints from both drivers. The race was highlighted by a thrilling battle in the opening stint between Nightingale and Nick Leontsinis, the two drivers swapping positions on numerous occasions. Leontsinis and Peter Lacey ultimately finished second, ahead of Tony Ross/Paul Chapman who made it an all-Mazda MX5 podium. Ross and Chapman looked good for the win midrace, but lost crucial time with a five-minute stop-go penalty for a fuel spill in pit lane. David and Rob Viner finished fourth ahead of local

drivers Matt Thewlis/John McIlroy. Daniel Byron/Steve Green looked to be a frontrunning contender with Byron leading early, only to retire with mechanical problems on lap five. Shaun Vanzyl also looked strong in the Mitsubishi Mirage he was sharing with Greg Tasker, but overheating dramas forced them into retirement after 21 laps. Popular model-turned-racer Hayley Swanson teamed up with her father Walter in a V8-powered WRX and Walter drove a fine opening stint, running comfortably inside the top 10 before handing over to his daughter. Hayley set about challenging for a podium finish, setting some of the fastest laps of the race as she hunted down the cars ahead, but her day was done on lap 56 with a CV joint failure. The points scored by Nightingale and Dodd for their B Main win were enough for them to seal second place in the Australian Endurance Championship, following on from their Wakefield 300 B-Main win and strong showing in the Willowbank 300.

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Valvoline Winton 300

Canberra Hydraulics/Discount Carports Future Busa

Nathan Jess Starts: Best Finish:

4 1st 2014 with Matthew Thomson

Matthew Thomson Starts: Best Finish:

4 1st 2014 with Nathan Jess

The colourful Canberra characters will be determined to show their spectacular, last-lap victory in last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s race was no flash in the pan, and their form in the first two rounds of the AEC - 3rd in the Wakefield 300 and 1st in the QLD 300 - means they come into this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s race as red-hot favourites. They will be in Division 1 again and will be hoping for some well-timed Safety Cars, as with last year.

Strola Racing/CMS Plant Hire Ford FPV GT

Eddie Silvio Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Craig Barron Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

A team with experience competing in Time Attack and Supersprint events has made the transition to endurance racing for the Winton 300. Based on its mechanical specifications and spectacular bodykit, the Ford GT should have the pace, but endurance racing is a completely different ball-game to the short, sharp events to which Silvio and Barron are accustomed. A top 10 finish would be a respectable debut performance.

Peak Race Tyres BMW M3R

David Atkin Starts: Best Finish:

1 4th 2012 with Tom Browell

Tom Browell Starts: Best Finish:

1 4th 2012 with David Atkin

After an absence of several years, David Atkin returns to the Winton 300 in the car he has been campaigning in the NSW Sports Sedan Championship for the last couple of seasons. His co-driver, Tom Browell, is most famous for winning the Celebrity Challenge race at the Australian Grand Prix in 2002, and has been keeping race-fit in the MRA Mini Series at Wakefield Park.

November 7-8 2015

Truckrite.com Ford AU Falcon

Cameron McKee Starts: Best Finish:

1 15th 2014 B-Main with David Shaw

Jonathan Lawson Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Cameron McKee teamed up with David Shaw in last year’s Winton 300, but has separated into his own car for this year’s AEC events, joined by improved production racer Jonathan Lawson. The AU Falcon is dependable and reliable, so a solid finish in the B-Main will be the aim of this combination.

Northern BM BMW M3

Phil Showers Starts: Best Finish:

3 9th 2012 with Anthony D’Anna

Nathan Geier Starts: Best Finish:

3 16th 2014 with Phil Showers

Showers and Geier have held strong positions in the last two Winton 300s, but their race performances have been compromised by niggling issues. Nevertheless, Showers is an experienced driver in production cars and historics, while Geier is one of Australia’s most-underrated racers, taking on and beating the likes of Jason Bargwanna and Paul Stokell in the Mini Challenge back in 2008.

501Performance Ford AU Falcon

Tony Evangelou Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Natasha Evangelou Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Former V8 Supercars Development Series competitor and Kumho V8 Touring Cars Champion, Tony Evangelou teams up with his daughter Natasha in a Ford AU Falcon. The six cylinder vehicle will be competitive within its division and Evangelou’s endurance experience will be a benefit.

Valvoline Winton 300

Deputy.com Lotus Elise HPE

Steve Shelley Starts: Best Finish:

4 2nd 2011-12 with Jake Shelley

Jake Shelley Starts: Best Finish:

4 2nd 2011-12 with Steve Shelley

When it comes to consistent performances in the AEC, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to go past Jake Shelley. A three-time winner of the Wakefield 300, he and his father Steve come into the Winton 300 with a genuine shot of contending for the Australian Endurance Championship. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had solid results at Winton as well, finishing on the podium three times from four starts, and are definitely a contender for outright victory

Motor Racing Australia/Menai Mufflers Holden VH Commodore

Terry Denovan Starts: Best Finish:

1 DNF

Geoff Stockley Starts: Best Finish:

1 DNF

The organiser of the popular MRA Series at Wakefield Park, Terry Denovan is back for his second crack at the Winton 300 alongside his father-in-law Geoff Stockley. In past endurance races, the V8-powered Commodore has proven fast but fragile, and reliability will likely be the main factor in determining the outcome of their race in 2015.

Targa Racing Mazda MX5

Mark Mackay Starts: Best Finish:

3 4th 2013 with Ray Vandersee

Andrew McKay Starts: Best Finish:

1 8th 2012 with Geoff Kennedy

Reigning Australian Endurance Champion Mark Mackay has performed well again in 2015 but for Winton he will be joined by a different partner, after his regular co-driver Justin Ruggier was ruled out with conflicting commitments. The Targa Racing MX5s are always solid performers in these endurance races and Winton should be no different.

November 7-8 2015

Solution Printing Australia Holden VS Commodore

Michael Ballentine Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Nathan Oppedisano Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Two drivers with experience in club-level sprints in Victoria team up for their first crack at the Winton 300. The event always proves challenging for the less-experienced teams, and these drivers will no doubt be aiming for a trouble-free run to the finish.

Stahl Engineering Porsche 944

Jason Miller Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Paul Crocitti Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

While still fairly new to circuit racing, Jason Miller has accumulated plenty of laps in 2015 racing in both the Porsche 944 series and various Production Sports races in Victoria and NSW. His co-driver, Paul Crocitti, races an iconic Cobra in the Victorian Sports Car Series. This pair will be aiming to stay out of trouble and contend for a top 15 finish in the main race.

Sherrin Rentals BMW 135i

Grant Sherrin Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Iain Sherrin Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

It has been a very busy year for the Sherrins; in addition to competing in the Australian Endurance Championship and the Australian Manufacturers Championship, they also raced in the Bathurst 12 Hour. The BMW 135i has been fast and reliable all season and the Sherrins are well-placed in the points standings heading to Winton, so a podium finish is certainly achievable.

Valvoline Winton 300

Targa Racing Mazda MX5

Paul Shacklady Starts: Best Finish:

2 26th 2013 with Anthony Carter

Anthony Carter Starts: Best Finish:

2 26th 2013 with Paul Shacklady

Two of Targa Racing’s regular competitors are back for another shot at the Winton 300. Shacklady has previous circuit racing in the Clubman Challenge, while the AEC races have been Carter’s first foray into circuit racing. A top five finish in the B Main is a realistic objective.

Gold Coast Embroidery/OZETEES Mazda MX5

Peter Lacey Starts: Best Finish:

3 7th 2012 with Robin Lacey

Robin Lacey Starts: Best Finish:

2 7th 2012 with Peter Lacey

The Lacey husband-and-wife team has been a mainstay of the Wakefield and Winton 300s since 2012, always contending for a podium finish within their division. They have been especially competitive in the B Main races since they were introduced last year, finishing in the top three at both Wakefield Park and Winton - look for them to do the same again this year.

Ultimate Tunes Mitsubishi Evo IX

Jason Hart Starts: Best Finish:

TBA

Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

The Canberra-based Ultimate Tunes team has participated in all three AEC rounds in 2015; Daniel Flanagan drove with Jason Hart in the Wakefield Park and Queensland rounds but has shifted teams for this weekend; Jason Hart’s co-driver for the Winton round was still to be confirmed at the time of publication. The Mitsubishi Evo was fast at Wakefield and QR but suffered mechanical problems at both events.

November 7-8 2015

Massel Racing Mazda RX7

Michael Caine Starts: Best Finish:

1 3rd 2014 with Gerry Murphy

Gerry Murphy Starts: Best Finish:

1 3rd 2014 with Michael Caine

Since last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Winton 300, Michael Caine and Gerry Murphy have not missed the podium in an Australian Endurance Championship race, but nor have they broken through for a win. This could mark their best chance of turning that all around, and they are definitely near the top of the list of outright contenders for both the race and the championship.

Matt Thewlis Racing Nissan Pulsar

Matt Thewlis Starts: Best Finish:

1 5th 2014 B-Main with John McIlroy

David Bernardi Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

This is a team that represents the very core of what the Winton 300 is all about; a couple of mates teaming up in a relatively affordable car to have a crack at a challenging endurance race. The car, which Matt Thewlis regularly drives at the front of the Pulsar Challenge, may not be the fastest vehicle in the field but it should be reliable enough for this combo to have a crack at honours within their division.

Icefire Racing Mitsubishi Evo X

Andrew Richmond Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Chris Thomson Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

The drivers may be new to the Winton 300, but this car - an ex-Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Evo X - has great pedigree in Australian endurance racing, having won the Australian Manufacturers Championship in the hands of Garry Holt, and been a contender in many other endurance races including the Bathurst 12 Hour. This car should run at the pointy end of Division 2 and thus be an outright contender.

Valvoline Winton 300

Motorsports Training Australia Ford BF Falcon Ute

Paul Rule Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Grant Phillips Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing like hands-on experience to train the race engineers and mechanics of tomorrow for the cut-throat environment of endurance racing, and a number of students from the Motorsports Training Australia Institute at Wodonga TAFE will work on this ute, which will be driven by Improved Production racer Paul Rule and experienced Australian Manufacturers Championship competitor Grant Phillips.

Linda Devlin Mini Cooper S JCW

Henry Draper Starts: Best Finish:

3 7th 2013 with Linda Devlin

Linda Devlin Starts: Best Finish:

4 7th 2013 with Henry Draper

Experienced Mini racer Henry Draper and talented female Linda Devlin team up for the Winton 300 once again. Their results in previous campaigns have been mixed, largely due to the patchy reliability of the Mini. When theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had a trouble-free run, they have generally finished inside the top 10, but there have also been a couple of races where they have been let down by niggling mechanical issues.

Advanced Gas Maintenance Toyota 86

David Bailey Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Matt Shylan Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

David Bailey and Matt Shylan head to Winton after great performances in the Wakefield and Queensland 300s, finishing in the top two in their division in both races. The Toyota 86 has proven to be an exceptionally consistent and reliable package, while Bailey and Shylan are an evenly-matched pairing. Watch for them to finish somewhere near the pointy end of the B-Main.

November 7-8 2015

Craig Parry Racing BMW E30

Andrew Larkin Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Craig Parry Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Tony Hobbs Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

After making his racing debut earlier in the year, Andrew Larkin lines up in a BMW E30 with Craig Parry and Tony Hobbs. The BMW E30s have proven to be a durable endurance vehicle but given the limited experience between these drivers, they will do well to stay out of trouble and aim for a solid finish in the B-Main.

EWR Motorsport/Cowes Smash Repairs BMW E30

Brad Rodwell Starts: Best Finish:

1 12th 2013 with Brian Bourke

Cruz Cody Starts: Best Finish:

1 20th 2014 with Brian Bourke

Following on from previous starts in the Winton 300 with Brian Bourke, Victorian drivers Brad Rodwell and Cruz Cody team up for an assault on this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event. This car is borderline between running in the outright race or the B-Main, so it will be interesting to see which strategy the team chooses to adopt.

Nulon Oils/Intiam Brakes Subaru WRX V8

Hayley Swanson Starts: Best Finish:

1 DNF

Walter Swanson Starts: Best Finish:

1 DNF

It may look like a slightly hotted-up Subaru WRX from the outside, but underneath this car actually has a V8, rearwheel-drive powertrain. Last year, the father-and-daughter team ran inside the top 10 in the B-Main, but recorded a DNF due to a CV joint failure just after the half-way mark. It will be the first racing appearance for both these drivers since last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event and they will be hoping to make it all the way this time around.

Valvoline Winton 300

MX5 Mania/Team Natsoft Mazda MX5

David Raddatz Starts: Best Finish:

4 1st 2011 with Shane Otten

Shane Otten Starts: Best Finish:

4 1st 2011 with David Raddatz

It’s redemption time for one of the most experienced driver combinations in the Winton 300, as David Raddatz and Shane Otten aim to erase the nightmares from last year, when they controlled the race and looked set for a comfortable win only for the officials to call them into the pits just two laps from home. They have the pace and experience to be considered among the favourites for 2015.

Wedge Motorsport Holden VT Commodore

Michael Wedge Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Peter Batterham Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

A couple of Queenslanders in a Commodore have committed to the entire Australian Endurance Championship campaign in 2015 but, despite some glimpses of potential, it hasn’t been an easy ride so far with DNFs at both Wakefield Park and Queensland. The Wakefield 300 B-Main was Wedge and Batterham’s most competitive run; they led early and looked set for a podium until late mechanical problems.

New Image Kitchens Mazda 626

Daniel Smith Starts: Best Finish:

TBA

Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

One of the stars of the NSW Excel Series, Daniel Smith was originally scheduled to join Emily Duggan in the exDion Pangalos Production Touring Mazda 626, but a medical emergency has forced Duggan to vacate the driver’s seat just a week out from the Winton 300. The replacement driver was yet to be confirmed at the time of publication but the Mazda should be a reliable division contender in the B-Main regardless.

November 7-8 2015

David Levy Motorsport/TAG Medical BMW E30

David Levy Starts: Best Finish:

1 14th 2013 with Gary Pearce

Gary Pearce Starts: Best Finish:

2 10th 2011 with Neil Anderson

David Levy has been a spasmodic front-runner in the BMW Drivers Cup for the last few seasons and has been very fast around Winton in the past. Gary Pearce is also a BMW Drivers Cup regular, and has an outright top-10 finish to his credit in the Winton 300 as well. A good result within their division is certainly achievable for this duo.

Wellpro Racing Ginetta G50

Robert Hackwood Starts: Best Finish:

1 DNF

Ron Prefontaine Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Robert Hackwood has been one of the fastest drivers in the Wakefield and Winton 300s the last couple of years, but mechanical problems prevented him finishing the Winton 300 with John Prefontaine in their Lotus last year. For this year’s race, they swap into a Ginetta G50, and John vacates the driver’s seat for his father Ron. It will be interesting to see how this car performs.

Epilepsy Foundation BMW E36 M3

Andrew Butcher Starts: Best Finish:

1 21st 2014 with Anthony D’Anna

Anthony D’Anna Starts: Best Finish:

3 9th 2012 with Phil Showers

After a somewhat troubled introduction to the Winton 300 last year, Andrew Butcher returns with the experienced Anthony D’Anna on board once again. The car has a strong pedigree - it finished third outright in 2012 in the hands of Daniel Kapetanovic and David Krusza - and should be capable of consistent Division 2 times all day if there are no mechanical problems.

Valvoline Winton 300

Ezy Profile Mazda MX5

Nick Cancian Starts: Best Finish:

4 1st 2013 with Rob Hay

Malcolm Cancian Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Former Winton 300 winner Nick Cancian is back, and for the first time at Winton he will team up with his father Malcolm. Nick is best remembered for his storming 2013 drive where he charged through to the lead in the final stint, but since then the Mazda MX5 turbo has been a rather troublesome proposition. The Cancians will be hoping some further developments will enable them to see the chequered flag this time around.

Elements Racing Toyota 86

Christine Boak Starts: Best Finish:

1 DNF

Alistair Jack Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Christine Boak competed in a Mazda MX5 in last year’s Winton 300; for this year she makes the transition to a Toyota 86, which she will co-drive with debutant Alistair Jack. The Toyota 86 should be similar in pace to the Mazda MX5, and should provide Boak and Jack with the chance to have a good battle with the other 86s in the field.

CXC Global Racing Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX

Dylan Thomas Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Jacob Andrews Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

With all his experience and achievements in state and national-level circuit racing, it’s hard to believe this is Dylan Thomas’ first attempt at the Winton 300. His experience should be a significant benefit, especially with young Formula Vee competitor Jacob Andrews lining up for just his second race in tin-tops. The Mitsubishi Evo has been competitive in 300km races in the past, finishing second in the 2012 Wakefield 300.

November 7-8 2015

Property Investment Store Lotus Exige

Glenn Townsend Starts: Best Finish:

2 DNF

Anthony Soole Starts: Best Finish:

2 DNF

Glenn Townsend and Anthony Soole must be asking themselves what they need to do to finish a Winton 300, after coming close to good results on two occasions. In 2013, they were on for at least a third-place finish when they ran out of fuel, and last year their day ended with niggling electrical dramas, again while they were in podium contention. They will be hoping itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third time lucky in 2015.

Contract Personnel BMW M Coupe

Calum Ballinger Starts: Best Finish:

1 8th 2014 with Neil Dedrie

Neil Dedrie Starts: Best Finish:

1 8th 2014 with Calum Ballinger

The Queensland BMW drivers find themselves in a commendable fourth on the Australian Endurance Championship points ladder after consecutive fourth-place finishes at the Wakefield and Queensland 300s. The quiet achievers of the 300s, Ballinger and Dedrie may not grab headlines, but they always seem to work their way into good results with smart strategy and sensible driving.

Hydra-Wash Racing Mazda MX5

Michael Hall Starts: Best Finish:

4 4th 2014 with Andy Harris

Andy Harris Starts: Best Finish:

2 4th 2014 with Michael Hall

An excellent fourth place finish was a great reward for Michael Hall and his young-gun co-driver Andy Harris in last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Winton 300, after an under-the-radar performance that demonstrated the benefits of staying out of trouble and making pit stops at the right time. The NC Mazda MX5, which runs out of the Deckspeed workshop, has been progressively developed over the last few years and is now a formidable weapon.

Valvoline Winton 300

McGuinnessauto.com Toyota Celica

Scott McGuinness Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Matthew Atherton Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

A couple of drivers with experience in club-level motorsport line up for their first crack at the Winton 300 in a Toyota Celica. It will be the first time a Celica has contested the event since its resurrection in 2011.

Daniel Reynolds Mazda MX5

Daniel Reynolds Starts: Best Finish:

2 7th 2014 with Matt Stubbs

TBA

Starts: Best Finish:

Four-time NSW Formula Vee Champion Daniel Reynolds has adapted to tin-top racing with great distinction, running at the front of the Modern Sports Cars in his Mazda MX5. The car has also proven well-suited to endurance racing, although Reynoldsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; regular co-driver, New Zealander Matt Stubbs, has been ruled out this year. A replacement was still to be confirmed at the time of publication.

Bright Print Group Ginetta G50

Craig Burgess Starts: Best Finish:

2 DNF

Adam Burgess Starts: Best Finish:

3 DNF

Reliability has been the enemy for the Burgesses in their past Winton 300 campaigns; on debut in 2012 they failed to finish in the Nissan Skyline, and retired from the top 10 in their Mazda RX7 near the end of the race in 2013. Last year, Adam Burgess and Josh Muggleton didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even start due to engine problems with their RX7, and no doubt Craig and Adam will be hoping the Ginetta gives them less trouble this weekend.

November 7-8 2015

Pinnacle Automotive BMW 328i

Rod Stait Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Jake Williams Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

After an absence of a number of years from any form of motorsport, Rod Stait returned at this year’s Wakefield 300 and finished an impressive fourth in the B-Main. For the Winton 300, he’ll be joined by Jake Williams, a driver with success in NSW Sports Sedans and the Australian Manufacturers Championship. Together, they are a definite contender in their division.

Pinnacle Automotive BMW 328i

Daniel Kapetanovic Starts: Best Finish:

3 3rd 2012 with David Krusza

David Krusza Starts: Best Finish:

1 3rd 2012 with Daniel Kapetanovic

In three Winton 300 starts, Daniel Kapetanovic has a perfect record for top five finishes. The last two years, he has driven with Daniel Sugden but this year, he’s reunited with David Krusza, with whom he stood on the podium in 2012. Krusza is one of Australia’s most underrated drivers, winning a national karting title in 1995 against the likes of James Courtney and Marcos Ambrose.

Suzuki Swift

Katilyn Hawkins Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Wayne Williams Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Ross Wood Starts: Best Finish:

2 DNF

Albury-Wodonga female racer Katilyn Hawkins lines up for her first Winton 300 start in a three-driver team with Winton operations manager Wayne Williams, and local driver Ross Wood. Of the three, Wood is the only one to have previously raced in the 300 but is yet to finish the race. The objective for these drivers is to have as much fun as possible and make it to the end.

Valvoline Winton 300

Shore Hire Mazda MX5

Wayne Cooper Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Scott Bargwanna Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

A couple of driver with a wealth of experience in other events line up for their first crack at the Winton 300. Wayne Cooper is a former Porsche Cup ace, while Scott Bargwanna, cousin of Bathurst 1000 winner Jason, is himself a former class winner in Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great race. Together, they will be a competitive pairing which could well trouble some of the more fancied runners.

Valvoline Australia Hyundai Excel

Ian Kegg Starts: Best Finish:

1 17th 2014 B-Main with Mark Nottage

Mark Nottage Starts: Best Finish:

1 17th 2014 B-Main with Ian Kegg

The Winton 300 marks a special milestone for Ian Kegg, who chalks up 20 years of competitive circuit racing in a career that has included HQ Holdens, Daewoo Challenge, MGF Trophy Series and Lotus Trophy one-make categories. The Hyundai Excel he will campaign with Mark Nottage is one of the slowest cars in the field but should still be a contender in Division 7.

Complete Contracting Mazda MX5

Harrison Cooper Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Jordan Cox Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Harrison Cooper has started racing Mazda MX5s with his father Wayne this year, and will be joined in the Winton 300 by Jordan Cox, a driver with a solid background in Improved Production racing. Cooper and Cox are a fair bet for a top 10 finish.

November 7-8 2015

110

Targa Racing Mazda MX5

David Viner Starts: Best Finish:

2 16th 2013 with Rob Viner

Rob Viner Starts: Best Finish:

2 16th 2013 with David Viner

Since their very first circuit race at the 2013 Winton 300, the father-and-son combination of David and Rob Viner have improved to the point where they are now contenders every time they hit the racetrack. Last year, they won the Modern Sports Car Series and they were unlucky not to win the Wakefield 300 B Main, retiring when their car expired with an engine failure. Watch for them to contend for a division win at Winton.

119

Sherrin Rentals BMW 135i

Michael Sherrin Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

David Ayres Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

The two senior drivers in the Sherrin stable may not have the raw speed of their sister car, but both these drivers have shown themselves to be capable of consistent times over a long race distance, and are inside the top 10 in the Australian Endurance Championship standings. They will play a valuable supporting role to the sister Sherrin car and have the potential to finish in the top five outright.

141

One Way Racing Triumph TR7

Elliot Wright Starts: Best Finish:

1 20th 2012 with Mark Morsillo

Mark Morsillo Starts: Best Finish:

1 20th 2012 with Elliot Wright

A couple of NSW Triumph enthusiasts line up for their second crack at the Winton 300, this time in Elliot Wrightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Triumph TR7 rather than Mark Morsilloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dolomite. The car has been a solid performer at Wakefield Park in the past and should make the finish at Winton.

Valvoline Winton 300

144

Parry Anastakis Peugeot 205 GTI

Parry Anastakis Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

John Taylor Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

One of the most experienced drivers in the Wakefield 300 makes his first trip to Winton, aboard the Peugeot 205 GTI that has been a giant-killer in NSW Super TT racing. Anastakis has finished more Wakefield 300s than any other driver, and has finished in the top 10 outright on a couple of occasions. His co-driver John Taylor is less experienced by still rapid.

155

Datsun 1200 Coupe

Jamie Augustine Starts: Best Finish:

3 17th 2014 with Mark Defanis

Mark Defanis Starts: Best Finish:

3 17th 2014 with Jamie Augustine

Damien Moore Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Best known for his exploits at the Bathurst 12 Hour in the spectacular Daytona Coupe, Jamie Augustine has also been a regular runner in the Winton 300, in several different cars. This will be the second time he and Mark Defanis have run the Datsun 1200 coupe, which runs a highly-boosted turbocharged engine. The car should set Division 1 times and will be a contender if it goes the distance.

159

Group 247 World Wide Fiat 500 Abarth 695

Rod Markland Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Craig Markland Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

The Markland father-and-son duo team up in one of the Fiat 500s run by Alan Heaphy in the 2013 Bathurst 12 Hour, and this will, in fact, by the first outing for one of these cars since then. Despite their diminutive size, the Fiats punched out speedy lap times at Bathurst, times that would probably equate to Division 2 in the Winton 300. Therefore, this a combination that could spring a surprise and contend for unofficial rookie honours.

November 7-8 2015

175

Ensign Racing Mazda MX5

Tony Ross Starts: Best Finish:

1 3rd 2014 B-Main with Paul Chapman

Paul Chapman Starts: Best Finish:

1 3rd 2014 B-Main with Tony Ross

Tony Ross and Paul Chapman have been two of the most consistent performers in the Australian Endurance Championship over the last couple of seasons and this year has been a stellar season so far; they won the Wakefield 300 B-Main and finished in the top 10 outright in the Queensland 300 to move inside the top 10 in the overall points standings. Watch for them in the B-Main at Winton.

222

Auto Colours/Supreme Dry Cleaners Future Racer

Chad Cotton Starts: Best Finish:

3 1st 2012 with Jeff Davy

Jase Collins Starts: Best Finish:

2 2nd 2013 with Chad Cotton

Chad Cotton won the Winton 300 on debut in 2012, and finished second in 2013 before crashing back to reality with a fuel leak in 2014. Some further developments on the Team Supreme Future Racer have improved both its performance and reliability, meaning Cotton and Collins should be outright contenders from Division 1 in 2015.

551

Jim Sharples Racing Nissan 180SX

Daniel Flanagan Starts: Best Finish:

4 12th 2011 with Shane Tanner

Damian Lomax Starts: Best Finish:

1 15th 2014 with Daniel Flangan

Daniel Flanagan is the most-capped driver in Australian Endurance Championship history, having contested every Wakefield 300 and every Winton 300, along with this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Queensland 300. This year, he will again team up with Damian Lomax in the Jim Sharples-owned V8 Nissan 180SX, which finished in the top 15 outright last year.

Valvoline Winton 300

771

Truckrite.com Ford EB Falcon XR6

David Shaw Starts: Best Finish: McKee

1 15th 2014 B-Main with Cameron

Paul Jabke Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

David Shaw made his Winton 300 debut last year, and enjoyed the experience so much he decided to contest all three AEC races in 2015. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be joined by Paul Jabke, who has experience working as a mechanic for the TAG Motorsport Commodore Cup team with Geoff Emery and Tony Bates. The Falcon may not be the fastest car in the field but it is reliable and consistent.

818

BYP Racing Honda Civic

Benny Tran Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

TBA

Starts: Best Finish:

A regular competitor in Time Attack events, Benny Tran had his first run in the Wakefield 300 this year and finished a commendable 15th outright, despite running in Division 1 and having to make two compulsory pit stops. The team will have learned valuable lessons from that race meeting, and they will be aiming to make the top 10 at Winton in their hotted up Honda Civic.

888

Transhelp/All City Recyclers Hyundai Excel

Andrew Walker Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

David Lo-Iacono Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Two regulars from the NSW Excel Racing Series team up for their first crack at the Winton 300, after running in the Wakefield and Queensland 300s. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no question about the passion and commitment from both drivers, and the car will be a contender for honours in Division 7 in the B-Main.

November 7-8 2015

996

SCS Motorsports BMW E36

Aaron Hodges Starts: Best Finish:

TBA

Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

At the time of writing, little was known about this entry, with Aaron Hodges to be joined by a to-be-confirmed driver in a BMW E36 3 Series.

997

Team Hipster BMW E30 325i

Glenn Potter Starts: Best Finish:

2 12th 2012 with Simon Mitchell

John Angiolella Starts: Best Finish:

1 11th 2011 with Simon Lyne

Another BMW E30 entrant, Glenn Potter has run in quite a few 300s at both Wakefield Park and Winton. Alongside his brother Rod Potter, Glenn finished in the top five in the Wakefield 300 B-Main and has finished just outside the top 10 at Winton in the past. He’ll be joined by John Angiolella, who makes his return to racing after a little while out of the driver’s seat.

998

Racer Industries Holden Astra

Daniel Jilesen Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Sam Gerrard Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

This car may have two drivers with no Winton 300 starts between them, but don’t be fooled; they are a legitimate outright contender. Daniel Jilesen is an accomplished driver with a number of top five finishes in the V8 Supercars Development Series, and he and Sam Gerrard qualified on pole at the Queensland 300. Their Holden Astra also won the QLD 300 last year in the hands of Ryan McLeod/Steve Owen.

Valvoline Winton 300

999

Deck Speed Racing Mazda MX5

Daniel Deckers Starts: Best Finish:

2 9th 2013 with Luke Otten

Luke Otten Starts: Best Finish:

3 8th 2011 with Berry Campbell

The Deckers/Otten combination was out of luck in the Winton 300 last year due to overheating issues that consigned them to a lowly finishing position. The year before was better; they finished ninth outright after qualifying in Division 1 and having to make two compulsory pit stops. If the car runs well, there’s no reason Deckers and Otten can’t contend for an outright podium result.

TBA

Deck Speed Racing Mazda MX5

Chris Deckers Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Carl Kosutar Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

Daniel Deckers’ son Chris, who also races in the NSW MX5 Cup, teams up with another MX5 Cup competitor Carl Kosutar in an entry that should be a contender for victory within its division.

TBA

Targa Racing VW Scirocco

Tony Bonnano Starts: Best Finish:

1 18th 2013 with Brian Ferrabee

Paul Keefer Starts: Best Finish:

0 Debut

The Targa Racing VW Scirocco, which has run competitively in NSW Production Touring Cars and Modern Sports Cars, makes its first appearance in the Winton 300 this year. The car runs VW’s DSG gearbox - essentially an automated manual gearbox - and a turbocharged engine which produces a lot of torque. The car should be easy to drive over the 300km race distance and is capable of an outright top 10 finish.

November 7-8 2015

Valvoline Winton 300 - By the numbers

2.75 - average number of Safety Cars per race

6 - number of Safety Cars in 2014 (the most of any race) 5 - number of different manufacturers in the top five in the 2013 race 1st - grid position the race has never been won from 8th - lowest grid position for the Winton 300 winners 1:31.1457 - race lap record (set by Hayden Pullen in 2011) 4 - number of different drivers who have set the fastest lap of the race 1 - number of drivers who have set the fastest lap of the race and won in the same year (Nick Cancian) 2hr 50min 49.3193sec - race record (set by Jeff Davy/Chad Cotton in 2012) 3hr 2 min 46.4737sec - time for the slowest Winton 300 in 2013 11.5sec - smallest winning margin (between Nick Cancian/Rob Hay and Chad Cotton/Jase Collins in

2013)

3 - number of pit-stops made by Nick Cancian/Rob Hay in 2013 (the most of any winning combination) 3 - number of cars on the lead lap at the end of the 2013 and 2014 races (the most of any races) 2 laps - biggest winning margin (between Jeff Davy/Chad Cotton and Steve/Jake Shelley in 2012) 68.33% - overall finishing rate since 2011 12 - number of changes for the lead in the 2013 race (record number of lead changes) 9 - different leaders of the 2013 race (the most cars that have led the race) 89 - the total number of Winton 300 laps led by Nathan Jess/Matthew Thomson over the last four years (the most of any drivers) 1 - the number of laps Nathan Jess/Matthew Thomson led last year on their way to victory 35

Valvoline Winton 300

Super TT

No 1

Sponsors Driver Lucas Oil/Trans Gears/ Stephen Harrison Ryans Trans

Car BMW E36

Colour Red

Capacity 6Ltrs

Corey Gooch

Holden LJ Torana

Red/Black

5700cc

Short Customs

Keith Short

Toyota Corolla KE30

White

3396cc

Short Customs/ Valley Power Equipment/Butch Bennett Crash

Stephen Short

Mazda RX7

White/ Silver/ 3672cc Blue

Muzmotorsport

Steve Murray

Holden Commodore

Black

5700cc

AGH Plumbing

Tony Heasly

Holden Commodore

White

3800cc

Bendigo Hire/Prestige Paint and Panel

David Dixon

Holden Gemini

Orange

2000cc

Perlox Manor Concrete Andrew Pinkerton

Datsun

Blue

1998cc

144

Best Fit Winscreens

Holden Commodore

Black

4200cc

Daniel Van Der Heyden

November 7-8 2015

Alfa Romeo Series

No 5

Sponsors Ray White Haberfield

Driver Alfio Musumeci

Car Colour Alfa Romeo GT Black

Capacity 3.2Ltrs

Brad Wilson

Alfa Romeo GTV 2000

White

2000cc

Colin Wilson-Brown

Alfa Romeo GTV 1750

Red

1822cc

Alfa Romeo GTV 105

White/Blue/ Yellow

2000cc

Andrew Wilson

Statler & Waldorf Racing

Colin Connaughton Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV

Red

1962cc

Get Concreted

Daniel Gatto

Alfa Romeo GTV6

Red

3000cc

147

7 Express

John Carigliano

Alfa Romeo GTA 147

Light Blue

3200cc

156

Alfamotive

David Capraro

Alfa Romeo GTA 156

Red

3199cc

165

AJS

Aaron Smith

Alfa Romeo GTV6

Silver

3000cc

178

Dewood Interiors

Doug Selwood

Alfa Romeo GTV6

White

2959cc

276

Bill Magoffin

Alfa Romeo GTV 2000

Yellow/Orange

1962cc

623

Darren Harris

Alfa Romeo GTV

Red

2Ltrs

Valvoline Winton 300