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STATE RACER FOUR HOUR ENDURO RETURNS TO WINTON RACEWAY LAST YEAR’S State Racer Four Hour took place the very day after COVID restrictions were lifted in the state. Despite the uncertainty of the times, a good field of cars took to the grid, and the enduro ran for the full four hours without a Safety Car, resulting in a tight last lap battle with four cars fighting it out for the podium. This year’s State Racer Four Hour will be a spring event, taking place on September 10 at the Winton Motor Raceway. The event is aimed at Improved Production Cars but is also open to other state level categories, with organisers hoping for interest from categories such as the Porsche 944’s, BMW E30’s, and Toyota 86’s. The regulations include restricted time on fuelling time stops, dependent upon tank capacities, with allocated drum fuel pumps made available to all competitors. Organisers Ben Schoots and Dean Lillie of Raceworks Promotions spoke to Auto Action about this year’s Winton running, and the future of the event. “It was well received last year for those who took part, and we’re hoping to build on that and get some more diverse cars on the grid,” said Schoots. “We’re hoping for about 20 cars, but 40 would be better. “We’ve managed to keep costs low despite inflation, and to make it as achievable as possible for the more budget conscious racer.“We’re all about drivers just running their cars as they would in the state series, and being able to compete.”
Image: Revved Photography Dean Lillie of Ravage Raceworks, the other person behind the event spoke a little about how the idea came about. “It grew out of talking with a group of Improved Production competitors that we have here at Ravage (Ravage Raceworks), and I’d just done the 12 hour a year or so back, and we all thought it would be unreal to be able to do an endurance in our cars,” Lillie explained. “There didn’t really exist anything like that, and we all agreed that there should be something of the sort, and
that’s how it all eventuated with last year coming about.” In terms of the event’s future, Lillie also expressed a desire to grow upon the existing notion. “We want to grow it, and we want to keep it at one event per year, but start doing different tracks. That includes maybe doing one interstate at ‘The Bend’ or something. We’ve been talking about the possibility of that since we hatched the idea.” He confirmed to Auto Action. The event is now open for entries, for more information visit www.raceworkspromotions.com.au
ARC QUEENSLAND RALLY CANCELLED
THE AUSTRALIAN Rally Car event in Queensland has been cancelled over safety concerns after a heavy deluge of rain made the roads unsuitable. The Gympie event was to be a welcome return to the sunshine state for the ARC but, after lengthy discussions between the organisers, Brisbane Sporting Car Club, along with the ARC and Motorsport Australia, they had no
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choice but to pull the pin. “This is a really unfortunate situation for everyone and it breaks my heart that we have had to make it,” said the Clerk of Course Brian Everitt. “It’s disappointing from an organisers perspective but we will be back.” Eugene Arocca, Motorsport Australia CEO, lamented having to make the call, “It’s obviously an extremely tough call to
make and I sympathise with the club for ultimately having to make the decision.” “Unfortunately after consulting all relevant stakeholders and the competitors for this event, it was one that had to be made.” The next round of the ARC Championship will be the Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally 27-28 August.
GEELONG REVIVAL MOTORING FESTIVAL CONFIRMED FOR NOVEMBER THE SECOND 2022 instalment of the Geelong Revival is gearing up for its November 25-27 return. The waterfront showcase will be back in action with its quarter mile sprints and vintage showcase featuring over 800 vehicles. Ritchie Boulevard will once again be witness to the sprint, a tradition dating back to 1956, with some 300 classic cars and motorcycles. Among the famous names to have graced the sprint are Jack Brabham, Mika Hakkinen, Dick Johnson, Craig Lowndes, and Alan Jones, to name but a few. Alongside the exhaustive amount of classic cars and motorbikes, will be live music, stalls, food and entertainment; as well as a trade and expo show featuring sales and demonstration displays. The event is free of charge – you can read more about it by visiting the website www.geelongrevival.com.au
WORLD SERIES A NO-GO FOR 2022-23 SPEEDWAY AUSTRALIA has cancelled the upcoming 2022-23 World Series Sprintcar program and has confirmed that the state based Sprintcar States Series will enter a third year of competition in the 2022-23 speedway season as the headline acts for open Sprintcar racing around the country. Speedway Australia claimed the decision was made after extensive discussions that revealed a number of different factors threatened to undermine the success of the series, leaving the board with no option but to revert to the State based calendar. Speedway Australia Board Chairman, Guy Thompson said the discussions were entered into with the first priority to preserve the value of the WSS brand. “World Series Sprintcars is our sport’s most widely recognized and respected brand, and the decision was made primarily around protecting that brand, and with the multiple threats facing us in the upcoming season, we couldn’t guarantee that World Series would be able to bring the travelling roadshow that the fans have come to love over the last 35 years.” “The forecast tyre shortage and the unpredictability of shipping delays were certainly factors, but there’s also the added pressures of rising diesel, flight and accommodation cost to the teams and to Speedway Australia, not to mention the rising concern around Covid’s potential resurgence.” He also moved to reinforce the success of the previous two years of the States Series, encouraging fans to get to their local tracks
Image: Paris Charles over the summer and support these venues, and suggested that is likely to have a return of American flavour. Strong local racing series such as the Victorian SRA often feature many of the World Series stars competing in high quality racing.
“The States Series has had an amazing response in the last two years, particularly from the tracks who were very thankful for Speedway Australia’s support in instigating a calendar that still offered good payouts. But when you consider that this year will likely have the return of some American drivers
coming back to Australia, the scene is set for what will be a fantastic return to international competition across the nation.” Details of the respective States Series calendars will be released after consultation with the Sprintcar Control Council of Australia.
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VIC STATE TO HEAT UP SANDOWN FOR ROUND 4 THE VIC State series (VSRS) is heading towards the pointy end of its season, and with the race for top spots in each category heating up, Sandown will again play host on August 12-14. The first round of the season was also held at Sandown as the VSRS finally made its comeback from lengthy COVID restrictions, which at that time saw 11 different categories and some 243 entrants. That welcome return to action now sees the series head into Round 4 at Sandown, presented by the National Sports Sedan Association, with the last round of the year scheduled for Phillip Island on September 23-25. Nine different categories have been confirmed for Sandown, with an even spread of practice and competitive racing to be held over the three days. The Holdens are on top in the Improved Production category, and they may share the track with the BMW E30’s, which sees Alex Jory leading the category on a tight leaderboard heading up the rest of the field. There will be a good mix of tight door-todoor racing with the Vic V8’s creating some serious noise, along with the packed fields of the open wheeled Formula Ford and the Formula Vee. The Porsche 944 series is one to look
Image: Revved Photography out for come the point races, as drivers Westaway, Brewer and Beller are all within 26 points of each other, making the run home to Phillip Island a tantalising watch on track. The top bang-for-buck Saloon Cars will also be back for their second run at Sandown, as well as the Production
Sports cars with some menacing looking machines out on circuit. The super-popular Hyundai Excel series (above) will also have its ninth meet of the year to round out the categories. Entries for each category will be open until the 10 of August, and the organisers are hoping to see another weekend of
Image: Motorsport Images
over 200 competitors show up to lay some rubber down in what promises to be a great Sandown weekend for drivers and spectators alike. Auto Action will once again be on the ground for Victoria’s premier grassroots event, as the VSRS season heads towards its close. Tim Neal
MOTORSPORT LEGEND PADDY HOPKIRK HAS DIED, AGED 89 MOTORSPORT LEGEND PADDY HOPKIRK, FAMOUS FOR WINNING THE 1964 MONTE CARLO RALLY IN THE BMC MINI COOPER S HAS DIED, AGED 89.
BORN IN Belfast, 14 April 1933, Hopkirk first competed in an Austin 7 ‘Chummy’ Tourer which he used to make his rally debut. Once he got the rally bug, he competed in a variety of vehicles ranging from VW Beetles to Triumphs. In 1959 he joined the Rootes Group as a works driver, initially picking up a drive in a Hillman Husky. He competed in the Safari Rally after reigning F1 World Champion Mike Hawthorn, who was originally meant to drive the car, was killed in a road accident. Later that year he placed third overall and took a class win at the Alpine Rally in a Sunbeam Rapier, and he then led the 1960 Safari Rally until his Rapier suffered a differential failure. He took two Circuit of Ireland wins in 1961 and 1962, and another third at the Alpine Rally in 1961. Whilst at Rootes, Hopkirk he also took part in circuit racing, winning his class in a Rapier in the touring car race supporting the 1960 British Grand Prix. He finished third at the 1962 Monte Carlo Rally in a Sunbeam Rapier. However, Hopkirk was becoming frustrated by the Rapier’s lack of reliability and looked
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further afield for a new challenge. He first competed in a Mini at the 1963 Monte Carlo Rally, where he finished sixth. But his big win was alongside Henry Liddon he won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally in a works BMC Mini Cooper S, the car carried the now famous # 37 and had the registration number 33 EJB. He also led BMC to the overall teams win, with fellow Mini Cooper S drivers Timo Makinen and Rauno Altonen who placed fourth and seventh. The victory made Hopkirk and the Mini Cooper S a household name. He received telegrams from the then UK Prime Minister, the Beatles, and was given the Freedom of the City of Belfast. He and his Mini also appeared on Sunday Night at the London Palladium Theatre. From 1965 to 1967 Hopkirk competed at Bathurst, driving as part of BMC’s assault on the then Bathurst 500 touring car race at Mount Panorama. He achieved a best result of sixth outright and third in class in the 1965 Armstrong 500, driving a Mini Cooper S alongside fellow rally driver Timo Makinen of Finland. In 1968, driving an Austin 1800, Hopkirk competed in the London to Sydney Marathon, and came across a nasty head on collision between the then leader of the event, the Claude Laurent and Jean-Claude Ogier (DS Citron team,)and a local driver on an apparently closed road. Hopkirk and his teammate Tony Nash
gallantly gave up any chance of victory on the penultimate stage to rescue the occupants of the vehicles. Hopkirk and his teammate managed to pull out the occupants from both cars, which had started to burn, probably saving the life of the severely wounded Lucien Bianchi in the process. The accident happened just ahead of Hopkirk’s Austin 1800, who then drove back against the flow of traffic to warn onlookers and the police. Hopkirk and Nash likely also prevented another crash with any oncoming participants. Hopkirk’s crew went on to complete the rally in second, behind the winning Hillman Hunter of Andrew Cowin, Colin Malkin and Brian Coyle. In 1977, with co-driver Taylor Mike, he took
part once again in a revived edition of the London-Sydney Marathon, this time driving a Citroen CX 2400, the team taking third place overall in front of another CX driven by Claude Laurent and Jean-Claude Ogier, – the saem crew who had been rescued by Hopkirk and Nash in 1968. In 2010, he was among the first four inductees into the Rally Hall of Fame alongside Timo Makinen, Rauno Aaltonen and Erik Carlsson and in 2016 Hopkirk was awarded an MBE. Hopkirk was a hero to millions of Mini fans from around the world and will be remembered as a great racer and a true sportsman. He is survived by his wife Jennifer, their children Katie, Patrick and William, and six grandchildren. Bruce Williams
VALE MAX STAHL COLLIN MAX STAHL, a star of Australian 1960-1980s motorsport journalism as editor of late, lamented Racing Car News, died in Maitland Hospital in the early hours of July 21, aged 87. Born in Newcastle in 1935, he moved to Sydney and started a small advertising agency in the mid-1950s, simultaneously competing in rallies and on the circuits with his roadie Simca Aronde. At the dawn of the 1960s he was a leading Touring Cars light, racing a very quick ex-Brian Muir Holden 48-215 with great skill against drivers of calibre like Spencer Martin, Barry Seton and Des West. With a passion for words – and plenty of copy-writing experience – he sold his ad-agency and edited Hot Rod magazine for a couple of issues before taking on Racing Car News (RCN) a magazine started by George Reid in 1961 upon Max’s suggestion. Australia’s pioneer racing magazine was Arthur Wylie’s Australian Motor Sports (1946-1971). With a more contemporary look and feel, a passion for accuracy, and coverage of a vast
Max on the mike at a NSW rally number of local and international events RCN soon snatched The Bible mantle which had been AMS’s. Along the way he married Margaret and had three children; Mandy, VickiAnn, and Michael, who is a talented motoring journalist and writer. Stahl continued to compete on tarmac in Series Production events and in the forests, most notably winning the 1967 New Caledonian Rally. He co-drove a Volvo 122S with John Keran, becoming the first Australian crew to win an international rally. He also contested the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon. By the late 1960s he owned a slice of the magazine and was very much at the epicentre of the sport, aided by a longstanding weekly radio-spot on Sydney’s 2CH. He was well known by Tasman
Series competitors, Graham Hill, Bruce McLaren and Denny Hulme and others. “Jackie Stewart was a friend and Jim Clark gave him the Firestone overalls in which he’d won the Indianapolis 500” recalls long-time RCN contributor and assistant-editor Ray Bell. “Max assembled a great team. We were able to cover all events nationally. We had Des White in Brisbane, Adrian Ryan (and later Tom Naughton) in Melbourne and Peter Wherrett and Rob Luck in Sydney for example. Many writers and photographers got their first opportunity via Max, I joined in 1972.” The voice of the sport included C Max Stahl’s own, Wherett’s and others such as Jim Sullivan’s. The RCN Philosophy was always worth a read on the ailments of the sport and its future direction. “At our peak RCN sold 19,000 copies
a month, unbelievable figures for a niche magazine. Increased competition, especially from weeklies and fortnightlies – we couldn’t match them on current news – knocked our figures around but it was still a good business.” Stahl decided to sell after he had a heart attack in 1982. Two attempts to resuscitate the magazine, one led by Stephen Knox, and another with funds injected by Mal Biddlecombe and Bill Brown failed. Times had moved on and sales, despite Stahl’s best efforts, were too low for viability. Max then moved to NSW’s Central Coast where he did a mix of event promotion and management, TV and radio commentary and public relations work. The Camp Quality Caper was his own event, run over 11 years, he also concepted Targa Tasmania with John Large but abandoned it when his principles were being ignored. The Sydney Classic was another, but only had one edition. “A quadruple heart-bypass in the 1990s didn’t stop him, but he’d slowed down by 2016 after a minor stroke. He was looked after by his second wife of 30 years, Christine, but a massive stroke claimed him.” Max Stahl was a giant of the sport, liked by many and respected by all. Auto Action offers its condolences to the Stahl family and Max’s motorsport friends. Many thanks to Ray Bell for his assistance with this tribute. Mark Bisset
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BATHURST 1000 RACE START FOR SUPER2 STAR 19 YEAR-OLD Jaylyn Robotham has been confirmed to make his Supercars Bathurst 1000 debut alongside Matt Chahda in the MCM wildcard entry at this year’s October classic. Robotham scored his maiden Super2 victory at the SMP at the events opening round in just his second season, and like his new wildcard teammate, Racing runs deep through the Robotham family. “We are delighted that Jaylyn will fulfill
his dream of racing at the Great Race, the Bathurst 1000 later this year, as part of the MCM wildcard team,” said David Robotham, Jaylyn’s father and manager. “Jay has worked so hard for this and we are working closely with the team at MCM to make his debut a success.” His teammate Matt Chahda, who will also be making his main game debut at ‘The Mountain’ on October 9, expressed his excitement to be pairing with Robotham in the wildcard entry,
“Jay is a formidable competitor in Super 2. His attention to detail, his driving style and overall attitude to life makes him a great choice as my team mate.” The announcement of a new young driver to the main game is always an exciting affair, and for the team principal of MCM, Amin Chahda, who had the pleasure of releasing the news for his family’s sake back in early July, delighted in the opportunity to do so for the debut of Robotham.
“We are excited to have a young dynamic driver like Jaylyn partnering with Matt, as they both make their debut on the Mountain,” Said Amin Chahda. “We have followed Jay’s progress for some time and believe he will deliver on the day.” The MCM team is currently working through their Commercial Program and hopes to announce their naming rights partner soon. TW Neal
NATIONAL MOTORSPORT RETURNS TO REVAMPED QUEENSLAND RACEWAY
YOUNG GUN HAYMAN MAKES TRANS AM SWITCH TOM HAYMAN will race a Ford Mustang at the Queensland Raceway on August 5-7 in the Trans Am series at the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championship. The mustang was previously driven in the 2020 series by frontrunner Aaron Seton. The car is now owned by experienced Production Car competitor Bruce Lynton. Hayman’s impressive Aussie Racing Cars season has yielded eight victories and 12 podiums, meaning he will make the switch in peak racing form, albeit to a machine with some slightly more rigorous characteristics. Hayman spoke a bit about testing the Mustang, and his excitement about making the considered Trans Am switch. “It was heaps of fun. Just the way it moves around on the tyre, it has heaps of horsepower and it’s probably one of the best cars I’ve ever driven,” Hayman commented. “It’s very physical on the body with all the steering in-puts holding it in a straight line, there was nothing I could carry over from the Aussie Racing Car.” Hayman has had his eye on the Trans Am for some time, and saw the series as a means of stepping up his career. “We’ve seen it grow quite a bit in the past couple of years and it was always going to be a stepping stone, so we thought we’d get into it a bit earlier. “There are quite a few household names (competing) from what I can see. There will be no expectations, but it would be great to run with them, so we’ll wait and see how it goes.” If things go well for Hayman, there are plans for him to get a seat in the Mustang at the Bathurst 1000 in November. Owen Kelly’s #73 Mustang leads the Trans Am series by six points over Nathan Herne’s #1 Mustang heading into the penultimate round at the Queensland Raceway, the first national series at the venue for three years after a total revamp of the track and facilities. The event can be viewed on Stan Sport on the Saturday and Sunday between 11am-5pm. TW Neal
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A FINALISED schedule of seven categories will feature in the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships for the highly anticipated return of national racing to the Queensland Raceway. Taking place on the 5-7 of August, the relaid surface and upgraded facilities will play host to the fourth round of the competition. The packed schedule will feature the TCR Australia series, Trans Am, GT Championship, Porsche Sprint Challenge, GC Australian Prototype Series and the Radical Cup Australia. The traditional night running of Australian Production Cars will also get its slot back on the Saturday evening of the Shannons event. The three day return will kick the tyres at 8 30am on the Friday with a full day of practice and qualifying, followed by a blockbuster 12 hours of track time on Saturday, running from 7
30am to 7 45pm. Sunday will conclude the event with the TCR’s taking to the track at 4 10pm for their third and final race. A long time in the planning, Motorsport Australia’s director of Motorsport and Commercial operations Michal Smith, spoke of his excitement surrounding the return to Ipswich, “We’ve been working closely with Tony Quinn and the team at Queensland Raceway for months planning this Shannons Motorsport Australia event. “It’s an exciting opportunity to be back in Queensland and at a new and improved venue which is now very worthy of hosting high quality, national level motorsport.” Fans are encouraged to get their tickets early, and to be aware that
parking will only be available outside the track, as the inner parking will be used to host the seven categories of contestants. Stan Sports ‘Speed Series Broadcast’ will be televising the event for those unable to attend. For more information on ticketing visit www.motorsporttickets.com.au For more details of the event, visit the event’s official website, www. motorsportaustraliachampions.com.au TW Neal
TCM REVIEW AIMS TO FINE TUNE 2023 PRODUCT THE ORGANISERS of the Touring Car Masters have started to step up the review into the performance adjustment for the popular series heading into the 2023 season. The TCM category management are working with Motorsport Australia’s technical advisor Scott McGrath and the competitors, to fine-tune the balance of the on-track product. Rather than finding technical parity - which is not what the TCM is uniquely about - it’s more about the balance of performance while preserving an individual’s brand and own technical specifications, similar to what is seen in the TCR and GT series’. The performance specification register applies to engine RPM and weight adjustments to suit the various individual car makes. As an example, the five litre Holden Torana sits at around 1370kg, compared to the six litre 1500kg Ford Mustang, Falcon, and Chevrolet Camaro models; the weight differential is in turn balanced up by the horsepower, with the five litre engines running at 600hp, and the six litres at well over 700+hp. The adjustments made throughout the season are based upon the place position of the car: so cars achieving outright 1st, such as Ryan Hansford’s #6 Torana at Townsville, receive a heavier weight adjustment, which would then be removed if the vehicle finishes fourth or worse. Due to the differing individual specifications of the cars, this allows drivers to adjust for the relative strength and weaknesses of their vehicles; and as was seen in Townsville, the lighter Holdens have an advantage on the more corner driven street
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circuits, whilst lacking the horsepower on the more open circuits such as Mount Panorama. A survey of the TCM since the 2018 season shows that of the 63 championship races, 39 have been won by the six litre cars, and 24 by the smaller-engined vehicles. Liam Curkpatrick, the Category Manager for TCM, spoke about the aims for the review, and of protecting the characteristics that define TCM. ”The idea is to not reinvent the wheel but to go through everything with a fine-tooth comb, which is what we have been doing since ARG acquired the category prior to the curtailed 2020 season,” said Curkpatrick. “The on-track product has always been a hallmark of TCM and we don’t want to change it. But there could be opportunities to improve it further and this process is centered around that. “We want the category to continue to remain appealing to competitors with all sorts of different cars. This process will engage with all the competitors to get their thoughts while taking a very methodical, numbers-based approach to the ‘Balance of Performance’ in the category. “This is not about turning TCM into a complete ‘Parity’ class: that’s not what the category is about. The current regulations are several years old and we want to make sure what has been down on paper for some time suits where the category is at today. “It’s been part of our ongoing process to grow the category and this was the next topic we have been keen to tackle and review.” TW Neal
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MULTIPLE FORMULA FORD MANUFACTURERS NOW LIKELY
Image: Daniel Kalsz-ARG
FORMULA FORD is now likely to remain as a multiple manufacturer category after Motorsport Australia took note of competitor feedback. Motorsport Australia Director of Motorsport and Commercial Operations Michael Smith opened up to Auto Action about the current state of play in the incredibly popular Australian Formula Ford category. Smith explained that the original idea Formula Ford now appears to be substantially less likely after listening to competitors views. “We’re really wanting the DNA to stay the same,” he said to AA. “I know one of our preliminary recommendations was to look at a single manufacturer path,” he said. “Whilst the (Formula Ford) working group hasn’t formed a view, one way or another on that, I think we’re coming around to the view that, potentially a multi-manufacturer format would be a better path to go, because that’s consistent with what Formula Ford has always been in this country. “We had the stakeholder forum, we then had the survey, and then we invited people to make submissions.
“We’ve taken the time to speak to every single one of those people or email every single one of those people. “I guess as a consequence of that we’ve come around to the view that perhaps a multi-manufacturer concept is the way to go.” Smith feels that if they can get the rules right, then a multi-manufacturer series will continue to work successfully. “In order to do that (a multi-brand category) you have to get the rules right, we know that, it’s a lot simpler to craft a set of rules when you’re only have one homologated manufacturer.
ONE OF the country’s longest serving category administrators Margaret Hardy passed away from cancer on Thursday August 19. Hardy was involved in motor racing for decades and was known for her dedication to Formula Ford. Hardy joined the Light Car Club as the office manager and began working with the Australian Formula Ford championship 1978, doing paperwork AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST Production car for the category throughout the ‘80s. endurance race has opened up a limited Early in the following year she became number of support category slots for the administrator of the category and next years Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 hour was tasked with organising national event. series events, a role she held until 2013. The 2023 instalment will run over the She has dealt with many of Australia’s Easter long weekend (April 7-9). motor sport stars over the years and The demand for positions is expected was well-known as a hardworking and to be high, as the event offers the passionate worker. chance for categories that might In her time as category manager not otherwise get the opportunity to seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner Craig compete at Mount Panorama. Lowndes, reigning 1000 victor, Will “We’re always looking for categories Davison, David Reynolds, Chaz Mostert that might want to grab an opportunity and Anton de Pasquale are just some
of the illustrious names that won in the category. Hardy assisted all of these drivers on their route to Australia’s top-level. She was liked by all who knew her in the industry which is why the motor sport community is sad to hear of her passing. During her time in the category, she was named a Life Member of the Formula Ford Association. of the Bathurst 6 Hour week,” said Ken Formula Ford Association Collier, Event Director. representative Phil Marinon said “This year our support program she remained very connected to the provided big fields and lots of category. great racing, which is great for the “Margaret was a tireless Administrator competitors and great for the spectators for Formula Ford Association and also who come to the circuit and watch on the AFFM including category manager TV,” Collier said of this years B6HR, with for the national competition,” he told a line up that included: Auto Action. Supercheap Auto TCR Australia, Turtle “Her attention to detail and ability to Wax Trans Am, MRF Tyres Nissan support the competitors has been very Pulsar Series, NSW Historic Touring strongly acknowledged on social media Cars, and HQ Holdens all competing in and is undisputed. the build up. “Margaret was a very private person
evolution of Formula Ford Racing, as distinct from trying to introduce something that’s entirely new that we know with our Formula 4 experience hasn’t worked.” Smith also admitted that the plan for a 2023 introduction along with the reintroduction of championship status is looking ambitious. “If I’m being really honest, I think THE FUTURE pathway for Australia’s brightest young 2023 introduction might be a bit talent is in good hands, after GRM (Garry Rogers ambitious at this point,” Smith felt. Motorsport) has announced it will once again team up “But we haven’t formed a fixed view with Valvoline for another Combine in early 2023. on that, the Formula Ford Association Competition Director, Marcos Ambrose, will ofGRM course, will be key to all of this as once again be on the frontline of the initiative, that well. focuses on providing a select few young drivers the “What I will say is our current thinking opportunity to test out top level machinery. is to run Formula Ford, the current “The GRM Combine is an experience. It is not a cars as a national series next year, and driving school or a talent search,” says Ambrose. then at a point in time, whether that’s it’s an event where drivers who are on the path 2023 or 2024, we will introduce a new to race in the upper levels of Australian motorsport car as a championship. can evaluate their own performance and abilities “We’d run existing cars in parallel in a professional environment. It gives the drivers a with the new ones as sort of a mixed reference point to see where they are at in their own grid and that would happen for a racing progression and showcase their skills to GRM period, broadly speaking, I’d be and other industry leaders.” anticipating that it’d be three to five Kicking off in January 15-20 of next year, the event years, something like that. will be held at Tasmania’s Symmons Plains and “I guess ultimately, it depends on the Baskerville circuits, where participants will get the take up of any new car. DM
VALVOLINE GRM COMBINE RETURNS FOR YOUNG GUNS
“But ultimately, if we’re, wanting to achieve or carry on the philosophy of Formula Ford Racing we need to be able to do it in a multi-manufacturer environment.” Smith believes the reason that Formula 4 did not work in Australia was because it did not appeal to the Australian motor sport scene, this is why it is essential that Formula Ford remains as close as possible to its roots. “Formula 4 didn’t work here,” he admitted. “It’s clear, people are very passionate about Formula Ford Racing “Our thinking is have it as an
BATHURST 6 VALE: MARGARETSUPPORT HARDY – FORMULA FORD’S GUIDING HAND HOUR CATEGORY OPPORTUNITIES
to race at Mount Panorama and be part
Last April’s B6HR main event provided
a thrilling race, when the pairing of Cam Hill and Thomas Sergeant somehow came from 63rd on the grid to take out victory in what some have deemed as the ‘Bathurst Miracle.’ and was always focused on the result The chance to be on the Drawcard for rather than looking for accolades. 2023 is a welcome chance for smaller “Margaret was very dedicated to grass-roots categories to be part of all things Formula Ford and has such historic occasions in Australian recently assisted the association in Motorsport - as this years running the production of a book on 50 years proved to be. of Formula Ford in Australia and Interested categories are encouraged disappointingly will not get to see the to apply soon, and should contact the final result.” event team through their website; www. Many Australian racing legends past bathurst6hour.com.au TW Neal
opportunity to test drive GRM’s TCR, Trans Am, and the S5000’s. “S5000, TCR and Trans Am are very different machines which each require a unique set of skills each to drive,” Ambrose said of the machinery on offer. Combine participants get to evaluate themselves in different equipment and see what type of machine best suits their skill sets. An added bonus is to compare themselves against our professional factory drivers.” Making the program a more rounded experience, Valvoline has also come on board in an even bigger capacity this time around, and will provide stellar product support, as well as training for mechanic apprentices to-be. Ambrose, a two-time Supercars champion, will provide his expertise and mentorship, along with noted GRM drivers James Moffat, James Goulding, Dylan O’keeffe and Nathan Heme. Garry and Barry Rogers will also be on deck to oversee the Combine and present took to social media to proceedings. send their condolences. Under the tutelage of this team, the young drivers Outside of Formula Ford, Margaret will experience on-track sessions, detailed guidance also took on roles such as the race with a dedicated driver coach and engineer, and a secretary for Sandown Raceway. one week work experience package with GRM at its Hardy was diagnosed with Dandenong facility. Inflammatory Breast Cancer in 2019 As a credit to the programs success, the last GRM and went into Stage 4 in May. combine saw the fast tracking of rising star Kody Auto Action sends its condolences to Garland, who now races for GRM in the TCR Australia her friends and family. DM series for Valvoline. TW Neal
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GOING ROUND THE BEND WITH SAM “
HOW A GRATEFUL REFUGEE HAS GIVEN A HUGE GIFT TO AUSTRALIAN MOTORSPORT By Paul Gover THERE IS lots of hard work in the story of Sam Shahin. Hard work is what earned the Shahin family their success in the business world, hard work goes into his racing, and an incredible amount of hard work has gone into the creation of The Bend Motorsport Park – and its ongoing development and expansion. Officially, the Shahin clan are the richest family in South Australia with a net worth approaching $2 billion. Their business empire was founded by Fathi Shahin, who fled war-torn Palestine in 1948 for a better life in Australia. Today, his three sons – Charlie, Yasser and Sam – are the key members of the Peregrine Corporation, whose massive business interests in the state are built around their 160-strong network of service stations. Most people in and around motorsport know Sam Shahin because of his driving role in the creation of The Bend.
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He took a greenfield site – more like brownfield in reality – that was once the testing ground for Mitsubishi Motors Australia and re-purposed it as the country’s most ambitious new motorsport facility since Bob Jane created the Thunderdome at Calder Park.
“Yasser and I both share a deep love of motorsport. It is born out of a competitive drive to do ‘hard things’ well”.
When Shahin talks about The Bend, his personal passion project, it’s obvious that it’s more than just a giant white elephant or a private sandpit for him to play with his brother Yasser and their fast cars. “The Bend was born out of an idea to leave a legacy project in a state, and
country, that has given a Palestinian refugee an opportunity,” Shahin tells Auto Action. “I thank my lucky stars for the luck I’ve had to end up in a country like Australia. There is no better place in the world to be. We live in heaven, and anyone who has the ability to make a contribution should.”
You might think that racing exotic Porsches on weekends, and building an enviable collection of classy cars, is an indulgence for a rich man. But you don’t have to spend long with Shahin to realise that there is a real depth to the man. He is highly intelligent, calm and focussed, and prepared to do whatever it takes to make things happen. He flew from Adelaide to Brisbane recently, in-and-out in a single day, to do hands-on research into drag racing. He walked the pits at Willowbank Raceway, stood and watched from the start-line, talked to the drivers and crews, all in preparation for the next expansion at The Bend as work nears completion on a world-class drag-strip. It’s a similar story as Shahin talks about his personal history. “I started my professional life in medicine. I laboured for 12 years to attain my medical degree, followed by post-graduate diplomas in obstetrics and paediatrics,” he begins. “I then became a ‘fellow’ of the Royal College of GPs and went into general practice for a few years until I wanted to try my hand in business. “So I went back to university, did a postgraduate diploma in business, then one in management, then an MBA. Then became an accountant, then went into business!” This would be the right time for a ‘phew’ and a pause for anyone else, but not Shahin.
Attention to detail – check out the foyer to the hotel/race operation (above) – is at the core of The Bend’s growing international reputation. Mark Skaife (above) advised on circuit design. Images: Motorsport Images /Shahin Collection.
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