HUGE BATHURST 1000 SUPERCARS PREVIEW ISSUE
AUSTRALIA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MOTORSPORT
BATHURST
• CAN ANYONE BEAT VAN GISBERGEN? • CAN LOWNDES DELIVER A PODIUM? • HOLDEN’S LAST BATHURST 1000 • BATHURST ROOKIES – NEW STARS • BRAD JONES - BATHURST DREAMS
SANDOWN SAVIOURS ELECTED
NEW BOARD MEMBERS OFFER A LIFELINE
FORMULA 1 COST CAP
IS THE ‘21 CHAMPIONSHIP TAINTED?
WRC – LOCAL BOYS STAR
PADDON, SVG AND BATES INSIDE THE TOP 10
ISSUE #1846 October 6 to October 19, 2022 $9.95 INC GST www.autoaction.com.au ISSN 2204-9924
1972 50 YEARS ON
BROCK’S FIRST BATHURST WIN
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GROVES UNVEIL TEAM AUSTRALIA CHALLENGER STEPHEN AND Brenton Grove have taken the wraps off their 2022 FIA Motorsport Games livery – the duo will chase another medal in the GT category at Circuit Paul Ricard in October. This year will see Stephen Grove captaining the Australian team at the major international event in what will be an all-star line-up. Australian Porsche factory star Matt Campbell will join Stephen and his son, Brenton in the GT Sprint category. The squad will aim to go one better after finishing second to Russia in 2019.
COFFS COAST FESTIVAL OF MOTORSPORT COME NOVEMBER 5-27, the biggest motorsport festival in the history of Coffs Harbour will take place, with a month-long series of events held over every weekend in the lead up to the ARC and the FIA Asia Pacific Rally finale. The Massive Motor Show kicks off on Nov 5, with the Massive Bike show on Nov 12, along with Motocross events, Hill Climb competitions, Speedway, Rally-cross, Burnout comps, flat track racing, karting, and off road races. The festival will take place over the entire Coffs Coast region, incorporating the Raleigh, Grafton and Kempsey areas.
AMERICAN LEGEND CONCLUDES FULL-TIME CAREER AMERICAN RACING legend Jimmie Johnson has announced his retirement from full-time racing, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. The news marks the end of an era for one of the biggest names in the sport. While Johnson will still be seen behind the wheel, his appearances will be limited to no more than 10 ‘bucket list’ races around the world. The news did not stop him from competing at the Petit Le Mans last weekend, where he showed no signs of slowing down, finishing third. Johnson told The Associated Press he is looking forward to taking on some new challenges in 2023, keeping fans guessing as to where he will race next. “I have got a blank sheet of paper, and we can now see what opportunities exist and start making a calendar,” he said. Johnson said the decision to scale back was not one that took a lot of time, with personal priorities starting to take precedence. “It has been an interesting experience to feel so fulfilled with the experience and then also try to make a decision,” he said. “In the big scheme of things, there is so much life planning going on with the kids. We have always had an idea of trying to live abroad for a year or two. “We love Colorado and want to spend more time there, and there is just so much swirling personally and professionally that I just wanted to take some time and make the decision not on the back of a positive or negative experience on the race track.” The 47-year-old started his NASCAR career in the second-tier series in 1998, before graduating to the Cup Series in 2002, and became a winning machine in the famous #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. He won seven NASCAR Cup Series championships, the equal most ever alongside icons Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, with the first five all back-to-back from 2006-10. After the record setting streak, Johnson returned to the top in 2013 and 16 to change his nickname from “five time” to “seven time”.
Image by: MOTORSPORT IMAGES But after 83 wins, Johnson recently switched a Stock Car for an IndyCar last year, but has only recorded one top five finish while racing on a part-time basis for Chip Ganassi Racing. So, now the question on everyone’s lips is where will Johnson race next? The famous 24 Hours of Le Mans appears to be at the top of the bucket list, with the American star previously declaring he wants to be one of the three drivers racing the joint Garage 56 project between NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports. Other options could include racing in the IMSA series, which wrapped up at last weekend’s Petit Le Mans, where Johnson jumped on the podium after finishing third overall in a Cadillac DPi. He also revealed he does “have a desire to go back” to IndyCar, but there is one endurance challenge that could loom large. Johnson has always admired drivers, who have attempted ‘The Double’ – racing the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day – and said it could become an option. “The double sounds awesome,” he said. “I have always had respect for the guys who have done the double. “I would say it is more of a respect thing than a bucketlist item, and I would love to put some energy into that idea and see if I can pull it off.” While Johnson will still be seen on the track possibly making some Fernando Alonso style cameos around the world, his full-time retirement closes one of the most successful chapters in American motorsport. Thomas Miles
ROSE CITY 10000 NEARING ITS HISTORICAL RETURN
NO IMPROVEMENT REQUIRED FOR HUDSON LOCALS TOOK the top three spots in the Midas Improved Nationals, supported by Yokohama, at Morgan Park on October 2. Returning to the category after racing elsewhere, Zack Hudson was the winner in his Mazda RX7 ahead of Jason Clements (BMW) and David Waldon (Mazda RX3). Title contenders Jordan Cox (Suzuki Swift Turbo) and Treven Spiteri (Mitsubishi EVO) clashed in the final, which put both out. The separate Under 2.0 Litre title went to Kurt Macready (Nissan Silvia) over Matt Dwyer (Toyota Corolla) and Khan Noack (Honda Civic). Also on the program was the X3 Excels Nationals – Victorian Ethan Grigg-Gault edged out Queenslander Ryan Casha with Brock Giblin third. Full reports next issue.
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THE ROSE City 10000 is back, sponsored by AUTO ACTION, with the Formula 5000s headlining the Winton Formula Festival on October 15-16, put on by the Benalla Auto Club. It’s already the biggest assembled field of Formula 5000 cars for a Rose City running ever, with 16 entrants already confirmed, with the National Formula Ford and Formula Vees as the supporting acts. More than half of the confirmed vehicles took part in the actual 1978 running, with participating cars ranging from 1969-1977 taking part. Chas Talbot is the only pilot contending who actually raced in ‘78 – driving a similar Lola T332 as he did in that year, when he finished in P5. The Elfin MR8B that Formula 1 champion James Hunt drove in that year, beating Alfredo Costanzo to the chequered flag, will also be taking part; as will John Goss’ 1976 Australian Grand Prix winning Matich A53. TCR Australia front runner Josh Buccan will be competing, and is expected to be pushing out front with drivers like Paul Zazryn and Tim Berryman, both driving Lolas, and Tom Tweedie in a Chevron B24/28. The last Rose City 10000 title holder was four time Australian Drivers Champion Costanzo, in 1979, winning over the likes of Larry Perkins and John Bowe. With 40 known Formula 5000s from the era, owners are encouraged to get in touch with the organisers. “I’d implore anyone with one of these vehicles to get in touch with the
Image by: PETER ELLENBOGEN organisers, and get them in the hands of someone who’ll race them,” Formula 5000 race director, Peter Brennan said. “It’s astounding that more than half of these cars took part in the actual race – some absolute legends of Australian Motorsport went around in these things. “Historically it’s a special occasion, with the front runners keen to put some rubber down in trying to actually be Rose City 10000 champions.” TW Neal
INDYCAR ANNOUNCES 17 RACE SCHEDULE FOR 2023 FRESH OFF one of the most exciting racing seasons in recent memory, the IndyCar body has moved fast to announce a bumper 17 race schedule for 2023. Australia’s Will Power defends his 2022 crown over a similar but slightly revised schedule, with an added new circuit. The current Detroit race which was at Belle Isle Park will stay in the Motor City, but will be moved to a brand new site: the Streets of Detroit circuit – a nine turn 2.7km race which will follow the Indy 500. The new circuit is a welcome return to the downtown streets of the Motor City for the first time since 1982. 2023’s season will once again launch on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, but will be pushed back a week to March 5. The North American Spring and Summer will then host the bulk of the schedule, including the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 28, which this season hosted over 300,000 attendees. The season ending stretch, on the back of a frantic seven driver title chase in 2022, will culminate with eight races in nine weeks; starting worth the usually chaotic Streets of Toronto on July 16, with the finale for the Astor Cup once again being held at the newly repaved Laguna Seca in Monterey, California on September 10. The evenly spread event diversity of the IndyCar series continues in 2023, with next year incorporating seven road races, five streets circuits, and five oval races. President and CEO of the Penske Entertainment Corp, Mark Miles, is excited
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2023 INDYCAR Schedule
The Indy 500 is, as usual, on Memorial weekend – May 28. Image by: MOTORSPORT IMAGES for the global impact of next season. “The IndyCar series is on an impactful upward trajectory, making progress at a pace that befits our thrilling style of competition,” Miles said. “The 2023 season provides an opportunity to further build on this trend, bringing our sport and its stars to more markets and households, reaching new consumers across the globe.” IndyCar President Jay Frye also spoke
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about some highlights for the coming year. “We have worked hard to achieve date and venue equity, which has been an ongoing goal at INDYCAR,” Frye said. “We are excited to return to downtown Detroit, and the repaves at Road America and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will add new challenges for the drivers and teams. The intensity level will also be at an all-time high as we conclude the season with three weekends in a row.” TW Neal
Streets of St. Petersburg FLORIDA – MARCH 5 Texas Motor Speedway TEXAS – APRIL 2 Streets of Long Beach CALIFORNIA – APRIL 16 Barber Motorsports Park ALABAMA – APRIL 30 Indianapolis Motor Speedway INDIANA – MAY 13 (Road Course Race 1) Indianapolis Motor Speedway INDIANA – MAY 28 (Indy 500 – Oval) Streets of Detroit MICHIGAN – JUNE 4 Road America WISCONSIN – JUNE 18 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course OHIO – JULY 2 Streets of Toronto TORONTO, CANADA – JULY16 Iowa Speedway IOWA – JULY 22 (Race 1) Iowa Speedway IOWA – JULY 23 (Race 2) Streets of Nashville TENNESSEE – AUG 6 Indianapolis Motor Speedway INDIANA – AUG 12 (Road Course Race 2) World Wide Technology Raceway ILLINOIS – AUG 27 Portland International Raceway OREGON – SEPT 3 Laguna Seca CALIFORNIA – SEPT 10
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LATEST NEWS
DICK JOHNSON TO CUT FIRST LAPS IN NEW PONY THE 2022 Bathurst 1000 was always going to be a big event for Dick Johnson, but he now has another reason to smile as he will be the first to drive the new Seventh-Generation Ford Mustang GT Supercar. The New Mustang GT Supercar will be revealed to all in pit lane at 12:30pm on Thursday afternoon, before Johnson takes to the famous Mount Panorama circuit in the afternoon. This will be the first in-person reveal of the seventh-generation Mustang in
racing form anywhere in the world. It will be a similar scene to 20 years ago when Johnson revealed the Ford BA Falcon at the Great Race, while the legendary driver and team owner was also the first to cut laps in the current ‘Gen2’ Mustang Supercar at the Adelaide 500 in 2019. Dick Johnson Racing is Ford’s homologation team, designing, developing and building the car in conjunction with Ford Performance across the last two years.
SUPER LOOK FOR WILDCARD TRIPLE EIGHT Race Engineering has revealed the unique livery that will feature on the team’s Supercheap Auto-backed wildcard for the 2022 Bathurst 1000 in front of a big group of fans on Tuesday. The striking livery includes the faces of thousands of race fans who submitted via a competition to feature on the #888 Holden Commodore ZB. The ‘heartbeat’ emblazoned on the car is reference to the
fans and their passion behind the sport, and the mountains featured on the rear-quarter panels of the car are a nod to the iconic Mount Panorama landscape. The ‘MAKE IT SUPER’ refers to the new Supercheap Auto brand - Whoever You Are, Whatever You Drive, MAKE IT SUPER! Fan favourite Craig Lowndes will be joined by Declan Fraser for the Great Race.
The squad is also celebrating its 1000th race this weekend, being the first team ever to reach the mark in Supercars history. The three-time Bathurst 1000 winner said that he was honoured to be the first driver of the prototype race car. “My team and I have been racing Fords for more than forty years, we are very proud representatives of and ambassadors for the Blue Oval,” said Johnson. “We have been working extremely
hard on making this car the best it can possibly be over the last couple of years, and to be the first person in the world to drive it after all of that work is fantastic. “Any chance to drive around Mount Panorama is incredible, but to do it in Ford’s latest race car is an opportunity I simply couldn’t pass up. “I can’t wait to drive the Mustang and see the fans across the top of the Mountain, it’s going to be very special indeed.”
PREMIAIR PUMPED FOR MOUNTAIN ASSAULT
PREMIAIR RACING is not arriving at the Mountain this weekend to make up the numbers, the squad wants success at its first ever Bathurst 1000. The team fired to life at the start of this year when owner Peter Xiberras took over what was Team Sydney, and later moved the two-car operation into a purpose-built facility on the Gold Coast. The squad has had 10 rounds to get up to speed in its new environment, and now feels ready to chase success on the biggest stage of all, Mount Panorama. Leading the PremiAir assault is a man who had not planned on being a full-time driver in 2022, James Golding. Golding has only been steering the #31 Subway Holden ZB Commodore for four rounds, but has impressed since replacing Garry Jacobson. Since suddenly being thrown back into
the main game for the first time in two and a half years in Townsville, Golding has found his feet, pushing PremiAir Racing to new heights. He recorded a top-10 finish in the second race of the recent Pukekohe SuperSprint and backed this result up with an 11th place in the final ever dash around the historic venue. Golding was on track for another impressive finish on Saturday, only for his hopes to be dashed after getting tangled up with Macauley Jones. However, this strong form has the #31 driver in an aggressive mindset as he heads to Bathurst. “Come Sunday afternoon, getting up on that balcony is what I am aiming for,” Golding said. “I am going to be fighting for it and I will not be holding back. Put it this way - if I have to risk second or third to go for the win, I will be risking it. “To get into the Top 10 Shootout would be really great, and then come Sunday, there will be no holding back.” Golding’s co-driver Dylan O’Keeffe is ready for the busiest weekend of his career, where he will double up his Supercar duties with his full-time Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship commitments. While it is not the first time O’Keeffe has competed in different categories at a
race meeting, the weekend’s condensed schedule will make for a hectic event, especially on Thursday where O’Keeffe is expected to participate in four sessions. However, he is not fazed by the prospect, and believes it could work in his favour. “Racing the Carrera Cup car at Bathurst will allow me to get up to speed on the Mountain, and will ensure I’m sharp and ready to go when I get in the Supercar,” O’Keeffe said. “Mount Panorama is the sort of track where any laps help you gain track knowledge, regardless of the type of car you’re driving, so I believe doing double duties is an advantage.” The sister PremiAir Racing ZB Commodore driven by Chris Pither and Cameron Hill will be paying tribute to the 1995 Coca-Cola car 500cc driven by motorcycle world champion Wayne Gardner and Supercars legend Neil Crompton. Pither hopes he and Hill can achieve something similar in the retro scheme at an event where “anything can happen”. “No matter what way you look at it, the Bathurst 1000 is something else. It is truly unique, unpredictable and is never short on drama,” he said. “Having previously finished fourth in the Bathurst 1000, only one place off the podium, I head there with the aim to improve on my PB. “The livery we are running this weekend is a tribute to the 1995 podium-getting car – here’s hoping this look can race through to another podium some 17 years later.” Both PremiAir cars, plus the other 26 Supercars will take on the Mountain for the first time on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s Great Race.
PATRIOTIC PAINT FOR GROVE PAIR GROVE RACING has showed off its new warpaint for the 2022 Bathurst 1000 after a special reveal on top of Mount Panorama. In front of the fans, reigning Bathurst champion Lee Holdsworth and 2017 winner David Reynolds peeled the covers off their Ford Mustang’s in the campground, before they go on the attack just metres away on the famous circuit later this week. The team’s major sponsor, Penrite has been inspired by the strong memories of Reynolds’ Great Race win five years ago with another patriotic paint scheme. The Grove Racing cars have run predominantly black liveries this year, but the side panels are now draped with the Australian flag. The #10 Ford Mustang driven by Holdsworth and Matt Payne can be identified by the white outline across the front, while #26 Reynolds and Matt Campbell machine has red instead. Along with the successful 2017 livery, the Penrite backed cars have also been seen with similar looks in 2020 and ‘21, with this year’s livery the latest evolution. Reynolds drove in all of those Australian flag themed Supercars and said it was special to unveil the latest design with the fans at the top of the Mountain.
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“There’s nothing like this race, driving up from Melbourne I just got more and more excited the closer I was getting to the track,” he said. “I love the sights and sounds that you only get up on top of the mountain, all their campsites are awesome and while we will keep our cars lubricated with plenty of Penrite, they will keep themselves lubricated with plenty of beverages, so we made sure we looked
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after them today with a big barbecue lunch. “When you’re in the car at the end of the race and the fans are going nuts it’s so amazing. I hope we’re right up the front come Sunday afternoon with our new look to give them something to cheer for.” Speaking ahead of his Peter Brock Trophy defence and last Bathurst as a fulltime driver, Holdsworth is full of emotion. “Driving into the circuit today gave me
butterflies, and to come straight up to the top of the mountain to show the fans, who make this race and our sport so special, our new colours is very cool,” he said. “The car looks great but there’s many tales of what fans have done to cars over the years up here, so hopefully the team gets mine back down to the pits safely.” The new-look Grove Racing Ford Mustangs will hit the track at 11:00am on Thursday.
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OLD MEETS NEW IN CALTEX CELEBRATION TWO GENERATIONS of Caltex Supercar have come together today ahead of the Bathurst 1000, as the brand prepares for its Mount Panorama return with two young guns at the wheel. Caltex will write a new chapter in its Bathurst 1000 history this weekend, supporting the Caltex Young Stars ZB Holden Commodore to be driven by development series drivers Matt Chahda and Jaylyn Robotham. The pair were on hand today as the 2022 car came face-to-face with the Caltex BA Ford Falcon entered in the 2003 Bathurst 1000 by Stone Brothers Racing, in a celebration of Caltex’s storied history in the ‘Great Race’. Caltex first featured at Bathurst in 1987, when the brand sponsored an
Alfa Romeo driven by motorsport legend, Colin Bond. The 2003 Falcon was steered by two-time Bathurst winner and former Supercars champion, Russell Ingall, who was involved in a memorable dust up with Mark Skaife at Eastern Creek in that same year. The car was a race winner with Ingall at the wheel, and Caltex branding was there for all to see when the driver celebrated his 2005 title. While the Young Stars machine will be most visible on track this weekend, the Caltex Stone Brothers Racing Falcon will take pride of place in Bathurst’s National Motor Racing Museum. Chahda is thrilled to have Caltex’s support heading into the biggest race on the Supercars calendar.
“It’s special to be bringing a company like this back into Supercars, they’re showing how committed they are to it and how committed they were back in the day as well,” Chahda said. “The old car looks great, but I think this one looks better! It looks faster for sure. “It’s all come together really well. We’ve got a really good team put together, especially given it’s been quite a last-minute thing. “I’m not nervous yet, we haven’t been on track. I just keep thinking about the next little thing we have to do and then it’s all about getting in the car. “At the moment there are always people around you and people talking to you all the time - so it will be nice to get my helmet on and get in the
car on my own.” Robotham echoed his teammate in celebrating the involvement of Caltex. “It’s awesome to see them together and the history of the car and Caltex at Mount Panorama,” Robotham said. “It’s a great way to reintroduce the Caltex brand in the biggest race of the year. It’s really cool to be part of it this year. “I haven’t really thought too much about taking part in the Bathurst 1000 yet, to be honest. With all the rain around it’s hard to know what to expect. “We’ll see how we go, keep it off the walls and keep it straight and we’ll be good.” On-track action will commence tomorrow, with the Great Race slated for October 9. JN
BLAST FROM THE PAST RACE FANS at this year’s Bathurst 1000 will be treated to a smorgasbord of Australian motorsport history in the Heritage Revival category, with series organisers confirming a blockbuster 40-car field for the weekend’s three races. Designed to showcase the finest examples of Australia’s motorsport heritage from the 1960s through to the 1990s, the feature category for this year’s Bathurst Heritage Revival races is Group C: a memorable chapter of the sport that spanned the period from 1973-84. The Group C era was a period of many unforgettable Mountain moments, including Bob Morris and John Fitzpatrick’s emotional 1976 victory, the crushing Moffat Ford Dealers 1-2 finish in 1977, Peter Brock setting the lap record on the final lap of the 1979 race and Dick Johnson’s infamous altercation with the rock in 1980. The Group C period was also home to cars that will bring back fond memories for many motorsport fans, including Holden’s L34 and A9X Toranas, VC, VH and VK Commodores, Ford’s XA, XB and XC Falcon hardtops and XD/XE sedans, the Mazda RX7 and the Nissan Bluebird. Indeed, the very Bluebird that George Fury qualified on pole position for Bathurst in 1984 will be on the grid next weekend, in the hands of Brian Henderson. The Heritage Revival field consists of 21 Group C cars, with the balance of the field consisting of invited Group A touring cars
(1985-92), Group N (historic touring cars representing the Series Production and Appendix J era from the 1960s and early 70s) and Group S (historic production GT sports cars), ensuring there will be a diverse array of historic machines to whet the appetite of every motorsport enthusiast. Among the Group A entries, Mike Roddy’s Jaguar XJS – which won Bathurst in 1985 with Armin Hahne and John Goss – will undoubtedly turn heads. The Group N field includes an assortment of Torana XU1s, Mustangs and Chargers while Group S is represented by a trio of Porsche 911s and a Shelby GT350. The man behind the Heritage Revival concept is Ed Singleton, himself a passionate historic racer who said the category is geared towards creating a fun experience for the competitors while maximising appreciation for the spectators. “We encourage all our competitors to race closely and show off the relative strengths of
their cars, while obviously showing respect for one another, bringing the cars home in one piece” Singleton said. “In doing so, it ensures everyone watching trackside or at home on TV can soak up the sights and sounds of these classic machines going flat out around the Mountain. While the on-track spectacle will provide entertainment aplenty, Singleton said fans are also encouraged to wander through the paddock and have a closer look at the cars. “In between our races, we welcome all the fans to come for a walk through our pit area, talk to the drivers and car owners, reminisce, share stories and of course take plenty of photos,” he said. The Heritage Revival races will stage three races across the weekend, with all the on-track action to be shown live as part of the television coverage on Fox Sports across the event, and Channel 7 on Saturday.
NISSAN BLUEBIRD TWINS RETURN TO THE MOUNTAIN
FOR THE first time in almost 40 years, a pair of Group C Nissan Bluebird Turbos will grace Mount Panorama, as part of the Heritage Revival field for this weekend’s Bathurst 1000. The #15 and #16 Bluebirds are owned by Brian Henderson and Adam Workman, who have joined forces in their quest to revive the Nissan Motor Company’s motorsport exploits of the early 1980s. In 1983, the #15 machine was campaigned by George Fury and Garry Scott, while Fred Gibson and John French piloted the #16 Bluebird. Nissan scaled back to a single Bluebird in the following year, when Fury recorded a blinding 2:13.8 lap in the Top 10 Shootout to snare the final pole position of the Group C era. While Fury and Scott could only muster a P16 finish, their exploits in Hardies Heroes ensures the #15 Nissan Bluebird will go down
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in Bathurst folklore forever. Almost four decades later, the Bluebirds have stood the test of time and Workman said they will continue to be a fan favourite when they make a comeback to the Mountain this weekend. “Every time we attend a race meeting, there are always fans with stories and memories to share, and everyone wants to get photos of our cars,” Workman said. “Brian and I are operating as a two-car outfit and we’re aiming to recreate the Nissan factory team environment. “As well as being a great spectacle in the pits, it also makes it easier for us because we can share components between the two cars.” Many people believe the Bluebird was a twitchy and temperamental car to handle in race conditions, but Workman said this is not the case.
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“The Bluebird is actually quite an easy car to drive, it feels supple and forgiving,” he said. “The Nissan engineers spent a lot of time focusing on suspension and ride control, and it really shows from behind the wheel. “Even the gearbox is relatively user-friendly – there’s no synchromesh, so it’s important to match revs when you’re down-shifting, but I change gears without the clutch.” Workman said the biggest challenge is dealing with the Bluebird’s light-switch power delivery – a hallmark associated with many turbocharged cars of the era. “When the turbo cuts in, you suddenly go from 80 to 400 horsepower, which can certainly catch your attention coming out of a slow corner,” he said. “It takes a while to get used to, but you can adjust your driving technique to make sure the engine stays in a certain rev-range.” Workman cannot wait to drive the Nissan around Mount Panorama this weekend, and said the Heritage Revival races are a perfect opportunity to exhibit the Bluebirds in front of an appreciative crowd. “Bathurst is a race meeting that attracts enthusiasts who really appreciate the history of the sport, there are people who have been going there for decades and naturally there will be spectators who will have been there during the Bluebird glory days” he said. “Brian and I are thankful to Ed and the management team for organising the event – we can’t wait to put on a great show on the track, and spend time in the pits with the fans.”
YOULDEN DRIVES INTO UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY LUKE YOULDEN enters this weekend’s Bathurst 1000 in unfamiliar territory without the added pressure of a codriver role, as he lines up in the Porsche Carrera Cup for TekworkX Motorsport. For just the second time in his 22year career, Youlden does not have any driving duties in the Great Race, so this weekend he will be solely focusing on his Carrera Cup campaign. Sitting 10th in the standings, with a pole position and a race win to his name, the 44-year-old has consistently been one of the fastest drivers at each round. After scoring a surprise podium in 2003 with Steven Ellery and sweet win alongside David Reynolds in 2017, Youlden has happy memories of the Mountain in a Supercar and is excited to make some more in a Porsche this weekend. “I’m very excited to go to Bathurst and put all my focus in one category and really have fun,” he said. “Ever since we got this car back in January, I’ve been looking forward to this round the most, it should really highlight the changes on the 992 compared to last year.” The unique format sees a single practice session on Thursday, preceding qualifying later that day before one race a day over the remainder of the weekend. With just a sole hit out before qualifying, Youlden said the new generation’s first visit to the Mountain provides an added challenge. “It’s a 50-minute session which is a decent amount of time, but red flags and the long lap time can whittle that down pretty quickly,” he said. “I’d say the less practice the better, we have been rolling out pretty quickly in opening sessions this year and experience will count for a lot, which we have quite a bit of in this team. “The track is going to be very different by the time we get out for qualifying anyway, with the gap between the two sessions on Thursday. This weekend is going to be all about adapting quickly, especially if the rain arrives as it is forecast.” Round seven of the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup Championship is one of the support categories to look out for at Mount Panorama this weekend.
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AUSTRALIA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MOTORSPORT
2022 SUPERCARS BATHURST 1000 PREVIEW AND EVENT GUIDE
CAR-BY-CAR: WHO CAN WIN AND WHY 50 YEARS ON – BROCK’S FIRST BATHURST WIN CRAIG LOWNDES WILDCARD – THE MASTER AND THE APPRENTICE HOLDEN’S LAST BATHURST BRAD JONES - WHAT BATHURST MEANS TO HIM CAN A ROOKIE WIN THE GREAT RACE? AARON SEATON - A THIRD GENERATION RACER PLUS FULL EVENT SCHEDULE Bathurst edition made SUPER by
BATHURST 1000 PREVIEW BROTHERLY LOVE
17
DRIVERS: WILL DAVISON/ALEX DAVISON ENGINEER: RICHARD HARRIS
8.2
DICK JOHNSON RACING – MUSTANG It’s great to see the Davison brothers pairing up again, but is it the right move to win the race against the hard heads in #97? Wilbur has been really smooth, fluid and fast this year and that will be a big bonus at Bathurst. But does he have the evil streak to topple van Gisbergen in a straight fight, and does Alex have the real speed for success? Answers coming soon – perhaps with a fairytale ending.
NEED TO PROVIDE PROOF
THEY’VE STILL GOT IT
BRYCE FULLWOOD/DEAN FIORE 14 DRIVERS: ENGINEER: PHIL KEED
BRAD JONES RACING
COMMODORE
6.2 18
The jury is out on Fullwood, who has yet to prove he deserves a full-time ride. Perhaps the experience of Fiore will give him the stability to shine and push the pair forward.
TEAM 18
COMMODORE
7.0 22
Pye has had a tough year with crashes cruelling his season, but he can still star. Everingham only has one start, as a late replacement when James Golding went to PremiAir, although a full season in Super2 will be handy.
7.0
DRIVERS: DAVID REYNOLDS/MATT CAMPBELL GROVE RACING MUSTANG ENGINEER: ALISTAIR MCVEAN
DRIVERS: CHRIS PITHER/CAMERON HILL PREMIAIR RACING COMMODORE ENGINEER: KEN DOUGLAS
5.3
The Coke car is a stylish racer, Pither is a good guy and Hill is looking for a Bathurst tick to get into the main game. PremiAir is still learning so a trouble-free weekend is unlikely.
THESE GUYS COULD BE THE DARK HORSE
WORTH A WATCH
7.4 31
The genuine dark horse combination in the Penrite Mustang. Reynolds is mercurial on his day and knows how to win – and lose – at Bathurst. The Grove Racing combination has been improving and has been saving their best to last, like dropping Campbell – a global star – into the lead car.
DRIVERS: JAMES GOLDING/DYLAN O'KEEFFE PREMIAIR RACING COMMODORE ENGINEER: GEOFFREY SLATER
5.5
Golding has good speed and is achieving good results after his mid-season arrival at PremiAir, laying a solid foundation in the main game. O’Keeffe is solid so they are a Top 10 prospect if things go right.
THE BIG TEST
NEED TO FOCUS
MATT STONE RACING
COMMODORE
5.6 35
Jack Le Brocq has settled well into Matt Stone Racing and is capable of taking the car forward, but Seton is still, as a newcomer, a question mark despite his brilliant genes.
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COMMODORE
NICE GUYS, LOOKING GOOD
SCOTT PYE/TYLER EVERINGHAM 20 DRIVERS: ENGINEER: RICHARD HOLLOWAY
JACK LE BROCQ/AARON SETON 34 DRIVERS: ENGINEER: JACK BELLOTTI
ENGINEER: MANUEL SANCHEZ
Frosty can still do the job, and Caruso is best as a co-driver, but the Irwin Commodore has been patchy through 2022. They could give the race a real shake, especially if it rains. They won’t sprint at the front but it’s a long day and a tough race.
LOOKING FOR SOME LUCK
26
DRIVERS: MARK WINTERBOTTOM/MICHAEL CARUSO TEAM 18
DRIVERS: TODD HAZELWOOD/JAYDEN OJEDA MATT STONE RACING COMMODORE ENGINEER: CHRIS STUCKEY
5.4
Hazelwood has been disappointing and needs to avoid any brain fades to show his best. Ojeda is looking for Bathurst kudos but they will need lots of luck to crack the 10.
Bathurst edition made SUPER by
WELCOME BACK MURPH AND RICHIE
51
DRIVERS: RICHIE STANAWAY/GREG MURPHY ENGINEER: WAYNE MACKIE
COULD BE THE SURPRISE OF THE WEEKEND
EREBUS MOTORSPORT
COMMODORE
5.0 55
What was once a race-winning combination faces a tough weekend as a Wildcard with no recent race experience. Stanaway could put the car into the Shootout, and it’s a long day for the crowd favourites.
TICKFORD RACING
MUSTANG
7.0
Best was a co-driver star at Bathurst last year and aced his Wildcard start at The Bend. Randle’s form has been patchy, with definite speed but too many mistakes, so Bathurst is a chance for redemption.
FAMILY FUN
GOAT POWER
JAKE KOSTECKI/KURT KOSTECKI 56 DRIVERS: MUSTANG ENGINEER: RHYS LENEGAN
TICKFORD RACING
6.3 88
The other brothers, after Will and Alex Davison, are in a different league. But both have shown they have enough to deserve a crack at the main game, so they need to play safe on Sunday. An evolving line-up that could surprise.
DRIVERS: BROC FEENEY/JAMIE WHINCUP TRIPLE EIGHT RACE ENGINEERING COMMODORE ENGINEER: MARTIN SHORT
8.0
Whincup would like nothing better than a Bathurst win so he can fully switch to leading Triple Eight into the future and hang up his helmet. Feeney has been solid and made remarkably few mistakes as a rookie in the main game, so they are definitely a chance. The best thing is that they are an equal pairing, with complementary skills.
CHASING A BREAKTHROUGH
96
DRIVERS: THOMAS RANDLE/ZAK BEST ENGINEER: RAYMOND LAU
A COUPLE OF TOUGH GUYS
DRIVERS: MACAULEY JONES/JORDAN BOYS BRAD JONES RACING COMMODORE ENGINEER: TOM WETTENHALL
4.6 99
Jones Jnr is a regular near the back but he sometimes plucks out something special. A good day will see the car into the top 10. Boys has shone in Super2, and S5000, but is unproven. LIVING THE DREAM
7.7
DRIVERS: BRODIE KOSTECKI/DAVID RUSSELL EREBUS MOTORSPORT
COMMODORE
ENGINEER: GEORGE COMMINS
Kostecki races as hard as van Gisbergen and Russell is a veteran who knows his job. What could go wrong? Perhaps racing at the wrong time, or getting caught in a double-stack? They get an equal rating to the other Erebus crew, but for very different reasons. LUCKY LOWNDES IS ALWAYS A CONTENDER
MATT CHAHDA/JAYLYN ROBOTHAM 118 DRIVERS: ENGINEER: BRIAN COTTEE
MATT CHAHDA MOTORSPORT
COMMODORE
4.0
It’s great to see a Wildcard crew living the Bathurst dream, good equipment … Just reaching the finish without a drama will be as good as a win and something to build on for the future.
DECLAN FRASER/CRAIG LOWNDES 888 DRIVERS: ENGINEER: ROMY MAYER
TRIPLE EIGHT RACE ENGINEERING
COMMODORE
7.0
Lowndes owns Bathurst, Fraser is a rising star, and they are in a Triple Eight Commodore. Definitely a combination to watch, especially with Roland Dane as their pitlane general. Both drivers believe they can make the podium.
HOPING FOR GROUNDHOG DAY
25
DRIVERS: CHAZ MOSTERT/FABIAN COULTHARD ENGINEER: ADAM DEBORRE
8.5
WALKINSHAW ANDRETTI UNITED – COMMODORE Something special happened at Bathurst last year and it’s hard to see this year going as well despite Mostert’s pace and experience at Bathurst. But Fabian Coulthard should be one of the very best co-drivers in his first year out of the main game, something that worked for Lee Holdsworth in ’21, and they only need a touch of luck – or something special from Adam DeBorre – to do it again.
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BATHURST 1000 PREVIEW
Bathurst edition made SUPER by
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6
2022 SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Shane van Gisbergen Cameron Waters Will Davison Anton de Pasquale Chaz Mostert Broc Feeney David Reynolds Andre Heimgartner Brodie Kostecki Tim Slade
Triple Eight Race Engineering Tickford Racing Dick Johnson Racing Dick Johnson Racing Walkinshaw Andretti United Triple Eight Race Engineering Grove Racing Brad Jones Racing Erebus Motorsport Blanchard Racing Team
2828 2257 2180 2113 2004 1852 1742 1592 1485 1435
PREVIOUS 10 BATHURST WINNERS 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012
Chaz Mostert & Lee Holdsworth Shane van Gisbergen & Garth Tander Scott McLaughlin & Alex Premat Craig Lowndes & Steven Richards David Reynolds & Luke Youlden Will Davison & Jonathon Webb Craig Lowndes & Steven Richards Chaz Mostert & Paul Morris Mark Winterbottom & Steven Richards Jamie Whincup & Paul Dumbrell
Holden Commodore ZB Holden Commodore ZB Ford Mustang Holden Commodore ZB Holden Commodore ZB Holden Commodore ZB Holden Commodore VF Ford Falcon FG Ford Falcon FG Holden Commodore VE
2022 BATHURST 1000 ENTRY LIST CAR
PRIMARY DRIVER
2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11 14 17 18 20 22 25 26 31 34 35 51 55 56 88 96 97 99 118 888
Nick Percat Tim Slade Jack Smith James Courtney Cam Waters Andre Heimgartner Will Brown Lee Holdsworth Anton de Pasquale Bryce Fullwood Will Davison Mark Winterbottom Scott Pye Chris Pither Chaz Mostert David Reynolds James Golding Jack Le Brocq Todd Hazelwood Richie Stanaway Thomas Randle Jake Kostecki Broc Feeney Macauley Jones Shane van Gisbergen Brodie Kostecki Matt Chahda Declan Fraser
PB
1st 5th 17th 2nd 2nd 9th 15th 1st 9th 5th 1st 1st 2nd 4th 1st 1st 8th 4th 8th 12th 7th 13th 10th 7th 1st 3rd N/C N/C
CO DRIVER
Warren Luff Tim Blanchard Jaxon Evans Zane Goddard James Moffat Dale Wood Jack Perkins Matt Payne Tony D’Alberto Dean Fiore Alex Davison Michael Caruso Tyler Everingham Cameron Hill Fabian Coulthard Matt Campbell Dylan O’Keeffe Aaron Seton Jayden Ojeda Greg Murphy Zak Best Kurt Kostecki Jamie Whincup Jordan Boys Garth Tander David Russell Jaylyn Robotham Craig Lowndes
PB
3rd 9th N/C DNF 2nd 4th 3rd N/C 3rd 6th 4th 3rd 19th N/C 3rd 5th 11th N/C 19th 1st 15th 13th 1st DNF 1st 8th N/C 1st
TIME 0725-0745 0755-0815 0825-0845 0855-0945 1000-1040 1100-1200 1220-1250 1305-1325 1335-1355 1405-1425 1440-1520 1530-1550 1555-1655 1710-1730 1740-1800
CATEGORY Heritage Revival V8 SuperUtes Toyota 86 Porsche Carrera Cup Dunlop Series Supercars Events Heritage Revival V8 SuperUtes Toyota 86 Dunlop Series Supercars EventsGen3 Supercars Supercars Events Heritage Revival
SESSION Practice 1 Practice Practice 1 Practice Practice 1 Practice 1 (all drivers) Resident Access Practice 2 Qualifying Practice 2 Practice 2 Demonstration Practice 2 (co-drivers) Qualifying Qualifying
TIME 0750-0810 0820-0840 0850-0910 0920-0955 0955-1005 1010-1110 1110-1130 1145-1215 1230-1250 1300-1400 1400-1410 1415-1455 1525-1540 1615-1655 1700-1720 1725-1745
CATEGORY Toyota 86 Heritage Revival V8 SuperUtes Dunlop Series Events Supercars Supercars Events Toyota 86 Supercars Supercars Events Porsche Carrera Cup Dunlop Series Supercars Supercars Events Heritage Revival
SESSION Qualifying Race 1 Race 1 Qualifying Demonstration Practice 3 (all drivers) Gen3 Demonstration Resident Access Race 1 Practice 4 (all drivers) Demonstration Race 1 Race 1 Qualifying Gen3 Demonstration Race 2
TIME 0810-0830 0835-0845 0850-0925 0940-1015 1020-1120 1125-1135 1140-1200 1215-1245 1300-1400 1405-1415 1420-1440 1450-1510 1520-1545 1600-1645 1705
CATEGORY V8 SuperUtes Supercars Dunlop Series Supercars Supercars Supercars Heritage Revival Events Supercars Supercars V8 SuperUtes Toyota 86 Porsche Carrera Cup Dunlop Series Supercars
SESSION Race 2 Demonstration Qualifying Gen3 Demonstration Practice 5 (co-drivers) Demonstration Race 3 Resident Access Practice 6 (all drivers) Demonstration Race 3 Race 2 Race 2 Race 2 Top Ten Shootout
TIME 0725-0745 0800-0820 0840-0900 0905-0925 0940-1005 1015-1030 1115
CATEGORY V8 SuperUtes Supercars Supercars Toyota 86 Porsche Carrera Cup Supercars Supercars
SESSION Race 4 Warm Up Drivers Parade Race 3 Race 3 Demonstration Race 30 (161 laps)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7
SATURDAY OCTOBER 8
SUNDAY OCTOBER 9
BATHURST 1000 TV TIMES (AEDT) THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6 TIME
6.25am - 5.00pm 6.25am - 5.00pm
STREAMING
NETWORK
Live: Fox Sports 503 Live: Kayo
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 TIME
9.00am - 4.00pm 6.45am - 4.45pm 6.45am - 4.45pm
STREAMING
NETWORK
Live and free: Seven Live: Fox Sports 503 Live: Kayo
SATURDAY OCTOBER 8 TIME
9.00am - 5.00pm 7.10am - 5.30pm 7.10am - 5.30pm
STREAMING
NETWORK
Live and free: Seven Live: Fox Sports 503 Live: Kayo
SUNDAY OCTOBER 9 TIME
6.30am - 5.00pm 6.15am - 6.00pm 6.15am - 6.00pm
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STREAMING
Live and free: Seven Live: Fox Sports 503 Live: Kayo
NETWORK
NATIONALS WRAP FUN IN THE SUN AT ICONIC LAKESIDE CIRCUIT LAKESIDE PARK’S fourth round of the Grass Roots Racing Series on September 24-25 was the third round to run after the last event was cancelled.
TRACK ATTACK EXCELS
IT OPENED with Connor Roberts clear for a convincing win. The dice for second was tight where Ian Harvey worked through from fourth early to second in front of Jarrod Hughes, Dan Peasey and Josh Dremel. Connor shot away in Race 2 where Hughes grabbed second on the restart after a two-car collision. Ryan O’Sullivan passed Harvey to secure third as Todd Wanless and Dremel shadowed them to the finish. While Roberts and Hughes showed the way in Race 3, Harvey took third away from O’Sullivan who subsequently lost out to Dremel, Peasey and Wanless. It was a repeat for the leading two in the last as Dremel placed third while Wanless edged out O’Sullivan and Peasey.
REPLICA TOURERS
LEN MEIERS (Holden Commodore VE) won the first encounter while Danny Turner (Honda Integra) was second ahead of Billy Scoles (Mazda RX7), Greg Wilson (Nissan Sketchy), Rex Scoles (VE), Tom Arndt (BMW 330ci) and Duke Hoffman (Toyota Corolla). Tuner looked to have Race 2 after he took the lead off Meiers at the Karrasel on lap two, but he took the wrong option with a lapped car at the same corner later and Meiers regained the lead. Rex and Billy Scoles trailed ahead of Wilson, Duke Hoffman (Corolla) and Hoffman. Arndt finished 10th after an encounter with a tyre wall.
Mustangs – Wrobel and Wakefield – to the fore in Group N Historic Tourers. Image: MTR Images Race 3 was led by Meiers until the penultimate lap when he dropped to 16th with an engine issue. Wilson won and took that form to two more victories. Turner was second from Rex Scoles, Arndt and Hinton who missed the last two outings with a lift pump failure. Scoles was second in the last two with Meiers third. Hoffman scored a fourth ahead of Arndt who reversed the result int the last while Turner laboured with gearbox issues.
HOT HATCH CUP/PRODUCTION UTES
ALL FIVE races went to Brendan Exner (Ford Falcon FG XR8 Ute) who showed the way to Robert McMahon (Holden VE Maloo). Daniel Ford (Falcon BA XR6) picked up four thirds, beaten in the other by Ford pilots Mick McCloud and Peter Clarke in race four. The Hot Hatch Cup was a very close
contest with the biggest gap between the two front runners just 0.31s. Jack Munro (Honda Jazz) came out on top three times and Dylan Cothill (Ford Fiesta) twice as Trent Laves (Hyundai Getz) was third every time.
GROUP N HISTORIC TOURING CARS
THE RACES started with Ford Mustang drivers Grahame Wrobel and Graeme Wakefield first and second in the first two outings. Gary Edwards (Holden Torana XU1) beat Grant Wilson (Chev Camaro) first up before the latter beat him in the second. Wakefield led throughout Race 3, ahead of Wrobel until he retired on the last lap and left Wilson ahead of Edwards and Martin White (Ford Falcon Rallye Sprint). Wakefield followed up with victory in the fourth, Edwards was second and Wilson took third ahead of Stephen Scales (Camaro).
Numbers were down for the fifth race and Wilson won from Wakefield and White.
SUPERKARTS
TOP HONOURS were between the 250cc guns. Lachlan Crisp (ADE) was the early pacesetter with two race wins, the first ahead of Russell Jamieson (Stockman), Steve Murray (PVP) and Tim Weier (Anderson). The latter was second in Race 2 ahead of Brock Nicholas (PVP) and Murray before he posted another second and won the last two. Crisp DNF’d in the third and did not start the others. Murray won race three and was a close second in the fourth. Among the 125s Dylan Mavin (Anderson) had three successes and Laurie Fooks (Raider) one, while Paul Buckley (Scorpion) was unbeaten in Non-Gearbox. Garry O’Brien
CHAMPIONS SPRINT AHEAD PIARC’S SEPTEMBER SPRINT on September 10-11 included two race categories for rounds of their state championships.
VICTORIAN SUPERKARTS
NICK SCHEMBRI cleaned up the fifth round of the club series with four 125 Gearbox and outright victories. Geoff Lawrence was second overall. He was fifth in race one, behind Colin McIntyre, Todd Gardner and John Bakker. Lawrence was second in the next outing ahead of McIntyre before the positions were reversed in race three. Lawrence was the runner-up in the last while McIntrye’s chances of a second overall were thwarted by a second DNF. Gardner was third overall as a result. In Rotax Light, Russ Occhipinti was the winner with four firsts. He beat Sanuja Perera in the first two, the second by just 0.06s and Lucas Quattrocchi in the last two, by 0.07s and 0.02s respectively. Perera was a podium contender until a DNF in the last, gifted Hayden Veld the final spot behind Quattrocchi.
Martin Anderson was the best in Rotax Heavy on all four occasions. Rod Clarke placed eighth in the first race before he responded with a trio of seconds to be overall runner-up ahead of Jeremy Crust.
VIC V8S
THE FINAL round went to Brian Finn with a clean sweep of five round victories in his Holden Commodore VT and his second championship in a row. He won the round ahead of Graeme Meer and Mark Kakouri. Finn took out the first of four races by just over 1s to Meer with Lynch
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a distant third clear of Kakouri and Allan Argento in his Falcon XE, one of only two Fords in the field. The pair would continue their battle through the rest of the program with the same results. Meer took Finn on the penultimate lap of race two for Finn’s second only season non-win while Lynch was third. Race three and four were both led throughout by Finn. Meer held second in race three until passed by Lynch with three laps to go. The latter maintained the momentum to be runner up in the last, again ahead of Meer. Garry O’Brien
Brian Finn leads the Vic V8 race ... Image: SD Pics
Rees Mackay and his Riley 9/14. Image: Lyn Cotter
OLDIES OUT AT PHEASANT WOOD CIRCUIT THE ALL Historic Racing meeting at Pheasant Wood Circuit on September 10-11 was the biggest held in the relative short history of the Marulan facility in its current guise. There were three groups of Historic cars together with bike and regularity events. Scattered showers didn’t dampened their spirits for what was a fun and relaxed weekend. Group A honours in the first three races were between Shane Bowden (Lotus 11 Replica) and Luke Crampton (Buckle Coupe) with first and seconds in each race with Bowden on top two-to-one. Ross Hodgson (MG TC) scored a couple of thirds before Dick O’Keefe (Photon Lotus 11) beat him in the third. Greg Snape (MG Special) won the Handicap over Crampton and Bowden. The latter scored the last over his rival who was the overall winner with O’Keefe third.
Kristy Crampton took over the Buckle for the Group B events and one the second and third race easily over Rob Rowe (The Day Special) who beat her in the first. Rees Mackay (Riley 9/14) had two thirds and a fourth before he won the Handicap over Crampton after first-across-the-line David McKenzie (Elfin Streamliner) was penalised 15s. The latter won the last from Mackay while Crampton DNF’d. IN Group C Neill Murdoch (Lombard AL3) won the first two races over Jeremy Morris (Frazer-Nash TT Replica) who won the third and also the Handicap. Andrew Green (Alvis) netted three thirds before his day was done, and Dan Elbourne (Triumph Super Seven) had fourths and fifths and completed the last race, won by John Lackey (TC Special), and was the only one of the top group to do so. Garry O’Brien
GARRY’S NATIONAL
EVENT
CALENDAR REPCO BATHURST 1000, SUPERCARS, Mt Panorama NSW – Oct 06-09 REPCO BATHURST 1000, SUPER 2/3 RD05, Mt Panorama NSW – Oct 06-09 REPCO BATHURST 1000, V8 SUPERUTES RD05, Mt Panorama NSW – Oct 06-09 REPCO BATHURST 1000, PORSCHE CARRERA CUP RD06, Mt Panorama NSW – Oct 06-09 REPCO BATHURST 1000, HERITAGE REVIVAL, Mt Panorama NSW – Oct 06-09 ADELAIDE CAR CLUB MOTORKHANA, Wayville Showgrounds SA – Oct 08 NORTH WEST CAR CLUB LAKE BARRINGTON HILLCLIMB, Staverton TAS – Oct 08 AMSAG RALLY SERIES RD04, Walcha Rally NSW – Oct 08 MOTOR SPORTS CLUB OF TASMANIA GRAVEL HILLCLIMB, South Retreat TAS – Oct 08 SOUTH EASTER AUTOMOBILE CLUB RALLYCROSS, SEAC Motorsport Park SA – Oct 08-09 NUGGET NATIONALS, Winton Raceway VIC – Oct 08-09 Image: CMR Photographic
EVO PILOTS SWEEP SPRINTS IT WAS a clean sweep of the Make Smoking History Targa West when Troy Wilson and Frank Guildea won the Targa Malaga Sprint on September 18. After they won the Ellenbrook Sprint eight days early, they fronted up the next day to win the second leg, the City of Perth Targa Rallysprint in their Mitsubishi EVO X, and capped off with the domination of the third leg. After four runs through of the 2.33km street course at Ellenbrook, Wilson (Mitsubishi EVO X) finished 10.9s faster than the combined times of their nearest rivals, Cody Harris and Morgan Wards (Mitsubishi EVO 8 MR). Third quickest of the 82 competitors were Peter Rullo and James Marquet (Lotus Exige
GT) and they were in front of husband and wife Jurgen and Helen Lunsmann (Tesla Model 3P+), and Brett Morse and Rod Ng (BMW M2 Competition). On the 2.1km second leg on Riverside Drive and in their first time in the event, Wilson finished the four runs 8s ahead of Lunsmann. Third on the combined times was Rullo a further 4s away. Rounding out the top five were David Heaton and Daymon Nicoli (Porsche 011 GT2 RS) and Heuson Bak and Roger Tan (Lotus Exige S 360). There were just a couple of incidents. Shaun and Nathan Tapper spun and clipped a tree in their Holden Commodore VK. Matt Palmer and Geoff Weir were less fortunate when
their EVO 7 clipped a kerb and rolled in the Concert Hall car park section. Despite being shortened due to Rallysprint regulations and a newly built service station, the Malaga course was much longer at 6kms. Wilson took the outright win convincingly and was 24s ahead of first timers Matt Cherry and Cade Bell (pictured) in their highly modified 2WD Toyota Starlet after teething issues kept them from the first two events. Another 2.5s behind was Harris. Mark Cates and Pete Davies (911 GT2 RS) were fourth with Daniel Gonzalez and Caleb Ash (911 GT3) next. Rullo was an early retiree when the Lotus’ rear tyres delaminated on the second run. Garry O’Brien
MAMMOTH LAPS AT NIGHT FEVER THE LATEST of the Motor Events Racing was that Night Fever at Morgan Park on September 17-18. The event ran over 20 hours and had Barn Find Racing in their BMW 325 Class ME-1 complete 657 laps, 17 more than anyone else of the 42-team entrants. The second most laps put in went to Black Pearl Pirates (ME-2 Subaru Impreza) who had a nine-lap advantage over Shwarze Wurst Motorsport. SWM were in contention to snare as many laps as BFR but for water penetration under the bonnet of their ME-1 BMW 330ci when one driver took it fishing in the pond. Second in ME-2 and with the fourth number of laps (639) was Double Decker Racing (BMW) while Not so Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and their Ford Falcon were third in ME-1 and fifth. Next was the third ME-2, Cool Runnings in a Nissan NX Coupe. Anteck Racing 2.0 (Holden Commodore) were down 48 laps with Farm Find Racing another five behind after they lost time when their BMW E46 was delayed with blown power steering. Next were Beautiful (Ford Falco AU) ahead of Zilla Jet Boats who were the best of the lowest horsepower ME-3class in their
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ARB SA OFF ROAD MULTI CLUB SERIES RD05, Mannum SA – Oct 08-09 MOTOR EVENTS RACING, 7 HOUR AMAROO, Sydney Motorsport Park NSW – Oct 09 CHALLENGE TROPHY HILLCLIMB RD04, Collingrove SA – Oct 09 STATE MOTORKHANA CHAMPIONSHIP RD05, Mallala Motorsport Park SA – Oct 09 SPORTING CAR CLUB OF SA CHALLENGE TROPHY HILLCLIMB RD04, Collingrove SA – Oct 09 STATE RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP RD06, AKADEMOS RALLY, Alexandra Racecourse VIC – Oct 09 SUNSHINE COAST MOTOR SPORT CLUBS SPRINT, Lakeside Park QLD – Oct 09 AUSTRALIAN HILLCLIMB CHAMPIONSHIPS, Mt Cotton QLD – Oct 13-16 FORMULA FORD FESTIVAL, Winton VIC – Oct 14-16 DOWNS MOTORSPORT CLUB SUPERSPRINT, Morgan Park QLD – Oct 14-16 QR DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP RD05, Qld Raceway QLD – Oct 15-16 MARQUE SPORTS CARS NQ SPRINTS RD08, Manton Quarry Road, Calcium QLD – Oct 15 MOTOR RACE AUSTRALIA RD07, Sydney Motorsport Park NSW – Oct 15 BUDGET EXTREME ENDURANCE RACE, Collie Motorplex WA – Oct 15 BEVERLEY OFF ROAD MOTORSPORTS TWILIGHT KHANACROSS, Nicholas St, Beverley WA – Oct 15 STATE RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP RD01 (ORIGINALLY POSTPONED), South Burnett QLD – Oct 15 STATE OFF ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP RD05, Nabiac NSW – Oct 15-16 ADELAIDE HILLS RALLY, Adelaide and Environs SA – Oct 15-16 NT OFF ROAD TITLES RD02, Mt Ooraminna NT – Oct 15-16 STATE RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP RD06, Akademos, Alexandra VIC – Oct 16 ALL ASIAN DAY, Lakeside Park QLD – Oct 16 WOMEN’S INTRODUCTION TO MOTORSPORT, Norwell Motorplex QLD – Oct 16 TOWNSVILLE CITY AUTOSPORTS CLUB BITUMEN MOTORKHANA RD03, TCAC QLD – Oct 16
Image: MER Hyundai Excel. Ezy As Racing (Nissan Pulsar) were second in ME-3 and 25_18 Motorsport (Excel) third in their first event. Amongst the most troubled were Rare Race with electrics and fuel pump issues before the engine blew. Mixed Up Racing (Falcon Ute) also had its engine let go – at full noise. Both
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performed engine swaps but had other issues later. BTF Motorsport retired when their BMW dropped its rear suspension. The Audi A3 team 710 Motorsport won “We bought the win” auction with a $1250 to Rare Cancers Australia and effectively became “The Winners.” Garry O’Brien
GEELONG MOTOR SPORT CLUB AUTOCROSS/KHANACROSS RD08, GMSC Avalon VIC – Oct 16 BEVERLEY OFF ROAD MOTORSPORTS ASSOC DRIVER DEVELOPMENT DAY, Nicholas St, Beverley WA – Oct 16 AUSTRALIAN SUPERSPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP, Sydney Motorsport Park NSW – Oct 16 STATE SUPERSPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP, Sydney Motorsport Park NSW – Oct 16
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