Issuu

SHANE VAN GISBERGEN I JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN www.autoaction.com.au

AUSTRALIA’S INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MOTORSPORT

TANDER’S SHOCK MOVE ALL THE LATEST INSIDE

BATHURST BOUND BMW PLANS 12 HOUR BLITZKRIEG RETURN OF THE ADELAIDE 500 • SA PREMIER DELIVERS ON PROMISE •HUGE CROWDS BACK • WINS SUPERCARS EVENT OF THE YEAR ISSUE 1851

$10.95 INC GST DEC 15 to JAN 11 2023 ISSN 2204-9924

BRILLIANT BROC SCORES LAST WIN FOR HOLDEN

LATEST NEWS

STOP / GO

GRECH FILLS HI-TEC SERIES ROLL JEFF GRECH has been announced as a technical advisor to the newly named Hi-Tech Super Series. He comes with high pedigree having been the Supercars team manager at the HRT between ’93-02, before becoming general manger of Holden Motorsport. Having recently joined the committee of the Benalla Auto Club, Grech will work closely with the categories to advise them on technical regs, enforcement and cost containment. Grech will work to expand the growth of the series, as well as guiding the varied technical nature of the categories in the series, ranging from Trans Am to Australian Super TT.

Image: Daniel Kalisz

‘FISI’ VOWS TO RETURN

BATHURST 12 HOUR ON THE WISHLIST

FORMER F1 winner Giancarlo Fisichella has vowed to return for next year’s VALO Adelaide 500 S5000 races – that’s if he doesn’t get a Bathurst 12 Hour start first! The Italian settled into the VALO Team BRM S5000 car quickly – just 0.02 behind experienced S5000 team-mate Joey Mawson in qualifying. After a solid opening race, a slight touch on the Turn 8 wall led to retirement, and a drive through the field in the finale. “Considering we were only able to drive the car for the first

MCLAUGHLIN TO RACE DAYTONA SCOTT MCLAUGHLIN will drive the 24 Hour of Daytona with Penske IndyCar teammate Josef Newgarden. The duo will join up Tower Motorsports in the #8 ORECA LMP2 07 for January’s race, sharing the duties alongside team owner John Farano and Kyffin Simpson. “I’ve never driven a prototype before,” said McLaughlin “The whole reason I’m doing it is I’ve never done this race before but I’m also trying to expand my racing portfolio by doing some marquee events. Daytona 24 Hour, Sebring and Petit, that’s three events in America that I really want to do.

time in P1, I’m happy with how we went – it’s an interesting car and the Adelaide circuit is … fantastic,” said Giancarlo. “Having a circuit so close to the city is rare these days, and the whole organisation and extra lengths they have gone to create an event over and above the actual racing is superb.” At the same time, Fisichella revealed an ambition to race at Bathurst – in the 12 Hour. As a contracted Ferrari driver, it will need to be in one of the recently-announced stunning new Ferrari 296 GT3 cars but, at present, there are none yet entered for the 2023 race. Entires, though, haven’t yet closed ...

SPEEDSERIES CALENDAR CHANGE: WINTON TO BE A HIGHLIGHT AFTER SUPERCARS claimed The round will also include the date that Motorsport nightly entertainment acts Australia and ARG had within the track precinct announced for their Sandown as Benalla Auto Club Group round, for the Supercars general manager Stephen Sandown 500, Motorsport Whyte revealed he hopes the Australia was forced to SpeedSeries arrival generates a overhaul its Speedseries 2023 “festival feel”. calendar with Winton one of “It’s nice to have a significant the big winners. marque event to provide The 2023 SpeedSeries something for our fans to utilise will expand to at least eight the facilities, including camping, rounds with the addition S5000 will headline the Winton ‘V8-themed’ at Winton,” said Whyte. SuperSeries event. of Winton Motor Raceway, “It’s great to partner with ARG while the Sandown visit has to provide not only a motorsport been pushed back a week to event, but a festival feel over a accommodate for Supercars. long weekend to the event. Following Winton’s “We’re working with ARG on Round 1: Race Tasmania, Symmons Plains – 24-26 February ‘disappointing’ omission from a number of great ideas that Round 2: Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour – 7-9 April the Supercars season, the will make this event more than Round 3: Victoria – TBC arrival of the SpeedSeries will just a race meeting. We want Round 4: Winton Raceway ‘V8’ event – 9-11 June be a welcome boost for the this to be a festival that is a Round 5: Sydney Motorsport Park – 23-25 June regional Victoria motorsport must-see and do for people Round 6: Queensland Raceway – 11-13 August facility and the regions year after year.” Round 7: Sandown International Raceway – 8-10 September fanbase. With the Sandown round Round 8: Supercheap Auto Bathurst International (TCR World Tour) – 10-12 November The round will take centre forced back a week, to stage on the June long September 8-10, due to a clash weekend with S5000s set to push for lap records, while the other big V8 with Supercars and Winton being confirmed, the 2023 SpeedSeries calendar powered categories including Trans Am, Touring Car Masters and V8 Touring is taking shape. Cars will also add to the show. Curkpatrick said TBC Victorian round and second TCR World Tour event Australian Racing Group chief operating officer Liam Curkpatrick said he will be announced soon. hopes the SpeedSeries round will bring a “V8 theme” to Winton next year. “It’s great to firm up the 2023 SpeedSeries calendar. It is exciting for the “We are thrilled to bring Winton back to the SpeedSeries calendar,” he said. SpeedSeries to expand up to the current eight events, the most we have ever “We have not been there since 2019, and even in our inaugural year, run in a calendar year,” said Curkpatrick. Winton was very popular with the teams and fans. “The only key piece left to finalise is the potential inclusion of the second “The V8-theme is perfect for Winton too. The four categories that we are global round of the WSC TCR World Tour which will be broadcast to over 53 bringing are fan favourites and we know there is going to be a lot of support countries, and we are working to finalise the location and timing with both from the fans in the rural areas for this kind of racing.” WSC and local promoters.” Thomas Miles

2023 SPEEDSERIES CALENDAR

DIXON TO CONTEST 19TH DAYTONA 24 INDYCAR LEGEND Scott Dixon will contest the 2023 24 Hours of Daytona in a Chip Ganassi prepared Cadillac V-LMDh. He will help steer the Grand Touring Prototype in his 19th 24 Hour at Daytona as a four-time winner (three outright and one time class victor). The six-time Indycar champion will pair up with Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande. Dixon won with van der Zande in 2020. The champion New Zealand racer tested the fierce new Cadillac V-LMDh at the Sebring International Raceway last month to prepare.

12 I www.autoaction.com.au

FAMILY SACRIFICES BEHIND DUNLOP SERIES CROWNS THE DUNLOP Super 2 and 3 titles were decided in uniquely dramatic circumstances at the Adelaide 500 with Declan Fraser and Brad Vaughan getting their names etched into history. The Super2 title looked set to go down to the wire with Fraser leading the five drivers in contention, but the Triple Eight driver blew them away by sweeping every race and pole on offer at Adelaide. The Queenslander was visibly emotional after taking out the championship and said the foundations for the success were laid my many family sacrifices made over the journey. “I cannot put it into words,” Fraser recalled. “Mum and Dad have put in so many sacrifices over the years; same with my sister as well. Not only to ensure I was

here (at Super 2) but racing as well, so to have them here this weekend ... it means the most. “My nan sadly could not be here. She passed away last year, but also made so many sacrifices to ensure I was racing, from travelling all over Australia with my Toyota 86 on the back of a trailer with Poppy. “She was definitely with us today (Sunday).” Fraser has also made his own personal sacrifices such as spending his own money to attend every Supercars round in addition to the Dunlop Series doubleheaders to learn as much as possible from the Triple Eight Race Engineering setup, while he credited his Adelaide dominance to a “different mindset”. The future is now unclear for Fraser,

who could not land a main game seat, while Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen stated he is “good enough” to be racing at the top level. Vaughan’s Super3 success was not confirmed until the last lap after a mistake from his arch rival Kai Allen handed him the lead. Allen had led the way all year and looked set, but a heavy selfinflicted crash at Turn 8 destroyed his championship hopes. After shadowing Allen’s every move Vaughan’s consistency paid off and he sealed the deal by winning both races in Adelaide. When Vaughan witnessed his arch rival spear into the barrier, he admitted it was impossible not get excited, before quickly refocusing on the job in hand, steering the same Falcon

Cameron Waters drove to the 2015 Super 2 crown to more success. “Once I saw that I could not believe my eyes and had a mini celebration,” he said. “But I quickly calmed it down and had to do the rest of the race. “It was a really odd way to win it, but I could not be more happy.” Despite savouring the success, Vaughan did “feel” Allen’s pain and said he looks forward to resuming the rivalry when the teenagers step up to Super2 in 2023. “I do not want to say I feel for kai, but I feel his pain,” Vaughan said. “We have been better in the races and he has been really good in qualifying. “But he will bounce back next year and I look forward to racing him at Newcastle.” Thomas Miles

Image: DANIEL KALISZ

SUPERCARS/SUPERSERIES MIX FOR S5000 IN 2023 ARG HAS, finally, confirmed its race calendar for S5000 – a seven-round Gold Star Championship mixing races at Supercars events and ARG’s own SuperSeries. With a couple of the events to be finally confirmed, it looks like the season will kick off with three SuperSeries events, before a four-race Supercars schedule kicks in. The final two events will constitute the 2023 Tasman Series. With the Tasman opener currently being one of the two ‘TBAs’ it seems likely that S5000 is set to again appear at the Gold Coast. After a strong showing by S5000 at the VALO Adelaide 500, category founder and development manager Chris Lambden is

autoactionmag

Auto_Action

buoyant about the 2023 schedule and the mix of Supercars and SuperSeries events. “Adelaide was a great event for S5000, which looks particularly spectacular on the street circuit, so it’s great to know already that we’re going back there next year, and that S5000 will be appearing on a strong mix of circuits, split between Supercars and SuperSeries. “It’s a good step forward for S5000, and enables us to offer a really good, high-profile Gold Star Championship for Australia’s up-and-coming young racers – and at S5000’s effectively cost-controlled budget … in the fastest race cars in the country. Not a bad mix! “It was really good to see two of the three podium spots in Adelaide taken

autoactionmag

by drivers yet to hit their 20th birthday – Cooper Webster and Blake Purdie – and, given the obvious status of the Gold Star Championship, it’s nice to be able to point to that, plus James Golding’s burst onto the Supercars scene, as evidence of S5000’s value as both a stand-alone and

‘pathway’ category in Australia. “There are good spots available in S5000 teams and, with that modest cost base, I’m hoping that 2023 will see S5000 really start to hit the spot. Anyone looking to get into S5000 should talk to us now ...

2023 S5000 CALENDAR

Round 1: Race Tasmania, Symmons Plains Raceway, TAS – 24-26 February Round 2: SpeedSeries Victoria – to be confirmed Round 3: SpeedSeries Winton, Winton Raceway, VIC – 9 -11 June Round 4: Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight, Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW – 28-30 July Round 5: OTR The Bend SuperSprint, The Bend Motorsport Park, SA - 18-20 August Round 6: To Be Confirmed* Round 7: VALO Adelaide 500, Adelaide Parklands Circuit, SA - 23-26 November* * S5000 Tasman Series

www.autoaction.com.au I 13

LATEST NATIONAL NEWS

RACING TOGETHER RECEIVES

INTERNATIONAL AWARD

AUSSIE OFFICIAL RECEIVES GLOBAL HONOUR By Thomas Miles AUSTRALIA’S CHRISTOPHER McMahon is the toast of the motorsport world after being named as the 2022 FIA Senior Official of the Year this week. McMahon was signalled out amongst a select handful of officials from around the world for his work as a senior steward. The Queenslander has been a long time contributor to the sport, performing a number of roles including being one of the current co-chairs of the Supercars Championship Stewards Panel and has a passion for developing and mentoring more inexperienced officials. McMahon becomes just the second Australian to claim the prestigious FIA Senior Official of the Year award after Henk van den Dungen did the same in 2021. McMahon is the latest of a long line of high achievers in the domestic scene with Motorsport Australia officials being recognised at the global FIA Awards every year since 2011 and said it was a “complete surprise” “It’s a bit humbling but I am very chuffed that my efforts have been acknowledged,” McMahon said. “To be honest, I am a little embarrassed as stewarding is a team activity, and I was individually recognised. However, it is all very pleasing and came as a complete surprise. “I am very grateful for all the support over the years, as well as the nomination itself, and I am thankful for the opportunity to be in motorsport – we don’t do this for the awards, but it’s pleasing to be recognised.”

16 I www.autoaction.com.au

McMahon said there re many individuals who have supported him along the journey including recent Supercars Hall of Fame inductee Tim Schenken and former Formula 1 race director Michael Masi. “There are a lot of people to thank for this honour, but the key individuals were my mentors over the years, including the late Ann Thomson, who first identified me as a steward, my first mentor Trevor Neumann at state level and then Steve Chopping and Peter Drew who welcomed and supported me into stewarding at Supercars Championship level,” he said. “I would also like to acknowledge some of the core members of the Supercars Stewards’ team in Matt Selley and Steve Lisk, while the Race Direction team of Tim Schenken, Michael Masi and James Taylor have been excellent to work with. “I also found the FIA family is a really good fit and I have worked with some good people including, Robert Reid (now FIA Deputy President of Sport), Timo Rautiainen (now FIA WRC Sporting Delegate) and Waultraud Wunsch (a member of the FIA International Court of Appeal) – all of whom have been fantastic in helping me develop my skills as a steward since my time in the sport.”

INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN motorsport program Racing Together has received global recognition, taking out the inaugural FIA President’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award at the FIA Prize-Giving Gala in Italy. Presented by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the award recognises ‘outstanding commitment to diverse and inclusive practices and activities that foster equitable, sustainable and measurable change’. Motorsport Australia President Andrew Fraser and Racing Together director Monique Connelly accepted the prize. Racing Together was co-founded by former rally driver Connelly and her husband Garry Connelly AM, Australia’s representative at the FIA, in late 2020. Since its inception the program has given Indigenous youths access to motorsport, starting with a wide-reaching induction process. The initial two-day education and selection program at Norwell Motorplex on the Gold Coast includes driving training, mechanics, personal health and wellbeing, career advice and life skills. From there, successful applicants are chosen to represent the Racing Together motorsport program, which encompasses a karting team and Hyundai Excel outfit. The Excel squad currently runs three cars in the popular one-make series, with a fourth to be added next year. The success of the program has drawn support from highprofile motorsport stars at home and abroad –Supercars Championship-winning Team Principals Roland Dane and Dr Ryan Story AM were quick to jump on board as directors, as well as Indigenous Olympian Taliqua Clancy, while seven-time Formula 1 champion Sir Lewis

Hamilton has voiced his praise for Racing Together. In accepting the FIA award, Monique Connelly expressed her pride in the achievements of Racing Together so far. “Every child, no matter their gender, ethnicity, economic circumstances, or culture, deserves the opportunity to experience the sport that we all love – motorsport,” Connelly said. “We are so pleased that FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has created the award, and we are proud and honoured to be its first recipients. “We also thank Motorsport Australia for its support, and on behalf of our Indigenous young people, thank you to the FIA and its President.” Program member Karlai Warner, 16, has progressed from tyre technician to Excel pilot during her time with Racing Together, and she expressed her gratitude after hearing of the award. “The award makes me feel happy for what the team has accomplished; it’s good recognition for the team, worldwide recognition, and exposure to show what Indigenous kids can do,” Warner said. “Racing Together has taught me new skills, allowed me to race, and meet so many new people, which would never have happened if the program did not exist.” Bathurst 1000 winner and Norwell Motorplex owner Paul Morris has been front and centre since the program set down its roots at his facility; he is now keen to see it expand. “Seeing the kids learn the skills and experience the joys I’ve had in my 30-plus years of motorsport is a thrill, and it’s only early days for Racing Together,” Morris said. “There’s enormous potential; you need facilities to do what we are doing, and there are lots of those throughout Australia, so we are already rolling out Racing Together into other Indigenous communities.” Josh Nevett

HI-TEC OILS BACKS AMRS SUPER SERIES HI-TEC OILS has confirmed its commercial support of the Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS) which will now be called The Hi-Tec Oils Super Series and, in conjunction with a new broadcast partner in SBS, it is hoped that the new partnership will help grow the national profile of the series. The six round Hi-Tec Oils Super Series, which is managed by the Benalla Auto Club (BAC), is a three state AASA sanctioned series, operating across NSW, QLD, and Victoria – however the 2023 series will expanded with a round in the Northern Territory. The series is headlined by the TA2 Muscle Car Series with support from the Mazda RX8 Cup Series, Hyundai Excel Series, Australian Super TT, Stock Cars Australia, Legend Cars Australia, Queensland Trans-Am, Replica Tourers, QTCC, HQ Holdens, and Superkarts. Competitors, categories, and fans, will all benefit from a greatly enhanced coverage of the series, including live free-to-air television coverage on SBS, simulcast on Fox Sports, and extended coverage on Speedweek. Hi-Tec Oils CEO George Gambino said the Super Series will be a valuable addition to the brand’s existing portfolio of motorsport properties. “We pride ourselves on supporting a wide variety of motorsport disciplines, including drifting and Speedway, but becoming involved in the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series allows us to tap into a passionate national audience of grass-roots motorsport enthusiasts,” Gambino said.

autoactionmag

Auto_Action

“As well as sponsoring the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series, we will be working closely with the BAC team along with our media partners to enhance the viewing experience for the fans, whether they are trackside spectators or watching the series from the comfort of their couch on TV.” Benalla Auto Club General Manager Stephen Whyte said the Hi-Tec Oils relationship is a milestone in the expansion of AASA-sanctioned national circuit racing. “AASA has sanctioned the national-level AMRS since the start of 2018. Working with core categories to provide a national platform has enabled us to keep the series growing,” Whyte said. “The new partnership with Hi-Tec Oils will allow us to take the next step forward with our presentation and professionalism, to deliver an affordable but first-class national series for our competitors. We would like to thank George and his team at Hi-Tech Oils for thier commitment and support and we are very excited about what’s to come in

autoactionmag

2023 with a couple of exciting additions to our calendar.” The newly released calendar will also be taking its high-powered show to the Northern Territory, for a round at Hidden Valley Raceway on April 29 – May 1. “We are very excited to take the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series to some new locations, and we’re especially grateful to our contacts in the Northern Territory for their tireless efforts in making the Hidden Valley round a reality,” Whyte said. “We’re also pleased to facilitate the return of national level motorsport to Calder Park Raceway which will host our season finale.” TW Neal 2023 HI-TEC OILS SUPER SERIES CALENDAR ROUND 1 – Winton Motor Raceway March 17-19 ROUND 2 – Hidden Valley Raceway April 29-May 1 ROUND 3 – Queensland Raceway June 2-4 ROUND 4 – Morgan Park Raceway July 8-9 ROUND 5 – Sydney Motorsport Park Oct 13-14 (Day/Night Event) ROUND 6 – Calder Park Raceway November 24-26

V8 TOURING CARS TO STAND ALONE

HAVING BEING morphed into Super3 and running alongside Super2 since 2020, the V8 Touring Cars series is making a comeback as a stand-alone series in 2023. It will return to running independently of Super3, with a unique calendar and media package. The championship caters for ex-Supercars from the Project Blueprint era up to and including FG Falcons and VE II Commodores and will be held across a five-event season, run exclusively at SpeedSeries events next year. The series will get underway in Victoria in early May at a to be announced venue before returning to Winton on the June long weekend, which will be significant given that Supercars and its support categories will not race at the ‘action track’ in 2023. Other familiar favourites such as Sydney Motorsport Park, Sandown and the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International will round out the season giving the famous tracks an additional round of V8 action. Australian Racing Group chief operating officer Liam Curkpatrick said bringing the V8 Touring Cars back to its original form is about opening up more pathways. “2023 is about V8 Touring Cars going back to its roots and re-establishing itself as a place for these great cars to race,” he said. “At SpeedSeries rounds, V8TC will stand alongside an array of spectacular national level categories with a great broadcast production on Stan Sport and the Nine Network and lots of track time. “The model change from Super2 to Super3 and subsequently to V8 Touring Cars means there’s plenty of interest from competitors who once again need a place to race them. “We will be confirming more, including a tyre provider, race formats and other growth plans, in the coming weeks.” The last time V8 Touring Cars ran as a standalone series was 2019 when it was branded as Super3. It commenced in 2008 when Chris Smerdon won the title in a Ford AU Falcon, while former and current Supercar drivers Shae Davies, Tas Douglas, Jack Smith and Broc Feeney also wrote their names onto the list of champions. Over the last three years the series has run side by side with the Super2 grid at Supercars Championship races. But now with Super2 stepping up to race Gen 2 ZB Commodores and Ford Mustangs and the Car of the Future chassis being handed down to Super3, V8 Touring Cars returns back to its roots. TW Neal 2023 V8 TOURING CAR SERIES ROUND 1: SpeedSeries Victoria ROUND 2: Winton Raceway ROUND 3: Sydney Motorsport Park ROUND 4: Sandown International Raceway ROUND 5: Supercheap Auto Bathurst International

TBC 9 -11 June 23-25 June 8-10 September 10-12 November

www.autoaction.com.au I 17

LATEST NEWS

NEW YEAR NITRO GIVES SPORTSMAN RACERS BIG STAGE THE ‘NEW Year Nitro’ event will be run at Willow Bank for an extravaganza of highoctane speed on January 6-7. The country’s fastest machines will light up the straight with not only the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship and Australian Drag Racing Championship (ADRC), but also in support, will be a selection of Sportsman categories. With live coverage on 7Plus and Facebook streaming, several Sportsman racers are ready to take advantage of their time in the big show, armed with some serious machinery to compete for prize money in front of an expected huge crowd. With more than 20 years of racing under his belt, Max Carpenter is one Sportsman competitor hitting the strip with some new heavy-duty machinery: a 460 Big Block powered 2018 Ford Mustang in Super Sedan. “We are contesting my new 2018 Mustang in which I have only done a handful of passes. We are still making slight improvements to the set up, and I would love to take out my next round win at New Year Nitro,” said the former Willowbank Raceway track champion. “It will be a great weekend having the full house of competitor classes at the track, including Top Fuel and it would be awesome to take out a win, but just being back out at the track and surrounded by fellow racers and family will already be a highlight on its own.” In the Modified Bike, Phillip Webster heads to Willowbank after contesting the Goldenstates in his turbocharged 1299cc 2007 Suzuki Hayabusa. “So far, my biggest achievement would be the first time we ran into the sevens. I tend to race myself more than the person in the other lane, I like going out there and trying to better my personal best every time. The all-run format of New Year Nitro definitely appealed to me for that purpose, knowing we would get more passes than normal eliminations racing,” Webster explained. “As far as my racing goes, we have a whole new turbo intake set-up on the bike so to get out there and get some seat time and hopefully set a new PB is a big goal for us at this event. But my other goal is just to see Top Fuelers again.” Following soon after is the Top Fuel Slam at Sydney Dragway across Australia Day weekend, January 27 and 28, where the Top Fuel show continues in their fight for the Stan Sainty Cup. TW Neal

THE BEND DRAGWAY SETS OCTOBER FOR GRAND OPENING

THE BEND Dragway, currently under construction at The Bend Motorsport Park, will host minor events in March, but will delay top-level events until at least October 2023. After careful consideration, and in an effort to get the 35 million dollar dragway operating to its full potential, top-tier events such as the Burson Auto Parts Top Fuel Championship, 400 Thunder, and the Australian Drag Racing Championships, will be postponed until their 23/24 seasons. The crown-jewel dragway will however host minor events from March onwards, as it prepares to become the country’s major venue for drag racing. Despite the earlier set-backs in

construction due to weather and materials, the massive undertaking is making steady progress, and The Bend Dragway GM Steve Bettes, is excited by the prospect of an October grand opening. “The Bend Dragway Management are working closely with the major series promoters to determine new dates later in 2023. We’re excited for October to come, and these dates will be announced soon,” Bettes said. “The construction team has done an incredible job in building a world-class dragway, and by the 23/24 season, The Bend Motorsport Park will be the premier destination for drag racing.” The core aim of the dragway is to provide

fans and competitors alike an outstanding venue that provides ideal conditions for record breaking performances and sensational spectator viewing. When complete, The Bend Dragway will feature a dual-lane strip over 1 kilometre long, with 402-metre concrete timed length, with exemplary lighting for night time events. In terms of seating and viewing, the venue will feature auditorium style terraced seating, and spectator viewing mounds surrounded by over 30,000 square metres of paddock and staging areas. In addition to the race track, there will also be a unique 1200 square metre burnout pad. TW Neal

LEGENDARY US CREW CHIEF HEADED FOR OZ TOP FUEL BIG-TIME TOP Fuel American crew chief Jim Oberhofer will rejoin Hydraulink Jim Read Racing for two rounds of the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship. Affectionately known as ‘Jim O’, the famous US dragster crew chief has been a leader in professional drag racing for four decades. Jim O spent 31 years at Kalitta Motorsports, before shifting to Rick Ware Racing in Top Fuel Dragster, where he prepared the machinery for six-time world champion Clay Millican. He last came to Australia to assist Jim Read Racing in 2020. Oberhofer will arrive before an prepare the cars prior to the New Year Nitro event on January 6-7, before participating at Sydney Dragway’s Top Fuel Slam on January 27-28. “I am very excited about coming over. I have always enjoyed heading to Australia and being around the Read family – I always say they are my Australian family, and Bruce Read is one of my dearest friends and a brother to me,” Oberhofer said. “He was just here in the States racing with me on Clay Millican’s car and we went to Reading, Charlotte and Saint Lewis and we had so much fun, raced hard, and had a great time. “I truly love hanging out with him and trying to help him achieve his goals on his

race car, and being around the entire Read family, they have just been so awesome to me, and I can’t wait to get back down to Australia. “I am definitely looking forward to getting back down there and helping Bruce and Jim and Phil put that car in the winner’s circle!” With his assistance, Jim O is confident of getting Phil into a competitive machine, but knows full well of the quality of teams that they’ll be up against. “The Rapisarda team is so strong and the Lamattinas and Xiberras, these guys are so strong, and they have so much talent and great equipment behind them,” Oberhofer continued. “So to me it is going to be like butting heads with some bad boys down there in Australia – they are really, really strong and that is what you want! You want to be able to race people like that who are bringing their A-game to the starting line every time and that is what we are going to try and do.” Jim Read met the experienced crew chief nearly 20 years ago when he was

still at Kalitta Motorsports, and they have had a productive friendship and working relationship since. “I only recently came back from racing with him for three weeks at the end of their NHRA season over there, and it will be great to have him over here again to assist us with the tuning of the car. He has raced with us before and each time we have improved, so hopefully we can celebrate a win together on this trip!” Phil Read – a three-time Top Fuel Champion – took his 10,000 horsepower Hadman Chassis to a C Final victory at the Goldenstates in Perth, and will be hoping to push his championship credentials with the help of ‘Jim O’ come the New Year Nitro. TW Neal

WHAT A YEAR!

IT’S AN INCREDIBLY POSITIVE TIME IN AUSTRALIAN MOTORSPORT WITH A GENUINE RESURGENCE ON THE BACK OF THE SHOCKING IMPACT THAT COVID-19 HAD ON OUR SPORT AND INDEED THE REST OF SOCIETY. SUPERCARS PUT on a fantastic 2022 season – capped off by the Adelaide 500 which returned with incredible success. SA Premier Peter Malinauskas bucked the trend as a politition and delivered exactly what he said he would, receiving the biggest cheer that I have ever heard for a politician as a result. The team at the South Australian Motorsport Board pulled it all together and it was a memorable event with SVG putting on the best tyre smoking celebration again with Broc Feeney stepping out of the shadow of his championshipwinning teammate to record a glorious maiden victory, and dare I say it-the last for Holden. If you compared the claimed weekend attendance of 258,000 to the attendance of the recent test cricket matches in Perth and Adelaide of 129,134, it would appear that our sport is amongst the most popular in the country. The level of interest in motor racing is an indication that it is growing in popularity amongst everyday people, proven by the fact that you can’t buy a ticket to the Australian Grand Prix – they have sold out before Christmas! Now, it’s all about Gen3. We can’t wait to see the new regulations debut in Newcastle next year. Sure, there will be challenges. Gen3 is going to be a challenging time for Supercar teams, but it promises so much and we look forward to what that becomes in

with Bruce Williams

STRAIGHT SHOOTING 2023 and beyond. There’s no doubt that Supercars owners RACE are looking to try and grow the sport beyond the borders of Australia and New Zealand – such ambition is admirable. Looking elsewhere, Motorsport Australia in combination with the Australian Racing Group have announced a bigger and better SpeedSeries for 2023, which looks to deliver some really great racing around the country, with the ‘V8 Rumble’ round at Winton looking like a great event. Motorsport Australia have also announced the ‘Trophy Series’ which is aimed at the giving national catogories that miss out on being part of the SpeedSeries, an affordable racing program. The Australian Motor Racing Series (now Super Series) has announced a new title sponsor in Hi-Tech Oils and broadcast partner with SBS, again a resurgence for an alternative racing series that has plenty to offer fans and competitors. On the ground, I have witnessed first-hand the return of solid

national and state-level racing with some big fields that look like things are getting back to normal, and things may be about to get even better. It looks as if the iconic Calder Park Raceway may soon be revived by the team of Rodney and Kim Jane, while Sandown Raceway is also set for a possible lifeline thanks to the passion of motorsport fanatics. Overseas, Oscar Piastri will be the freshest Aussie on the Formula 1 grid when he suits up for McLaren, while Jack Doohan is making moves in Formula 2. The likes of Hugh Barter and Christian Mansell are also progressing up the global motorsport ladder, proudly representing Australia. There really is no better time to be a motorsport fan! As a motorsport enthusiast I am in a very privileged position, being the publisher of Auto Action, arguably one of the best motorsport publications in the world. I have the opportunity to attend some great motorsport events

and get right to the heart of what’s going on in the sport, and I get to talk to the people that deliver all the action we love both on track and behind the screens. A lot of these people are very busy, and some of them are quite guarded in the way they interact with the media, because unfortunately, some in the media world are always looking for an angle, to make a point or to show that they’re smarter than the other people in the media. What it’s really about for the AA team is informing and entertaining the readers about the sport we all love. I know you love the sport because you’re reading this publication – you’ve paid your hard-earned dollars to purchase a publication in an age when you don’t have to spend a lot of money to find out some of what’s going on in the world of motorsport. I’d like to think that Auto Action is something special and that you value what we put in print. It’s not an easy job, and it’s getting harder. As such, it’s important that I inform you that with this issue the price of the magazine has gone up. Yep, we have put the price up by $1. Unfortunately, it was forced upon us – we had no choice in the matter. Our printing costs have gone up over 20% and distribution costs are up as well. In addition, we are now facing a fuel levy for every copy of Auto Action that we deliver into news agencies.

We understand that this comes at a time when the economy is making life tough for many of you, and every dollar matters. So, while we are now asking for more from our loyal readers, we are determined to work hard every fortnight to produce a publication that we can be proud of, and you can be excited about. That’s why we have included a reader survey in this final issue of the year. We can only continue to produce Auto Action with the loyal support of our readers and subscribers, so we want to use your honest feedback to improve the magazine going forward. We ask you to please fill out the survey – it will only take a few minutes of your time – as we sincerely value the opinions of every reader. In return, we are putting up some great prizes! As we sign off for the year, I want to give some final thanks. To the readers, thank you for your ongoing support of motorsport and our publication. To all of the writers, photographers, designers and supporters of the magazine, thank you for your dedication to Auto Action – it does not go unnoticed. Armed with fresh ideas and hopefully some insightful survey responses, we can’t wait to make 2023 a huge year for Auto Action! Thanks and I hope you all have a safe and festive holiday season.

It was almost F1 days revisited when S5000 took to the streets of Adelaide in front of a huge crowd ... Image: MOTORSPORT IMAGES

18 I www.autoaction.com.au

READERS SURVEY

HAVE YOUR SAY

WIN$100

TAKE THE AUTO ACTION READER SURVEY FOR A CHANCE TO

ONE OF 10

SUPERCHEAP AUTO GIFT CARDS, AS WELL AS A RANGE OF OTHER PRIZES INCLUDING PRINT AND DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MOTORSPORT CALENDARS. As a valued reader of Auto Action, we need your feedback to help assist us to make sure we continue to deliver the best motorsport magazine we can.

Your opinion matters to us, so take a few minutes to complete our survey and go into the draw to WIN ONE OF 10 $100 SUPERCHEAP AUTO GIFT CARDS. PLUS you’ll be contributing to shaping the future of Auto Action magazine. No matter what your choice of motorsport is, whether it’s Supercars, Rally, F1 or Sprintcars... or all of the above, we want to hear from you. To take the survey, simply scan the QR code, or go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/autoactionsurvey

STARS SHINE AT SUPERCARS

GALA AWARDS

ALL THE STARS WERE SHINING BRIGHTLY AT THE SUPERCARS GALA AWARDS EVENING, WHICH SALUTED THE 2022 SEASON IN STYLE AT ADELAIDE OVAL. THE BIG personalities of the paddock all dressed to impress at the sport’s night of nights, which returned for the first time since COVID-19 came along. Many drivers and personalities received some well-deserved awards, but one of the biggest cheers was saved for Lee Holdsworth. Holdsworth was a popular recipient of the Barry Sheene Medal, which he won, for the first time, in his final year of full-time racing. The medal, named in honour of twotime 500cc world champion and popular Channel 9 and 10 motorsport commentator Barry Sheene, who passed away in 2003, recognises a driver who displays outstanding leadership, media interaction, character, personality, fan appeal and sportsmanship throughout the season. Holdsworth completed his final year for Grove Racing and finished 13th in the championship, but just 143 points away from the top 10 after a season which included his 500th race start, a podium at the Australian Grand Prix, a front row at Bathurst and rounded out with a fighting top-10 drive in Adelaide. The veteran won a lot of hearts in the way he has carried on through thick and thin over recent years in particular with a smile and many thought it was fitting he would receive the Supercars “best and fairest” award. Holdsworth becomes just the second non Triple Eight Race Engineering and Dick Johnson Racing driver to win the medal in the last decade alongside Grove Racing teammate David Reynolds.

34 I www.autoaction.com.au

Holdsworth said that being awarded the prestigious Barry Sheene Medal named after an idol is something the will cherish forever. “This is pretty special. I certainly didn’t expect this,” he said. “I am super proud. This is one of the best accolades you could ever get and Barry was an absolute idol to me. “The end of my career could not have ended on a better note. I have enjoyed every minute of it and there are too many people to thank over my journey in the sport. “What a way to go out.” Two of the most treasured and well known faces in the paddock became welcome additions to the Supercars Hall of Fame. Craig Lowndes and Tim Schenken were the names, having been two of the most prominent figures in the sport across the last three decades. Modern day great Lowndes first arrived on the Touring Cars scene in 1994 as “The Kid” but was breaking records by 1996 when he won 16 races, the championship, Great Race and Sandown 500 all in his first fulltime season. After a brief trip overseas, Lowndes returned to Australia and continued to smash the Supercars field, making it three championships in as many attempts. After his run of success stopped in 2000 a shock move to Ford followed, which did not net consistent results until his jump to an unproven Triple Eight – and the rest is history. The relationship between Lowndes and Triple Eight which started in 2005, and is still going strong, is one of the most successful ever, producing six Bathurst 1000 wins and 57 race victories, enough for

Jess Yates chats with Tim Schenken (above). Barry Sheene Medalist Lee Holdsworth.

Images: MARK HORSBURGH/EDGE PHOTOGRAPY the smiling star to be the first ever to score a century of Supercars/ATCC triumphs. Lowndes became the second active driver alongside longtime teammate Jamie Whincup to be inducted into the Supercars Hall of Fame, a feat that was not lost on him. “It is a great honour,” he said. “To be part of now 25 inductees over the time it has been running is really special. “And to share it with Tim Schenken, who was basically the master of control when I was racing around and always did a great job is really awesome. “Supercars is like a big family and we treat it like that. It is nice to be recognised and to be part of that class.” Few have made a bigger impact to Australian motorsport over such a long period than Schenken. His racing life began in the 1960s before he moved to Europe to chase the F1 dream, which became a reality in 1970. Schenken recorded 34 Grand Prix starts over a four year period for teams such as Williams, Brabham, Surtees, Trojan and Lotus with the overwhelming highlight an impressive podium in Austria 1971. After enjoying plenty of sports car success, he returned to Australia to

perform a variety of roles for what was then known as the Confederation of Australian Motorsport and now Motorsport Australia. Schenken is best remembered by many modern day fans as the long time race director for Supercars, having performed the important role for a remarkable 34 years from 1987 to 2021. Schenken said he felt honoured to be part of the same club as the likes of Peter Brock and Allan Moffatt in the Supercars Hall of Fame with Bathurst being the toughest race to control. “When I heard I was going to get the award I looked at the previous winners and there were amazing people there, so very special,” he said. “The most difficult race to run was Bathurst – you think of a team running two cars ... well a race director is running 24 cars with an interest to the whole field. “Bathurst had a special challenge about it.” Both Lowndes and Schenken were awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to motorsport and were fitting inductees into the Supercars Hall of Fame. In a year where he was one of the few drivers to consistently take the fight up to the all conquering Shane van Gisbergen,

Supercars CEO Shane Howard (above) introduced the evening. Young Gun Matt Payne (right) and Drivers’ Driver Cam Waters (below) with their silverware. Far left: ‘The Kid’ was inducted into the Supercars Hall of Fame, alongside Tim Schenken.

Cameron Waters was named as the Drivers’ Driver award winner. The Tickford spearhead finished the year as the qualifying king with 10 pole positions, while he also collected three wins at Winton and Darwin on his way to a strong second in the championship. Waters joins van Gisbergen as the only drivers to win the award on multiple occasions and said it was a “special” feeling to be voted highly by his peers. “It is so special because all of the drivers vote for it. We run into each other and have moments through the year and it is about

autoactionmag

Auto_Action

how you recover from them, so it is an honour to win it twice,” he said. Ahead of his full-time Supercars debut for Grove Racing in 2023, Matt Payne has been given a boost by winning the Mike Kable Young Gun award. Payne performed in his rookie Super 2 campaign by finishing third in the competitive standings and also held his own at the Bathurst 1000. The Kiwi said the honour meant a lot to him highlighting the commotion with Scott McLaughlin, while other Supercars champions to receive it are Marcos

autoactionmag

Ambrose, Rick Kelly, Mark Winterbottom and James Courtney. “I think it is a huge honour and privilege to win this award because there have been so many great winners over the years,” he said. “It is definitely a step in the right direction. Scott has gone over to do some amazing things, so it is awesome to get my name on there with him and see where we go.” The media award went the way of Chad Neylon in recognition of his efforts on various aspects on the Supercars TV broadcast, while Triple Eight cleaned up the fans choice awards. Red Bull Ampol Racing’s blue livery was popular enough to win the best presented team award, while van Gisbergen was named as the most popular driver. The best volunteer group was the ones who braved through the constant rain at the Bathurst 1000 and the fans’ favourite event was the VALO Adelaide 500 after it returned to life with a bang. The event gave teams a rare moment to relax and unwind as preparations for Gen3 and 2023 continue to ramp up on the road to Newcastle. Thomas Miles

Adelaide Oval was a super choice of venue.

www.autoaction.com.au I 35

ACTION MART

TOP TORQUE PROVIDES FULL ENGINE reconditioning and rebuilding services including complete engine rebuilding specialising in Subaru and LS Series engines. With over 100 years of combined experience in engine machining, assembly and cylinder head reconditioning-from performance, full competition to standard, Top Torque Performance is a trade leader.

• Cylinder Head Reconditioning • Engine Block Reconditioning Our workshop is full of the latest engine and cylinder head reconditioning machinery including Serdi, Berco, Hines and Rottler machines.

FACTORY 5, 187-201 ROOKS ROAD, VERMONT VIC. 3133

PHONE: 03 9873 3800 • WWW.TOPTORQUE.COM.AU

THE ORIGINAL

OFTEN COPIED - NEVER EQUALLED www.speco.com.au

LONGER LASTING FLAMEPROOF COATINGS A A1 AA1

Suppliers of... CAMS CAMS SPEC SPEC MILD MILD STEEL STEEL CHROMOLY CHROMOLY TUBE TUBE -- SHEET SHEET -- SOLID SOLID

TUBE BENDERS - DIES - NOTCHERS

PH: 02 9676 8001 SHIPPING DAILY AUSTRALIA WIDE W W W. R A C E T E C H S T E E L . C O M . A U

Chrome moly 4130N tube and sheet 350 grade COW tube Roll cages Tube bending Race car components Andrews Race Cars +61 (02) 9838 0032 andrewsracecars@hotmail.com Units 1-3, 33 Anvil Road, Seven Hills NSW 2147 Australia www.andrewsracecars.com.au

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE!

CAD Design & Engineering • Race Car Specialist Roll Cage • Chassis Design • Fuel System • Specialty Projects YATALA QLD • PH: 0407 099 088 • EMAIL: russell@modconcepts.com.au

Subscribe to Auto Action print magazine and receive 3 MONTHS DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION FREE

autoactionmagazine.myshopify.com

F F I e rence D e h t l e e F

• High quality German made limited slip differentials • Proven in competition by winners in FIA GT, ALMS, WTCC, Targa, BTCC, F3, Nürburgring 24 hour and Bathurst 12 hour • Competition gearboxes, Gear sets, Driveshafts, & Wheels Hubs also available

Contact details: P: (02) 4868 2347 W: www.drexler-motorsport.com.au

Australia’s premier online racewear retailer • Karting & race suits, gloves, shoes, underwear • Helmets • Hans devices • Coolshirt products • Steering wheels

OMP DISTRIBUTOR & MORE

CAZ MILBURN 0428 887 223 www.raceline-racewear.com.au

Custom printed or embroidered suits, made to measure

Contact Bruce Williams for bookings and information on 0418 349 555 or bruce@autoaction.com.au

WANT MORE MOTORSPORT?

PRODUCTS AND INDUSTRY NEWS

‘BIG RED’ 1969 CHEVROLET CAMARO • 2017 PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB • GMP MODEL COMING SOON – ETA MAY 2023!

Stay up to date with all the latest motorsport news Subscribe to the Auto Action newsletter today!

autoaction.com.au/newsletter

Leading LS Conversion Specialists Castle Headers and Exhaust components Dynogen Alternators - The hidden alternator in a generator body Hi-Torque Gear Reduction Starter motors Billet High Performance Alternators Wiper Motor Kits EFI Conversion Looms and ECU reprogramming Conversion engine mounts, Transmission Crossmembers, Conversion Sumps Rack & pinion Conversions

CAEPERFORMANCEPRODUCTS.COM.AU 7 MAIN RD CASTLEMAINE VICTORIA 3450

T 03 5472 1442

OVER 5,000 PRODUCTS

INSTORE OR ONLINE

machineryhouse.com.au

01_AA_290420

THE STORY of Big Red began in 1987 when RJ and his father Dan set out to build one ‘badass’ Camaro to compete in the toughest Mexican road race, the La Carrera Classica. Dan and RJ assembled what they hoped would be a winning build based on an original ’69 Camaro powered by an all-aluminium, dry-sump Donovan built by the legendary John Lingenfelter. With 540 cubic inches, Big Red was a 200mph contender but while the 18-year-old RJ was leading the race he pushed it a little too hard. Big Red went off-roading at 140 mph and was destroyed—the stock uni-body frame was just not up to the task. Thankfully, RJ, his co-pilot Chris Kaufman and the Lingenfelter engine were unscathed. Even before RJ got home from Mexico, Dan had located another ’69 and made plans for Bill Osborne to fab a new tubular stock car-style chassis. As before, they wanted the Camaro to appear stock, so it retained its steel body, glass

windshield and even its roll-up windows. Dan went so far as to have the rare, expensive aluminium block and heads painted Chevy orange to look like a stock, iron block. Dan revealed in opening the hood and saying, “Look it’s just a warmed over 427.” Yeah right, a 427 that runs run consistently over 200 mph. “That’s the magic of Big Red,” said RJ. Engine builder Larry Mollicone overhauled the 504 and his dyno indicated 850 hp and 750 ft-lbs of torque. Backing up the naturally aspirated engine was a Jerrico four-speed and a 9-inch Detroit Locker rear end with Koni coilovers and twin-caliper vented discs. Big Red was entered into in a wide spectrum of events including The Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational, The Texas Mile, Vintage Auto Racing’s “Big Bore Bash” at Willow Springs, the Mojave Mile, the Mojave Magnum and the Virginia City Hill Climb.

RJ took top honours at nearly every event while Red was featured in the 2009 movie the ‘Fast and the Furious 4’. The secret to Big Red’s success in so many varied venues is the ability of the team to switch it from road race trim to hill climb mode to balls out, high-speed runs. For example, the setup employed for the Mojave Mile would not be the same setup used for Pikes Peak where specific tuning resulted in a very competitive 11:08.357-second run placing them fourth in the Open Class The model of this wonderful race car will be available to Pre-Order at Hoolagators All American Diecast models. For more information or to place an order visit www.hoolagator.com.au or call 08 8322 3448

GT-HO PHASE THREE BIBLE SELLING OUT FAST THE FORD Falcon GT-HO Phase Three is one Australia’s iconic muscle cars, and the ultimate bible on everything GT-HO is selling out fast. Written by Stephen C. Stathis, ‘The Falcon GT-HO Phase Three: On the Road to Bathurst and Beyond’ is a complete history of a masterpiece of blue oval engineering, including never before published technical images. The book, which has already sold out in ‘hardcover’ and ‘leather’ guise, also contains a foreword by Bob Skelton, colour images of the 1972 Bathurst Easter meeting, new images of Allan Moffat’s trophy cabinet and part numbers that were unique to the GT-HO Phase Three. Softcover editions of the book, limited to 1,000 individually signed copies, are readily available for $95. Just a few of the 25 individually numbered Buckram hardcover cloth books are still available for $299, complete with a dust jacket, companion softcover edition, slipcase and a black and white photograph personally signed by Bob Morris. To reserve a copy, call Stephen at Phase Three Posters on 02 9874 2141

NATIONALS WRAP

GARNETT TOPS BATHURST SPRINTS OVER 130 competitors took on the Challenge Bathurst Sprint sessions on November 24-25 at Mt Panorama where the fastest time of the two-day event went to Garnett Patterson in the JAM Motorsport Radical SR10 (right). The numbers in the Group GT were down due to the proximity of the Adelaide 500 where the GT Championship was a late inclusion. However, the ensuing two days of Regularity was oversubscribed. Patterson shared the driving of the turbocharged Duratec-powered Sports Car with Seb Lib and set his 2mins 04.135s best lap in the third of four sessions available. Second fastest was Garth Walden in Michael Sheargold’s Mercedes Benz AMG GT3, 0.23s slower. David Wall was next in Paul Tresidder’s Porsche GT3 R, the car that won the 2019 Bathurst 12 Hour, another 0.67s away. Waldon also drove the Brett Hobson’s Nissan Nismo GTR GT3 on Friday

TIME FOR LADIES AND JUNIORS

morning after Hobson posted the fastest times in both Thursday sessions. Hobson only drove on day one and headed to test Bentleys at Phillip Island. Fifth fastest was Nick Kelly (Radical SR8) ahead of Geoff Taunton (MARC II V8) and Daniel Gaunt who shared an Audi R8 LMS EVO II with fellow New Zealander Andrew Fawcett. Just over the 2mins 6s was young Cameron McLeod who had laps in the Keith Kassulke’s MARC 11 as did Hadrian Morrall. The next best times came from Darren Currie (MARC V8 Mazda), Jacque Jarjo (Porsche 992 Cup Car), and Brad Sherriff/ Liam Hooper (Nissan Skyline). The event also included Sports Sedans, Improved Production, Time Attack cars, Trans Am and a sprinkling of former V8 Supercars among others, with many interstaters making the trek. It ended early for Neil Brookes (Holden HSV) and John Cashan (Lotus) with

50 I www.autoaction.com.au

incidents in their first outings. So too later for Paolo Buccini after he set his fastest lap and backed the Mark Griffith Ginetta G55 GT4 into a wall with

mainly body damage. His was another of several red flags brought about by off road excursions. Garry O’Brien

CHERRY ON TOP AT TARGA BUNBURY SPRINT

Image: MSBC AT BUGGY PARK Beachport on November 12, the Off Road Ladies and Juniors had their shot behind the wheel with Chelsea Haby and Matthew Gallasch (above) as the winning drivers. Put on by the Millicent Sand Buggy Club, the event of around 100kms was staged with heats over several laps of the 5km course and that allowed teams to double enter with different drivers. In all instances the usual pilots, partners, relatives etc were strapped in the navigators’ seat to give directions. In the soggy conditions, Junior Billy Coombe in a Class 2 buggy won the first heat over 10 laps by 1min 47s over Ladies Sophie Tamblyn (Class 10 Buggy/Mitsubishi). Third was Juniors Brydon Klingber from Marry Jolly, also racing a Class 1 buggy, and Lyndelle Davey in the lone Class 5 entry. In Heat 2, also over 10 laps, Gallasch (Unlimited Cross/Chev V8) was the winner by 5.7s over Haby (Unlimited Element Prodigy/ Toyota twin turbo) with Class 4 pilot Kate Nicol next in front of Ladies Al Dilllemiss in another Class 1 machine. The third heat ran over six laps. Haby took it out by 7.2s from Gallasch. Over 3mins away was Nicol ahead of Middlemiss, Coombe, Tamblyn and Jolly while Klingberg and Davey had dramas. Overall Haby was first ahead of Gallasch and Nicol who was second in Ladies ahead of Middlemiss. Second among the Juniors was Coombe with Klingberg third. Garry O’Brien

Image: CHALLENGE BATHURST

Image: TARGA WEST EVENTS WITH THE lowest accumulated time, Matt Cherry and Cade Bell (above) won the GT Fabrications Targa Bunbury Sprint in their Toyota Starlet on November 13. Thousands of spectators witnessed 107 competitors tackle the 4km course in the Halifax Light Industrial Area of the southwest West Australian coastal city eight times, four

in each direction. In their Open Rallysprint 2WD class 1.8 litre turbo Toyota Starlet, Cherry and Bell did a best lap of 2mins 30.77s on the way to a total time of 20mins 35.07s. The time was 4.32s better than second placed Cody Harris and Morgan Ward in their Open Rallysprint 4WD class Mitsubishi EVO 8. Third for the day were Matt James-Wallace and Ben Tuck (Nissan Skyline GTR R32) some 16.17s away, and just over 7s ahead of Max Whiting and Savanna (Subaru Impreza WRX). For pre-event favourite Troy Wilson who had four of the five previous Targa Bunbury Sprint victories, his Gav Russell’s day was

over early with only one run completed. The EVO X had a dump pipe break off the turbo which subsequently melted the brake fluid bottle and some wiring. The last time he didn’t win was in 2019 when his car snapped the diff on the start line. Fifth outright and the winner of the Targa Cup 4WD over 3.5lt class were Will White and Matt Thompson (Nissan GTR Nismo) while Daniel Gonzalez and Daymon Nicoli (Porsche 911 GT3) were sixth and the Targa Cup 2WD winners. Completing the top ten were Simon Grant and Stewart Ambrose (EVO 5 RS), Bill and Glenys Stagoll (EVO 9), Heuson Bak and Roger Tan (Lotus Exige S 350), and Paul and Katie Oxley (Subaru Impreza WRX STi). Garry O’Brien

BRAND CROWNED AT ARARAT ONLY HALF a second separated the top three at the annual King of the Hill on November 19-20 with Damien Brand (pictured) the winner of the annual hillclimb over Brenton Byfield and Glenn Latter. The all-Tin Top Ararat Car Club event at One Tree Hill over a distance of 1.6kms, drew 75 competitors to rural Victoria. There was the added rivalry between Victoria and South Australia as they vied for the Peter Hall Memorial State of Origin which went the way of the home state by four points. The weather gave the organisers some headaches on Saturday with just two runs completed before the competition was stopped due to safety concerns. Five runs were completed on Sunday before the rains came again.

In the Modified 4WD Open class, Brand set his fastest time of 54.39s in his Subaru Impreza WRX on the second attempt of day two, and before fellow South Aussie Byfield (Subaru WRX Sports Wagon) in the same class, was able to post a time just 0.16s behind. Quickest of the locals, Latter (Mazda RX7) was the winner of the Modified 2WD over 4.0 litre class and 0.32s away from second outright. Fourth overall and the winner was Improved 4WD Open was Patrick Hitchcock (WRX) while fifth was Steve Grinstead (Modified 2WD Holden Commodore VL SS).

Next was Derrick White (Improved 4WD WRX) from Nathan Cann (Improved 2WD Porsche 944 Turbo), Geoff Vardon (Modified 2WD under 2.5lt Datsun 1200 Coupe), Mark Dixon (Improved 4WD WRX) and in tenth place, Ken Rowland (Improved 4WD WRX). Garry O’Brien

CRAVEN WILD 4 HOUR

Image: LYN COTTER THE EIGHTH and final round of the Deputy 4 Hour at the Pheasant Wood Circuit on November 20 was won by the Craven Wild team – Gary Hick, Jamie Hodgson and Graeme Muir (above) sharing the driving of a Subaru Impreza. The trio covered 191 laps of the 1.6km circuit at Marulan and placed 9.4s ahead of the Lexarse crew of Alex Holzl, Dieter Holzl and Rainer Sutton in a Lexus is200 with two laps back to Marulan Carpentry’s Eunos 30X which was driven by Sam McCallum, Sam Howarth and Jayden Zealey. The series is open to any four seat car produced between 1986-2009 with an engine capacity of 2.0 litres or less, for two or more drivers. The first lap was led by Lexarse before the GT-40 Mitsubishi Lancer with Bartek Kacperski, Christopfer Kacperski, Peter Gatt, Cameron Lane and Jason Muir took over the front running for eighth laps. Between the two teams and Red Rocket Racing’s John Jeffery, Bill Avery, Jeff Davy and Malcolm Noad (Peugeot 206) briefly, they headed the lap count. Then from lap 85 onwards it was Lexarse in front to the finish. However, they were subsequently penalised five laps (short on one driver change and an overdrive stint) which dropped them to second. Silly Car Racing’s team of Matthew Pryor, Malcolm Sidney and Jordan Pascoe crossed the finish line second in their Toyota Celica but were penalised 12 laps which dropped them to 13th of the 23 entrants. They had three short driver changes. On November 19, Excel X3 Series had four races where Shannon Williams won three before Dean Alessi beat him in the last to finish second overall. Third place with two seconds and two thirds was Calvin Gardiner. Garry O’Brien

SECOND DOSE OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE second time in 2022, the Geelong Revival Motoring Festival took place. The 2021 event was deferred to March of this year because of Covid and the second dose on November 25-27 proved to be as popular as ever. The focal point of the festival are the quarter mile sprints which have been conducted in the same location since 1956. Around 150 cars, plus motorbikes, compete for the coveted Geelong Revival Motoring Festival trophy in a range of classes. Saturday’s quarter-mile sprint honours belonged to Sally-Ann Hains in a Porsche 997.2 twin turbo with best effort of 10.49s. Second was Nick De Jong who

clocked 10.77s on the last of four runs in a Ford Territory. Third was Chris Thompson in an Audi RS6 ahead of Peter Chapman (Jeep Trackhawk), Mark Tipping (Tesla Model S), Thompson (Holden HSV Director), Scott Graeme (Nissan Skyline R32 GTR), Ron Libbis (Skyline), Cameron Tristan (BMW M2 Competition) and Ray Tweedly (Mercedes AMG GTR). On Sunday Nick McBride was the quickest with a 10.825s run in a Porsche Taycan Turbo R, ahead of Tipping’s Tesla, James Johnson (Ford Roush Mustang), Noel Inman (Ford Model T) and Chris Dalton (Mustang). Tom Kenoworth (Mercedes AMG E63)

was sixth fastest ahead of Tweedly, Bryan Timms (Ralt RT4), Greg Bowden (Ford Cortina) and Paul Johns (Chev Corvette). Then followed Zac Soutar in his Honda Civic Type R TCR. Historic racer Ron Goodman ran in his Porsche 906 to 12th and his 356 to 35th. The event also showcased classic, modern, performance, European and domestic vehicles on display along the Corio Bay foreshore. The Hot Wheels Stunt Team did their thing up and down Richie Boulevard and there were various sideshows, trade expos and attractions, plus a huge variety of street food vendors. Garry O’Brien

Image: GRMF

MORROW WINS COFFS COAST HILLCLIMB DAVE MORROW (pictured) was the winner of the RedPoint Hillclimb Tri-Series that took place at the inaugural Coffs Coast Festival of Motor Sport in November. Over three different tracks in the course of eight days throughout the region, Morrow took his Kryger Suzuki open-wheel racer to two victories from the two events. After winning the Kempsey Car Clubs Hillclimb by a relative margin, Morrow then went on to take out the Raleigh Raceways Hillclimb on the Wednesday. The points he amassed at the two tracks were enough to earn him the Tri-Series title, as he opted out of the third climb put on by the Grafton Car Club in favour of competing at the Raleigh Rallycross event, where he finished eighth in the state championship in his Mazda 323. The seasoned motorsport veteran who’s raced the Bathurst 1000, the Surfers Paradise 12 Hour, Australian

autoactionmag

Auto_Action

autoactionmag

Rally championships, and many other categories, was part of a healthy list of competitors who travelled from the Sunshine Coast, Newcastle, Port Macquarie and further, to compete in the RedPoint cash prize event. The fight for outright second ended in a tie between Les Maloney - competing in a 2017 Ford Focus RS - and Paul Waller, who took to the three climbs in his beautifully prepared 1995 Fisher Fury. Third place was taken out by Miles Hoare, in his OMS CF 04 open wheeler, with Coffs Coast local Elizabeth Simpson proving the fastest female entrant in her Volkswagen Golf Gti Mk 6, having competed over all three rounds. The successfully run RedPoint Tri-Series Hillclimb will be back on next year’s calendar, as an expanded Coffs Coast Festival of Motor Sport will be back for 2023. TW Neal

autoactionmag

Auto Action #1851