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EREBUS REBIRTH Image: Motorsport Images

Erebus Motorsport prove doubters wrong as DAN McCARTHY & HEATH McALPINE report AN OFF-SEASON full of change has provided Erebus Motorsport with a refreshed perspective and a renewed focus on success.

Evidence of Erebus’ rebirth came with Brodie Kostecki’s maiden podium at the second round of the 2021 Supercars Championship, at Sandown last weekend.

CEO Barry Ryan has been outspoken about the team’s off-season personnel changes, and remains adamant the newlook operation is more cohesive.

“The whole team atmosphere, the way we’re putting it all together, is as good as I’ve ever seen it in the five-years we’ve been doing it,” Barry Ryan said.

“All the crap we’ve gone through in the offseason, just uneducated people, who didn’t know what was going on.

“Now we’re putting ourselves in a position where we’ve got a new engineering philosophy, a little bit based on what we used to do, but a little bit of new stuff.”

Erebus has seen wholesale change to its engineering team which included recruiting

Rick Kelly’s former engineer George Commins to guide Kostecki, and elevating data engineer Tom Moore into the primary role guiding new recruit Will Brown.

Ryan highlighted this as a key reason for the team’s progression.

“Young Tom, he’s been the data engineer for three years or so and has had all these ideas, which are now coming out,” Ryan explained.

“The experience of George has really helped him because someone can go ‘yeah, I think we can do this’ and George will go, ‘maybe do this’ and he will have good ideas to give to Tom, and vice versa.

“We’ve got Wayne (Mackie), who has been our damper guy for years. He’s an engineer from open-wheelers a long time ago, but he’s now speaking up and not sitting in the background saying nothing.

“It’s the dynamic (that) has shifted and some people have just stepped up.

“That’s what happens sometimes when you have change.”

Ryan emphasised that outside the high

profile changes that saw drivers Anton De Pasquale and David Reynolds, plus engineers Alistair McVean and Mirko De Rosa all leave the Melbourne-based squad, the team retains most of its personnel who travelled together during the Supercars season last year.

“People forget our change is very small really,” said Ryan.

“Everybody in our workshop or in our race team this weekend, there’s only two new people from when we were on the road with COVID. The rest of the crew from COVID are still here.

“You hear all this big change, but it’s not really. It’s just because the two with profiles have gone, that’s what it is.”

Also different is the approach Erebus is taking with its drivers.

“I’ve probably said this a few times now, we’re definitely not treating them look rookies and I think that makes a big difference to them to know we have the faith in them,” said Ryan.

“That’s all we can do, just keep letting

them become their own driver and not try to make them something they’re not.

“Both have their own pathway they want to go down and they know where they want to go and we don’t need to push them in either direction.”

Ryan was full of praise for Kostecki after his maiden podium in treacherous conditions at Sandown, where he attempted to chase down race winner Shane van Gisbergen.

“At the start of the weekend, I was thinking it would be great to see both of them get a top 10 this weekend, it would be a fantastic effort,” Ryan said.

“Brodie’s been in three out of five top 10 qualifyings and to get a second position, a podium, in his fifth full-time start is pretty amazing.

“I think it’s some sort of stat I reckon, you might have to go back to a van Gisbergen or an (Marcos) Ambrose or someone like that to see if somebody (else) has ever done that. They definitely scored podiums in their first seasons, but that quickly? I’m not sure.”

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HARMED AND D Supercars ‘Greatest Of All Time’ tells MARK FOGARTY why, wounded or not, the title is SVG’s for the taking

WHILE HE is not giving up on winning a record-extending eighth V8 crown in his farewell full-time season, Jamie Whincup concedes that his wounded Triple Eight teammate Shane van Gisbergen is now this year’s hands-down Supercars title favourite.

In a stunning comeback from a serious shoulder injury, van Gisbergen swept the Sandown SuperSprint, stretching his winning streak to six from six from last year’s season-ending Bathurst 1000.

“He’s definitely the man to beat,” Whincup declared. “There’s no one here in pit lane not thinking that he’s the championship favourite and the one to beat – like Scotty

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was the past three years as well.”

Arguably, van Gisbergen has had a stronger start than any of Scott McLaughlin’s title sweeps, winning the first five races from two rounds.

Astoundingly, the Kiwi star won all three races at Sandown, most impressively driving from 17th on the grid to a last-lap victory in the Saturday sprint – his first start since breaking his left collar bone in a mountain bike crash earlier in the month.

SVG consolidated his amazing return with twin pole positions and wins on Sunday, overcoming pain and restricted arm movement.

His dominance with an injury, even if aided by less physical wet conditions in Sunday’s pair of 36-lappers, is a psychological blow to would-be title rivals Cam Waters and Chaz Mostert – and even Whincup.

The Supercars ‘GOAT’ acknowledged that with further recovery, van Gisbergen will be even more formidable from the next round at Symmons Plains on April 10-11.

“Shane is the target, but he leads well, so I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Whincup said.

“His approach won’t differ from Tassie onwards.”

Wounded or not, SVG appears to have the measure of his main rivals.

Wearing his team co-owner/team principal-in-waiting hat, Whincup was impressed with his Red Bull Ampol Racing partner’s performance at Sandown.

“Well, he’s had an excellent start to the championship, which is what we expected, but, yeah, he had odds against him this weekend to score any points,” he said.

“He came out and scored the 300 maximum points, so he’s certainly in the box seat with two rounds down and 10 to go.

“He’s done a fantastic job and we just have to keep it up, not rest on our laurels.

Keep our heads down as a team and my

THE GOAT’S VERDICT ON GIZ-MANIA Image: Motorsport Images

JAMIE WON’T GIVE UP

DANGEROUS DA job, personally, is to push him to make sure we’re both working off each other to get better.

“We haven’t been in that first garage for a long time (teams’ champion since 2018), so that’s obviously our focus this year.

We’ve had a great start, but it’s only a great start – we have to keep the focus.”

Whincup is second in the points standings, already 150 behind SVG, while Triple Eight leads the teams’ championship by 335 points from Mostert-led WAU. Due to take over as non-driving team boss next year, the record seven-time V8 champion is focused on the lead Holden squad maintaining its front-running edge.

“We have to make sure we keep the intensity going,” he said. “The competition just keeps growing. If you stop and plateau, you get gobbled up.

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“So we’re just making sure that we can keep improving, keep the head down. We have a few weeks off now and then down to Tassie, which is another track that we’ve had a good history at.”

Van Gisbergen staged one of the greatest recoveries from a debilitating injury in major sport.

His broken left collar bone was repaired surgically with a metal plate, plus support for badly torn shoulder ligaments.

His intensive recuperation involved daily hyperbaric chamber treatment, which will continue for at least several weeks.

The metal plate will stay until the end of the season.

Even he was doubtful he would be able to race until he survived the first practice session at Sandown, coping with the jarring kerb jumps.

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SVG got through Sandown without major pain or left arm restriction, and hopes to race at Bathurst over Easter in the production car 6 Hour and GT round.

His win from 17th last Saturday was historic.

The previous best charge through the field to win an ATCC/Supercars ‘sprint’ race was Norm Beechey’s title-winning victory from 14th in 1965. (The ATCC was decided in a single race from 1960-68.)

Van Gisbergen has equalled Peter Brock’s five-in-row fast start in 1980 and is on course to beat the previous best starting streaks of Allan Moffat and Mark Skaife, who won the first six races in a row in 1977 and 1994 respectively.

Moffat, Brock and Skaife all converted their early dominance into titles, boding well for SVG.

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ALTHOUGH ECLIPSED by his teammate in the first five races, The Goat is not giving up.

Although he shies away from the acronym, Jamie Whincup is statistically Supercars’ ‘Greatest Of All Time’ with a record seven championships and 122 race wins.

Whincup has bests of two thirds compared with Triple Eight teammate Shane van Gisbergen’s five straight race wins so far this season.

The Goat’s consistency, if not pace, has him second in the points standings – and still confident he can contend for an eighth V8 crown.

He was there or thereabouts at Bathurst and Sandown.

“It’s sort of sweet and sour for me,” Whincup said.

“Shane’s beaten me in every race, which is disappointing, but I’m also P2 in the championship and had some great results myself, so me, like the rest of the field, will just try to keep improving.

“That’s all you can do. There are plenty of people in pit lane who would kill to have my results this year, but you’re always judged against your teammate and he’s beaten me so far. But it’s a long championship…”

Whincup also warned that DJR, even without Penske, would return as a frontrunning force, despite being off the ultimate pace at Bathurst and Sandown.

He ascribed the title-holding team’s struggles with all-new driver line-up Anton De Pasquale and Will Davison to a similar driver/engineer adjustment he is going through with the change from David Cauchi to Wes McDougall.

“They’ve showed the pace that we’ve seen from them the past three years, on occasions,” Whincup observed. “But new combinations, that driver/engineer combination, is really critical and I know myself with a new engineer that I’m learning.

“Everyone’s operating at such a high level that you’re always trying to find that last one or two per cent, and that’s what the guys next door (DJR) are doing. But once they find their straps and start working as a driver/engineer combination, we know they’ll be very strong.

“It’s way too early to write them off.

They’re at this end of pit lane for a reason and they are still a force to be reckoned with.” Mark Fogarty

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TEAM18 UNDER THE RADAR? CAN TEAM18 remain under the radar? Team owner Charlie Schwerkolt believes his operation can remain flying under the radar until it wins races.

Following a breakout year in 2020, this season has started strongly, particularly for veteran Mark Winterbottom who is fifth in the Supercars Championship after two rounds.

Schwerkolt admitted it is now difficult to maintain Team18’s underrated position as it achieves consistent performances, and expectations aim higher.

“We’ve still got a long way to go to get us there,” Schwerkolt expressed about dropping the underrated tag.

“I just want to do our job with the team, keep it condensed, but there’s been a fair bit of media this weekend so we’re trying to keep under the radar, so it’s hard.

“But seriously, it’s building the best team you possibly can with the best possible people and

we’ve got that from sponsorship all the way to the engineering department.

The positive addition of Richard Hollway as head of engineering has bolstered Team18’s already impressive brain’s trust, as it builds towards achieving its first Supercars victory.

“It’s really positive,” Schwerkolt said. “All the foundations are there now and we’ve built the foundations, and now we’ve just got to keep building that performance.

“New people on board, a couple of crew members, Crusty (Hollway) on board and obviously Frosty’s (Winterbottom) on fire, so is Scotty.

“The best thing about it is it’s consistent, it’s not like a flash in the pan at Bathurst because Frosty’s really good there. It’s consistent, it’s strong, it’s all there to be done now. It’s great.”

Confidence within the team is building, as is Schwerkolt’s, as he believes the team is on the verge of joining the top tier operations in Supercars.

“Obviously we’re a customer car program and we’ve got the same equipment, but the way we set it up, the driver and etcetera, we’re up there,” he said.

“If it was a sprint race with no pit stops, I’d say Frosty would have won.”

Bringing Winterbottom into the fold was key to Schwerkolt’s continued Supercars commitment and his patience is paying dividends, as it sits fourth in the Teams’ standings heading to Symmons Plains “I had to work out if I was going to continue with this and the key was to get Frosty on, I had a really good driver, then you can get some really good results and build with the personnel,” Schwerkolt explained.

“I’m committed as you can probably tell, it’s there to be done. We’ve got the tools, we’ve got the sponsors, we’ve got the car and the equipment.” Dan McCarthy

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KGR NEEDS CONSISTENCY KELLY GROVE Racing team principal and co-owner Todd Kelly admits that his squad’s constant Ford Mustang development may be holding it back from moving up the grid.

Since the KGR team changed from running Nissan Altimas to Ford Mustangs for the commencement of the 2020 Supercars Championship, the squad has been continually updating the machines.

Car development has been one of the team’s strengths for many years, however Kelly believes that it makes finding a consistently fast race car extremely difficult as there is no consistency from round after round.

“Having the same car for a little while to really hone in on the setup,” Kelly told Auto Action “is something that would be beneficial to the team.

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“We are putting completely new components in and putting the car in a different window and then learning how to tune it.

“There is no real momentum on the same equipment. Generally you evolve your car, but we are just changing the car from one round to the next without evolving it.

“I think we are at the point now where that is one of the bigger aspects of it.”

At Sandown the squad was elated but surprised to see David Reynolds take his first podium with the team.

Sandown is a track known for its slow-speed corners leading onto high-speed straights and this has been a real weakness of the Kelly Racing package since they made the switch to Ford Mustangs in 2020.

History would show that the Braeside operation has been a lot stronger around the fast flowing European-style circuits such as The Bend Motorsport Park and Sydney Motorsport Park, where Andre Heimgartner scored podiums in 2020.

Kelly explained that between Bathurst and Sandown the team has been hard at work trying to overcome the weaknesses discovered at The Mountain.

“Once we got some proper information of what our weaknesses were at Bathurst, the guys reacted to it really well and we had a really busy few weeks between Bathurst and Sandown,” Kelly said.

“We changed a lot of things on the cars which made them better.”

The 2005 Bathurst 1000 winner explained that lots of things have changed on the car between rounds, but for Reynolds to take a podium at Sandown was far earlier than anyone had anticipated.

“This early on,” Kelly said. “None of us expected to be on the podium. With the amount of things we have got in the pipeline to improve on, I think we are ahead of schedule with where we are at which is good.

“We have got lighter engines now, we had a couple at the end of last year, all of them are the same now.

“They (the engines) seem pretty solid in the sectors (straights) both at Bathurst and here, but you could always have more power!”

Dan McCarthy

SUPERCARS’ IN-CAR TV COVERAGE CUT

By MARK FOGARTY YOU MAY have noticed – or not – the reduced in-car camera coverage during last weekend’s Sandown SuperSprint TV coverage.

Just 13 of the 24 cars had on-board vision because of a complicated dispute over camera supply, which was partially resolved just before Sandown.

All cars will again have full in-car HD cameras in the near future.

Supercars Media, the broadcast division that produces the telecasts for Fox Sports and Seven, has clarified the pre-Sandown change.

It was not, as erroneously reported, due to a legal dispute between the supplier and Supercars.

The portrayal was due to misinformation and a misunderstanding of the circumstances, plus Supercars’ complex broadcast equipment supplier arrangements.

However, there was an imbroglio that forced a change of in-car camera supplier.

It also remains a fact that until just before Sandown, teams were to be cut to in-car coverage of one car each.

They were advised that old low-tech cameras would be installed in half the field.

Several teams confirmed the proposed cutback, which they had to explain to

Image: Motorsport Images

sponsors, whose agreements include in-car coverage.

By the time they arrived at Sandown, a new arrangement was in place.

A late deal ensured two HD cameras were installed in 13 cars. How the division was decided is not known.

The limited in-car vision during the Sandown broadcast was high-quality.

Gravity Media remains an outside broadcast equipment supplier to Supercars. Telstra Broadcast Services and Airtime Media are also involved.

For the record, here’s what Supercars Media, headed by Nathan Prendergast, had to

say about the in-car camera use at Sandown: “Supercars has no legal dispute with the supplier. The system is full HD and not lower resolution as reported “The system (at Sandown) incorporated new technology, and not older tech as reported.

“The (in-car) system is being developed around the clock and, in fact, will offer more cameras to more cars than the older system.

“Volume issues due to a tight turn-around means we are implementing a reduced number of systems this weekend – 13 of 24 cars, not 12.

“The team is working around the clock to

get us back to full strength in the coming rounds.

“Gearhouse was not bought by Gravity Media; it’s the same company with a name change.

“Supercars has not challenged any pricing triggering this legal dispute as claimed.

“As above, we have no legal dispute with Gravity, so we are not challenging anything.”

Technically, Supercars Media’s statement is correct. And AA acknowledges its original web site report got some facts wrong.

But the fact remains that almost half the field at Sandown didn’t have in-car cameras because of a supply dispute.

DJR ON THE WAY BACK

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DICK JOHNSON Racing’s Will Davison is confident the team have progressed forward after Sandown, although the results may not have shown it.

In its first season post-Penske, after two rounds DJR sit sixth in the Supercars Teams’ Championship, while Davison replicates this placing in the Drivers’ title and Anton De Pasquale is 17th after a mechanical failure hampered his campaign at Sandown.

Although, Davison admitted his mistake in Race 3 cost him a podium position, he was pleased to leave the weekend with further knowledge approaching Symmons Plains.

“All in all, not the results we were looking for this weekend, but a really critical weekend for our development as a team,” said Davison.

“We tried lots, a lot of things we were working on, we’ve definitely taken some steps forward and I think things will start coming together soon.

“I certainly threw a podium away, but I think we still showed some good fight and I certainly feel we’ll be able to start fulfilling some more potential very, very soon. We’re not far from unlocking another step of performance.

“Again, we are in or around that top five bracket and we’re trialling some things.

That was a big part of this weekend and then I think we’ve found a good direction.

“I only had a few dry laps today, but I felt the real strength of the car at some stages and would love to start the

weekend again now.

“But the first few weekends with the team is always going to be settling in, as much as you don’t want it to be.”

Development capabilities within the team and drivers at DJR are much greater than with its frivals due to stability, which Davison believes will give it a greater advantage in the coming rounds.

“I feel like we’re only going to get stronger,” Davison emphasised. “We’ve definitely got more room for improvement than the people in front of us.

“When we got the slicks on, we made big changes overnight to the car and it felt really, really good. So I was really hoping for a dry race at the end there from third because I don’t think we quite had enough for the Bulls (Triple Eight) yet, but it certainly felt like the closest we’ve been all season where we ended up with the car.”

Another thing going against the team is the two-day meetings, which provide little time for teams to perfect a set-up.

“It’s not ideal,” Davison lamented. “It certainly benefits the crews and the driver combinations that are very familiar with one another. There’s no time to breathe.

“It is what it is, it’s all part of the nature of changing drivers and we’ll just keep doing what we’re doing.

“We’re trying to learn the team, the team is trying to learn us, we’re constantly trying to evolve and move forward. With that, sometimes you miss the hammer on the nail but I still think we’re showing good signs.” Dan McCarthy

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NIGHT GOLD COAST WILL HAPPEN – EVENTUALLY

By MARK FOGARTY

DICK JOHNSON Racing’s Anton De Pasquale will race with the number 11 for the remainder of the Supercars season. A handover ceremony for the number was conducted at Sandown with its previous custodian, former Formula 1 driver and six-time Bathurst 1000 winner Larry Perkins. The number was synonymous with Perkins’ touring car career. DM

CAM WATERS’ podium in Race 4 of the 2021 Supercars Championship (Race 2 at Sandown) was the 100th for a Ford Mustang since the model returned to the series in 2019. In the following race, Kelly Grove Racing driver David Reynolds scored the model’s 101st rostrum.

Ford is yet to win a race in 2021 as Shane van Gisbergen’s winning streak continues. The New Zealander has now won the last six Supercars races, dating back to the Bathurst 1000 last year. DM

SUPERCARS WILL push ahead with plans to make the seasonending Gold Coast 500 a night racing event – just not this year.

It is hoped the Surfers Paradise street circuit will be floodlit as soon as next year.

Running the Gold Coast event under lights was first proposed for 2020, only to be derailed by the coronavirus crisis.

Scheduled for late October, the then Gold Coast 600 twinrace two-driver enduro was cancelled, returning this year as a pair of 250 km single-driver races in early December as the new final round.

COVID-19 spending by the Queensland government has ruled out the switch to night racing this year.

But Supercars chief operating officer Shane Howard confirmed the plan to run the GC500 under lights was still being pursued for the future.

“We want it,” he declared.

Image: Motorsport Images

“With COVID, there was a lot of funding repositioned, so it’s not on the table for this year. We’ll reinvestigate that opportunity as things improve.

“We think the Gold Coast under lights is a fantastic opportunity and the government supported that. We were reasonably well-advanced with that until COVID hit, then the government realigned its

priorities. But we’ll reinvestigate that.

“It would be very cool, but it won’t be this year, that’s for certain.”

Supercars and the state government believe installing lights around the 2.96 km Surfers Paradise street circuit will reinvigorate the longrunning event, justifying the multi-million dollar cost of

DARWIN TO HOST SUPERCARS INDIGENOUS ROUND

By MARK FOGARTY

SHANE VAN Gisbergen’s race victory on Saturday at Sandown broke a 56-year-old record at the Melbourne track. The New Zealander started the race from 17th and charged through the field taking the lead on the final lap. It was the lowest grid position anyone has started from in a Touring Car race before going on to take victory. Previously, the record was held by Norm Beechey, who had won from 14th. DM

TICKFORD RACING’S Cam Waters achieved a significant milestone in his part-time Sprint Car career recently. The former Sandown 500 race winner qualified for his first A-Main Final at Warrnambool a couple of weeks ago, as part of the Victorian Open Titles. After finishing seventh and second in the two heat races, Waters qualified 13th for the 20-car A-Main. In the final Waters made up one further position to finish 12th. DM

TRIPLE EIGHT Super2 driver Angelo Mouzouris will pair up with charismatic new team co-owner Tony Quinn in the second round of the GT World Challenge Australia series at Bathurst.

Mouzouris had hopped behind the wheel of the Aston Martin Vantage AMR in a test prior to the opening round at Phillip Island, and has now been announced as its second driver. At the Island Quinn elected to run solo, without the assistance of a co-driver. DM

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temporary lighting.

Now backed by Boost Mobile, the December 3-5 Gold Coast 500 replaces the Newcastle 500 as the season-ender. The Newcastle street race event will return next year as the first round in February or March.

The Gold Coast 500 under lights would become Supercars’ third night racing event, joining the Sydney and Perth SuperNights, scheduled for August 20-22 and September 11-12 this year.

COO Howard, who heads Supercars’ Southport office that runs events, is optimistic that December’s daytime Gold Coast 500 will be run without crowd limits.

“It’s in the first week of December, so there’s a lot of time for things to get back to normal there,” he said. “We’re looking at the Gold Coast to be back to where it was.”

Pre-COVID, the event traditionally attracted close to 200,000 over three days.

SUPERCARS WILL join the AFL and NRL with a special Indigenous Round, celebrating native Australian culture, in Darwin in June.

The Darwin Triple Crown is to be overlayed with a First Nation theme that will include Aboriginal graphics on signage, involvement of local indigenous communities and unique car liveries paying tribute to Australia’s pre-European heritage.

Supercars teams are backing the initiative, agreeing to develop special designs for the June 19-20 event.

The Merlin Darwin Triple Crown will be officially designated as the Supercars Indigenous Round, mimicking the AFL’s long running and successful annual tribute to Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders.

Darwin and the Northern Territory have the highest proportion of indigenous populations in the nation.

At Sandown last weekend, Supercars chief operating officer Shane Howard revealed the plan to honour Australia’s original inhabitants at the Darwin event.

“One of the things we are looking at with Darwin and working with the promoter there is for Darwin to become our Indigenous Round,” Howard said.

“We’re working through a number of activations and things with the promoter to do that. We think it’s a really cool thing to do, a good step.

“There’s a lot of interest. There’s certainly a lot of interest and support from our teams – and from the defence forces (which have key strategic bases in Darwin).”

Supercars’ longest serving executive, Howard runs the Gold Coast office, overseeing the events and motor sport departments.

Supercars has embraced the Indigenous Round as part of

Image: Motorsport Images

international motor sport’s move to towards inclusiveness and diversity.

It was proposed by Darwin Triple Crown promoter Northern Territory Major Events, headed by Tim Watsford.

“It’s been a fantastic success for AFL and other footy codes,” Howard said.

“Tim Watsford raised it with us and asked us if we’d consider supporting that, and, of course, we embraced that with both hands.”

Supercars teams are also keen to participate with Aboriginal art-inspired liveries.

“The teams are already on board,” Howard said. “We’re getting good feedback that they want to get behind it.

“Some teams have done it before, but we want to have a more unified approach and we think we can really do a good job of it across all levels of the sport.”

Supercars will encourage NT Aboriginal communities to participate, inviting them to the event and actively involving young aspiring indigenous drivers.

“We’d like to introduce indigenous people to the event, to our teams, to the sport and work with the community,” Howard said. “And then, obviously, bringing awareness of indigenous

people and where we can help with sport.

“We’ll have our drivers get involved, meeting with communities. We’re working through those opportunities and how they can be rolled out – I think, very similar to what AFL have done.

“Obviously, AFL have a lot of indigenous athletes. We’ve identified some indigenous kids racing karts, etc. We want to support that. Our guys are their heroes, so it’s about bringing people together.”

Supercars also wants the Racing Together program to be involved.

Launched by Australia’s FIA delegate Garry Connelly and his wife Monique, Racing Together is promoting indigenous participation in Australian motor sport.

Darwin has become of the hub of the AFL’s annual Indigenous Round, hosting the Sir Doug Nicholls ‘Dreamtime’ match between Essendon and Richmond.

Nicholls, an accomplished Fitzroy (now Brisbane Lions) Aussie Rules player, was the first Aboriginal to be knighted and was a former governor of South Australia.

The ‘Dreamtime’ game was the

brainchild of multiple AFL Grand Finalwinning Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy, first played at the MCG between the Bombers and the Richmond Tigers in 2005.

An AFL Women’s Indigenous Round is also held.

NRL has had an Indigenous All-Stars versus All-Stars game since 2010.

Darwin is the natural home of a Supercars Indigenous Round because of the city’s and Territory’s cultural ties with Aboriginal sport.

The Darwin Triple Crown at Hidden Valley Raceway is the longest established event of the Supercars era, joining in 1998.

This year’s event will feature Friday night drag racing and a round of the Australian Superbikes championship, reprising the popular ‘2+4’ combined meetings of the 1980s.

According to Howard, Darwin has become a flagship event that will be enhanced this year by the addition of ASBK and the Indigenous Round imprimatur.

“It’s just a really solid relationship,” he said. “They’re being innovative with their program and we want to support that with the Indigenous Round. It fits together well.”

AGP AGONY CONTINUES

V8 FIGURE IN HOSPITAL

By MARK FOGARTY AUSTRALIAN GRAND Prix officials are “frustrated” by the Victoria government’s reluctance to give the event spectator attendance guidelines.

AGP organisers are also waiting for an indication of quarantine requirements.

The Formula 1 Australian GP was postponed from last weekend to November 18-21 to avoid the remnants of the coronavirus pandemic.

But planning for the event has been stalled by Spring Street’s refusal to give an early indication of crowd allowances and quarantine provisions for F1 personnel.

Auto Action understands AGP officials are staggered by the lack of engagement given that the Australian Grand Prix Corporation is a Victoria government instrumentality.

The F1 AGP is funded by Daniel Andrews’ Labor administration to the tune of around $60 million a year.

The current F1 deal runs through 2023.

The AGP was postponed to November to give it the best chance of happening, assuming COVID-19 national border restrictions will be eased by then.

F1 is hoping its proven ‘bubble’ approach will be accepted by Victorian authorities.

F1 and the AGPC are proposing a fly-in, fly-out arrangement over five or six days, with F1 personnel restricted to a hotel-to-track corridor and isolation at the Albert Park circuit.

Unlike the two-week Australian Open tennis, F1 will not accept a two-week pre-event hotel quarantine.

October 24’s planned Australian Motorcycle GP at Phillip Island, also run by the AGPC, is subject to the same questions.

For planning purposes, AGPC officials are looking for

guidance on daily crowds and F1 access.

“They’re frustrated,” a high-level source said. “They’re part of the state government, but they can’t get a straight answer.

“The tennis was approved for 50,000 a day, so that should be the minimum for Albert Park. They also rightly want to know the conditions of entry into the country for F1 personnel.

“But they can’t. It’s a disgrace.”

F1 is resigned to restricted entry to Melbourne for the AGP. “It seems inconceivable we’ll be allowed to move around at will in Melbourne,” an F1 insider said. “We are bound by the protocols of the FIA and FOM, which have become even more strict this year.

“I’m expecting we will turn up and be taken straight to our hotel bubbles, and only be allowed to go to the track and back to the airport. Assuming it happens at all.

“We travel and live in heavily tested bubbles at all times, but at least that strict regime is getting us to some races.”

F1 people are relying on COVID-19 vaccinations to clear the way for the AGP. “Maybe vaccines and other aspects will change this significantly over the next few months,” the F1 source said.

Motor sport has been left behind in the ramp-up of crowds as the pandemic comes under control.

The MCG was allowed to host 50,000 – half capacity – for its first-round games, but Supercars’ Sandown SuperSprint was only allowed 7000 fans per day.

It is a nonsense that motor racing authorities need to bargain with Victoria state health authorities.

At expansive, open-air venues like Sandown and Albert Park, there is no valid health reason to restrict attendance.

Up to 100,000 a day at the AGP would not be outrageous seven months from now, just as a 15,000 cap at Sandown would not have been out of order.

Supercars, AGPC, ARG and Motorsport Australia need to lobby the federal and state governments to emphasise the importance of events to local economies.

The F1 AGP needs certainty because it is one of the top four sporting events in the country.

FOUNDING SUPERCARS senior administrator Wayne Cattach is recovering from a stroke.

Cattach was struck down last week, but, thankfully, is reportedly on the mend at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra hospital.

He was Tony Cochrane’s No.2 until his retirement and before that ran Dick Johnson Racing at its peak in the 1990s.

Cattach was famous as the level-headed lieutenant to Cochrane, calmly completing the deals his bombastic boss instigated.

He was renowned as the stabilising force in Supercars’ growth era in the early to mid-2000s.

Together, Cocho and Cattach established the foundation of Supercars’ success.

Many would argue their ‘good cop, bad cop’ combination, which secured the governmentbacked deals that remain the foundation of V8 racing, was the peak of the sport.

We wish Wayne all the best for his recovery.

MF

20

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TWO-TIME SUPERCARS champion and NASCAR Cup Series winner Marcos Ambrose has returned to the paddock this year, however he is not the only Ambrose to do so. While Ambrose is helping out his good mate and fellow Tasmanian Owen Kelly in the Trans Am Series, his daughter is working with the Garry Rogers Motorsport operation in the TCR Australia Series. DM

PORSCHE’S LATEST 992-generation 911 Cup Car will be imported into Australia in record numbers, ahead of the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia season. Interest is at an all-time high since the Carrera Cup arrived on Australia shores 17-years ago, with an initial batch of 30 992-generation GT3 Cup Cars to enter the country for drivers and teams ahead of the 2022 season. HM

THE SEVEN Network will add off road and rallying disciplines to its broadcast portfolio, confirming that highlights of the Australian Rally and Off Road Championships will be available through 7plus. Rally champion Dean Herridge joins Jessica Dane in anchoring the ARC coverage, which will include 7plus streaming and a new initiative for the 2021 season, the Power Stage. Coverage begins with highlights of the season-opening National Capital Rally, on March 26-28. HM

THREE WELL-KNOWN Supercars identities have got involved with the Australian Indigenous motor racing team. Triple Eight Race Engineering managing director Roland Dane, Dick Johnson Racing chairman Ryan Story and former Bathurst winner Paul Morris have been appointed directors of the program Racing Together, joining existing directors Ian Gillespie AM, and Monique and Garry Connelly AM. The team will enter a car in the Queensland Hyundai Excel Series this year.

DM YOU CAN get your name or logo on a racing car at this year’s Bathurst 6 Hour for breast cancer research. Brothers Ben and Michael Kavich will compete in a pink liveried Race for a Cure machine. All those who donate will go into the draw to win advertising space valued at $3000. This space can be used to promote a business or of a loved one who has experienced breast cancer. DM

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Image: Motorsport Images

BRAKING THE BARRIER ONCE AGAIN Mark Winterbottom and Team 18 ran up the front of the field in the Sandown Supersprint, and the former Bathurst 1000 winner pinpointed braking performance as the major improvement the team had made during the off season.

‘Frosty’ had a challenging year with Team 18 in 2020, his results not quite as strong as those of his teammate Scott Pye, who bagged three podium finishes.

In dry conditions at Sandown on Saturday, Winterbottom was one of the fastest drivers in the opening stint, going on the offensive against the likes of the Triple Eight Race Engineering and Tickford Racing teams.

Winterbottom explained that the boost in speed has come from confidence under brakes.

“The braking is really good now,” he explained to Auto Action.

“When we rolled out (at Sandown) the

braking performance was really, really confidence inspiring.

“If you can stop the car well then you have the chance of attacking the corner.

At Bathurst we were a step behind the top three, whereas here (at Sandown) I felt like we could match those guys on pace, which is cool.”

Winterbottom also explained that the next step is getting stronger around the fast-flowing circuits such as The Bend Motorsport Park or even Bathurst.

“Tassie, the car is really going to suit,” he feels.

“When we go to places like Phillip Island, which we won’t this year, but that sort of track, that is where we need to revisit where we are at.

“Point and squirt is good and long, and flowing is not too bad, but needs to be better.

“Bathurst we were okay, but we didn’t

have the ability to run top two and top three there.

“When we go back to Bathurst (in October) then we can gauge of how far we have improved. It wasn’t 100 per cent at Bathurst, it was good but not like our competitiveness here.

“I think we are really trucking on well.

Engineering group is amazing, it’s probably the most unified group at the moment, really working well.”

The 2015 Supercars champion and 2013 Bathurst 1000 winner explained to AA that he feels the squad has now proved it can deliver results week in and week out.

“We are not just one-offs,” he said. “We seem to be popping up (a lot). I feel good, I feel like the car is doing what I want it to do.

“It is a good time to race for Charlie (Schwerkolt team owner), we just need to get some trophies. It’s cruel, but it’ll make us work harder.” Dan McCarthy

A WHIRLWIND START BLANCHARD RACING Team’s Supercars debut as its own entity has faced many challenges, even if it has just completed its second round.

The small team were burning the midnight oil preparing its spare Ford Mustang for Sandown, after a weekend ending crash at Bathurst during the opening race.

“The guys have literally not stopped working since the end of last year and with what happened at Bathurst, they’ve worked day and night,” said driver Tim Slade.

“And that’s everyone, it’s not like Brendan (Hogan, team manager) and Mirko (De Rosa, engineer), sit in the office on their computers and do engineering stuff. They’ve been there with everyone else with the car, sub-assembly and whatever else, it’s just been non-stop.”

Although the Mustang’s preparation was not ideal, the team’s frantic start to the season has taking its toll, so leaving Sandown with straight panels will help alleviate this situation.

“The car preparation was perfect for this weekend, but when you’ve got the guys working on the car and missing out on some of their preparation for the weekend, it’s always going to be a little bit hard from that point of view, and lack of sleep or whatever else,” Slade explained.

“We’ve got a straight car and some of the guys can get some rest (now), so we can come out firing in Tassie.”

Image: Motorsport Images

Weather played havoc with Slade’s weekend as he struggled with set-up and tyre pressures, plus a change made on Saturday morning further hampered progress.

“A change that was made to the car for qualifying was actually the opposite of what it should have been, so we didn’t find that out until Sunday morning,” Slade explained.

“We were scratching our heads a little bit on Saturday as to why the car wasn’t really reacting to anything, nothing really made sense.

“It was disappointing that it hurt our qualifying and therefore you’re back there in the race.”

An early call to pit proved beneficial in Race 2, but the final event of the weekend left Slade with mixed feelings.

“We were pretty average in the wet,” admitted Slade. “We made the most of strategy being in Race 2 to be the first ones to stop for slicks and then we gained a lot from that.

“Then in that (last) race, we were horrendous in the wet. Obviously, it was all wet, but we were horrendous at the start and we dropped back to last.

“When we put our second set on, there was a bit of a change and I think we went 3s a lap quicker on that set of tyres.

“In one sense it was disappointing, but I’m still happy we’ve learnt from that and moving forward in the wet, so I think we set the third fastest time even though we finished 17th.”

Slade remains confident the team can replicate the pace it demonstrated at Bathurst, at Symmons Plains for Round 3 as he remains in the team’s spare Mustang.

“It’s all good,” Slade summarised.

“We’ve learnt, I’m still super happy and positive. I know it’s no different to Bathurst we’ve got everything needed to get good results.” DM

Image: Insyde Media Image: Insyde Media

S5000 CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPIONSHIP CHANGER CHANGER S5000 should change their approach a should little bit,change puttingtheir moreapproach time intoa little bit, putting more time into being positive than negative. being positive than negative.

“But also, the media “But also, the media companies, which don’t really companies, which don’t really police the comments as high as police the comments as high as they probably should, as well. they probably should, as well.

“Everyone needs to learn to “Everyone needs to learn to protect each other a bit more. protect each other a bit more.

“I just felt like I would speak “I just felt like I would speak up and say something. I was up and say something. I was pretty overwhelmed by the pretty overwhelmed by the support from it and I think the support from it and I think the world just needs to change a world just needs to change a little bit. little bit.

“We’re going down a “We’re going down a dangerous route where dangerous route where young kids are coming into a young kids are coming into a pretty scary time with a lot of pretty scary time with a lot of negativity and hatred. negativity and hatred.

“I’d be be scared scared to to go go to to school school “I’d now, compared to back when now, compared to back when II went to to school.” school.” went The subject was back back on on The subject was the radar after last weekend’s the radar after last weekend’s racing, when when Steve Steve Johnson Johnson racing, and Scott McLaughlin defended and Scott McLaughlin defended Dick Johnson Racing’s new Dick Johnson Racing’s new driver roster against fan driver roster against fan comments. comments.

Chaz’s message message isis clear, clear, don’t don’t Chaz’s bully online and respect others bully online and respect others whether on-track on-track or or off off it.it. whether We’re all passionate after We’re all passionate after all, but that shouldn’t turn into all, but that shouldn’t turn into personal attacks, threats or personal attacks, threats or anything of of the the same same ilk. ilk. anything Heath McAlpine Heath McAlpine

THE WARM-UP THE LAPWARM-UP INCIDENT LAP INCIDENT

THE START of the opening S5000 THE of the opening raceSTART at Sandown certainlyS5000 caused race at Sandown certainly caused controversy and may even have controversy and may even have championship implications come championship implications come season’s end. season’s end.

As the cars completed the out lap to As the cars completed the out lap to the grid, as well as receiving the green the grid, as well as receiving the green flag, drivers were also shown the five flag, drivers were also shown the five second board, as the start sequence second board, as the start sequence lights began. lights began.

Seconds later, Joey Mawson spun at Seconds later, Joey Mawson spun at Turn 2 and Tom Randle crashed out, Turn 2 and Tom Randle crashed out, after sustaining damage as the race after sustaining damage as the race was red flagged. was red flagged.

“It looks like there was just a human “It looks like there was just a human error with the starter,” S5000 category error with the starter,” S5000 category manager Chris Lambden told Auto manager Chris Lambden told Auto Action.

Action.

“Instead of just waving the green flag “Instead of just waving the green flag for the parade lap, the lights went out for the parade lap, the lights went out well. asaswell.

“There wasa bit a bitofofconfusion, confusion,half halfofof “There was the guys thought there was a race and the guys thought there was a race and half didn’t for the first corner or so.

Just half didn’t for the first corner or so. Just a fairly unfortunate mistake, life is like a fairly unfortunate mistake, life is like thatsometimes, sometimes,weweareareallallhuman.” human.” that The race was completely restarted The race was completely restarted meaning that technically Randle meaning that technically Randle crashedononthethewarm-up warm-uplap, lap,while whilepole pole crashed sitter Mawson was told incorrectly that sitter Mawson was told incorrectly that hadtotostart startatatthetheback backofofthethegrid, grid, hehehad following a move from wets to slicks following a move from wets to slicks underredredflag flagconditions. conditions. under With Randle out,thethestart startlinelineincident incident With Randle out, may well have changed the complexion may well have changed the complexion inauguralS5000 S5000Championship.

Championship. ofofthetheinaugural But by how much, we will neverknow. know.

But by how much, we will never DM DM

.

CHAZ MOSTERT has launched MOSTERT has launched aCHAZ #stopsocialhate movement a #stopsocialhate movement aimed at making social media a aimed at making social media a more respectful place. more respectful place.

Mostert posted a pink square Mostert posted a pink square on his social media platforms on his social media platforms to highlight the new initiative, to highlight the new initiative, which was subsequently which was subsequently supported by multiple teams supported by multiple teams and drivers within the Supercars and drivers within the Supercars sphere. sphere.

The pink logo also adorned the The pink logo also adorned the bonnet of Mostert’s Melbourne bonnet of Mostert’s Melbourne Performance Centre Audi RS3 Performance Centre Audi RS3 LMS TCR at Phillip Island and LMS TCR at Phillip Island and stickers were placed on his stickers were placed on his Walkinshaw Andretti United Walkinshaw Andretti United Holden Commodore during last Holden Commodore during last weekend’s Supercars round at weekend’s Supercars round at Sandown.

Sandown.

Mostert explained the the Mostert explained reasoning behind his reasoning behind his #stopsocialhate campaign. #stopsocialhate campaign.

“I’m over seeing lot of of social social “I’m over seeing aa lot hate,” Mostert told Auto Action. hate,” Mostert told Auto Action.

“I have aa lot lot of of friends, friends, “I have colleagues and others, who colleagues and others, who are really good people, and are really good people, and they put in time and effort to they put in time and effort to talk about our race weekends, talk about our race weekends, whether they are are good, good, bad bad or or whether they whatever, we all deserve a level whatever, we all deserve a level of respect. of respect.

“People in our our industry industry have have “People in families and kids that read families and kids that read stuff online, so so it’s it’s not not about about stuff online, just trying to tell the keyboard just trying to tell the keyboard warriors it’s not not okay okay and and they they warriors it’s

double points again, so I think the double again, so I think the to be whole points weekend at SMP is going whole weekend at SMP is going be about setting yourself up for thattomain about setting yourself up for that main race.” race.”

Reigning Super2 Series winner Reigning Super2 Series winner Randle had an incredibly difficult Randle had an incredibly difficult weekend. A retirement in race 1 due to weekend. A retirement in race 1 due to crashing ‘on the warm-up lap’ (more crashing ‘on the warm-up lap’ (more on that at right), plus a spin at Turn on that at right), plus a spin at Turn 2 in Race 2, and at Turn 1 in the final 2 in Race 2, and at Turn 1 in the final encounter. encounter.

“The only positives were my “The only positives were my overtakes this weekend,” Randle said overtakes this weekend,” Randle said to AA. to AA. “I think the points gap is 50 points or “I think the points gap is 50 points or something, it’s going to have to not be something, it’s going to have to not be a good one at Sydney (for Mawson). a good one at Sydney (for Mawson).

“I’m going to have to have an “I’m going to have to have an excellent one. Anything is possible in excellent one. Anything is possible in motors port as we all know, nothing to motors port as we all know, nothing to lose now, we’ll just go there with our lose now, we’ll just go there with our heads held high and guns blazing.” heads held high and guns blazing.”

Like Randle, Macrow was involved in Like Randle, Macrow was involved in an openinglap lapincident incidentininthe thesecond second an opening race but was unable to recover well. race but was unable to recover asaswell.

Garry Rogers Motorsport’s Nathan Garry Rogers Motorsport’s Nathan Hernewas wasdealt dealta apenalty penaltyforforturning turning Herne around Macrow, but the two-time Gold around Macrow, but the two-time Gold Star champ does not feel the penalty Star champ does not feel the penalty fitsthe thecrime. crime. fits “This weekenddidn’t didn’treally reallypan panout. out.

“This weekend Getting turned in Race 2 really hurt, Getting turned in Race 2 really hurt, wewe hadaareally reallygood goodshot shottotowin winthat thatrace, race, had our pace wasn’t terrible,” Macrow our pace wasn’t terrible,” Macrow toldAA. AA. told “A 10spenalty penaltyshould shouldhave havebeen been “A 10s awarded because I lost multiple awarded because I lost multiple positions. positions.

“Weare arestill stillininwith witha ashot, shot,wewehave have “We just got to have a ripper final round, just got to have a ripper final round, Maxattack attackatatSMP SMP DM Max .”.”DM

.

CHAZ: STOP STOP THE THE HATE HATE CHAZ:

AFTER TWO back-to-back weekends AFTER TWO back-to-back of S5000 Gold Star action,weekends former ofGP3 S5000 Gold Star Series podiumaction, finisherformer Joey GP3 Seriesnow podium Joey Mawson holdsfinisher a commanding Mawson now commanding lead in the titleholds race aheading into the lead in the title race heading into the final round in Sydney. final round in Sydney.

Mawson came into the penultimate Mawson came into the penultimate round at Sandown Raceway third round at Sandown Raceway third in the championship and with an in the championship and with an 11-point deficit to leader Thomas 11-point deficit to leader Thomas Randle.

Randle.

All three title contenders, which All three title contenders, which included Tim Macrow, were included Tim Macrow, were caught up in incidents at Turn 2 caught up in incidents at Turn 2 over the weekend, nevertheless over the weekend, nevertheless Mawson limited the damage best Mawson limited the damage best and now holds a nice buffer in the and now holds a nice buffer in the championship over his rivals. championship over his rivals.

“We started the day off with a “We started the day off with a setback (a spin at Turn 2) and we setback (a spin at Turn 2) and we bounced back from that,” Mawson bounced back from that,” Mawson explained to Auto Action. explained to Auto Action.

“We made a real good recovery in “We made a real good recovery in the reversegrid gridand andset setme meoff offpole polefor for the reverse the last race.” the last race.”

Mawsonwent wentonto ontodominate dominatethe the Mawson double points Feature race, while both double points Feature race, while both his title rivals languished outside of the his title rivals languished outside of the top five. top five.

“Thankfullythat thatmain mainrace raceisisthe the “Thankfully one that really counts,” he said.

“It’s one that really counts,” he said. “It’s a dream scenario to go into Sydney a dream scenario to go into Sydney beingininthe thechampionship championshiplead, lead,but but being then again I was always focusing then again I was always focusing onon eachrace, race,by bymaximising maximisingevery everyrace race each and letting the championship take care and letting the championship take care of itself. of itself.

“AtSydney SydneyMotorsport MotorsportPark ParkI’m I’mjust just “At hoping to maximise the speed and hoping to maximise the speed and maximiseeach eachrace, race,that thatisisobviously obviously maximise going to be crucial because going to be crucial because ititisis

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THE TEAM Dynamics British Touring Car operation will go through a significant change this season. Team Dynamics has run Hondas since 2004, and from 2010 has been the factory manufacturer team. However, in the lead up to the 2021 season, the Japanese brand has with ‘significant regret’ pulled the pin. The drivers will also not return, BTCC front-runner Dan Cammish nor team coowner and veteran Matt Neal. In their place is returning three-time champion Gordan Shedden and Daniel Rowbottom. DM

AFTER 23 years Sebastien Loeb and his co-driver Daniel Elena have gone their separate ways. Elena took a call from Loeb last week and was told that he would no longer be requiring his services as a codriver. It is reported that Loeb was asked by Prodrive, the team with which he races in the legendary Dakar Rally, to take on a new co-driver. Together the pair won nine World Rally Championships, 79 WRC victories and 119 podiums. DM

BIG NAMES continue to join the entry list for the inaugural TCR New Zealand event. The first-ever round, at Highlands Motorsport Park, will also be the only round of the inaugural series. Along with World Rally Championship round winner Hayden Paddon there are many other famous names who will compete. Four-time Bathurst 1000 winner Greg Murphy will pilot an Audi RS3 LMS as a teammate to Chris van der Drift, while Paul Radisich will make a surprise Touring Car return in a Golf GTi. DM

TEETHING PROBLEMS FOR NEW GROVE PORSCHE GT3-R BRENTON GROVE and his father Stephen debuted a brand-new 2021 Porsche 911 GT3-R in the opening round of the rebranded GT World Challenge Australia series at Phillip Island.

The Porsche is the first of its kind to be raced in the country and is run by the Grove’s own motor sport operation.

The Porsche was fast and competitive at Phillip Island but did suffer a couple of teething troubles.

The most notable and obvious of those was when the Porsche came to a halt on the approach to pit lane, in the opening race of the weekend.

Former Super2 driver Brenton Grove explained what happened.

“It was a perfect storm,” he told Auto Action.

“The car has an electronic clutch but the driver is in control of the car at all times.

“However, the car went into anti-stall and for us to re-engage the clutch and drive away again, we had to make sure all the parameters in the clutch were right, and this was a problem we hadn’t had before.

“We had to turn the car off, turn it back on again, and try and get it in the right window. When we did that, we were able to keep going, but obviously we lost a lot of time and held some other people up.

“We definitely know what the problem is, and we have put systems in to fix it, but it is a new car and the electronic clutch has a lot of different parameters that need to be met to work.”

The #4 Porsche has been entered in the outright Pro-Am class and while his father Stephen is one of the fastest

Am drivers, Brenton finds himself sharing the track with pros such as Garth Tander and Chaz Mostert.

He knows he needs to find more from the car and himself to be able to match those Audi RS8 LMS drivers.

“Definitely Steve felt really comfortable in the car and I think he was quite quick,” he said.

“I felt comfortable in the car and I think the guys that are at the front are quite a good yard stick (for me).

“Now I have to be uncomfortable to start to bridge that gap and get a bit closer to some of those front guys who are winning races in Supercars.

“I think the team did a good job and I don’t think there was much more we could do better, but it is now just familiarisation and getting used to everything.” Dan McCarthy

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HERNE BOUNCES BACK TIN TOP ace Nathan Herne has adjusted quickly to racing S5000 and at Sandown, a week after his spectacular Phillip Island shunt, scored his best round result to date.

Just five days before the penultimate S5000 event, Herne was in hospital following a frightening crash at The Island.

After riding up over the back of Thomas Randle’s S5000 machine at the start of the final race, Herne came crashing back to earth. The New South Welshman was winded but uninjured but still sent to Dandenong Hospital for precautionary checks.

It wasn’t until the opening day of the Sandown race meeting that Herne was given the all clear to race by Supercars Championship medical delegate Dr Carl Le. Herne rebounded from the S5000 incident with three mature races in wet conditions at Sandown to finish second twice and fourth in the final race.

However like all racing drivers, the young charger admitted he wanted more as he didn’t have to also juggle his usual Trans Am duties.

“This weekend I did set my expectations up really high trying to get a win, my first ever win and that was my goal for the weekend, and I didn’t achieve that,” Herne told Auto Action.

“Still, (it was) a very strong weekend so I have to have that away and come back in Sydney and try and move that goal there.

“It’s still good enough to give ourselves a

pat on the back, but the race car driver side of me wants to win every race.”

Currently Herne leads the Trans Am Series and was asked by AA if he feels that either series has been affected by doing double duty.

“It’s got to do something to me,” he said.

“I don’t know if it has hindered or helped, a gain or a loss, to be honest. I haven’t been able to focus 100 per cent of my time on S5000.

“It was a bit of a shame this weekend, it was so condensed, and I lost a lot of time to do data and setup and everything like that.

“In S5000, I have probably done better than what I hoped. Once I heard Jimmy (James Golding), Joey (Mawson) and Tom (Randle) were racing this season, I knew I was in for a hard one.”

Herne explained that he has every intention of returning to the series next year and winning the S5000 Championship with Garry Rogers Motorsport.

“The goal is to come back next season with GRM if something is available and go for the championship with them,” Herne said.

“I haven’t got anything I want to change, I’m happy doing both categories. It is something different, it is something not many drivers do and it’s definitely not something many people can do well.

“I feel like it is the best spot for me in my career, it opens my book up to not only openwheelers but Tin Tops as well, trying to prove that I am a diverse driver.” Dan McCarthy

TCR HONDAS BACK ON THE PACE FROM STRAGGLERS to the podium. That best describes Honda’s transformation between TCR Australia’s opening round at Symmons Plains and its latest round at Phillip Island.

The first event was a frustrating affair for Honda as all four entries struggled at the back of the field. It had been envisaged that the Civic Type R TCR would struggle at the power circuit, but not to the extent it did.

Hopes were high for Phillip Island but tyre wear was identified as a problem after three failed during the Australian Racing Group media day in January, so work was carried out

by Wall Racing in conjunction with developer JAS Motorsport to solve the problem.

John Martin finished fourth in the treacherous Race 1 at Phillip Island before improving to third in the next. This was followed by second for Tony D’Alberto in the final race behind Jason Bargwanna, resulting in both Honda drivers topping the weekend.

“All that credit goes to the boys,” Martin told Auto Action.

“They worked from the time we did the test day and knew we were coming back here, on how we were going to survive.

“It really wasn’t about pace this weekend for us, which was a bonus, but 100 per cent we were trying to survive.

“It all comes down to the boys. I know that they were up late at night talking to JAS Motorsport in Italy, backwards and forwards with them about what they could do. All that credit is down to them.”

The rebound performance of the Hondas was a relief after a forgettable Tasmania.

“We knew Symmons Plains was going to be a bad track for us because we do lack power and Phillip Island does suit

it better, which it has, but we shouldn’t have been as bad at Symmons,” Martin explained.

“We couldn’t even fight; we weren’t even in the mix. We thought if we could get into the 10 at Symmons that’d be good, but we weren’t even near it.”

A compromise between ultimate pace and tyre conservation was made, which although annoying provided a strong result at weekend’s end.

“It was frustrating at times because we couldn’t use our car how we know we can in qualifying, because even in that short stint you hurt the tyre,” Martin reflected.

“Frustrating, but when you come to the end of the weekend, to have cars with four tyres and air still in them, then it’s a win-win.

“It was tough going into qualifying and I’d done no short runs. When it went green, I stayed out there until the chequered flag came out in both practice sessions, just to see if we could do the distance with the amount of changes that we’d made.”

Despite the limitations presented to Wall Racing by the TCR regulations, wholesale changes were made.

“It was massive,” Martin emphasised. “Like rollcentres, springs, bars, suspension geometry as much as we could, obviously we’re locked in with a lot of that stuff just because that’s how they are.”

Although Honda was back on the pace at Phillip Island, Martin realises this needs to be backed up for the rest of the season.

“We needed this, we need more of these weekends and we can be right back in it,” he concluded.

Heath McAlpine

FREEDOM FOUR HOUR ENDURO June 18 -19 2021

An easy to compete four-hour endurance race that is open for Improved Production and production cars including Porsche 944, BMW E30, Hyundai Excels and invited cars.

All racing for 4 hours at the historic Winton Raceway.

This event has been developed to bring fun back to racing and will be a competitor friendly event. With no other classes competing the focus is on delivering the maximum amount of on-track time and great fun for competitors.

Sanctioned by Motorsport Australia, with regulations that make it easy to compete.

O Shootout qualifying for all entries O 2 Drivers/1 Car O 5 Minute refuelling pit stops – with easy fuelling regulations, no need for overhead fuelling rig.

O Friday over 3hrs of timed practice O Saturday shootout & race O $1650 entry fee includes, garage, practice & race

This is an event you won’t want to miss!

Need more information, contact us at events@raceworkspromotions.com.au To register your interest in the Freedom 4Hr Enduro at Winton, visit

www.raceworkspromotions.com.au

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YOUNGSTER HUGH Barter has completed two days of testing ahead of his debut season in the French F4 Championship. The Aussie suffered a couple of gearbox issues, but was pleased with what he felt was a constructive day. The Le Mans resident drove his F4 machine at Ledenon, the venue which will host the fourth round of the series. The opening round will take place at Circuit Paul Armagnac from April 4-5. DM

PETER VODANOVICH has joined the Road to Indy and will head off to the USA this month for his maiden campaign in USF2000. The New Zealander impressed, bagging three podiums in the 2021 Toyota Racing Series.

Despite limited open-wheel experience Vodanovich joins Jay Howard Racing. Along with Billy Frazer and Spike Kohlbecker, Vodanovich will be the third graduate of TRS confirmed for USF2000 this season. DM

CHRISTIAN MANSELL has completed several successful tests in his British Formula 3 Championship machine. The Australian finished seventh in the British Formula 4 Championship last year and dominated the Rookie Cup. This impressive performance has seen the Carlin racer move up to F3 with the British operation. DM

LIKE CHRISTIAN Mansell, Bart Horsten will be completing in the British Formula 3 Championship this year. It was a tough initiation into the series last year for the Australian, who finished 10th in the series with the Lanan Racing squad. This season Horsten switches to the front running Hitech Motorsport squad, the team that assisted Kush Maini to second in the championship last year. In recent weeks Horsten has tested at Silverstone and Oulton Park. DM

LAST WEEKEND Aussie Jake Parsons started the 2021 season in Japan with a secondplace finish in the Super Endurance (Taikyu) Series, driving a Mercedes AMG machine for 5ZIGEN a well-known local squad. In recent years Parsons has raced regularly in Japan in categories such as SuperGT 500. DM

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PRIVATEERS IMPRESS

AS WALL Racing returned to form with its pair of Honda Civic Type R TCRs, the two privateer examples driven by Michael Clemente and Zac Soutar also demonstrated the model’s pace at Phillip Island.

It followed a lacklustre run of results at Symmons Plains, where the Honda’s Balance of Performance hindered its performance.

However, Phillip Island provided a welcome rebound highlighted by Clemente’s pace in the final race of the weekend, as he was the fastest Honda in the field and finished fifth behind the two Wall Racing Civic Type R TCRs. “I had a good start in that final race, I had a really good battle with Aaron Cameron and when I got past him, it was the two Wall Racing Hondas ahead so I caught them. But

I was sucking in all the hot air, so I couldn’t make much out of it,” Clemente explained.

“I was hoping for a mistake from one of them but it didn’t come. That’s what you get when you race two talented drivers. It’s just good to mix it with these big names.”

Clemente struggled during the early part of the weekend, but a review of his data enabled a reassessment of his set-up, which worked perfectly when racing began.

“We flipped the set-up the other way around to make it a bit loose, really taily, which was scary to drive at first, but was fun at the end because it was like a drift car out sideways,” he said.

“It lets a lot of stress off the front tyres and you’re quicker.”

An off for Soutar in the final race halted a

strong run for the weekend, but the Formula Ford graduate left Phillip Island with enhanced confidence.

“It’s great to grab two top 10 finishes and have some really consistent pace to be right in the mix with the frontrunners,” he said.

“Although our one lap speed wasn’t the best, it certainly showed through in the final two races that our tyres hung on and we were able to have good strong pace at the end.”

Clemente believes the Hondas will continue the competitive form demonstrated at Phillip island, at Bathurst.

“I think the Hondas will be good there, I think it will suit the chassis,” Clemente said.

“It (also) might be hard for me as I have only been there once in an Excel.”

Heath McAlpine

HMO INVESTIGATE LIMP MODE MALADY HMO CUSTOMER Racing’s Phillip Island campaign may have ended on a high note, as Nathan Morcom scored the team’s first podium this season.

But investigations are under way to fix a fault encountered during the opening race. Both HMO Customer Racing Hyundai i30N TCRs, plus the Tilton Racing privateer entry, had the same malady during the wet opening TCR Australia race.

The reigning series-winning team’s two entries driven by Morcom and rookie Josh Buchan went into limp mode a number of times, a problem not encountered before or during the next day when the weather cleared.

“It was going into limp mode in the rain,” Morcom told Auto Action.

“We’ve got some diagnostics to look at between this round and Bathurst to hopefully nut out 100 per cent what the issue is.”

Tilton Racing replaced an engine ahead of Saturday’s schedule and still experienced the same fault as Brad Shiels finished 18th, one place ahead of Morcom.

An investigation is underway through Morcom, who is facilitating with Hyundai Motorsport located in Alzenau, Germany, in the hope of finding a solution to the problem.

“We’ll talk to Germany over where they

manufacture (the i30N TCR) to make sure they can help us to fix the problem, but it’s just hard working with time zones, which is a bit of a shame,” lamented Morcom.

“That was the first real wet, torrential race we’ve done; we did do practice in 2019, but that was practice and no one was around.

“That’s what we’ve got to work with, so hopefully we can sort it out for the next race in the rain, because in the dry it doesn’t miss a beat.”

Morcom scythed his way from 10th on the grid to place third in the final race of the weekend, while Buchan did likewise to finish ninth from 19th, after retiring from Race 2 as a result of a collision with Jordan Cox.

“In the race, it definitely has pace from about lap three or four, all the way until the end,” Morcom explained.

Although Hyundai has released an upgrade kit, it won’t feature on the HMO Customer Racing i30N TCRs any time soon, due to its minimal advantage compared to the current specification run by the team now.

“The upgrade kit is just the front bar,” Morcom explained. “It’s headlights to suit the new road car, which is awesome, but we still have parts from the old version. It’d be good to keep it parallel, but it all costs money.

“We’re not going to gain anything down the front straight.” Heath McAlpine

AUTO ACTION WINS ON THE TRACK

WHO WOULD have thought the Auto Action office was brimmed with such talent?

Readers will know Auto Action publisher Bruce Williams and his blue Holden Torana SL/R 5000 is a regular competitor in Touring Car Masters, however it will now be staff journalist Dan McCarthy putting his hand up for enduro drive after his performance in the Phillip Island ProJo event.

Conducted at the Phillip Island Visitor Centre kart track and organised by the Australian Racing Group, the inaugural ProJo paired professional drivers with journalists in a 25-lap event around the kart track, a replica of the famous island circuit.

McCarthy was paired with TCR Australia frontrunner Jordan Cox and surprised plenty of people by being as quick as the pros!

Starting from pole, the pairing dominated the event,

with McCarthy taking the second stint where professional drivers in the field included seven-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup, reigning Bathurst winner Garth Tander, Kelly Grove Racing’s David Reynolds, Supercars race winner Michael Caruso, and leading enduro co-driver Tony D’Alberto.

McCarthy was very surprised by the success, and is now re-evaluating his career behind the keyboard.

We asked him how he thought be would go.

“Not as well as I did, that’s for sure,” said McCarthy “I’m available for the TCR 500 at the end of the year, if anyone is looking for a co-driver?”

“I’d like to thank the Australian Racing Group and the Phillip Island Visitor Centre for the opportunity!”

Teammate Cox was delighted by the success.

“Dan’s a good driver, he’s a good bloke, and we had fun,” he said.

“He beat all the superstars, which was good!”

Auto Action’s other entrants didn’t fair as well, with the Heath McAlpine/Ben Bargwanna entry finishing fifth and Rys Vandersyde/Nathan Herne placing seventh. HM

th Luke West iith wit

AUDI UPGRADES TO COME AFTER A dominant display at Phillip Island, the two Melbourne Performance Centre Audi RS3 LMS TCRs will receive upgrades ahead of the next round at Bathurst.

Chaz Mostert and Luke King sit 1-2 in the TCR Australia Series after a successful second round, where the Supercars star took two wins ahead of his teammate, just narrowly missing out on taking a clean-sweep due to a tyre failure.

New upgrades include a front air dam, guards and extra brake ducts.

“It’s a homologated upgrade, which Audi has recommended we run,” King told Auto Action.

“Those cars don’t have absolutely every upgrade from Audi, so MPC pick and choose what it wants to put together, and obviously it’s a pretty competitive package.

“Brakes are always a very important part, so if we can improve on that aspect of the car – we struggled with that in Tassie. I don’t think we’ll struggle nearly as much as we did in Tassie, Bathurst is a big brake circuit as well.

“We’ve got a bit to work on and I am hoping we can do a test day prior to Bathurst.”

King followed up his impressive debut in Tasmania with

an equally strong performance at Phillip Island, leaving with two seconds and sits just behind Mostert in the series standings.

The Toyota 86 Race Series graduate believes a win went begging after spinning on the opening lap at Southern Loop, in the final race of the weekend “I think it’s just learning,” King summarised. “We don’t know a lot of stuff, I don’t have the experience in the car and I don’t have the seat time at the moment, so I think this experience will galvanise the team together.

“You go through ups and downs. There’s a lot of ifs and buts, but I think we definitely would have won that race.

“Fastest lap, we threw everything at it, we put greens (tyres) on the rear, which may or may not have been why we were more vulnerable on that opening lap.”

Combined with the upgrades arriving and his growing experience in the Audi, King is confident a win is not too far away.

“I think the monkey is off the back in terms of a podium,” King said.

“I think we’ve also made a lot of people take notice.”

Heath McAlpine

VAN GISBERGEN HEADLINES 6 HOUR

UNDEFEATED IN Supercars, Shane van Gisbergen is aiming to continue this run in both the Bathurst 6 Hour and GT World Challenge Australia, as he completes double duty during Easter at Mount Panorama.

Teaming with experienced racers Shane Smollen and Rob Rubis in a Beric Lynton-prepared BMW M4, van Gisbergen is aiming to become just the second driver to achieve Bathurst’s ‘Triple Crown’ consisting of the 1000, 12 Hour and 6 Hour at the famous Mt Panorama circuit.

Paul Morris is currently the only driver to win all three Bathurst events. van Gisbergen’s entry forms a three-car team from reigning Bathurst 6 Hour winner Lynton, while the BMW marque remains undefeated in the event since its inception in 2016.

“It’s really exciting to have Shane on board with Rob and I for this year’s Bathurst 6 Hour,” Smollen said.

“Shane and I knew each other from previous races, including in Carrera Cup, and he was really keen to be part of it – plus he was going to be at the event in the GT car anyway. It all fitted really nicely.

“It’s been built to a very high standard by Beric Lynton’s team and is basically a sister car to the one that won in

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2019. They know how to build a robust and fast car and there’s no reason to think this one will be anything different.”

Fellow Supercars driver Tim Slade will also make his debut in the event, teaming with Queenslander Brad Carr in a BMW M3.

“It’s going to be great to line up with Bradley and the team and have a crack at the Bathurst 6 Hour,” Slade said.

“It’s obviously something quite different from the Supercar or even the GT3 car, but any time you get laps at Mount Panorama is a bonus. It is always an interesting challenge with more than 60 cars on the grid, lapped traffic and the strategy within our class as well.

“Brad has put together a really good team and the BMWs have been proven in the 6 Hour time and time again. I’ve really enjoyed working with the team and the car so far, and I think we’re going to be in really good shape for when we get to Easter this year.”

TCR Australia supports the Bathurst 6 Hour where series leader Chaz Mostert and Garth Tander will go toe-to-toe in Audi RS3 LMS TCRs at The Mountain has attracted extra entries.

More than 150 drivers will take part in the race, turn to page page 30 for the official Bathurst 6 Hour program. HM

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Two weekends. Two classic Victorian circuits. Two entertaining shows. Lots of talking points.

IF THE motor racing action dished up in Victoria over consecutive weekends, March 13-14 and 20-21, didn’t float your boat, I fear nothing will.

First up, the variety of categories at Phillip Island’s Australian Racing Group meeting made for superb viewing, with TCR, S5000, GT3 and TA2 all putting on a stellar show at the seaside circuit.

While it was Chaz Mostert who dominated the hot hatch category – winning the meeting’s opening pair of races – it was two other drivers who caught my eye.

Veteran Jason Bargwanna’s race three win, in a Peugeot no less, added some feelgood factor. The only thing missing was Bargs’ famous catchphrase, ‘How good’s this?’ The likeable and ever-enthusiastic Bargs is nothing if not resilient.

He has overcome plenty of adversity and on-track heartbreak to achieve some impressive things, most notable his 2000 Bathurst victory. And now he has son Ben along for the rollercoaster ride. It’s fantastic that one of the great characters is back winning.

Meantime, it was Luke King in a car sponsored by Chinese liquor brand Moutai that also impressed with his ability to mix it with the vastly experienced Mostert on a wet track.

TCR is doing a great job of giving youngsters, like the Central Coast lad, time in the spotlight.

So too S5000. The arrival of the big V8-powered open-wheelers is the best thing to happen to the sport in … well, ever. I know I sound like a teenage fanboy, but I can’t understate how much I am enjoying these new classes. They are just so … refreshing.

If there’s one thing S5000 and TCR need to overcome, it is the problem of having so few racing laps when the safety car is required. Sunday’s sole S5000 race on the island had just nine minutes of green running. Each of these minutes were fabulous, but hardly long enough to satisfy anyone who trekked down from Melbourne for the day to see these cars.

S5000, after a difficult gestation, is really finding its feet, enabling many youngsters to show their wares.

A case in point at Phillip Island was 17-year-old Maccas drive-thru worker Cooper Webster’s starring drive in wettest of the three sprints.

S5000 then carried over for a one-off appearance on the Supercars undercard at Sandown, with more wild and woolly racing. There another teenager, New Zealander Kaleb Ngatoa, announced his arrival with a win, before Joey Mawson took his second consecutive trophy race. Not only does Mawson have tinware bearing the names of Alfie Costanzo (Phillip Island) and John Bowe (Sandown), he has the Australian Driver’s Championship lead heading into May’s Sydney finale.

The ADR has tossed up six different winners from nine races: Mawson (3 wins), Tim Macrow (2), Webster, Ngatoa, James Golding and Thomas Randle (1 apiece), the latter being S5000’s early pacesetter and opening round trophy race winner.

The point to all this? How wonderful it is to see new names and faces mix it with the stars.

Thankfully Brodie Kostecki was able to continue the theme in Supercars’ Sandown finale in abysmal conditions. His stunning drive gave us hope that someone can threaten Shane van Gisbergen’s dominance in the near future. The championship leader is making many of Supercar’s established ‘stars’ look pretty ordinary, frankly.

Meantime, new boy B Kostecki’s stunning performance must surely have some of the tailenders questioning why they are even bothering. I’m sorry, but there’s a couple of third-year drivers in the category who simply don’t have it and it’s starting to get embarrassing for them.

Overall, the Supercars action at the suburban venue was the perfect antidote to the uninspiring opening round at Bathurst. Saturday’s Sandown race, when van Gisbergen charged to victory from 17th on the grid, will almost certainly be the defining and most memorable moment of season 2021. Doing so with a clipped wing made it even more remarkable.

Yet there’s one aspect to the win that’s been overlooked. While The Giz drove the perfect race, he needs to shout his wily GOAT team boss – the one that still drives – a slab of beer for inadvertently slowing down major rivals Mostert and Cam Waters.

Yes, Jamie Whincup played his part perfectly by engaging the WAU and Tickford entries in a ding-dong three-way battle. So fiercely were the leading trio going at it, cars #88, #25 and #6 all effectively allowed #97 to catch-up.

Anyway, the next major blip on the domestic racing scene’s radar is the Bathurst 6 Hour meeting over Easter – the event tailormade for social media types who bitch and moan that the Bathurst classic should be run for production cars.

Luke West wrote his first Auto Action column in 2000. Today Revved Up surveys motorsport’s changing landscape. Contact via @Luke_West (Twitter) & aarevvedup@ hotmail.com

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ALL COMERS ENDURO ON A BUDGET THE INAUGURAL Freedom Four Hour endurance race is set to take place in several months at Winton and is designed to give production cars not usually eligible for endurance races an event to compete in cheaply.

Popular state level categories not eligible for national level endurance races are the target for this event, with Porsche 944s, BMW E30s, Improved Production machines, the ever-popular Hyundai Excels and many other classes are set to compete.

The two-day race meeting is to be held at Winton Raceway on June 18-19 and will offer over seven hours of track time.

There will be three hours of practice on Friday, with the qualifying and racing on Saturday

Organisers Dean Lillie and Ben Schoots explained that the event is about maximum track time and minimum cost for all competitors involved.

“We have hired the circuit Friday and Saturday because Friday is about half of the price of a weekend,” Lillie told Auto Action.

“It actually keeps the entry fee down and we have got it exclusively. We are not running any other support categories, nothing will be cut short, nothing needs to be time certain!”

Rules are simple and cheap for competitors also. You must race your vehicle to the technical regulations that the car ordinarily complies with in its own category.

“We think we will run classes in in the race, each class has to run to its own regs,” he said.

“If they have a control tyre, they have to run a control tyre, and that sort of thing.

“That is so we don’t have a 944 turning up putting slicks on and beating everyone else. So if you are running a 944, you are running it to 944 regulations and that is the same in E30s, Improved Production and the others.”

Ben Schoots revealed to AA that he is considering allowing teams to take on a third driver if they so wish, but teams will still have to complete the mandatory maximum driver time.

“I’m not sure we are going to limit ourselves to two drivers,” Schoots said.

“I think we will allow three. I think it is fine, but there will be a maximum driving time so drivers can’t do three of the four hours.”

Motorsport Australia is behind the event and has even changed some regulations to support it.

“When we contacted Motorsport Australia, they basically said look it’s something we don’t cover often and it is something we need to,” Schoots said.

“A club level type event with refuelling and pitstops, so we will see how that works out.

We’ve got new refuelling regs now, that CAMS (Motorsport Australia) has released, and hopefully that works alright for us.”

Once competitors have entered pit lane, they must remain stationary for a minimum of five minutes, to allow the newly mandated drum pump refuelling competitors to not lose ground over their rivals. Dan McCarthy

PRECISION BACKS SPORTS SEDANS THE NATIONAL Sports Sedan Series has signed Precision International as its naming rights partner for the next three-years.

The announcement comes as Sports Sedans embarks on a new era with many new builds being completed, to be debuted throughout this season.

Precision International is a Melbourne-based importer and wholesaler of engine components founded by Bill Nitschke in 1970.

“I love the Sports Sedans, I always have,” said Nitschke.

“It’s such a strong class, I remember when Bob Jane and Allan Moffat were in Sports Sedans at Calder and other great tracks around the country, they were good days and they put on great racing.

“We have been around for over 50 years and over that time our focus has been on supplying the trade and wholesale side of the automotive industry.

“With our new website about to go live, we are able to go direct to the customers and also attract the racers to purchase our performance products directly from us.

“We are excited to be showcasing our Precision International name as well as our

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premium brands via the Sports Sedan program.”

Leading competitor Daniel Tamasi is excited by not only the new partnership, but the expectation of new entries to the field.

“There’s plenty of new cars being built,” said Tamasi.

“There’s an RX-7 in Tasmania, one in New South Wales, a new Mazda being built by the Ingram Brothers looks pretty good, plus a few more that I’ve probably forgotten about.”

The series begins at Wakefield Park on May 21-23 combined with state competitors, before joining the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships at Morgan Park in June for one of two times in the season.

At Sydney Motorsport Park in September the Australian Motor Racing Series plays host to the National Sports Sedan Series, before it returns to the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships at The Bend Motorsport Park in October.

The final round will be run together with the prestigious 50k Plate race as part of Island Magic meeting at Phillip Island.

“This will be a premium event to end the year,” said Tamasi.

“The Tamasis have won the last three 50k Plates, so bring it on!”

All Sports Sedan entries will run on Kumho tyres this season, with early testing displaying promise according toTamasi, who stated that the team were ‘very pleased with them’.

Tamasi himself is working on completing the rebuild of his Nissan 300ZX, previously owned by multiple Sports Sedan champion Kerry Bailey. The team aims to take part in selected rounds of this year’s series.

Heath McAlpine

MOTOGP NEWS

GARDNER FOCUSSED ON 2021 THE 2021 Moto2 season is a year of promise and opportunity for Australian Remy Gardner, who moves to the Red Bull KTM Ajo team.

It’s a squad that is heavily aligned with the factory MotoGP manufacturer, which could provide Gardner a career opportunity, however he also knows he has to deliver on the track.

Gardner, the son of 1987 500cc Motorcycle World champion Wayne has been competing in Grand Prix racing since 2014.

After taking his first pole position and podium at Moto2 level in 2019, Gardner capped off his two-year stint with the Onexox TKKR SAG Team with a maiden victory.

In 2021 season Gardner is with Ajo, a team with which Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder have delivered consistent race victories.

Both of these riders are now making waves in MotoGP on KTMs, and while Gardner sees his target, he is remaining focused now on the task at hand.

“Obviously there is that is that doorway that’s halfway open already,” Gardner admitted to Auto Action.

“I need to produce results and bring everything home; first focus is on the job at hand in Moto2 but there’s definitely the golden ticket waving in front of me for that step up.

“They are not just going to put me on the bike because I’m in the Moto2 team, I still have to do my job, I still have to ride fast and make them believe I can do a good job in MotoGP and then I’m sure good things will come.”

When AA suggested to Gardner that the title must be his target, he agreed, he wants to fight for the title just as Olivera, Binder and Jorge

Martin have done on the Ajo bike in the past.

Gardner also named those he feels will be his main rivals for the title.

“The title fight is the goal, to fight for it and obviously win it,” Gardner said.

“There’s a lot of fast guys out there this year and it’s a long year ahead, at the moment it’s just day by day and not thinking too far down the track.

“I think Sam (Lowes who led the 2020 title with three rounds to go), Sam is going to be fast and (two-time Moto2 race winner) Marco Bezzechi,” he said.

“I think Sam and Marco are going to be the toughest ones to be honest, Joe Roberts

might get in there but I’m not sure about his consistency. Probably us three and (2020 rookie of the year) Aron Canet could be strong as well.”

The 23-year-old Sydneysider has ridden the Ajo machine in a private test at Portimao in Portugal, and explained that he feels a lot more comfortable on the newer Kalex chassis.

“The 2020 frame has a little bit more grip, quite similar, but a little bit different,” he explained. “It’s not night and day to be honest, there’s a little bit more rear grip if I’m honest with you, which honestly I needed sometimes last year but I did my best for what I had.”

Dan McCarthy

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DOVIZIOSO TO TEST APRILIA ANDREA DOVIZIOSO has made a surprising announcement, which is that he will take part in a three-day trial with Aprilia next month to evaluate the new Aprilia RS-GP. Last year after Dovizioso departed the factory Ducati team, he was unable to secure a seat on the grid for this season and looked forced to take a sabbatical.

Notably, the three-time MotoGP Championship runner-up turned down an opportunity to race with the factory Aprilia team, citing the fact that he wanted to ride up the front of the grid.

However, in pre-season testing at Qatar, lead Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro impressed on the new Aprilia by setting the sixth fastest time and piqued the interest of Dovizioso.

‘Dovi’ will jump on the RS-GP at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto from April 1214, as part of the trial with the Noale factory.

“I was pleased by Aprilia’s interest and when we spoke about the possibility of doing this test,” Dovizioso said.

“I gladly accepted the invitation to be able to ride a MotoGP bike again and to stay in

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form, giving the engineers my feedback.

I wish to thank Aprilia Racing for this opportunity.”

Dovizioso will get his chance to ride the Aprilia with a view to potentially becoming the test rider or even riding for the Italian manufacturer full-time.

“It was a pleasure to invite Andrea,” said Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola.

“The days in Jerez will simply be a chance to get to know one another better, also on the track. It will not be a ‘trial matrimony’ but an opportunity to turn some laps together without any binding commitment for the future.

“We are well aware of all Andrea’s qualities and his contribution will be important, even for just one test.”

The Italian manufacturer is not getting carried away with the strong testing times, however the squad remains optimistic of a much improved 2021 campaign, carrying the memory of team founder Fausto Gresini who passed away just over a month ago.

DM

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MARQUEZ ON THE MEND SIX-TIME MOTOGP champion Marc Marquez continues to take steps towards his scheduled MotoGP comeback, which is now just hours away.

Marquez posted videos to social media riding a Honda RC213V-S road bike around the Circuit de BarcelonaCatalunya.

This marks the first time in eight months that the 28-year-old has been aboard a bike around a grand prix circuit.

The factory Honda rider injured his right humerus in the opening round of the 2020 MotoGP season, after a heavy landing at Jerez in Spain.

The Spaniard was making up lost ground from an early race mistake and with a handful of laps to go Marquez was launched into the air in a spectacular high side.

Marquez came crashing down to earth, with the impact and subsequent hit from the bike

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damaging his right humurus.

Miraculously Marquez was set to return in the second round, however in practice experienced severe pain.

It was found that the plate inserted in his humurus to strengthen his arm and speed up the recovery process had snapped. This breakage and further operations ruled Marquez out for the remainder of the 2020 season.

Due to the extent of the injury, Marquez has been unable to ride a motorbike competitively since and was even forced to miss the preseason test in Qatar.

Last week Marquez got back in the saddle, completing laps on a mini motorbike and followed it up days later on the Honda RC213V-S road bike.

Marquez continues to fight to be as fit as possible for the season opening event at Qatar, which takes place this weekend from March 26-28.

DM

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LATEST NEWS

FULLWOOD CHASING CHASSIS SETUP IN HIS second full-time Supercars season, Walkinshaw Andretti United driver Bryce Fullwood is still getting to grips with a new chassis.

Fullwood has moved across to the chassis used by teammate Chaz Mostert last year. WR25 scored five podiums with Mostert at the wheel last year, including third at Bathurst where he was partnered by Warren Luff.

Fullwood impressed at Bathurst, but admitted his side of the garage is still coming to grips with WR25.

“I think the team has (moved forward),” Fullwood told Auto Action. “The thing is we’ve just changed our cars and so we have to learn it.

“Towards the end of 2020, I felt like we had a pretty good handle on what we had and coming into this year we got a different car.

“I don’t think we did a good job of tuning it at Bathurst, I don’t think we got the most out of the package and then obviously here, (at Sandown) it’s been hard.

“Obviously the cars changed so we’re having to learn where it

wants to run, so yeah, we’ve got to make big swings to work it out.”

With the field so close, qualifying is important and leaves no margin for error said Fullwood.

“It is so close,” Fullwood emphasised. “You have to push really hard.

“If you brake a metre early, that’s three cars ahead of you (on the grid), so you just can’t afford to leave everything on the table.”

As lead rookie, it was an impressive maiden campaign for the Territorian. Although he finished 18th in the points, Fullwood scored his maiden Supercars podium at The Bend I as one of four top 10 results in 2021.

Consistency is Fullwood’s target for 2021 as WAU aim to move up the Teams’ Championship after finishing seventh last season “I mean the goal for us is top 10’s, we want to be punching top 10’s more often than not, that’s definitely our goal, but you have got to take the hits and roll the punches and do the best you can,” Fullwood said. Dan McCarthy

RANDLE GIVES BACK TO CANCER PATIENTS TICKFORD RACING co-driver Thomas Randle completed a ride day on Monday giving 20 adolescent cancer patients laps around Sandown Raceway in James Courtney’s Ford Mustang.

Tickford not only hosted the ONTrac at Peter Mac Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service, but donated to the cause focused on treating and curing cancer.

Randle himself is in remission after a 15-month fight with testicular cancer since the start of 2020. He was determined to give back and take some young adults on a hot lap in a Supercar.

“We had an amazing opportunity to offer a hot lap to 20 young adults who are part of the ONTrac Youth Cancer Centre Program at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne,” Randle said.

“They’re 15 to 25 year old’s who have gone through or are about to go through some big challenges related to cancer, so for me it was a great way to give back to the people at Peter MacCallum.

“They were fundamental in treating me over the last 12 or so months through my journey, that’s where I had all my chemotherapy done, that’s where my surgeon is based, and the ONTrac program is really good for young adults and adolescents who are diagnosed

with any cancer.”

The reigning Super2 Series winner was delighted to put smiles on their faces as he ripped around the circuit in a current Supercar.

Tickford Racing co-owner and Randle supporter Rusty French donated to the ONTrac at Peter Mac program.

“I have to thank my parents for helping organise it,” Randle continued. “To Tickford for making it happen, and also to Castrol who organised a bit of a show bag with

Tickford with jumpers and caps and other goodies.

“To top it off Rusty French gave a generous donation to the ONTrac program, which was really wonderful to me.

“He’s obviously been a huge supporter of mine for the last six years even through all my challenges, always ringing up asking how I was going through my treatment and surgeries, and it was pretty cool that he then donated to Peter Mac. “It was just a magical day, it put a big

smile on my face and an even bigger smile on everyone else’s. They were blown away with that and the hot laps and everything else across the day.

“It was great to just give back to people who are less fortunate than us, and we ended up with a bunch of new Supercars fans.”

The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre is Australia’s only public health service solely dedicated to caring for people affected by cancer Dan McCarthy

SVG LAUGHED DURING EPIC SANDOWN BATTLES

DESPITE THE inclement conditions, racing during last weekend’s second round of the Supercars was relatively clean highlighted by Shane van Gisbergen’s phenomenal charge through the field on Saturday.

From 17th on the grid, van Gisbergen took his third win in a row and set the tone for the rest of the event as he went onto to dominate, all this while recovering from a broken collarbone.

Van Gisbergen admitted to laughing during the race during a safety car intervention interrupted his battle with Walkinshaw Andretti United’s Chaz Mostert, while also complementing the rest of the field’s driving

standards.

“In that race with Chaz I was laughing, I was giving him the thumbs up under safety car,” admitted van Gisbergen.

“I was having such a good time, everyone’s racing at the moment hard, but respectful.

“A couple of years ago, people would just run you wide and off the track, but now I think the racing is really good.

“It’s good at a track like this where you don’t have many fast corners, you can actually battle people.”

Tickford Racing title rival Cam Waters shared the same sentiments although he battled Mostert and seven-time champion Jamie

Whincup for the lead.

Mostert on an older tyre set successfully played his best defensive cards to maintain the lead, but it proved race defining for all three as van Gisbergen was able to close sufficient enough as he made a late-race run for victory.

“I was having so much fun,” said Waters.

“Obviously, I could see Chaz was hurting and every time I got close to Chazzie, and was about to make a move, JDub decided to have a crack at me.

“We did that for a few laps until I could get Chaz and those three or four laps of that was probably what got Shane back in the race.

“I had so much fun doing that.”

During Race 2, Mostert and Waters did tangle, but the WAU driver redressed immediately, but this proved to be the only significant contact within the lead pack for the weekend.

Van Gisbergen’s comments were also echoed by teammate Whincup, as a close yet clean style of racing as demonstrated last year continues into 2021.

“It was good that no one got hooked up or punted and crashed or no one’s punching up in the back of the pits,” he said.

“We all raced hard, it was pretty gnarly and we all got through unscathed, which is great.”

Heath McAlpine

2020 and 2021 and now several laps in an RS3.

“It was pretty cool to sample the Audi,”

said O’Keeffe.

“Obviously, Mostert has been dominating so far, and good to feel what it’s all about.

“We saw Tander drive the car in 2019, so now I know what they are dealing with, the ergonomics of the cars are pretty nice. Everything is designed is specifically for the car, it’s very comfortable and It’s just very well-built car – it’s as simple as that.

“It does everything you want it to.”

O’Keeffe took close to 30 passengers for riders during the day and related the differences between the three models he has experienced.

“They’re all extremely different,” he said.

“The Renault is well balanced but tends to understeer because the rear is so gripped up. The Audi comes in between the Alfa, where the Alfa is super nervous on the opening laps and super sharp.

This sort of falls in between that – it’s well balance but not understeering but not oversteery on exit.”

TCR Australia Series heads to Mount Panorama for the first time to tackle Round 3 of the title as support to the Bathurst 6 Hour at Mount Panorama on teh Easter long weekend. DM

O’KEEFFE CUTS LAPS IN AUDI GARRY ROGERS Motorsport driver Dylan O’Keeffe has sampled rival Chaz Mostert’s TCR Australia Series leading Audi RS3 LMS at Sandown Raceway.

Monday at Sandown Raceway was a big day with ride days for the Supercars Championship, TCR Australia Series and GT World Challenge Australia.

Walkinshaw Andretti United Supercars driver Mostert competes in all three of these categories and spent his day completing his Supercars duties.

As a result, four-time TCR Australia Series race winner O’Keeffe jumped behind the wheel of the Melbourne Performance Centre Audi, which won two races at Phillip Island.

The Audi is the third different brand of TCR machine O’Keeffe has driven

previously after racing an Ashley Seward Motorsport-prepared Alfa Romeo in 2019, the GRM Renault Megane R.S. in

LATEST NEWS

ARC SEASON OPENER POSTPONED THE 2021 National Capital Rally was set to be held in the Australian Capital Territory this weekend, however extreme weather conditions has forced the event to be postponed.

Motorsport Australia announced due to torrential rain within the region, organisers were unable to receive a permit from ACT Parks and Conservation Service, meaning

the event will no longer go ahead this weekend.

Motorsport Australia director of motorsport and commercial operations Michael Smith was delighted to announce a new date was set.

“We’re disappointed that the event has to be postponed, however event organisers have worked quickly to secure a new date

just two weeks later in April,” said Smith.

National Capital Rally’s Adrian Dudok said it was pleasing to see the event will still be run, albeit on a different date.

“A lot of work has gone into this event and while it’s unfortunate we can’t run the event this coming week, to have a new date locked away so quickly is a terrific result,” said Dudok.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone to this event in April and thank our sponsors, competitors and officials for their ongoing support.”

The National Capital Rally remains the 2021 RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship season opener, and will take place from April 9-11.

Dan McCarthy

up of Doctors De Miguel, Ibarzabal and García Villanueva, 15 weeks after surgery for an infected pseudoarthrosis of the right humerus, a good clinical response has been found after the intensification of his training.

“However, considering the time period and the current state of the bone consolidation process, doctors consider it prudent and necessary not to accelerate Marquez’s return to the track after

such an inactive time, and to avoid putting the humerus at risk in intense competition.”

Although Honda confirmed its leading contnder was to miss only one race, Marquez confirmed through his social media platforms he is aiming to return in time for Portugal at Round 3.

“After the latest check-up with the medical team, they have advised me not to participate in the two Qatar races, so we will continue with

the recovery to return to compete as soon as possible,” Marquez confirmed.

Marquez’s next medical check is also not scheduled until Monday, April 12, which is after the second round.

Although not confirmed, it is expected Honda’s test rider Stefan Bradl will ride in Marquez’s place as he did in 12 races last year.

Dan McCarthy

MARQUEZ TO SKIP SEASON OPENER SINCE AUTO Action went to press, six-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez will miss the opening two rounds of this year’s season as he continues a lengthy recovery from a broken humerus.

Marquez was in a race against time to recovery before the opening round race in Qatar, however the Spaniard was advised by doctors to miss the first two rounds.

The factory Honda rider broke his right humerus as a result of a high-side during the opening event at Jerez in July last year.

His recovery has been troubled since as the plate broke before the second round last season and later an infection forced him out for the remaining rounds of 2020.

His last surgery was a success, giving Marquez 15 weeks to be ready for Round 1 of 2021, but doctors have advised him not to contest the opwning two rounds of the season to enable the bones to strengthen.

A statement by Honda confirmed the 56-time MotoGP race winner will not compete in the opening round.

“Marc Marquez, together with his medical team from the Hospital Ruber Internacional, have considered it prudent not to re-join competition this weekend in Qatar,” it read.

“In the review carried out on the Spanish rider by the medical team led by Doctors Samuel Antuña and Ignacio Roger de Oña, and made

LOVE MAKES A SWITCH FORMER CARRERA Cup Australia Series winner Jordan Love will switch allegiances this year after it was confirmed he will contest GT World Challenge Europe in an SPS Automotive Performance Mercedes-AMG GT3.

Love contested the highest level of Porsche racing in the world last year, Supercup, but will instead transition into the world’s most competitive GT series this year when he makes his debut at Monza on April 16-18.

SPS Automotive Performance will enter two Mercedes into the Endurance component of the series with Love being joined by Swiss driver Miklas Born and Nurburgring 24 Hour class winner Yannick Mettler. The team’s second entry features Valentin Pierburg, Florian Scholze and the experienced Dominik Baumann.

“I am pleased to finally confirm the first part of my 2021 plans with team SPS Automotive Performance and be back racing in Europe as part of the GT World Challenge Europe,” Love said.

The series is one of the most prestigious and challenging championships in global motorsport and for a driver it has huge appeal.

Especially the Endurance Cup, which visits some of the most iconic circuits in Europe.”

Of course, the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup includes the Spa 24 Hour race as one of its rounds, but Love is confident he will adapt to the Mercedes-AMG after completing most of his career in Porsches.

“It has been a while since I last raced but I cannot wait to be back on track,” he said.

“It will be a new challenge racing with the Mercedes-AMG GT3, but one which I am really excited about and I am really proud to be joining SPS Automotive Performance, which has also competed and shown it has what it takes to win at the highest level.

“We have a strong package with the team and the car, and I’m looking forward to racing alongside Yannick and Miklas.

“I would like to thank all my supporters back in Perth as everyone who has been a part of the journey and assisted me to get to the next step in my career.”

SPS Automotive Performance team manager Stefan Sohn is thrilled to welcome Love into the squad.

“It is a real pleasure to have Jordan in the team this year,” said Sohn. “I met him this week for the first time personally and I am fully convinced we’ll have a great season.

“We are looking forward to the official test days at Le Castellet next week.”

Love will not only contest races at Monza and Spa, but Paul Ricard also features as does the Nurburgring GP circuit, whilst Catalunya closes out the season.

Fellow Australian and factory Porsche Professional Matt Campbell is also contesting the series with GPX Racing alongside Earl Bamber, plus Frenchman Mathieu Jaminet.

Heath McAlpine

PERONI BEGINS US CAREER

AUSTRALIAN ALEX Peroni is embarking on a new journey in his career after leaving the FIA Formula 3 Championship to try his hand in the US contesting the Indy Lights Series, recently testing his Carlin Motorsport entry for this year.

Peroni leaves behind an impressive career in Europe where he won races in Formula Renault Eurocup, becoming the first Australian to do so since Daniel Ricciardo, before joining the thirdtier FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2019.

He was the shining light in a tough season for Campos Racing, which ended with Peroni severely injured at Monza after his car was

flicked into the air off kerbing. A determined road to recovery followed and resulted in a maiden podium in the opening race of last year’s FIA Formula 3 Championship at the Red Bull Ring.

Peroni finished a further two times on the podium on the way to 10th in the championship, but is now focused on following the IndyCar route, replicating a path taken by Will Power 15-years ago.

Carlin Motorsport returns to Indy Lights with Peroni as its lead driver and he completed his first test last week at Barber Motorsports Park.

“So far so good,” Peroni told Auto Action after

the test. “The car feels amazing to drive and the team is really keen to get some good results this year.”

“I think the biggest thing is getting used to the turbo but also the tyres are totally different so for sure, I’ll need a bit of time.”

Preparations for the Tasmanian continue ahead of the opening round of Indy Lights at Barber on April 17-18 where he is collaborating with the team on a consistent basis, with further tests planned including the official Indy Lights event within the next month “All good,” Peroni replied. “I’m concentrating

on improving both myself and the car, so I’m spending time in the workshop and on the sim, come first round we’ll be ready!

“We also have the official testing coming up soon and I’m very keen to get started.”

Peroni has lived away from his native Tasmania for much of the year during his racing career, but Europe is different compared to the US, but he is adapting to the new way of life slowly.

“Starting to get used to it,” he admitted.

“So much different to Australia in every way basically, but liking it so far.”

Heath McAlpine

LATEST NEWS

TOYOTA UNVEIL YARIS GR AP4 TOYOTA AUSTRALIA’S latest contender for the Australian Rally Championship has been unveiled based on its new performance model, the Yaris GR. Built to the New Zealand-devised AP4 regulations

by Neal Bates Motorsport, the pair of Yaris GRs for brothers Harry and Lewis Bates will contest the opening round of the ARC next month, the National Capital Rally in the team’s home city of Canberra.

A collaboration between Neal Bates Motorsport and Toyota Australia, it marks the first time the company has actively been involved in the development of rally cars, through development of the bodywork by the Product Planning and Development division.

Toyota Australia and Neal Bates Motorsport’s continued relationship first started more than 30-years ago and has resulted in multiple ARC titles including the 2019 championship won by Harry Bates.

Team owner and four-time ARC champion Neal Bates is excited to reveal the new Yaris AP4, which he believes will continue Toyota’s ARC success.

“This really has been a collaborative effort to help bring these cars to life and we are looking forward to their competition debut next month,” Bates said.

“The design not only gives us a great looking car, but fine tuning the shape of the fenders and bumpers and other body parts using Toyota’s advanced technologies has helped give us an aerodynamic edge.

“We also worked with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe on the 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo engines, which have been slightly modified from the standard GR Yaris unit to comply with the AP4 regulations, while still delivering extremely quick response and optimum driveability for rallying.”

Thousands of hours have been undertaken to prepare the two Yaris GR AP4s for the new season led by Bates with design director Darryl Bush, son and driver Lewis Bates, Sam Elliot, Chris Shore and Anthony Caldwell from two road cars to leading ARC contenders.

“One of the things that is fantastic about this car

is that it was designed for rally conversion and is very low weight to start with,” Bates continued.

“Together with the compact turbo engine and all-wheel drive system, the GR Yaris is a great base car compared to what we have worked with previously to create rally cars.

“Building these rally cars has really demonstrated what’s at the heart of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing - a performance car brand that directly links to realworld motorsport and takes those lessons and technologies and applies them to its road cars.”

New challengers continue to emerge in the ARC from imported R5-spec entries from Ford and Skoda, but the Yaris GR road car base is at an advantage by using aluminium doors and a carbon fibre roof, which remain fitted to the AP4 rally car.

“People often think that a rally car is just a modified road car, but it really is a Supercar for the gravel, the build process is identical to that of a Supercar,” Mr Bates said.

“In a rally car you have to use the standard shell but obviously you modify that quite a bit and a lot

of it is about reducing weight.”

The two Yaris GR AP4s come in under the 1230kg minimum weight for the regulations, so ballast will be installed to meet the requirement.

Mirrors and bonnets have been 3D printed to minimise weight so too Perspex windows.

The engine used in the Yaris GR AP4 features the stock block, head and inlet manifold, while a turbocharger produces 1.5 bar of boost to meet the regulations enabling power output to be 200kw with 370Nm of torque.

Sadev provides the six-speed sequential gearbox and AWD system featuring a locked centre differential, which splits drive torque evenly 50/50 front-to-rear.

In-house developed and produced suspension componentry adds 50mm to the front tower, with this mated to Murray Coote Australia dampers offering 255mm of travel in the front and 280mm at the rear.

Outside of the engine, transmission, drive-shaft and drive steering rack all components have

DUMFRIES PASSES AGE 62 FORMER FORMULA 1 driver Johnny Dumfries has passed away aged 62 after a short battle with illness.

Born John Crichton-Stuart, 7th Marquess of Bute, he took the surname of Dumfries for his motor racing career in order to hide his background as a Scottish Peer.

Dumfries had a relatively short, but successful career in motorsport highlighted by winning the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Dumfries quickly rose though the ranks, winning the British F3 Championship and in 1984 he progressed to F3000, but scored just one point.

Nevertheless, he was signed up by Team Lotus to compete in the 1986 F1 championship sharing the garage legendary Ayrton Senna.

The season did not go to plan, while Senna took eight pole positions and two race wins, Dumfries scored just three points including one at the season ending round in Adelaide.

The Australian event was his final Formula 1 race, as he switched to sports car racing in 1987.

In 1988 driving for Tom Walkinshaw’s factory Jaguar outfit, Dumfries won the 24 Hours of Le

Mans alongside fellow ex-Formula 1 driver Jan Lammers and Andy Wallace.

His final Le Mans appearance was in 1991 teammaed with Courage Competition rounding out his five starts in the classic sports car enduro. His record, four DNFs, one win.

A statement from his family was issued describing Dumfries as a “devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, son and grandfather and loved by all.

“The indomitable spirit and energy which Johnny brought to his life will be greatly missed, and the immense warmth and love with which he embraced his family.

“His heart was firmly rooted on the Island of Bute where he spent much of his time. Johnny chaired the Board of Mount Stuart Trust from its active inauguration in 2005 when Mount Stuart and its gardens opened to the public, and its rural estate was vested into the charitable trust.

“He was a moderniser and an inspirational thinker, transitioning a family home to a progressive, working visitor facility and estate.”

Auto Action sends it condolences to his friends and family.

Dan McCarthy

either been produced by Neal Bates Motorsport or sourced locally in Australia.

Toyota Australia chief marketing officer John Pappas was delighted for the company to be involved in producing the company’s newest rally weapon.

“We have had a very successful relationship with Neal Bates Motorsport and the team ever since Neal first raced for Toyota Team Australia at Bathurst in 1989 and we’re very excited to be unveiling the GR Yaris AP4 – a car designed and built in collaboration with NBM,” Pappas said.

“As a driver Neal has had a very successful career over the past 30 years and now, as TGRA team principal leading the build on these two fantastic GR Yaris AP4 rally cars, we believe he can look forward to more successes.

“We would like to wish the TGRA team all the best for the 2021 ARC season and given the pedigree of the cars, we hope to see Harry and Lewis regularly topping the podium.”

Heath McAlpine

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TWO-TIME FORMULA 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso confirmed during pre-season testing that he will race this year with titanium plates in his jaw, and admitted that he may require further surgery at the end of the 2021 season. Alonso was injured while training in Switzerland on his bike when he collided with a car and fractured his upper jaw. Alonso is returning to Formula 1 with the Alpine F1 team after two years on the sidelines. DM

FERRARI’S BETTER ATMOSPHERE DESPITE ENDING pre-season testing with the sixth fastest time, former Formula 2 champion George Russell does not believe that Williams is any closer to the competitive mid-field battle this year. In fact, the Englishman feels that with the new Ferrari power unit both Alfa Romeo and Haas F1 may have pulled away. “We’ll have to wait and see. There are no signs as yet that we’ve closed the gap. Kimi [Raikkonen in the Alfa Romeo] is looking very, very fast, no doubt,” Russell said. DM

THE DESIGN of the Saudi-Arabian Street Circuit in Jeddah has been revealed. The 6.175km course contains a staggering 27 corners and is set to play host to the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on December 5.

Despite the large number of turns, a lot are flat out kinks and mean that the layout is expected to be the fastest-ever Formula 1 street circuit.

An average lap speed is anticipated to be in excess of 250km/h. DM

MERCEDES CEO Toto Wolff has hinted that he may offer 2020 super-sub Nico Hulkenberg a role this year, as reserve drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries could be on factory Formula E duties for the German manufacturer. Last year Hulkenberg competed in three races replacing Racing Point drivers Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll. “I think Nico knows the current Formula 1 cars and the tyres, and it would be good to have him in the line-up as a solution,” Wolff said. DM

SEVERAL DRIVERS and team personnel confirmed they have taken the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in Bahrain. The local government offered both doses to those attending testing and the Bahrain Grand Prix later this month, however F1 turned down the offer. Despite this, Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz became the first two drivers to take the vaccine, before the entire Alpha Tauri squad followed, along with several team members from Ferrari, Red Bull and Aston Martin. DM

18 AutoAction

EVEN BEFORE the 2021 season begins, the atmosphere within Ferrari is far more upbeat than compared to a year ago.

“It’s very difficult when you are not performing as you were expecting,” Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said of 2020.

“It’s very difficult because, as well as Scuderia Ferrari, your ambition and objective is always for the maximum, the best. But I have to say that, although last year the atmosphere was difficult, we remained united.

“It would have been easy to fall into a different situation seeing the bad performance we had, but the team remained united and continuously tried to work and improve.”

Last year’s Ferrari SF1000 was way off the pace due to the FIA clarifying its power unit regulations, combined with chassis woes. The team is optimistic that those woes have now been cured.

LOOKING STRONG IT IS doubtful that Yuki Tsunoda will qualify second for the Bahrain Grand Prix, but the fact that the rookie turned the second best lap time during pre-season testing was nonetheless impressive.

Tsunoda posted a 1m 29.053s in his AlphaTauri Honda, which was 0.093s slower than Red Bull Honda driver Max Verstappen.

Honda has improved its 2021 power unit.

“There’s definitely a good step from last year, which we were already seeing from the data,” Tsunoda said. “Especially in the top speed.”

Tsunoda and teammate Pierre Gasly racked up a total of 422 laps over the three days – a number matched only by Alfa Romeo.

“We are at the start of a new season,” Binotto said. “You have got a different car, somehow you’ve got new hope, so it’s normal that now the atmosphere is certainly better.”

The power unit and the chassis of the 2021 SF21 certainly are better.

“We know how the engine is running on the dyno,” Binotto said. “When you fit it on the car, what you have a look at on track is the speed, and eventually the relative speed to the others.”

Ferrari could not qualify in the top 10 for last year’s Bahrain Grand Prix. But the car’s straightline speed was much improved when the team returned to Bahrain for pre-season testing this year.

“We know it’s not only power,” Binotto said. “It’s the drag of the car as well, as we often said last year. Both of them contributed in improving our speed on the straights, and today we feel it is not a

disadvantage any more.”

Ferrari’s new recruit Carlos Sainz posted the third fastest time in testing. The fact that his teammate Charles Leclerc wound up 13th overall is not an accurate reflection of the car’s improvement.

“Carlos is fitting in very well,” Binotto said. “They are two young drivers – experienced but young – they are fitting well not only on track but outside of the track. I think the entire atmosphere is great.

“But we know it will be a long season, 23 races, and it may be very difficult again. So we need to be prepared, be focused on what is our objective – which is long-term – and then not forget it.”

Ferrari won the F1 season openers in Australia in 2017 and 2018, and the team then went on to score victories in Bahrain both years. Sebastian Vettel was behind the wheel on all four occasions.

Can the team win in Bahrain this year? Unlike 2020, it is not beyond the realm of possibility.

“I already have good confidence in a Formula 1 car,” Tsunoda said, “and controlling the car and also changing all the switches on the steering. So, coming to Bahrain, that made it easier to focus just on the 2021 car, because we have to do a lot of laps to get the experience with this 2021 car.

“I had a couple of issues in the first two days, but this is what testing is for, so it’s actually good to have these issues in testing rather than in two weeks later. At the moment it has been a good, positive test for us.”

It all went smoothly for Tsunoda on the final day.

“Jumping out of the car in P2 today is a great feeling – of course you can’t get too ahead of yourself, as it’s only testing, but it’s great to finish the three days on a high,” said the 20-year-old Japanese driver, whose personal tally was 185 laps.

Italian Grand Prix winner Gasly wound up 11th fastest.

“We’ve managed to complete our full testing schedule and have a good understanding of everything,” he said. “Preparing for the race, we know the car’s strengths and we know where we can still make some improvements.

I feel confident in the car, and I think we’re in a much better place than we were this time last year. I think we know where we’ll be fast, and we have understood how to work on the car further.”

McLaren driver Lando Norris is not sure where AlphaTauri will end up this season.

“He (Tsunoda) is a good driver,” Norris said.

“I don’t think there’s any shock with it and it’s just a test! We’ll wait and see.

“AlphaTauri is looking strong. Looking at onboards and seeing the data, we can see they look like they’ve got a very strong car and it’s very nice to drive, good in all kinds of conditions. I think the other thing is everything looks quite close, no-one looks miles ahead.”

Image: Motorsport Images

TRYING TO TAME A SNAPPY MERCEDES

Image: Motorsport Images

MERCEDES IS in trouble, but the question is just how much trouble and how soon can the team get out of it?

Both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas struggled to keep the rear of Mercedes in check during testing in Bahrain. To add insult to injury, Bottas missed most of the morning session on the first day with gearbox woes.

Plus Hamilton brought out the red flags when he spun into the gravel trap at Turn 13.

“One of the main issues is the rear end,” Bottas said. “It’s quite snappy, and quite unforgiving. That, topped up with the new tyres – they feel quite sensitive – and it’s not that easy.

“We’ve been trying to calm the car a bit, and

that way trying to get some more pace.”

The theory is that the low-rake concept used by Mercedes is the root of the problem. Mercedes has traditionally run both the front and rear of its chassis close to the ground. Red Bull goes to the other extreme with a high-rake concept with the nose scraping the track and plenty of ground clearance at the back of the car.

New regulations this year have mandated that the floor area in front of the rear tyres be cutback. That in turn has reduced rear downforce, and the regulation has hurt lowrake cars more than high-rake cars.

“I would imagine that the two different philosophies will coalesce around

something which ultimately works for these regulations,” observed McLaren’s technical director James Key. Hamilton remained optimistic as Mercedes made improvements during the three days in Bahrain.

“I don’t waste time worrying, that deters you from finding the solution,” said the seven-time champion. “So we’re working hard and focusing through getting this short amount of testing we have and trying to be as efficient as we can with it.

“It’s better when it doesn’t go smoothly now and goes smooth when we get into the racing scene. This is the perfect time for us to find the issues and have the problems,

so I welcome that. Everyone is just keeping their heads down; no-one is particularly phased by it. We’re a multi-championship winning team and we know how to pull together and keep our head down and focus on the job.”

Hamilton and Bottas wound up fifth and ninth fastest overall, and Bottas was quickest on the second day. But Mercedes completed the fewest total of laps – 304 – of all 10 teams.

The Mercedes engineers were initially very pleased with the solution they had found for their new rear floor. Will it just need to be tweaked, or will it require a complete redesign?

SEB’S STEEP LEARNING CURVE

Image: Motorsport Images

IT IS unprecedented going into a new Formula One season with so little track testing time – just three days.

“Yes it is,” said Sebastian Vettel who, after six years at Ferrari, has switched to Aston Martin.

“But I’m not too preoccupied, maybe it is the age (33), maybe the experience. Probably 10 years ago I would panic slightly, but then again if I were to panic now, would it help? Probably not. I think it is about remaining calm, doing one thing at a time and moving forward when it’s time to.”

Vettel lost valuable track time in Bahrain testing because of gearbox problems.

“Even the people who had no trouble at all, doing lots of laps, I don’t think you can acquire all the information about the new cars, the new tyres, the changes over the winter and get on top of that in just one and a half days in the car,” Vettel said.

“Plus, let’s be honest, our sport is quite difficult to practice, we need to be in the car, we need to run. You can do the simulator all winter long but it’s not the same. If anybody gets out of the car and says he is up to the speed like he was after 17 races in 20 weeks last year, that’s not possible. It will naturally take a

bit of time to get up to speed.”

Vettel is on a steep learning curve.

“It’s just getting to know the people,” he said, “just to understand what they mean. Lots of different things about the car to talk about. And then the car: there’s the steering that feels different because it’s a different unit.

Every F1 car has power steering, but every power steering is set up slightly differently, so it gives you a different impression. Ultimately when you drive you have got the wheel in your hands and that’s the feedback you get.

“The car has a different philosophy.

It’s a different team, it’s a different car, it drives a bit differently, it wants to be driven differently, it’s a different power unit. Without going into the details because I don’t think it’s fair to compare in public, but naturally these things are different and take a bit of getting used to.

“It’s a different environment inside the car as well, just in terms of comfort, the pedals are feeling a bit different, and the seat is a little bit different. It’s just small stuff, but it’s the amount of all those small things put together.”

Vettel wound up 21st fastest in preseason testing and completed 117 laps.

His steep learning curve will continue during the Bahrain Grand Prix.

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Contributing Writers Australia Garry O’Brien, Mark Fogarty, Bruce Newton, Mark Bisset, Geoffrey Harris, David Hassall, Bob Watson, Bruce Moxon, Gary Hill, Craig O’Brien, Mick Oliver, Martin Agatyn. Paris Charles Formula 1 US Correspondent

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METHODICAL MCLAREN FORMULA 1 staged a mere three days of pre-season testing this year.

That’s down from the previous record of six days last year, eight days from 2016 to 2019 and 12 in 2015.

The temptation, one would think, would be to pile on as many laps as possible.

I recall at past tests that teams would already be doing full race simulations on the opening day. But, during the test in Bahrain, Daniel Ricciardo’s new McLaren team purposely adopted a methodical approach as they concentrated on the quality rather than the quantity of laps.

It was not only about bedding in the new McLaren MCL35M and starting to search for performance, it was also about running the Mercedes power unit – which has replaced the Renault – in anger for the first time.

“There was an element of caution to a certain extent,” noted McLaren technical director James Key. “There was a little bit of step-by-step to begin with.

There are no negative reasons for the low lap count

we have. It is more to do that we swapped drivers every day, which always has a little bit of a timing implication. But we also try to split our time between data gathering, which can be time-consuming, and sticking miles on the car.

“Of course you would like to put a lot of miles on the car immediately. But if you do that you do not necessarily get all those little tests done which we started the days with. So it has been planned.”

Aussie Ricciardo and teammate Lando Norris did a combined 327 laps, which was the third lowest total of the 10 teams testing.

“Of course we would like to maximise mileage” Key said. “But the programme we have had has ticked a lot of boxes that we needed to check. We are in a slightly unique situation compared to the others because perhaps we had extra boxes to tick because of the new engine.”

Like all the drivers who have switched teams, Ricciardo had a lot to adapt to with a new team and a new car – including a different steering

wheel, seating position and pedals.

“I am still adapting or adjusting to that,” he said.

“I think now going from Red Bull to Renault and Renault to McLaren, probably the braking is maybe the biggest thing to which seems like you need to adapt. That’s one as well where I am trying to get on top of it and understand where the limit of the car is.

“But I think generally it looks like they’ve had a pretty good car under braking. So I think once I’m up to speed that should be a pretty good one and hopefully (we’ll) see some good passes from me again, some late ones.”

The team is counting on that.

“We wanted to get Daniel onboard because of what we have seen from him in terms of speed in qualifying, and also how he is racing,” said McLaren team principal Andres Seidl.

“He is the reference we were missing the last two years. He has shown in the past that he can win races if we give him the right material, which is important for us to make that next step

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as a team.”

Ricciardo posted the seventh quickest lap time overall and Norris the 14th out of the 23 drivers who took part in the test.

“I’m absolutely convinced that we have a very strong driver line-up again this year,” Seidl said. “But he will also be a great reference for Lando. Lando is now going into this third year. So we expect from him again to make the next step. He already made a good step from the first to his second year. And from what I’ve seen so far from Lando is very encouraging.”

McLaren’s philosophy is to treat both drivers equally and let them fight it out on the track.

The actual racing chapter of 2021 is due to begin with the Bahrain Grand Prix on 28 March – exactly two weeks after the mere three days of testing ended at the same circuit.

And then we will see how McLaren’s methodical approach has paid off, how well Ricciardo has adapted to his new car, and how much Norris has improved.

Formula 1 World Championship opener from Bahrain; MotoGP opening rounds from Qatar; Bathurst 6 Hr; Latest news & views

with Mark Fogarty

THE FOGES FILE AA’s precious pundit praises ‘Miracle Man’ Shane van Gisbergen’s heroic Sandown sweep EXTRAORDINARY. THERE’S no other way to describe Shane van Gisbergen’s drive from 17th to first at Sandown last Saturday.

Even if he weren’t injured, SVG’s charge through the field would have been impressive. With a broken collar bone and torn shoulder, it was amazing.

Best Supercars race I’ve ever seen.

Drama, anticipation, suspense, action, result. Phew!

Then the wounded wonder goes onto to dominate the Sunday races.

If he were an AFL player, his success would have been lauded as super-human.

As it was, mainstream media only perfunctorily recorded his achievement.

What a travesty. His Sandown sweep was uplifting and ominous.

Uplifting because it was so against the odds; ominous because if he can win wounded, what chance the rest when he’s fully fit?

With Scott McLaughlin’s escape to IndyCar, van Gisbergren was always hot favourite to win this year’s Supercars crown.

Now, after five wins in a row, three of which were scored with an injury that would sideline a footy player for weeks, he is well on his way to the title. Unbackable odds, I would say.

Can’t say enough about SVG’s innate ability He won the NZ Grand Prix from the pit lane.

Giz could be great for the sport if he tried. If he’d come out of his public shell, he’d be a genuine superstar.

Sadly, he keeps his depth to himself.

On TV, he comes across flat. But sit him down for a one-on-one interview and he is fascinating. There is unplumbed depth to him.

The other Sandown revelation was Brodie Kostecki. What a mongrel.

Runner-up in the second race on Sunday was another example of his disregard for

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Image: Motorsport Images

reputations. Again, he dunced the dudes.

Even better, he has max moxy. Not at all afraid to say what he thinks.

When I asked him about having ‘the wood’ on all-time great J-Dub, he sneered.

No, really.

Basically, ‘Big’ Kostecki told me to f*** off, saying it was media hype.

Touché! So good to have a driver hit back – hard – for a change.

I look forward to a frank exchange with bolshy Brodie. Bring it on!

Sandown was also notable for the return of S5000s. They were loud and fast .

No circuit is better made for V8 openwheelers than Sandown. Fast straights, tippy toe cornering, constant bark.

It was the hub of F5000 racing in the 1970s and S5000’s reprise resonates

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at the self-proclaimed ‘Home Of Horsepower’. It is a play on Sandown’s main use as a mid-week horse racing venue.

Once again, last weekend re-emphasised that motor sport needs an inner-urban venue.

Sandown is easily accessible by car or train. It has a rail station across the road – plus ample parking.

It is the best located permanent track in the country by far.

Yet its future remains in doubt. The pressure to sell the site for residential development is immense.

Hopefully, history will somehow weigh in its favour and earn heritage listing as a sporting venue of cultural significance.

As tired as that justification is, Sandown is integral to Supercars. It is one of the places

where touring car racing as we know it began in the 1960s.

The Supercars racing last weekend proved how exciting racing can be at a classic circuit in marginal conditions.

Shane van Gisbergen is hot favourite to dominate and win this year’s Supercars title, which won’t be very exciting. But you can’t help admire his skill, tenacity and resilience.

He is racer who won’t be cowed by physical action. SVG lives on the racing edge.

He has already alerted that once his once he is healed, he will be back on a mountain bike – and a motocross dirt bike. Hard to know if he’s joking or not.

SVG is an adventurer who loves living on the edge. Long may his cavalier approach continue.

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REMEMBERING MOTOR SPORT’S MOST BELOVED COMMENTATOR

muddy talker

From Barry Sheene (above) to Damon Hill (below), Murray Walker described the feats of British world champions with unapologetic emotion and passion.

VALE MURRAY WALKER 1923-2021 MARK FOGARTY pays tribute to the legendary British broadcaster who brought Formula 1 alive for so many people for so many years IMAGES: Motorsport Images

MURRAY WALKER was the nicest person you’d ever hope to meet. Fame never turned his head and he was always approachable, upbeat and available.

Despite his on-air bumbling, which endeared him to viewers as much as outraged them, Walker was no friendly fool. He was a sharp businessman who knew his worth and charged accordingly.

He wasn’t the highest paid sports commentator of his era – far from it – but certainly knew his value for extracurricular appearances.

He retired comfortably from a successful career as an advertising executive and was feted long after he quit Formula 1 commentary at the end of the 2001 season.

‘Muzza’, as Aussies liked to call him, was a legend and an inspiration, but mainly he was a good bloke. He loved Australia and Australians, taking any opportunity to visit.

I knew him well and he was always gracious. He loved car and motorcycle racing, his enthusiasm expressed in his effusive commentaries.

His recent death was widely recorded by the mainstream media, acknowledging his influence on sports broadcasting.

Urbane, inquisitive and excitable, Walker was the English language voice of F1 for 25 years.

From 1976 to 2001, his excited commentary helped make F1 broadcasts popular.

Walker become an icon in Britain and much loved in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

For a generation of fans, Walker made watching F1 exciting with his high-pitched delivery and notable stuff ups.

He stumbled and bumbled, but we loved his passion. He had the ability to make the dullest F1 race sound exciting. Or any motor race, for that matter.

From the 1950s well into the ’90s, Walker called any and all kinds of car and motorcycle racing. A weekend at home was a weekend wasted as far as Murray was concerned.

He came to prominence here in 1979, when Nine started showing F1 races live as Alan Jones became a serious world title contender. Nine took the commentary feed from the famed BBC, featuring odd-couple

Walker was also there to describe the disappointments.

Among the most gut-wrenching was when one of his favourites, Nigel Mansell, suffered a spectacular blowout during the closing stages of the 1986 Adelaide Grand Prix, costing the star-crossed Brit the race and the world title.

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commentators Walker and retired 1976 world champion James Hunt.

Muzza’s initially fractious partnership with laid-back Hunt became compelling for its conflict turned compatibility. Following Hunt’s death in 1993, Walker was partnered by the dour ex-F1 driver Jonathon Palmer and then accomplished and eloquent ex-racer Martin Brundle.

To this day, Brundle credits his rise to becoming the new English-speaking Voice of F1 for almost 20 years to working with Walker,

warts and all.

Walker also worked with F1 race-winner John Watson and expat Aussie touring car racer/London radio executive Charlie Cox in the BTCC, which he also called in the series’ 1990s peak.

His BTCC excitement was also heard here in the all-action highlights shown on Channel 10.

He passed the BTCC commentary torch to Cox and Wattie in the late ’90s as his age advanced and his F1 load increased. Sydney born Cox was famous for his quip-laden calls.

I was privileged to know and work with Walker in my F1 days and then again in the BTCC. Even got mentioned in his best-selling autobiography as a “friend”.

That surprised me because while we got on well, I wouldn’t have said we were close. He seemed to enjoy and respect my very direct approach.

I was flattered when Murray greeted me effusively at the Australian Grand Prix a decade ago, our encounter featuring in a BBC documentary on his life, which included driving tanks in the Second World War. F1 was his forte and fame, but Walker’s passion for racing at any level was palpable.

He screamed, he yelled, he got it wrong.

And we loved him for his faux pas. He was human, he was real.

He was the most dramatic commentor motor racing has ever seen. His hyperbolic delivery of racing made it thrilling when it was boring.

The late Clive James, the Britain-based Australian broadcaster and writer, perfectly A described Walker’s commentary style as “pants on fire”.

Walker loved racing and his enthusiasm was manifest in his calls, no matter how little or much he knew. Which was often a lot – or so you’d think. y In fact, he researched assiduously and had copious notes with him in the commentary booth. But it was all to little avail as his mouth often exceeded his information.

Malapropisms, mistakes and Murrayisms all rightly contributed to his nickname ‘Muddy Talker’.

T Yes, he was famous for his gaffs, but his enthusiasm was never in doubt and his convoluted cockups were as endearing and entertaining as they were maddening.

You just had to love him for his unvarnished passion and excitement. He broke every broadcasting rule, but his hyper delivery

entertained millions around the Englishspeaking world.

Muzza called racing as he saw it – or not.

He filled in the gaps with banter and blather that kept the show moving, pausing only reluctantly to let his co-commentator get a few words in edgewise.

He famously called races standing up, gripping a lip mic to his mouth while gesticulating and dancing from side to side.

When he shouted “Go, go, go!”, you knew, deserved or not, he would make the race sound gripping. You couldn’t walk away because as soon as you did, an excited screech would emanate – usually over nothing.

Modern motor sport commentators are more polished, more measured and more informative. But none of them match Murray’s distinctive delivery.

Graeme Murray Walker OBE, 97, lived a good, long life that left a lasting legacy.

“The car on its roof is a Toyota!” Teammates Will Hoy and Julian Bailey famously clash while leading in the BTCC British Grand Prix support race in 1993, with Walker providing one of his most memorable quotes to describe the incident. It was a play on the ad slogan “The car in front is a Toyota”.

The man and his mishaps as recalled in a classic AA interview

murray mints

MURRAY WALKER’S final season in Formula 1 was 20 years ago. As the then 77-year-old embarked on his farewell year as ‘The Voice Of F1’, he discussed his career and cockups cheerfully and openly with AA’s inquisitor-in-chief, Mark Fogarty.

Walker was never lost for words and the interview was inevitably lengthy. It was so long that it was published over three parts around the season-opening 2001 Australian Grand Prix.

As a further tribute to the treasured talker, here are highlights of that conversation: Commentating on F1 is a lot more difficult than it looks. When you’re sitting at home with no distractions, it’s very easy to spot mistakes. I think people underestimate the difficulty of the job.

Jonathan Martin, who was the head of sport at BBC Television, always said F1 is the hardest sport of all to commentate on because unlike most sports, the action is not in the eye of the beholder sitting in the grandstand. The cars whiz past and then one minute and 20 seconds later they come back again, and there’s strategy and refuelling and tyre-changing and all the rest of it to take into account. But dealing with the image I have for making mistakes, I’m a human being. Everybody makes mistakes. The difference is most mistakes people make either aren’t spotted or can be covered up and rectified. Mistakes I make on a television telecast are on an electronic medium, and the moment you make a mistake, it is instantly heard around the world. And you don’t have to correct it because something else is happening that you have to talk about. A lot of the things people say are mistakes, are slips of the tongue or a momentary misidentification rather than a failure to actually know what was happening or a lack of knowledge about the subject. And if I actually thought I was making mistakes because I didn’t know what I was talking about, I would jack it in immediately.

Mind you, it has worked pretty well for you, hasn’t it? Next to George W Bush, you probably have the biggest website full of gaffs!

[Laughs] I can’t deny that it appears to have invested me with an endearing quality as hopefully not a bumbling idiot, but someone who is like the rest of us. I have no complaints and I am certainly not complaining. All I’m saying is that a lot of the things that people say are mistakes; they are turns of phrases.

But, yes, I do make mistakes and so does everybody.

It’s definitely not lack of knowledge. ve Something viewers don’t know, but I’ve ail seen, is that you are a stickler for detail and you spend enormous amounts of time ering wandering around the paddock, gathering s. information and making copious notes.

Well, you have to. It is my job to be the eyes, ears and voice of the viewers whoo would give their eyes and teeth to be where I am. I’m in a lucky and privilegedd position, and if I don’t do my homeworkk ult I shouldn’t be there. It would be an insult to the sport and it would be an insult to the viewers, and it would be an insult too my employer because it’s not just that I get the pleasure of being there at the centre of the thing that is the passion of my life, but I actually get paid to do it as well.

Although we all think of Murray Walker as the voice of Formula 1, he was always a major figure in the media pack and doing his research. Here (at right) he interviews Nigel Mansell alongside his newspaper, radio and television colleagues.

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Murray Walker had enduring ‘on-air’ partnerships calling English language coverage of F1 with James Hunt (centre below) and Martin Brundle (left), who is the modern day voice of Formula 1.

Walker most admires driver Tazio Nuvorali (pictured above in a Mercedes), though he admits to a soft spot for Nigel Mansell for all the drama and emotion the Brit brought to the sport.

And David said “I don’t give a f*ck what you like, as far as I’m concerned you’re a f*cking hired hand and if you don’t like it, you can f*ck off!” So there was a tense relationship between the two of them from then on.

What do you think has been the secret of your success?

I’ve worked hard to know what wha I’m talking about. I am genuinely enthusiastic about abo it. I very much enjoy enjo talking about it. I love being part of the F1 scene and having a privileged position in pri it, and being able to talk tal to anybody and go anywhere.

I suppose if an you yo put all those things together, that that could to account for it. a

Your commentary partnerships with the late James Hunt and Martin Brundle have worked amazingly well. There’s only so much room in a commentary box for egos, isn’t there?

Yes. With Martin and I, and with James and I before that, the roles are clearly defined because I have never driven an F1 car competitively, whereas both of them were supremely good at it. It’s my job to jump up and down and get excited about what was happening on the track and tell people in commentary terms, and it was their job to comment on the drivers, the tactics and all the rest of it. It requires understanding and co-operation and a willingness to give ground, which is very difficult because by definition you’re in the commentary box because you have an ego large enough to believe you’re capable of telling people what’s happening without some upstart interfering.

So you have to be prepared to defer and with Martin and I, it was quite difficult at times. But we agreed with each other when we started that if we had any problems, we would talk about it, and that we have done, and I think we have sorted out our problems and defined our areas of responsibility satisfactorily.

But James was often difficult wasn’t he, especially in the early years of your partnership?

I’ll tell you a funny story. The first year we went to Adelaide (in 1985), James, who had a very naughty and arrogant manner, as you know, met David Hill, who was then the head of Channel 9 Sport, and there was an instant lack of rapport between the two of them – a personality clash. We got up into the box to

do the qualifying for the firstt F1 Australian Grand Prix and in those BBC days, we shared one microphone.

So we literally had to pass it back and forth between the two of us. And I was prattling away and I handed the microphone to James, who shrugged his shoulders and put it down on the bench in front of him and said “I have nothing to say”.

David Hill, who was sitting next to me, leant across and said “Pick the f*cking thing up and say something!” So James gave him a look of horrified fury and picked it up and said something.

At the end of the session, we were leaving the commentary box and James said to David “I’d like a word with you, I’ve never been spoken to like that before and I don’t like it.”

What W has been the most m memorable moment mom in your F1 m career? caare The death of Ayrton Senna.

It was w difficult because my immediate reaction was “My God! Senna’s gone gon off!” But the rider was “Don’t worry, folks, it’ll be b all right because they are all all right these days, days aren’t they?”. I might have thought about Gerhard Berger Berge going off in the Ferrari (in 1989) 19 at exactly the same place – and not only going off, bbut catching fire. I was talking ttalkin lki about him, thinking he was w being fried before our eyes, but it turned e out not to be the case. I remembered Nelson Piquet rem had gone off in exactly the same place (in 1987) and had battled with (F1 chief ch medical officer) Sid W Watkins to take part in the ra the next day. So my race im immediate reaction was o of excitement rather one th alarm. But I very than

rapidly realised it was much more serious.

And the difficulty was amplified in the BBC broadcast by virtue of the fact that RAI, which was the host broadcaster, was staying with the pictures. It was eased, though, because it was the first time the BBC had ever had its own outside broadcast facility at the circuit. So the producer Mark Wilkin was able to cut from the unpleasant RAI pictures to pit lane pictures. But I was still having to talk over it and not say “Oh, my God, he’s dead” because I didn’t know he was and you mustn’t say that sort of thing, anyway. Nor could I say “Don’t worry, he’ll be all right, I’ve seen other people do exactly the same thing at exactly the same place”. So you were having to tow the diplomatic line between the two extremes for quite a long time.

And your most uplifting moment on air?

Damon Hill crossing the line to win at Suzuka in 1996 and win the championship, when I said “I’ve got to stop now, I’ve got a lump in my throat”.

You’ve lived through the pantheon of F1 superstars. Is there any one driver you admire above all others?

Tazio Nuvolari (1930s superstar). But Nuvolari is not meaningful to non-anoraks. So ironically and surprisingly, two drivers who were teammates, Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss. But the man who has given me the most satisfaction as a commentator is Nigel Mansell.

I had a horrible feeling you would say that.

Yes, the much-derided Nigel Mansell. But I deliberately said as a commentator because I had more drama and excitement, and more on-circuit and off-circuit happenings with Nigel than I’ve had with the rest of them put together. Nigel either had Senna by the throat in the garage in Belgium or he was passing Berger around the outside of the Peraltada in Mexico, which was impossible, or he was passing Senna to win the Hungarian Grand Prix in the Ferrari. Or he had a wheel coming off in the pit lane. Or he was taking a black flag. Or he was marching down pit lane to have a row with the stewards. Or he was having a row with Frank Williams. And from a commentator’s point of view, that’s manna from heaven.

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F1 PREVIEW

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN DAN KNUTSON looks at all the changes for the upcoming Formula 1 season

WILL LEWIS Hamilton win an unprecedented eighth world driver’s championship in 2021? Will Mercedes win an unprecedented eighth consecutive world constructor’s championship this year?

At age 36 Hamilton hasn’t slowed down. And Mercedes won’t have suddenly lost the plot during the offseason. But no racing dynasty lasts forever, and Mercedes had some hiccoughs during pre-season testing.

With Ferrari gaining back the horsepower it lost last year, and with Max Verstappen and the Red Bull with its new Honda power unit looking quick in pre-season testing, Hamilton and Mercedes won’t dominate this year like they did last year.

“In terms of consistently coming back each year, that is one of the biggest challenges I think any athlete in the world faces,” Hamilton says. “But the goal is always to try and improve and not drop the ball in the other areas you’re strong at, focus on weak areas, while still keeping the others strong. I can tell you it’s definitely not an easy task. There have been times where I’ve improved in some areas where other areas have dipped a bit.

“A lot of it is collaboration, working with

engineers, challenge your engineers, having them challenge you, and raise areas in which they feel they can see better ways of working together. It goes back to energy levels, fitness, and mental health – all these really important key factors and elements you have to have firing on all cylinders. Naturally we’re on the edge, us athletes and competitors, all the time and so that’s a very difficult balance to strike.”

CHANGES

PLENTY HAS changed in F1 compared to 2020, starting with Melbourne not

Max Verstappen was quickest in pre-season testing for Red BullHonda (above) while Sebastian Vettel moved from Ferrari to Aston Martin (below), formerly Racing Point.

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hosting the season-opening race. Due to COVID-19 the Australian Grand Prix will be 21 November. Two weeks later Saudi Arabia will host its first ever championship F1 race. The 2021 season has a record 23 races including the first Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort since 1985. And it kicks off on 28 March in Bahrain.

But it remains to be seen if all those races actually take place, as the pandemic situation continues to change around the world.

Only Mercedes (Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas), Alfa Romeo (Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi) and Williams (George Russell and Nicolas Latifi) have the same driver line-up as they did last year.

After two seasons with Renault, Aussie Daniel Ricciardo has switched from Renault to McLaren, and McLaren has switched from Renault to Mercedes power units. Ricciardo replaces Carlos Sainz who signed with Ferrari.

After two seasons away from F1 and spent in IndyCars and sports cars and winning the Le Mans 24 Hours twice, Fernando Alonso makes his return with Renault, which has changed its name to Alpine.

“Without a doubt, I’m a more

competent driver now than two years ago,” Alonso says.

Speaking of name changes, Racing Point is now Aston Martin. After six seasons at Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel has switched to Aston Martin. Out of a job at Aston Martin, Sergio Pérez got snapped up by Red Bull, where he replaces Alex Albon.

There are three rookies this season – Mick Schumacher (son of the seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher) and Nikita Mazepin at Haas, and Yuki Tsunoda at AlphaTauri.

Images: Motorsport Images

D Despite unconvincing pace in pre-season teating, Lewis Hamilton (above) and Mercedes remain tthe combination to beat for 2021. Can they each score an eighth world title? No-one would bbet against it. Daniel Ricciardo moves to McLaren (left), now with Mercedes engines. The new m matchup looked promising in testing.

There has also been a change at the T very ve top, as Stefano Domenicali has replaced re Chase Carey as Formula 1’s chief ch executive.

SSETTLING IN

R RICCIARDO SPENT quite a bit of time at the McLaren Technology Centre in February getting to know people in the Fe team and how they operate. te “They are certainly a professional outfit,” the Perth native says. “I think ou they have got some really good th processes in place and are well p structured. A lot of the meetings are st pretty efficient so it’s been good.” p How close is he from getting truly comfortable in the team and car? co “It’s a tough one,” he replies. “You never want to admit that you are not ne driving to the limit yet or anything, but the reality is that it does take a little bit of time to execute it 100 per cent. I think I’m certainly getting close, but am I truly at one with the car yet? From a race weekend and dialing into strategic stuff with the team and going through a race simulation, I’m pretty comfortable.

“I think it’s really just me getting comfortable within myself and the car.

It naturally takes a bit of time but I don’t really want to give myself the time.”

SPRINT RACES

THERE WILL be three 100km sprint races this season in Canada, Britain and Brazil. The results from those races on

Saturday afternoon will create the grid for Sunday’s 300km grand prix. The grid for the sprint race will be determined by a qualifying session on Friday afternoon.

The concept has drawn mixed reviews.

“There’s always a million reasons why not to do something, but I think the concept’s interesting,” Red Bull team principal Cristian Horner says. “I think the way they’re looking at introducing it is reasonably responsible over three events, so why don’t we try it? Let’s give it a go.”

Ross Brawn, Formula 1’s managing director of motor sports, believes that the sprint races will fill out the weekends.

“The critical thing is to preserve the grand prix,” he says. “We want the winner of the grand prix to come away from those weekends still being the strongest and most successful competitor of that weekend.

“But we want to fill out the weekend, and we want to give the fans something more substantial to look at and follow on a Friday, and something interesting on a Saturday. So really we have a much fuller weekend and that’s what we want to explore.

“If it doesn’t work then we’ll put our hands up and we’ll go away, and we’ll think about it again. But I’m quite optimistic about it. I think if you take the view of the whole weekend then it’s got a lot going for it.”

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F1 PREVIEW

2021 FORMULA 1 SEASON*

1 - Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit, March 28 2 - Italy, Imola Circuit, April 18 3 - Portugal, Algarve International Circuit, May 2 4 - Spain, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, May 9 5 - Monaco, Circuit de Monte Carlo, May 23 6 - Azerbaijan, Baku City Circuit, June 6 7 - Canada, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, June 13 8 - France, Circuit Paul Ricard, June 27 9 - Austria Red Bull Ring, July 4 10 - United Kingdom, Silverstone, July 18 11 - Hungary, Hungaroring, August 1 12 - Belgium, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, August 29 13 - Netherlands, Circuit Zandvoort, September 5 14 - Italy, Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, September 12 15 - Russia, Sochi Autodrom, Sochi, September 26 16 - Singapore, Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore, October 3 17 - Japan, Suzuka Circuit, Suzuka, October 10 18 - United States, Circuit of the Americas, October 24 19 - Mexico, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, October 31 20 - Brazil, Autódromo Jose Carlos Pace, November 7 21 - Australia, Albert Park Circuit, November 21 22 - Saudi Arabia, Jeddah Street Circuit, December 5 23 - United Arab Emirates, Yas Marina Circuit, December 12 *Subject to change

Carlos Sainz has moved from McLaren to Ferrari (top) and has high hopes for the Italian team’s revival this year. Mercedes will share its safety and medical car duties with Aston Martin in 2021 (above), the German cars now in red rather than silver.

CLAWING BACK

DUE TO the pandemic the teams did not design and build new cars this year, but instead are running updated versions of their 2020 cars.

There was a regulation change in the rear floor area to reduce downforce, and the aerodynamicists and engineers have already clawed some of that back.

There are radical changes to the 2022 technical regulations, so the teams will have to decide when to start switching their focus to the 2022 concept and stop developing their current cars.

That will be tempered somewhat, at least for the bigger teams, by the new budget cap of US$145 million introduced this year.

A NEW LOOK

FORMULA 1 will have a new look this season as Aston Martin and Mercedes-AMG will be official suppliers of the safety and medical cars.

Aston Martin will run a specially equipped version of its Vantage for its safety car, while the Aston Martin DBX will fulfil the carmaker’s medical car commitment. Both will be painted Aston Martin Racing Green.

Mercedes-AMG, who have supplied the cars since 1996, will continue

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to run its Mercedes-AMG GT R and Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Estate vehicles, but they will be painted red instead of silver as in the past.

“The safety and medical cars are an essential part of running a safe and successful FIA Formula 1 World Championship event,” Aussie Michael Masi, the FIA’s Formula 1 Race Director and Safety Delegate, says. “From track tests and inspections to race interventions

and neutralisations, they are a vital tool for myself as race director and my team to utilise in order to keep everyone safe and get back to racing as efficiently as we can following an incident. These cars need to be fast in all conditions and carry a huge amount of cutting-edge technology onboard.”

THE FAVOURITES

SO WHO are the favourites to win

races and the championships?

“It is without doubt quite impressive to see the speed of some of the other teams,” Hamilton mused, “and Red Bull are looking particularly strong.

They can be favourites if they want.

I think they’ve had some really good running (in pre-season testing); both their drivers are looking quite strong.

“They’re going to be a different machine or animal this year. Having seen them winning the last race (of 2020) you can only assume they’re going to be right there, if not at the front, of the first race. It’s going to be a great, long battle with them throughout the year.”

Verstappen is cautiously optimistic.

“It is too early to say how we will do, but I have positive feelings in the car,” he said. “We will find out in qualifying where we are because that is where you can judge pure performance, but from the test it has been a good few days.”

Qualifying will indeed give the first proper idea of the pecking after all the changes that have come into the 2021 season.

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T

he Australian Racing Group, in partnership with the Bathurst Regional Council, is delighted to welcome drivers, teams and race fans to Mount Panorama for the fifth running of the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour.

This event also marks ARG’s first official event as a promoter. Due to the COVID-19 situation that put a handbrake on the world in 2020, this has been a long time in the making, but we are excited to get the cars and stars on track for a fabulous three days of racing around Australia’s best circuit.

And really, the circuit and the city of Bathurst is what makes this race so special.

Mount Panorama is revered around the world. It’s one of the best motor racing circuits and facilities that you’ll find anywhere on the globe, so to have it in our own backyard, and to be welcomed so kindly by the people of Bathurst and the central west New South Wales region, is the reason why this event is a success … even before a wheel is turned.

The Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour has established itself as the premium production car endurance race in Australia. The showroom aspect of the cars really takes us back to the history and heritage of Mount Panorama, and the calibre of teams, drivers and vehicles in the race is of a world-standard level.

It’s a privilege to have this race under the ARG umbrella.

But this year’s Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour will not be like any other seen before. Three of ARG’s top-line race categories will be there to support

the production car 6 Hour, bringing the world’s attention to Mount Panorama.

The Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series has quickly established itself as the most exciting touring car class the world over. The marketrelevance of brands makes it easy for the fans to relate, and the big name drivers that have migrated to our Australian series is a testament to the global attraction of the turbo-charged formula.

Speaking of global attraction, nothing raises the eyebrows of the fans quite like GT3 race cars, and it’s been a pleasure to welcome the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS into the ARG stables.

Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Audi and Mercedes-Benz … need I say more.

Also on the support card is the National Trans Am Series. This class of American muscle cars features Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros and Dodge Challenges. But it’s not just those hero names that will draw the attention of the fans. Trans Am includes a high calibre of drivers that are a story in themselves, including Aaron Seton, Nathan Herne, Owen Kelly, Brett Holdsworth, Ben Grice and Nash Morris … plus more!

Again, ARG and the Bathurst Regional Council welcomes you to the 2021 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour. It has been a long-time coming. We thank you for your patience, and we trust you’ll enjoy this fantastic event.

Matt Braid CEO, Australian Racing Group

I

t’s wonderful to see the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour return to the iconic Mount Panorama with such a diverse competitor base.

While it’s a smaller event compared to others held at the circuit, there’s no shortage of action or excitement.

The Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour greatly contributes to our local economy.

I would like to welcome the drivers, families, friends and their supporters who come to Bathurst to watch the event and ultimately shop, dine and stay in our city. This will provide a substantial boost to our local economy and highlight the Bathurst region to our visitors.

Bathurst is renowned as the home of motor racing and events such as the Hi-Tec Oils 6 Hour prove this fact. It also provides an opportunity for us to demonstrate that our region has so much more on offer for visitors and residents alike.

Cr Bobby Bourke Mayor of Bathurst

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS & OFFICIALS

Events such as the Bathurst 6Hr simply couldn’t happen without the dedication enthusiasm and hard work of numerous officials and volunteer support staff.

This weekend will see hundreds of Motorsport Australia officials, Flag and Sector marshalls, Pitlane and Grid marshalls, support staff and adminstrators give up their Easter to help make sure the 2021 Bathurst 6Hr is a great success.

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P

RODUCTION CAR racing is synonymous with Bathurst, indeed it provided the very origins of the current 1000km race that has such a storied history at the venue.

Mount Panorama has hosted 500 mile, one-hour, two-hour, three-hour, six-hour, 12-hour and even 24-hour events for production-based machinery.

Born out of the Bathurst 12 Hour’s shift towards GT3 models in its outright class in 2011, the 6 Hour has been a regular on the Australian motor sport calendar on the Easter long weekend since 2016.

BMW has been the dominant marque and is undefeated in the Bathurst 6 Hour, which started with current TCR Australia driver Nathan Morcom’s win in 2016 partnered by Supercars star Chaz Mostert in a BMW 335i Coupe.

Morcom and Mostert then teamed up in a new Ford Focus RS in 2017 to almost take victory in a thrilling final stint battle, won by Luke Searle in BMW’s hot hatch, the M135i, giving co-driver Paul Morris a unique treble at The Mountain.

Morris became the first driver to win the 1000, 12 Hour and 6 Hour.

The advent of BMW’s M4 and M3 sports saloons have since dominated the event, with brothers Grant and Iain Sherrin winning in 2018 driving their M4, while Beric Lynton was joined by Tim Leahey to win in 2019.

But the point of the race is to demonstrate variety and it certainly does this in spades.

Although BMW may have dominated the outright victories, manufacturers such as HSV, Mercedes, Subaru, Hyundai and Mitsubishi are among the

brands to have put up giant-killing performances in past events.

Not only is there variety, but this event features easily the biggest field to race at The Mountain each year, with more than 60 entries regularly contesting the event ... providing memories of the 1960s when class battles on Mount Panorama were fought fiercely.

In the fifth edition of this event, BMW will be up against its toughest foe, the Ford Mustang, and it promises to be an almighty fight.

Add in the involvement of the Australian Racing Group and Motorsport Australia, and the event features an impressive support card.

For the first time the Bathurst 6 Hour will run under the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships banner for Round 2 of its season.

ARG’s portfolio of categories led by TCR Australia, GT World Challenge Australia and Trans Am all debut at The Mountain this weekend, although sports cars hold a storied history at Mount Panorama thanks to the Bathurst 12 Hour.

Both TCR Australia and Trans Am will compete at The Mountain for the first time for series points.

Established out of the state-based Bathurst Motor Festival, the 6 Hour weekend hasn’t lost this link as the MRF Excel Challenge and Historic Touring Cars allow local or interstate grassroots competitors the opportunity to tackle arguably Australia’s best circuit.

Completing the program this weekend is the Radical Australia Cup, with a full and fast field of these open-topped sports cars. HM

The Bathurst 6 Hr for Production Cars headlines the bill (top) but the TCR Australia field makes its first championship points start at Mt Panorama (above). Variety will be everywhere this weekend ... here Ford takes on Mitsubishi (below).

PREVIOUS BATHURST 6 HOUR OUTRIGHT WINNERS 2016 2017 2018 2019

Nathan Morcom/Chaz Mostert Luke Searle/Paul Morris Grant Sherrin/Iain Sherrin Beric Lynton/Tim Leahey

BMW 335i Coupe BMW M135i BMW M4 BMW M3

125 laps 113 laps 109 laps 131 laps

TV SCHEDULE Saturday, April 3 - 10:00am-1:30pm on (extended coverage from 1:30pm-6:00pm on the 7plus streaming/on demand platform) Sunday, April 4 - 10:00am-5:30pm (extended coverage from 8:00am-10:00am on 7plus)

Trans Ams (above) will be racing for series points ... the noise should be incredible bouncing off Bathurst’s rock walls. GTs (above) feature too, a warm-up for the 2022 Bathurst 12 Hr perhaps?

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The Bathurst 6 Hour returns to its traditional Easter slot after a year away. Beric Lynton and Tim Leahey are aiming to go back-to-back in 2021, whilst continuing BMW’s unbeaten record since the race began in 2016.

Friday April 2

TCR Australia debuts at The Mountain and the chase for the title is a tight fight. Alfa Romeo dominated Round 1 at Symmons Plains before Audi did likewise last time out at Phillip Island.

7:05 7:30 8:10 8:35 9:10 9:50 10:20 11:25 11:55 12:45 13:10 13:50 14:15 14:55 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00

MRF Tyres Excel Bathurst Challenge Radical Australia Trans Am TCR GT World Challenge Australia Historic Touring Cars Bathurst 6 Hour MRF Tyres Excel Bathurst Challenge Resident Access TV Track Time Radical Australia Trans Am TCR GT World Challenge Australia Historic Touring Cars MRF Tyres Excel Bathurst Challenge Trans Am Bathurst 6 Hour

Practice Practice Practice 1 Practice 1 Practice 1 Practice Practice 1 Qualifying

Qualifying Practice 2 Practice 2 Practice 2 Qualifying Race 1 Qualifying Practice 2

Saturday April 3

GT racing in this country began a new era at Phillip Island with a new organisational partnership between the SRO and ARG. Tony Quinn races a spectacular latest-specification Aston Martin Vantage GT3.

7:05 7:40 8:15 9:05 9:35 10:05 10:40 11:20 11:50 12:25 13:05 13:55 14:15 15:20 15:50 16:40 17:05 17:35

MRF Tyres Excel Bathurst Challenge TCR Bathurst 6 Hour GT World Challenge Australia GT World Challenge Australia Trans Am TCR MRF Tyres Excel Bathurst Challenge Trans Am TCR Resident Access S5000 Demo GT World Challenge Australia Historic Touring Cars Radical Australia Bathurst 6 Hour Bathurst 6 Hour Historic Touring Cars

Race 2 Qualifying Practice 3 Qualifying 1 Qualifying 2 Race 1 Race 1 Race 3 Race 2 Race 2

Race 1 Race 1 Race 1 Qualifying (Bottom 50%) Qualifying (Top 50%) Race 2

Sunday April 4 7:05 8:00 8:15 8:50 10:10 11:15-17:15

The Trans Am National Series has been a spectacular addition to the ARG portfolio, starring at Symmons Plains and Baskerville as part of the Race Tasmania event where the muscle cars turned plenty of heads.

Radical Australia S5000 Demo Trans Am GT World Challenge Australia TCR Bathurst 6 Hour

Race 2 Race 3 Race 2 Race 3

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The Bathurst 6 Hour makes a welcome return to the racing calendar. It is set to continue Mount Panorama’s rich history of production endurance racing where the Australian car market goes head-to-head on track. HEATH McALPINE provides an overview of this year’s fifth edition of the race.

Images: Nathan Wong/Bathurst 6 Hour/ARG/ MTR Images IT WAS built out of production car competitors’ desire for an endurance race around Mount Panorama, after the Bathurst 12 Hour evolved to become an internationally-renowned GT race.

Since 2016, the Bathurst 6 Hour has provided the opportunity to demonstrate Australia’s car market on the track in a variety of classes, much like the early Bathurst 500 events.

Classes include X for Ultimate Performance cars, A1 and A2 for Extreme Performance Forced Induction/Normally Aspirated, Class B1 and B2 High Performance Forced Induction/Normally Aspirated, C Performance, D Production and E Compact.

All entries must conform to the Group 3E Series Production Car regulations, which allow minimal modifications to be completed to aid reliability and safety for the track, while all entires must fit under a $150,000 price cap.

BMW is the dominant marque on The Mountain at Easter time.

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The Europeans have been the cars to beat at Bathurst in the 6 Hour, with BMW on top in every event (top) while Mercedes (above) has started to challenge more recently.

The German brand has won all four previous editions of the Bathurst 6 Hour through models including the 335i Coupe, M135i hatchback, M4 and M3, but this year a new contender emerges in the hope of ending BMW’s dominance.

A six-strong contingent of Ford Mustangs will

undertake the model’s maiden appearance in the race. Built by Ryan McLeod, the six ponies are expected to be more than a match for the variety of BMW M3 and M4s, which have dominated the race in the past two events.

Being in X Class, the BMWs are required to

make two extra compulsory pit stops during the 6 hour event, further enhancing the Mustang’s chances.

That’s not to say the last of Australia’s performance greats, HSV’s GTS and Clubsport R8 aren’t a chance, particularly the latter.

West Australian team Jack Motorsport proved the Clubsport R8 is a competitive beast, finishing third in the 2019 event.

Continuing the Ford vs Holden rivalry, which sparked the popularity of Series Production in the late-1960s, Ford Performance Vehicles last model, the GT-F, will also go up against a large number of HSVs. However, if the rains arrive watch out for the usual rally-bred four-wheel-drive compacts, such as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. A dominant piece of kit in production car racing entering the last decade, the turbocharged weapon still has the firepower to take on the more powerful German, Australian and now American rivals.

The Mercedes A45 AMG is also an outright contender. One finished third in 2018 with Steve

Ford’s Mustang is debuting in the 6 Hour (top right) and is being tipped to topple the BMWs for the outright victory. And the Mustang’s arrival is sure to rekindle the Ford vs Holden wars, as it goes head to head with a variety of HSV Commodores (right).

Johnson as lead driver and Garth Walden Racing is very experienced when it comes to this hot hatch. The three-pointed star also has another representative in the form of the crowd favourite C63 AMG, which has a bellow that can be heard for miles.

Add in the Audi TT RS and Volkswagen Golf R, and the variety within the frontrunning classes is replicated through the rest of the field.

Mazda, Holden, Volkswagen, BMW, Renault, Kia, Suzuki, Toyota and Subaru feature in the other classes.

Reigning winner of the Bathurst 6 Hour, Beric Lynton, is anticipating an interrupted race this year, in which he is mounting a three-car attack on The Mountain, with long-time co-driver Tim Leahey is retained.

“We won by a lap,” Lynton recalled about his triumph two years ago.

“I think this year will be different with 60 or more entries, I think we will see a few more safety cars. We only had two in 2019, which meant it was a fast race and a long race, so realistically that pushes the equivalence further.”

The unpredictability of Bathurst’s weather could also play a hand and opens the door for further models to enter the outright contest “And if it rains, that brings all the Evos and Subarus straight to the top, even the front-wheeldrive cars do well compared to us with their turbos and horsepower,” Lynton explained.

A model that enters the event this year with much fanfare around its debut, but Lynton

believes with good reason the new Ford Mustangs will shock many at The Mountain.

“I had a chat with Paul Morris last week and they’re all playing it down as they do, keeping their cards close to their chest,” he said.

“Two of the them did the one-hour race with Queensland Production Touring at Lakeside, I think they are unproven.

“In saying that, we rolled in there in 2018 (with a car) that we’d only finished earlier that year and we’re leading comfortably. We were setting the pace until we lost a wheel with 20-odd laps to go. That was a brand-new car, it had done one race meeting before that.

“I know a few of the boys have been testing the Mustangs, but also a lot of them haven’t run on MRFs either. What’s the fuel economy like?

How many pit stops will they get away with?

What are the brakes like?

“The Mustangs are definitely a good car, well-built and will be a surprise packet to a lot of people when they see how good they go.”

Lynton’s three M3s include the Ellery family entry led by former touring car driver Steve with sons Dalton and Tristan, while current Supercars Championship leader Shane van Gisbergen spearheads the Shane Smollen and Rob Rubis example.

After retiring his BMW M1, choosing the M3 was a no brainer for Lynton.

“We read the rulebook and we built the best car to meet the rules that also was under the price cap,” Lynton emphasised.

“We went with the BMW again because it was the best toy to have in this class based on how the rules are written.”

Other entries in BMW M3s or M4s to watch out for include Team Blanchard Racing driver Tim Slade pairing with Queensland’s Brad Carr, Erebus Motorsport co-driver David Russell alongside Grant Sherrin, Chris Manley teams up with Calum Jones, and Simon Hodges has experienced production car driver Mark Caine as his co-driver.

Anthony Soole will also be a strong contender as he is joined by Trans Am National Series driver Dylan Thomas in an M4.

New Triple Eight Race Engineering major stakeholder Tony Quinn has entered one of the new Class A2 Ford Mustangs, which he drove towards the end of last year at Lakeside.

“It’s very lazy,” Quinn described the Mustang. “I think at Lakeside we only use third or fourth gear, QR is only third and fourth gear, but at Bathurst we’ll get into fifth!

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“I think the gearbox might be the weak point, the synchromesh. I’ve said to the guys take it easy changing gears, but that won’t make any difference to how they drive it!”

Quinn will team with Grant Denyer and Tim Miles in the 6 Hour, but said his main aim for the event was to have fun after competing in the early production car 12 Hours alongside the Channel 7 personality.

“Maybe half the field will go there thinking they’re an outright proposition for sure,” Quinn said. “I think the BMWs will be hard to beat because those are just faster, but if we stay on the lead lap we’ll be fine, we’ll just work away.”

One thing he did reveal was a move to a General Motors product might be on the horizon, given his new alliance.

“I wish we had of built a Camaro now and we may well do if it’s allowed,” he said. “That way Shane and Jamie can have a steer.”

The main Mustang challenge is expected to come from George Miedecke and Paul Morris, while regular production car entrant Coleby Cowham debuted the Mustang in the category and he’s joined by Lindsay Kearns.

Porsche Sprint Challenge young gun Bayley Hall co-drives Steve Hay’s entry and completing the line-up is Tony Alford alongside son Kyle, which the pair debuted with Quinn at Lakeside last year.

HSV is represented in Class X by Tony Virag’s frontrunning VF GTS in New South Wales Production Touring Cars, with the driver line-up completed by legend John Bowe and Barry Sternbeck.

As mentioned earlier, all Class X entries must make at least six pit stops during the race.

Class A1 is home to a multitude of Mitsubishi Lancer Evos of various specifications, with Jimmy Vernon’s entry the standout among those ranks.

Ben and Michael Kavich can also be considered as contenders, but will race for the third event running in support of Race For A Cure in the fight against breast cancer.

Zac Raddatz and Jack Winter are both quick youngsters, and team up in an older Evo IX. Mercedes is represented by three A45 AMGs, two of which are entered by Garth Walden Racing, while Rod Salmon makes a return in his One World-sponsored example.

Multiple Australian GT champion Mark Eddy enters his Audi TT RS co-driven by former rival Dean Grant.

Two supercharged FPV GT-Fs are entered as Jeremy Gray aims to enjoy better luck than in previous years. Touring Car Masters driver Aaron McGill drives a GT-F built by Racer Industries,

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BMW’s M4 won outright in 2018 in the hands of brothers Iain and Grant Sherrin.

VW will see a two-pronged attack, with both Golf (above) and Scirroco models entered.

Mazda’s 3 MPS (below) is a favourite for Class C honours.

partnered by Michael Caine.

A BMW M1 to watch is the one shared

by Super2 pole winner at Bathurst Angelo Mouzouris, Formula Ford driver Cody Donald, and Jessy Bryan.

Volkswagen Golf Rs are also part of the class and are a reliable performer.

A2 is the domain of the HSV Clubsports and smaller BMWs, and the team that sprang a surprise by finishing on the podium in 2019, Jack Motorsport, make a return.

Its HSV Clubsport R8 will again be driven by Chris Lillis and car builder Matt Holt, but Nathan Callaghan is replaced by Josh Muggleton.

The Clubsport R8 is by far the most popular model in this class, while BMW’s 135i finished second in 2019 even though it is now a little long in the tooth.

Peter O’Donnell has again dusted off the twotime Bathurst 12 Hour winning BMW 335i Coupe formerly owned by Garry Holt, which is widely acknowledged to have completed the most laps of Mount Panorama by any car.

Jake Camilleri makes his return driving the giant killing Mazda 3 MPS, which is the favourite for Class C honours, however it faces stiff competition from Volkswagen Sciroccos, Holden Astra OPCs, BMW’s venerable 130i and Colin Osborne’s pair of Renault Meganes.

Toyota 86s and Subaru BRZs dominate Class D, with many featuring a variety of young guns.

Recent TCR Australia debutant Lachlan Mineeff is joined by former Formula Ford rival Tom Sargent in an 86, while previous editor of Auto Action David Hassall has entered the race in a similar machine.

Ben Bargwanna teams with cousin Jude in a Volkswagen Golf GTI and a Kia Proceed is also one of the entries in the class.

The tiddler class features the Road To Bathurst Mazda 3 SP25 led by Phil Alexander, while reigning class winners Andrew McMaster and David Worrell are expected to be hard to beat in a similar entry.

Suzuki has strong heritage in production car events at Bathurst, when Mark Brame showcased this during the 12 Hours of the early 1990s.

Team Group Suzuki Racing Team continue this history, contesting the event in two Swift Sports.

From BMW to Suzuki and everything in between, the Bathurst 6 Hour provides Australian motor sport variety at its best.

Car # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 31 33 35 36 37 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 55 57 59 64 67 71 73 77 78 82 84 86 89 95 97 99

Class X E C A1 C A1 A2 X A1 D C D A1 A2 A1 A2 A1 3E X A2 D A2 X A2 A2 A2 C A1 E D C B2 X A1 E A2 A1 E C B1 A2 A1 C A1 A2 A1 A1 A1 A2 A1 D B2 A1 D B1 C D C A2 X X

Sponsor Bruce Lynton BM Service Madza Motorsport Racer.Industries Property Investment Store Cee3 Oneworld Charters Local Legends Car Mods Australia Parramatta Vehicle Services 11Racing Osborne Motorsport Tegra Australia - Solo Works Race For A Cure - Yellow Boss Surveillance Systems Bloomfield Capital Racing Gramur Stainless Shockwave Signs Gold Coast Embroidery - ozEtees Secure Wealth US Customs SS Auto Memorabilia Greentech Gold Coast Sherrin Rentals Hall Finance& Insurance, LJ Hooker Caboolture Forrest / Razztech Motorsports Perseverance Drilling Osborne Motorsport Ranger Lifting/Rigging/Safety Road To Bathurst Brown Davis Racing Products Grand Prix Mazda Caboolture Commodore Shop Cardiff Wake Up Airtag / Sheargold Group Team Group Suzuki Racing Team Nolan Finishes RAM Motorsport / GWR Team Group Suzuki Racing Team On Track Motorsport ASAP Marketing Pty Ltd Racer Industries Harding Performance Air & Allied Sales Pacific Network Clothing Muscat Trailers, Wollongong Auto Parts, Easts Holiday Parks Prime Finance / Fifth Gear Motoring / Performance Parts Express Retail Construct / Nova Employment Racer Industries Cachet Homes JMG / Total Parts Plus Bargwanna Motorsport Race Academy International MX5 Mania / Max Winter Automotive Disc Brakes Australia Spinifex Recruiting AC Store / CP Dental TBA Pinnacle Automotive Miedecke Motor Group Prestige Connex Bruce Lynton BM Service

Driver A Beric Lynton David Worrell Nicholas McLeod Anthony Soole Doug Westwood Rod Salmon Tony Quinn Bradley Carr Hadrian Morrall Mitchell Maddren Colin Osborne Lachlan Mineeff Michael Kavich Jason Simes Jessy Bryan Graeme Muir Jimmy Vernon Robin Lacey Simon Hodges Michael James Graeme Heath Coleby Cowham Grant Sherrin Bayley Hall Darren Forrest Steve Pittman Josh Haynes Aaron McGill Brianna Wilson James Holloway Jake Camilleri James Herington Tony Virag Garth Walden Michael Hopp Daniel Clift Michael Sheargold Ian Cowley John Fitzgerald Scott Gore Tony Alford Cem Yucel Chris Holdt Mark Eddy Robert Coulthard Daniel Flanagan Matthew Boylan Ian Geekie Chris Lillis Jeremy Gray Ben Bargwanna Matthew Forbes-Wilson Zac Raddatz Jason Walsh Peter O’Donnell James Hay Richard Mork David Krusza George Miedecke Shane Smollen Steven Ellery

Driver B Tim Leahey Andrew McMaster Ben McLeod Dylan Thomas Cody Gillis Steve McLaughlan Grant Denyer Tim Slade Tyler Mecklem Matthew Payne Rick Bates Thomas Sargent Ben Kavich Anthony Levitt Cody Donald Jamie Hodgson Mark Griffith Matilda Mravicic Mark Caine TBA David Hassall Lindsay Kearns David Russell Steve Hay Paul Razum Craig Baird Kaide Lehmann Michael Caine Jake Lougher Michael Holloway Scott Nicholas Arthur Tsovolos John Bowe Michael Auld Steve McHugh Ashley Heffernan Brett Hobson Daniel Natoli Scott Turner Keith Bensley Kyle Alford Iain Salteri Madeline Stewart Dean Grant Trevor Symonds Merrick Malouf Dimitri Agathos Anthony Carolan Josh Muggleton Jeff Hume Jude Bargwanna Ashley Seisun Jack Winter Alan Letcher Peter Johnston Paul Hansell Ric Shaw Jake Williams Paul Morris Robert Rubis Tristan Ellery

Driver C

Cameron McLeod

Neale Muston Tim Miles

Murray Dowsett

Angelo Mouzouris

Peter Lacey

Stephen Stockdale

Scott Cameron

Philip Alexander David Brown Drew Russell Barry Sternbeck Michael Rice Ollie Shannon Matt Thewis Urs Muller

David Ling

Grant Stephenson Mathew Holt Stephan Robinson Michael Ferns Ben Crossland Garry Mennell Patrick Navin Tom Shaw

Shane van Gisbergen Dalton Ellery

Car Make BMW Mazda Holden HSV BMW BMW Mercedes-Benz Ford BMW Mitsubishi Subaru Renault Toyota Mitsubishi Mercedes-Benz BMW Holden HSV Mitsubishi VW BMW Holden HSV Toyota Ford BMW Ford Holden HSV Holden HSV Renault Ford Mazda Toyota Mazda Holden Holden HSV Mercedes- Benz Suzuki Holden HSV Mercedes-Benz Suzuki BMW BMW Ford Volkswagen Holden HSV Audi Holden Mitsubishi Mitsubishi BMW Holden Ford VW Holden Mitsubishi KIA BMW VW Toyota BMW Ford BMW BMW

Car Model M3 3 SP25 Astra VXR M4 M3 A45 Mustang GT M3 Lancer EVO BRZ Megane 86 GTS Lancer EVO RS AMG C63 M1 GTS Lancer EVO RS Scirocco M4 GTS 86 GTS Mustang GT M4 Mustang GT R8 Clubsport VE Megane Falcon GT-F 3-SP25 Celica MPS3 Commodore SSV GTS A45 Swift Sport RS416 R8 Clubsport AMG Swift Sport RS416 130i 135i Mustang Golf R Astra VXR TTRS CSV Monaro Lancer EVO RS EVO X RS 1M HSV Clubsport R8 GTF Golf GTi SSV Lowndes EVO 9 Proceed 335i Scirocco 86 GTS 135i Mustang GT M4 M3

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S

O FAR, the second season of TCR Australia has been a story of swings and roundabouts.

After a year away, the series began at Symmons Plains where the Alfa Romeos dominated and Jordan Cox led the series, however Phillip Island was a different story.

It was disastrous for the former Improved Production gun, as he dropped to 11th in the title, thus highlighting the closeness in the points race.

At Phillip Island, Chaz Mostert was the star.

Along with Melbourne Performance Centre teammate Luke King, the pair delivered on the pace displayed in Tasmania, to score a pair of 1-2s including a dominating display by the Supercars star in the rain.

Misfortune doesn’t discriminate and Mostert suffered this in the final race, when a tyre let go within sight of a clean-sweep. Instead, Mostert finished multiple laps down in 19th, but he still leads the series by 15-points ahead of teammate King, while a further 10-points behind is Lee Holdsworth.

The former Tickford Racing driver starred in TCR immediately by scoring pole and winning his maiden race. A controversial penalty in the third and final event in the Apple Isle prevented Holdsworth from scoring a debut round triumph however, while teammate Jay Hanson has also experienced bad luck with a series placing of 15th not representative of his pace.

Adding to the Supercars flavour will be TCR returnee Garth Tander as teammate to Mostert and King at MPC. Honda may have struggled in Tasmania, but the Civic Type R TCR came good at The Island. John

Martin broke the brand’s podium duck in Race 2, while factory-supported driver Tony D’Alberto finished second in the final to be fourth in points heading to Mount Panorama.

The two Wall Racing Hondas weren’t the only entries for the marque to impress.

Michael Clemente’s top five in his privateer example proved a breakthrough, whilst Zac Soutar scored his first top 10 finish of the season in Race 2.

HMO Customer Racing is gradually entering into title calculations through team boss Nathan Morcom, who enters the round fifth after a mixed time at Phillip Island.

The wet conditions played havoc with the i30 N TCR’s electrics but that will be sorted. Morcom and teammate Josh Buchan welcome Duvashen Padayachee to the team, making it a threepronged attack on The Mountain.

Local Brad Shiels is the third Hyundai regular in his Tilton Racing privateer i30N TCR and will be aiming to return to the form displayed in Tasmania, where he was in top five contention until problems halted his charge.

Peugeot is the form manufacturer after Jason Bargwanna’s final race triumph at Phillip Island.

Backed by son Ben and young gun Aaron Cameron, the French hot hatches are expected to be in contention at Bathurst as the team aims to bring more trophies home.

Michael Caruso has had a difficult start to his campaign, but proved his Alfa Romeo has pace in qualifying, which hasn’t translated to race pace just yet.

Could Bathurst be where he does?

A disappointment so far this season, the Renault Megane R.S. TCRs have struggled

TCR CR AUSTRALIA ENTRY LIST Car # 2 5 7 9 10 11 15 17 18 24 25 30 33 34 37 50 71 75 97 110 130 333

SPONSOR MPC Moutai Racing Garry Rogers Motorsport Valvoline Racing GRM Ashley Seward Motorsport Ashley Seward Motorsport HMO Customer Racing Michael Clemente Motorsport Burson Auto Parts Racing Team Valvoline GRM Mobil 1 Wall Racing MPC Bostik Racing HMO Customer Racing Lowbake Racing GRM LMCT+ Racing GRM MPC Astrontech Racing Honda Wall Racing Burson Auto Parts Racing Melbourne Performance Centre LM Motorsport Team Soutar HMO Customer Racing Tilton Racing

DRIVER STATE Luke King NSW Jordan Cox NSW Michael Caruso NSW Jay Hanson VIC Lee Holdsworth VIC Nathan Morcom NSW Michael Clemente VIC Jason Bargwanna VIC Aaron Cameron VIC John Martin NSW Chaz Mostert QLD Josh Buchan NSW Dylan O’Keeffe VIC James Moffat VIC Chelsea Angelo VIC Tony D’Alberto VIC Ben Bargwanna VIC Garth Tander VIC Liam McAdam QLD Zac Soutar VIC Duvashen Padayachee NSW Brad Shiels NSW

despite the best efforts of Dylan O’Keeffe and James Moffat. However, power is one of the strong points for these French hot hatches, so should be well suited to Bathurst.

Another privateer makes his return in the form of Audi RS3 LMS TCR driver Liam McAdam.

Revealing his livery three weeks ago paying homage to the Australia’s rich indigenous history, it will be hard to miss.

VEHICLE Audi RS 3 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce Hyundai i30N Honda Civic Type R Peugeot 308 TCR Peugeot 308 TCR Honda Civic Type R Audi RS 3 Hyundai i30N Renault Megane RS Renault Megane RS Volkswagen Golf GTI Honda Civic Type R Peugeot 308 TCR Audi RS 3 Audi RS 3 Honda Civic Type R Hyundai i30N Hyundai i30N

Chelsea Angelo also continues in the series driving the ex-Aaron Cameron Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR and will be the lone representative for the brand, as Lachlan Mineeff has elected to focus on contesting the Bathurst 6 Hour.

TCR Australia is making its debut at The Mountain and there is a touch of the unknown about Round 3.

This is where the title fight really begins. HM

Chaz Mostert (top) currently leads the series in the MPC Audi RS3 LMS TCR, but HMO Customer Racing is starting to hit form (above, left), so too the GRM Peugeot (above, right).

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GT WORLD CHALLENGE AUSTRALIA ENTRY LIST

T

HE SECOND round of the inaugural GT World Challenge Australia hosts the first sports car race at The Mountain since last year’s Bathurst 12 Hour.

Bentley won on that occasion but Audi is the most successful marque with 2021 marking 10 years since the four rings took the first 12 Hour victory of the GT era.

However, the Audi brand is still dominating Australian GT racing both in on-track results and on entry lists, as 10 out of 19 competitors at Phillip Island’s opening round represented the brand.

The bulk of these are fielded by Melbourne Performance Centre, which has established itself during the past decade as one of the most professional outfits in this country.

Leading not only the team’s assault but also the series after Round 1 is Yasser Shahin and reigning Bathurst 1000 winner Garth Tander.

It was Shahin who impressed down south as he proved to be the fastest amateur driver during the two one-hour contests, while Tander held off former Supercar rivals to complete a dominant weekend.

Chasing the lead Audi are teammates Chaz Mostert and Tony Bates. Completing double duty, Mostert scored pole in the GT World Challenge Australia but a delayed entry into pit lane hampered he and Bates’ Race 1.

The former Bathurst winner failed to find away past Tander in the second to leave The Island fourth in the points.

The third key name was seven-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup, who subbed for a recovering Shane van Gisbergen at Phillip Island.

However, the fast Kiwi is expected to return to Triple Eight Race Engineering’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 to partner Malaysian Prince Jefri Ibrahim at The Mountain. Van Gisbergen returns to Bathurst more than a month after winning both Supercars encounters there.

Representing Porsche is the Grove father-son team Stephen and Brenton Grove.

Well placed before a pit limiter malfunction in the opening race at Phillip Island, the pair finished second in the final one-hour event to wind up third in the points heading to Bathurst.

In Australia’s sole current model Porsche 911 GT3R, the pair hopes to score a maiden win at The Mountain.

Former open-wheel ace Arthur Abrahams leads the GT Championship Amateur stakes after Round 1 in another Audi, while Tony Quinn in his current model Aston Martin Vantage GT3 will have some help in the form of Triple Eight Super2 driver Angelo Mouzouris, elevating him to Pro-Am. On home turf, Andrew MacPherson and Ben Porter hope the bad luck, which afflicted the pair at Phillip Island, is left down south as the pair’s

Car # 9 7 91 51 88 4 24 777 888 19 5 17 38 47 55 71 96 99 23 33 77 124

CLASS Am Am Am Am Am Pro/Am Pro/Am Pro/Am Pro/Am Am Am Am Am Am Am Am Am Am Am Am Am Am

SPONSOR Hallmarc Local Legends Canon Foods Imak Kwikmit Maranello Motorsport Grove Group Bostik Racing Valvoline Triple Eight Daimler Trucks Arris Property Trading Garage Mack Bros Roofing Kelso Electrical DPM Hobson Motorsport Industrie K.F.C. Perfect Auto Body Forum K.F.C.

DRIVER 1 Marc Cini Tony Quinn Arthur Abrahams Andrew Macpherson Peter Edwards Stephen Grove Tony Bates Yasser Shahin Prince Jefri Ibrahim Mark Griffith Greg Taylor Mark Rosser Michael Bailey Wayne Mack Brad Schumacher Dale Paterson Brett Hobson Nick Kelly Matt Stoupas Vince Muriti Vince Tesoriero Gary Higgon

Lamborghini Huracan GT3 is a quick car on The Mountain.

The Maranello Motorsport Ferrari 488 GT3 made a welcome return to the track at the inaugural round in the hands of owner Peter Edwards and co-driver Adrian Deitz. It has a rich pedigree at Mount Panorama, having won the 2017 Bathurst 12 Hour.

GT Trophy also featured returns including that of the Hobson Motorsport Nissan GT-R GT3, which should be a quick proposition at Bathurst with driver Brett Hobson.

DRIVER 2

VEHICLE Audi R8 LMS Evo Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Audi R8 LMS Evo Ben Porter Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Adrian Deitz Ferrari 488 GT3 Brenton Grove Porsche GT3-R 911-II Chaz Mostert Audi R8 LMS Evo Garth Tander Audi R8 LMS Evo Jamie Whincup Mercedes AMG GT3 Mercedes GT4 Audi R8 LMS Ultra Audi R8 LMS Aston Martin Vantage V12 GT3 Ferrari 458 GT3 Audi R8 LMS Ultra Camaro Reiter GT3 Nissan Nismo GT3 Audi R8 LMS Ultra Audi R8 LMS Audi R8-LMS Bill Papadimitriou Audi R8 LMS Ultra Paul Stokell Audi R8 LMS

However, Hobson isn’t leading GT Trophy approaching Round 2, with Audi driver Matt Stoupas holding a slender three-point advantage ahead of Hobson with both taking one win apiece.

Dale Paterson’s Reiter Engineering-built Chevrolet Camaro GT3 should enjoy the straights and the climb up The Mountain, as it attempts to fend off the usual Audi armada.

GT4 is also expected to return through Mark Griffith’s Mercedes-AMG GT4 as teams prepare for the three-hour contest later in the year at the Bathurst International. HM

Garth Tander and Yasser Shahin dominated at Phillip Island (top). Jamie Whincup and Chaz Mostert battled in GT (above, left), while the Groves share the only current-spec Porsche 911 GT3R (above).

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A

RETURN of muscle cars to Bathurst.

The Trans Am National Series makes its debut at The Mountain as support to the Bathurst 6 Hour, however its Ford Mustangs, Dodge Challengers and Chevrolet Camaros have actually competed at the venue before.

The Trans Ams have been placed within the Combined Sedans category at the Bathurst 12 Hour meetings and more recently in the Aussie Tin Tops class at last year’s 1000, but has not competed in its own event until now.

The fight for outright Trans Am honours is as close as ever between perennial rivals Nathan Herne and Aaron Seton.

Both rising stars have taken a round win each this season, Herne at Symmons Plains and Seton at Phillip Island.

Herne is experienced around The Mountain in his Dream Racing Dodge Challenger, after competing in the Aussie Tin Tops last year and Combined Sedans on numerous occasions.

Although Seton hasn’t driven his Harris Racing Ford Mustang around the circuit, he has contested the Bathurst 12 Hours and Toyota 86 rounds at the venue, so can’t be discounted.

Rival Owen Kelly experienced misfortune at Phillip Island scoring a DNF in Race 2, but it set up a remarkable comeback to fifth by the end of the third event. Kelly also has racked up the kilometres around Mount Panorama due to regular Supercars co-driver gigs over the past decade.

Kyle Gurton is quickly emerging as a frontrunning contender in Trans Am after finishing third at Phillip Island in the Garage1

Ford Mustang.

Currently eighth in the points, expect Gurton to challenge Herne and Seton at Bathurst.

So too Tim Brook. Still learning how to drive these beasts, Brook’s previous history at The Mountain is strong, but that was driving in the Toyota 86 Race Series.

After suffering mechanical maladies at Symmons Plains, Wall Racing were on top of these by Phillip Island where Brook was just off the ultimate pace of the front duo.

Edan Thornburrow shone down in Tasmania but was a little off the pace at Phillip Island. He still remains third in the points, albeit 60-points behind Herne, but if either of the leading pair clash, Thornburrow will be there to take advantage.

A surprise sixth is Seton’s Harris Racing teammate Hadrian Morrall, with consistency being the name of the game as he leads experienced hands Hugh McAllister and Brett Holdsworth.

Matt MacKelden is closely matched to teammate McAllister and Holdsworth in completing the top 10. Eventful rounds for Mark Crutcher and Zach Loscialpo place those two just outside the top runners, while Nash Morris fitted in seamlessly in at the last round to be a consistent top five runner.

Another newcomer in the form of Dylan Thomas also scored strong results on debut and is another driver with good results at Bathurst in his past.

Experienced competitors Michael Coulter and Chris Formosa missed Symmons Plains, so are playing catch up.

Another Bathurst experienced racer, Ben

TRANS AM NATIONAL SERIES ENTRY LIST Car # 1 2 03 4 5 6 8 9 12 26 29 38 40 49 50 51 66 68 71 73 88 93 99 116 555 777

SPONSOR Harris Racing Garage 1 Morris Finance Racing Ben Grice Racing Team Crutcher Developments Kubota Racing Kubota Racing Harris Racing Kubota Racing RTC Motorsport Hass Pumps Dream Racing Australia TRADIEPAD Wall Racing motorsportsales.com Allgate Motorsport Illawarra Engineering Services Illawarra Engineering Services Shaw Motorsport Sensational Kitchens CXC Racing High Voltage Coffee Racing Garry Rogers Motorsport Wealthrite Racing Waltec Motorsport Shaw Motorsport Team Sydney Property Care Jesus Racing Dream Racing Australia

DRIVER Aaron Seton Kyle Gurton Ben Grice Mark Crutcher Matthew MacKelden Hugh McAlister Hadrian Morrall Ian McAlister Peter Herd Jason Hassett Nathan Herne Tim Brook Nash Morris Chris Formosa Paul Hadley Graham Cheney Tim Shaw Dylan Thomas Warren Trewin Owen Kelly Chris Pappas Aaron Tebb Brett Holdsworth Edan Thornburrow Andrew Fisher Craig Scutella

Grice, has also taken the step into Trans Am and will be a hard charger in the category as he learns the cars.

STATE QLD QLD VIC NSW QLD NSW NSW NSW NSW VIC NSW NSW QLD NSW NSW NSW TAS NSW VIC TAS QLD NSW VIC NSW NSW NSW

VEHICLE Ford Mustang Ford Mustang Dodge Challenger Ford Mustang Ford Mustang Ford Mustang Ford Mustang Ford Mustang Ford Mustang Chevrolet Camaro Dodge Challenger Ford Mustang Ford Mustang Dodge Challenger Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet Camaro Ford Mustang Chevrolet Camaro Ford Mustang Ford Mustang Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet Camaro Ford Mustang Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet Camaro

Around The Mountain, Trans Am will put on a mighty show if the action at Phillip Island is anything to go by. HM

Nathan Herne and Aaron Seton are expected to battle at The Mountain (top). Brett Holdsworth (above, left) and Kyle Gurton (above, right) are two drivers to watch at Round 3.

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A

DDING A retro flavour to the meeting will be the New South Wales Historic Touring Car Association, where models built prior to December 31 1972 and adhering to Series Production regulations battle it out.

This category represents the rich history of production and touring car racing in this country, displaying the origins out of where the Bathurst 6 Hour was born.

Variety is the spice of life in Historic Touring Cars where American and Australian muscle take on German finesse, Japanese nimbleness, plus the pesky British Minis.

The American Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet Camaros are well suited to Mount Panorama due to the long straights, so too the Ford Falcon GT-HOs, which dominated at The Mountain during the late 1960s and 1970s.

Nimbleness is the name of the game for the Holden Torana GTR XU-1, which is a contender no matter the weather.

However, if it rains the Torana will come into its own as Peter Brock proved in 1972.

Not forgetting the Valiant Charger R/T, which fits between the two, completing the ‘Big Three’.

Don’t rule out the nippy coupes from Japan, Mazda’s RX2 and Datsun’s 1600 continue to be fierce rivals to the present day at a venue, which built the history of both manufacturers’ Australian sporting exploits.

Minis dominated the race in 1966, but

were quickly overtaken by the highpowered Monaros and Falcons, however continued to be a staple within the classes of the Bathurst 1000 during the 1970s.

The event promises to showcase the battle between David and Goliath, which is replicated in the Bathurst 6 Hour, so too the variety of makes and models featured.

Mustang contenders are led by fatherson team Brad and Jamie Tilley, longtime historic competitor Greg Toepfer as well as Victorians Michael Miceli and Andy Clempson.

In the General Motors corner, Paul Stubber dusts off his Chevrolet Camaro with veteran John Mann, Darren Collins, Aldo de Paoli and Tony Hubbard also in various examples of the American coupe.

Representing the Holden Torana GTR XU-1 are Elliot Barbour, Scott Cordwell, Ron Blake and Stuart Young.

Les Walmsley in his Valiant Charger R/T provides interest for the Mopar fans, while David Brown’s Datsun 1600, Greg Schwenke and Greg Shepard in Mazda RX-2 continue the inter-Japanese rivalry.

Oddball entries include the Volvo 122S of Victorian Andrew White defines the term and Mike Gallagher’s Jaguar Mark II represents the early successes of Australian touring car racing.

For many interstate competitors it marks the first opportunity to race at Bathurst for more than a year, if not two promising an exciting three encounters across the weekend. HM

Driver Ron Blake John Mann Ben Tebbutt Dave Waddington Andrew Bergan Jason Foley Glenn Miles Alan McKelvie Lachlan Thomas Danny Myers Grahame Wrobel Tony Hubbard Peter O’Brien Brad Tilley Jamie Tilley Paul Stubber Stuart Young Quentin Bland Michael Rose Elliot Barbour Scott Cordwell Tony Gilfuis Steve Scales Ray Hepburn Mike Gallagher Greg Schwenke Adam Walton Grant Wilson Michael Miceli Ian Sawtell David Brown Gary Edwards Graeme Woolhouse Greg Toepfer John Harrison Chris Stern Steve Shepard John Clarke Darren Collins Les Walmsley Andy Clempson Bruce Dummett Andrew White Shane Cowham Michael Cross Craig Robertson Bob Munday Simon Browning Dale Parry Graeme Wakefield Ben Wilkinson Aldo De Paoli David Streat Greg Luca

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GRW Retail National Lubrication Systems The Barber Shop in Wahroonga

Car No. 3 7 8 9 12 15 16 17 19 20 21 24 27 28 29 31 32 33 35 41 42 50 51 59 60 64 57 68 69 71 73 80 86 88 89 90 92 96 97 99 100 108 112 125 129 131 132 157 172 188 189 196 201 202

Make /Model Holden Torana XU-1 GM Chevrolet Camaro Morris Cooper S Ford Falcon XY GTHO Morris Cooper S Ford Falcon XY GT Valiant Charger Ford Mustang Ford Escort Mk1 Holden HQ Ford Mustang Chevrolet Camaro Ford Falcon Ford Mustang Ford Mustang GM Camaro Holden Torana Ford Capri Ford Mustang Holden Torana Holden Torana XU-1 Ford Capri GM Chevrolet Camaro Ford Mustang Jaguar Mk2 Mazda RX-2 Ford Mustang GM Chevrolet Camaro Ford Mustang Boss 302 Holden Torana XU-1 Datsun 1600 Holden Torana XU-1 Ford Mustang Ford Mustang Ford Mustang Ford Mustang Mazda RX-2 Ford Mustang GM Chevrolet Camaro Valiant Charger Ford Mustang Holden Torana Volvo 122S Holden HD X2 Holden Torana XU-1 Valiant Charger Ford Mustang Ford Cortina Mk1 Ford Mustang Ford Mustang Ford Mustang Chevrolet Camaro Holden Torana XU-1 Holden Torana

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H

YUNDAI EXCELS are all the rage at the moment, transforming from an entrylevel class to one, which breeds the next generation of stars.

Jaylyn Robotham, Ben Bargwanna, Michael Clemente, Jay Hanson and Cooper Webster are just some of the young drivers, who have emerged from the Hyundai Excels in recent years, with many more waiting in the wings to take the next step.

Bursting grids across Australia are credit to the simpleness and accessibility of the class.

In addition to this, a new control suspension package supplied by Supashock will be mandatory and MRF provide the control tyres for

T

HE RADICAL Australia Cup makes its return to Mount Panorama after last racing at venue in 2019.

A mixture of SR3s and SR8s Radical sports cars will contest the two 40-minute events as support to the Bathurst 6 Hour.

Last time out, it was solely an SR3 affair with multiple series winner of the Radical Australia Cup, Peter Paddon taking one victory, while father-son team Brad and Mitch Neilson took the other.

The rivalry between Garth Walden racing teammates Paddon and Chris Perini will be resumed after the latter stole the title in New

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this event.

Apart from the control suspension package, the Hyundai Excels remain largely stock with no data acquisition allowed, engine modifications are very minimal and its down to the driver’s skill.

Due to the strictness of the regulation, close racing is a fixture of the Excels and around Bathurst it makes for a spectacular mixture.

This will not be the first time Excels have raced at The Mountain, the last time was at this corresponding event in 2019 when South Australian champion Asher Johnston took the win ahead of Clemente and Queenslander Cameron Bartholomew.

Wil Longmore, Lachlan Ward, Sam Christison,

Preston Bruest, Jeremy Hodges and Brian Sciberras will uphold the local honours against the fastest Excel drivers in the country.

These include Ben Grice, Tasmanian Josh Webster, Cameron Wilson, Nathan Blight, Adam

Bywater, defending winner Johnston, Jayden Wanzek and Brett Parrish.

After the Excel Nationals were cancelled last year, this will be the first opportunity for state-vsstate competition in more than a year.

Zealand back in 2019.

Perini is a former ‘Rookie of the Year’ in Radical Australia Cup and is the one to catch in 2021.

Experienced drivers Stephen Champion and Paul Braico are expected to make the step up to compete at Bathurst after last year announcing plans to take on the national series.

Another father-son team, Tony and Simon Haggerty are another a pairing to keep an eye on. The experienced duo leads a competitive pack, which is sure to provide close racing across the weekend.

The 2019 ‘Rookie of the Year’, Jim Hernandez leads a list comprising of Peter Clare, Bill Medland, Rowan Ross and Kosta

Pohorukov, who are all ready to become podium contenders as most have significant experience in Radicals. HM

P

LANS FOR an internationalbased event featuring the Australian Racing Group’s portfolio of classes was announced in 2019 ahead of a debut the following year, however the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic forced the event to be cancelled.

Now rescheduled for November 26-28, the inaugural Bathurst International event may not attract the number of overseas competitors it had hoped because of international travel restrictions, but it is nevertheless expected to be one of the best events of this motor racing season.

Headlining will be the S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship’s debut at The Mountain. It will mark the first time a wings and slicks category of open-wheelers has raced at Bathurst since Formula 3 in 2014, when Simon Hodge broke the lap record.

His 2m 02.6701 mark has been lowered since but that time provides an insight into how fast the V8-powered S5000s are likely to go around Mount Panorama.

Although TCR machinery will debut at this Bathurst 6 Hr meeting, the season-ending TCR Bathurst 500 will be the first two-driver race to be conducted in the two-litre turbocharged touring cars in Australia.

Manufacturers Hyundai, Honda, Peugeot, Audi, Volkswagen, Renault and Alfa Romeo will be represented on the grid in what is the world’s leading touring car formula.

Expect factory drivers to feature throughout the field and could the reigning TCR champion Will Brown make a return?

The spectacular Trans Am National Series

returns to The Mountain where leading contenders Aaron Seton and Nathan Herne will continue their fight for bragging rights.

Up for grabs is the Trans Am 100, an inaugural 100km battle between the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger for Mountain supremacy. This event is set to be the highest-profile event on the Trans Am calendar.

The muscle car themes continue as Touring Car Masters makes its second appearance at Mount Panorama, where the Holden versus Ford rivalry still rings true and forms the basis of this retro category.

Commodore vs Falcon, Torana vs Capri, Mustang vs Camaro, these battles are a reflection of Australian motor sport’s rich history. Add into the equation Porsche and Chrysler, the variety is rich within this class.

Frontrunners John Bowe, Steve Johnson, Cameron Tilley, Ryan Harris, Ryan Hansford and Marcus Zukanovic provide tough, close racing, which attracts lots of fans to this popular category.

Rounding out the line-up of events at the Bathurst International is the season finale for the GT World Challenge Australia, concluding with a three-hour long-distance event to crown the Motorsport Australia GT Endurance champions.

Providing the perfect warm-up for the 2021 Bathurst 12 Hour, it is expected many Australian-based teams will take up the opportunity to race at The Mountain in preparation for the venue’s internationallyregarded endurance event.

The likes of Chaz Mostert, Shane van Gisbergen, Garth Tander, Tim Slade, Luke

Y ld andd more are likely lik l to Youlden take the grid, in what promises to be a mega season finale, ending the inaugural GT campaign with the global SRO’s organisational involvement.

Further adding to the GT theme is the Porsche Sprint Challenge.

As the feeder series to Carrera Cup, this category showcases some of the best of Australia’s rising driver talent as each aims to move up the Porsche Pyramid following in the footsteps of Matt Campbell, Jaxon Evans and Jordan Love.

ARG CEO Matt Braid believes the diversity featured within these categories sets the Bathurst International up as a must-do event for both local and international competitors, and the perfect conclusion to the 2021 racing season.

“The Australian Racing Group and Bathurst Regional Council is thrilled to confirm the date for the inaugural Bathurst International,” said Braid.

“The late November date will make this event not only a jewel in the Australian motor sport calendar, but also around the world. Despite the travel restrictions that exist today, this date will allow the opportunity for international competitors to consider the Bathurst International as a way to end their season of racing.

“And the beauty is that we have categories that touch all walks of motor sport life. From TCR touring cars to GT cars and highpowered open-wheelers.

“It is a sensational mix that we are sure will draw attention locally and internationally.”

S5000 is set to make a record-shattering debut at Mt Panorama at the Bathurst International event in November, where it will be joined by other popular ARG categories such as TCM.

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PREVIEW

2021 FIA FORMULA 2 SEASON*

1 - Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit, Mar 27-28 2 - Monaco, Circuit de Monte Carlo, May 22-23 3 - Azerbaijan, Baku City Circuit, June 5-6 4 - United Kingdom, Silverstone, July 17-18 5 - Italy, Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Sept 11-12 6 - Russia, Sochi Autodrom, September 25-26 7 - Saudi Arabia, Jeddah Street Circuit, Dec 4-5 8 - United Arab Emirates, Yas Marina Circuit, Dec 11-12 *Subject to change

ONE MORE STEP TO TAKE The 2021 FIA Formula 2 Championship will be as competitive as ever with several guns from F3 making the step up to the second-tier series, including Aussie Oscar Piastri. DAN McCARTHY previews the season.

AS IT was in 2020, the 2021 FIA Formula 2 Championship is an open playing field, with many drivers believing they have a realistic shot at the title.

Four of the top five drivers in last year’s championship have moved on, with Mick Schumacher, Nikita Mazepin and Yuki Tsunoda making the leap into Formula 1, while series runner-up Callum Ilott will not return.

This has left the door open for several of the F3 graduates to challenge, including reigning F3 champ, Oscar Piastri.

Using relentless consistency, Piastri won the third-tier series with Prema Racing in 2020.

The Alpine F1 team junior will remain with the Italian team in Formula 2, replacing outgoing champion Schumacher.

The Aussie’s teammate will be former F3 champ Robert Shwarzman, the Russian finishing fourth in F2 last season recording more wins than any other driver.

Shwarzman undoubtably goes into the season as the title favourite; even as a rookie he sat on top of the standings for much of 2020. However, lack of consistency and qualifying pace derailed his championship chances.

Shwarzman will be a great yard stick for Piastri, if the Australian can match or beat the 21-year-old on a regular basis, he will surely be fighting for the title.

Although Piastri is the sole Australian in the field, two New Zealanders will compete this year.

Former F3 runner-up Marcus Armstrong has made the move from ART Grand Prix to DAMS in the off-season.

DAMS won the team’s standings in 2019 but finished a lowly eighth last year, likewise after taking a podium on debut last year, Armstrong quickly faded.

Both DAMS and Armstrong have the knowhow and experience to rebound, and without doubt will compete up the pointy end

of the field this year.

Like Piastri, Liam Lawson moves up into F2 after taking three wins and finishing fifth in the F3 Championship.

Lawson remains with Hitech Grand Prix in F2 and will be joined by fellow Red Bull junior Juri Vips. It is a team that should be closely watched as both drivers are vying for a future AlphaTauri F1 gig.

Another of Piastri’s F3 rivals coming into F2 is runner-up Theo Pourchaire, who also competed in the final two rounds of F2 last year. The young Frenchman will race for the ART Grand Prix team which has won two of the last three driver’s titles.

Pourchaire’s teammate mate will be highly regarded Alpine Junior or driver Christian Lundgaard, who needs ds to improve on his seventh-place finish from last season.

Another Alpine junior or is Guanyu Zhou, the Chinese ace returningg for a third straight year with a clear target, the he title.

UNI-Virtuosi finishedd as runners-up in the

drivers’ and teams’ championship in 2020 and will be looking to improve this year.

Zhou will be pushed by his new UNI-Virtuosi teammate Felipe Drugovich, who was a surprise in F2 last year taking multiple wins.

Carlin ended 2020 in fine form, winning the final two races with relative ease.

Outspoken Englishman Dan Ticktum joins the team and Jehan Daruvala will need to improve on his patchy campaign last season, but both drivers are expected to fight at the front.

The opening round of the F2 Championship takes place in Bahrain from March 27-28.

All Australian eyes will be on the progress of Oscar Paistri (top) who will need to overcome pre-season favourite and teammate Robert Schwarzman (right) to win the title. New Zealander Marcus Armstrong (below) has moved to the DAMS team and will be another title contender.

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MOTOGP

PREVIEW

THERE FOR THE TAKING Choosing a 2021 Champion in MotoGP is a difficult task, with nearly a dozen rider and bike pairings capable of winning races on any given weekend. DAN McCARTHY previews the combinations to look out for this season.

Australian Jack Miller has his best chance yet of winning the World Moto GP title this season, riding for the factory Ducati team.

Images: MOTORSPORT IMAGES THE 2020 MotoGP season was one of the most competitive and unpredictable on record, with nine different winners across the COVID-19 shortened 14 racee competition.

Throw into the mix that six-time MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez is on the official entry list and is expected to return from injury for the season’s opening race, and you have the makings of a seriously tasty recipe.

For 2021 the rules have remained almost identical, however the rider market has been severely reshuffled and is a major talking point heading into the season.

Long-time front-runner Andrea Dovizioso will not be on the grid full-time this season, while his Ducati teammate Danilo Petrucci moves to the Tech3 KTM team.

This means that there is an all-new line-up at the factory Ducati operation in 2021.

Australian Jack Miller has been given his big break, promoted from the satellite Pramac Ducati squad to the factory team as has his teammate Francesco Bagnaia.

In 2020 Miller scored four podiums, including two second place finishes in the final two races of the season. He could have been a title contender had it not been for bad luck and several reliability issues.

Miller, still relatively fresh on the factory Ducati, was up the pointy end throughout pre-season testing in Qatar. On Day 1 of the

second test Miller eclipsed the lap record set by Marc Marquez in 2019.

The Losail International Circuit has been well suited to the ‘Bologna bullets,’ due to the Ducati’s straight-line performance. With two races at the venue to begin the season, Miller will be looking to come out the box strong.

The Australian certainly goes into 2021 as one of the title favourites after his performance in pre-season testing.

Despite winning the manufacturers title in 2020, Ducati won only two races and will be expecting more this season.

Once again Miller will be joined by Bagnaia, the 2018 Moto2 champion who last year demonstrated that he has the pace.

Bagnaia has previously shown he can

match or beat Miller but must remain injury free if he wants to do this on a regular basis, these issues curtailing his season in 2020.

There are many other rider changes this season, with all teams other than the factory Suzuki operation with at least one new rider.

The Japanese brand will again see reigning world champion Joan Mir and his capable teammate Alex Rins race for the squad.

Although the riders remain the same, the squad goes into a new era after incredibly successful and highly regarded team principal Davide Brivio departed Suzuki to join the Alpine Formula 1 team.

Throughout testing both Mir and Rins felt relatively uncomfortable on their Suzukis and ended testing down in eighth and ninth respectively.

Once again Mir is not a standout favourite for this year’s title, however as he showed in 2020, he will pick up points, limit the damage and will be a threat for to repeat his title win.

His teammate Rins was arguably the quicker rider of the pair last year, however several uncharacteristic unforced errors cost him a real shot at the title, so he will be looking for a resurgence this year.

One thing Suzuki will have to contend with is the return of six-time MotoGP champion

MotorGP legend Marc Marquez is entered to return from injury for Honda (above) but there is still uncertainty. Defending champion Joan Mir (below left) rides again for Suzuki, while Franco Morbidelli surprised last year with three wins on the Petronas Yamaha (below right) and could repeat in 2021.

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2021 MOTOGP SEASON CALENDAR*

1 - Losail International Circuit, Qatar, March 28 2 - Losail International Circuit, Qatar, April 4 3 - Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Portugal, April 18 4 - Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, Spain, May 2 5 - Circuit Bugatti, France, May 16 6 - Mugello Circuit, Italy, May 30 7 - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain, June 6 8 - Sachsenring, Germany, June 20 9 - Assen, Netherlands, June 27 10 - Kymi Ring, Finland, July 11 11 - Red Bull Ring, Austria, August 15 12 - Silverstone, United Kingdom, August 29 13 - Motorland Aragon, Spain, September 12 14 - Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Italy Sept 19 15 - Twin Ring Motegi, Japan, October 3 16 - Buriram International Circuit, Thailand, October 10 17 - Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Australia, October 24 18 - Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, October 31 19 - Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Spain, November 14 *Subject to change

MotoGP superstar Valentino Rossi has been demoted to the satellite Yamaha (left) while Fabio Quartararo (right) replaces him in the factory squad.

Marc Marquez.

After almost a season out due to injury, Marquez returns with the factory Honda squad, albeit under-prepared.

His recovery has been late and meant Marquez was forced to miss pre-season testing.

In the first couple of races Marquez will undoubtably be getting back up to full fitness, the big question is whether he can return to the dominant force he was prior to 2019.

With Marquez it is simply too early to tell.

His new Repsol Honda teammate in 2021 will be good friend Pol Espargaro, who had a breakout year last season. Espargaro claimed an impressive five podiums last season on his way to fifth in the title race with KTM. The Honda package has been a real beast to tame for the second Honda rider in recent years, so Espargaro needs to get on top of this quickly if he wants to challenge at the top.

Last season the pace of the Yamahas was simply bizarre.

One minute they were locking out the front

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row, the next they were simply fighting to collect a single point.

In the opening two races last season Fabio Quartararo led home Mavrick Vinales for a Yamaha 1-2 and it appeared as though Yamaha would be on for its first rider’s title since 2015, however things quickly derailed.

From that moment on, both Vinales and Quartararo scored only one more podium finish each, and sunk down the standings to sixth and eighth respectively.

While the two factory Yamahas dropped Franco Morbidelli aboard the Petronas Yamaha rose, finishing as the bridesmaid in the standings after taking three wins.

Nine-time Motorcycle World Champion Valentino Rossi had a season to forget, scoring just one podium all season. In the last half of the year due to several crashes and catching COVID-19, Rossi scored just 12 points.

As a result, Yamaha has opted to inject young blood into its factory squad, swapping Rossi out for Quartararo.

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This will see a youthful and potentially fiery line-up line up at the factory team with Quartararo and Vinales, so the inter team rivalry between the pair is certainly going to be something to watch.

For the first time in two decades Rossi moves onto a satellite bike alongside his young prodigy Morbidelli. In every sense of the word it is the master and the apprentice, as Morbidelli is still a part of Rossi’s junior academy.

In testing, three Yamaha’s (excluding Rossi) ended up second through to fourth, the question is whethers the manufacturer has sorted what went wrong last year and can the team fight up front in the 2021 races.

With Espargaro moving to the factory Honda squad, the rising KTM factory team will be piloted by youth. Miguel Oliveira won two races with the satellite KTM Tech3 squad last season and joins 2020 rookie of the year and Czech Grand Prix winner Brad Binder.

If the Austrian squad can continue the momentum from 2020, Binder, Oliveira and Tech 3 riders Petrucci and Iker Lecuona will have the equipment to win occasional races.

After the pre-season testing it is difficult to call them title contenders but they proved a lot of doubters wrong in 2020.

Aprilia will be looking for a greatly improved season, season after a shocking season for the Italian brand in 2020 in which it was last in the teams’ standings.

Just days after the passing of team founder and owner Fausto Gresini, the squad took part in pre-season testing where Aleix Espargaro performed strongly, ending up sixth.

In 2021 he will be joined by Lorenzo Savadori, who rode in the last three Grands Prix for the team in 2020.

The LCR Honda team will be led by Takaaki Nakagami and Alex Marquez, two riders determined to prove themselves in 2021.

There are also three high profile rookies joining the grid this year.

At Pramac Ducati former Moto3 champion Jorge Martin joins flying Frenchman Johann Zarco, while Esponsorama Racing will field bikes for Moto2 champion Enea Bastianini and the half-brother of Rossi, Luca Marini.

In 2021 wildcard entries will also return in selected rounds, so expect to see former riders including Yamaha test rider Cal Crutchlow, Bradley Smith and Stefan Bradl, and we may even see former championship front runner Dani Pedrosa return with KTM. It appears unlikely at this stage that Dovizioso will return, but this could change ahead of his planned return in 2022.

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SEBRING

REPORT

SEBRING THRILLER 1.435s WAS the margin at the conclusion n of the 12 Hours of Sebring, as the JDCMiller Motorsports Cadillac DPi-V.R. broke ke through to take victory.

Despite a late race safety car, former Champ Car winner Sebastien Bourdais was joined by fellow Frenchmen Loic Duval and Tristan Vautier in defeating the Mazda Motorsports Mazda RT24-P driven by Jonathan Bomarito, Oliver Jarvis and Harry Tincknell.

Pipo Derani scored pole in the Action Express Racing Cadillac, but it was Chip Ganassi Racing’s Renger van der Zande in another DPi- V.R. who took an early lead.

There was a battle behind between the Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-05 driven by Olivier Pla, the Mazda of Jarvis,, Jimmie Johnson in the second Action Express Racing Cadillac and the JDCMotorsports DPi-V.R. started by Duval.

A controversial moment occurred on lap 24 when Derani and van der Zande collided while lapping a GTD entry. The contact required repairs to be made to the Action Express Racing Cadillac of Derani, as van der Zande assumed a 5s lead at the three-hour mark.

Van der Zande pitted not long after to hand over to Kevin Magnussen but traffic played its part in delaying the ex-Formula 1 driver and allowed the Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac to close, then pass with Ricky Taylor taking the lead.

Se Sebastein Bourdais (above) took the Sebring 12 Hr victory by less than two seconds, sha sharing the JDC Miller Cadillac, while the CO CORE Autosport entry (left) was victorious.

There was no clear leader approaching the halfway mark but one entry was effectively eliminated, when the Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac crew made a mistake during its pit stop when it was released with the fuel hose still attached, incurring a drive through penalty.

By the eighth hour, Chip Ganassi Racing’s Cadillac and the Mazda Motorsport’s entry battled for the lead with Tincknell heading Scott Dixon by a slight margin approaching the final stint.

A spin for the JDC-Miller Motorsports Cadillac and visit to the pits to check for damage delayed them, and the entry remained out of the lead battle.

The final hours were chaotic as both

Action Express Racing Cadillacs went out of contention; Simon Pagenaud’s entry was ruled out after the Team Penske IndyCar driver exceeded his maximum time behind the wheel; and the sister entry ground to a halt on-track with two-hours to go, spelling the end of the team’s day.

Next to drop out of contention was the Chip Ganassi Racing entry piloted by Scott Dixon, who collided with a GTLM BMW entering pit lane, requiring three-laps worth of repairs.

The Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac was also plagued by loss of power due to intercooler damage, after contact with a lapped GTD entry.

Having been a lap down for a majority m of the race, the pit stop sequence se with 72-minutes remaining worked w in favour of Bourdais and the JDC-Miller Motorsport team, putting it JD in the lead as the Mazda Motorsports entry driven by Tincknell continued to en challenge. ch A final safety car with 32-minutes to go failed to hamper Bourdais, nor did rear-wing damage, to take the win. rea Tincknell, Bormarito and Jarvis took T second for Mazda, while Pla joined by sec Juan Jua Pablo Montoya and Dane Cameron rounded out the podium in the Meyer rou Shank Sha Racing Acura.

In the classes, LMP2 was won by Scott Huffaker, Mikkel Jensen and Ben Keating in the PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Oreca Gibson.

CORE Autosport won LMP3 with Jon Bennett, Colin Braun and George Kurtz.

Australian Matt Campbell, alongside Mathieu Jaminet and Cooper MacNeil, won GTLM in the privateer WeatherTech Racing Porsche 911 RSR. In GTD it was a close battle with the Pfaff Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R winning spearheaded by Laurens Vanthoor, Lars Kern and Zacharie Robichon.

Heath McAlpine

Aussie Matt Campbell (below) won GTLM for Porsche sharing with Mathieu Jaminet and Cooper MacNeil, while the German marque also took GTD thanks to Laurens Vanthoor, Lars Kern and Zacharie Robichom.

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NASCAR

REPORT

BLANEY TRUMPS LARSON IN ATLANTA Report: DAN MCCARTHY Images: MOTORSPORT IMAGES TEAM PENSKE driver Ryan Blaney became the sixth different NASCAR Cup Series winner in as many races by taking victory at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Blaney snatched the lead from Kyle Larson with eight laps to go, prior to that point Larson had led 269 laps and dominated the first two stages but was forced to settle for second position.

The victory was Blaney’s first at Atlanta and the fifth of his career, it was also the fifth straight win for Ford at the 2.48km circuit.

“Gosh, we had a great long-run car all day,” Blaney said after the race. “It took us a little bit to get going. I was pretty free all day, so we made a really good change to tighten me up where I needed it.

“It looked like Kyle was getting loose, and I’m happy it worked into our favour that there were a couple of long runs at the end (that) let us kind of get there, and he got slowed up behind some lapped traffic. It’s nice to close out a race like that, it was awesome.”

Larson who won the fourth race of the season at Las Vegas, admitted that he simply had no answer to the late charge of Blaney.

“I think he (Blaney) just got a lot better that last stage,” Larson said. “That changed up my flow of the race a little bit.

“I could get out to such big leads, and I could take care of my stuff and run the bottom where it was maybe slower, but I could take care of my tyres.

“He was fast there (in the final run), and I just wanted to maintain that gap that I had, so I had to run in the faster part of the racetrack and just used my stuff (tyre) up.

“He was a lot better than me there late in the run. I hate to lead a lot of laps and lose, but we had a really good car that we brought to the track. Our Hendrick Chevy was stupid-fast there for a long time. I don’t know if we got that much worse, or if he got way better.”

Alex Bowman scored his first top five finish of the season in third ahead of championship leader Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch.

Austin Dillon, Chris Buescher, William Byron, previous weekend winner Martin Truex Junior, and Kevin Harvick rounded out the top 10.

There were several notable casualties in the opening stage. A mistake from Busch saw his brother Kurt check-up and crash out after contact with Denny Hamlin threw him into the wall.

Reigning champion Chase Elliott suffered an engine failure in the third and final stage, and that sees him drop to 10th in the series as a result.

At this stage in the championship consistency is proving key.

Despite not taking a win, Hamlin leads the standings after finishing five of the first six races in the top five.

A week prior at the Pheonix Raceway, Truex and his Australian engineer James Small took victory ahead of Team Penske driver Joey Logano, Hamlin, Brad Keselowski and Elliott.

The next round this weekend is the one that we have all been waiting for, at the newlyconverted Bristol track for the first Cup Series race on dirt since 1970!

Ryan Blaney won for Roger Penske (top & above, with the trophy), becoming the sixth different winner in NASCAR Cup in as many races. Blaney just pipped Kyle Larson (below left) at Atlanta, while Martin Truex (below right, leading Alex Bowman) took victory at Phoenix.

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RACE REPORT

Round 2 - Sandown SuperSprint

GIZ THE WIZ

Report: Heath McAlpine Images: LAT/Mark Horsburgh, Ross Gibb, Insyde Media

RECOVERING FROM a broken collarbone didn’t hamper Shane van Gisbergen as he took three from three at Sandown in Round 2 of the 2021 Supercars Championship.

Predictably for Sandown, the weather was unpredictable at Victoria’s first Supercars event in 14-months.

But as van Gisbergen revelled in the conditions, his rivals floundered and now he takes a 155-point championship lead to Tasmania.

PRACTICE 1 – GIZ IS GOOD TO GO

All the talk surrounded van Gisbergen.

A mountain bike accident in between Bathurst and Sandown, in which he broke his collarbone, had placed doubt on his participation.

But the series leader put that aside and after his initial four-lap stint in first practice, sat at the top of the timesheets on a 1m 08.506s.

The Kiwi was eighth, completing 14 laps in total during this opening practice session.

Triple Eight Race Engineering teammate Jamie Whincup topped the timesheets on a 1m 08.070s to lead Tickford Racing’s Cam Waters by 0.088s.

In a replacement chassis, Tim Slade was third just 0.175s behind Whincup, while David Reynolds was fifth ahead

Chaz Mostert and the Triple Eight twins were star players all weekend, though it was Van Gisbergen who ultimately and unexpectedly dominated.

of Jack Le Brocq, Todd Hazelwood, van Gisbergen, Andre Heimgartner and Mark Winterbottom.

A driveline vibration in the Erebus Motorsport Commodore of Brodie Kostecki ended his session early, while Walkinshaw Andretti United’s Bryce Fullwood was notably back in 21st.

PRACTICE 2 – WATERS TAKES BRAGGING RIGHTS

Mark Winterbottom held the ascendency for most of the session until a last gasp lap from Cam Waters stole the top spot with a 1m 07.912s.

The Waters lap was just 0.004s faster than Winterbottom’s effort, as Anton De Pasquale finished the session third

after making rear camber changes.

Chaz Mostert finished ahead of van Gisbergen in fourth, while Courtney, Le Brocq, Scott Pye, Nick Percat and Macauley Jones completed the top 10.

Fullwood was 17th after a spin, Whincup 14th and Will Brown in a new Erebus Commodore was 11th ahead of qualifying.

QUALIFYING – CHAZ’S HOT FORM

Despite admitting his struggle through practice, Mostert and engineer Adam de Borre found the right set-up in qualifying to achieve a second pole position for the star driver’s career at WAU. A 1m 07.630s gave Mostert his 22nd

Supercars pole position and his third in a week, after achieving the same feat first in TCR Australia, then GT World Challenge Australia at Phillip Island the previous week.

It also lowered the record set by Scott McLaughlin in 2019, a 1m 07.773s.

Mostert pipped former Tickford Racing teammate and title contender Waters by 0.044s, while championship leader van Gisbergen qualified in 17th. He was not blaming his injury recovery, rather admitting the the tyres weren’t at optimum levels.

In fourth Winterbottom further emphasised Team18’s frontrunning credentials, the same for Le Brocq in fifth representing Tickford Racing.

Erebus Motorsport duo Kostecki and Brown rounded out the top 10 in impressive performances.

Another came from Jake Kostecki as he achieved his best qualifying in 12th, followed by Courtney, Percat, Todd Hazelwood, Reynolds, van Gisbergen, Scott Pye and Tim Slade.

Zane Goddard, Garry Jacobson, Fullwood and Jack Smith, who caused a red flag, were out in the first session.

Mark Winterbottom (above) underlined that Team18 is now a contender at the front, though ultimately his fortunes were mixed. So too were DJR’s, with both drivers (left) having dramas.

RACE 3 – GIZ STORMS THROUGH

Despite discomfort from his collarbone injury, van Gisbergen charged his way through from 17th to take victory in a sensational drive.

The Kiwi took the lead with two laps remaining to defeat Waters and Whincup.

Polesitter Mostert made the best launch initially, but by Turn 1 he dropped to fourth as Winterbottom and Whincup off the second row had better second phases.

Waters led into Turn 1 as Winterbottom challenged on the outside, but the Tickford Racing Mustang remained in the lead.

However, the safety car was quickly required due to Fullwood burying his Walkinshaw Andretti United Holden Commodore into the Turn 4 tyrewall after contact with Jacobson.

Van Gisbergen had already passed five drivers by the time the safety car boards were displayed, while Brodie Kostecki was a big loser in the opening lap, dropping 10 positions.

Jake Kostecki meanwhile was in the pits with steering damage after contact at Turn 4.

At the restart, Waters made a break early and was comfortably 0.8s ahead halfway through the lap, as Mostert made a play for third at Turn 9, though Whincup withstood the challenge.

Mostert was the first to pit, fitting rear tyres only leaving Heimgartner to assume fourth ahead of Davison.

Dick Johnson Racing teammate De Pasquale pitted the next lap as he Five from five ... Shane van Gisbergen has won everything this season to comfortably lead the 2021 Supercars Championship.

joined just behind Mostert, who was setting fastest lap times in clean air.

Van Gisbergen continued his charge as he mounted an attack on sixth placed Le Brocq, which he took at Turn 1 on lap 15. A near identical move elevated him ahead of Davison into fifth.

The margin between the leaders was tight, 0.6s covered all three as they entered pit lane at the same time on lap 19.

A positional change occurred when Whincup slotted behind Waters to jump Winterbottom, while Mostert passed the trio as his undercut strategy gave him a 3s advantage.

There was more pain for Winterbottom as De Pasquale also passed him on his out lap and dropped the Team18 Commodore into an effective fifth. The battle between the two heated up as Winterbottom’s tyres came up to optimum temperature and he took fourth after De Pasquale ran wide at Turn 1 when bumped by the veteran.

Van Gisbergen opted to go long and fitted rear tyres to emerge in effective sixth, Courtney putting pressure on the Kiwi for half a lap, but the championship leader sustained it.

At the front, Waters was eating into Mostert’s lead and taking Whincup for the ride as well, as Tickford Racing’s

engineering brain’s trust was pinning its hopes on the Commodore’s tyre degradation.

And it needn’t have worried as Waters and Whincup were on the rear bumper of the WAU Commodore by lap 29.

But with Mostert so close, Waters now had to be concerned

by Whincup, as the seven-time champion was right under his rear wing.

Meanwhile, van Gisbergen was into fourth and closing on the top three as Mostert continued to hold on with tyres 10 laps older.

This all changed on lap 32.

Waters entered the front straight better than Mostert to range up alongside the leader and pass at Turn 1. Whincup also attempted to go three-wide, but pulled out and lost position to van Gisbergen, who also took Mostert at Turn 2.

Van Gisbergen’s next target was Waters and he quickly caught the Tickford Racing Mustang before executing a successful pass at Turn 1 on lap 34, to complete a miraculous drive.

Despite pressure from Whincup, Waters held onto second as van Gisbergen took a 1.027s victory.

Behind the podium getters, Winterbottom finished fourth ahead of De Pasquale, Mostert, Percat, Heimgartner, Courtney and Le Brocq.

Fullwood, Kostecki and Davison finished multiple laps down, the latter after contact at Turn 2 sent the DJR Ford Mustang flying into the air.

QUALIFYING RACES 4 AND 5 – SVG THE RAINMASTER

As per usual Melbourne’s inclement conditions arrived on Sunday morning, providing a mixed qualifying session.

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RACE REPORT Round 2 - Sandown SuperSprint

Saturday’s conditions were dry and saw Supercars’ big names fighting it out at the front ... Mark Winterbottom, Cam Waters, Chaz Mostert and Jamie Whincup battle into turn one (above). Waters (below) got pipped at the post for the win yet again, finishing second twice. David Reynolds (bottom) scored his first podium in a Mustang and for his new team, Kelly Grove Racing.

Matt Stone Racing’s Jake Kostecki brought out the red flag after a stuck throttle at Turn 1 forced him to take to the gravel trap without a fast lap being recorded.

With seven-minutes remaining, van Gisbergen set a 1m 18.327s, which was unbeaten by the conclusion of the session. The Kiwi had a slight scare at Turn 3 after he set the time, but managed to recover and continue on.

Teammate Whincup lines up alongside, 0.239s off the pace, as behind Mostert and Waters completed row two.

Rounding out the 10 were Heimgartner, Courtney, De Pasquale, Davison, Reynolds and Percat.

The next session was just as wet, but it saw the same result as van Gisbergen took pole by 0.356s ahead of Whincup, while Davison and Reynolds followed on the next row.

Heimgartner again scored a top five qualifying result ahead of Winterbottom, Kostecki, De Pasquale, Mostert and Waters.

RACE 4 – TWO FROM TWO

The race began in greasy conditions and Whincup made the best start, leading into Turn 1 ahead of van Gisbergen and Mostert, who passed the Kiwi exiting Turn 4.

Whincup cut the chicane at Turns 2 and 3 during the opening lap, beginning a run of mistakes which allowed Mostert to close the gap and pass at Turn 10, while van Gisbergen further relegated his teammate at Turn 1.

Winterbottom got a flyer of a start, climbing four positions before running wide at Turn 9, dropping from seventh to 15th. Reynolds was another loser after being spun by Slade at Turn 4, which was followed by a trip to the pits losing three laps.

A safety car was called after Macauley Jones had an engine

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problem in his Brad Jones Racing Commodore, leaving oil on the track.

The race restarted on lap 8 with van Gisbergen taking the lead, Mostert’s decision to begin his run on the main straight backfiring as his rival moved into the lead at Turn 1.

A 2.1s gap separated first and second by lap 13 as Waters in third was one to take advantage of Whincup’s struggles during the restart, which dropped him back to sixth.

Whincup had clawed his way back to fourth on lap 15, passing Heimgartner and Courtney as a train started to form behind led by Davison.

As the pit stops occurred on lap 19, a slick was best suited to the drying track. This is the decision Tickford Racing took with Waters critically two laps before Mostert and van Gisbergen.

Van Gisbergen emerged well clear of Waters, but Mostert was alongside the Tickford Racing Mustang, leaving the two side-by-side through Turns 2 and 3 as he lost second place in the order.

Tyre temperature was key as the drivers who made a stop earlier were in a great position.

Proof of this was when Davison dropped three positions in half a lap

due to lack of heat in his rubber. On the other hand, Slade and Pye were in an enviable position as both climbed into the top 10.

A broken header in De Pasquale’s Mustang added to Dick Johnson Racing’s wretched race, as he retired.

As van Gisbergen held a 3.4s margin, the battle for second between Waters and Mostert was heating up. The WAU Commodore drew alongside on the back straight and tried to overtake again at Turn 11, but was unable to complete the pass.

The two clashed at Turn 1 as Mostert spun the Tickford Racing Mustang, but waited for Waters to recover. This allowed Heimgartner past the WAU Commodore, while Whincup was also in the fray.

However, this didn’t last for long as Whincup overtook both Heimgartner and Mostert after the latter ran wide at Turn 1 the next lap, leaving the retiring former champ to snatch the final podium slot.

In the end, van Gisbergen won by 12.788s from Waters, Whincup, Mostert and Heimgartner.

Percat recovered well to sixth, with Courtney, Pye, Slade and Davison completing the top 10.

RESULTS RACE 3 SANDOWN SUPERSPRINT 36 LAPS Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Series rookie Brodie Kostecki revelled in the wetest conditions of the weekend in the final race, finishing second (above) for Erebus.

RACE 5 – HATTRICK COMPLETE

Conditions remained inclement for the final race of the weekend as again it was van Gisbergen who made the best start to lead Whincup into Turn 1.

Vision was a problem in the mid-pack, as proved by Courtney being spun exiting Turn 3 and Mostert cutting the chicane.

Davison’s day got worse as he spun on lap 2 at Turn 2 and could have got even worse, but for some quick reactions from Heimgartner to avoid a head-on.

Second place was Reynolds after Whincup made a mistake at Turn 11 allowing the Kelly Grove Racing driver through on entry to the front straight.

Brown was a key mover, up 12 spots to seventh, while Mostert was down seven positions in 15th.

Brown’s Erebus teammate Brodie Kostecki was now putting pressure on Whincup and successfully passed the seven-time champion entering the front straight, in a similar move to Reynolds.

Kostecki was on the charge after passing Reynolds for second at Turn 4, closing significantly on van Gisbergen, cutting the margin by 0.5s a lap to be 4.255s behind the reigning Bathurst winner approaching the pit stop sequence.

Mostert‘s weekend finished on a sour note when a throttle linkage broke and forced him into the garage on lap 15. He returned to the track on lap 22.

Whincup was the first of the lead contenders to pit as teammate van Gisbergen maintained a 4.8s advantage ahead of Brodie Kostecki, however lapped traffic was expected to play a part.

Kostecki set the fastest lap on his 20th circuit, lowering van

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The Supercars were spectacular on their return to Sandown (above) and delivered a newlook podium (below), with Shane van Gisbergen flanked by Brodie Kostecki (left) and David Reynolds (right).

Shane van Gisbergen Cameron Waters Jamie Whincup Mark Winterbottom Anton De Pasquale Chaz Mostert Nick Percat Andre Heimgartner James Courtney Jack Le Brocq David Reynolds Scott Pye Tim Slade Todd Hazelwood Macauley Jones Will Brown Brodie Kostecki Jack Smith Zane Goddard Garry Jacobson Fabian Coulthard Will Davison Jake Kostecki Bryce Fullwood

Driver 36 laps +1.027s +1.314s +3.739s +4.658s +4.674s +7.848s +9.419s +14.277s +14.785s +15.346s +15.486s +15.991s +18.228s +18.520s +22.559s +24.959s +25.005s +29.400s +29.568s +30.037s 34 laps 30 laps 29 laps

Laps/Margin ▲ 16 0 0 0 ▲1 ▼5 ▲7 ▼1 ▲2 ▼5 ▲5 ▲6 ▲6 ▲1 ▼2 ▼6 ▼8 ▲6 ▲2 ▲2 ▼1 ▼ 14 ▼ 11 ▼1

RESULTS RACE 4 SANDOWN SUPERSPRINT 36 LAPS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 NC NC

Driver Shane van Gisbergen Cameron Waters Jamie Whincup Chaz Mostert Andre Heimgartner Nick Percat James Courtney Scott Pye Tim Slade Will Davison Mark Winterbottom Jack Le Brocq Brodie Kostecki Todd Hazelwood Bryce Fullwood Will Brown Fabian Coulthard Jake Kostecki Zane Goddard Garry Jacobson Jack Smith David Reynolds Anton De Pasquale Macauley Jones

Laps/Margin 36 laps +12.788s +13.010s +13.686s +14.343s +15.224s +23.531s +29.364s +30.058s +30.371s +33.729s +37.533s +38.877s +39.891s +41.492s +42.562s +45.502s +51.968s +65.302s 35 laps 35 laps 32 laps 24 laps 2 laps

0 ▲2 ▼1 ▼1 0 ▲4 ▼1 ▲5 ▲3 ▼3 0 ▲4 ▲ 10 ▲1 ▼1 ▲1 ▲2 ▲6 ▲3 0 ▼3 ▼ 13 ▼ 15 ▼3

RESULTS RACE 5 SANDOWN SUPERSPRINT 36 LAPS

Gisbergen’s lead to 3.6s Van Gisbergen pitted on lap 26, leaving Kostecki in free air to complete an overcut strategy, but the Kiwi put paid to that by setting the fastest lap of the race, a 1m 18.866s with now a 32s margin between the two.

Reynolds pitted on lap 31 and dropped into an effective second behind van Gisbergen. Brown stopped a lap to be in fifth as Kostecki was the final driver to pit, and emerged second.

Completing a superb Sandown hat trick, van Gisbergen ramming home his domination by setting

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the fastest lap at the end.

He led home maiden podium winner Kostecki and Reynolds, in his first podium for Kelly Grove Racing.

The top 10 was completed

by Whincup, Davison, Waters, Brown, Hazelwood, Percat and Winterbottom.

It’s now a 1-2 for Triple Eight Race Engineering at the top of the points table, with van Gisbergen 155-points ahead of Whincup.

Mostert sits third but the title already appears to be slipping away from everyone else.

Tasmania is next.

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Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Shane van Gisbergen Brodie Kostecki David Reynolds Jamie Whincup Will Davison Cameron Waters Will Brown Todd Hazelwood Nick Percat Mark Winterbottom Andre Heimgartner Anton De Pasquale Bryce Fullwood Jake Kostecki James Courtney Jack Le Brocq Tim Slade Macauley Jones Garry Jacobson Fabian Coulthard Zane Goddard Scott Pye Jack Smith Chaz Mostert

Driver 36 laps +14.813s +23.042s +29.812s +31.107s +40.303s +42.865s +45.956s +46.382s +50.591s +53.011s +55.258s +56.603s +57.413s +58.649s +67.269s 35 laps 35 laps 35 laps 35 laps 35 laps 35 laps 35 laps 29 laps

Laps/Margin 0 ▲5 ▲1 ▼2 ▼2 ▲4 ▲ 12 ▲8 ▲4 ▼4 ▼6 ▼4 ▲7 ▲3 0 ▲6 ▲1 ▼4 ▲2 ▼8 ▲3 ▼ 11 0 ▼ 15

Points: van Gisbergen 605, Whincup 455, Mostert 442, Waters 435, Winterbottom 411, Davison 377, Heimgartner 326, Percat 317, Reynolds 316, B. Kostecki 313, Le Brocq 286, Fullwood 283, Hazelwood 273, Pye 270, Brown 260, Courtney 250, De Pasquale 240, J. Kostecki 220, Goddard 218, Coulthard 196, Smith 182, Jacobson 137, Slade 136, Jones 134.

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S5000

REPORT

Report: Dan McCarthy Images: Daniel Kalisz/ARG THE S5000 Australian Driver’s Championship situation looks hugely different, after what was a dramatic penultimate round at Sandown Raceway.

All three S5000 races took place on Sunday and, coupled with ever changing weather conditions, created the perfect recipe for carnage.

In qualifying former GP3 Series podium finisher Joey Mawson took his maiden pole position, his first in the series, from James Golding, Thomas Randle, Nathan Herne and Tim Macrow.

Luis Leeds qualified in sixth ahead of Cooper Webster and New Zealander Kaleb Ngatoa, with Ricky Capo, Antonio Astuti and Braydan Willmington rounding out the grid for the opening race.

The first race took place in damp and slippery conditions and the drama technically began even before the start.

Instead of being given a warm-up lap, drivers received the five second board, the race start lights came on, went out and all 11 cars stormed into Turn 1 racing.

Before drivers had any chance to settle into a groove, there was action at the front.

Herne made a great start taking the lead into Turn 1, while his teammate Golding also overtook pole sitter Mawson as well on the approach.

Quick to retaliate, Mawson on wet tyres flew around the outside of the dry compound tyred Golding, only for contact to be made.

Mawson spun around and forced the field to take evasive action, luckily not being hit by anyone, though championship leader Randle was caught in the thick of it.

In avoidance of Mawson, Randle and his fast-starting Kiwi teammate Ngatoa collided at Turn 3, sustaining damage and then crashed at Turn 5 as a result.

After all that mayhem, the red flag was thrown, and what racing we’d had would not count. There was a complete restart several minutes later, albeit without Randle.

Pole sitter Mawson changed from wet to dry tyres under red flag conditions and was incorrectly told that he had to restart at the rear of the grid.

This meant that Golding led the race back to green and never looked like being beaten.

Golding took off into the distance and won the race by nearly 4s from Herne and Ngatoa.

Herne got past the Kiwi on the final lap of the race, as the latter’s wet tyres disintegrated, while Macrow finished fourth and Mawson recovered to fifth.

Webster and Ngatoa were locked in a battle for p2, however the former beached his car in the Dandenong Road gravel trap.

As less than half of the scheduled distance was completed, only half points were awarded for the race.

Race 2 saw a similarly frantic opening lap when two title contenders spun at Turn 2.

Macrow was tapped into a spin by Herne, for which the GRM driver received a 5s penalty.

However in all the kerfuffle Randle also spun, which saw both he and Macrow forced to charge back through the pack in

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MAWSON TAKES LEAD Joey Mawson now leads the Gold Star (above, with trophy presenter John Bowe) with one round to go. He led the final race (left) from start to finish for a dominant win. Kaleb Ngota won his first S5000 race (centre left) while the consistent Nathan Herne (bottom left) was a factor again for GRM in all three races.

charged through to finish third and make it a Team BRM 1-2-3.

Herne came home fourth ahead of Capo, Leeds and Macrow.

Like in Race 1, the drama began even before the start of the Feature Race when Ngatoa crashed into the wall on the exit of pitlane.

This meant a slot was left vacant on the front row of the grid next to Mawson.

Race 3 was quite processional and calm compared to the others, and Mawson went on to take a dominant 6.8s victory from GRM drivers Herne and Leeds.

Golding came home fourth ahead of Macrow and Randle.

Randle had had a fast spin exiting turn 1 early in the race and was lucky to keep it off the barrier and finish the race.

Coming into the round Randle had led the championship but after the three races at Sandown was behind Joey Mawson and ahead of Tim Macrow in the points chase.

GOLD STAR POINTS STANDINGS RD 3

the atrocious conditions.

Heat 1 winner Golding picked up damage in the mayhem that was Turns 2 and 3, and crashed out of the race.

Out front inverted pole sitter Ngatoa, hot off his first podium finish, was driving maturely in the lead.

In the closing laps he came under

pressure from Mawson but remained calm, stayed focused, and took his maiden S5000 race victory.

Ngatoa won the race by just 0.3s from his teammate and new championship leader Mawson.

Impressively, despite facing backwards at Turn 2 on the opening lap, Randle

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Mawson Randle Macrow Herne Leeds Golding Capo Webster Astuti Willmington

305 265 262 216 210 208 159 155 128 105

CARRERA CUP

REPORT

HILL TOPS PORSCHE RETURN

Report: Heath McAlpine Images: Porsche Cars Australia/Insyde Media CAMERON HILL mastered the slippery conditions at Sandown to take the opening round of the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia series in what was a chaotic affair.

Marking a year since the last round of Porsche’s top-tier, Sandown saw one of the most competitive grids entered in the category’s history.

The most high-profile newcomer was Australian racing legend Craig Lowndes, who was also joined by former Bathurst winner Luke Youlden, and fellow Supercars codrivers David Russell and Dale Wood.

These drivers joined by a group of hungry youngsters eager to climb the Porsche Pyramid, and one of which took pole.

Harri Jones edged category veteran Michael Almond for pole, but this turned to little when the young McElrea Racing driver locked up at Turn 1 and went through the gravel.

This dropped Jones to the rear of the field and handed Almond the lead.

Hill was second and placed early pressure on Almond, but the Sonic Motor Racing Services driver broke away and took the first victory of the season.

Behind, Hill maintained second ahead of a battle between Wood and Aaron Love, which resulted in wheel banging, which allowed last year’s opening round winner Cooper Murray onto the podium.

Battles with Lowndes and Murray failed to halt Hill’s success on Sunday, as he took both races including the Enduro Cup opener.

In the 27-lap Enduro Cup race, Hill and Murray battled for much of the race in pouring rain, which caught out the likes of Wood, Almond and Jones.

Hill held Murray at bay, despite the Victorian’s best efforts, as Craig Lowndes took his maiden Porsche podium finish ahead of Love.

Much like the Enduro Cup event, it was Hill versus Murray in the third race, but the latter

Sandown’s changing track conditions saw three action-packed races which started with pole man Harri Jones out-braking himself at turn 1 in the first race (above).

Category newcomer Craig Lowndes was a contender until spinning (left) late in the last race.

made a mistake at Turn 4. Grabbing the kerb entering the corner, Murray spun into the tyres gently and dropped to the back, though a late safety car assisted him in climbing back to 11th.

This also helped Lowndes as he eyed a victory, but he too came unstuck on Sandown’s kerbs as exiting Turn 1 he tried

to catch a lurid slide but, unable to save the situation, spun onto the grass.

This left Lowndes’ teammate David Wall to take second ahead of Aaron Love.

But it was Hill who secured his second Carrera Cup round victory and the first to be run across multiple races.

“It was an awesome win for us,” Hill said.

“To get the round win in really difficult conditions was incredible. The first race was fully wet and it was sprinkling through the second. Through all that I am just stoked to get the win.

“It’s a great result for our little team and everyone who has got behind us for the championship this year.”

A standout performance came from series debutant Christian Pancione who finished sixth in the last race.

In Pro-Am, Stephen Grove won two out of three, with the final being taken by Adrian Flack.

Points: Hill 174, Love 132, Murray 120, Wall 112, Almond 105

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SHANNONS

S5000

MAWSON TOPS WILD S5000 WEEKEND

Report: Dan McCarthy Images: Daniel Kalisz Photographer/ ARG JOEY MAWSON impressively charged through to win the second round of the S5000 Gold Star Championship at Phillip Island and fired himself into title contention.

Despite starting both of Saturday’s races in 10th and Sunday’s encounter from sixth, Mawson showed that overtaking was no issue to take the feature race victory and the coveted Alfredo Costanzo Trophy for the round win.

S5000’s first racing visit to Phillip Island had it all: drama, shocks, surprises, both youth and experience taking wins, dry races, monsoon-like wet conditions and crashes.

Former Supercars full timer James Golding came out on top in qualifying to grab pole position with experienced open-wheel ace Tim Macrow alongside.

Championship leader Thomas Randle qualified third, ahead of Nathan Herne, Luis Leeds, Ricky Capo and impressive Hyundai Excel graduate Cooper Webster in seventh.

Rookie New Zealand driver Kaleb Ngatoa also impressed.

Due to travel restrictions in his home country, Ngatoa missed practice. Prior to qualifying he had not ever driven an S5000 machine or even been to Phillip Island, nevertheless he quailed eighth.

Braydan Willmington would start from ninth ahead of Round 1 heat winner Joey Mawson. The former GP3 Series podium finisher had damaged his front wing in qualifying, pitted for a new one but Team BRM were unable to fit it and as a result he failed to set a competitive lap time.

Antonio Astuti also failed to set a time, spinning off into the gravel on his first flying lap.

As the lights went out to start Race

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Joey Mawson fulfilled his promise with a clever win in the Alfredo Costanzo Trophy to be a close third in the Gold Star points.

Former Excel racer, 17-year-old Cooper Webster was the surprise of the weekend, storming to a confident victory in atrocious conditions in Saturday’s second race.

1, pole sitter Golding burst into wheelspin, and by the time him arrived at Turn 1, he was buried in the pack down in fourth position.

From second position Macrow made

a blinder and immediately took the lead.

The field was drastically shuffled off the line with Macrow leading Herne, Randle and then Golding.

Back on the start line, Willmington failed to move due to a clutch issue and this resulted in the deployment of the safety car.

In a matter of several corners, before the safety car was called, Mawson had climbed up from 10th to fifth.

When the safety car returned to pit lane, leader Macrow made a blinding restart and pulled away from the rest of the field.

Randle made a superb restart as well and was able to take second position from Herne with a brave move up the inside at Turn 1 Out front in clean air, Macrow was able to pull out a gap over Randle who also put margin between himself and Herne, the latter now holding off Golding and Mawson.

Golding applied the pressure to Herne but was unable to find a way through.

Out front Macrow took his second S5000 Championship win from his title rival Randle, with Herne, Golding and Mawson rounding out the top five.

Heavy rain lashed down on the track for the second race of the weekend, and for most drivers it was their first time driving an S5000 in the wet.

One of those drivers was 17-year-old Webster who excelled in a faultless drive to take his maiden S5000 Championship victory and the first for 88Racing.

Kiwi Ngotoa started from the inverted race pole but struggled to get off the line with wheelspin.

As a result, Webster led into Turn 1, while Randle shot into second before a mistake on the exit of Turn 2 allowed Herne and Golding back through.

Out front Webster marched into a commanding early lead as Randle was forced to overtake the two GRM cars once again.

GOLD STAR POINTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Randle Macrow Mawson Golding Leeds Herne Webster Ricky Capo Astuti Willmington

209 203 198 152 138 124 115 111 89 72

Tim Macrow leads the S5000 field on his way to victory in race 1 (above) while NZ debutant Kaleb Ngatoa (left) was another to impress, having never sat in an S5000 or driven the Phillip Island circuit before qualifying.

Thomas Randle leads the field (below) and the Gold Star points.

Randle was very comfortable in the e wet and by the end of lap 3 found himself in second, slowly chipping into Webster’s sizeable margin.

By lap 9 Randle had caught Webster but was unable to pressure the youngster into a mistake. In fact Randle was the first to blink, running wide at Stoner and allowing Websterr off the hook.

Weather conditions deteriorated during the race as even the experienced drivers struggled to keep their S5000s on the track.

On the same lap Mawson and Macrow flew off the road at Stoner, however both were able to scramble e back onto the circuit, miraculously without losing places.

In the lead Webster remained unfazed to take the win by 1s over Randle.

Mawson methodically made his way through the field from 10th to third, ahead of Herne, the wise Macrow and Golding.

Ngatoa came to a halt late in the race with a driveshaft failure.

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The third and final race of the weekend was a thriller, incidents, th ill with ith drama, d i id t accidents id t and great racing action.

Off the line there was a spectacular incident when the fast-starting Herne rode up the back of pole sitter Randle.

Herne’s S5000 was launched into the air before crashing down to earth. He extracted himself from the machine but was taken hospital for precautionary

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checks.

The Th race was red d flflagged d and d suspended while the wrecked car was recovered.

As he did in the first two races, Mawson made an electric start, missing all the mayhem, he leapt from sixth to second before the race was red flagged.

This meant he was right on the tail of

Randle when the race restarted and applying the pressure to the race leader lap after lap, Randle eventually cracked.

The reigning Super2 champion locked up and ran wide at Turn 2 on lap 6, and upon returning to the racing line made contact with Mawson.

As a result, Randle once again ran wide and this allowed Mawson through.

With little momentum Randle blocked into Turn 4 but this allowed Macrow to run around the outside and take second position. posi Worse was to come for Randle, as at W the Hayshed Golding was also able to sweep past and demote Randle off the sw podium. po Out front Mawson was unfazed O and unchallenged, flying off into the distance and taking the win by 1.4s. dist The battle for second was hotly Th contested between former Gold Star con champion Macrow and Golding. cha In tthe closing laps Golding found way through at Turn 1 with an a wa aggressive move and held onto the agg place until the finish. plac Randle remained fourth despite Ra massive pressure from his rookie mas teammate Hgatoa. On the final lap team Hgatoa attempted a move around Hga outside at Turn 1 but he found the the o grass. gras This let Randle cruise home and Th comfortably finish in fourth.

Former Aussie Formula 4 Champion Luis Leeds crossed the line fifth, ahead of Heat 2 winner Webster and Capo.

Ngatoa’s off track excursion cost him dearly, he crossed the line down in eighth ahead of Antonio Astuti and Braydan Willmington.

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59

SHANNONS

TCR AUSTRALIA

WET, WILD AND UNPREDICTABLE Report: Heath McAlpine Images: Daniel Kalisz Photography/ARG/ G/ Ross Gibb

Ch Mostert looked on for a clean sweep Chaz of the TCR weekend, until a late-race tyre fai failure in the last.

THE STORYLINE of the weekend was nearly complete.

Melbourne Performance Centre’s Chaz Mostertt appeared set to take a dominating clean-sweep until the excessive tyre wear Phillip Island is known for played its part.

Before his right-front tyre let go with just five laps remaining in the final encounter, Mostert in his MPC Audi RS3 LMS TCR dominated the weekend, even in the toughest conditions.

Teammate Luke King proved his biggest rival, but a third race mistake opened the door for veteran Jason Bargwanna to give the Garry Rogers Motorsport Peugeot 308 TCR its maiden victory.

And the TCR Balance of Performance appeared just about right, albeit the Audis definitely held an advantage compared to the rest of the field, but it was not as much as the Alfa Romeos enjoyed at Symmons Plains.

Mostert topped the timesheets at the end of the two-part qualifying session ahead of teammate Luke King, clocking a 1m 35.670s to be 0.279s ahead.

Ashley Seward Motorsport’s Lee Holdsworth and Garry Rogers Motorsport’s Michael Caruso upheld the Alfa Romeo honours on row 2, while Ben Bargwanna provided a hint of what was to come for the Peugeots to be fifth.

Honda also returned to the front, John Martin started sixth and Tony D’Alberto 10th after not

penalty pena applied to the Alfa Romeos and qualified 16th.

16th However, he climbed to eighth by lap five, dropped drop behind the two Bargwannas on lap 9 before befor running wide at Honda three laps later to finish 12th.

No one was going to catch Mostert as he took a 31s victory ahead of teammate King, while Holdsworth held out Martin for third and Tony Holds D’Alberto rounded out the top five in the second D’Alb Wall Racing Honda.

R GRM Customer Racing Peugeot driver Aaron Cameron Came was sixth ahead of Bargwanna Sr, Bargwanna Jr, series debutant Lachlan Mineeff in Bargw his privateer Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR, and the pr recovering Soutar.

Many drivers, most notably Caruso, struggled with foggy windscreens as he finished 17th.

Phillip Island basked in sunny conditions for Races 2 and 3 for the weekend, but this didn’t mean the action stopped.

Mostert this time had a sparring partner in the form of teammate King. In a closely fought battle King held the edge for a majority of the race’s length, but the Supercars star did execute a successful pass at Honda on lap 12.

This was after a torrid defence by King, which included Mostert to place three wheels on the dirt approaching Turn 1, miraculously saving the situation.

Early on, a fast-starting Cameron took the early lead but the Audis came to the fore as the race

fitting new tyres for the final 10-minute shootout.

These conditions came to nought as the expected rain arrived one hour prior to the opening TCR Australia race, and it provided the launchpad for one of Mostert’s best drives.

Not having driven in those conditions in the Audi, in front-wheel-drive and on the Michelin wets, Mostert was a class above. His winning margin in excess of 30s was indicative of that.

King finished second but only after a titanic battle with Holdsworth and Martin, which lasted for two-thirds of the race.

Water across the fast Turn 3 proved a challenge for Holdsworth on multiple occasions, but he was able to hold on, though the same can’t be said for Zac Soutar as his privateer Civic Type R replicated Alex Premat’s incident in Supercars many years ago at Honda. Luckily, he continued without damage.

Both HMO Customer Racing Hyundai i30N TCRs, plus the Tilton Racing example, struggled with each going into limp-home mode at various times throughout the race. For the Brad Shiels driven Tilton entry, it came after the team had completed an engine change the night before.

Morcom ended the race last after going off at Turn 1, while Josh Buchan finished seventh and Shiels 18th.

However, Buchan was penalised 30s for contact with Jay Hanson at MG, forcing the Ashley Seward Motorsport Alfa Romeo into retirement.

Mostert had checked out and was 18s ahead of the chasing trio when King made a successful move on Holdsworth at MG, with Martin still remaining in touch for the final podium place.

But where was series leader Jordan Cox? Well, he hadn’t adapted to the 60kg weight

Contrasting conditions ... Audi teammates Luke King and Chaz Mostert (below) lead the TCR field in the sunshine, while John Martin’s Honda (below) demonstrates the lack of visibility in the monsoon conditions of Saturday’s first race.

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TCR AUSTRALIA POINTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Mostert 212 King 197 Holdsworth 187 D’Alberto 169 Morcom 165 Cameron 163 Martin 158 J. Bargwanna 148 Buchan 147 B. Bargwanna 143

Jason Bargwanna scored a surprise win for Peugeot and GRM in the final race. He celebrates here with team owner Barry Rogers.

Former TCR series leader Jordan Cox had a very troubled weekend with his Alfa Romeo.

progressed, while the Peugeot dropped back through the pack.

Once Cameron was passed by the two Audis, it was a case of holding on as an angry pack led by the Hondas of Martin and D’Alberto were there if a mistake was made. And it came.

The Peugeot locked up at MG, elevating both Hondas and Martin into third spot.

An early charge by Cox had him placed within the top 10, however contact with Soutar sent the Alfa Romeo careering into Buchan’s i30N TCR, causing severe damage to the GRM entry and ending the former series leader’s weekend.

Privateer Hondas were going well in the hands of youngsters Michael Clemente and Soutar, both sandwiching the Bargwannas in the back half of the top 10.

Cameron’s fall continued as Bargwanna Sr and Clemente demoted him back to seventh.

After the rigorous battle at the front, Mostert took a 0.9s victory from King as Martin scored Honda’s first podium of the season, with teammate D’Alberto following.

Bargwanna Sr, Clemente, Cameron, Soutar, Bargwanna Jr and Nathan Morcom completed the top 10.

The field was down to 19 after Cox’s withdrawal, while a clutch problem for teammate Caruso forced a pit lane start.

It was business as usual at the front with King making the better jump compared to Mostert, to lead into Turn 1.

King’s great start came to nothing when he spun at Southern Loop in his eagerness to build a margin, leaving Mostert to assume control from the two Hondas.

Bargwanna Sr made ground early and was in the fight, disposing of the two Hondas on consecutive laps to be Mostert’s lead pursuer.

Behind, the privateer Civic Type R TCR driven

by Clemente was fighting for a top five spot and was faster than the factory-supported Wall Racing entries.

Battling Cameron’s Peugeot, Clemente was held up allowing Morcom and Bargwanna Jr to close in, but contact between the latter two dropped the pair behind not only the recovering Dylan O’Keeffe in the GRM Renault, but Soutar.

A margin of 1.47s split Mostert and Bargwanna Sr as the latter drove away from the chaotic midpack led by D’Alberto.

The battle for fifth was still going but the addition of O’Keeffe, Bargwanna Jr and Morcom made this a five-way fight, as Cameron held on bravely ahead of Clemente. It didn’t last as Clemente passed the Peugeot and built a 0.61s gap rapidly.

Cameron’s fall continued as O’Keeffe snatched sixth, while the Peugeot ended the race 10th behind opening race sparring partners Hanson and Buchan, who both charged through the pack.

Bargwanna Jr also passed his Peugeot teammate and O’Keeffe to take seventh, but his father was the one with the momentum.

Bargwanna Sr’s pursuit of the lead almost came to nil when aero wash forced led the Peugeot off track at Turn 1 and with grass filling the front air vent, only 1s was lost to Mostert.

However on lap 10 he was back on the rear bumper of Mostert due to the leader’s tyre struggles, which then came to a head when the right-front let go on the main straight, handing Bargwanna Sr the lead.

Hondas now sat second, third and fourth, with Clemente right behind the two Wall Racing entries, but this was short lived as Morcom completed an impressive recovery drive to overhaul two of the Civic Type Rs to finish behind D’Alberto in third.

A 1.8s margin separated Bargwanna Sr from D’Alberto at the line, as he took his and Peugeot’s maiden win in TCR Australia.

Behind, Morcom ended a tough weekend by finishing on the podium, while Martin, Clemente, Bargwanna Jr, O’Keeffe, Hanson, Buchan and Cameron completed the top 10.

Mostert finished in 18th, while Holdsworth sustained a puncture in the final race to finish one position behind.

TCR Australia heads to Bathurst now for the first-time during the Easter break, as support to the Bathurst 6 Hour.

Mostert leads the title by 15 points from teammate King, while Holdsworth is 10 further back. Previous points leader Cox sits 11th.

Aaron Cameron leads Chaz Mostert on the opening lap of Sunday’s first race (below left) while Michael Clemente (below right) was a strong performer in his privateer Honda Civic.

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SHANNONS

GT WORLD CHALLENGE

AUDI’S ISLAND

Report: Heath McAlpine Images: Daniel Kalisz Photography/ ARG, Jack Martin Photography/Ross Gibb THE COMBINATION of Yasser Shahin and Garth Tander won the inaugural round of GT World Challenge Australia after two eventful one-hour races at Phillip Island.

Chaz Mostert in the Audi R8 LMS Evo GT3 he shared with Tony Bates secured pole by 0.181s ahead of Jamie Whincup in Triple Eight Race Engineering’s first national GT round, where he joined the team’s regular GT World Challenge Asia driver Prince Jefri Ibrahim in a Mercedes-AMG GT. Tander was third in another Audi, but it was his co-driver Yasser Shahin who made an aggressive start to the opening one-hour encounter. He took advantage of Ibrahim’s bad start to take second into Turn 1 before completing a daring move through the final corner to take the lead from Bates.

Ibrahim dropped to fourth as Stephen Grove in the new Porsche 911 GT3 R also passed the Thai driver at Southern Loop, but was no match to the Audi drivers in front.

Incidents filled the opening stint of the race with the IMAK Motorsport Lamborghini Huracan GT3 of Andrew MacPherson and Ben Porter the first involved after it spun at Southern Loop and was collected by the Maranello Motorsport Ferrari 488 GT3 driven by Adrian Deitz.

The Bathurst 12 Hour-winning Ferrari then stopped at the exit of Honda, while the Lamborghini continued and picked up a puncture, spinning Porter 720-degrees 720 degrees exiting Turn 3.

Garth Tander and Yasser Shahin combined to win both races at Phillip Island (top), though Chaz Mostert in his similar Audi R8LMS Evo GT3 shared with Tony Bates (above) took pole and was also a contender but ultimately finished third in each race.

Just before the safety car was called, Grove passed Bates for second as Brad Schumacher in the leading GT Trophy entry sat an impressive fourth after qualifying fifth driving an older-spec Audi R8 Ultra LMS GT3.

However, fellow GT Trophy competitor Michael Bailey then had a large crash approaching Turn 3, emerging from his Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 unscathed, but the British coupe was uns severely damaged. sev As A conditions started to become damp, dam Audi driver Gary Higgon also went wen off at MG but this was after contact with the current model Aston Martin Vantage GT3 of former category owner Vant Tony Quinn at Siberia.

The safety car period lasted until the first round of stops, with Grove the first to r enter pit lane to swap with son Brenton.

He was immediately followed by

Bre Hobson had the Nissan GT-R Brett flyi flying to challenge for the podium in rac race 2 and win the GT Trophy.

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Bates and Ibrahim, but a pit lane limiter malfunction stopped the Porsche as it entered pit lane. Ibrahim lost 15s before taking to the grass to go around the outside, while Bates was too close to replicate that manoeuvre, forcing co-driver Mostert to play catch up from then on.

Shahin also came in to swap with Tander during this period, who then emerged 17s clear in the lead with 21-minutes remaining This left Tander to take a comfortable 14.8s victory ahead of Whincup, who charged from the back half of the 10, with Mostert pipping Schumacher for third on the line.

It was a spectacular finish as GT Trophy competitor Wayne Mack crashed his Ferrari 458 GT3 exiting the final turn on the last lap, but also emerged under his own steam from the wreck.

The second one-hour affair was ultimately less eventful as Tander and Whincup shared the frontrow, then went through Turn 1 side-by-side in a spectacular display.

The reigning Bathurst 1000 winner maintained the lead under duress as Whincup, then Mostert, challenged during the opening stint.

A lurid slide exiting Southern Loop allowed Whincup to re-take second from Mostert after the

Mercedes-AMG was overtaken at Honda earlier on. The flow-on effect was Tander’s larger margin approaching the pit stop sequence.

The top four led by Tander and concluded by Brenton Grove all pitted on the same lap, but the order was somewhat jumbled. Bates led away from pitlane from Stephen Grove, Ibrahim and Shahin, but a customary charge by the latter elevated the MPC Audi into second.

Behind, Ibrahim attempted a late braking manoeuvre at Honda on Bates, resulting in contact.

Vince Muriti in another Audi spun exiting the final corner and avoided hitting the pit wall, but to enable his safe recovery the safety car was called, however it picked up Shahin instead of Grove, leading to the field having to be let through to right the mistake.

Only five minutes remained when the safety car returned to the pits and Shahin went to work immediately to take the lead. Turn 1 on the outside, Shahin made a daring pass to take the lead from Grove to complete a clean-sweep.

Bates held on for third ahead of Ibrahim, who battled the GT Trophy-winning Nissan GT-R GT3 of Brett Hobson during the conclusion.

Audi driver Matt Stoupas won GT Trophy, while Arthur Abrahams took out the Amateur class.

SHANNONS TRANS AM, PORSCHE SPRINT CHALLENGE

CHAOS MARS NEW SPRINT CHALLENGE Report: Heath McAlpine Images: Insyde Media PHILLIP ISLAND marked the first event of Porsche’s second-tier series run under its new Sprint Challenge moniker, but it was consistent performer Ryan Suhle who emerged victorious in a shortened weekend of racing.

Suhle is now a veteran and demonstrated this by taking pole position, while rival Christian Pancione was in his third season in the class and qualified fifth.

Bayley Hall made an early impression by qualifying alongside McElrea Racing teammate Suhle on the front-row, while Kiwi Callum Hedge gave Earl Bamber Motorsport a strong start in third and Courtney Prince for Sonic Motor Racing Services filled out the second row.

Alongside Pancione was Pro-Am class leader Sam Shahin, but he was expected to battle with the Professional class competitors and did so for the opening laps of Race 1.

Shahin made the best start, while Hedge had a shocker as the Kiwi dropped to sixth and Prince took advantage to be third, behind the two McElrea Racing drivers.

The experience of Suhle shone as he edged Hall at the start and began to build a margin leaving his teammate to battle Prince, Shahin and Pancione as Hedge recovered to fifth.

Tom Tweedie’s campaign started badly when he went off exiting Southern Loop on the opening lap, but he recovered to finish seventh.

Pancione demoted Shahin to fifth as he turned his focus to Prince, who continued to pressure Hall, but neither made mistakes.

A late-race lock-up failed to halt Suhle’s charge as

Un its new Sprint Challenge label the Under Po Porsche’s got off to a spectacular start, th though ultimately the weather beat them and ca caused the Jim Richards Endurance Cup race to be abandoned.

he took a commanding 1.5s victory ahead of Hall, Prince, Pancione, Hedge and Pro-Am winner Shahin.

The weather deteriorated for the second encounter, so much so that leader Suhle spun off at Honda on lap 4, and he wasn’t the only one as Shahin, Goldie, Prince, Shane Barwood and Hall all were caught in incidents.

Suhle dropped to fifth, allowing Prince to assume the lead, but it was only a matter of time before Hedge took it as he meticulously set-up the race win by making

minimal mistakes.

Hedge passed Prince for the lead at Southern Loop and was never headed from then.

Prince spun from second at Honda, but finished fifth, though the biggest contact was for Hall.

The Queenslander clashed with lapped Pro-Am competitor Barwood on the main straight and crashed heavily to end his weekend.

A shortened affair ended with a 26s victory to Hedge ahe of Suhle and Taplin, who demoted Pancione ahead dur the concluding laps. during O a 45-minute race contributing to the Jim Only Ric Richards Endurance Cup remained, but this was ended abr abruptly when Ross McGregor, Jonathan Gliksten and Michael Hovey collided approaching Turn 3. This sent sen all three Porsches into the tyre wall, requiring a prolonged delay to the schedule and the decision was pro made ma to abandon the race.

Pancione had made the best start to lead the opening lap before the incident ended the round.

Suhle secured the round, while Matther Belford won Pro-Am after taking the class victory in Race 2.

Points: Suhle 114, Hedge 96, Pancione 84, Prince 84, Taplin 80.

SETON TAKES PI ROUND Report: Dan McCarthy Images: Daniel Kalisz Photographer/ ARG CONSISTENCY WAS key for Aaron Seton to win the second round of the Trans Am Series, taking just one of the three race victories at Phillip Island.

Wins were split between three drivers at the Island, former Supercars driver Owen Kelly, series leader Nathan Herne and Seton.

Seton took pole position for Race 1 but this advantage would not last, as Kelly swept around the outside at Turn 1 before taking the lead into Turn 2.

Just behind, Herne dropped back to fourth behind Kyle Gurton.

Halfway through the race Herne started to apply the pressure to Gurton, and on lap 6 he made an impressive move at MG stick to take third though

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was unable to pull out much of a margin.

Up front Kelly was forced to defend from Seton on several occasions and did so successfully, holding off the young Queenslander to take the win.

Herne came home third ahead of Gurton and Toyota 86 Series winner Tim Brook.

Race 2 was forced to be postponed until Sunday morning due to persistent heavy rain.

Sunny skies were a welcome sight on Sunday morning and Race 2 would prove to be worth the wait.

At the start of the race, Herne from third pulled past both Seton and pole sitter Kelly, and found himself leading by the time they got to Turn 1.

Seton was second and immediately went on the offensive, forcing Herne to defend. The leader did not have the pace to pull away, and lap after lap was forced to defend his position allowing Brook and

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Aaron Seton (above) won the second round of the Trans Am with one race victory and sits second in points behind Nathan Herne (left), who was again doing double duty with S5000.

Gurton to make it a five car fight out front.

At Turn 4 on lap 4 Kelly drove around the outside of Seton, giving him the inside line for Siberia and second position.

However later in the lap Kelly’s weekend derailed as he fired off the road at the final turn and retired shortly afterwards.

Out front Herne put on a magnificent defensive driving display, despite inferior car pace the Queenslander did not put a foot wrong.

Herne held off Seton to win by 0.27s with Gurton a further 0.11s further back, Brook finished fourth, with second-generation racer Nash Morris fifth.

Youngsters Herne and Seton once again put on

a magnificent display in the third race, but this time Seton came out on top.

Sliding around the outside at Turn 1 on lap 3, Seton earned the inside line into Turn 2 and took the lead. From there he disappeared, taking the win by 13.6s and giving him the round honours also.

Herne again drove a mature and methodical race to finish second ahead of Gurton, while Brook just held off Kelly by 0.06s to finish fourth. Kelly had impressively charged from 23rd to fifth in just 12 laps.

National Trans Am Series Points: Herne 376, Seton 374, Thornburrow 316, Kelly 296, Brook 287

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p ra w S L A N NATIO

Image: Martyn Agatyns

HILLCLIMB FIRST FOR OLIVER NATHAN OLIVER scored his first outright hillclimb victory at the Must Love Cars Highclere Hillclimb on February 20.

Hosted by the North West Car Club, the event was the first round of the Tasmanian Hillclimb Cup Series and attracted a large field.

Driving his Mazda RX8, Oliver set the fastest time of the day on his sixth and final run over the flowing 1.2km course in hot conditions, with a pass of 33.49s.

Although quicker than Oliver on her fourth and fifth runs, Sheridan Budsworth (Nissan Skyline GTS) was unable to improve on Oliver’s best and settled for second outright by just 0.26s.

Brad Van der Drift (Nissan 200SX) was third outright and only 0.12s slower than Budsworth, with his best effort on his fifth run. Van der Drift gained some consolation with a Class D (cars with engine sizes 3.0-4.5-litres) win.

Oliver’s outright win also gave him victory in Class E (over 4.5-litres), with former state champion Rob McIntyre (Subaru Impreza WRX STi) the best of the AWD Class F and fifth outright.

Michael Robson was seventh quickest to claim Class G (Specials) honours in his Aussie Legend. Wayne Monson lived up to preevent expectations in his Ford Escort Duratech with a Class C (2.0-3.0-litres) win, although he had to work hard to edge out Kade Barrett (Plymouth Fire Arrow) by 0.7s.

Barrett had Monson’s measure for most of the day, but Monson kept his best drive to last, to snatch victory on the sixth and final run and took 10th overall.

Twelfth outright Leigh Ford (Honda Integra) finished just behind Barrett to wrap-up Class B (1.6-2.0-litres), while veteran Roger Carter (Nissan Pulsar) was the best of the Class A (up to 1.6-litres).

Martin Agatyn

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Image: Elgee

VHRR BY A POINT IN CHALLENGE

THE VICTORIAN Historic Racing Register took the lead just one point ahead of host MG Car Club in the annual Rob Roy Interclub Challenge on March 7.

Mike Barker helped by not only a win in his class with his Hayward 06 to contribute 10 points but also took FTD. His 18.72 second final run made him the second driver in the under 19-second club, but also the third fastest ever at Rob Roy Hillclimb behind Andrew Howell (Gould GR55B) and Brett

Hayward (Hayward 09).

Before that run Barker said it was only his third outing after fitting a new 1340cc Hayabusa engine he had acquired from Brett Hayward. He used an old set of tyres as it was really just a test to get used to the engine.

Mark Atkinson (Falkenberg Jinx) and Keith Charman (Elleton BMC Special) took second and third places in the racing class for the VHRR, and Russ Mead (Anglia Super 105E) took the 10011300cc class win.

The top four in each class scored 10, eight, six and four points, while all other entrants score one point for their nominated club.

Just one point behind the leading club was the MG Car Club of Victoria on 45 points. Mark Pitman (MG TC Monoposto) took a class win to be top scorer of the 17 MG entrants, while Mike Ellsmore (MGA Coupe) nabbed a second.

Third place on 24 points went to the Austin Healey Sprite Drivers

Image: Ian Colley

Club, thanks to a top three position for all three entries led by Graham Dows (MkI Sprite) first in the 1301-1600cc class, while Owen Crombie and Michael Welsh were first and second in the 1001-1300cc class in their MkIIs. The event also included a rare sight of an Austin A30, although with a 1990cc engine. Ian Baird’s yellow machine is rather more than a usual A30 and was quick enough for a class third place for the Sporting Car Club of South Australia. Gary Hill Image: BLCC - Tony Hanrahan

AMOS DELIVERS DOUBLE DOSE

NO BULL WITH BRETT’S WIN THE OUTRIGHT struggle to take out the first round of the MG Car Club of Queensland State Hillclimb Series on March 6-7 proved to be close and saw Brett Bull prevail.

In his turbo Van Diemen RF03, Bull and Warwick Hutchinson (turbocharged rotary OMS28) vied for the overall and Formula Libre over 2.0-Litre class lead.

The latter’s best of 38.62s was the fastest run on day one by 0.04s.

Bull hit back on Sunday with a personal best ever 38.14s, which proved to be the event winner as Hutchinson could not improve.

Third place went to the Formula Libre up to 1.3-litre class winner, Ed McCane in his DJ Racecars Firehawk. Next was Greg Tebble

(Group R Van Diemen FF2000) ahead of the F/L U3.0-L competitors James Short (Jayton Mk2), David Quelch (Honda DPQ03), and Luke Weiks (Arrow Super Kart).

Eighth spot went to Michael Larymore (Production Sports Toyota MR2) in front of Seb Black (AWD Forced Induction Subaru Impreza WRX), and Ross Mackay (Sports Sedan Ford Escort MkI).

Next were the two leading Clubman Sports Cars of Jason McGarry (Caterham R300) and Brian Pettit (Westfield SE) which finished 0.05s apart.

The traditional end of day Top Six, which had no bearing on the final outcome, was also taken out

by Bull. Hutchinson did not finish and second went to McCane over Tebble. Garry O’Brien

TWO COURSES, two days, one venue and Dean Amos came away as the winner of both rounds one and two of the Mantic Clutch Motorsport Australia New South Wales Hillclimb Championship, at Mt Panorama on March 6-7.

Over 80 competitors had entered with least four runs each day.

On the first day, Amos gunned his Nicholson McLaren V8-engined Gould GR55B to a 1.09s win. That was on the reverse direction (to normal racing) 750m run from the Bathurst Light Car Club at the kink on Conrod Straight to Brock Skyline.

Then next day his victory on the regular direction top of Mountain Straight to McPhillamy Park was even greater at 4.55s.

It appeared that Greg Ackland would head up the challengers when he set the fastest run time initially at 23.34s. But the Ninja GA81’s turbo Kawasaki engine dropped a big end on its second run and his weekend was done. Amos posted a 22.25s on his fourth attempt, while Ackland’s single effort earned him second overall in Formula Libre over 2.0-litre.

Third fastest was David Mahon (Dallara F394/Hayabusa) who took out the Formula Libre up to 1.3-litre class. He finished ahead of a conservative Dean

Tighe in his first outing aboard his new supercharged Hayabusa-powered Empire Wraith.

Then came 2020 NSW state champion Ron Hay (Dallara/Synergy) ahead of Zac Le Lievre (Open Sports Cars Westfield Magabusa). Seventh overall and the fastest tin top was Neville Shears (Time Attack Nissan GTR Nismo R35) ahead of eighth outright Phil Heafey (Sports Sedan Mitsubishi EVO 6), Kevin Mackrell (Closed Sports Datsun 260Z/Chev), and Greg Boyle (Sports Sedan R32 GTR) who completed the top 10.

On the Sunday 1.7km course the fight was tight behind the dominant Amos where Hay was runner up ahead of Mahon, while third and fourth placed Mahon and Tighe were split by 0.02s.

Fifth spot went to Le Lievre, and Mackrell powered his way to sixth as well as the best of the tin tops.

Boyle finished next in front of Heafey, Shears and Ben Mannix (Sports Sedan Mazda RX7).

The day was over relatively early for Dave Williams and his Holden Commodore Ute. He crashed out at the end of his second run and took out the timing as well. That caused a significant delay whilst the officials sourced and installed a replacement system. GOB

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STATE CHAMP’S CHILLY START THE SOUTH Australian Motor Racing Championship got off to an out of character wintery start at Mallala Motorsport Park on March 13.

CIRCUIT EXCELS

QUALIFYING WAS the key to the final result. It was pretty damp at the start and dried out towards the end. That gave the first of two groups an advantage as their session was red flagged and re-run in the dry.

It jumbled up the grid and had Shayne Nowickyj on pole for race one where Shaun Pannowitch moved through the pack quickly to take the win. Asher Johnston then quickly assumed his normal position at the front of the pack for the next two races.

Pannowitch took a narrow round win. Lee Stibbs claimed the minor podium for the day after some good results, while a number of drivers were penalised during race two for stretching the track limits.

SPORTS CARS

AFTER IAN Wilson (TVR Tuscan) set the early pace in Sports Cars, he failed to start the final race and handed victory to Matthew Sims and his Porsche Cup Car. Mark Rosser (Audi R8 GT3) improved through the day and grabbed a podium finish in the final race, plus a second for the round just ahead of Panayot Boyaci (Porsche 991).

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Image: David Batchelor

DESPITE SOME brief resistance from Matthew Wright (Datsun 120Y) in race one, Scott Cook (Nissan S13) made it look easy on his way to taking the win. Wright managed to hang on for second despite some strong performances from James Benford (Nissan S13), who grabbed third.

SALOON CARS/HQ HOLDENS

IN THE combined categories, Shawn Jamieson (Holden Commodore VY) took the Saloon Car win although he had to trail Scott Dornan’s very wide Commodore home in race two.

Darryl Crouch overcame a fairly competitive HQ field to head home Tony Bobridge and Corey Bradley.

Things may have been a little different if David Smith’s race one win wasn’t the end of his day, and Darren Jenkins hadn’t been disqualified from race one after scaling underweight post-race.

FORMULA FORDS/FORMULA VEES

THE CLASS of the Formula Ford field was Samuel Woodland (Van Dieman RF06) who did not put a foot wrong on his way to winning. Matthew Woodland

(Mygale SJ09a) was the next best with Hayden Jarrett (Swift SC94F) third.

It was all Adam Newton (Sabre) in the 1600cc Formula Vees, but there was a bit of a battle to claim the minor positions.

Ben Forgan (Sabre 02) was best of the rest ahead of Daniel Westcott (Jacer F2K5). Adam Slattery (Sabre 02) had been right up there in amongst the leaders and only narrowly missed on a top finish.

Matthew Bailek (Stinger) topped the 1200 Vees with Nathan Clifton (Spectre) and Frank Chessell (Elfin Crusader) rounding out the top three.

RACING, HISTORIC & NON-HISTORIC

THERE WERE some good battles between Jim Doig (Asp) and Mark Goldsmith (Elfin 400). Doig came out on top when the Elfin stalled at the northern hairpin in race two and wouldn’t fire up again.

This gifted second for the event to Melissa Ford (Mallock U2) with Graham Boulter (Elfin 623) hanging on for third. Chris Frost managed a couple of laps in the much anticipated reappearance of the IDS Special.

David Batchelor

FOUR OF West Australia’s Circuit Racing Championship categories went to the Collie Motorplex for the Icebreaker race meeting, the first of the 2021 season.

Image: Mick Oliver

EXCEL CUP

THREE WINS went to Brett Sherriff, but he had to work for them as he took the points over Robert Landsmeer and Carlos Ambrosio.

At the start of race one Sherriff was the leader with Jack Clohessy, Ambrosio and Landsmeer in close company. Clohessy took the lead on lap two just before Ambrosio relegated Sherriff to third.

On the final lap, there was positional shuffling among them with Sherriff back in front, and the winner ahead of Landsmeer, Ambrosio and Clohessy.

Brock McGregor would have been next but a 5s post-race penalty pushed him back to seventh behind Anthony Jewell and Jake Passaris.

It became a three-way scrap in race two.

Clohessy was missing due to mechanical dramas and Landsmeer led early. Sherriff grabbed the lead mid race and won from Landsmeer, Ambrosio.

McGregor was fourth, just in front of Passaris and Jewell.

Sherriff and Landsmeer raced bumper to bumper all through the third race while Ambrosio was a lonely third, clear of Jewell and McGregor. Jackson Callo and Passaris were hard to split in their dice for sixth.

FORMULA VEES

JACER DRIVERS finished first and second overall and in the 1600 class with Austin Pearson finishing ahead of David Caisley. The latter led the first encounter until an error at Turn 2 cost him a 5s penalty and gave Pearson victory. Rod Lisson was a lonely third in his Borland Sabre.

Pearson got the jump on Caisley at the start of race two. Caisley took the lead on the second lap and held it until Pearson nailed him at the line, while

CHAMPS BREAK THE ICE AT COLLIE Lisson was right behind them.

Caisley led race three before Pearson overtook him past half distance as Lisson was again third.

The first 1200cc encounter went to Andrew Lockett (Ajay) by 0.22s over Mackenzie Matthews (Gerbert). The former was relegated to second with a 5s penalty, which still put him ahead of Robert McAfee (Polar).

It was a close in race two where Matthews prevailed over Lockett and McAfee. Lockett led race three until McAfee took over mid race. Matthews was third across the line but was elevated when Lockett was penalised for exceeding track limits.

HISTORIC TOURING CARS

WITH A giant killing performance Cono Onofaro in his Morris Cooper S was the overall winner. Twice he won ahead of the V8 Fords and was second in the other race.

Fastest in qualifying, Mark Cates (Ford Falcon XY GT) led the first race for the majority, followed by Simon Northey (Ford Mustang) and Onofaro. When Cates miscued at the last corner Onofaro pounced and won with Northey second and Dom Behets (Ford Galaxie) third.

Northey made the most of the start in the second and led ahead Onofaro and Scott Mackie (Holden

Torana XU-1). The Cooper S driver tailed the Mustang until the last lap where Onofaro out-braked Northey into the Esses and went on to win.

The last race was a repeat with Onofaro again harassing Northey all race long. This time Northey held on to take the win from Onofaro, as Behets filled third just in front of Cates and Blake Watson (Cooper S).

FORMULA RACING

IN FRONT of a small field, Martin Bullock (Chevron B20) headed home Simon Alderson (RF88 FF2000) in each of the three races.

There was spirited dicing for third place between Ricky Virago (Ralt RT5) and Lance Carwardine (Jane Brabham BT23) for third in race one before the latter retired.

TIME CHALLENGE REGULARITY

OVER THE three Historic Regularity outings Jamie Scott (Ford Escort MkII) was best ahead of Brian Staines (Falcon XD) and Craig Kimber (Ford Cortina GT MkI).

Meanwhile, in the Modern group Adam Ewing (Toyota 86) topped the points ahead of Tony Roskill (Ford Falcon XY GT) and Garry Utterson (Holden Torana LH). Mick Oliver

BELLER EARNS ROUND Report: DAN MCCARTHY Images: INSYDE MEDIA THE PORSCHE 944s visited the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit as a support series at the opening round of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships, an event won by Cameron Beller.

It was a non-championship invitational round for the 944 series, nevertheless over 10 cars attended the event.

Qualifying was incredibly close, Beller took pole position by just 0.2s from Mark Taubitz, with Adam Brewer a further tenth back in third.

Race 1 was scheduled to take place on Saturday afternoon, but due to extremely heavy rain it was cancelled, instead additional laps were added to Sunday’s final encounter.

Sunday morning saw the first 944 race with positions jumbled up and down the field on the opening lap, but exiting MG it was Brewer who was out front.

Once in the lead, Brewer quickly pulled out a sizeable margin over both Taubitz and Beller behind.

On lap 3 into Honda Beller moved to take second position from Taubitz, the pair side by side around Siberia, with Beller eventually pinching the position at the Hayshed.

As the laps counted down Taubitz continued to drop back through the pack.

Brewer was able to hold onto the lead after a late race safety car, beating home Beller, James, Richard Howe and Taubitz.

In the much longer second race Beller and Brewer were in a league of their own.

Brewer held the lead in the opening two laps but was eventually overhauled by Beller on lap 3.

Beller slowly eked out a lead to win the race and the round by 2.8s.

A staggering 24s behind the second-placed Brewer was James, with two third places the Victorian finish third for the round.

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NATIONALS wrap n compiled by garry o’brie

Image: Show n Go

GARTNERS RISE FOR RAINBOW 240 AT THE first round of the Victorian Off Road Racing Championship, the Rainbow Rises 240 on March 6-7, Greg and Max Gartner were comfortable winners.

The father and son crewed their Extreme 2WD Ford SVO V8-powered Geisler Ford Trophy Truck to victory by 5mins 38s over Jason Noonan and Sam Sapuppo (Pro Buggy Jimco/Chev), with third taken by Alan Dixon and Aaron Evans (ProLite Customfab/Nissan V6).

Out of the 46 starters, only 16 completed the full 27-lap five sections. Ben Gartner and Stuart Hill (Ext 2WD Ford Trophy Truck/ Ford V8) were second and looking at a

likely Gartner one-two result when they lost a wheel on the final lap. It probably not as spectacular as the demise of Brad Chasmore and Leigh Wells, whose race ended on Saturday when their Pro Buggy Jimco Aussie Special/Chev rolled at the finish line.

Matt Hanson and Nigel Pendlebury were fast from the outset and won the first single lap 8.7km section, and lap one of the second. They was using the event to test and tune their Pro Buggy Jimco/Ford Ecoboost V6 Twin Turbo for the upcoming AORC round at St George, and took no further part.

The eighth lap of section two went to Tanner and Aaron James (Sportslite Alumi

Craft Aussie Spec, GM) ahead of the Gartners, Dan Wells (Superlite AusSpec/ Honda F20), and Mark and Matt Burrows (Pro Buggy Jimco/Holden AlloyTech TT).

The Gartners won sections three and four (six laps) and the last seven-lap section, ahead of the Burrows’ initially, and then Noonan/Sapuppo in the final section, after the demise of Gartner/Hill. Third was Peter Sibson and Dee Sibson (P1 Trophy Truck/ Chev) which put them 10th overall.

The Burrows pulled out with overheating issues, and Wells also retired where they were joined by Andy Brown/Daniel Hardman (Alumi Craft/Chev), Danny Brown/George

Apted (Alumi Craft/Nissan V6), the James’, and Glenn and Jack Owen (Jimco Aussie Special/Holden AlloyTechTT) with fuel pump dramas.

Fourth and fifth outright went to the SXS Turbo Can-Am Maverick X3/Rotax Turbos crewed by Glenn Pike/Darryn Conn/Natalie Pike and Alex Handley/Jack Battye. They finished ahead of the Superlites of James Tyrrell (Jimco) and Paul Meikle (Sabre).

A commendable job by Dean Williams and Jon Huber earned them eighth in their Sportsman Southern Cross, while Luke Densley and Warren Collins (Can-Am) were ninth. GOB

CHAPMAN DOMINANT IN SEASON STARTER THE OPENING round of the Mickey Thompson ARB Queensland Off Road Racing Championship – Lucas Papaw Remedies Sexton 100 on March 6-7 – was dominated by Clayton Chapman.

In his Unlimited class Razorback/ Toyota 2JZ Turbo, Thompson adapted well to the move from the original Leyburn venue to Sexton and won all five heats of the 15km track to win by 1min 8.31s.

While it was held in dusty conditions, 60 entries relished the opportunity to be racing again.

Second and third went Bailey Coxon and Kye Floyd in their CanAm Mavericks who were split in their Class 6 battle by 41.21s.

Next was Brett Comiskey (Unlimited Jimco Aussie Special/ Nissan V6 Turbo) ahead of 15-year-old Kye Camilleri (CanAm) who finished first of the

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Juniors, and third in Class 6.

Class 10’s Brett Baker (Racer Engineering, GM Ecotec) was sixth ahead of Class 5 winner Michael Ranson (Mitsubishi Triton/ Holden V8), Class 1 victor Darren Angel (Kadco/Nissan VQ35), Kate Swinglehurst (Can-Am), and Ross Challacombe, who took out Class 8 in his Triton.

Other class winners were Luke Brandon (Class 6s, Polaris RZR Turbo), Colin Gaven (Class 2, Tony Parker Engineering Custom Built/ Toyota 4AGE), Ryan Taylor (Class 66, Polaris RZR), and Aaron Nicoll (Class 3, Rivmasta/Suzuki), as they finished 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th, respectively.

In Class 7 it was close between Michael Topfer (Mitsubishi Pajero V6) and Luke Peterson (Nissan Patrol 4.2-litre), with 2.67s between them in the end. GOB

Image: Wishart Media

DALTON AND MOSCATT OUT OF THE BLUE IN THE ex-Harry Bates Toyota Yaris AP4s, Richie Dalton and Dale Moscatt won the Blue Range Rallysprint on March 6. It was the first round the Techworks Automotive ACT Regional Rally Series and was held in the Uriarra Forest on Blue Range Road.

In the debut with the car, the pair completed four runs on each of the two stages – the short 7.4 and long 9.7 km courses – with three from each counting to the final aggregate result.

Their total in the event was 44s better than second placed Andrew Penny and Rhys Llewellyn (Subaru Impreza WRX) who were again the runners-up in the event. Another 77s back were Peter Dimmock and Russell Hannah in third spot, in a second Bates Motorsports Yaris.

The Light Car Club of Canberra event was an ideal build-up for some as a shakedown for the upcoming (three weeks afterwards) Motorsport Australia Rally Championship opening round in the national capital.

Such was the case for fourth placed Bethany Cullen and Mel McMinn (Mitsubishi EVO 6.5) who finished ahead of Michael Harding and Lance Arundel (WRX), and Russel Winks and Nick Cox (EVO 5). First in Silver Cup were seventh outright Mike Behnke and Ellie Yates (Honda Civic), with Meng Chung and Nick Vardos (Honda Integra Type-R) placed eighth.

With a ninth overall, James Dimmock/Kim Bessel (Ford Festiva) won both the Clubman and Novice classes, while 10th went to Andy Pierce, Tony Bottrall and Sebastian Pierce in a Nissan. GOB

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Image: Targa West Media

EXPANDED PROGRAM FOR THIRD SPRINT AT THE third year of the Auto One Targa Albany Sprint which was held on February 28-March 1, Alex Rullo, Will White and Matt Thompson were quickest in the competition’s events.

This year the event was expanded from one day to two, with three sprints to negotiate over the West Australian’s Labour Day long weekend. There were about 100 competitors in all manner of cars, and thousands of spectators attended the free event.

It started with a 2.11km Targa Sprint where the once regular Supercar driver Rullo, in the family Lamborghini Gallardo GT3, posted a best time of 54.78s on his fourth and final run. He easily accounted for Matt James-Wallace (Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R) by 5.4s.

Third was Nigel Ball in his Electric Vehicle (Tesla Model 3D+) ahead of Cody Harris (Mitsubishi EVO 8MR) and Matt Waters (Holden Monaro CV8).

That was followed by the 4.5km sprint to the historic Camp Quaranup, a Rallysprint which required a codriver and full safety set up.

On aggregate over three runs White and Thompson (EVO 9) were quickest although the clutch exploded as they finished. They were marginally faster (1.6s) than Steve Jones and Jacob Zurzolo in their Evo X. It was a Mitsubishi trifecta with Mark Greenham and Stephanie Esterbauer (EVO 9) third.

Rullo jumped into the passenger seat of the Lambo for his dad Peter to take fourth spot in front of David Heaton and Caleb Ash (Nissan R35 GTR Nismo), Jurgen and Helen Lunsmann (EV Tesla Model 3 Performance+), and Bill and Glenys Stagoll (EVO 9).

The main event was Monday’s 2.8km course Sprint from the Hybla Tavern at Middleton Beach to the Anzac Centre on Mt Adelaide.

Alex Rullo clocked the fastest time of 1min 28.19s.

Second was Jones, then Peter Rullo (in the same Lambo that son Alex drove), Greenham, JamesWallace, and Jurgen Lunsmann.

With the EVO sidelined, White used his wife’s Toyota Yaris GR for the final event, swapped the wheels over, fitted a fire extinguisher, and finished 32nd. GOB

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FINAL ROUND TO HEAFEY AND WILLIAMS VICTORY IN the fifth and final round of the Whiteline Twilight Tarmac Rallysprint Series at Sydney Dragway on March 11 went to Phil Heafey and Josh Williams in their Mitsubishi EVO 6, assuring the driver of the outright title.

With rain threatening, the pressure was on to set fast times early. The shorter course forced on the organisers meant there would be more than the usual five runs, but still it was the best three that counted.

Heafey started well, fastest on the opener by a good margin from David Hey and Theo Uuldriks (EVO 7).

Josh and Matt Redhead (EVO 5) found their pace on the second run, second behind Heafey by half a second.

The Redheads then took fastest on the third run, which started as the rain arrived.

The venue was soon soaked and most of the field packed up, with faster times being impossible. The

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Redheads wound up second, 9.4s adrift of Heafey and Williams. The round win for the Heafey was his fourth after a second at the opener last November.

Third went to Tim and Robert Blake (Subaru Impreza WRX) a further 2.0s back. Fourth, and first 2WD were Robert and Sascha Kolimackovski (Honda Integra), 13.1s behind Heafey and only 1.7s off the podium.

Hey and Uuldriks were next from Stephen and Kris Muller (VW Golf).

A special mention to Louise Taylor, who, with her Dad Stuart in the silly seat, finished inside the top 10 in a WRX. Louise was a Junior competitor in last year’s series and has proven the value of North Shore Sporting Car Club’s Junior program.

Best Junior at this round was Jake and Dallas Beattie in a WRX. Bruce Moxon

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s w e n Y A W SPEED MCHUGH TAKES ECL SERIES STRANGLEHOLD

Report: PARIS CHARLES Image: RENEE LEGGO A FIELD of 27 Sprintcars returned to Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway for round 9 of the East Coast Logistics Sprintcar Series.

Going into the evening all eyes were on Jock Goodyer and Lachlan McHugh after their run of epic heavyweight battles in recent rounds of competition.

The two would square up from the get-go as they time trailed in the opening group.

McHugh would hit the ground running, posting the quickest time in the session and fourth overall behind the quick time setter Jackson Delamont, the New South Welshman setting a 12.217, followed

by Tim Farrell and Mitchell Gee. Goodyer would qualify down in 19th, making it a challenging night to follow.

Sadly, Gee’s sweet would soon turn to sour, crashing out in his opening heat race. He was taken to hospital and released the following day with bruising, an injured knee and a fractured ankle.

With a rain-affected program the dashes were pulled from the card and the alphabet features were run after the heats, with wins shared equally, one apiece for Jock Goodyer, Anthony Lambert, Allan Woods, Mitch Gowland, Aaron Kelly and Luke Oldfield.

Going into the 30-lap feature race Lachlan Mchugh would line up outside on the front row alongside the Q51 of Tim Farrell.

At the drop of the green the field charged into turn one, where all hell broke loose for fifth placed Dan Murray who flipped in front of Brent Kratzmann, Aaron Kelly and Nicholas Whell, who all jumped

on the anchors to avoid the inverted car. Murray and Kratzmann would retire from the race.

After a second opening lap incident McHugh for the third time would quickly work his way to the front and Farrell settled into an early rhythm in second spot on a track that was an elbows up, grippy surface.

The yellow lights would soon be on again when Ben Hilder came to a standstill in turn 1. At the restart it was now indian file and the grippy conditions made it an exciting affair with many battles going on deep through the field.

Cody Maroske proved fast and furious as he wheeled the Q27 SRV Road Freight machine forward through slower traffic, in a valiant attempt to hunt down the leader but had to settle for second and in doing so picked up his third podium finish from four starts for new car owner Errol Cosgrove.

Not to be out done was the Advanced Mobility entry of Luke Oldfield, who slayed those before him, making the most of the high side in a run from 14th to third in the run to the line.

Darren Jensen turned in one of his better performances in recent times, showing that the veteran still has plenty to offer in the KRE powered Q75, while Farrell occupied second for over half race distance, but would eventually drop to fifth with Jackson Delemont rounding out the six.

After claiming victory in the B-main, Randy Morgan climbed from 15th to seventh while defending series champion, Aaron Kelly would turn in his lowest points haul of the series in eighth position, making it even more difficult to retain his crown.

Brad Ayers, Anthony Lambert, Nicholas Whell, Ben Hilder and the second of the New South Welshman to make the feature, Chris McInerney, finished where he started aboard the C Mac Concreting N40 in 13th to be the final competitor to cross the stripe.

On the other side of the coin, Brendon Claridge, Allan Woods, Jock Goodyer, Callum Walker, Brent

Kratzmann and Dan Murray did not travel the distance due to various incidents.

Running in conjunction with the ECL Series was the Petzyo Development Series sporting 10 less experienced competitors, as they continued the steep learning curve of Sprintcar racing.

Brant Chandler claimed the feature race which was also the C-Main event. Jason King, Zack Howell and Libby Ellis rounded out the top four and in doing so transfered to the B main event.

Cameron King, John White and Eric Vanderryden would round out the C Main finishes, while Wes Jenkins, Brad Keiler and Dave Jobe each failed to finish the 12-lap event.

positions and Ross Jarred’s EFT pos V27 was classified as the final Showdown finisher.

Sho B Main M victor Tim Van Ginneken failed faile to finish after causing the final stoppage of the event with only a stop few laps l remining, when the power plant blew out a huge ball of flame and eexpired. Tasmanian Tate Frost, Brayden Cooley, Glen Sutherland, Brayd Bobby Daly and Andrew Hughes also failed to go the distance.

Jamie Veal would claim victory in both of his heat races while Brett Milburn, Peter Doukas, Darren Mollenoyux, Travis Millar, Tate Frost and Ross Jarred would each take single race wins.

While the Sprintcars may have been the main attraction on the marquee the Late Model racing stole the show and was considered by many to be the most exciting division of the night. With a

field of 13 competitors coming from Tasmania, New South Wales and South Australia to join their Victorian comrades for the Late Model Showdown, the racing proved an exciting affair.

In a thrilling 20-lap feature race it would be Chevy Edwards taking his AX21 Jack Link’s racer to line honours, hounded by Tasmanian Brad Smith who was coming on strong as the real estate quickly ran out to fall less than half a car’s length short.

Peter Nicola hung on for third over Brendan Hucker and rounding out the top half dozen were South Australian teammates Brad Gartner and Mat Crimmins, who had dropped from his third place starting position. Brock Edwards and Domain Ramsay, who ran double duties, also campaigning a Sprintcar, rounded out the finishers. Cameron Pearson, Ben Nicastri, Shane Belk, Will Lamb and Wayne Belk each failed to cover the distance.

VEAL’S SHOWDOWN VICTORY Report: PARIS CHARLES Images: BRETT SWANSON AGAINST 40 other competitors representing South Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales, Tasmania and the home state of Victoria, local ace Jamie Veal proved why he is the reigning Australian Sprintcar Champion with his performance in the Chittick’s Sprintcar Showdown on the high banks of Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway.

The night kicked off with qualifying and it would be Darren Mollenoyux who stopped the clock with a quick time of 10.741 in the third of four groups to run against the clock.

Only three drivers would enter the 10.7 bracket with group four’s Corey McCullagh entering a .747 and Veal with a .766.

Sadly from that point forward McCullagh’s night would become an incredibly challenging affair. Despite a front row start Corey failed to finish his opening heat. He would grid up in 10th in the B Main and despite his best efforts finished fifth, missing the transfer to the main race by one spot.

Veal would make every race a winner, claiming victory in his two heat races, which included a spirted drive in his second heat, slicing his way through the field after starting seventh.

The second-generation racer now had every advantage with a pole position start going into the 30-lap feature event. Darren Mollenoyux

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would share the front row with the Veal and throughout the course of the 30-lap journey he would throw everything he could at the Aussie Champ, but untimely caution periods and lapped traffic hindered his attempts for victory.

Veal would go on to park the SWI Engineering A1 Maxim in victory lane after leading for the entire journey, while Mollenoyux proved a worthy runner up and Grant Anderson finished where he started in third position.

Following the podium to the line was young gun Jordyn Charge who elevated the Victorian Towing Services V60 from 10th to fourth and New South Welshman Jessie Attard propelled forward a whopping 10 spots to cross the line in fifth. Brett Milburn would hold down his starting position to round out the top six aboard his newly constructed V68.

Ballarat’s Sam Wren started and finished seventh followed by Peter Doukas, making a welcome return to the Victorian scene while rounding out the top 10 was South Australian Daniel Pestka and John Vogels.

Leigh Mugavin, Eddie Lumbar and Grant Stansfield finished in the baker’s dozen

W d PARIS CHARLES Words: Image: RICHARD HATHAWAY The 2020-21 Maddington Toyota Sprintcar Series went down to the wire between points leader Kaiden Manders, Dayne Kingshott and Callum Williamson.

All had a mathematical chance of claiming the crown going into the final night of competition, which combined rounds 12 and 13 at the Bunbury Speedway after forfeiting a round earlier in the season due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

Going into the opening feature race Brad Maiolo claimed pole position and sharing the front row was to be Daniel Harding, however he failed to front for the race after receiving too much damage to the Cowra Constructions W41 from an earlier heat race.

This would elevate Jason Pryde to the front line while the three championship contenders saw Kingshott on P4, Callum P8 and Kaiden P9.

Maiolo would control the race from the front and go on to claim the top step on the podium, while Kingshot and Williamson would keep their quest alive by slicing through the field to fill the minor placings.

While giving it all Manders’ tilt at the series crown nosedived after crashing out in turn one.

Outgoing three time series champion, Jason Kendrick steered the W11 Triple M car to fourth followed across the line by the W14 of Pryde, who had squandered his front row opportunity to claim fifth ahead of the fast-finishing Kris Coyle.

AJ Nash, David Priolo, Taylor Milling, Darren Mewett, the returning Mitchell Wormall and W18 Trevor Jolly in the second of the Cowra Constructions cars

Chadwick Backs Up At Murray Bridge

Callum Claims Series Championship rounded out the finishers.

The competitors would then reset their focus for the 13th and final feature of the series.

Sadly, the J&S Drilling W60 of Kaiden Manders would be a scratching for the second stanza after suffering too much damage. This would elevate David Priolo, who had started the night well by claiming the two fast time mantles to share the front row with Williamson.

Meanwhile his rival in Kingshott had all the work ahead of him as he started the TEH W2 Maxwill powered Cool from P7.

Priolo would pounce and lead the field with Williamson, Maiolo and Pryde all in striking distance for the first third of the journey. Williamson bit the bullet and manoeuvred the Avalon Group W3 to the lead, and from that point on he was never challenged as he opened a handy gap using lapped cars between himself and the W26 Devil Race Karts Diamond Bay Motorsport racer.

Report: PARIS CHARLES Image: RAY RITTER-KNJ PHOTOGRAPHY IN A field of 18 competitors Matt Egel proved the dominate force in the Ross Wright Sprintcar Memorial held at the Murray Machining and Sheds Murray Bridge Speedway, as he led the entire journey of the 30-lap feature.

Despite multiple race stoppages bringing the field back together, Egel looked too strong aboard the S52 Whyalla Earthworks KRE powered Cool.

Making the most of pole position Egel would pounce to the lead and settle quickly into the top side of the track as he circulated comfortably.

For fellow front row sitter Brad Keller and position three starter Ben Morris things would prove to be the opposite, as they were both passed by the early charging Brock Hallett and Jessie Attard, who at the beginning of the night would time trial first and second in that respective order.

The duo locked into a solid battle for second place, neither giving an inch of precious real estate and inevitably the pair tangled in turn two before coming to a halt on the back shute.

While Hallett and Attard would restart from the back of the bus, fortune smiled on the James Rosenberg Racing backed S19 Cool of Keller, as he would re-inherit second place. Despite holding down second he was no match for the leader, instead experiencing some heat from former Australian Champion David Murcott in the S97 Mainline Cool trying to claim second.

Egel took victory over Keller and Murcott to round out the podium.

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With five laps to go Maiolo closed the gap considerably but Williamson would hang tough to claim the Maddington Toyota Series championship crown.

Maiolo stood on the final step on the podium to reward his LJM Racing Team with a third. Kendrick would power forward from 12th to claim his second fourth placing of the night, as Pryde would turn in consecutive fifths.

Taylor Milling upped his performance to bring the W25 Totally Work Wear entry home inside the top half dozen. Kris Coyle battled on with a wounded car in seventh followed by Daniel Hartigan, while Mitchell Wormall was next and Kingshott salvaged 10th after delaminating a rear tyre in the early going.

AJ Nash, Darren Mewett, Cameron McKenzie and Trevor Jolly would again round out the finishers.

Heat race wins were shared by Kaiden Manders (x2) while Daniel Harding and Brad Maiolo each claimed a single.

Egel Flies to Ross Wright Memorial Victory

Joel Heinrich proved his worth by making the most of a late race stoppage to pass three cars in the closing stages and chalk up a creditable fourth for the Check It Out Graphics ahead of more experienced competitors including the fast-finishing Ryan Jones, who started from the rear after failing to run the heat races due to a failed fuel pump.

Jones utilised the power of the PM Race Engine to its fullest potential as he moved from 17th to fifth aboard the River City Sheds S63 Triple X. The Caruso Brothers, Mark (S33) and Steven (S10), would next cross the line in their Pro 4x4 Cools followed by Hallett and Attard, who had salvaged positions eight and nine with Mildura’s Jason

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Bolitho campaigning in the Razors Edge Salon 360ci powered machine next and Sprintcar debutant Chris James holding his own to round out the 11 finishers.

Daniel Pestka and Ben Morris both crashed out in turn four while holding down solid front running positions, as did Lisa Walker and Lachlan McDonough just five laps on. Mike Fox and Max Vidau also failed to travel the full distance, while Austin McDonald would not re-emerge in the DA Motorcycles S85 for the main race after riding out a car wrecking crash in an earlier heat race.

Individual heat race wins went to Matt Egel, Daniel Pestka, Ben Morris and Joel Heinrich.

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Report: PARIS CHARLES Image: RAY RITTER-KNJ PHOTOGRAPHY AGAINST A full field of 35 other competitors, South Australian Wingless Sprint Champion Joel Chadwick parked the Ultra Tune Modbury/Golden Grove SA1 in victory lane for the second successive week at the Murray Machining and Sheds Murray Bridge Speedway.

For the main event Chadwick would start from position 12 in the field of 20 but with a marathon 60 laps to come he had plenty of opportunity to work his way forward.

While Victorian Alex Ross trail blazed out front, Chadwick would run the top side of the track, slowly but surely picking off those before him and with each pass would reset and dial in on the next competitor.

As the race closed in on the 50-lap mark, race leader Ross was dealt a cruel blow when a fuel connection broke and sprayed methanol through the cockpit, forcing his retirement.

From lap 48 Chadwick would knuckle down and consolidate his position out front, and on lap 58 would set his fastest lap with a 14.685 to claim the Rural City of Murray Bridge 60 lapper which lasted just over 20 minutes from green to chequered flags.

Following him to the line was Luke Weel and Mark Blyton to make the top three placings a truly national representation with a South Australian, Victorian and a New South Welshman claiming the trophies.

Blyton drove the wheels off his Dyno Flow Exhausts N5 machine as he came back from the rear, after spinning while trying to put the Callington Refrigeration and Electrical S55 of Sharni Pitcher down a lap on the 29th circulation, leaving Mitch Broome nowhere to go.

Kirby Hillyer would claim fourth over Jason Bates and B Main winner Jack McCarthy would work his Automotive Technix S23 forward to round out the six.

Anthony Tapley, Hayden Vickers, Ash Cook, Coby Elliott, Jake Ashworth and Geoff Cook rounded out the top dozen.

Following were Tyson Martin, Troy Carey and Broome in the BP Gambier West S35 Cool, while Bronson Mauro, William Caruso and the lone female to qualify for the final, Sharni Pitcher would finish one lap down.

Heat race wins were shared with single victories for Jack McCarthy, Geoff Cook, Brett Ireland, Coby Elliott, William Caruso, Alex Ross, Mark Blyton and Luke Weel.

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Testing your motor sport knowledge

ACROSS

5 Who is the most recent winner of 5. the Australian Drivers’ Championship? (surname) 6. Oliver Solberg made his WRC debut in the Arctic Rally several weeks ago, what manufacturer did he drive for?

9. Glenn Seton never won the Bathurst 1000, but how many times did he finish on the podium?

10. How many podiums did Ivan Capelli score in his F1 career?

11. Which Formula 1 World champion won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1972? (full name) 14. Who won three consecutive Australian GT Championships from 2017-2019? (surname) 15. Northern Irishman Jonathan Rea won another World Superbike title in 2020, how many has he now won?

16. Driving for what manufacturer did Mark Webber make his Le Mans 24 Hours debut?

18. Who won the Super2 Series in 2013? (surname) 19. Sebastian Vettel holds the record for the most amount of consecutive race wins in Formula 1, how many did he take?

22. What is the nationality of three-time British Touring Car champion Gordon Shedden?

25.

2 Who won the World Rally Championship in 2001? (surname) (s 26. Peter Brock won the Bathurst 500 driving a Holden 26 Torana in 1972, what number was on the car that race?

To 28. Who won the inaugural Australian Drivers’ 28 Championship in 1957? (full name) Cha 29. No driver has won the Indy 500 and IndyCar Series in the same year since 2010, who did the double that year? (surname) (sur 30. Which Belgian driver convincingly won the 2015 GP2 Series? (surname)

DOWN

1. Who replaced the injured Shane van Gisbergen in Round 1 of the GT World Challenge Australia Series? (surname) 2. How many times did Steve Soper win the British Touring Car Championship?

3. What brand sponsored the Super2 Series from 2006-2011?

4. Which played host to the third round of the Supercars Championship in 2010?

7. Alex Albon will race in selected DTM rounds this year, for what brand will he drive?

8. I won the Indy 500 in 1969, Daytona 500 in 1967 and Formula 1 World Championship, who am I? (full name) 12. Who is the only driver to win for McLaren in the IndyCar Series to date? (surname) 13. Who won the 2007 Australian Carrera Cup Series? (surname) 17. How many race wins did Rick Kelly take on his way to

claiming the 2006 Supercars Championship?

20. Who won the Formula 1 World Championship in 1972? (surname) 21. Who won the opening round of the 2021 S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship? (surname) 23. With what team did Craig Lowndes make his Bathurst 1000 debut? (abbreviation) 24. Troy Bayliss made a one-off return to MotoGP in 2006 and took his sole premier class victory, in what country was this?

27. Who is the only driver thus far to drive in an S5000 round before making his Formula 1 Grand Prix debut? (surname)

Images: Motorsport Images

# 1806 Crossword Answers 1 down – one, 2 down – Piquet, 3 down – Wall Racing, 4 down – Team BRM, 4 across – three, 5 down – Coulthard, 6 down – Canadian, 7 down – Kalle Rovanpera, 8 across – Ocon, 9 across – Malaysia, 10 across – Volkswagen, 11 down – Audi, 12 across – Brazil, 13 down – McLaughlin, 14 down – Stewart, 15 across – Honda, 16 across – Stillwell, 16 down – seventh, 17 across – one hundred, 18 down – Dieudonne, 19 across – Holden, 20 down – Gibson, 21 across – Mikkola, 22 across – French, 23 down – Logano, 24 across – Winterbottom, 25 across – Mawson, 26 across – Jane, 27 across - second.

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