SUPERCARS SEASON PREVIEW EXPERT ANALYSIS SINCE 1971
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And Tander’s tips on how to win title Stuttgart star targets Bathurst 1000
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CHANGES FOR CLASSICS OLIVER SOLBERG, son of World Rally Champion Petter will emulate his father by competing with Subaru in the American Rally Association Championship alongside Travis Pastrana and David Higgins. The car features the familiar blue and gold livery that was the main feature of the WRX STIs his father and Colin McRae drove in the 1990s and 2000s. The 17-year-old with co-driver Aaron Johnston begin their campaign on March 15-16 in Missouri’s 100 Acre Wood Rally. National legal hotline company 1902 A LAWYER will join Ian Woodward’s Fataz Racing to run a second car in the Touring Car Masters in 2019. The car, a Holden HQ Monaro GTS nicknamed “Marilyn” will be driven by experienced racer Guy Gibbons. Gibbons has been driving for many years in historic racing and in the Australian Production Car Championship, tackling multiple Bathurst endurance races over the last 25 years. The addition expands the Fataz Team to two cars, with Marilyn joining Woodward’s 67 Camaro which ran in the series in 2018.” TA2 RACING Australia management has confirmed a six-round calendar for the 2019 TA2 Muscle Car Series. The series will visit five separate venues in four states, including the series’ maiden visit to South Australia at The Bend Motorsport Park. The season will commence at the venue of the 2018 finale at Sydney Motorsport Park, supporting the opening round of the Australian Production Car Series promoted by Sherrin Motorsport. The Bend’s visit encompasses one of three rounds headlining the Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS) program, with Morgan Park (round two) and a return to Sydney Motorsport Park for round five. The series’ sole visit to Winton will take place in mid-August at a state-level meeting at the regional Victorian circuit.
AHEAD OF its opening round at the Adelaide 500, Touring Cars Masters organisers have announced a pair of new initiatives. The first is a new optional TCM category control engine to enable competitors that are without the ability to develop or aren’t willing to develop an engine. The control unit is a six-litre based on the Chevrolet LS block with control specification camshaft, dry sump, cylinder heads and carburettor. The control engine pumps out 600hp and 650Nm of torque coming at a cost of $25,000 after dyno testing and sealing. “The greatest challenge for all classes of motorsport, especially those competing as a national series, is containing costs,” said Touring Car Masters category manager, Tony Hunter. “There’s only so much series
management can do about travel costs, and these are compounded by higher costs when competing nationally. It is important for our sponsors and partners to compete at the highest level – on the Supercars calendar – but at the same time entry and TV costs are proportioned accordingly. “Offering assistance in technical areas can reduce the build and running costs of the cars and that is our focus. “The new engine is a cost-effective way to produce the right level of performance these cars now require, without going to the expense of building your own engine. We have no plans to alter the specification and freedoms
already allowed, but offering this alternative can be a cost-effective way to compete.” Technical regulations remain the same with only mild changes to allow further freedoms to the front and rear suspension. The ‘Ladies Cup’ is the other new initiative for the 2019 season, joining existing classes ProMaster, ProAm and ProSports. Lady competitors will still be able to fight for outright and class victories, whilst also contesting the ‘Ladies Cup’, which carries support from Burson
“We have had the privilege of having Leanne Tander, Amanda Sparks and Melinda Price competing successfully in Touring Car Masters in the past,” said Hunter. “The TCM Burson Auto Parts Ladies Cup will be a prestigious part of the championship and we hope it can attract a full field. We are aiming for eight competitors in the long-term and while we know it will take some time to build, we want to start now.” TCM cars will also sport stickers supporting ‘Say No to Family Violence’ raising awareness for the campaign.
Greg Crick, Barry Oliver honoured FORMER AUSTRALIAN GT and Sports Sedan Champion and inaugural Targa Tasmania winner Greg Crick, has been inducted into the Tasmanian Motorsport Hall of Fame along with fellow multiple Targa Tasmania winner, motorsport official and commentator Barry Oliver, at the Tasmanian Motorsports Award Dinner, held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Hobart. Greg Crick started racing at Symmons Plains in 1971 and won two Tasmanian Sports Sedan championships in the 1980s, before claiming the 1990 national title in a V8-powered Honda Prelude. In 1992, with navigator Greg Preece, Crick won the inaugural Targa Tasmania in a Honda NSX, with the pair going back-to-back the following year. Crick was also a regular driver in the Bathurst 1000, making his first appearance in 1989, tackling the great race a total of 14 times, which included four top 10 results with four different co-drivers. In 2006, Crick also won the Australian GT Championship in a Dodge Viper GT3 ACR and also finished fourth in the 2011 Bathurst 12-Hour in a Porsche GT3 Cup S.
He subsequently raced in the 12-hour a number of times, with his best result coming in 2014 when he placed third in the Erebus Motor Sport Mercedes Benz SLS AMG GT3, co-driving with Will Davison and Jack Le Brocq. During the race the car hit an errant kangaroo, which badly damaged the front spoiler and tore the right front guard off, not only upsetting the car’s aerodynamics, but causing him to suffer serious carbon monoxide poisoning, which eventually brought
his racing career to a premature end. Barry Oliver’s first experience of motor sport was at age 11, when his father took him to the Longford circuit in 1955, making a life-long lasting impression. Twenty-five years later, his passion saw him given the opportunity to be course commentator at Symmons Plains for the 1990 Australian Touring Car Championship round. Over the next 11 years Oliver also commentated on circuit racing, karting, rallies, speedway and drag racing, and from 1992 to 2007 he was the series commentator for the Australian Touring Car-V8 Supercars Championship as well as the V8 Development Series. It was a very busy period, with additional commentary for the Australian Formula Ford championship and Rally Australia. In 1993 Oliver navigated for Jim Richards in the second edition of Targa Tasmania and over the next 25 years the pair contested 78 tarmac rallies in Australia and New Zealand, only failing to finish on seven occasions, resulting in 21 wins (eight of those in Targa Tasmania) and 43 podiums. Martin Agatyn
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10 AutoAction
SUPER2 FIELD TAKES SHAPE
TCR GOES LIVE ON SBS
IN A move that bucks the trend of recent years, TCR Australia will be broadcast this year live and on Free to Air television after announcing a deal with SBS. SBS will broadcast each race of the TCR Australia season live in a move that could extend to further categories on the Shannons Nationals bill, according to SBS Head of Sport Ken Shipp, telling Auto Action “We wouldn’t rule it out� when quizzed about expanding its live motorsport programming. “SBS will always consider any proposals which will allow us to increase our coverage of live sport,� Shipp said. SBS has a history covering motor sport through its long running Speedweek program, as the rights holder of the
Dakar Rally and was the official broadcaster of the Sandown 500 between 1992-1995. Shipp stated that SBS’s commitment to broadcast live motor sport and in particular TCR, was based on the category’s rapid growth overseas and the potential to attract audiences that have had to tune into Pay TV to watch motor racing. “Sport is always best when you watch it live,� Shipp told Auto Action. “Live sport is one of the few remaining TV genre’s which attract large audiences and motorsport fans more than any others will always find coverage of live racing wherever its available. “TCR racing has been around in Europe for only a few years
and it has seen rapid expansion globally, and SBS is really excited for the opportunity to broadcast live coverage of this inaugural Australian series. “We hope that the TCR series is a huge success.� The deal, negotiated between the Australian Racing Group, CAMS and SBS, is one that ARG Director Matt Braid is very proud of. “We have worked hard to confirm the best possible coverage for the inaugural TCR Australia Series for our competitors, and particularly for Australian motorsport fans, said Braid. “We are extremely pleased to be partnering with SBS who have a great heritage in broadcasting high quality, local
and international motorsport.� It comes as CAMS announced that the Shannons Nationals will extend its live stream to cover both days of action, with other categories being covered by a post-produced program on SBS similar to what has occurred in previous years. “There is a real buzz about the Shannons this year, with new and existing categories set for a massive year on our extended seven round calendar,� Shannons Director Michael Smith said. “The two day stream will provide even more motor sport content for fans around Australia and the world.� The livestream will feature on thenationals.com.au, cams.com. au and on social media. Heath McAlpine
MW MOTORSPORT was one of the first teams to confirm its line-up for the 2019 season, with the Melbourne-based squad announcing a youthful line-up after the departure of experienced trio Garry Jacobson, Dean Fiore and Alex Rullo. After placing 11th in the team’s third Nissan Altima in 2017, Bryce Fullwood comes back after a lacklustre year with Matt Stone Racing finishing 17th . He will be joined by relatively inexperienced duo Zane Goddard and Tyler Everingham. Goddard returned from Europe at the start of last year and embarked on his maiden Super2 season with Brad Jones Racing, where he finished 14th in the points with a best finish of sixth in the final race at Newcastle. For reigning V8 Touring Car Series (now known as Super3) winner Tyler Everingham, previous Supercars experience is going to be more than useful for the 18-year-old as he makes the leap into Super2. “It’s great,� Everingham told Auto Action. “It’s another step in the right direction with a well-known team and such a big commitment financially and competitively.� It’s a natural progression for Everingham after contesting the V8 Touring Car Series with the team last year, engaging in a full-season battle with teammate Zac Best for the crown. He has undertaken a test in the Altima already, with the young driver identifying the key differences compared to his usual Ford FG Falcon. “The braking ergonomics are different,� Everingham stated. “I will have to get used to the Dunlops and how they degrade, but I have previous experience that I can draw on. “I have an open mindset as the field is pretty competitive, but I’d be happy with a top 10.� Ash Walsh is another driver that will contest Super2 as he replaces Fullwood at Matt Stone Racing for 2019. Walsh has competed in a full-time capacity in any category since he had a testing accident at Phillip Island just prior to the 2017 Bathurst 1000. HM
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The preliminary design of the circuit second Bathurst circuit was revealed last July.
ROOS and
RACES
MARK FOGARTY visits the site of Panorana Valley, the planned second Bathurst circuit that is literally in the shadow of the famed Mount Panorama
A
MOB of kangaroos bounds through the scrub. There are 50 or more bouncing across the dried and dusty landscape in a valley that is just a few hundred metres from the hustle and bustle of Mount Panorama’s McPhillamy Park camp sites. For locals, kangaroos leaping through the bush is not unusual. But for a city slicker who’s never seen more than a handful of ’Roos in the wild, it’s eye-opening. As we descend into the small valley that will eventually become Bathurst’s ‘Second Circuit’, impressed by the undulating vista, the influx of kangaroos is startling. We see the occasional ’Roo invade the Mount Panorama circuit during the Bathurst 1000 or 12 Hour, sometimes with catastrophic consequences, but to witness a mob in full flight not far outside the boundary of the majestic circuit is eye-opening for an urbanite. Welcome to Panorama Valley. That’s the working title for the second permanent circuit planned to augment the main Mount Panorama track, which for most of the year is a public scenic road. Auto Action was taken on a tour of the site for the second circuit – and it looks like a good place to race. It’s a natural amphitheatre with rolling hills and ridge lines that will give the proposed track layout composition and character. The course is a little brother to the majestic hillside circuit, not a mini-Mount. The intention is to make the full track of
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around 4.5 km challenging for drivers and entertaining for spectators. Elevation change as the circuit swoops, twists and dips around the hills will be 40-50 metres. From most spectator areas, it is planned that 90 per cent of the track will be visible, with the number of corners to be in the mid-teens. The hillside pit lane and paddock will be a major vantage point. The full course will be suitable for cars and motorcycles, built to FIA Grade 2 (anything bar F1) and FIM Grade 1 (right up to MotoGP) international standard. It will be a multi-circuit facility, with the track design to incorporate two shorter layouts. Spectator capacity will initially be set at 50,000 to accommodate events as major as MotoGP and Supercars. It will herald the return of top-level motorcycle racing to Bathurst after an absence of 30 years. However, the second circuit isn’t happening in a hurry because of a long design and construction process, plus the fact that funding for only half of the total cost of at least $50 million has been secured so far. The 200-hectare site of Panorama Valley is over the back of the McPhillamy Park camping area, roughly to the west of the top of Mount Panorama. There’ll be a new dedicated access road off the Mid Western Highway on the Blayney side of Bathurst. Noted UK track creator Apex Circuit Design won the tender for the $3.7 million design project, beating Australia’s iEDM and Italy’s Dromo. Apex’s portfolio includes the revamp of Sydney Motorsport Park, Hampton
From most vantage points, 90 per cent of the track will be visible.
Downs in NZ, Dubai Autodrome and a proposed motor sport complex at Keysbrook in WA. Apex was appointed last July and was given 84 weeks to deliver the track design. That could be as late as the end of February 2020, with construction not due to begin until 2021. The first race meeting, according to Bathurst mayor Graeme Hanger, is as far off as 2025. While Hanger admits the timetable for the design alone is “a long time”, he maintains that the scale of the undertaking dictates a lengthy process. “It’s a big project,” he insists. “It’s a work in progress. By the time the design is
completed and the contractors are appointed, we’re several years away from completion.” But he is confident that Apex’s final circuit design will be worth the wait. “They’re pretty experienced people,” Hanger says. “They’ve been here, had a look at it and they’re excited.” Bathurst Regional Council director of engineering services Darren Sturgiss, who is overseeing the project, also explains that government ‘red tape’ is a factor in the drawn-out procedure. “The design documentation that we released also includes the approval process through the New South Wales State Government and that timeframe requires the completion of a full environmental impact statement, the necessarily public consultation and approval timing through
The preliminary design of the circuit second Bathurst circuit was revealed last July.
Bathurst major Graeme Hanger and chief engineer Darren Sturgiss at Panorama Valley.
“IT’S A VERY BIG PROJECT. IT’LL BE THE BIGGEST PROJECT IN REGIONAL NSW AND WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.” the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, given that it’s a state-significant development,” Sturgiss outlines. “All that timeframe is included in that 84 weeks (for the complete design). “In terms of the size, it’s certainly challenging, but there’s not that much in the way of the complexity of the site that is really raising concerns with regard to the design process. We need to let that process continue and conclude, but there’s nothing at this stage that suggests that we’ll have a problem constructing the circuit on that site. “The layout of the track is certainly Apex’s design and with that there will be input from various drivers and riders. Those opinions will be sought and included in the design process. “There is flexibility in the track design that we’re aiming for to have a number of different motor sport events.” Also unresolved is full funding of the project, to which the NSW and Federal Governments have committed $15 million and $10 million respectively – around half the estimated final cost. Mayor Hanger – a decorated former school teacher – revealed that Bathurst Regional Council, which will bear most of the rest of the cost, is going back to Macquarie Street and Canberra for extra financial assistance. “We’re still working with the federal government and the state government,” he said. “I mean, it’s a work in progress. We’re negotiating.” Hanger also conceded that the final bill
Another view of the undulating terrain of Bathurst second circuit.
could increase. “It may well be $50 millionplus. Who knows? It’s a work in progress, and we’re working with both the State and Federal Governments to make sure that it’s financed – and it will be. “It’s a very big project. It’ll be the biggest project in regional NSW and we’re looking forward to it.” The big appeal of Panorama Valley is that it will give Bathurst a permanent venue that can trade on Mount Panorama’s global fame
all year round. The Mountain is a major economic driver, but the track’s full closure is limited to a maximum of five events annually. Also, the location means there should be no noise issues, meaning it can be used for car and bike race meetings, plus testing and automotive industry activities, according to demand. Which is likely to be constant, such is the allure of an association with Mount Panorama. “That’s the main attraction,” Hanger said,
who added that a new permanent circuit at Bathurst addresses the critical shortage of multiple-use tracks in NSW and beyond. And a circuit that is interesting, challenging and visually appealing. “One of the great advantages of this greenfield site is its topography and its undulation,” he said. “It won’t be like this table [indicating the flat surface] and that’s what we want.” Allied to the Panorama Valley track is a longer-term plan to establish a motor sport/motor industry hub alongside the main Mount Panorama course, emphasising research and development. It would be located on a large tract of vacant land behind the trackside Rydges hotel – which, incidentally, boasts enviable year-round occupancy rates because the circuit’s notoriety attracts non-car or racing-related conventions. This automotive industrial park would be linked to the second circuit by a road around the back of The Mountain. “Council still has that plan,” Hanger reports. BRC works boss Sturgiss adds: “It’s a separate project, but certainly linked. It’s an active project, but the primary focus of council is the second circuit site itself”. Panorama Valley Raceway – or whatever Bathurst second circuit ends up being called – still has a very long way to go. But when it happens – if it happens – it will be worth the wait because the basics are there for a great permanent track.
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DAYTONA
J.D. GIBBS REMEMBERED WITH HISTORIC 1-2-3 DENNY HAMLIN led home a Joe Gibbs Racing 1-2-3 to win the Daytona 500 just a month after the passing of the team owner’s son, J.D Gibbs at the age of 49. Hamlin with J.D’s name on his #11 Toyota held off Kyle Busch to take his second Daytona 500 victory and his first race victory since September 2017. The traditional Daytona Clash and two Daytona Duel races took place in the lead up to the Daytona 500. Jimmie Johnson won the Daytona Clash despite some controversy, Johnson made a move on Paul Menard, who pulled across to block the move. This spun Menard into the wall and wiped out most of the field. The caution was deployed but before the race went back to green rain fell and the race was called. Kevin Harvick won the first Daytona Duel, Johnson again was in the thick of the action this time turning around Kyle Busch. Afterwards defending Cup Series champion Joey Logano won the second duel.
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Denny Hamlin savoured victory for the second time as Joe Gibbs Racing clean-swept the podium (above). There was close racing for the duration of the 500 (left).
The Daytona 500 got off to a relatively trouble free start until lap 50 when Kurt Busch spun by himself before being hit from behind by Darrell Wallace Jr Stage 1 ended at the end of Lap 60 with Kyle Busch leading Alex Bowman and Joey Logano. On lap 107, Casey Mears went up in smoke resulting in a caution, the top six all pitted but lost track position, it was Ryan Blaney, who led the pack when the race restarted on lap 112. In the final laps of Stage 2 William Byron shot up from fourth to second but was unable to get through on Blaney, who held onto win the second stage, Aric Almirola was third and Brad Keselowski fourth. When the final stage began both Byron and Almirola swept past Blaney to take the top two spots. The first half of the final stage was intense, but incident free and as the race remained under green flags conditions, the second half was
The big one that ended the race for more than 20 drivers in what was a chaotic Daytona 500.
Toyotas dominated the top results (below), though Martin Truex Jr was penalised for speeding in pit lane (left).
full of multi-car accidents and cautions. The first was on lap 159 for a frightening incident in which Cody Ware ran into the rear of his teammate B.J. McLeod approaching pit lane, the pair then bowled into several cars in pit lane. Most of the leaders elected to pit under the caution, this left McMurray in the lead from Kyle Busch, Hamlin, Bowman and Matt DiBenedetto. Martin Truex Jr had to start from the rear of the grid on the restart for speeding in pit
lane, while Jimmie Johnson was given a penalty for improper fueling. Hamlin was able to make his way to the front before another caution was thrown for debris with 26 laps to go. This was followed by two caution periods one for Kyle Larson and the other for Keselowski, both spinning with flat tyres. At the restart on lap 191 Menard touched the back of DiBenedetto triggering a massive pile up containing
over 20 cars, including Blaney, Johnson, Almirola and Truex. The red flag was flown and the race was brought to a stop for half an hour. The race resumed on lap 195 and within seconds another multi-car accident occurred when Stenhouse and Larson made contact which collected six cars including Keselowski and Bowman. With two laps to go the race went back to green before yet another accident,
Clint Bowyer pulled in front of Michael McDowell firing Bowyer into the wall and collecting Byron, Jamie McMurray and many others. After this the race was forced into overtime, at the restart Hamlin held onto the win, Kyle Busch and Erik Jones were both able to overtake Joey Logano on the final two turns to reward JGR with a 1-2-3 the first time a team has locked out the top three positions at the Daytona 500 since 1997.
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