Motorsport Australia Speed Read - July 2023

SPEEDREAD

LOVEDAY NEXT STOP FOR OFF ROAD

For the second year running, the Loveday 400 will welcome back Australia’s best in the Polaris Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship following the thrilling Tatts Finke Desert Race.

IMPORTANT CHANGES TO RALLY AND TARMAC RALLY LICENCES

Motorsport Australia has confirmed a new licence structure and requirements for those with a National Rally Licence and competitors wishing to compete in tarmac events.

NT MOTORSPORT STALWART RECEIVES MAJOR HONOUR

Long-time official Robert Baldock was awarded an OAM as part of the King’s Birthday Honours list.

A BENNETT AFFAIR IN WA MOTORKHANA

It was a Bennett-saturated event during round two of the WA State Motorkhana Championship with the family occupying four of the top six outright places.

Photo by Bob Taylor

INTRO TO MOTORSPORT PROVES BIG SUCCESS AGAIN

Following a successful firstever campaign in Queensland last year, the Women’s Intro to Motorsport program has enjoyed another sold-out event.

Held at Sydney Motorsport Park, the program saw 12 New South Wales based women attend the event where they completed a number of activities and information sessions with experienced women in the sport.

The Women Intro to Motorsport program aims to assist women get started in motorsport by teaching them a range of valuable skills such as car control and vehicle preparation.

As part of the event, participants completed a host of car control exercises on a wet skid pan before

taking part in a mini motorkhana, with the most consistent over three runs claiming the victory – this event’s winner being Alison Sproule.

With the program adopting a ‘Buddy’ style format, there were a handful of experienced women to help out the participants, including prominent official Jessica Nicholson, three-time Australian Motorkhana Champion Corinne East-Johnston and her daughter Cayla, NSW rally driver Bethany Cullen and Supercars Scrutineer Debbie Morrell.

In addition to the handful of female buddies, Driving Solution’s James Stewart and Aussie Racing Cars star Charlotte Poynting were both on hand to serve as instructors for the participants during the driving exercises.

Also throwing its support behind the program was the NSW Road Racing Club, who have provided all participants with a discounted joining fee in hopes of helping the women continue their journey.

Having now completed the program, the 12 women will now link up with their buddies in the near future, as well as compete in grassroots events.

Interested participants in future events can get more information on the program at motorsport.org.au

Photos: Chantel Collins

LOVEDAY BACK AS AORC KICKS INTO GEAR

It’s back-to-back months for the Polaris Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC) as it heads to South Australia for the penultimate round of the 2023 season.

For the second year running, the Loveday 400 will welcome back Australia’s best off roaders as part of

the AORC following a thrilling round at the Tatts Finke Desert Race.

Set at the Loveday 4×4 Adventure Park in South Australia, the event will run under a different format to last year with four heats instead of five, but will still see crews tackle 10 laps of the 40km course, keeping the total distance at 400km.

Similar to the 2022 event, Scrutineering will run on Friday and Prologue on Saturday morning before the action gets underway on Saturday afternoon.

Five laps await crews on the first day of action with Heat 1 to be made up of two laps and Heat 2 to consist of three laps.

On Sunday, crews will begin with three laps of the course for Heat 3 before finishing up with the final two laps in Heat 4.

The entry list for the round will see a number of stars continue to build on their title hopes with current Championship leader Travis Robinson headlining the field.

Photo: Bob Taylor

Photo: Bob Taylor

Photo: Dan Thompson

Joining Robinson on the entry list already is Extreme 2WD leader Nicholas Commins, Production 4WD leader Adam Jiear, reigning Sportslite champion Simon Tucker and home-town hero Toby Whateley. Making his return to the championship after missing the Tatts Finke Desert Race is Daniel Hughes who claimed an impressive top five finish at the Wentworth Shire Pooncarie Desert Dash, while 14-time Production 4WD champion Geoff Pickering and 2019 AORC runner-up Roydn Bailey will finally make their long awaited return to the championship after missing out the on the first three rounds.

Other notable names entered include 2018 Prolite champion Alan Dixon, Glenn Brinkman, Glen Ackroyd, Lachlan Bailey, James Mogford and Jake Williams – who has made the switch to the Trophy Truck.

Event organiser Tony Whateley was looking forward to the event taking place after a lot of work had gone into it.

“We had a really wet summer in South Australia and that made things a little chaotic, however it has actually made the track better,” Whateley explained.

“The team has been hard at work in getting the track ready for the event and I would say that it is in good condition right now.

“A lot of drivers were highly complimentary of the track itself and I can confidently say that it is in a much better state now, so I think that competitors will love coming here again.”

In addition to the championship, families who have entered two or more cars will have the opportunity to combine their points and work together in anticipation of being crowned the winner of the new class.

The points will be divided across the number of cars entered in the family, while there will be bonus points up for grabs throughout the event.

“Offroad racing is a family sport, and what better way is there to encourage families to come together and have the opportunity to walk away with a trophy that everyone worked hard towards winning,” Whateley added.

“We have had some incredible families come together to compete here in the past, and I can’t wait to see them all unite and see the fastest family stand on top of the podium with big smiles on their faces.”

The Loveday 400 will take place at the Loveday 4×4 Adventure Park on 28-30 July.

Loveday entries are still being accepted with interested crews able to enter at offroadracing.com.au

“I can confidently say that [the track] in a much better state now, so I think that competitors will love coming here again”

Photos: Bob Taylor

NT MOTORSPORT STALWART RECEIVES MAJOR HONOUR

Long-time Northern Territory official Robert Baldock was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) as part of the King’s Birthday Honours list.

Baldock, who has spent many years volunteering at motorsport events is a life member of Motor Sports NT and also a Committee Member of the Alice Springs Off Road Race Club. A key part of motorsport in the Northern Territory, including as the current President of Arunga Park Speedway, outside of the sport Baldock has also served his community in many other roles including the Alice Springs Pipe Band and Scouts Australia NT Branch.

“I’ve got a few awards over the years, but nothing like this,” Baldock said.

“I was shocked. I never thought something like this would come

my way. I think of everyone I work with and this award is definitely for them too.”

Baldock added that while he obviously didn’t volunteer for the recognition, it was still an honour to receive such an impressive honour.

“I’d like to thank all the ones that dobbed me. I just live for sports, I’m a motorsport fan,” he added. And asked how many more years he thinks he’ll continue working in the sport, Baldock offered a cheeky response.

“I’ll keep doing this as long as I can – probably until I get my ‘OBE’ – over bloody eighty,” Baldock joked.

In 2012, Baldock received the Northern Territory Motor Sport Person of the Year from Motorsport Australia, at the then Confederation

of Australian Motor Sport Awards along with a 25 year Service Medal. A number of other individuals were recognised in the honours’ list for their contributions across the wider sport, including William Barrows (Speedway), Janice Blizzard (Motorcycling) and Edwin Taylor (Speedway/Motorcycling).

Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca congratulated the recipients. “A sincere congratulations to all those recognised today, including Robert,” Arocca said.

“Robert is no stranger to this well-deserved recognition and today’s OAM comes on top of his Motorsport Australia/CAMS awards that honour a lifetime of commitment to motorsport.

“It’s no surprise to see him working in the sport on the day of this honour, with Robert playing a key role in the running of the Tatts Finke Desert Race in Alice Springs.”

“I’ve got a few awards over the years, but nothing like this”

PRICE CLAIMS FINKE TITLE HATTRICK

Toby Price became a three-time King of the Desert on four wheels after taking out the prestigious Tatts Finke Desert Race as part of the Polaris Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC).

Having won both the 2021 and 2022 editions, the popular Queenslander began his hunt for a hattrick of wins in style, having just edged out Beau Robinson and Shane Hutt in what was a thrilling Method Race Wheels Prologue.

The Price and navigator Jason Duncan were in fine form during their sole qualifying lap, setting a super time of four minutes and 36.710 seconds around the shortened course, with Robinson just two seconds off the pace.

Price and Jason then took a massive step towards their prestigious title after producing a trouble-free run on the 223-kilometre course to

Aputula (Finke) from Alice Springs on Sunday morning – posting an overall time of 1:38:35.389.

While his time was slower than his run down last year, Price still finished the day with a comfortable lead over AORC leaders Travis Robinson and Andrew Pinto by just over three and half minutes.

After an impressive drive to Finke, Price repeated his efforts on Race Day 2, recording a similar time on his charge back to Alice Springs.

Photo: Off Road Racing Australia

Photo: Off Road Racing Australia

Photo: Polaris Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship

Photo: Bob Taylor

“We just wanted to go flat out and put on a show for everyone, try and see if we can ring the neck of this truck”

The Queenslander ended up crossing the line with an impressive time of 3:21:46.268 – just four tenths short of his record win last year.

“We’re stoked. We came into this one a little bit unprepared after coming back from the Baja race and we didn’t know what to expect,” Price said post-race.

“We just wanted to go flat out and put on a show for everyone, try and see if we can ring the neck of this truck. It’s done an amazing job and we’ve got three in a row.

“It was a bit of a perfect run for me. Honestly, it was a good clean run yesterday and we had pushed pretty hard.”

Finishing the event in second place around six minutes off was Greg Gartner and Jamie Jennings, while Travis rounded out the final podium place a further six and a half minutes off.

It was a mighty performance from Gartner and Jennings, who went fourth fastest overall on the way

down to Finke on Sunday before making two solid passes on the way back up to Alice Springs to record the second fastest time overall.

One of those passes included Travis, and while the West Australian was unable to close Price down or hold off Gartner, it was a remarkable run considering they had multiple mechanical issues throughout the weekend.

Adding to the drama was the tight finish for that final podium place as Travis reached the chequered flag just 11 seconds ahead of Brent Martin and Andre De Simone, with the duo having pushed them right down to the final corners.

Martin and De Simone didn’t walk away empty handed though as they claimed Prolite class honours in the process, as well as just beating Beau and Hutt to the line. Beau and Hutt had produced a solid effort themselves, overcoming a difficult Race Day 1 to record the third fastest time for Race Day 2 behind only Price and Gartner.

Not far behind Beau and Hutt was AORC royalty with six-time champion Shannon Rentsch in sixth and Mark Burrows, who had son Tom Burrows by his side.

Highlighting the closeness of the day’s competition, just two minutes separated Travis and Burrows at the end of the race.

Finishing eighth overall was Phil Lovett and Luke Stanley, with the duo also taking out the Extreme 4WD class, while another impressive class victory belonged to James Cook and Mitch Aucote, with the Victorians comfortably sealing the SXS Pro Class. The next round of the Polaris Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship will be the Loveday 400 on 28-30 July.

View the full results via the Finke Desert Race website

Photos: Off Road Racing Australia

A BENNETT AFFAIR IN WA MOTORKHANA

It was a Bennett family affair during the second round of the Motorsport Australia WA State Motorkhana Championship, with the family having occupied four of the top six outright places. More than 20 competitors came together to compete at the Albany Regional Airport for the event, where entrants had the opportunity to show off their immense skill and perception behind the wheel in an attempt to post the fastest combined time over 12 runs.

Standing out above the rest was Scott Bennett with a final time of 304.64 seconds in the Turben Special – the next best driver in William Bennett 13 seconds off in second place.

Both Bennetts were fast out of the gates going neck and neck in the first four runs, before a four-second advantage in the first Christmas Tree run to Scott changed the narrative.

Continuing to hold the lead, another dominant performance on the second running of the same course further extended Scott’s advantage by four seconds to keep William out of reaching distance.

Rounding out the podium places a further 17 seconds off William was James Newell in his AV2 Special, edging out Amy Bennett by a mere two seconds to spoil an all-Bennett podium.

Coming home in fifth was David Elliot, and while he was a significant margin away from the top four,

his handicapped time had him as the top driver of the day and a Class A winner in his Mini Moke.

Sixth place was occupied by Ross Bennett in the AV2 special, while Class B winner Jurgen Lunsmann, Class C winner Peter Marsh, Marie Andersson and Patrick Dufty rounded out the top 10.

Other class winners included Ian Towart, who was able to power his way to the top of Class D ahead of Gavin Turner while Eloise Meehan dominated the Lady Production as well as the Junior Outright.

Despite missing out on an outright podium, Amy Bennett still walked away a winner by topping the Lady Outright class, while Benjamin Hills left with top rookie honours.

The third round of the Motorsport Australia WA State Motorkhana Championship will take place at the Perth Motorplex on 30 July.

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SYDNEY CLASSIC A MAJOR SUCCESS

The Historic Sports and Racing Car Association (HSRCA) were blessed with a perfect winter long weekend as the Sydney Motorsport Park hosted the annual Sydney Classic in June.

Competitors from both New South Wales and interstate came together for the jam-packed race meeting that featured a handful of popular categories, including Formula Ford and Group N. Other categories to join the schedule were Regularity, L,M,O, Sports Racing and Formula Vee, Groups Q and R Sports and Racing, Groups C and A and Group S.

While the weather played its part to perfection across the

weekend, the pitlane was blessed with a relaxed, social and friendly atmosphere throughout that transitioned into a brilliant weekend of racing on the track. As for the categories themselves, there was plenty of talking points to come out of the weekend.

In the Regularity, Peter Ireland was the most dominant across the category’s four official runs. With the aim of drivers to avoid points for producing lap under and over their nominated times –Ireland was the most consistent, winning two of the four runs.

Having won Run one and three, the 1996 Lotus Elise driver also scored a runner-up finish behind

Stephen Brankstone in his 1963 MGB in Run two, before dropping down to fifth in the final Run.

Claiming the Run four victory was Tony Pallis, who also enjoyed the lowest score of any competitor in a specific run – his eight point performance the only one to finish under 10 points.

Photos: The Historic Sports and Racing Car Association

David Stone was the man to beat in the Group N class after guiding his Ford Mustang to wins in races one and three - the only race he ended up surrendering was race two, falling short of another Mustang in Brad Tilley.

In L, M, O Sports & Racing with Formula Vee, young driver Travis Clark went fastest in qualifying, with him and David Kent going back and forth across the weekend, Kent winning race one, Clark race two and Kent the final race of the weekend.

The results were split in the Q and R Sports and Racing class - David Hardman winning the opening two races before a DNF in race three derailed his weekend, opening the door for Vivian King to claim the final two race wins of the weekend ahead of Malcolm Oastler and Andrew Kluver.

Another group that split their races was Groups C and A, with Chris Stillwell taking both races one and two before the 2016 Bathurst winner alongside Will Davison, Jonathan Webb took over for the remainder of the weekend, finishing ahead of Stillwell and Jamie McDonald.

More than 30 competitors took part in Group S across the weekend, but none of them were able to stop

Wayne Seabrook as he clean swept all four races – a similar outcome in the Sports Sedans and Supersprint class, where Frederick Geissler won all three races he competed in.

Another dominant performer across the weekend was Nick McBride in Formula Ford, who was unable to be stopped across his four races while the rest of the field battled for podium positions.

Get more information and full results on the event via the HSRCA website.

Photos: The Historic Sports and Racing Car Association

DEDICATED BARNETT AN INSPIRATION

Geoff Barnett from South Australia has been selected as this month’s Supercheap Auto Official Superstar after being nominated by his peers.

Officiating at the recent Ray Pank Winter Cup at the historic Collingrove Hillclimb, Geoff went above and beyond at the event, all while donning a smile.

Hailing from Tailem Bend, Geoff always puts his hand up for the tough positions and is known to be the one who travels the most

to participate as a Motorsport Australia volunteer official.

Geoff has also encouraged others to become involved in motorsport, and his passion for the sport constantly serves as inspiration to those around him.

A worthy winner of the Supercheap Auto Official Superstar, Geoff will receive a $100 gift card, commemorative pin and certificate for his efforts as a volunteer.

GEOFF BARNETT

Do you know someone like Geoff; a Motorsport Australia official who deserves to be recognised for going above and beyond their duty?

Nominate now and your friend could win a $100 Supercheap Auto gift card, commemorative pin, and certificate — with their story shared in Speed Read.

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IMPORTANT CHANGES TO RALLY AND TARMAC RALLY LICENCES

Following the recent review into Targa style tarmac rallying, Motorsport Australia has confirmed a new licence structure and requirements for those with a National Rally Licence and competitors wishing to compete in tarmac events.

From 1 August 2023, Motorsport Australia will implement mandatory biennial (every two years) medical examinations for all new National Rally Licence applicants.

From 1 January 2024, all renewing National Rally Licence holders aged 45 and over will also be required to complete medical examinations every two years. This

change mirrors the requirement for National Circuit Licence holders.

A new Tarmac Rally Licence structure will also be implemented, in line with the recommendations from the recent Targa Review Panel recommendations. This structure has been approved by the Australian Rally Commission (ARCom). The following licence requirements will now apply for those wishing to compete in Targa style tarmac rally events, which includes the completion of an Australian Driving Institute (ADI) approved driving course, tailored to tarmac rally competitors:

TARMAC RALLY LICENCE CATEGORIES

CATEGORY C DRIVER – 130KM/H

• National Rally Licence required ($280)

• Medical required in line with the National Rally Licence criteria

• Completion of ADI Driving Course

CATEGORY B DRIVER – 165KM/H

• FIA International Rally D Licence required ($800)

• Completion of ADI Driving Course

• Vehicle Power to Weight > 5

• Pre-licence conditions: Completion of five Motorsport Australia rally events (including 130km/h speed limited events)

CATEGORY A DRIVER – 200KM/H

• FIA International Rally C Licence required ($1200)

• Completion of ADI Driving Course

• Vehicle Power to Weight > 3.5

• Pre-licence conditions: If holding a National Rally Licence, completion of 10 Motorsport Australia Rally events. If holding an ITR-D, completion of five Motorsport Australia National or International Rally events.

Motorsport Australia Director of Motorsport & Commercial Operations

Michael Smith said the new licence structure was a significant step in the return of Targa style tarmac rallying.

“We are working hard on implementing all recommendations from the Targa Review Panel and I am pleased to say that we have made great progress in recent weeks and months,” Smith said.

“Work on all 94 recommendations is well underway, with the majority now in place, and that will allow the return of Targa style tarmac rally events in 2023.

“These changes to the licence structure are a significant part of the ‘hard reset’ of tarmac rallying here in Australia and an important part of ensuring the safety of all competitors, officials and spectators.

“The introduction of a medical for National Rally Licence holders is also a logical step. This requirement is

the same for the large number of Australian motorsport competitors who hold a circuit licence.

“While the focus of the medical is to ensure safety when competing, there have been many reported cases of the Motorsport Australia medical actually saving lives having caught other medical matters that might have otherwise been missed.

“It’s a small price to pay for safety and wellbeing both on and off the track.”

All 94 Targa Review Panel recommendations can be viewed at motorsport.org.au

Anyone wishing to book in to their local Australian Driving Institute Course can email info@motorsportacademy. com.au to find

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why are you making all new and existing Rally Licence holders aged 45 and over complete medicals, not just Targa competitors?

This change brings rallying into line with circuit racing and is an important step in making sure competitors are safe while competing. Medicals have also been very beneficial for competitors in catching other medical issues early, an outcome that has saved lives.

How do I apply for a National Rally Licence?

Head to motorsport.org.au/ licence/rally and complete the forms online. Alternatively, you can apply through the Motorsport Australia Member Portal.

How do I apply for an International Rally Licence?

Head to motorsport.org.au/licence/ rally and look for the International Licence application. This form will allow you to choose the appropriate International Licence that meets your licence level.

I am an existing National Rally Licence holder, do I need to do a medical when I renew my licence after 1 August?

Existing National Rally Licence holders aged 16-44 will not need to complete a medical until they turn 45.

Existing National Rally Licence holders aged 45 and over will need to complete a medical ahead of renewing their licence next year (when they renew their licence in 2024 for a licence with a 2025 expiry).

I am planning to apply for a National Rally Licence for the first time, do I need to complete a medical?

Yes, as of 1 August, ALL new National Rally Licence applicants will be required to complete the medical, regardless of age.

How do I complete enough events to progress through the licence system to become a Category A Tarmac Rally Driver?

Many drivers that would compete at this level will already qualify for the Category A requirements. For those who don’t, there are many events around the country that will allow you to build the experience to then apply for Category A. Motorsport Australia’s membership team will be able to assist you in finding suitable events. Gravel rally events are also acceptable.

I am an experienced competitor with many years of competition, do I still need to complete the ADI Driving Course?

Yes, it is a condition of the new licence structure that all tarmac rally competitors complete an ADI

Driving Course if they need category A, B and C tarmac rally licences. Even as an experienced driver, there will be valuable information learnt during this course.

This course is not required for gravel only rally competitors.

Where do I complete the ADI Driving Course that is now required?

This can be done by contacting the Australian Driving Institute, with course locations around Australia. The direct contact to book and find more about the course is info@motorsportacademy.com.au

More information is available, including the costs and time requirements here.

Do co-drivers need to complete the ADI Driving Course?

Yes. If you are a tarmac rally competitor and have a regular co-driver, you will need to do this together. Co-drivers can also complete a modified course on their own. Contact the ADI for more information: info@motorsportacademy.com.au or visit their website

out more

CELEBRATING NAIDOC WEEK

As the nation marks the annual NAIDOC Week, Motorsport Australia celebrated the contribution of Indigenous Australians across our sport.

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), recognising the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme ‘For Our Elders’ celebrates those senior figures who have played an important role across every generation, and hold a prominent place in the Aboriginal communities, as well as guiding the

younger generations in everyday life and how to place in the world. Almost every day, a number of permanent venues in different parts of the country welcome events to their facilities.

While the names of each venue are familiar to all motorsport fans, each venue also shares its unique Indigenous name of the area.

For more information about NAIDOC Week, visit naidoc.org.au

The lands on which these venues are located include:

• Sandown and Phillip Island - Bunurong

• Winton - Yorta Yorta

• The Bend - Ngarrindjeri

• Hidden Valley - Larrakia

• Symmons Plains and Baskerville - Lutruwita

• Wanneroo RacewayWhadjuk Noongar

• Queensland Raceway - Yuggera

• Morgan Park - Bundjalung

• Sydney Motorsport Park - Dhar

New Officials’ Range

2023’s Motorsport Australia Officials uniform has dropped. New gear available at:

motorsport.org.au/estore

WHAT'S ON IN JULY

NEW SOUTH WALES AND ACT

8 July: Yadboro Rally Sprint

8 July: The NANKANG TYRES Round

4 at Sydney Motorsport Park

8-9 July: Dondingalong Challenge

9 July: Annual BMW Porsche Challenge

14-16 July: GSCC Annual Historic Hillclimb

15-16 July: NSW Hillclimb

Championship Round 6

15 July: CACA – Night Skidpan Motorkhana

16 July: Highland Gentlemen's Classic Car Club July Breakfast Run

16 July: Mazda MX-5 Club of NSW - Super Sprint

16 July: DSCC 2023 Autocross Round 6

16 July: Newcastle All Japan Day

16 July: MGF/Modern TF Run

16 July: New England Sporting Car Club Khanacross Round 3

16 July: PCNSW 2023 Tony McKnight

Motorkhana Championship Round 4

16 July: MGCCN MK4 Dirt Motorkhana

20 July: SMSP Night Sprints

22 July: SORRA Driver Training

/ Khanacross Round 2

23 July: RTDC Motorkhana Round 2

23 July: July Time Attack Colo Autocross

23 July: July Come and Try Motorkhana

23 July: Round 7 2023 NSW Motorkhana Championship

27-30 July: Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight

29 July: Lazer Rally of the Bay

30 July: Kempsey Sporting Car Club Jolly July Khanacross

QUEENSLAND

5-9 July: NTI Townsville 500

7-9 July: Townsville Supercars Round 2023

5-9 July: Reef to Rainforest

7-9 July: 2023 Goldrush

9 July: Ipswich West Moreton

Auto Club Autocross Round 3

9 July: GCTMC Khanacross

14-16 July: Shannons Historic Racing and Classic Car Festival 2023

16 July: MAC Dirt Sprints Round 4

21-23 July: Accent Benchtops

Rally Queensland

22-23 July : Rd 3 2023 Qld -NSW

Sprint Challenge & Rd 3 2023 Short Course Touring Car Series

22 July : Shannons Porsche Club Qld

Sprint Championship Round 4

22-23 July : NQ Khanacross Series

Round 3 – FNQ Motorsports

24 July: Toyota Ride Day

29-30 July: Mt Cotton Hillclimb

Series Round 5

30 July: Mount Stuart Hillclimb

Series Round 3

30 July: Gold Coast MG Car Club Display Day

QLD: 5-9 July – Reef to Rainforest

The Reef to Rainforest Touring Tarmac Rally is a multiple day event run by the Australian Muscle Car Owners Association.

Starting in Port Douglas and finishing in Townsville, the experience includes accomodation, ferry travel and picturesque scenery.

Photo: Australian Muscle Car Owners Association

NSW: 14-16 July – GSCC Annual Historic Hillclimb

Hosted by the Grafton Sporting Car Club, the Annual Historic Hillclimb provides drivers with cars built prior to 1975 the opportunity to take part in a weekend of beginner-friendly competition.

VICTORIA

6 July: Ford Four Car Club Rally Test Day

8-9 July: Piarc Supersprint including Hyundai

Excel Racing & Vic Superkart Racing

8-9 July: SHCC Shepparton District

Car Club Challenge/Come & Try 9 July: Sandown Winter Sprint 9 July: Junior Development Program 9 July: Victorian Hillclimb Championship Round 1 2023 15 July: VMC Round 5 15-16 July: 2023 OST 6 16 July: Gippsland Car Club Hillclimb

16 July: BOI Performance Eoc Drive

22 July: Send it Saturday's

22-23 July: VMCI Khanacross

22 July: Fiat Car Club of Victoria – Fiat Nationals Practice Motorkhana

23 July: 2023 Down the Drains Touring Assembly

23 July: BMWDCM Calder Park Driver

Training/Motorkhana Day

23 July: Kyneton Car Club Junior Development

July: 2023 OST 7 Dale Shaw Trial 29-30 July: 2023 Victorian 6 Hour Relay 30 July: Gippsland Car Club Khanacross 30 July: Victorian Khanacross Championship Round 4

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

8-9 July: Collie Motorplex Sprint

9 July: SWTCC Round 3

16 July: Tarmac Sportz Point 2 Point

16 July: Bormsa Autocross

21-23 July: RoVent 2023

22 July: WRX Club of WA - Midvale Speed Dome

30 July: 2023 Shannons Targa Mid-Year Rallysprint 30 July: State Motorkhana Round 3

SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND NORTHERN TERRITORY

8-9 July: Motorsport Australia Sporting Car Club of SA Inc. 2023 State Motor Racing Championship Series Round

8-9 July: 2023 SA Autocross

Series Round 2

16 July: Motorsport Australia SA

Motorkhana Championship Round 3

22-23 July: Black Nitro – SA

Khanacross Championship Round 3 & Walky Park Series Round 3

23 July: SCCSA 2023 Ray Pank Winter Cup 3

28-30 July: THE LOVEDAY 400

TASMANIA

8 July: Motor Sports Club of Tasmania

Motorkhana Series Round 3

9 July: CMI Tasmanian Hillclimb

Championship 2023

16 July: Tasmanian State Motorkhana

Championship Round 3

29 July: Motor Sports Club of Tasmania Khanacross Series Round 2

VIC: 23 July - 2023 Down the Drains Touring Assembly

Hosted by the Historic Rally Association, the Down the Drains Touring Assembly is a day of navigation for both novice and expert drivers. Using maps from 1931 and earlier, the drivers will compete to find their way through the course.

Photo: Grafton Sporting Car Club

Photo: Historic Rally Association

GRBIC DELIVERS BIG HILL CLIMB WIN AT ONE TREE HILL

Mirko Grbic has taken home his first win of the 2023 EZI UP & GO Victorian Hill Climb Championship season following a stellar performance at One Tree Hill.

Despite heavy fog and a delayed start to the opening morning’s competition, the Ararat Car Club-run event proved an exciting weekend, as spectators watched 43 competitors attempt to post the fastest run up the popular hill climb course.

In the end, Mirko’s win proved a stressfree affair in his Mitsubishi Evo as he only required four runs to post an unbeatable time - his best run of the weekend coming on his third attempt.

Missing out on the first five runs, his decision to avoid the dampness

of the course in the earlier runs proved effective, with the times dropping significantly for most of the other drivers after run one.

With drivers getting a maximum of 11 runs throughout the event, all fell short of his 40.87 second winning time, with gaps as large as 30 seconds forming the gulf between Grbic and the other competitors.

The closest driver to the winner was Glenn Latter in his Mazda RX7, after his strongest time of 43.47 seconds saw him leading the field at the end of the day Saturday.

While he ended up being quite some way off the lead, Latter managed to hold onto second place after a thrilling battle with David Harris – just one and a half

tenths separating the podium placers at the end of the event. Behind the entertaining battle for second was Mark Dixon in fourth place, having dropped down a position following Grbic’s entry, while Steve Grinstead rounded out the top five a further three tenths off.

The EZI UP & GO Victorian Hill Climb Championship will continue this month with the rescheduled first round at the Rob Roy Hillclimb to take place on 9 July.

Full results are available at hillclimbvic.com.au

Photos: Seven70 Photography

INAUGURAL TROPHY SERIES ROUND A ROARING SUCCESS

After a long time in the making, June finally saw the highly anticipated Shannons Trophy Series get off the mark as it held its inaugural round at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Six entertaining categories featured in the inaugural round as they put on a show in front of a strong turnout of fans making the most of the beautiful weather Sydney had to offer.

While there were more than 150 entries across the six categories, the Yokohama Improved Production Nationals series boasted the biggest with a solid 49 car split across the grids.

Yet, this competition was still not enough to throw multi-race winner Adam Poole, who dominated all weekend, going fastest in every practice and qualifying session before winning his three heats and the Over 2L final.

The TGRA Scholarship Series was the second largest of the weekend but delivered some of the most exciting racing of the six categories, as there were plenty of surprising moments throughout.

One of the biggest talking points from the round was Marcus La Delle and Lachlan Bloxsom being the standout performers in practice, only to drop down the field in

qualifying and then the races, which were eventually dominated by Max Geoghegan as he won the weekend overall in comfortable fashion.

The weekend also proved a memorable one for William Brittain of the Circuit Excels who had a strong run all weekend winning three out of four races. A similar turn of results was enjoyed by Shane Smollen and Justin Ruggier who won three of the four in the overall Mobil 1 Australian Production Cars and Monochrome GT4 Series races.

Only Nash Morris was able to disrupt their stranglehold over the

Photos: Priceless Images

GT4 competition to win a thrilling final race. It was a similar story in the Australian Production Cars as Iain Sherrin was the one to beat for much of the weekend.

Likewise, the MARC Cars Australia series saw duo John Goodacre and Cameron McLeod dominate for most of the weekend. The team started by comfortably topping the time sheets in practice to winning the final race by a remarkable 31 seconds. One of the most surprising outcomes for the weekend though was in the Workhorse Radical Cup Australia Series, where teenager Alex Gardner claimed a race win in his series debut.

Unfortunately, the 2022 Ferrari Driver Academy Asia Pacific and Oceania Selection Program finalist

was unable to go back-to-back, as he dropped out of the second race after only lap 15, as series veteran Peter Paddon picked up the win.

The next round of the Shannons Trophy Series will take place at Queensland Raceway on 4-6 August.

IMPROVED PRODUCTION NATIONALS

MONOCHROME GT4 AUSTRALIA SERIES AND MOBIL 1 AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTION CARS SERIES

1. Nash Morris

WORKHORSE RADICAL CUP AUSTRALIA

2. Shane Smollen and Justin Ruggier

3. Steve Jukes

MARC CARS AUSTRALIA

1. John Goodacre and Cameron Mcleod

TGRA SCHOLARSHIP SERIES

2. Adam Hargraves

3. Geoffrey Morgan

CIRCUIT EXCELS

1. William Brittain

2. Monique Sciberras

3. Hayden Auld

1. Adam Poole

2. Zak Hudson

3. Ryan Gorton

1. Elliott Schutte

2. Peter Paddon

3. Chris Perini

1. Max Geoghegan

2. Lachlan Bloxsom

3. Oscar Targett

Photos: Priceless Images

TROPHY SERIES HEADS UP NORTH AFTER SYDNEY OPENER

Following a highly successful inaugural round at Sydney Motorsport Park, the Shannons Trophy Series returns this month with Queensland Raceway hosting the event.

A handful of popular national categories will feature in the round, some of which will be re-joining the Trophy Series from Sydney, while a number of categories join for the first time.

After an impressive showing in Eastern Creek, the Workhorse Radical Cup Australia and the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia Scholarship Series resume their seasons, while the Australian Formula Open and Precision National Sport Sedans Series will feature for the first time this year.

From a schedule point of view, the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia Scholarship Series, Formula Open and the Sport Sedans will have three 20-minute races apiece, while the Radicals will once again hold two 50-minute races.

In addition to the four Australian categories, the Circuit Excels Series, popular in the Motorsport Australia Queensland State Circuit Championships, will get its chance to shine on the national stage with five 25-minute outings in total.

Like the opening round, the Shannons Trophy Series’ visit to Queensland Raceway will have free entry, while all of Sunday will be streamed via 7plus and simulcast across different platforms.

Fans can watch the action unfold via 7plus, Motorsport Australia’s

YouTube, Blend Line TV and the Shannons Trophy Series Facebook –all of which will show live and free coverage from 9am – 4pm AEST.

The second round of the Shannons Trophy Series takes place at Queensland Raceway on 4-6 August.

View the full schedule available at motorsport. org.au/trophyseries

Photo: Speed Shots Photography

Photo: Priceless Images

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LAMBORGHINI ASIA SERIES MAKES AUSSIE DEBUT AT THE BEND

The Bend Motorsport Park had the privilege of hosting the first ever Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Series round in Australia last month, acting as the second round of the popular Asian series.

The one-make category made its return to on-track action this year after a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19 complications, kicking off its season at the famous Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia before making its way down under for round two.

More than 250 team personnel and series crews made the trip from all around Asia to The Bend in a fantastic showcase of the international category's homegrown and international talent, while

also demonstrating the circuit's ability to host such events.

The popular Australian circuit also joins the likes of Mount Fuji and Shangai International Circuit on the 2023 calendar, crediting the quality of both The Bend's first-class accommodation and its ability to host international events alongside some of the world's most popular circuits.

When it came to official business, there were two races across the weekend where both international and local talent battled it out for crucial series points.

Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia regular Marco Giltrap and teammate Chris van der Drift

made history by taking victory in the series’ first ever race in Australia before Jonathan Cecetto claimed the second race of the weekend. The race one win meant the 18-year-old Kiwi talent now has a 27-point lead at the top of the series’ standings in the PRO classifications. There were also three Australians to feature in the historic event, with the father-son pairing of Tony and Jackson Walls competing in the PRO-AM class, while Keith Wong participated alongside Chinese teammate Ma Chi Min in the PRO category.

Unfortunately, Tony Walls and Wong came together in the opening race after battling for outright podium positions, demoting Walls into a disappointing third place in the PRO-AM class while Wong missed out on a reasonable result entirely.

Photos: Edge Photographics

Making up for a disappointing race one, Wong held the lead in his class for the majority of race two before losing the position in the dying stages, while the Walls family also mustered a second-place finish in the PRO-AM class in an impressive performance.

In addition to the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Series, The Bend also hosted the GC Marine Australian Prototype Series and the Australian

Formula Open Series, as well as the special Excel Challenge and Garagistic BMW Drivers Cup/SA Tin Tops.

In the APS, it was veteran John Paul Drake who clean swept the category in its three races, while Victorian Ryan How took out top honours in the competitive Formula Open field.

Victorians also enjoyed overall wins in the Excel Challenge with Glenn

Mackenzie victorious in the Masters and Joel Johnson in the Trophy class.

In the combined Garagistic BMW Drivers Cup / SA Tin Tops grid, it was South Australian Aaron Steer who enjoyed overall race wins throughout the weekend, also taking out the SA Tin Tops as a result, while Royce Lyne won the BMW class.

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Photo: Edge Photographics

Photo: Tony Donoghue

Photo: Tony Donoghue

Photo: Tony Donoghue

MORGAN PARK ENJOYS ENTERTAINING QUEENSLAND STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS VISIT

The Motorsport Australia Queensland Circuit Racing State Championships held the latest round of its 2023 season last month with a solid overall field of 90 competitors taking part in the event.

Hosted by the Warwick District Sporting Car Club at Morgan Park Raceway, the weekend hosted seven of its regular categories, ranging from Formula Vee to the weekend’s biggest category, the Circuit Excels.

Although boasting the biggest grid, it was one driver who dominated the Excels with Tyler Collins just missing out on a clean sweep. Despite winning every race but the first, Collins had to fight hard to maintain the top spot against the likes of Zane Rinaldi, George

Wood and Jack Wood, with the trio constantly challenging for top spot.

HQ Holden & Gemini Cars saw the weekend finish in similar fashion, with Justin van Twest topping the podium after an impressive round that saw him win three out of four races.

But the most effortless win of the weekend was Phillip Sutcliffe in the Sports Sedans and Invited and Improved Production Cars Category, winning every race of the weekend by up to 35 seconds, while Anthony Saint finished second across the board.

Sutcliffe maintained his dominance in the Rolling Starts category, winning three out of four races by margins of up to 45 seconds. Despite not starting in race two, Sutcliffe’s other performances were enough to secure him the overall round win.

Also racing in a league of his own was Grant Green, who finished first in all Sports, Racing & Formula Ford races and took home the top prize unchallenged in the category, having won his races by up to 50 seconds. Unlike other categories, which saw astounding clean sweeps from their top drivers, the Super Mini Challenge went the opposite way with a different outcome each race. Trent Spencer, Anthony Elliott, Brayden Larkin and James Campbell all took turns marking up the podium, but it was Spencer who took home the top prize, winning by only 12 points ahead of Elliott and Larkin.

Formula Vee also saw the battle for outright wins go down to the wire, with Alexander Hedemann, Matthew Dicinoski and Alex Macdonald all sharing the spoils across the four races – the latter winning the opening two races.

The Motorsport Australia Queensland Circuit Racing State Championship will return to Morgan Park for round four on 8-10 September.

Results are available on speedhive.mylaps.com

Photos: Peter Buchanan

EVENTS LEFT FOR 2023

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SHANNONS SPEEDSERIES' WINTON SUCCESS

The Shannons SpeedSeries returned to Winton Motor Raceway last month for the first time since 2019 for the fourth round of what has been an incredible season to date.

Six national categories made the trip to the rural Victorian circuit and put on a breathtaking display of racing across three epic days of jam-packed action.

Michael Clemente kicked off the weekend's Supercheap Auto TCR Australia action with a win in race one before Tom Oliphant picked up his first series win after leading from start to finish in the reverse grid format race in his Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

But it was HMO Customer Racing’s Bailey Sweeny who found himself back on top after claiming an almost-record-breaking win of over 20 seconds in the third and final race of the weekend.

The National Trans Am Series continued its reputation of hotly contested racing across its three outings, and it was Lochie Dalton who celebrated a clean sweep – a welcome gift for the 60-year celebration of Garry Rogers Motorsport.

After claiming an S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship pole position on Saturday, James Golding was unable to pick up any wins across the weekend - series leader Joey Mawson instead showing his dominance with victories in all three races.

The Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters Series provided plenty of action across the weekend with Steve Johnson extending his series lead after two comfortable race wins.

Jesus Racing’s Andrew Fisher was the first name on the winners' list after taking victory in the Trophy Race, but nobody was able to stop

Steve Johnson in races one and two before John Bowe recovered from earlier troubles to edge out the series leader in race three.

Rising star Jude Bargwanna continued his dominance in the Kumho V8 Touring Car Series, claiming a grand slam of victories across the weekend. Nobody came close to challenging the series leader, but it was Jamie Tilley and Jim Pollicina claiming the title as best of the rest on the weekend's outright podium.

The Australian Formula Ford Series joined the SpeedSeries bill for the first time this season after three rounds so far in 2023, but it was Matthew Hillyer who dominated from start to finish, claiming all three race wins to claim outright victory ahead of Zak Lobko and Eddie Beswick.

Photo: Daniel Kalisz Photographer

The other category to join the Shannons SpeedSeries for the first time in 2023 was the Precision National Sports Sedans Series, which kicked off its season with a brilliant battle at the front between reigning champion Jordan Caruso and Tony Ricciardello. But while they were clearly the fastest cars on track, both were unable to put a full weekend together, claiming one win each while newcomer Josh Haynes was the other winner in race two. Despite not picking up a win, Ashley Jarvis found himself as the round winner after amassing a handful of top-five finishes throughout. The fifth round of the 2023 Shannons SpeedSeries season will take place at Queensland Raceway on 11-13 August.

Tickets for Queensland Raceway are available at motorsporttickets.com.au

AUSTRALIAN

SUPERCHEAP AUTO TCR AUSTRALIA SERIES

Race 1: Michael Clemente Race 2: Tom Oliphant Race 3: Bailey Sweeny

S5000 AUSTRALIAN DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Joey Mawson

2. James Golding

3. Aaron Cameron

NATIONAL TRANS AM SERIES

1. Lochie Dalton

2. Cody Gillis

3. James Moffat

GULF WESTERN OIL TOURING CAR MASTERS

1. Steve Johnson

2. Danny Buzadzic

3. Andrew Fisher

KUMHO V8 TOURING CAR SERIES

1. Jude Bargwanna

2. Jamie Tilley

3. Jim Pollicina

FORMULA FORD SERIES

1. Matthew Hillyer

2. Zak Lobko

3. Eddie Beswick

PRECISION NATIONAL SPORT SEDANS

1. Ashley Jarvis

2. Michael Robinson

3. Birol Cetin

Photo: Daniel Kalisz Photographer

Photo: Daniel Kalisz Photographer

Photo: Speed Shots Photography

Photo: Speed Shots Photography

Photo: Speed Shots Photography

Photo: Speed Shots Photography

Photo: Speed Shots Photography

NEW CONCUSSION ASSESSMENT TOOLS RELEASED

Motorsport Australia has welcomed the release of new Sport Related Concussion guidelines that can now be used at all levels of motorsport.

The new consensus guidelines, that include CRT6 (Concussion Recognition Tool) and SCAT6 (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool), will provide health care professionals at motorsport events with easy to use and the most up-to-date guidelines to assess if a person has been concussed, along with outlining the appropriate next steps.

SCAT6 is designed to be used by health care professionals on people aged 13 and above and has been developed by The Concussion in Sport Group (CISG), supported by the FIA and the International Olympic Committee, as well as other major international sporting bodies.

The document notes some key points around the treatment of any concussion, including that any

person with suspected concussion should be immediately removed from competition, assessed and monitored for injury-related signs and symptoms.

The guidelines also include the Concussion Recognition Tool 6 for use by nonhealthcare personnel.

Motorsport Australia Director of Motorsport & Commercial Operations

Michael Smith welcomed the release of the new tool.

“Our medical teams are some of the best in the world and play a key role in keeping our sport safe,” Smith said.

“These new concussion guidelines and the SCAT6 tool are an important tool for our healthcare professionals across all disciplines and levels of the sport.

“While motorsport is not a contact sport in the traditional sense like football or rugby, concussion can certainly still occur and it’s important that our medical teams are aware of the risk of concussion. While some competitors may think that wearing helmets and

frontal head restraints keep them well protected, concussions are still a risk factor in any incident.

“Motorsport Australia encourages all our medical crews to utilise this new tool and be aware of the risks of concussions at our events, no matter the discipline or event.”

The Concussion Recognition Tool can be found on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine

Health care professionals are encouraged to download and bookmark the Sports Concussion Recognition Tool for adults aged 13 and above

“Concussion can certainly still occur and it’s important that our medical teams are aware of the risk of concussion”

Photo: Revved Photography

SHANNONS SPEEDSERIES READY FOR QUEENSLAND

From the arctic fields of Winton Motor Raceway to the sunny state of Queensland, the Shannons SpeedSeries returns next month for the fifth round of the 2023 season. Taking place at the reformed Queensland Raceway, the event is already in full motion with tickets on sale and the schedule for the three-day meeting now public.

There will be six categories on show throughout the round, with popular categories such as the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, National Trans Am Series and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia – all of which will provide fans with all sorts of entertainment.

More than 25 hours of track time is pencilled in for the round with half of the categories to enjoy a traditional format of two practice sessions, a qualifying session and three races across the weekend.

Categories like the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS and the combined Mobil 1 Australian Production Cars and Monochrome GT4 Australia Series will also have their regular schedules of two and four races respectively.

Of course, there are a couple of series who will deviate their usual weekend formats for this special round in the sunshine state, namely Trans Am, who have added an

extra race into the schedule and the GT World Challenge, which has introduced a special Top 10 Shootout qualifying session.

Designed to give the semiprofessional drivers the experience of a single-lap shootout – a process usually reserved only for professional drivers - the shootout, which will take place on the Sunday morning,

Photo: Daniel Kalisz Photographer

Photo: Speed Shots Photography

will see the nominated Am driver of the fastest 10 cars from Qualifying 2 battle it out for the Pirelli Pole Award. Another exciting element for fans to look out for will be the return of the Production Cars’ traditional ‘Fight in the Night’, with the night race beginning after sunset at 5:55pm AEST on the Saturday.

While there is plenty of racing action to keep fans entertained, the round at Queensland Raceway will also welcome Matt Mingay and the Hot Wheels Stunt Team, who will put on four exciting shows throughout the weekend.

Tickets for this year’s Shannons SpeedSeries’ round at Queensland Raceway are now on sale, with single day tickets, weekend passes and VIP Experiences all available via motorsporttickets.com.au,

while children under the age of 15 are able to enter free of charge.

As always, Stan Sport will provide live, on demand and ad-free coverage of the event on Saturday and Sunday, with Saturday’s broadcast kicking off at 11:30am AEST and Sunday's getting underway at 11:40am AEST. Fans will also be able to watch Saturday afternoon’s action live and free via 9Gem from 2pm to 5pm AEST.

The fifth round of the Shannons SpeedSeries takes place at Queensland Raceway on 11-13 August.

Secure your tickets now via motorsporttickets.com.au

CATEGORIES ON SHOW AT QUEENSLAND RACEWAY

• Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series

• National Trans Am Series

• Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia

• Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS

• Kumho V8 Touring Car Series

• Mobil 1 Australian Production Cars and Monochrome

GT4 Australia Series

Photos: Speed Shots Photography

HUXLEY BACK ON TOP AFTER COLO PARK WIN

Mat Huxley has bounced back from a disappointing finish at the Kempsey 300 to take an impressive win at the Colo Park Challenge last month.

Huxley had suffered a broken pulley/power steering belt in the opening round of the Motorsport Australia New South Wales Off Road Championship in May, causing him to lose the event, however he would have no such problem in Colo Park, as he and navigator Tobi Turnbull took home first place out of 18 finishers.

In what proved a comfortable victory, Huxley finished ahead of fellow Pro Buggy crew Ben Scott and Scott Dylan by almost two and a half minutes, dominating with the fastest time in all but two of the seven races, with Scott grabbing the best time in race four.

Nathan and Gaby Wills rounded out the podium a further five and half minutes off Huxley and Turnbull, however the duo also secured the Extreme 4WD class win in the process. Behind Wills was another classwinning crew in Kevin Cant and Kylie Wright, who finished with the SXS Sport victory and fourth overall ahead of Sportsman-class winners Jake Megaloconomos and Kym Vonhold. Megaloconomos was made to work for his class win though with Brendan and Ian Hill having finished just five seconds behind them on the overall time sheet – the battle for fifth proving the closest out of the whole event.

Despite being outperformed by Megaloconomos throughout the day, Hill’s incredible pace in race three was almost enough to close the gap on Megaloconomos, however the two minute victory wasn't enough. Unfortunately, not all drivers were able to put up as strong a fight,

While Stephenson and Lalor only missed out on one and two races respectively, McCarthy dropped out of the challenge after only two races.

Probably the biggest casualty of the event belonged to round one winner Trevor Chandler, who had qualified on pole position and won race one outright before his lefthand rear hub failed in race two.

The Motorsport Australia New South Wales Off Road Championship continues later this month with the next round to run in Dongdingalong on 8-9 July.

with Darryl Stephenson, Dennis Lalor and Robert McCarthy unable to complete all seven races.

Photo: Gears and Wheels Photography

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AROCCA ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER DECADE OF SUCESSES

Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca officially announced his retirement last month having held the position for a successful 11 years.

Arocca will remain in the role until the end of 2023, allowing for an extensive search and handover for the next Chief Executive Officer.

The Motorsport Australia Board, which was informed of Arocca’s decision earlier this year, have appointed Odgers Berndtson to conduct a formal executive search and recruitment for a new CEO.

Since joining in 2012, Arocca has transformed the organisation and can claim a number of impressive achievements throughout his career at Motorsport Australia.

Some of those achievements included overseeing the move to a new

National Office, implementing the rebrand from CAMS to Motorsport Australia, the establishment of the Australian Motorsport Council and

time in the chair to come, when I do walk out the door on my final day, I will walk away extremely proud of the 11 years and what has been achieved,” Arocca said.

“To the Motorsport Australia Board and staff, both past and present, I thank you for your support and for making this journey such a wonderful one. I am particularly grateful for the outstanding support I have received from past President Andrew Papadopoulos and current President Andrew Fraser.

navigating the organisation through a difficult COVID-19 pandemic.

Arocca thanked those across the sport, along with the current and former Board and employees, who had made his time as CEO both an enjoyable and highly successful one.

“This is a very emotional day for me but I know that while I still have some

“To the members, the officials, fans and everyone who makes our sport what it is, thank you for your dedication and commitment. There are too many people to thank, but the sport is a welcoming one that has an amazing future ahead.

“While I still have some months to go in this role, I know there will be no slowing down as 2023

“I will walk away extremely proud of the 11 years and what has been achieved”

finishes off on a high with a lot of events and plenty of work to do.

“I will continue to be involved in the sport in some way, particularly as a fan at the many events around Australia that make our sport so great.”

Motorsport Australia President Andrew Fraser congratulated Arocca on his impressive tenure.

“Eugene has a very long list of achievements and under his leadership the organisation and the sport has made significant strides,” Fraser said.

“Eugene’s been a very effective leader of our organisation and our sport, which both enjoy a strong reputation not just here in Australia, but globally. Motorsport Australia is seen around the world as one of the leading motorsport bodies and Eugene has played a significant role in ensuring the skills, expertise and the people who represent our brand are the best they can be.

“Motorsport Australia’s reputation remains strong thanks to Eugene’s promotion of the sport, allowing it to enjoy significant and strong relationships with governments across the country. A clear example of this is the Victorian Government’s support for the development of the future Victorian Home of Motorsport at Avalon which has the potential to transform our sport.

“On behalf of the entire Board, we say thank you to Eugene and look forward to working with him to effect a planned and smooth transition. We appreciate Eugene giving advance notice so that we are able to now conduct a recruitment exercise.

“The Motorsport Australia Board and the Standing Nominations Committee are leading the extensive search for the next CEO. Odgers Berndtson have been appointed as our Executive Search Firm and the process is already well underway.”

EUGENE AROCCA'S ACHIEVEMENTS AT MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA

• 11 years of financial stability, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic

• Excellent and continuing relationships with all levels of Government across Australia resulting in increased funding opportunities for clubs and participants

• New revenue opportunities through new commercial strategies

• Continued participation growth across all disciplines, including record licence numbers prior to COVID

• Establishing Motorsport Australia’s innovative media and communications team

• Driving the establishment of junior development programs and the Girls on Track initiative

• Overseeing the move to a new National Office which now also houses the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame

• Establishing the Parliamentary Friends of Motorsport at Federal and State level

• Driving Motorsport Australia’s digital transformation

• Implementing the rebrand from CAMS to Motorsport Australia, bringing the organisation in line with other sporting bodies and growing the sport’s reputation and profile

• Supporting the Board with major governance improvements including the establishment of the Standing Nominations Committee and the Motorsport Risk & Safety Committee

• Securing and lobbying for the proposed ‘Victorian Home of Motorsport’ at Avalon, a gamechanger for motorsport at all levels – a venue that is now close to becoming a reality

• Fostering a positive work environment resulting in high levels of employee satisfaction, engagement and collaboration

• Driving the organisation's commitment to safety, including the mandating of frontal head restraints across the sport

• Establishment of the Australian Motorsport Council, bringing together the sport’s sanctioning bodies

SUPERCARS ENJOYS FAIRYTALE WEEKEND IN THE VALLEY

With the Repco Supercars Championship having now completed a handful of rounds, the pecking order is starting to take shape.

Despite a tough outing at the 2023 Betr Darwin Triple Crown, Brodie Kostecki still leads the championship over partner Will Brown, and the duo’s team in Erebus Motorsport is still atop of the teams’ championship.

Of course their championship rivals in Triple Eight Racing's Broc Feeney and Shane van Gisbergen are the most likely to challenge for the 2023 title.

Yet the most recent round at Hidden Valley Raceway couldn’t have gone any different to what Supercars fans could have predicted.

With the fifth meeting of the season celebrating Indigenous Round and every car being donned with liveries supporting the rich aboriginal culture, the three races proved memorable for many reasons.

Firstly – former champion and crowd favourite Mark Winterbottom secured his first win at the top level in more than 1000 days, ending a sevenyear and 197-race winless streak.

Whatever way you look at it – his win of four tenths over Feeney was

enough to put a smile on even the most hardened of Supercars fans.

The Saturday race also allowed Ford fans to enjoy a some success, with Will Davison completing the podium and earning a rare podium for the manufacturer.

Some form of what is fast becoming normality resumed on the final day of the weekend with Feeney claiming a Sunday victory for the fourth consecutive round in a row, leading van Gisbergen over the line while Andre Heimgartner rounded out the podium – his third for the season.

The Brad Jones Racing star added to his 2023 podium tally in the final race– crossing the line in second place behind another surprise winner – Jack Le Brock notching up his second Supercars win and his first since 2020.

Feeney took out the final place on the podium, capping off a strong weekend for the young Queenslander, who edged ever so closer to Brown in second place on the standings – the Toowoomba product's best result being a P5 in race two.

After five completed rounds – the 2023 Supercars season is fast becoming one of the most exciting in recent times where any one of a handful of drivers are in a good position to win the title.

The Championship resumes this month with two rounds – the NTI Townsville 500 on 7-9 July before wrapping up with the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight on 28-30 July.

RACE 13 TOP FIVE

1. Mark Winterbottom

2. Broc Feeney

3. Will Davison

4. Brodie Kostecki

5. Bryce Fullwood

RACE 14 TOP FIVE

1. Broc Feeney

2. Shane van Gisbergen

3. Andre Heimgartner

4. Brodie Kostecki

5. Will Brown

RACE 15 TOP FIVE

1. Jack Le Brocq

2. Andre Heimgartner

3. Broc Feeney

4. Shane van Gisbergen

5. Cam Waters

REPCO SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP TOP 10

1. Brodie Kostecki – 1164 points

2. Will Brown – 1105

3. Broc Feeney – 1073

4. Shane van Gisbergen – 1054

5. Chaz Mostert – 985

6. Andre Heimgartner – 882

7. Cam Waters – 877

8. Jack Le Brocq– 814

9. Will Davison – 802

10. David Reynolds – 743

Photos: Edge Photographics

ARC BACK IN ACTION WITH EXCITING RALLY QUEENSLAND

After a two month break, the Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Championship will resume this month with the highly anticipated Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland. Hosting the third round of the 2023 ARC season, many of the nation’s best rally crews will flock to the regional town of Gympie to tackle more than 200 competitive kilometres over 14 stages.

To be run in a sprint format over two days of rally action, crews will have multiple attempts at scoring valuable points towards their championship aspirations – starting with Heat 1 on the Saturday where 131kms across eight stages await crews.

Heat 2 will run on the Sunday where the event’s remaining 85km will be completed over six stages, the final of which is the ever-important EROAD Power Stage, where bonus points will be up for grabs.

With the ARC breaking all sorts of new ground in 2023, the national championship’s rise will continue in the sunshine state with a strong field of more than 20 crews entered in the round.

From Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia stars Harry Bates and Lewis Bates, Make Smoking History Forest Rally winner Nathan Quinn and regulars Daniel Gonzalez, Troy Dowel and Tom Clarke to the Tasmanian consortium made up of Rally Queensland debutants Bodie Reading, Steve Maguire and

Eddie Maguire – there are plenty of high profile individuals capable of taking out top honours.

The third round of the 2023 season will also see a number of locals take on the interstaters, including event sponsor Glenn Brinkman and young gun Ryan Williams –the latter of which was making his grand return to the ARC.

“I’m looking forward to returning to such a fantastic championship, and while it’s really good just to be back, the fact that it is in my home state is a bonus,” Williams said.

Photos: CH Images

“I’m looking forward to returning to such a fantastic championship... the fact that it's in my home state is a bonus”

“Rally Queensland has been a rally that I have been watching since I was young, and to compete in 2021 and have the result we did was fantastic, the excitement for this year is overzealous.

“We are hoping for a good result in the White Wolf Constructions ARC Production Cup, it’s going to be a hotly contested weekend for the cup and the championship but I’m looking forward to the challenge it beholds.”

Both Williams and Brinkman won’t just be entered in the ARC, with the duo also entered in the KickAss Queensland Rally Championship (QRC) component of the event, which will run solely on Saturday.

In addition to the ARC and QRC, the Brisbane Sporting Car Clubrun event will also be hosting a round of the Ackworth Recruitment Clubman Queensland Clubman Rally Series and Virtual Security Guard Queensland Novice Rally Series.

Before the action gets underway though, the Friday night will see the return of the popular Wheels on Mary festival sponsored by Gympie

Regional Council, where there will be live entertainment, food options and all the ARC’s vehicles on show to kick off the rally in style.

For Brinkman, the talented driver was looking forward to his home rally.

“It’s my local event – it’s nice to be in familiar territory. I know the roads quite well and they generally hold up pretty well for the multiple passes across the weekend,” Brinkman said.

the success story by the number of spectators who attend.

“It surprised me how so many people from a country town attended the last Wheels on Mary event and the Spectator Points themselves, so clearly, Gympie is the standout location for a Queensland round of the ARC.”

The Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland takes place in Gympie on 22-23 July.

“You get a real feel for what the territory and the surface is like, and with the roads themselves being technical and not so fast, it’s a challenge.

“As for the event itself, the Brisbane Sporting Car Club do a fantastic job, but the town has proved to be

Get more information on the event at rally.com.au/queensland

Photos: CH Images

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