Motorsport Australia Speed Read - May 2020

SPEED READ M A Y

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CELEBRATING OUR LOYAL VOLUNTEERS KEEPING BUSY IN ISOLATION

TERRITORY GETS GREEN LIGHT

Keep busy, with some unique motorsport themed activities for kids (and adults) while we're staying home.

The Northern Territory will become the first state or territory in Australia to see the return of motorsport

M O T O R S P O R T . O R G . A U

Later this month, Motorsport Australia, along with the rest of the nation, will celebrate National Volunteer week – a week where we pay tribute to the volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to sport.

Q&A WITH WOLLONGONG SPORTING CAR CLUB Speed Read caught up with the WSCC discuss the club's achievements and their future ambitions.

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CONTENTS 4

Motorsport Australia licence update

6

COVIDSafe will help us get racing

8

Keeping busy in isolation

12

Territory gets green light

13

Standing up to COVID

14

A time to celebrate our loyal volunteers

18

ARC launches new web series

20

Esports powers on

22 Q&A with Wollongong Sporting Car Club 26

Flashback: May 2010

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Claim immediately with Australian Unity

32

Covid projects

34

Hunters double motorkhana fun

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COVER PHOTO Officials gathering on the Thursday of the 2020 Australian Grand Prix.

Our orange-clad volunteers are the lifeblood of motorsport and without them, racing wouldn’t be possible.

Photo: Revved Photography

275 Canterbury Road, Canterbury VIC 3126 PO Box 172, Canterbury LPO Vic 3126 Member Hotline 1800 883 959 (9am - 5pm AEST) Telephone 1300 883 959 or +61 3 9593 7777 Website motorsport.org.au E-mail info@motorsport.org.au

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MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA LICENCE UPDATE In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Motorsport Australia Board has approved changes to the expiration of certain licence types. These changes were the result of a month long consultation

by Motorsport Australia with members and other stakeholders.

Motorsport Australia President Andrew Papadopoulos said with State and Federal Government restrictions still in place across the country, there was a need to ensure licence holders were supported.

“We are certainly very keen for motorsport to return, but we are currently in somewhat of a holding pattern as we wait for things to improve,” Papadopoulos said.

possible, making the annual renewal of a licence as simple as possible for members and reducing any delays.”

All licence holders will also be given the opportunity to utilise a buy one, get one free Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships General Admission ticket for the round of their choice in 2020 or 2021.

Speed licence holders will also receive a $25 Motorsport Australia estore voucher valid for 12 months if they renew prior to 30 June 2020.

Papadopoulos added that “we looked at a number of options and determined that allowing members to delay their renewal and then obtain an extension was the fairest outcome”.

The changes approved by the Board are as follows:

The changes to expiry dates came into effect on 1 May, 2020.

• All Junior and Speed licences to be subject to a price freeze until 31 December, 2021;

Further notes: For speed or non-speed licence holders whose licence will expire or lapse, your fixed expiry date will be reset to your new renewal date - enjoying a fresh 12 month period of use. For example, if your Speed licence expired in April 2020 and you choose to renew in November 2020 - your new expiry date will be November 2021.

• All National and Clubman licence holders whose licence has

“As such, over recent weeks, our administration has been working out the best solution for our licence holders, in consultation with State Councils and clubs, and have determined that those with national and clubman licences will automatically have their licences extended as outlined.

“We have also committed to a price freeze on all speed and junior licences.

“The changes to the expiration dates also allow us to move National and Clubman licences on to a more regular renewal cycle, meaning that renewals can be processed every quarter, instead of every month as is the case now. This will ensure our membership team can perform as efficiently as

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Photo: Wishart Media

MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ

• expired in the period from 1 January to 31 March 2020, and have yet to renew, will be extended to 30 June, 2020 • an upcoming expiry in April, May or June 2020 will have their expiry date extended to 30 September, 2020

Junior National and Junior Clubman licences are included in their respective licence extensions.

• an upcoming expiry in July, August and September 2020 will have their expiry dates extended to 31 December, 2020 • an upcoming expiry in October, November and December 2020 will have their expiry dates extended to 31 March, 2021 • an upcoming expiry in January, February and March 2021 will have their expiry dates extended to 30 June, 2021

Anyone with queries can contact the Motorsport Australia hotline via phone on 1300 883 959 or via email: memberservices@ motorsport.org.au

National and Clubman Licences CURRENT EXPIRY

NEW EXPIRY

1 January - 31 March 2020 (Currently expired)

30 June 2020

1 April - 30 June 2020

30 September 2020

1 July - 30 September 2020

31 December 2020

1 October - 31 December 2020

31 March 2021

1 January - 31 March 2021

30 June 2021

All Expiry Dates

Buy one get one free ticket to one 2020 or 2021 round of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships

Junior and Speed Licences LICENCE

NEW CONDITION

All Junior and Speed Licences

Price freeze until 31 December 2021

All Junior and Speed Licences

Buy one get one free ticket to one 2020 or 2021 round of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships

Speed Licence Renew before 30 June 2020

$25 voucher for use in the Motorsport Australia estore (valid for 12 months)

MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 5

COVIDSAFE WILL HELP US GET RACING Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca has encouraged members of the motorsport community to download the Federal Government’s COVIDSafe app.

The free app is now available on both Android and Apple devices and has been released to manage the risk of any further COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreaks as various governments consider a relaxation of current restrictions on Australians, including restrictions on motorsport activities.

The Federal Government says the app helps find close contacts of COVID-19 cases and assists state and territory health officials to quickly contact people who may have been exposed to COVID-19, with the app working via Bluetooth.

comfort and peace of mind for event participants knowing there is a large community uptake of the app.

“If a significant number of Australians download the app, it will be a powerful element to our submissions to all governments to get motorsport back on track, as they will know a majority of those attending an event are likely to have the app installed.

“We are working hard to ensure that when we can go racing again in 2020, we will do so with a best practise approach to COVID-19, which is likely to be around in some form for some time.”

Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca said all members should consider downloading the voluntary app, which could help the sport return sooner rather than later.

“I downloaded the app immediately as I can see the real benefits of such an app, particularly in the context of sporting bodies working towards a return to events,” Arocca said.

“When we are able to get our events back up and running again, this app can potentially provide some

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Click here to download COVIDSafe

“This app can potentially provide some comfort and peace of mind for event participants” - Eugene Arocca, Motorsport Australia CEO

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KEEPING BUSY IN ISOLATION With Australians spending more time at home and having seen everything on Netflix, including Drive to Survive, the search for family friendly activities might seem endless.

Puzzles and colouring in books have now become all the rage in Australian households.

Motorsport Australia is doing its best to provide some boredom busters, with our own versions of activities for the whole family to enjoy. sign by Track de lliott E s e Jam and son

There is often debate over which is the best circuit in the world, be it the Monaco Formula 1 street circuit, Bathurst’s Mount Panorama, or the Nßrburgring in Germany, but there are plenty of eager track designers keen to create their own perfect racetrack.

Pituresq ue track by Serene C han: Circuit D e Costa

Well, now they can.

Motorsport Australia has created a circuit template, which features all the essential parts needed to create the ultimate racetrack for home schooling, art classes or for the big kids at heart.

Just print and cut out the track pieces, use your imagination to design and create the track and send your masterpieces to communications@motorsport.org.au or post it to one of our social media channels.

Click here to download the Build Your Own Racetrack template.

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e hug The inette o t n A Prix nd Gra it u circ

However, everyone knows that to have functional racetrack, you need cars to run on it.

Well, we haven’t forgotten those more interested in the cars than the track.

Whether you’re a fan of gravel racing or a circuit enthusiast, there are multiple options to appease fans of all disciplines.

Fans can now: • design their own car liveries • build their own rally car to impress their mates • or, colour in an Off Road Trophy Truck Participants can download the tools they need via the templates below and send their creations to communications@motorsport.org.au.

Click here to download the Build Your Own Rally car template.

Click here to download the Off Road Colouring In.

Click here to download the Livery Design template.

MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 9

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE TO KEEP YOU OCCUPIED?

Don’t really fancy arts and crafts?

How about listening to some good old fashioned podcasts.

Popular motorsport media personality Greg Rust’s award winning podcast is the perfect working from home accompaniment, as Rust chats with some of the sport’s biggest and brightest names.

Each week, Rust releases a new episode of Rusty’s Garage with a motorsport great featuring on the episode to discuss all things motorsport, history and what keeps them busy off track.

Interviews with Motorsport Australia’s own Tim Schenken and Michael Masi are part of the back catalogue and make for some interesting listening.

10 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ

Click here to start listening.

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Photo: Tim Nicol Photography

TERRITORY GETS GREEN “We are LIGHT thrilled that The Northern Territory will become the first state or territory in Australia to see the return of motorsport, with the government specifically confirming motorsport can resume as of 15 May.

Motorsport Australia has been lobbying governments, both state and federal, to achieve this milestone, subject to strict health and safety guidelines that will ensure the safety of everyone involved in any events, including both competitors and officials.

That lobbying has paid off, with the Northern Territory including motorsport as one of a select number of sports given the green light to return later this month.

Motorsport Australia Director of Motorsport and Commercial Operations Michael Smith said a lot of work had gone on behind the scenes in the past month to ensure this return to racing would be possible.

“We’ve worked closely with Motorsports NT in this case and we are thrilled that motorsport can return as of 15 May in the Northern Territory,” Smith said.

“The return of motorsport to the Territory ahead of some other sports is a terrific show of faith in our plans and we are now looking to make sure that the rest of the country can see a return of events in the near future.

“Our CEO Eugene Arocca, along with many of our hard working staff members, remain in constant contact with governments across the country and hope to be able to see others replicate the Northern Territory’s position in the coming weeks.”

Motorsport Australia’s permits and membership teams stand ready to assist anyone in the Northern Territory planning an event, whether it is competitors needing to renew

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motorsport can return in the Northern Territory” their licence, or event organisers needing to secure a permit.

Motorsport Australia will provide those event organisers with specific information about how they can ensure participants remain safe and meet any restrictions set out by the Northern Territory Government, which will include the recommendation that participants are utilising the Federal Government’s COVIDSafe App.

STANDING UP TO COVID With Australia in lockdown and motorsport effectively grinding to a halt, there are a number of members of the motorsport community who are still working round the clock for the greater good of the community.

From doctors, paramedics and nurses working on the frontline in hospitals to those in pharmacies and medical research centres – every person in the health and medical field is working overtime to ensure Australia can deal with the fallout from the Coronavirus pandemic.

With the motorsport community made up of people with a wide range of skills and backgrounds, it’s no surprise that many familiar faces are part of that group of medical professionals fighting the good fight.

curve’. That effort has given all health care workers and hospitals time to prepare, train and resource for the influx of cases that will continue to rise.”

Motorsport’s first individual to be celebrated was Victorian nurse and Team Medical Australia’s Robyn Thomson.

The Monash Hospital nurse has been involved in motorsport for the past 16 years, bringing her 25 years of nursing experience to Victorian racetracks. As a result of the motorsport community stepping up its game in these tough times, Thomson commended the sport’s comradeship.

“I nearly cried when I saw what Erebus Motorsport was doing with the masks.

We have all these clever people in the industry and for them to use their talents and help in some way is fantastic. It shows the humility in our world.

“It is amazing to see the determination of motorsport medical personnel in their professional work,” May said.

“Being in motorsport has been a great outlet to use my skills as an emergency nurse. We are really well trained so it’s great to transfer those skills to race meetings.

“These are the same people that volunteer their time to keep motorsport safe on most weekends. They are at their usual jobs working hard and for many hours in the hopes of keeping us all well.

“We must also recognise the efforts of the general community for their efforts to reduce social contact and ‘flatten the

“Motorsport has been a great outlet to use my skills as an emergency nurse”

“It’s absolutely fantastic to see the motorsport community doing what they are doing right now,” Thomson added.

In April, motorsport.org.au began to tell the stories of a number of our own Motorsport Australia members who are fighting the pandemic battle, something Motorsport Australia Chief Medical Officer Dr Brent May, believed needed to be praised

“The effort in preparation and training and putting themselves at risk to face this disease head-on. Many of them are re-training to change their skills to put themselves into the path of this pandemic and help improve the outcomes for Australians.

Photo: Robyn Thomson

“I get a lot of satisfaction from volunteering with TMA and during this Coronavirus situation, it’s lovely to see the community really appreciating the front line workers now.”

Photo: Revved Photography

If you know of a healthcare professional from the motorsport community who has a story to share, email communications@ motorsport.org.au

MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 13

A TIME TO CELEBRATE OUR LOYAL VOLUNTEERS Later this month, Motorsport Australia, along with the rest of the nation, will celebrate National Volunteer week – a week where we pay tribute to the volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to sport.

Officials are the lifeblood of motorsport and without them, we couldn't go racing.

Ahead of the National Volunteer’s Week, which takes place on 18-24 May, Speed Read shines the spotlight on some of the many officials within the sport.

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MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ

MICHAEL ASHMORE Michael has spent the past 24 years volunteering for Targa Tasmania on the Woodbridge stage, while also spending time at Symmons Plains Raceway as a fire marshal. Over the years, he has volunteered on many stages at Targa Tasmania on top of his usual Woodbridge Stage.

“I just love doing Targa events and they’re special because they give small town locals a chance to see motorsport up close and from the comfort of their own homes. I really hope to continue volunteering at these events for many years to come.”

“It’s a great honour to be recognised for my impact on the sport” GRETA NASON Having been involved in motorsport since the 1980s, Nason has held a number of positions within the South Australian rally scene, including Clerk of Course and Event Secretary, but more recently she has made a name for herself as an Officials Coordinator. A role she has excelled at during a number of major rally events in the state.

“I have just done about every role available as a rally official, except for scrutineering, so it’s a great honour to be recognised for my impact on the sport over the past few years.”

MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 15

GAVIN THOMPSON For two and half decades, Gavin Thompson has been involved in motorsport within the Northern Territory as both a competitor and an official. Thompson currently serves the North Australian Motorsport Club (NAMC) as a Clerk of Course at local and state events, Thompson is often joined by his wife and two daughters who also volunteer at these events.

“You’re just as good as the people around you and if you don’t have the right team under you, you can’t do the job properly. We have a small team, but they are all dedicated, so I would like to thank all of NAMC on top of my family for their efforts at every meeting.”

“You’re just as good as the people around you.”

BRETT MIDDLETON President of North Shore Sporting Car Club and a key figure for Rally NSW and the Whiteline Twilight Rallysprint, Middleton has spent 40 years of his life dedicated to rally.

Middleton is the lifeblood of his club and is highly regarded for his work as an official and administrator.

“I get a lot of pleasure being the president of a fantastic club, being on the state rally panel, being the major sponsor for the state rally championship and still competing regularly. I just love the sport.”

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Photo: Roy Meuronen Photography

“The next day, his eightyear-old son found me and thanked me for saving his dad”

RODNEY MCDONALD Highly admired for his attitude towards the sport, Rodney McDonald has spent decades volunteering as a Motorsport Australia recovery official in Queensland. He is a passionate marshal; who often goes above and beyond his role, cleaning racing surfaces prior to each day’s activities and during the officials’ lunch break at each event.

“One particular memory I treasure was when a driver once had a pretty bad crash at a meeting and I went and helped him out. The next day, his eight-year-old son found me at the track and thanked me for saving his dad. His dad was never in any trouble, but it really got me. It was an honest remark from a child and honestly to this day, it’s the best compliment I have ever received.”

JACK HOLDING When Jack Holding first entered motorsport in the 1970s, he wanted to be a competitor, but he soon realised he would make a better official. Around 50 years later and he has definitely proved that, with the Event Secretary having volunteered in almost every role available, as well as picking up a number of awards over his time in the sport.

“I did a couple of events as a competitor at grassroots level but realised I wasn’t all that good at it, so I became an official. After almost 50 years, I have done it all. I started off doing flag waving and moved my way up as the years went by. I was at the first Superloop Adelaide 500 and was at Mallala when it took over the Touring Car Championship.”

MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 17

ARC LAUNCHES NEW WEB SERIES The RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) has launched a new web series focused at giving fans an insight into a number of notable Australian rally individuals from the present to yesteryear.

Hosted by Motorsport Australia’s Adrian Coppin, ARC Service Park will release a new episode each week via Motorsport Australia’s social media channels as Coppin asks all the tough questions about life on and off gravel.

The first two episodes of the series were launched in April with current ARC champions Harry Bates and John McCarthy as the first guests to appear, before former FIA World Rally Championship full-timer Chris Atkinson joined Coppin on the show.

The series will also feature exclusive one-on-one interviews with seven-time ARC champion Cody Crocker, four-time champion Simon Evans, 2017 champion Nathan Quinn, media personality Dean Herridge and many more.

Fans can tune in via Motorsport Australia or the ARC’s social platforms each week and hear these personalities talk about life in and out of the rally car.

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MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ

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EP. HARRY BATES AND JOHN MCCARTHY

“Naively I entered the ARC five years ago as a 20-yearold thinking I could get some good results and one day be the Australian champion.

“But the work involved in becoming that and the expectation you need to gather before you get to that point is huge.”

Click here to watch the video.

EP. CHRIS ATKINSON

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“What a young driver needs to do is go over to Europe and get some experience on tarmac before making the move to WRC. “They need to learn as much as they can in Europe before attempting to go full-time because it will make a real difference.”

Click here to watch the video.

ESPORTS POWERS ON

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Circuit Excel SA

Porsche Motorsport Australia

Porsche Motorsport Australia will launch a new eight round virtual series this month with drivers from the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge to do battle online.

Photo: Kristen Bailey

“It’s fantastic to see a lot of local clubs taking initiative to create virtual events” - Kristen Bailey

Each round format will include a 30-minute practice session, 20-minute qualifying and three 20-minute races with competitors to take on some of the most iconic international racetracks around the world in a variety of weather conditions.

The competition will have visits to domestic tracks in Phillip Island and Bathurst, European Formula 1 circuits in Barcelona, Monza, Spa, Le Mans and Silverstone, as well the iconic Daytona in the United States for a night race.

The competition gets underway on 5 May, with Phillip Island to host the series opener before a double round is run in Barcelona and Daytona later this month.

Porsche Motorsport Australia isn’t the only Australian category to jump into Esports, with a number of state and national categories joining the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship and Australian Racing Group in hosting an online series.

The Phillip Island Auto Racing Club, Circuit Excel SA and Modified Mini Club of SA have all begun their virtual events with intentions to keep their members active during the self-isolation period.

Motorsport Australia board member Kristen Bailey has also been getting in on the action, competing in the Modified Mini Club of SA’s series on a home-made simulator she shares with her husband.

“These are interesting times and it’s fantastic to see a lot of local clubs taking initiative to create virtual events so members can stay involved,” Bailey said.

“We’re very fortunate in motorsport to be able to stay competitive through sim racing and I have found having a go and testing my skills on a sim very enjoyable.

“It’s a great way for us to stay safe and continue self-isolating at home, while still getting an opportunity to keep doing some form of motorsport.”

Fans can get more information on each series via each club’s social media platforms.

PORSCHE CALENDAR • Round 1: Phillip Island, 4 May • Round 2: Barcelona, 18 May • Round 3: Daytona (Night Race), 18 May • Round 4: Monza, 1 June

• Round 5: Mount Panorama, 15 June • Round 6: Spa Francorchamps, 29 June • Round 7: Le Mans (Night Race), 29 June • Round 8: Silverstone, 13 July

Click here to view the dramatic final stages of the Circuit Excel Eseries third round at Phillip Island.

MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 21

Q&A Having almost 70 years’ experience in motorsport, the Wollongong Sporting Car Club (WSCC) has been working wonders in the New South Wales hill climb scene, with their members passionate about their club and the sport.

Speed Read caught up with WSCC Publicity Officer Wayne Penrose to discuss the club and its achievements over the course of its existence.

Speed Read: When and why was the club established?

Wayne Penrose: The WSCC was established in 1952. It was established due to the high number of motor racing enthusiasts in the local Wollongong area. Less than a year later, the Historic Huntley Hillclimb was established.

Photo: Grahame Logg

With Wollongong Sporting Car Club The majority of these members are highly active and we are proud to say we have a healthy number of women and juniors also involved with the club.

WP: As the WSCC focuses on family, developing juniors, club spirit and the general enjoyment of motorsport, our members seem to be satisfied with the club and everything it does.

SR: After almost 70 years, how is the club doing?

SR: So, is that something that would make the club unique?

WP: The WSCC currently has a member base of more than 100 people.

WP: Absolutely, and it shows all of our members have close relationships with

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Photos: Wayne Penrose

“The WSCC focuses on family, developing juniors, club spirit and the general enjoyment of motorsport.”

one another. Our members also have a large sense of support for all junior drivers and women drivers, which is fantastic. Last year we had around 19 women competing at one of our hill climbs, which was brilliant to see.

SR: What has been a major highlight for the club over the past 12 months?

WP: The major highlight for the WSCC in 2019 was the massive upgrades at the Historic Huntley Hillclimb. The track has evolved with the assistance of many of the WSCC club members and the local Wollongong City Council.

The WSCC also won the New South Wales Hill Climb Championship panel’s ‘Club Award’ for its consistent support and entry into every single round of the 2019 calendar.

During some rounds, we boasted almost 25 per cent of the total entries.

SR: Would it be right to say hill climbs are a big part of the club?

WP: Definitely, our biggest event each year is hosting one of the state hill climb rounds. At this round, some competitors and their crew attend,

MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 23

Photo: Grahame Logg

not just from New South Wales, but from interstate too. We get a lot of positive feedback from these competitors about the very steep and demanding course.

SR: What does it mean for the WSCC to be affiliated with Motorsport Australia?

WP: It is very important for WSCC in affiliation with Motorsport Australia as it ensures a professional standard is maintained on the grassroots level of hill climb racing at the Historic Huntley Hillclimb.

This means that cars are maintained to a high standard, drivers are licenced and supported and the host club presents to all competitors a venue that is of a high standard to ensure the safety of all whom use it.

SR: Is there anything else you would like to add or highlight about the club?

WP: WSCC is committed to ensuring a safe and fun family atmosphere, while incorporating the passion of motorsport. Once a year, WSCC holds a multi-club hill climb event for women and junior drivers only.

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“Affiliation with Motorsport Australia ensures a professional standard is maintained on the grassroots level of racing.�

It’s probably a good time to also add how many Australian hill climb champions in both openwheel race cars and tin tops come from WSCC. We seem to be a breeding ground for strong talent.

We also have a range of members who have won the prestigious Burson Future Star, Coral Taylor, Judith Rae/Administrator of the Year and Top Tintop awards over the course of its existence, which emphasises the talent we have here.

Want to get the spotlight on your club? Contact communications@ motorsport.org.au to find out how you can get your local car club profiled on motorsport.org.au.

Photos: Grahame Logg

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MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 25

MAY 2010 FLASHBACK:

It has been just over seven years since Mark Webber retired from a spectacular career in Formula 1, where he enjoyed plenty of success and race wins.

However, arguably his best month in the sport’s highest level came in May exactly 10 years ago, when he was racing with Red Bull and was coming off his best season in the Championship after securing fourth place in 2009.

Speed Read looks back at the month of May in 2010 and discovers how it kickstarted one of Webber’s best seasons in the sport where he came agonisingly close to the ultimate glory.

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MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images

THE LEAD UP Heading into May 2010, Webber had a slow start to the season with his best result out of the four races held prior being second place at the Malaysian Grand Prix at the start of April.

Two eighth places in Bahrain and China and ninth in Australia saw Webber fall behind the leaders, as fellow title contenders Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) and reigning champion Jenson Button (McLaren) all got race victories in the opening two months.

WHAT MADE MAY 2010 SO GREAT? It was the year Red Bull believed they could win the title and May was the month that Webber gained belief he could lead the team’s charge. With his back against the wall after a tough opening, Webber produced two consecutive race wins, including one at the iconic Monaco Grand Prix, for the first and only time of his career, before ending the month with a third place in Turkey.

THE SPANISH GRAND PRIX It was a brilliant performance from the Australian as he posted the fastest time in all three qualifying sessions to start on pole. Despite some pressure from Lewis Hamilton and Vettel before the first turn of the race, Webber eventually pulled away from the field to pull off a near-perfect drive.

Eventually he crossed the line 24 seconds ahead of Alonso to become the 10th person in history to win the Spanish race from lights out to the chequered flag, while his teammate, Vettel, rounded out the podium.

Photos: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images

MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 27

THE MONACO GRAND PRIX Just like he did in Barcelona, Webber qualified on pole after a masterclass on the Saturday and once again had a fantastic start to one of the world’s most iconic races.

While he still won the race, it wasn’t without a few scares with Webber surviving a number of safety car deployments to hold off any challengers, including the final safety car period which took up all but a few seconds of the last few laps.

Webber’s win made him the first Australian since Sir Jack Brabham in 1959 to take the top step in Monte Carlo. The win also saw him end the weekend sharing first place on the Drivers’ Standings with Vettel.

THE TURKISH GRAND PRIX For the third consecutive week, Webber continued his dream run and claimed qualifying honours to start on pole for the Istanbul-based race.

On lap 40 and with Vettel in second place behind Webber, the two unfortunately made contact when Vettel went for a pass after Red Bull advised both cars to continue pushing.

The German ended up worse off than his Australian teammate and was forced to retire, while Webber sustained damage to his front wing endplate and ended up falling back to third.

Despite being unable to get his third consecutive win, Webber still managed to secure a good haul of points and come the end of May, he had a healthy five-point lead in the standings over Button.

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Photos: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? The following weeks would see Webber drop down the standings, but eventually work his way back up after winning at Silverstone and in Hungary.

Webber would hold onto the Championship lead until a dramatic Korean Grand Prix, where he collided with Nico Rosberg and retired from the race, before a runner-up in Brazil left the Aussie with everything to play for in Abu Dhabi. Webber finished the season finale in eighth – leaving him third on the overall standings despite having the chance to secure the title, while Vettel crossed the line first to ultimately claim Championship honours in one of the most exciting seasons in recent years.

Photos: Red Bull Content Pool / Getty Images

MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 29

Photo: Chantel Collins

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COVID PROJECTS

There aren’t too many benefits attached to the current COVID-19 pandemic with the 2020 motorsport season coming to a halt, however there is one bonus in having to stay home.

This time has allowed people to work on their cars or tackle restoration projects that would have been on the backburner for an extended amount of time.

Speed Read and Motorsport Australia are looking for car enthusiasts and members who have been using this time to build or develop a car for when racing does eventually return.

One club who has focused at highlighting their members’ restorations projects is the Historic Racing Car Club in Queensland (HRCCQ), with the club paying tribute to the beasts of the yesteryear, restoring them to their former glory.

With the club also creating a new Facebook page which allows members to show their projects, HRCCQ spokesman Mark Stockwell believed it was important to keep people motivated.

“I feel it’s important because it keeps our enthusiasm up as not competing could make people feel a little flat,” Stockwell said.

“However, the positive outlook of all this is when we are racing all the time, you get very little chance restoring a car. So it’s an opportunity to get some of these cars ready now, rather than be a two-three year project.

“We have been getting a really good response from people with the Facebook group almost at 1300 members. They are using the platform to show off their restorations of cars that used to race between the 1960s and 1980s.

“It’s amazing how many people have come out of the woodwork to show what they’re building or restoring. There is an amazing number of cars being restored at the moment and we can’t wait to see them re-living their glory days.”

Click here to view the club’s Historic Sports Sedans Australia Facebook page.

Anyone working on a new project or restoration can share it by emailing communications@motorsport.org.au

32 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ

Colin Crumlin

Jeff Nielsen

Lee Evans

Christopher Fung

Mark Stockwell

MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 33

HUNTERS DOUBLE MOTORKHANA FUN Everyone remembers when they got their first taste of motorsport.

Be it in karting, club level events or in recent times through Motorsport Australia’s own popular development program Ricciardo’s Racers, there are plenty of avenues for young passionate drivers to begin their racing journey.

For 14-year-old Victorian twins Emma and Paige Hunter, taking part in the MG

Car Club Victoria’s motorkhanas has been nothing but a dream come true, as the sisters have been eager to compete since they were just 12-years-old.

During the club’s most recent event at METEC in Bayswater, motorsport.org. au caught up with the duo to discuss their past, their future and the healthy rivalry that exists between the sisters.

Click here to watch the video.

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MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ

CONTACT US The Motorsport Australia member hotline is open from 9am to 5pm AEST So for all your motorsport needs call the Motorsport Australia Hotline or visit the website at motorsport.org.au Email memberservices@motorsport.org.au

l Hit up Motorsport Australia on social media for photos from events, news, videos and other great motorsport content.

SEND US YOUR STORIES! If you have a motorsport story which you think should be told, get in touch with us and it could appear in Speed Read.

If you have pictures or videos of motorsport you would like to share with us, we encourage you to do so. They could appear on our website, social media platforms or in Speed Read.

Please email communications@motorsport.org.au We look forward to hearing from you!

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