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EDITORIAL By Richard Craill I HAVE RECENTLY been thinking about which supercar I would buy when inevitability finally occurs and, at some point in the (hopefully near) future, I become incredibly wealthy and suave and gain the looks required to pull off a tailored Italian suit properly. The recent Geneva Motor show helped me make my choice: the first car I would buy comes from Sweden and is called the Koenigsegg Regera. The Regera (it’s Swedish for ‘to reign’ – as a king) is the latest offering from the completely mad brain of company boss Christian von Koenegsegg, who has the bald-headed looks and suitably evilsounding name to fill the role as Daniel Craig’s rival in the next Bond movie. But you have to take this guy seriously. The statistics that go with this car are astonishing. Your $1.85 Million buys you a car that produces 1100bhp and 1280Nm of torque from a twin turbocharged, five-litre V8 of the companies own design. This is then coupled to a battery pack and electric motors which add more surge to give the car the equivalent of more than 1500 (yes, that is one thousand, five hundred) horsepower and 2000Nm of torque. The best thing is the way that Koenegsegg goes about things. Dissatisfied with the performance and efficiency losses through a standard gearbox, this company – a tiny firm based at an old WW2 air base – developed their own direct-drive system that sends drive to the rear wheels without needing a multi-ratio gearbox unit. It’s all very complicated and incredibly brilliant but suffice to say the company says it offers remarkable gains in efficiency and response over a standard transmission. And then there is the performance: 0-100kph comes in 2.9 seconds which is no quicker than a Nissan GT-R – Koenigsegg says it is simply impossible to get any more traction from a rear-wheel-drive car than they already do – but it’s beyond that where
this car comes into its own and the numbers become pure fantasy. This is a car that will go from 150kph to 250kph in 3.2 seconds. 3.2! It goes from standstill to 400kph in less than 20! What must that feel like? In every single performance statistic, it makes a Bugatti Veyron look utterly limpid. But the best thing is that these guys are doing all of this themselves. A tiny company based in the wilds of Scandinavia are creating and innovating in Supercar designs that take on and beat the offerings from billion dollar corporations like Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini. I love that this is a company that churns out perhaps ten cars a year and yet has the balls to go off and decide that there is a better way of driving than using a standardtransmission, or continue to develop their own air-actuated valve system, or make their own Carbon fibre wheels... How is it that Koenigsegg can do it and Ferrari don’t? I love the innovation involved in their cars and I love that we are in an industry that this kind of thing can exist. Away from the cookie-cutter world of beige Toyota Corolla’s, innovation and a drive to make things better and more impressive than they already are continues to thrive in motoring. And so too in motorsport – at least to a certain extent. Through the proliferation of one-make racing, controlled regulations and tightening parity there still exists categories like Sports Sedans, where people can put a 800hp engine into a bit of tube steel, put a carbon fibre body on it and go racing in a car of their own design and creation. Like the Regera does with the automotive world, it’s their own stamp on an industry that still strives to push the boundaries of what is possible and make things better and faster than they already are. It’s that little slice of individuality, a desire to do things our way which makes us human and unique as a species. Long may it be so.
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Speed Shots
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The Rant
10 Feature 2014 RACER OF THE YEAR 12 Feature EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT 2015 & MORE... 21 Round 1 - Categories & Entries 30 Television Coverage Lap Records
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Australian Motor Racing Pty Ltd
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Richard Craill
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Richard Craill, Amanda Jackson & Garry O’Brien
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NATIONALS FLASHBACK Oran Park, 2008
WE MISS Oran Park. We miss it a lot. A proper driver’s track, the OP was claimed five years ago to Sydney’s urban sprawl but will forever remain a favourite of those who got to do battle there. This shot by Dirk Klynsmith from 2008 shows the traditional flat-out rush through the turn one kink into the tighter, challenging turn two that had more than one victim claimed throughout the years. Leanne Tander loved the place, too, and is seen here leading a strong F3 grid in the opening race of the weekend.
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NATIONALS FLASHBACK Mallala, 2008
MORE THAN 100 races ago now, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge started in humble beginnings at a sometimes damp Mallala Raceway North of Adelaide. Local Graeme Cook won the first ever GT3CC round in his 996 RS, a flame-spitting example that had people hooked the first time they saw it. Amongst the 13-car field and piercing through the gloom and spray behind Cooky’s Porsche, was Sven Burchartz who would go on to be the inaugural champion. This year, more than 20 cars and a host of talent, young and not-quite-so, will tackle what is now Porsche’s own Development series for Carrera Cup. From humble beginnings...
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THE RANT In The Racing Magazine’s new column, our (second) anonymous scribe ponders the logic of designing aesthetically disturbing racing cars. What is it about people not wanting to go ‘on record’ in this magazine? WHEN HARRISON FORD crashed his plane into a golf course a few weeks ago, presumably in an effort to ‘clean up his back nine’ like his golf coach had suggested, the first thing that occurred was an internet meme. There, in all its low-res glory on Facebook, was a picture of a smoking Millennium Falcon from Star Wars half-buried between the 18th and the clubhouse bar. Once we all knew old Han Solo was OK, this was immensely funny. I even laughed out loud and that, as others will attest, is difficult in this day and age of ISIS and Taxes and Tony Abbot. OK, perhaps not the latter. He is – rather worryingly – hilarious. Anyway, the point of reminding old Harry that he was, in fact, flying an old monoplane and not racing down the Kessel run at two parsecs (whatever that means) is that the internet memes that followed were a sensational opportunity to look at the X-Wing fighter. Of course, it wasn’t an X-wing that crashed but the inevitable three hours of Googling that followed the meme in question also (inevitably) brought up pictures of the gorgeous fighter that Luke used to kill the baddies, and pick up the woman who would (also, also inevitably) turn out to be his sister. Ew. But wasn’t it a horn looking thing, the old Exy? Tough, purposeful. Aggressive. You knew exactly
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what its intent was from the moment you saw it: It was designed to punch ‘ol Vader in the face.
argument that will in no doubt leave your neck sore with all the nodding in agreement...
What it was, was a Brabham BT54 Formula 1 car.
Like the X-Wing fighter, the BT54 looked as good as it (mostly) performed. Sure, sometimes Red Leader would get shot down in the same way that sometimes the Brabham’s turbo would explode in a colossal fireball, but who cares? It looked good. Went great. Ticked all the boxes. And though Red Leader exploded to death on the surface of the death star, we didn’t blame the plane for it. We still loved it.
The editor tells me we have no budget for photos here, so you’ll have to google it, but you’ll agree the similarities are striking. Bold and aggressive, it carries that stance like it’s about to walk down the street and punch a glass plate window, just for fun, before making out with the blonde supermodel attached to his side. Of course, Gordon Murray’s 1985 creation packed literal punch, as well as that of a metaphorical, punch-the-window, nature. Behind Nelson Piquet sat more than 1000hp of turbo four cylinder goodness, proving once again that it’s not the size that counts, but the amount of suction (or, in this case, turbo boost) you apply. And stop giggling at that last line. But even thirty years later, this car still sends that fizzing feeling through the base of my spine and highlights everything wrong with open wheel racing at the top level at the moment. Although Piquet spent a lot of time crashing into Keke Rosberg, or blowing up, that year it remains one of my all-time favourite cars: It had the brawn to match the brains and most importantly of all it looked the part. And so we get to the crux of the matter... the part where I inventively feed you a witty closing
A lot of today’s racing cars don’t do the same thing. Formula 1 cars – though better this year – look soft and sound softer. The new IndyCar bodykits are the answer to a question no one asked (i.e. what would happen if we filled a car with tiny winglets) and although the current V8’s do look good, I still think the Group A cars of the early 1990s looked tougher. (Wings, kids, are not the solution). So, the moral of the story is this. To make racing cars appeal to the masses, they need to have 1000hp, look like an X-Wing fighter, and give the impression they like punching things. Basically, they should all look like a Brabham BT54. Makes sense? The Pitlane Whiteboard is on leave due to a state of confusion brought on by not knowing which network he is on.
JUSTIN RUGGIER 2014 Shannons Nationals
RACER of the year LET’S START WITH a statistic. The top three drivers in the 2014 Shannons Nationals RACER of the year voting were split by less than 10 votes at the end of a rigorous three weeks of judging and voting by our industry panel and the wider motorsport community. After more than 3,800 votes were cast by fans, scaled and ranked in the same way our judges voted, 10 votes was the difference between three exceptional drivers. Either could have, should have or would have won in slightly different circumstances or if the judging panel altered their votes by the smallest margin. Justin Ruggier’s comfortable fan vote victory assisted his cause however it did not decide the result – despite him getting more than 25% of all fan votes lodged. That’s a lot. So, we have ascertained that either of the top three were deserving winners. So let’s take a closer look at the man who did, ultimately, triumph; Justin Ruggier. It starts the week prior to the Mallala Shannons Nationals round. OH, GREAT. Another driver with a difficult surname. 10 | THE RACING MAGAZINE
This was the first thought when Justin Ruggier was announced as Eggleston Motorsports’ driver for the 2014 Kumho Tyre Australian V8 Touring Car Series, the third tier of V8 racing in Australia. You see, difficult surnames are the bane of racing commentators. Pronounce them wrong and you tend to get the wrath of friends, family and teams who are horrified that you could possibly have the gall to get it wrong. But a difficult surname was the toughest thing about meeting Ruggier (it’s pronounced ‘Rooshiieer’) who would not only turn out to be a cracking racing car driver, but a cracking bloke as well. From the first meeting and a wide grin you instantly got the impression that this was a person who was every second of the day quite literally living a dream. He qualified on the second row at Mallala and went on to finish second in what was, for all intents and purposes, his first proper crack at national-level racing. No amount of experience in Aussie cars, karting or testing is really any equivalent to actually racing a heavy, powerful and under-tyred V8 for the first time.
A few things quickly became apparent about Ruggier this season. One was his positive attitude that was immediately reflected in the way he drove the car. There was no hesitation, no complacency and no indecision – at least from the outside. But there was also a level of control in his early performances. The mantra ‘just go out and learn, lean and learn’ imputed into his head from team boss and former racer Ben Eggleston was front and centre. He drove within himself and knew that a trip into the gravel trap would be one less lap he’d get to complete this year. Factor two was his inherent competitiveness. Despite the controlled and learning performances we mentioned earlier, you could also see that this guy was a proper racer – a guy that wanted it every bit as much as those around him. He was determined, committed and dogged in getting up to speed and challenging the establishment – in this case, the supremely competent Ryan Simpson – as quickly as he could. So, these two factors worked together to mould a raw rookie into championship contender quicker than perhaps anyone expected. It is this that we suggest contributed to him edging the likes of Hodge and Ricciardello out for the ROTY title. Certainly, the environment helped. Eggleston Motorsport are as close to a main-game team that you can get in the Development Series, let alone Kumho V8’s, and offered a professional but relaxed learning environment. When Ruggier wasn’t racing his own car, he was in the paddock at V8 Supercars events shadowing the teams regular drivers like Bathurst champion Paul Dumbrell. Soaking it in. Learning. Developing. It remained a fascinating experience to watch him develop as a driver throughout the year. Every round he would add a new skill to his arsenal that resulted in him being in a position to contend for the championship at the final round and, ultimately, win it. The key test, of course, will be to see if he has what it takes to move his career forward – where the pace and intensity will be another level again. In the meantime, Justin Ruggier is the 2014 Shannons Nationals RACER of the year – and deservedly so.
10. ROGER I’ANSON
AUSTRALIAN SPORTS RACER SERIES
IMPRESSIVE in his rookie season at a national level, engaged in, and only narrowly lost an epic title battle with Adam Proctor in the sports racers last year. Competitive, affable, yet fiercely competitive and as quick over one lap as he is many.
9. JASON LEONCINI
AUSTRALIAN SUPER SIX TOURING CARS
ALMOST completely unknown at the start of the year, ended it a regular frontrunner and the S6TC rookie of the year. Improved dramatically throughout the season and ended it a regular contender for race wins against the best the series had to offer.
8. JAMES GOLDING
AUSTRALIAN FORMULA FORD SERIES
AN ability to generate strong results out of races where he couldn’t win was identified by our judging panel as one reason as to how this young 17-year-old got far into the top-10. Competitively consistent and consistently competitive, Golding is a star of the future.
7. GAVIN ROSS
AUSTRALIAN SUPER SIX TOURING CARS
IT SAYS a lot for the competition in the Super Six Touring Cars that two drivers made the top-10 – the champ slotting into seventh place and in the right company. Relentlessly consistent and always in the mix, Ross and his green Holden were in the game from the first round to the last.
6. MATT CAMPBELL
PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE
IT is always a sign of a good driver when they punch above their weight in older machinery. It’s validation when they get in equal machinery to everyone else and make them look second-hand quickly: but that’s what Matt Campbell did in 2014. An astonishingly rapid young man.
5. FRASER ROSS
PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE
OFTEN the sign of a good champion is getting strong results when not in a position to win – and that’s the story of 2014 for Fraser Ross, though he did a lot of winning too. A beautifully constructed championship season resulted in the big prize for the quietly spoken Victorian and a top five spot in our poll, too.
4. RYAN SIMPSON
KUMHO V8 TOURING CARS
RYAN Simpson has dominated the Kumho V8’s for two season and yet still didn’t get a chance to take the big trophy home – but that didn’t stop the quiet Sydneysider from making everyone else look second rate on more than one occasion last year. He ranked 4th out of the 409 drivers last season because he is blindingly fast, hugely consistent and most of all, deserving of such praise.
3. TONY RICCIARDELLO
KERRICK SPORTS SEDAN SERIES
EIGHT is a remarkable number of champions. More than Whincup. More than Schumacher. More than Jimmie Johnson. And yet, that’s Tony Ricciardello’s score. Yet with Tony and his Alfa, it’s not the fact they win so much – it’s the fact they’re continually driven to improve and improve and improve each and every season. Resting on laurels? Not on the life of this fast West Aussie. Not even slightly.
2. SIMON HODGE
FORMULA 3 AUSTRALIAN DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP
YES HE probably had the best car and certainly one of the best teams in Gold Star history, but Simon Hodge still completed the job behind the wheel in Formula 3 last year. His one-lap pace was searing, his dogged determination to try and win every race impressive and once he worked out how to get off the line mid-season, one of his few weaknesses as a driver was removed from his rivals’ opportunity. A season so good that it took a truly remarkable story to beat him to the ROTY title, by just five solitary points.
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT 2015 AND MORE... WORDS: Richard Craill, Garry O’Brien and Amanda Jackson IMAGES: Nathan Wong
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Eight rounds are in the schedule for this year and each has a different story to tell. Sandown’s season opener is followed by a May visit to Phillip Island that brings endurance racing to the top of the priority list thanks to the AMChamp, Carrera Cup and Aussie GT provocation for going the distance and going for speed. And so, here we are, at the precipice of a brand new season. When the paint and stickers on the cars remains fresh and panels (and egos) remain undamaged. Where that all sits after nine months of fiercely competitive racing on the race tracks in Australia is anyone’s guess – but we know it will be a hell of a ride. Richard Craill Editor, The Racing Magazine.
R U O R O F , READ ON
E V I S S MSEAASON PREVIEW
2015
VARIETY may well be the spice of life, but when it comes to the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals, it’s also the meaning of it too. There are few any other motorsport events in this country – or any other, for that matter – where such a diverse array of professionally run, profile, competitive and top flight racing categories can be found on the same racing program. In the same hour as watching a classic 1974 Porsche 911 bellow past, a current-specification, modern and international Formula 3 car will seemingly defy the laws of physics as it slips through the air a few metres away. Then, the already turbulent air from all that aero will be torn asunder by an 800hp Sports Sedan that once looked a bit like an Audi A4. The fact there’s a bit of everything is what makes each round So. Damn. Cool. So what will 2015 bring, then? More of the same or radical change? In truth, it’s looking like a bit of both. A lot of categories have had fairly major shake-ups of their driving rosters, offering the potential for new names to stand up and be counted where champions once stood. Also, and somewhat surprisingly given the current perilous state of the economy, there seem to be plenty of new cars floating around, too – be it the stunning new Radical SR3 RS, new model Super Six Touring Cars or old V8’s reinvigorated for another year of racing. Proof again that where there is a will to go motor racing, people will generally find the way.
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E V I S S A MSEASON PREVIEW PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY PIRELLI SERIES OVERVIEW: A staple of the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals program, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia (presented by Pirelli) has evolved over its seven seasons to date to become Porsche’s equivalent of the V8 Supercars development series. Last year’s two champions, Fraser Ross (Class A) and Matt Campbell (Class B) are now in Carrera Cup, along with former series front runners like Richard Muscat and Michael Almond. Split into two classes, the GT3CC continues to utilise the 2011-specification 997 GT3 Cup Porsche in the outright class and the 2007-spec cars as the entry level Class B. In 2015 the series will again feature a mixture of young drivers looking to progress their careers to those just looking to enjoy driving one of the flat-six weapons at great tracks.
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again feature the Jim Richards’ Endurance Trophy series of one-hour endurance races and two sprints, whilst the remaining three rounds feature a trio of shorter sprint affairs mirroring Carrera Cup’s format.
KEY FACES: Kumho V8 series star Ryan Simpson makes the switch from Ford Falcon to Porsche 997 this year and brings Sonic Motor Racing – the team that won the inaugural GT3CC series with Sven Burchartz in 2008 – back with him in a combination that must enter amongst the outright favourites. Also joining the fray will be 16-year-old Aaron Seton (son of Glenn) who impressed so much in the AMChamps last year. Seton will race a 2007spec 997 owned and supported by Scott Taylor Motorsport in the first of what is suspected to be a multi-year development program in the Porsche ranks. Of those returning it’s a trio of John’s who should factor as championship contenders this year. John Goodacre, John Karytinos and Jon
McCorkindale all raced at the front of the field last year and are likely to be the three who offer the stoutest defence to the speedy newcomers this season.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The trio of one-hour races that make up the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy have quickly become the highlight of the GT3 Cup Challenge Series and are classified ‘must win’ races by competitors – offering up a different challenge to the usual sprint races. However, like their big brothers in Carrera Cup, the more numerous sprint races are always toughly contested. Also, keep an eye out for those punching above their weight in the generation-one 997s. They give away power and aero to the newer cars but, as Matt Campbell proved last year, if you can punch above your weight in those cars people will definitely take notice.
WEB: www.gt3cupchallenge.com.au SOCIAL: @ShannonsNats, facebook.com/theNationals
IROC CHALLENGE SERIES SERIES OVERVIEW: A cool new concept featuring cool old Porsche’s for 2015. Modelled on the inaugural International Race of Champions (IROC) series in 1974 that saw the best of Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR and Sports Car racing tee off against each other in identical Porsche 911 RSRs. The first series was won by Penske star Mark Donohue but also featured the likes of Bobby Unser, A.J. Foyt and Richard Petty.. not to mention Emmerson Fittipaldi and Kiwi legend, Denny Hulme. The 1974 Porsche RSs run 3.6 litre flat six engines, fat tyres and guards and the iconic ‘Whale Tail’ Porsche spoiler. Cars are controlled and identical for close competition and must run in ‘period’ colours including our favourite, ‘Aubergine’.
ROUNDS + FORMAT: Winton, Sydney Motorsport Park, Phillip Island, Wakefield Park. Short, sharp sprint races are the go here. The series will also ‘guest’ within Touring Car Masters rounds as a separate class.
KEY FACES: A majority of the key runners have emerged from historic Group S Sports Racing or, predominantly, the strong Porsche brigade running in the Touring Car Masters. Former GT3 Cup Challenge winner Sven Burchartz is likely to be a favourite, as will the experienced husband-and-wife dynamic duo of Greg Keene and Amanda Sparks, experienced racer Graeme Cook, TCM regular Rory O’Neill and Victorian newcomer Rohan Little are already locked in.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Look for growing grids across the opening few rounds, though 13 cars are either currently built or close to being finished. The racing is likely to be very competitive and exciting to watch – a great blend between proper, period historic racing and the more modern commercial and competitive sensibilities brought into the genre by Touring Car Maters over the years. Plus, the cars look awesome with their massive tyres, big spoilers and period colours, so it should be quite a sight.
WEB: www.irocseries.com.au SOCIAL: TBC
DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG AUSTRALIAN SUPER SIX TOURING CARS SERIES OVERVIEW:
KEY FACES:
The popular Ford verse Holden six cylinder series is one of the five core group members of the Australian National Motor Racing Championships when it started in 2006 and underwent a name change last year, becoming the Australian Super Six Touring Car Series. It started with Ford Falcon EAs and Holden Commodore VNs, and progressed to AUs and VTs respectively. This year will see Gen3 with Falcon BAs and Commodore VYs introduced. Unfortunately due to some parts delays, the new models will trickle in from Winton onwards. The Dial Before You Dig series has its stalwarts but has had seen several progress through to other classes, particularly V8 Touring Cars. With the closeness of competition and the tribal allegiances, Super Sixes has brought on some classic cut-and-thrust battles.
After winning the series twice, Simon Tabinor moved to V8 Touring Cars. But before season’s end he was back for the final two rounds. He cited the general comraderies, the competitiveness and the hinted that repair bills were becoming prohibitive. But as he found out the competition had stepped up. Fellow Holden drivers like Gavin Ross who won the title, his major adversary Travis Lindorff as well as rookies Ben Grice and Jason Leoncini had lifted the competition bar. Meanwhile Kane Baxter-Smith flew the Ford flag, mixing it with the best Holdens.
ROUNDS + FORMAT: Sandown, Winton (May), Sydney Motorsport Park (July), Queensland Raceway (August), Phillip Island (September) and Wakefield Park (November). Apart from the Winton, the race formats provide for three 20-minute races over two days. For the rural Victorian circuit, there will be a top ten shootout and two 30-minute races – with a compulsory pitstop. The round also carries double points as will the series finale.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Expect Super Sixes to go up a gear or three when the new models impact. Whilst the Holden is more or less a panel upgrade, it has to be a VY not an updated VT. The Fords will get an independent rear end and should put it on equal terms as far as power-down and wet weather handling. The big improvement will be the introduction of the Tremec gearbox – as is used the V8 Ute Series. For far too long, gearboxes have been the Achilles Heel of the category with several being replaced after any given session. These woes should now be a thing of the past.
WEB: www.super6touringcars.com.au SOCIAL: @ShannonsNats, facebook.com/ SaloonCar, twitter.com/aussalooncar
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FORMULA 3 AUSTRALIAN DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES OVERVIEW: THE race for Australia’s oldest motor racing award, the CAMS Gold Star, returns full-time to the Shannons Nationals this season as Australia’s fastest racing cars once again do battle with lap records and the young drivers who steer them with each other. An established pecking order will be shaken up this year with defending champion Simon Hodge moving on to Carrera Cup, runnerup Ben Gersekowski to endurance racing and several new faces joining the party. F3 remains Australia’s only truly international formulae, where the cars you can run here can be raced anywhere there is a Formula 3 category – and that relevance continues to be its strength.
ROUNDS + FORMAT: 7 – Sandown, Phillip Island 1, Winton, Sydney Motorsport Park, Queensland Raceway, Phillip Island 2, Wakefield Park. Three races per round, with the race one grid determined by the fast lap in qualifying, the race two grid a top four inversion of the first race’s finishing order, and the final race’s grid set by the second fastest lap in qualifying.
KEY FACES: Young Victorian Ricky Capo was a revelation last year and the addition of his brand-new (exSergio Perez) Dallara F311 makes him a title favourite. Young Queenslander Luke Spalding could impress in the Gilmour Racing F307 and so should Jon Collins in the team’s F311 raced by Gersekowski last year. Though his budget hadn’t been completely confirmed as we went to press, the former national class race winner has the runs on the board for a proper title tilt. A two-car team from Sydney outfit AGI Sport will also look the business.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The season finale’ at Wakefield Park will be something different, with more points (basically double) and more races (four) up for grabs at the Goulburn venue to decide the championship this October. Keep an eye on the lap record chart as well: the freeing-up of engine regulations somewhat should add slightly to performance this year following a season where they were decimated at almost every venue the series visited.
WEB: www.formula3.com.au SOCIAL: @formula3aus on Twitter,
facebook.com/formula3aus
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KUMHO TYRES V8 TOURING CARS SERIES OVERVIEW: V8 Touring Cars are former and now deregistered V8 Supercars and only Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores, from EB to BF and VP to VZ respectively, which have a registered history with AVESCO/VESA can compete. Effectively this is the third tier of the popular touring cars behind V8 Supercars and the Development Series. There are variations to the technical regulations to ease maintenance and running costs. The control ECU is programmed to reduce engine revs to a maximum 7000rpm and all cars must run on the Kumho 280/680R17 tyre. V8 Touring Cars also have a gearbox class where H represents vehicles fitted with the traditional H-pattern and S is where Ford BA/BFs and Holden VZs can use the later Sequential units – with a control Camshaft.
ROUNDS + FORMAT: Sandown, Winton (June), Queensland Raceway (August), Phillip Island (September) and Sydney Motorsport Park (November). Each round consists of one qualifying session, two 15-minute races, one on Saturday and one Sunday morning, before concluding with a longer 25-minute outing. The latter is gridded on an aggregate point accumulation from the first two races and is worth more series points. There will also be a Pro (professional car preparers) and Privateer (owner/drivers) class.
KEY FACES: Since the inception of the category in 2008 there has been a steady backbone of competitors such as Chris Smerdon, Tony Evangelou, John Vergotis and Chris Delfsma. There has also been a flow-through trickle of talent that have gone onto, or are going to, bigger and better things. More recent regulars include Steve Briffa and Matt Palmer who have been knocking on the door of gaining podium places. However there is no doubt the stars are the cars. Some appear in original livery, others don’t. The common denominator is their history that is relived over the weekend.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: As the likes of Justin Ruggier, Ryan Simpson and Shae Davies came, saw, conquered and moved on, Super Six rookie of the year Jason Leoncini, Formula Ford frontrunner Liam McAdam and Sports Sedan driver Jason Heck fill their void. Former series runner-up and renowned gun starter Jim Pollicina returns in a bid to go one better, while Michael Hector is also looking to re-join with a load of experience from the Development Series. Entry numbers will grow with one less round on a more realistic calendar and free final round entry for competing at the four preceding it.
WEB: www.v8touringcars.com.au SOCIAL: @ShannonsNats, facebook.com/
V8TouringCars, twitter.com/V8TouringCars
AUSTRALIAN FORMULA FORD SERIES SERIES OVERVIEW: AFTER a challenging time behind the scenes prior, the FFord series found new stability and growth in 2014 – but most of all offered breathtaking racing all season long. Consolidation is the key this year and a chance for new drivers to take their moment in the sun in a series that delivered us names like Craig Lowndes and Garth Tander. And Whincup. And Davison... and, and... The series continues to operate two classes: the outright Formula Ford category for the Duratecpowered cars and FF1600 for those with the venerable Kent powerplant. The series continues to offer a place on the Mazda Road to Indy, with the first-place driver in Formula Ford off to the states in 2016. First place in FF1600 will get a US FF2000 test thanks to Mike Borland’s spectrum outfit.
ROUNDS + FORMAT: 6 rounds this year, kicking off at Sandown and continuing through Phillip Island, Winton, Sydney Motorsport Park, Queensland Raceway and ending at Wakefield Park. 3 sprint races per round.
KEY FACES: New faces are the dominant story this season with the likes of 2014 Victorian champion Adrian Lazzaro joining the battle this season in his 011 Spectrum. Mitch Martin, Jake Spencer, Sonic’s Christian Morina and Nick Ellen have all proven their pace in the cars before. Caitlin Wood impressed in her debut national season last year and a second go should see her further up the
grid. In FF1600, Jimmy Bailey will face a mighty challenge in the form of Leanne Tander, who will undoubtedly be looking further up the grid than merely victory in the Kent class..
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Last year began at circuits where passing was (more) difficult and therefore the racing was clean but hard. This year it beings with two circuits known for being a slipstreaming paradise – the long straights of Sandown and Phillip Island will offer thrilling battles that will undoubtedly go down to the line. Getting through the first two
rounds with a good haul of points will be key to getting your tickets booked to the ‘states at the end of the season. All of last year’s top order have moved onwards this year; Jordan Lloyd has gone to the US, Tom Randle to Sports Sedans, TRS and F4, and James Golding into the Development Series – so it’s clear that the progression from FFord is as strong as ever. It just means there’s more to play for!
WEB: www.formulaford.org.au SOCIAL: facebook.com/formulaford
THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 17
Park (October) and Sydney Motorsport Park (November). Round two at Winton Motor Raceway will see the Kerrick Sports Sedans feature as one of the support categories for the V8 Supercars, while all four other events for 2015 will see the series compete on the Shannons Nationals docket. All events will feature qualifying ahead of three sprint-style races. Also up for grabs at the end of the year is the State of Origin trophy, introduced in 2014 following the inception of the concept that allows racers to enter two events (including at least one in their home state).
AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURERS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES OVERVIEW: The AMChamp Series, incorporating the Australian Manufacturers Championship, the Australian Production Car Championship and the Australian Endurance Championship, sees a wide-ranging list of vehicles sold in the domestic automotive market take to the track and battle it out for prestigious CAMS Australian Championship titles. The ‘three-pronged’ Championship Series awards the vehicle manufacturer, as well as the ultimately successful driver/s. Five separate classes makes for one of the most eclectic fields of competitors in Australian motorsport, guaranteeing interesting battles year-round.
ROUNDS + FORMAT: Sandown (Sandown 3 Hour Classic – March), Phillip Island (Great Southern 4 Hour – May), Queensland Raceway (2 x 200km including the Fight in the Night – August), Wakefield Park (2 x 200km – October) and Sydney Motorsport Park (Australian 4 Hour – November). The Sandown, Phillip Island and Sydney rounds will make-up the AMChamp Australian Endurance Championship, with the top points scorers both outright and for each class to be awarded the coveted CAMS AEC trophy, while the Queensland Raceway and Wakefield Park events will pit the competitors against each other in 200 kilometre sprints that are sure to bring plenty of drama, including the return of the popular Fight in the Night.
KEY FACES: The 2015 season is shaping up to be a mix of returning and new faces. Reigning Outright and Class A Champion Beric Lynton will be back in his BMW 1M, joined by fellow returning 2014 entrants Robert and Shane Marshall in the Melbourne Performance Centre Evo 10 and the Bob Pearson Evo – which this time will be piloted by not only Pearson and rising star Aaron Seton, but also racing veteran Rick Bates. In Class B the two Sherrin Rentals Racing BMWs of Michael, Iain and Grant Sherrin will return after missing out on the outright points lead by just two points in 2014. The GWS Racing BMW will also be back in Class B, though regular driver Peter O’Donnell is out due to double hip surgery. Jake Camilleri returns in his giant-killing Grand Prix Mazda supported Mazda 3, as will Mark Eddy and Francois Jouy in their distinctive black and yellow Renault Megane. 18 | THE RACING MAGAZINE
New cars this year include a Mazda RX8 for Ric Shaw and Michael Sloss and George Karadimas (Falcon FG-X XR6T) who will be joined by Geoff Russell, while joining the class will be Suzuki Swift champions Allan Jarvis and Gus Robbins, in their recently acquired Astra. Pedders Racing return in their popular Toyota 86.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The AMChamp Australian Endurance Championship class and outright honours are highly coveted within the field, so be ready for tense action right from the opening round of the 2015 season. The season now ends with the Aussie 4-hour in Sydney, while the Great Southern 4-hour classic at the Island is a ‘must win’ race. The twin-200km races at Queensland raceway are never dull, August’s ‘Fight in the Night’ bordering on epic every year.
WEB: www.amchamp.com.au SOCIAL: @AusManChamp on Twitter, facebook.com/amchamps
KERRICK SPORTS SEDAN SERIES SERIES OVERVIEW: The Kerrick Sports Sedan Series is one of the most exciting on the annual Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals calendar, pitting a range of ‘wild and winged’ modified sports sedans and Trans-am spec cars against each other. Part of The Nationals since its inception in 2006, the Kerrick Sports Sedans represent the fastest tin-tops in Australia and in some cases, the fastest outright cars on a number of national circuits. In 2015, the Series is shaping up to have its strongest field since it joined The Nationals, with 16 cars entered for round one and more entries expected to join in across the year.
ROUNDS + FORMAT: Sandown (March), Winton Motor Raceway (May), Queensland Raceway (August), Wakefield
KEY FACES: The 2015 season is shaping up to be a real barnstormer, with category stalwarts Tony Ricciardello (Alfa GTV) and Darren Hossack (Audi V8) set to face a number of challengers in 2015. Six-time champion Kerry Baily returns in his stunning Chev-powered Aston Martin DBR9 and will be targeting a seventh title. Young gun Tom Randle also returns for a full title tilt, driving the SAAB V8 owned by his father – a car that won the 2010 championship. 2014 Victorian champion Shane Woodman in his BMW M3 GTR powered by a Richard Childressbuilt NASCAR Chev engine debuts, while ’87 Bathurst winner Peter McLeod (Mazda RX7) and Andrew Brown in his self-built Chev Camaro Trans AM that will run a NASCAR Dodge powerplant are also on the list. Joining the party will be a pair of MARC Ford Focus’, with Mick Benton to field his car while Ryan McLeod will enter his car with a strong driver to handle the steering duties. As well as the list of new and returning faces, 2014 regulars Bruce Henley (Mazda RX8), Series runner-up Colin Smith and fellow Holden Monaro racer Michael Robinson, Steven Tamasi (Holden Calibra) and 2013 champion Bruce Banks (Mazda RX7) will all be back, as will state of origin entrants Peter Beninca (Alfa Romeo GTV) and Dean Camm.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Ricciardello-versus-Hossack is worth the price of admission alone, but the addition of Kerry Baily and Tom Randle, along with the always improving Steven Tamasi, could make this year’s Kerrick title fight the best yet. As always, reliability could play just as crucial a role in deciding the overall champion as raw speed (of which there will be plenty regardless).
WEB: www.sportssedans.com.au SOCIAL: @ShannonsNats, facebook.com/sportssedans
THE REST
SERIES OVERVIEW: Space dictates that we could only feature ‘fulltime’ nationals categories in detail here, but that’s only part of the story as a full slate of additional categories help make the program so juicy this year. The Radical Australia Cup return for a threeround campaign this season with their blend of four and eight-cylinder sports cars and competitive racing. The Australian Superkart Championship will again be sorted over two rounds at great circuits, while one-off rounds for Porsche Carrera Cup and the PRB Clubman series also add spice. Australian GT’s 101-lap epic at Phillip Island is also a massive highlight each year.
ROUNDS + FORMAT: RADICALS: A combination
AUSTRALIAN SPORTS RACER SERIES SERIES OVERVIEW: With spiritual links to the hugely popular sports car racing scene of the 70s and 80s, the Le Mans prototype style sports cars of the Australian Sports Racer Series weigh just 400kgs. These racers are powered by high-tech productionbased motorcycle engines which rev to 13,500 rpm and are capable of punching out lap times equal to those of the V8 Supercars at many circuits around Australia. In 2015 the Australian Sports Racer Series employs a new championship structure, with the introduction of divisional racing for the category – allowing more of the field to compete for race day honours whilst also still being in the running for the ‘outright’ SR1 Championship.
ROUNDS + FORMAT: Winton Motor Raceway (May), Winton Motor Raceway (June), Queensland Raceway (August), Phillip Island (September) and Sydney Motorsport Park (November). The opening round for the Australian Sports Racer Series will see the category feature as one of the support categories for the V8 Supercars, furthering its arrival on the national stage which began when it joined the Shannons Nationals in 2014. All events will feature qualifying ahead of three sprint-style races, with outright and divisional victory handed to the racers who score the most points across the three races. Points are also awarded to the top qualifying driver.
KEY FACES: Last year’s championship came down to a veteran v rookie last round battle which saw the title undecided until race day. Runner-up Roger I’Anson will be looking to make sure he hoists the big trophy over his end at the end of his second season in the category, so keep an eye on him for impressive results year-round following a breakout debut season in 2014. While the Sports Racer Series doesn’t kick off until May, a number of racers are already confirmed to line-up alongside I’Anson, including Mark Laucke, Jonathon Stoekell, Gerrit Ruff and Martin Short. Factory team West Race Cars Australia reportedly has plans to bring a number of new faces and cars to the series across the year including at least two F1000s at the first round and a further 8 new model Wests to rollout across the year.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Don’t take your eyes off I’Anson for too long – the South Australian is sure to be on fire following last year’s intense championship battle. Also keep watch on the new faces set to join the category across the year for surprise packets, both from the West pack and in the privateer entries, with the new divisional structure set to see more battles and more on the line for the entire field. The Australian Sports Racer Series also incorporates the Formula 1000 (F1000) on the grid from 2015, with West Race Cars confirming they will enter at least two in round one.
WEB: www.sportsracer.com.au SOCIAL: @ShannonsNats,
facebook.com/australiansportsracerseries
of sprint and mini-endurance races, with pit stops, will be the highlight of RAC rounds at Sandown, Phillip Island and Sydney Motorsport Park’s November finale.
PRB CLUBMAN: Sprint Races are the key here when they race at Sydney Motorsport Park in July. SUPERKARTS: Usually four races per round and massive grids at SMSP and Phillip Island (2). CARRERA CUP:
Porsche’s Pro Am Format of two, one-hour races will likely return to Phillip Island this May.
AUSTRALIAN GT: 101 laps of Phillip Island on a Saturday afternoon at one of the best tracks in the land. What else could you possibly, possibly want with life? KEY FACES: Far too many to list here but the Carrera Cup and Australian GT fields at Phillip Island regularly draw out some of the bigger names from the V8 paddock to play each May – and you only need to see how much Garth Tander (GT winner) and Scott McLaughlin (Carrera Cup) enjoyed it last year to see it’s worth the trip for them. The added star power these two categories bring makes Phillip Island a really special round.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Phillip Island 101 has the potential to be something of a classic for Aussie GT, while the Porsche ProAm was a bruiser last year and several cars (and possibly egos) were rattled in the process. The addition of a brand new Radical SR3 RS may close the gap between the four and eight-cylinder powered sports cars in the Radical Australia Cup, and the addition of ‘gun’ drivers like James Winslow, Nathan Antunes and Josh Hunt often properly spices up the RAC grid.
WEB: Check out links to every category’s website and social media pages via www.thenationals.com.au
THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 19
ROUND 1 SANDOWN RACEWAY, VIC
SHANNONS AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING NATIONALS ROUND 1, SANDOWN RACEWAY • 27 – 29 MARCH, 2015 PROMOTERS
The CAMS National Racing Championships Pty Ltd ABN 39122509184
AUTHORITY
This meeting is conducted under the International Sporting Code of the FIA, the National Competition Rules of the CAMS Limited, the Race Meeting Standing Regulations of CAMS, Sandown Standing Regulations and Supplementary Regulations issued for this meeting. CAMS Permit No. 815/2903/02
MOTOR RACING IS DANGEROUS
You are present at this meeting entirely at your own risk and it is a condition of admission that all persons having any connection with the promotion and organisation and/or conduct of the meeting, including owners of the vehicles and passengers in the vehicles, are absolved from all liability in respect of personal injury (whether fatal or otherwise) to you or damage to your property however caused.
OFFICIALS OF THE MEETING ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Brendan Stuart, Rob Curkpatrick, Wayne Giles, Colin Smith
OFFICIALS OF THE MEETING CLERK OF THE COURSE Colin Smith DEPUTY CLERK OF THE COURSE Matt Balcombe ASSISTANT CLERKS OF THE COURSE Daryl McHugh, Bryce Crawford, Gale Smith SECRETARY OF THE MEETING Wayne Giles DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE MEETING Renee Pickering EMERGENCY CONTROLLER Simon Maas COMPLIANCE CHECKER Danny Jonas CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER Dr Greg Harris CHIEF MARSHAL Roger Chirnside CHIEF FLAG MARSHAL Terry O’Callaghan CHIEF MARSHALLING AREA Robin Wood CHIEF PIT LANE MARSHAL Ivan Tarrant
CHIEF STARTER Jeff Benham CHIEF TIMEKEEPER Melissa Hatton SERIES STEWARD Bradley Tubb STEWARDS OF THE MEETING David Vernall, Ross Earl CHIEF SCRUTINEER Angus Black JUDGES OF FACT Start & Finish - Melissa Hatton, Colin Smith, Jeff Benham Pit Lane Speed - Melissa Hatton, Colin Smith Kerb Hopping - Mike Arnott, Suzanne Arnott, Paul Baxter, Jenny Cross, Graham D’Arcey, Ross Girvan, Tony Green, Lance Jenner, Gary McLean, Terry O’Callaghan, Owen Perham, Kevin Redman, Aden Zealley Noise - Angus Black PIT Entry - Jason Carroll Pit Exit - Graeme D’Arcey RACE DIRECTOR Australian Manufacturers Championship Paul Overell TECHNICAL COMMISSIONERS Australian Manufacturers Championship Peter Kemp
IMPORTANT NOTICES AND GENERAL INFORMATION DISCLAIMER EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY, RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK
MOTOR SPORT IS DANGEROUS In exchange for being able to attend or participate in the event, (and as a condition of the purchase or issue of a ticket), you agree: • to release Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Ltd (“CAMS”) and Australian Motor Sport Commission Ltd, promoters, sponsor organisations, land owners and lessees, organisers of the event, their respective servants, officials, representatives and agents (collectively, the “Associated Entities”) from all liability for your death, personal injury (including burns), psychological trauma, loss or damage (including property damage) (“harm”) howsoever arising from your participation in or attendance at the event, except to the extent prohibited by law; • that CAMS and the Associated Entities do not make any warranty implied or express, that the event services will be provided with due care and skill or that any materials provided in connection with the services will be fit for the purpose for which they are supplied; and • to attend or participate in the event at your own risk.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Bob Buck Formula Ford National Series Bob Hockley Aust V8 Touring Car Series (Scrutineer) John Mahncke Australian Super Six Touring Car Series Paul Grey Kerrick Sports Sedan Series Lawrie Griffin Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship Fred Severin TECHNICAL ADVISERS V8 Touring Car Series Frank Lowndes Australian Manufacturers Championship Frank Lowndes Radical Australia Cup Eden Simonini DRIVER STANDARDS ADVISER Aust Super 6 Touring Car Series Peter Dane
ENTRIES
The organizers accept competitor entries and driver nominations in good faith. Every effort is made to adhere to the printed program of competitors but the promoter cannot accept responsibility for the failure of any driver or competing
You acknowledge that: • the risks associated with attending or participating in the event include the risk that you may suffer harm as a result of: – motor vehicles (or parts of them) colliding with other motor vehicles, persons or property; – acts of violence and other harmful acts (whether intentional or inadvertent) committed by persons attending or participating in the event; and – the failure or unsuitability of facilities (including grand-stands, fences and guard rails) to ensure the safety of persons or property at the event. • motor sport is dangerous and that accidents causing harm can and do happen and may happen to you. You accept the conditions of, and acknowledge the risks arising from, attending o or participating in the event and being provided with the event services by CAMS and the Associated Entities.
PROHIBITED AREAS The organisers of the event have made every effort to ensure the safety of spectators at this meeting. In the interest of public safety, all areas other than the official
vehicle to appear. Although every endeavour is made to avoid inaccuracies in the description of competing vehicles, the organizers accept responsibility for any that may occur. The organizers reserve the right to postpone, abandon or cancel the meeting or any part thereof.
SERIES DIRECTOR & EVENT MANAGER Rob Curkpatrick
MEDIA MANAGER Richard Craill
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & THANKS Thank you to: All Officials Victorian Fire and Rescue Inc Victorian Flagmarshalling Team Recovery Team Suzuki Racesafe Medical Team All Competitors, Drivers and Teams Category Managers Melbourne Racing Club Shannons Insurance Hi-Tec Oils Brendan Stuart, Jo Panetta and Sandown Raceway Liam Curkpatrick & Andrew Johnstone
spectator areas are prohibited. The spectator areas are plainly defined and spectators are requested to keep behind the safety fence at all times. Do not walk on the circuit at any time, or move into prohibited areas. In the event of an accident on the circuit, the public must remain behind the safety fence as their entry to the race track may cause further accidents and hinder officials.
SAFETY The fencing erected around this circuit is there for your protection. It is forbidden to stand, sit or climb on it.
PARKING Vehicles are permitted to enter and park on condition that the promoters and circuit owners are not under any liability whether in contract or in tort and whether for negligence as an occupier, or on any other basis or for any cause for action, for loss or damage to the vehicle or its contents no matter how or whether such may be caused.
COPYRIGHT All material in this program is copyright and may not be used without permission of the publishers. The opinions of the contributors are not necessarily those held by the publishers or the event organisers.
THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 21
ROUND 1 SANDOWN RACEWAY, VIC
SCHEDULE THURSDAY 26TH MARCH 800
Gates Open
1300
Media Rides
DBYD Aust Super Six Touring Car Series
30 min
1330
Media Rides
Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series
30 min
1400
Media Rides
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
30 min
1430
Media Rides
Radical Australia Cup
30 min
1500
Media Rides
Australian Manuf. Championship
30 min
FRIDAY 27TH MARCH
22 | THE RACING MAGAZINE
700
Gates Open
905
Practice
DBYD Aust Super Six Touring Car Series
15 min
925
Practice
Australian Formula Ford Series
15 min
945
Practice
Australian Manuf. Championship
15 min
1005
Practice
Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
15 min
1025
Practice
Formula 3 Aust. Drivers Championship
20 min
1050
Practice
Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series
15 min
1110
Practice
Radical Australia Cup
15 min
1130
Practice
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
15 min
1150
Practice
DBYD Aust Super Six Touring Car Series
15 min
1210
Practice
Australian Formula Ford Series
20 min
1235
Practice
Australian Manuf. Championship
20 min
1300
Practice
Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
20 min
1325
Practice
Formula 3 Aust. Drivers Championship
20 min
1350
Practice
Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series
20 min
1415
Practice
Radical Australia Cup
15 min
1435
Practice
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
20 min
OFFICIAL
Shannons Nationals Round 1 2015
1500
Practice 1
Australian Formula Ford Series
20 min
1525
Practice 1
Australian Manuf. Championship
20 min
1550
Qualifying 1
Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
20 min
1615
Qualifying 1
Radical Australia Cup
15 min
1635
Practice 1
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
20 min
1700
Qualifying 1
DBYD Aust Super Six Touring Car Series
20 min
1725
Practice 1
Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series
20 min
ROUND 1 SANDOWN RACEWAY, VIC
SCHEDULE SATURDAY 28TH MARCH 700
Gates Open
910
Qualifying 1
Formula 3 Aust. Drivers Championship
20 min
935
Qualifying 1
Australian Manuf. Championship
20 min
1000
Qualifying 2
Radical Australia Cup
15 min
1020
Qualifying 2
DBYD Aust Super Six Touring Car Series
20 min
1045
Qualifying 2
Australian Manuf. Championship
20 min
1110
Qualifying 1
Australian Formula Ford Series
20 min
1135
Qualifying 1
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
20 min
1200
Qualifying 2
Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
20 min
1225
Qualifying 1
Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series
20 min
1250
Race 1
DBYD Aust Super Six Touring Car Series
10 laps
1315
Race 1
Radical Australia Cup
20 min
1340
Race 1
Australian Formula Ford Series
10 laps
1410
Race 1
Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
12 laps
1440
Race 1
Formula 3 Aust. Drivers Championship
12 laps
1505
Race 2
Radical Australia Cup
20 min
1530
Race 1
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
12 laps
1600
Race 1
Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series
12 laps
1620
Race 2
DBYD Aust Super Six Touring Car Series
10 laps
1645
Race 3
Radical Australia Cup
40 min
Podium: Radical Australia Cup
SUNDAY 29TH MARCH 700
Gates Open
910
Race 3
DBYD Aust Super Six Touring Car Series
10 laps
940
Race 2
Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series
12 laps
Podium: Aust Super Six Touring Car Series
1005
Race 2
Formula 3 Aust. Drivers Championship
12 laps
1030
Race 2
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
12 laps
1055
Race 2
Australian Formula Ford Series
10 laps
1125
Race 2
Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
12 laps
1150
Warm Up
Australian Manuf. Championship
10 min
1210
Race 3
Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series
18 laps
1245
Race 3
Formula 3 Aust. Drivers Championship
18 laps
Podium: Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series
1320
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
Race 3
Podium: Aust Formula 3 Drivers Championship
1345
Australian Formula Ford Series
Race 3
Podium: Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
1415
Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
Race 3
Podium: Aust Formula Ford Series
Podium: Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
1445
AMChamp Sandown 3 Hour Classic
Race 1
12 laps 10 laps 12 laps
3 Hours
Podium: Sandown 3 Hour Classic
THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 23
ROUND 1 SANDOWN RACEWAY, VIC
DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG AUSTRALIAN SUPER SIX TOURING CAR SERIES ON THE WEB: WWW.SUPER6TOURINGCARS.COM.AU
Car
SPONSOR
DRIVER
state
VEHICLE
1
Blackwell Race Engines
Gavin Ross
VIC
VT Comm
2
501 Performance
Tony Evangelou
VIC
AU Falcon
3
R & J Batteries
Jason Leonchini
VIC
VT Comm
6
GAG/Hinde Transport
Ben Grice
QLD
AU Falcon
9
Silkgate Group
Ian Chivas
NSW
AU Falcon
11
Performance West
Garry Hills
WA
VT Comm
12
Cachet Homes
Vince Ciallella
WA
VT Comm
14
selby.com
Simon Tabinor
VIC
VT Comm
16
Kleenduct Australia P/L
Harley Phelen
VIC
VT Comm
18
Truckphones.com.au
Brent Edwards
VIC
AU Falcon
21
Martin Engineering
Matt Martin
WA
VT Comm
22
V8 Drive Day
Steve Martin
WA
VT Comm
23
Lighthouse Electrical
Ashley Jarvis
QLD
AU Falcon
27
Transley Solutions
Luke Westall
NSW
AU Falcon
41
Dial Before You Dig
Mark Primmer
NSW
AU Falcon
42
Dial Before You Dig
Michael Bartch
SA
AU Falcon
51
Pakenham Tyres
Travis Lindorff
VIC
VT Comm
52
Luke Fraser Racing
Luke Fraser
SA
VT Comm
64
Cachet Homes
Chris Lillis
WA
VT Comm
81
Rick Gill Motorcycles
Rick Gill
WA
AU Falcon
95
Glen Postlethwaite
Glen Postlethwaite
VIC
VT Comm
For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au
24 | THE RACING MAGAZINE
ROUND 1 SANDOWN RACEWAY, VIC
AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURERS CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE WEB: WWW.AMCHAMP.COM.AU
Car
SPONSOR
DRIVER
state
VEHICLE
7
Poll Performance/Mocomm
Jim Pollicina
NSW
HSV GTS VF
co-driver Geoff Emery
VIC
Gus Robbins
VIC
16
co-driver Allan Jarvis 18
Sherrin Rentals
Grant Sherrin co-driver Iain Sherrin
19
Sherrin Rentals
Michael Sherrin co-driver David Ayres
22
23
Melbourne Performance Centre
GWS Personnel/Hunter Kitchen King
34
Castrol/Turbosmart/DBA
AAW Australian Auto Wreckers
Peter Foote
Bob Pearson
Ric Shaw Racing/Syntec
QLD
NSW
BMW 1M
BMW 335i
NSW NSW
co-driver Aaron Seton
QLD
Ric Shaw
Mitsub Evo 10
NSW
NSW
George Karadimas
BMW 135i
QLD
co-driver Rick Bates
co-driver Geoff Russell 35
QLD
VIC
Beric Lynton
BMW 135i
QLD
co-driver Robert Marshall
co-driver William Gauchi 30
QLD
VIC
co-driver Tim Leahey 28
NSW
Shane Marshall
Alphera Financial Services
Astra HSV VXR
VIC
Mitsubishi Evo 10
Ford Falcon XR6T
NSW NSW
Mazda RX8
Jake Camilleri
QLD
Mazda 3 MPS
co-driver Scott Nicholas
QLD
co-driver Michael Sloss 36
54
Grand Prix Mazda
Donut King
Tony Alford co-driver Peter Leemhuis
86
Pedders Racing
Grant Phillips co-driver Andrew Turpie
88
Network Clothing
Mark Eddy co-driver Francois Jouy
QLD
BMW 1M
QLD VIC
Toyota 86 GTS
VIC VIC
Renault Megane RS265
NSW
For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au
THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 25
ROUND 1 SANDOWN RACEWAY, VIC
AUSTRALIAN FORMULA FORD SERIES ON THE WEB: WWW.FORMULAFORD.ORG.AU
Car
SPONSOR
DRIVER
state
VEHICLE
2
Sonic/Bosch Car Service
Thomas Maxwell
VIC
Mygale SJ13
3
Sonic/BrookeEvansCharteredAccountants
Benjamin Reichstein
VIC
Mygale SJ15A-001
4
Sonic/CalistaPropertyGroup
Christian Morina
VIC
Mygale SJ12
5
Infiniti Red Bull Racing Eyewear
Damon Strongman
VIC
Mygale SJ11
6
E-Steel (Aust)
Paul Zsidy
VIC
Spectrum 012
11
Colin Hill Engineering/Inflighter
Cameron Hill
ACT
Mygale SJ10a
20
Synergy Motorsport
Caitlin Wood
NSW
Spectrum 014
21
Fagersta
James Crozier
VIC
Spectrum 014
24
ExpressPrint/CountryCars.com.au
Nick Ellen
VIC
Spectrum 012
26
Dream Motorsport
Luis Leeds
VIC
Mygale SJ13a
Mitch Martin
VIC
Spectrum 014
Jake Spencer
VIC
Mygale SJ2012
42
Leanne Tander
VIC
Stealth SK1
95
Adrian Lazzaro
VIC
Spectrum 011
38 39
SJ Display Group
96
JohnWhiteEng/BrownsEng/NorthsideFast
Jimmy Bailey
QLD
Spectrum 06B
99
Jimbaran Engineering/Synergy Motorsport
Ryan Pike
NSW
Spectrum 014
For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au
RADICAL AUSTRALIA CUP ON THE WEB: WWW.RADICALSPORTSCARS.COM
Car
SPONSOR
DRIVER
state
VEHICLE
1
Excalibur Racing
Neale Muston
NSW
Radical
3
Vantage Freight
David Crampton
NSW
Radical
6
Axiom Wealth/Radical Aust
Tony Haggarty
NSW
Radical
9
RAW Racing
Chris Medland
NSW
Radical
11
DESA AUSTRALIA
Rob Baird
VIC
Radical
24
Taylor Collison LTD
Michael Whiting
SA
Radical
31
First Focus
Peter Paddon
NSW
Radical
33
RAW Racing
Tim Berryman
NSW
Radical
34
The GT Factory / Rack Ramps
John Morriss
VIC
Radical
48
INTERLLOY
Justin McMillan
VIC
Radical
68
RAW Racing
Kim Burke
NSW
Radical
78
Radical Australia
Greg Smith
NSW
Radical
86
Radical Australia
Oliver Smith
NSW
Radical
Showergrate
Peter Corbett
For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au 26 | THE RACING MAGAZINE
Radical
ROUND 1 SANDOWN RACEWAY, VIC
KERRICK SPORTS SEDAN SERIES ON THE WEB: WWW.SPORTSSEDANS.COM.AU
Car
SPONSOR
DRIVER
state
VEHICLE
1
B&M Ricciardello Motors
Tony Ricciardello
WA
Alfa Romeo GTV
4
Auto Union Deutsche
Darren Hossack
VIC
Audi A4
9
Domain Prestige Homes
Steven Tamasi
VIC
Holden Calibra
11
Beninca Motors
Peter Beninca
VIC
Alfa Romeo GTV
16
Landells Signs
Shane Woodman
VIC
BMW M3
32
Bell Real Estate
Michael Robinson
VIC
Holden Monaro
43
Stawell Cartage
Bruce Henley
VIC
Mazda RX8
44
MR Automotive
Colin Smith
QLD
Holden Monaro
50
Slick 50
Peter McLeod
NSW
Mazda RX7
56
BJ Banks Electrical
Bruce Banks
TAS
Mazda RX7
58
Rent Depot
Kerry Baily
QLD
Aston Martin DBR9
60
Andrew Brown Motorsport
Andrew Brown
VIC
Camaro
66
Five Star Fencing & Gates
Dean Camm
VIC
Chev Corvette
91
MARC Cars Australia
TBA
QLD
MARC
92
Castrol
Michael Benton
NSW
MARC
93
Kerrick/CKAS
Thomas Randle
VIC
SAAB
For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au
FORMULA 3 AUSTRALIAN DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE WEB: WWW.FORMULA3.COM.AU
Car
SPONSOR
DRIVER
state
VEHICLE
6
R-Tek Motorsport
Dallara
8
R-Tek Motorsport
Dallara
9
R-Tek Motorsport
Andrew Roberts
QLD
Dallara
14
Trent Shirvington
Trent Shirvington
NSW
Mygale
17
McDonalds/Gilmour Racing
Jon Collins
23
Bestje/Gilmour Racing
Luke Spalding
QLD
Dallara
34
Ozstaff
Chelsea Angelo
VIC
Dallara
46
Harvest Motorsport
88
Alpine Motorsport
Dennie Rumble
NSW
Dallara
92
Team Capo
Ricky Capo
NSW
Dallara
Dallara
Mygale
For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au
THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 27
ROUND 1 SANDOWN RACEWAY, VIC
PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE ON THE WEB: WWW.GT3CUPCHALLENGE.COM.AU
Car
SPONSOR
DRIVER
state
VEHICLE
2
Fleetplus
Scott Taylor
QLD
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
3
Orrcon Steel / Taylor Engineering
Jono Taylor
VIC
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
4
Autobarn
Tim Miles
QLD
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
5
Wrightlands Property Group
David Ryan
NSW
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
8
Dexion/Phoenix Lubricats/Allstart Equipment
Dylan O'Keefe
VIC
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
13
HTFU
Sam Shahin
SA
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
16
Kinpath Group
John Karytinos
SA
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
21
Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
Shane Barwood
VIC
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
30
Scott Taylor Motorsport
Aaron Seton
QLD
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
33
Fastway Couriers
Simon Ellingham
NZ
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
48
Emery Motorsport
Geoff Emery
VIC
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
50
Team LHI - Motorsport Brakes
Nick Cresswell
QLD
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
54
Horsley Park Gun Shop
James Abela
QLD
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
60
Warrin Mining Volvo Constructions
Jed Wallis
SA
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
66
GAP Solutions
John Goodacre
SA
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
69
Dial Before You Dig
Jon McCorkindale
SA
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
72
Power Street Racing
James Campbell
QLD
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
Michael Tsigeridis
VIC
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
81 82
Laser 3D/Force Acessories
Brian Finn
VIC
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
88
Sonic / Parramatta Smash Repairs
Ryan Simpson
VIC
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
91
McElrea Racing/N2C
Jaxon Evans
QLD
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
99
Southern Star Windows
Ross McGregor
VIC
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au
28 | THE RACING MAGAZINE
ROUND 1 SANDOWN RACEWAY, VIC
KUMHO TYRES AUSTRALIAN V8 TOURING CAR SERIES ON THE WEB: WWW.V8TOURINGCARS.COM.AU
Car
SPONSOR
DRIVER
state
VEHICLE
5
JCH Electrical
Jason Heck
QLD
Ford Falcon BF
7
Poll Performance/Mocomm
Jim Pollicina
NSW
Commodore VZ
8
Poco.com.au
Steve Briffa
NSW
Commodore VZ
9
Steve Briffa Racing
Scott Loadsman
NSW
Ford Falcon BA
12
JCV Automotive
John Vergotis
NSW
Ford Falcon BA
16
Image Racing
Leigh Moran
VIC
Ford Falcon BA
21
Century 21 Hazelbrook
Chris Delfsma
NSW
Ford Falcon BF
38
Eggleston Motorsport
Liam McAdam
QLD
Commodore VZ
39
Vectra Corp/Lubrimaxx
Chris Smerdon
SA
Ford Falcon BA
45
SA Racing Logistics/THR Developments
Jason Leoncini
VIC
Commodore VZ
48
STR Truck Bodies
Matthew Palmer
VIC
Ford Falcon BF
49
Image Racing
Michael Hector
NSW
Ford Falcon BF
54
Eggleston Motorsport
Jack Perkins
VIC
Commodore VZ
56
Arcoplate/Penrite Oils
Jake Kostecki
WA
Ford Falcon BF
57
ADG Engineering/Precise Precut/GCPF
Lyle Kearns
QLD
Commodore VZ
62
Performance West
Alex Rullo
WA
Ford Falcon BF
75
Strong Excavations/ Kirra Automotics
Brendan Strong
NSW
Commodore VZ
77
Douglas Barry Specials
Steven Devjale
NSW
Ford Falcon BF
For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au
THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 29
ROUND 1 SANDOWN RACEWAY, VIC
TELEVISION COVERAGE SHANNONS NATIONALS TV Speedweek on Sunday at 2pm on SBS1
Round 1 Sandown Raceway Show 1
12th April Australian Manufacturers Championship
Show 2
19th April Aust Super 6 Touring Cars Aust Formula 3 Championship Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series
Show 3
26th April Kerrick Sports Sedan Series Formula Ford National Series Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
All Speedweek episodes are now broadcast free to air on SBS HD & SBS One simultaneously.
‘SHANNONS NATIONALS’ ON FOX SPORTS Visit www.thenationals.com.au for complete TV schedule LIVE INTERNET TV FROM 9.00AM ON SUNDAY via www.thenationals.com.au
LAP RECORDS
SANDOWN RACEWAY Main Straight Length: 899 Metres Track Width: 12.5 Metres (Main Straight)
Back Straight Length: 910 Metres (incl kink) 11 Metres (Back Straight) Direction: Anti-Clockwise
NATIONAL CIRCUIT - LENGTH 3.1 KM OUTRIGHT
TOM TWEEDIE
Chevron B24/28
1.05.76
14th Sept 2013
V8 Supercars
Will Davison
Ford Falcon FG
1.09.411
14th Sept 2013
Kuhmo V8 Touring Cars
Ryan Simpson
Ford Falcon BF
1.12.24
17th Nov 2013
AMChamp Production Cars
Shane Marshall
Mitsubishi Evo X
1.20.62
17th Nov 2013
Kerrick Sports Sedans
Tony Ricciardello
Alfa Romeo GTV 6L
1.08.17
17th Nov 2013
Super 6 Touring Cars
Tim Rowse
VT Commodore
1.23.83
24th Oct 2010
TOURING & PRODUCTION CARS
RACING CARS Formula 3
Simon Hodge
Mygale Mercedes F3
1.07.47
29th March 2014
Sports Racer
Josh Hunt
Speads RS08
1.11.612
22nd July 2012
Formula Ford
Chaz Mostert
Spectrum 011B
1.14.62
2nd August 2009
Radical
Neale Muston
Radical SR8
1.09.69
29th March 2014
SPORTS CARS Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge 30 | THE RACING MAGAZINE
David Reynolds
Porsche 997 GT3 Cup
1.11.96
5th Sept 2007