The Racing Magazine - Issue 22, June 2015

thenationals.com.au

EDITORIAL 4

Speed Shot

of Band-Aids, I’d surely be dead by now due to excessive blood loss and / or hypothermia.

6

Nationals Flashback

8

Pitlane Whiteboard

So when I say it’s life threatening when I don’t get to go away racing, I’m not joking in the slightest.

10 Feature

I ROC

Working in the motorsport media is neither a right nor should it be a burden, it is a privilege and it is quite absolutely the best job you could possibly have (perhaps aside from being a happier version of Lewis Hamilton). It certainly beats working in the service department at the local Holden dealer – which is what I did in another life, before all of this.

16 Feature CRANSTON

My policy this year is to get out and enjoy the sport more. Value the times away racing, at the track talking to drivers or crews or at the pub afterwards having a refreshing beverage of the beer variety. Even the times when things get testy, people get annoying or deadlines approach too quickly are experiences I intend to savour.

30 Television Coverage

Lap Records

By Richard Craill IT IS EASY to be cynical and jaded when you work in Motorsport.

It may seem an odd thing to say but the number of people I experience in my work who give off the air of not wanting to be where they are is remarkable.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand why some people in the industry (particularly in the media) get that way because it’s not as if it’s always a walk in the park: Media centres with unreliable (or non-existent) internet, approaching and oft-ridiculous deadlines, closed-drivers refusing to step outside the PR line and PR minders who won’t allow access over it, cheap hotels, unhealthy food and long hours slaving over a keyboard can all contribute to that feeling. The incessant motorsport politics are probably also a contributing factor.

And yet I can’t abide by nor deal with the sheer volume of complaining that occurs sometimes. Truly, it is remarkable how some act and complain when they’re at the circuit. I think the next time I hear ‘it was so much better back when I was younger..’, I’ll lose my faculties completely.

If that’s your approach (whether you know it or not) my suggestion is this: please bugger off and leave me alone.

My opinion – and I’ll stress, it’s mine alone – is that getting to go to the circuit itself, bad day or good, is absolutely the frosting on the cake of my working life.

Without the ability to go and work at race circuits around Australia, I’d not be able to function. I rely on the first person experience of watching, being involved and engaging with the work environment there to survive and don’t think that’s an overly dramatic statement: a recent period of five weeks at home without any racing saw me fall off a ladder three times, drill a hole in my finger once and scone my head on some timber at least ten times whilst attempting some home improvements. It was painful and frustrating and if not for the wonders

One of my favourite sayings at the moment is ‘It’ll be good for a chapter in my autobiography’.

At no point do I expect anyone to want to publish such a tome – let alone read it - but I want each experience to be worthy of a page or two in such a publication should I ever decide to put fingers to keyboard anyway.

I’m not going to sit here and suggest for a moment that I don’t also get frustrated, angry and jaded with the sport and its goings-on. It’s easy to do so, especially when you sit back and watch the catastrophically stupid decisions some people make within it, but in reality it’s really not that bad, not even slightly.

Because at no point do I want to be an old, grumpy bastard in the media centre complaining about how much better things were for me in 2015.

Even if those things are pretty damn good.

18 Feature

GT3 Cup Interview 21 Round 3 - Categories & Entries 28 Round 2 Recap

Publisher

Australian Motor Racing Pty Ltd

Editor

Richard Craill

Art Director

Sarah Anesbury - 121 Creative Hilton

Writers

Richard Craill, Amanda Jackson & Garry O’Brien

Chief Photographer: Nathan Wong Production

Kwik Kopy Printing Hilton

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Disclaimer

While reasonable effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information provided, Australian Motor Racing Pty Ltd make no representation, express or implied, as to the accuracy, currency, reliability or suitability. Australian Motor Racing Pty Ltd expressly disclaim responsibility for any damages that may be caused by or in connection with the information provided.

THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 3

TWO TO TANGO Photo by Nathan Wong You know the old saying, right – that it only takes two to tango? The Formula 3 grid might not be as full as it’s been this year but don’t let that fact make you believe it’s anything other than competitive right at the pointy end. The fight between Jon Collins and Ricky Capo at Phillip Island was nothing short of breathtaking, the pair running side by side for much of the final lap of race one and then trading the lead twice on the penultimate lap of race two. It was proper, edge of the seat stuff on the fastest track in the land and while the third race was something of a Collins walkover, it’s proof again that it only takes two cars to produce a belter of a motor race.

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THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 5

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NATIONALS FLASHBACK The recent GT event at Phillip Island got us thinking - thinking about just how far GT racing has come since the Shannons Nationals was formed.

This photo goes back to our second season - 2007 - and an Australian GT Round at Queensland Raceway. At the time this was the only GT game in town:merged in was the Porsche Drivers Challenge Series with a smattering of the all-new GT3 cars running at the front of the field - like the Lamborghini and Aston Martin seen here. The following year, GT3 Cup Challenge would start and GT would go on its own direction. Two years after that, with GT3 Cup Challenge now fielding grids in the 20s and GT beginning to stabilise with a host of new metal, Carrera Cup came back with a full 22-car field and all of a sudden Australian Motorsport had in four years gone from one, merged, small series to three separate, strong, healthy GT style championships.

These formative days laid the groundwork for what we have today which this year, included nearly 100 separate cars running across the three series, GT, CCA and GT3CC, within the space of a single month. It’s fun to have been part of the ride!

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PITLANE WHITEBOARD HE’S BACK. We received literally no letters demanding his return to this publication – but then again, we didn’t get any saying he shouldn’t be back, either, so there you go. Either people aren’t reading, or they don’t care.

We suggest they probably don’t care that they’re not reading.. or do they?

Anyway, before we get ourselves tangled in knots, please welcome back the Pitlane whiteboard. Suffice to say, his words are his own and not ours. No one could be as catastrophically insane to take ownership of these words, surely?

After protracted negotiations with the editor of this publication, delayed by my insistence on a gold chain, Kendall Jenner to appear wearing said gold chain on the grid whenever I’m around, and an demand that I get the strategy bloke that has a clue and Rosberg gets the other schumck, I’m back with a new contract (written in whiteboard marker, thus easily erasable.. – Ed) for the Racing Magazine team.

It’s awesome to be here in 3673 for a bumper line up of proper motor racing at Winton in June; perhaps the only place on the earth this year colder than the Mercedes F1 Monaco post-race strategy debriefing.

And what a year it’s been in motorsport so far.

V8 Supercars is undergoing a reinvention, with talk about proposed calendar changes, race format changes, proposed car changes, proposed circuit changes, and a proposed name change. If only they could find the whiteboard duster to rub the existing stuff out, they might actually threaten to change something.

Don’t get me wrong: V8 Supercars is an awesome category. But after 20 years, the generational winds of change are blowing, and having a wiff, it smells like a high-octane backfire from a GT3 car, combined with that fully digested chocolate coated soft eating liquorice smell that wafts in the

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media centre in the late afternoon at an Australian GT round.

One of the proposed solutions: The 850-horsepower V6. Because after seeing how successful a 850-horsepower V6 has been in Formula 1, the first thing you think is “yep, I’ll have one of those!”

Meanwhile, in Formula 1 they’re trying to go back to a V8. But of course any changes to the Formula 1 regulations require agreement with all the teams, a resolution to pass the UN Security Council, the planets Jupiter and Uranus to align, and dark coloured smoke to emitting from a chimney at the Vatican before any changes to the rules can be made.

Unfortunately, a Honda F1 engine powers the Vatican’s internals, so it keeps blowing light coloured turbo smoke. There will be no changes any time soon.

The solution to me is as obvious as the right strategy at Monaco when the safety car comes out with 10 or so laps to go and you’re leading by not quite a full pitstop.

Formula 1 has 20 engines that they don’t particularly want. V8 Supercars have 20 engines they don’t particularly want. Swap them. V8 Supercar needs new manufacturers. They get Honda, Mercedes and Renault. Formula 1 needs cars that don’t sound like a domestic appliance,

they’ll get a big, proper, cost-cutting, thumping V8.

I can see it now: Campbell Little immediately seconded to Brixworth to get another 10hp out of the Mercedes V8, while Shane Van Gisbergen in his Red Bull Commodore-Renault does a lap time 10 seconds faster at Symmons because the whole lap is either (a) Braking, or (b) Deploying a fully charged from the hairpin MGU-K for the remainder of the lap that isn’t braking.

A bit whacky? Maybe. But it’s not as crazy as keeping the sixty-sixty-forty winks format we have on Saturdays in V8 Supercars, or customer cars in Formula 1.

Warbo, Bernie: You know my twitter handle, you know I’m right, send me a DM.

Follow the Pit lane Whiteboard on Twitter: @pitlaneWB * Of course, it goes without saying that these views are not necessarily those of the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals or its partners. Tongue is inserted firmly in cheek when this column is written.. By an anonymous whiteboard with IT skills, apparently.

IN LATE October 1973, more than 65,000 Californians jammed a warm Riverside International Raceway in Las Angeles Moreno Valley to watch the eighth and final round of the 1973 Cam-Am series – the LA Times Grand Prix.

The 200-mile race was the spectacular finale’ for the Can-Am series and was won by the legendary Mark Donohue, driving a Porsche 917/30 powered by a 5.4-litre, turbocharged flat 12 Porsche engine and sporting the iconic Sunoco livery. His team owner was Roger Penske.

The 917/30 was known as ‘Killer’ – as in the car that purportedly killed the Can-Am series – a car that reportedly had well over 1,100 horsepower depending on its state of turbo boost. This was a car that for a time held the close-course speed 10 | THE RACING MAGAZINE

record, at the Talladega Superspeedway, with an average lap speed of just over 221 miles per hour.

It would take 25 years for an IndyCar to beat that record. It was a remarkable machine.

Donohue started the race from pole and won it by over a minute, leading home a Porsche sweep of the podium as Hurley Heywood’s and Charlie Kemp followed in the Penske drivers wake.

The Can-Am field was strong: it included future Formula 1 world champion Jody Scheckter, Sam Posey, David Hobbs, Jackie Oliver and George Follmer, amongst others and yet it would not be the deepest field Donohue would beat on that warm, October weekend in Las Angeles.

One day earlier, Donohue, the 1972 Indy 500 winner, Can-Am and Trans-Am Champion and

a Formula 1 podium finisher, beat perhaps the strongest and most diverse collection of racing talent in the very first race of a series that would create a legendary brand – the International Race of Champions or, as its known more commonly these days, just ‘IROC’.

IROC was created as motor racing’s equivalent of Golf ’s masters or the NBA All-Star game: Pull a selection of the world’s finest racing talent, give them equal machinery and see who comes out on top.

The inaugural season, spread over four events held in the last quarter of 1973 and the first half of 1974, was perhaps the most pure iteration of the concept: it would be held on road courses only, would pull drivers from Formula One,

I, ROC WORDS & IMAGES: Richard Craill

There’s a new player in Australia’s booming ‘heritage’ motor racing scene – the IROC Challenge series, a new category that combines the appeal of Porsche’s famous Carrera and GT3 Cup series with the heritage of one of motorsport’s most iconic brands: IROC. On the eve of its first race, we dive into the history behind the IROC brand, the basis on the new series and delve deep into the makeup of the new breed of cars that honour the likes of Donohue, Revson, Unser and Pearson back in 1973-74.

IndyCar, NASCAR, Sports Car and US-based road racing and would use identical cars, in this case a 3-litre Porsche 911 RSR. More about those follows later.

The talent pool was immense and though a majority were Americans they represented much of the global motorsport pool. From the SCCA’s Can-Am and Trans-Am series came Donohue, Peter Revson and George Follmer. From USAC Champ Car racing came Indianapolis legends Bobby Unser, one Anthony Joseph (AJ) Foyt, Gordon Johncock (the 1973 and future 1982 Indy 500 champion) and Roger McCluskey, who finished third in the ’73 ‘500.

NASCAR was well represented by Bobby Allison, David Pearson and the King, Richard Petty,

while the international flavour was brought by a Kiwi and a Brazilian, namely Dennis Hulme and Emerson Fittipaldi.

And yet they firmly ate Mark Donohue’s dust at Riverside in the inaugural IROC race – and indeed, the series.

After trailing only Fittipaldi in qualifying, Donohue beat Unser and Revson to the top spot in the race with Follmer and Hulme completing the top five.

Follmer struck back in IROC 2 (also at Riverside) after Donohue struck trouble however the situation was returned to normal in the third and final race at Riverside – Unser and Fittipaldi finishing on the podium.

In the fourth and final race of the series, held on the Daytona International Speedway road course, Donohue sealed his crown as the king of racing king’s by beating Revson and Unser and sealing the title, pocketing $54,000 for his efforts and etching his name into the history books.

IROC would never be the same again after its inaugural season. In 1975 organisers moved away from the Porsche to the Chevrolet Camaro, and ovals at Michigan and Daytona were introduced into the four-race mix with Riverside’s twists and turns. So it would be that the original was, just perhaps, the best.

Which brings us full circle to 2015.

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IROC REBORN MARK DONOHUE is gone, sadly, and Roger Penske’s Australian influence is in V8 Supercars and not one-make Porsche racing. Yet the IROC concept remains in the car that created the legend.

Classic versions of Porsche’s 911 have been racing in Australia for years, primarily in Group S Historic Touring Car competition but also, more recently, in the Touring Car Masters series.

Though primarily the domain of V8-powered Muscle Cars, the Porsche’s generated memories of Alan Hamilton, amongst others taking on the V8’s in his Touing and Sports car days on Australian and New Zealand circuits.

So the core of the new IROC Challenge series comes from there and so do many of the cars, though to be fair only a few regulars remained competing in TCM. The brainchild of long-time TCM operations man Rowan Harman, IROC Challenge aims to replicate the style of the original series while containing build and operations costs.

Style is the important word here. Though the tech specifications differ from the original cars somewhat, the style doesn’t. The wide front arches that flow down towards the deep front splitter that meets in the middle at the large, rectangular cooling duct give the car a low and aggressive stance. At the back it’s even more classically 911: the enormous rear wheel arches fold over fat rubber (A control Hoosier product) and the wide drain-pipe style exhausts that sit parallel below the rear lights. But the dominating and iconic Porsche feature grabs the eye: the enormous, ‘Whale Tail’ rear wing that juts far out from the engine cover, lengthening the car by nearly a full foot.

Colour will play a large role in the series, with only the original fifteen IROC hues, plus gunmetal grey / silver, allowed. Shades include ‘Sahara

Beige’, ‘Pistachio Green’, the particularly fetching ‘Aubergine’ and the very-1970s ‘Strawberry Pink’. It should give the field a somewhat retro, welcoming feel.

IROC Cars aren’t intended to be an accurate copy of the original, 3.0 IROC 911s nor fit current CAMS / historic regulations. The cars are log-booked as Group 2B Marque Sports cars, allowing them competition in several club, state and national level series, not the least the main IROC Challenge itself.

They’re more ‘heritage’ racing than they are fully ‘historic’. Like TCM, it’s about reflecting the past with a modern bent on rules, commercial and competition elements.

Engines may, initially at least, be a variety of capacities should someone not have a car with the mandated 3.6-litre powerplant. A controlled IROC-spec camshaft is designed to maintain consistent performance across the board. Engines at 3.2, 3.4, 3.5 litres as well as the series-preferred 3.6-litre capacities will be allowed with a powerto-weight and RPM adjustment system, similar to that utilised in the Touring Car Masters, to be maintained to ensure performance parity.

The cars will weigh 1100kg complete with driver, rev to 7300rpm and produce about 345bhp. They will be plenty quick – somewhere around pointyend TCM pace all going well.

KEY CONTENDERS THERE is plenty of pedigree amongst the drivers to commit to the inaugural season of the IROC Challenge, with new cars built specifically for the series and several adapted to suit from existing series.

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge winner Sven Burchartz was an early name to commit to the series as was fellow long-time Porsche aficionado,

Greg Keene, and noted TCM racer Amanda Sparks. Between them, they share an enormous amount of Porsche racing experience; Burchartz as a former winner of the GT3 Cup Challenge series and Keene in Carrera Cup, Porsche Cup and later and more recently, the Touring Car Masters series. Sparks raced husband Greg in TCM with great success, regularly finishing in front.

Importantly, all three have plenty of miles in cars running at something approaching an IROC series specification so both should be able to deliver the full extent of the performance potential the cars may have.

Burchartz’s car has been converted to IROC-spec from prior use in tarmac rally competition by its former owner, noted racer Bill Pye. The Keene / Sparks car has been purpose built for the series from scratch.

Also joining the field will be Graeme Cook – the first ever winner of a GT3 Cup race in Australia – who has reportedly been particularly quick in testing at Mallala.

Former Touring Car Masters Porsche regulars Rory O’Neill and Bernie Stack are back, also joining the fray are Stuart Elshaw, Victorian Rohan Little (who qualified in the top 10 in the recent Winton TCM round driving his IROC car), Rob Black and more.

At least ten cars have either been built or currently remain under construction for competition within the IROC Challenge.

An early boost to the field will see a second class opened up for pre 964-specification Porsches that comply to the regulations; opening the grid to more historic / heritage style Porsche racers while IROC numbers populate.

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THIS is the newest Porsche race car to be built in Australia and it is also perhaps one of the nicest.

Built by Stuart Martin at Adelaide Porsche specialists Buik Motorworks, to what was described by one onlooker as ‘showcar standard’, the No. 8 911 RS is presented in the era-specific ‘Grand Prix White’ and is, frankly, a work of art.

Construction has ticked over for some time and has resulted in a car that features some lovely detailing within the build: Thin carbon fibre covers over the side intrusion bars to avoid scuff marks, a Carbon dash and an immaculately presented engine bay the obvious details that stand out.

Our thanks to Buik Motorworks, Greg Keene and Amanda Sparks, and Porsche Centre Adelaide for organising these exclusive Racing Magazine photos of their stunning car.

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THE F1000 BROTHERS

there certainly has been some bingles and bust ups in the past..

WORDS: Amanda Jackson IMAGES: Dirk Klynsmith / Cranston Brothers

IT’S NOT UNUSUAL for brothers to race wheel to wheel, but that familyvalues kind of motorsport is always worth talking about. AMANDA JACKSON chats to the younger of the two Cranston brothers that this year are racing head to head in the newest open wheel cars in Australia – F1000.

The Australian Sports Racer Series has in 2015 welcomed a new class of high performance wing and slick open wheel racers to its ranks, with two Formula 1000s making their competitive debut at Winton’s round one and more set to join the category over the year.

Tasked with debuting the impressive machines at Winton Motor Raceway were the Cranston brothers - Josh and Adam - who have plenty of nice things to say about the tough looking machines being fielded through the West Race Cars outfit.

Twenty-five year old fire fighter Josh is relatively new to circuit racing after enjoying some years playing around with go-karts and dirt bikes as

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a youngster, but already he can’t speak highly enough of his new favourite adrenalin activity.

“I have always been very interested in motorsport from a very young age. I started racing go karts and messing around with dirt bikes when I was around 10. I didn’t really get into anything too serious until now with the Australian Sports Racer Series, but I feel the past experience has helped me adjust to the new car and series well,” said the Sydney-sider, the younger of the brothers.

“Adam got into the series towards the end of last year at Wakefield Park’s final round (in an exhibition capacity) and at the start of this year I knew I was keen to get into one if anything was available.

“Aaron Steer of West came through with the goods and gave me the chance to drive the West factory F1000 and I jumped at the opportunity, testing at Mallala and then racing at Winton.

“As far as the car goes it has phenomenal grip and is excellent to drive – with limited experience it may take a few more rounds until I can really push its limits, but I am certainly enjoying it so far and can’t recommend the Series and the F1000 through West highly enough for anyone looking for very fun, competitive yet relatively cheap racing.

“The people in the series make it an excellent place to start racing – they are welcoming, helpful and the competition is very fair. The West Race Cars team have been brilliant and I couldn’t ask for a better team to be a part of in my opinion.”

With one round down and four more to go, the F1000 class will no doubt develop, as will an emerging brother versus brother show-down for bragging rights and the F1000 trophy.

“I really enjoying racing with my brother. Because we have raced together for so long in karts and other things we have a lot of trust on the track, and I have to thank him too for introducing me to the series,” said Josh.

“We usually will give each other a bit of room, but having said that we are also very competitive at the same time so there certainly has been some bingles and bust ups in the past – so it should be an interesting year!

“There will be some good racing this year that is for sure, across the entire field and also between the F1000 once I get up to speed and we see more of them on-track – we would love to see more joining us so I can’t encourage people enough to have a chat to the Series or to West about how they can get involved.”

Formula 1000 single seater race car specification Chassis

Multi-tubular stepped spaceframe chassis, designed to comply with the FIA crash test requirements for 2009.

Front suspension Triangulated upper and lower wishbones, pushrod suspension

operating through aluminium rockers to the dampers.

Blade adjustable anti-roll bars.

Rear suspension Triangulated upper and lower wishbones, pushrod suspension

and blade adjustable anti-roll bars.

Steering Brakes

Rack and Pinion – collapsible steering column to F3 specs.

Dampers

Ohlins 3 way racing dampers, valved in bump and rebound.

Fuel system Wheels / tyres

33 litre capacity ATL fuel cell.

Front rim: 8 in x 13 in diameter one-piece magnesium by OZ racing.

Rear rim: 10 in x 13 in diameter one piece magnesium by OZ racing.

Instrumentation Bodywork Aerodynamics

Digital AIM dash integrated into the steering wheel.

Front: one piece composite anhedral front wing with adjustable flaps, shoes and end-plates.

Stepped floor bib with sidepod aero funnels and covers.

Rear: adjustable 3-element aluminium wing structure using FIA F3 profiles complemented by a diffuser.

Other safety

6-point safety harness, 2.25 litre on-board fully plumbed electrically operated Lifeline fire protection system, Varley red top dry cell battery. Detachable roll-over hoop designed to comply with current FIA F3 safety regulations.

Engine

Kawasaki ZX10R-1000 178bhp engine with 6-speed sequential change gearbox. Includes bespoke dry-sump system, WMA specification ECU, remote oil tank and stainless steel 4 into 2 into 1 racing exhaust system.

4-pot AP Racing callipers acting on 265 mm diameter ventilated discs.

12 piece colour impregnated GRP in a full range of colours.

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POSTER BOY From Porsche fan to Porsche contender – South Australian driver John Karytinos is the perfect mould for a GT3 Cup Challenge racer. RICHARD CRAILL spoke to the Adelaide driver who has rapidly made an impact on the Porsche landscape – and has big plans for the future.

WORDS: Richard Craill IMAGES: Nathan Wong

“I HAD the 930 turbo poster on my wall as a kid, I think it was a ’78 or ’79 model - an early 930 model - so I’ve always loved the Porsche product.”

So says John Karytinos, who couldn’t possibly fit the mould for the ‘ideal’ Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge driver any better: Lifelong Porsche fan.

Worked hard. Bought a race car. Got arm-twisted into getting into racing after experiencing track days out at Mallala. Got competitive. Went racing.

Succeeded.

“I’ve always loved cars and driving since I could walk. Only really got involved in racing once I hit the magic ‘40’ and I’m not sure if it was a midlife crisis or something, but I thought I should finally get into it now I had a bit more time and could afford to get into it.”

The history of Australia’s second one-make Porsche series is filled with drivers telling a similar story and it’s perhaps its most crowning 18 | THE RACING MAGAZINE

achievement over eight years of highlyentertaining motorsport. Sure, that the likes of Richard Muscat and Fraser Ross have stepped up to Carrera Cup is a good news story – but its Porsche fans racing for fun that was the initial foundation for the GT3 Cup Challenge.

It just so happens that the side-effect is that they often become damn good at it, too, which is why we’re talking to the South Australian businessman and driver of the Olympic Industries-supported 997 run by Buik Motorworks.

The quietly-spoken Adelaidian charged to 6th outright in last year’s series behind only eventual champion Fraser Ross, immensely talented Speedway star Jon McCorkindale, perennial title contender John Goodacre, ridiculous youngster Matt Campbell and Porsche legend Peter Fitzgerald.

Karytinos was next, a remarkable feat given his relative inexperience in the field.

“I did a few track days back in 2010 and caught up with Ross and Michael Almond, who explained that Michael was getting into it as well,” Karytinos’ explains of his racing foundations.

“A few years later, in 2012, Ross twisted my arm and explained that it couldn’t get any easier, because Michael was doing (GT3 Cup) Challenge and he already had the truck and the crew attending the meets. All I had to do was buy a car and join the team, so Ross and Michael really got me into it, and I thank them for that.. Though when I look at the bank balance I do think of them every now and then!

“I bought the car a month or so before Phillip Island in 2012 and Ross convinced me that I was good to go and ready for my first race meeting - I hardly knew how to change gears!”

From that arm-twisting start, Karytinos quickly adapted to the rigours of Porsche racing.

He finished 10th in the 2013 standings – his first

full season of car racing, anywhere – and by the end of the season was a regular in the top half of the competitive field.

Karytinos says the high standard of competition within the GT3 Cup Challenge has helped speed up the learning process.

through in stages from Club racing to, potentially, the top flight global Porsche Supercup.

Last year he improved further and by mid-season was a regular challenger in the top five, both on his overall consistency and raw speed. Third overall at Queensland Raceway in a weekend that included a P4 in the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy finale’ and third in the final sprint race of the round, showed he was now a contender.

“I certainly set the bar high with everything I do and it was probably premature of me to join challenge because it’s certainly a highly competitive series. The cars have got some serious pace and the competitors are quite experienced. It was quite intimidating and a bit daunting joining the series, having basically no racing experience, and the learning curve has been steep.

“I’m keeping an open mind, trying to balance work and family but absolutely loving the racing,” he says, enthusiasm for the competition abundantly clear.

“It was most satisfying to get to the top half and towards the pointy end of the field last year,” he recounts.

“I was constantly improving which drove me to really stay focussed and improve my driving and racing. I thank Michael Almond for that, he was instrumental in assisting both with the data and track notes and just generally racing in general, certainly he helped me break that barrier to become a little bit more competitive.”

“I’ve absolutely loved getting up to speed and learning the racecraft as well as getting lap times as low as possible. To learn how to drive the car fast around the track was only a small portion of it, I’ve since realised, and the racecraft has probably been the biggest challenge for me.”

And what of the future? GT3 Cup Challenge has evolved to become a de-facto feeder series for Carrera Cup, perfectly taking its place in the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid that brings drivers

Supercup may not be on the agenda for Karytinos, but the top-level available in Australia certainly is.

“If everything goes to plan I’d love to get into Carrera cup next year in the TAG Heuer challenge class and give the championship a good crack.

The 991 paddle shift is a car I really enjoy driving and would love to get into Carrera Cup next year if things go according to plan.”

Based on his meteoric rise to the pointy end of the Porsche pack in the GT3 Cup challenge, the Carrera Cup boys should keep one eye over their shoulder for the boy with the 930 on his wall.

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ROUND 3 WINTON RACEWAY, VIC

SHANNONS AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING NATIONALS ROUND 3, WINTON MOTOR RACEWAY • JUNE 12-14, 2015 PROMOTERS Winton Motor Raceway Pty. Ltd. P O Box 249, Benalla VIC 3672 reception@wintonraceway.com.au Ph: 03 57 607 100

AUTHORITY The meeting is conducted under the International Sporting Code of the FIA, the National Competition Rules of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport and the Standing and General Supplementary Regulations issued by the Winton Motor Raceway Pty. Ltd. and authorised under CAMS Permit No. 815/1406/01

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.

ORGANISING COMMITTEE Brian Pearson, Rob Curkpatrick, Wayne Williams, Wayne Giles, Daryl McHugh

Winton Motor Raceway President - Benalla Auto Club Inc. Peter Lawrence CEO - Winton Motor Raceway Brian Pearson Operations Manager Wayne Williams Paddock Office Sarah Ackerly Media Centre Manager Maggi Kirk Corporate Hospitality Michelle King Winton Administration Office Glenys Collins Gates Russell Kelly, John Binion

OFFICIALS OF THE MEETING STEWARDS OF THE MEETING: Series Steward Steward Steward

Bradley Tubb Mark Scorah Rod Anderson

SENIOR RACE OFFICIALS: Secretary of the Meeting:

Wayne Giles

Deputy Secretary of the Meeting: Gale Smith Clerk of the Course: Daryl McHugh

Assistant Clerks of the Course: Richard Weston, Gary Gourlay, Bruce Robertson, Simon McMahon Communications – Race Control Deanne Millett Communications – Flag Marshalls Warren Gordon Brett Keep

Emergency Controller: Matt Baragwanath, Simon Maas Chief Medical Officer:

Dr John Moran

Chief Timekeeper:

Ian Leech

Chief Scrutineer:

Tony Lugg

SERIES DIRECTOR Rob Curkpatrick MEDIA MANAGER Richard Craill TECHNICAL COMMISSIONERS Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship Fred Severin Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Bob Buck Australian Formula Ford Series Bob Hockley TECHNICAL ADVISORS Kumho Tyres Aust. V8 Touring Car Series: Frank Lowndes JUDGES OF FACT: Start & Finish: Ian Leech, Daryl McHugh, Andrew O’Brien Pit Lane Speed: Ken Farrell, Alan McKeown Noise: Ron Grealy

The organisers accept entries and drivers’ nominations in good faith. Every effort is made to adhere to the printed programme of competitors, but the promoters cannot accept responsibility for the failure of any driver to appear. Although every endeavour is made to avoid inaccuracies in the description of competing cars, the organisers accept no responsibility for any that may occur.

The organisers reserve the right to postpone, abandon or cancel the meeting or any part thereof.

PROHIBITED AREAS

Deputy Clerk of the Course: Colin Smith

Compliance Checker:

ENTRIES

The Organising Committee of today’s races has made every effort to ensure the safety of spectators at this meeting. In the interest of public safety, all areas other than the official spectator areas are PROHIBITED. The spectator areas are plainly defined and spectators are requested to keep behind the safety fence at all times. In the event of an accident on the circuit, the public MUST remain behind the safety fence as their entry to the track may cause further accidents and hinder officials.

SAFETY The fencing erected around the circuit is there for your protection. It is forbidden to sit, stand or climb on it.

DOGS In the interests of safety, dogs are NOT permitted at the raceway.

MESSAGES The organisers regret that announcements to assist spectators cannot be made over the public address system except in cases of genuine emergency.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to: All Officials. Victorian Flag Marshalling Team.

Recovery Team. Suzuki Racesafe Medical Team.

All Competitors, Drivers and Teams. Category Managers Shannons Insurance Hi-Tec Oils Brian Pearson and Winton Raceway Staff Liam Curkpatrick & Andrew Johnstone

COPYRIGHT All material in this magazine/program is copyright and must not be used without permission of the publishers. The opinions of the contributors are not necessarily those held by the publishers or race organisers.

THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 21

ROUND 3 WINTON RACEWAY, VIC

SCHEDULE FRIDAY 12TH JUNE

22 | THE RACING MAGAZINE

630

Gates Open

830

Practice

Australian Formula Ford Series

15 min

850

Practice

DBYD Aust Super 6 Touring Car Series

15 min

910

Practice

Australian Sports Racer Series

15 min

930

Practice

Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series

15 min

950

Practice

IROC Challenge Series

15 min

1010

Practice

Aust Formula 3 Drivers Championship

15 min

1030

Practice

Australian Formula Ford Series

20 min

1055

Practice

DBYD Aust Super 6 Touring Car Series

20 min

1120

Practice

Australian Sports Racer Series

20 min

1145

Practice

Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series

20 min

1210

Practice

IROC Challenge Series

20 min

1235

Practice

Aust Formula 3 Drivers Championship

20 min

1300

Practice

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge

25 min

1330

Practice

Australian Formula Ford Series

20 min

1355

Practice

DBYD Aust Super 6 Touring Car Series

20 min

1420

Practice

Australian Sports Racer Series

20 min

1445

Practice

Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series

20 min

1510

Practice

IROC Challenge Series

20 min

1535

Practice

Aust Formula 3 Drivers Championship

20 min

1600

Practice

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge

30 min

1630

Sponsor Rides

Aust Super 6 Touring Cars/IROC Challenge

15 min

1645

Sponsor Rides

V8 Touring Cars/Porsche GT3

15 min

ROUND 3 WINTON RACEWAY, VIC

SCHEDULE SATURDAY 13TH JUNE 630

Gates Open

830

Practice 1

Australian Formula Ford Series

15 min

850

Practice 1

Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series

15 min

910

Practice 1

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge

20 min

935

Practice 1

Australian Sports Racer Series

15 min

955

Qualifying 1

Aust Formula 3 Drivers Championship

20 min

1020

Qualifying 1

DBYD Aust Super 6 Touring Car Series

20 min

1045

Qualifying 1

IROC Challenge Series

20 min

1110

Qualifying 1

Australian Formula Ford Series

20 min

1135

Qualifying 1

Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series

20 min

1200

Qualifying 1

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge

25 min

1230

Qualifying 1

Australian Sports Racer Series

20 min

1255

Top 10 S/Out

DBYD Aust Super 6 Touring Car Series

20 min

1325

Qualifying 2

IROC Challenge Series

20 min

1355

Race 1

Aust Formula 3 Drivers Championship

12 laps

1420

Race 1

Australian Formula Ford Series

10 laps

1450

Race 1

Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series

10 laps

1515

Race 1

DBYD Aust Super 6 Touring Car Series

30 laps

1610

Race 1

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge

30 laps

SUNDAY 14TH JUNE 630

Gates Open

835

Race1

Australian Sports Racer Series

10 laps

905

Race 2

Aust Formula 3 Drivers Championship

12 laps

935

Race 2

Australian Formula Ford Series

10 laps

1005

Race 1

IROC Challenge Series

10 laps

1035

Race 2

Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series

10 laps

1105

Race 2

Australian Sports Racer Series

10 laps

1135

Race 2

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge

10 laps

1205

Race 3

Aust Formula 3 Drivers Championship

18 laps

1245

Race 3

Australian Formula Ford Series

10 laps

1315

Race 2

IROC Challenge Series

10 laps

1340

Warm-up

DBYD Aust Super 6 Touring Car Series

10 mins

1400

Race 3

Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series

15 laps

1435

Race 3

Australian Sports Racer Series

10 laps

1505

Race 3

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge

10 laps

1535

Race 3

IROC Challenge Series

10 laps

1605

Race 2

DBYD Aust Super 6 Touring Car Series

30 laps

Dial Before You Dig Challenge

THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 23

ROUND 3 WINTON RACEWAY, VIC

DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG AUSTRALIAN SUPER SIX TOURING CAR SERIES ON THE WEB: WWW.SALOONCARS.NET.AU

Car

SPONSOR

DRIVER

state

VEHICLE

1

Blackwell Race Engines

Gavin Ross

VIC

VT Comm

2

Lighthouse Electrical

Ashley Jarvis

QLD

AU Falcon

6

GPPD/Hinde Transport

Ben Grice

QLD

AU Falcon

9

Silkgate Group

Ian Chivas

NSW

AU Falcon

11

Performance West

Garry Hills

WA

VT Comm

14

selby.com

Simon Tabinor

VIC

VT Comm

16

Kleenduct Australia P/L

Harley Phelen

VIC

VT Comm

18

DPS Enterprises

Brent Edwards

VIC

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

DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG CHALLENGE The ‘hallmark’ round of the Super Six Touring Cars season, the Dial Before You Dig Challenge has established itself as the major round on the S6TC calendar.

This weekend will see a unique format for competitors, including two, 30-lap races – one on Saturday and one on Sunday – that really sort the pecking order out.

Compulsory pit stops – the window opens after the first 5 minutes of the race – also add a different element to the show. The car must be stationary for 30 seconds before resuming the race.

The 10 fastest cars in qualifying get the chance to have the track to themselves in a Bathurst-style top-10 shootout to set the order. The finishing order from race one then sets the race two grid.

Double points are on offer just to add more spice to an already challenging Winton weekend..

24 | THE RACING MAGAZINE

ROUND 3 WINTON 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

6

501 Performance

Tony Evangelou

Vic

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/Lubrimaxx

Leigh Moran

Vic

Ford Falcon BA

21

Century 21 Hazelbrook

Chris Delfsma

NSW

Ford Falcon BF

26

Performance West

Peter Rullo

WA

Ford Falcon BF

38

Eggleston Motorsport

Liam McAdam

Qld

Commodore VZ

39

Vectra Corp/Lubrimaxx

Chris Smerdon

SA

Ford Falcon BA

48

STR Truck Bodies

Matthew Palmer

Vic

Ford Falcon BF

49

Image Racing

Michael Hector

NSW

Ford Falcon BF

54

Eggleston Motorsport

TBA

Vic

Commodore VZ

56

Arcoplate/Penrite Oils

Jake Kostecki

WA

Ford Falcon BF

62

Performance West

Alex Rullo

WA

Ford Falcon BF

75

Strong Excavations/Kirra Automotics

Brendan Strong

NSW

Commodore VZ

77

Douglas Barry Specials

Steven Devjak

NSW

Ford Falcon BF

For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au

AUSTRALIAN SPORTS RACER SERIES ON THE WEB: WWW.SPORTSRACER.COM.AU

Car

SPONSOR

DRIVER

state

VEHICLE

3

West Race Cars

Josh Cranston

NSW

RFR F1000

5

Aventis Racing

Adam Cranston

NSW

RFR F1000

14

Ken's Exhaust Systems/Rivergraphics

Roger I'Anson

SA

West WR 1000

33

Taylor Collision/ Badge

Michael Whiting

SA

West WR1000

42

Hughes Supercar Services

Philip Hughes

VIC

Radical SR3

44

West Race Cars

Jason Makris

SA

West WX10

52

Peter Mackie Building Consultant

Peter Mackie

VIC

West WR 1000

53

Bryan Stoeckel

Jonathan Stoeckel

VIC

West WR1000

55

Laucke Flour Mills

Mark Laucke

SA

West WX10RS

56

West Race Cars

Aaron Steer

SA

West WR 1000

66

West Race Cars

John-Paul Drake

SA

West WX10

For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 25

ROUND 3 WINTON RACEWAY, VIC

AUSTRALIAN FORMULA FORD SERIES ON THE WEB: WWW.FORMULAFORD.ORG.AU Car

SPONSOR

DRIVER

state

VEHICLE

1

JRG Racing

James Garley

NSW

Mygale SJ01A

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

8

E-Steel (Aust)

Paul Zsidy

Vic

Spectrum 012

7

Walters Racing/Synergy Motrosport

Cameron Waters

NSW

Mygale SJ07

10

RaceFuels

Hamish Hardeman

Vic

Spectrum 010B

11

Colin Hill Engineering/Inflighter

Cameron Hill

ACT

Mygale SJ10a

20

Synergy Motorsport

Caitlin Wood

NSW

Spectrum 014

24

ExpressPrint/CountryCars.com.au

Nick Ellen

Vic

Spectrum 012

26

Dream Motorsport

Luis Leeds

Vic

Mygale SJ13a

38

Mitch Martin

Vic

Spectrum 014

39

SJ Display Group

Jake Spencer

Vic

Mygale SJ2012

42

Fleetcare

Leanne Tander

Vic

Mygale SJ10A

44

RaceFuels

David Harrington

Vic

Spectrum 010

Adrian Lazzaro

Vic

Spectrum 011

95 96

JohnWhiteEng/BrownsEng/NorthsideFast

Jimmy Bailey

Qld

Spectrum 06B

98

OntrackAccounts/Xero

Luke Ellery

Vic

Spectrum 06B

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

FORMULA 3 AUSTRALIAN DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE WEB: WWW.FORMULA3.COM.AU

Car

SPONSOR

DRIVER

state

6

R-Tek Motorsport

7

R-Tek Motorsport

Nathan Kumar

NSW

Dallara/Merc

8

R-Tek Motorsport

Roland Legge

Qld

Dallara/VW

14

Trent Shirvington

Trent Shirvington

NSW

Mygale/Merc

17

McDonalds/Gilmour Racing

Jon Collins

NSW

Dallara/Merc

23

bestjet.com/Gilmour Racing

Luke Spalding

Qld

Dallara/Merc

33

Bob Johns Racing

46

Cetnaj Harvest Motorsport

Shane Ryding

Vic

Mygale/Merc

85

Ellery Motorsport Enterprises

Luke Ellery

Vic

Dallara/Merc

88

Alpine Motorsport

Dennie Rumble

NSW

Dallara/Merc

92

Jani-King/Ricky Capo Racing

Ricky Capo

NSW

Dallara/M-Honda

Dallara/Merc

Dallara/VW

For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au 26 | THE RACING MAGAZINE

VEHICLE

ROUND 3 WINTON 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

23

FREEM - Protex Racing

Daniel Stutterd

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

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

81

Hunter French Real Estate

Michael Tsigeridis

Vic

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

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

IROC CHALLENGE SERIES ON THE WEB: WWW.IROCSERIES.COM.AU Car

SPONSOR

DRIVER

state

VEHICLE

Car #

SPONSOR

DRIVER

State

VEHICLE

2

Mark Poole Motorsport

Mark Poole

SA

Porsche 911

4

Rusty French Racing

Rusty French

VIC

Porsche 911

5

SAMEX

Rob Black

SA

Porsche 911

8

Sportsmed.SA

Greg Keene

SA

Porsche 911

13

Black Cat Racing

Rory O'Neill

SA

Porsche 911

17

Red Rock Winery

Rohan Little

VIC

Porsche 911

22

Mark Poole Motorsport

Stuart Elshaw

SA

Porsche 911

32

Sportsmed.SA

Amanda Sparks

SA

Porsche 911

34

Gawler Self Storage

Bernie Stack

SA

Porsche 911

65

On Demand Electrical

Graeme Cook

SA

Porsche 911

90

Kalus Kenny Intelex

Sven Burchartz

VIC

Porsche 911

For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 27

ROUND 2 RECAP:

PHILLIP ISLAND

ROUND TWO of the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals was a thriller, in every sense of the word.

Record trackside and online audiences watched a stunning Australian GT Championship 101 enduro on Saturday before the third annual Great Southern 4 Hour sprung into life in the closing stages with a tense fight between Mitsubishi and BMW. Two Porsche Carrera Cup ProAm enduros will be ranked as perhaps some of the best Porsche racing seen at a Shannons Nationals Round – the injection of the V8 supercars regulars adding to an already spicy field.

Meanwhile, the Nationals pair of open wheel categories again showed thrilling wheel to wheel action with the Ricky Capo – Jon Collins battle in Formula 3 captivating and the slipstreaming pack of Formula Fords thrilling across the weekend.

WINNERS: AMChamp Great Southern 4 hour: Aaron Seton / Rick Bates (Pro-Duct Racing Mitsubishi Lancer EVO) Australian GT Championship 101: Greg Crick / Christoper Mies (Jamec-PEM Racing Audi R8) Porsche Carrera Cup ProAM: Shane Smollen / Nick Percat (Mcgrath / McElrea Racing) Formula Ford: Luis Leeds (DREAM Motorsport Mygale) Formula 3: Jon Collins (McDonald’s Gilmour Racing Dallara)

28 | THE RACING MAGAZINE

AUSTRALIAN GT CHAMPIONSHIP

ONE WEEK AFTER winning the Nurburgring 24 hour, German Christoper Mies teamed with Aussie hero Greg Crick to win another stunning Phillip Island 101 in dramatic circumstances.

The charging JAMEC-PEM Audi R8 LMS was left on the tail-end of the lead lap following a late race Safety Car and though still in contention, was more than 1m30s behind and in third place behind the leading Ferrari and the Erebus Mercedes with less than half an hour to go.

The Trass Family Motorsport 458 GT3 driven by Jono Lester and Graeme Smyth had dominated much of the race however a late-race safety car dropped them back to the field.

The Safety Car interruption brought the Audi and the flying German behind the wheel back into the game and following the restart he pounced, taking advantage of a slowing Smyth to storm to the front with less than 20 minutes remaining.

The Kiwi Ferrari entry slowed in the second sector, dropping from the lead to fourth

immediately following the Safety Car though would recover to third at the line.

Mies established himself in front but had to fend off a flying Garth Tander before his victory was secure, his McLaren – shared with fellow defending Phillip Island 101 winner Tony Quinn – storming home to second in the closing stages.

As he did last year, Tander stormed home in the final laps and got to within three seconds at the line in his pursuit of the winning Audi.

Maranello Motorsport’s Tony D’Alberto and Grant Denyer finished fourth with Erebus Mercedes SLS AMG combo Geoff Emery and Max Twigg completing the top five. Marcus Marshall and James Koundouris finished sixth in their Porsche GT3-R and the last car on the lead lap – five different brands finishing inside the top six.

The race went for 87 of the scheduled 101-laps and ran for 2hours 42 minutes before the flag was flown in near totally dark circumstances at Phillip Island.

AMCHAMP GREAT SOUTHERN 4 HOUR

PORSCHE CARRERA CUP

AARON SETON and Rick Bates won the Great Southern 4 Hour enduro in a race long battle with the Sherrin Rentals BMW of Grant and Iain Sherrin on Sunday at Phillip Island.

SHANE SMOLLEN and Nick Percat won the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Pro Am at Phillip Island by virtue of a win and a second in the two, one-hour races.

Both cars had a share of the race lead throughout the four-hour enduro however the ProDuct team Mitsubishi Lancer EVO emphasised their position at the pointy end of the field in the closing stages following the final round of pit stops and narrowly won in a tense race finish.

Meanwhile, Nick Foster and Dylan Thomas spectacularly won the second race after a laterace charge by Percat fell agonisingly short of snaring a rare double race victory.

The Sherrins – who won Class B - remained in contention throughout thanks to the BMWs superior fuel economy however the Bob Pearson Evo Lancer was too strong in the end – delivering the Sydney-based team victory by just four seconds.

Percat assumed control of Shane Smollen’s car mid-race and began a thrilling charge through the field, working his way into the top three within the closing five laps of the race.

He got to the rear bumper of Dylan Thomas – leading the race in Nick Foster’s Sonic Porsche – on the final lap and made several attempts to pass but ultimately fell just short.

A lengthy safety car in the final hour set up a 12-minute dash to the flag with Aaron Seton holding out a pursuing Grant Sherrin to edge the BMW out for victory in the final laps.

A post-race five second penalty for rolling on the start didn’t change their second position behind the winning Porsche, the second place more than enough to secure the overall victory.

Both cars set their respective fastest laps of the race in the closing dash to the flag as they battled for the victory. It was the third straight victory for the ProDuct team following victories by Bob Pearson and Glenn Seton in the last two years.

On Saturday, a combative fight between V8 rivals Scott McLaughlin and Nick Percat set the scene for a thrilling Porsche Carrera Cup ProAm opener.

The race was slowed in the final hour when Matt MacKelden (BMW 1M) crashed heavily on the exit of turn one, necessitating a lengthy repair of the tyre barrier on the exit of the high-speed corner.

The subsequent safety car period lasted longer than anticipated as race officials attempted to reorder the field prior to a restart.

Sandown 3 Hour classic winners Rob and Shane Marshall continued the family theme on the podium, the father and son combination finishing third in their Mitsubishi.

Jake Camilleri and Scott Nicholas survived a major tyre delamination to win Class C in their Mazda while the Pedders Racing Toyota won Class D. The return of the Jim Pollicina / Dean Lillie HSV GTS began with another showing of the cars potential performance – Pollicina leading the first eight laps before he was passed by Rick Bates in the Mitsubishi.

The car later suffered a hole in the exhaust – a similar issue to what caused the fire at Sandown in the series opener – with the team electing to retire after 63 laps.

The combo did establish a new Phillip Island AMChamp lap record, however, the new benchmark set at 1m43.7316s.

Percat and car owner Shane Smollen won the race but had to scrap with McLaughlin and Stephen Grove in a thrilling battle to get the victory after nearly a full hour of intense Porsche racing.

Percat started from the front of the field and established an early lead however McLaughlin was the early mover, working his way through from 5th on the grid to second in the early stages.

He and Percat then staged a race for the ages as they scrapped for the lead, swapping the top spot on three occasions before the pit window opened – entering the lane with McLaughlin leading Percat by less than a car length as they stopped.

A quick stop by Smollen’s team saw him get out in front with the 56 entry able to pull away to victory.

AUSTRALIAN FORMULA 3 CHAMPIONSHIP JON COLLINS stormed to his maiden Australian Formula 3 Championship round victory in emphatic fashion, leading lights-to-flag in the 14-lap Phillip Island feature race on Sunday and completing a clean sweep of all three races.

Ricky Capo finished second and Luke Spalding third in the trophy race that saw Collins establish an early lead on the opening lap and build the margin relentlessly from there.

Capo settled for second and Spalding backed up his strong opening round result with another strong result at Phillip Island, also taking home the Formula 3 National Class in the process.

Earlier, Collins withstood another withering attack from Capo in the Sunday morning sprint race, the pair once again duelling for the win in a similar style to the way they went at it during race one on Saturday.

Collins lead a majority of the race before Capo was able to attack on the penultimate lap, slicing past into the lead with a bold move down the inside at the turn four hairpin.

Collins remained in close company and was able to re-take the lead from Capo on the run into turn one on the final lap of the race.

Spalding again finished third in his bestjet.com Gilmour Racing entry in race two.

Collins now trails round one winner Capo by just 10 points after two of seven F3 rounds this year.

AUSTRALIAN FORMULA FORD CHAMPIONSHIP LOUS LEEDS won the second round of the Australian Formula Ford Series by virtue of a narrow victory in the third race of the round.

Leeds’ Dream Motorsport Mygale edged out Canberra driver Cameron Hill by just 0.10 seconds in the 8-lap finale’ after another typical Formula Ford slipstreaming battle.

Jake Spencer edged out Thomas Maxwell and William Brown to finish third in the final race with the three covered by less than a tenth across the line.

Sonic Motor Racing driver Christian Morina, who had won the first two races, led the opening lap of the race but was shuffled down the field as the race progressed, ultimately finishing eighth.

Morina was still able to set a new Formula Ford lap record at Phillip Island – 1m36.1575s – and finished second for the round, with Thomas Maxwell third.

Morina and Leeds were tied on points at the end of the weekend with Leeds taking the overall honours for his DREAM motorsport team by virtue of his win in the final race.

On his return to national Formula Ford competition, Luke Ellery won the Kent class in his Spectrum 06b.

Formula Ford produced the closest racing of the Phillip Island weekend and also the closest race finish of the Nationals season to date – just 0.05s between Morina and William Brown in race one.

THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 29

ROUND 3 WINTON RACEWAY, VIC

TELEVISION COVERAGE SHANNONS NATIONALS TV Speedweek on Sunday at 3.30pm on SBS1

Round 2 Winton

Don’t forget the new time of 3.30pm Speedweek on Sunday at 3.30pm on SBS1

12-14 June

Show 1

5th July 3.30pm Formula Ford National Series Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australian Sports Racer Series IROC Challenge

Show 2

12th July 3.30pm Aust Super 6 Touring Cars Aust Formula 3 Championship

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 ONLY ON SUNDAY via www.thenationals.com.au

WINTON LAP RECORDS CATEGORY

DRIVER

VEHICLE

DATE

TIME

Outright

July, 2000

Christian Murchison

Reynard

1:14.5697

Formula 3

May, 2011

James Winslow

Dallara F307

1:16.8213

Australian Sports Racer Series

June, 2014

Roger I'Anson

West

1:20.2345

V8 Supercars

April, 2014

Jason Bright

VF Commodore

1:22.5291

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge

June, 2014

Fraser Ross

Porsche 911 GT3

1:25.5427

Formula Ford

August, 2002

Jamie Whincup

Van Diemen RF01

1:26.2188

V8 Touring Cars

June, 2010

Tony Evangelou

Ford BA Falcon

1:26.3601

Super 6/Saloon Cars

June, 2011

Shawn Jamieson

VT Commodore

1:37.2162

30 | THE RACING MAGAZINE