Motorsport eNews Issue 171 - September 7-13, 2010

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Issue No. 171 September 07 - 13 2010

PLANS OF ATTACK WE REVEAL HOW THE THREE TITLE CHALLENGERS WILL TACKLE THE ENDUROS

Looking fo

r a 1-2

Need to win

us?

Being cautio

FRIDAY D-DAY

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Murph to test out back injury recovery in Practice

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Bonus material features colourful track parades and great in-car camera footage. This DVD is a must-have for any motorsport enthusiast and muscle car fan.

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Sadly, Shoya Tomizawa, who only five months ago won the very first Moto2 race, in Qatar, has been killed in a crash in Italy, aged 19.

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Issue No. 171 | September 7-13 2010

news 4

Back to Action (Pt I) PI Battle Lines drawn 6 Back in Action (Pt II) Murphy thinking right ...

8 Back to Barbagallo Webber confirms WA drive 13 Back to Basics Ferrari engine-counting 14 Back to The Chase Ten locked in for Finals

chat 24 Five Minutes With ...

David Brabham

comment 24 Normoyle: The Heritage Age Van Leeuwen: Island Plots

race 28 Muscle Car Masters 36 IndyCar 40 NASCAR

trade 50 Classifieds

BIG THREE IN TITLE RACE LOOK TO DIFFERENT STRATEGIES

V8 SUPERCARS

V

8 SUPERCAR’S top teams are planning different approaches to this year’s ‘Season of Endurance’, which kicks off with the L&H 500 at Phillip Island this weekend.

TeamVodafone, Jim Beam Racing and Ford Performance Racing will all enter the Bathurst warm-up race with eyes on both the endurance crowns, and the championship, with Jamie Whincup, James Courtney and Mark Winterbottom currently making up the top three in the points.

For Jim Beam Racing, this is unknown territory. It’s been many years since the team has entered the endurance races leading the title chase, and co-owner Charlie Schwerkolt admits it will change the team’s approach next weekend: “Our plan is to still be leading the championship after the endurance races,” he told eNews.

“We don’t want to be too conservative, but we need to be thinking about [the championship].

It’s about balance.”

“I’m not worried about it. James is driving very well, and Warren (Luff, Courtney’s co-driver) is right on top of his game as well. We had him in the car at the test day last week, and he was only a fraction off James’

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news year’s race, we would have won, if the race had been one lap shorter! HRT was opportunistic, in that they were smart and ran a set of tyres at the end that we did not think they would. That dragged them to the front.

“Twice we should have won at The Island and twice we haven’t done it. I hope that we will be somewhere in the ballpark this weekend.”

FPR has the hardest mountain to climb to take the 2010 title, with Winterbottom currently third in the standings, 324 points behind Courtney. But according to FPR team principal Tim Edwards, the deficit could work in the team’s favour as they approach the two biggest races of the year: “Our approach between now and the end of the year is that we have to win every race,” said Edwards.

“We’re not defending a points lead, so yes, we can afford to roll the dice a bit as these races unfold.

“At the end of the day, seconds and thirds aren’t good enough for us any more, so we’ll be going into these races with no other focus than to win.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

Dirk Klynsmith

times. I think we can still be incredibly quick.”

For the first time in recent years, TeamVodafone heads into the endurance races chasing the title, not leading it. But team boss Roland Dane thinks it’s the co-driver rule, not the points deficit between Whincup and Courtney, which will change the team’s approach this year: “It’s a little bit different this year – no, it’s much different,” said Dane.

“It’s actually the biggest change in my experience here in Australia, because of the change in the driver pairing rule. We used to try and win the endurance races with one car and, if doing that meant that the second car had to be sacrificed, in terms of strategy, you would take that on the chin and get on with it.

“Both cars are now on an equal footing. We go to this race like we go to most of the races through the year – looking for a 1-2 result.

“We will do like we try to do at any other race, and I don’t know if all of the other teams are aiming at that.

“Phillip Island has been a bit unlucky for us in the past. At last

ZUKANOVIC SOLVES ENDURO PUZZLE V8 SUPERCARS

Dirk Klynsmith

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MARCUS Zukanovic will complete the driver line-up for this weekend’s L&H 500 at Phillip Island.

The Fujitsu Series racer will join Greg Murphy Racing in their wildcard VE Commodore, slotting in alongside former Commodore Cup rival Geoff Emery. It will be Zukanovic’s maiden Main Game start, and cap his return to racing this year after sitting out 2009 following a pre-season testing accident at Winton.

“It’s all happened today,” Zukanovic told eNews on Monday before heading to GMR for a seat fitting.

“We sort of spoke backwards and forwards before, but it’s a bit of money and we didn’t feel doing the enduros would be my best option in my first year back after the accident. But I’ve recovered a bit faster than I thought.

“It should be good – I’m looking forward to the opportunity. It’s my home track and GMR have a great car and operation.

“I just looked at the supp regs for the event and there’s over 200 minutes of practice, and we each get a qualifying session and a sprint race. There’s almost more miles in this one weekend than I do in two rounds of the Fujitsu Series, so I’m looking forward to it.”

The deal is currently a one-off for Phillip Island, with the team’s second driver for Bathurst still to be finalised: “We’ve been talking to Marcus a few times,” team owner Kevin Murphy said.

“Initially, it was for both events, then he was entered for another event for this weekend, but he’s rethought it and it’s good to have him in.

“Should he have a good experience, enjoy it and be able to get the money together, he may look at doing Bathurst but at this time it hasn’t been discussed.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

Switch to aid Murphy’s speedy comeback?

V8 SUPERCARS GREG Murphy’s right foot may get a try-out this Friday at Phillip Island, as the Castrol Racing driver assesses his fitness for this weekend’s L&H 500 endurance race.

The four-time Bathurst winner, one of V8 Supercar racing’s few left-foot brakers,

is still recovering from back surgery two weeks ago, and says that he could try rightfoot braking in a bid to race the Paul Morris Motorsport Commodore alongside rookie Tim Blanchard at the Island.

“It is heaps better, but I need to know if I can have repeatability of braking effort,” said Murphy on Monday.

“I am going to jump in to do

some laps on Friday and take it from there. I saw the doctor last week, and he says that I need to judge things based on how much pain there is. It’s fixed, but the would from the surgery itself is still healing.”

Murphy suffered from a bulging disc in his back, for which he underwent surgery in Melbourne. The disc was affecting a nerve, which

connects to his left leg, hence the desire for him to try rightfoot braking on Friday.

The car is set up to allow braking with either foot, and Daniel Gaunt is on standby for the team and ready to drive, if Murphy is unable to drive. The Kiwi is only 1cm shorter than Murphy, so there will be no adjustments needed should he be called into action.

Dirk Klynsmith

Percat looking forward to PI, not rain V8 SUPERCARS

Dirk Klynsmith

NICK Percat is looking for a pressure-free main series debut at this weekend’s L&H 500 at Phillip Island.

While it has been expected that Percat would partner Andrew Thompson in the Bundy Red Racing entry for some time, the official announcement was only made last Monday – the same day that Percat was officially told by the team that he was driving.

“I knew I was going to Winton for the evaluation day last Monday, but I was only told a couple of hours before the announcement that I was in, so

it’s all happened very late,” he told eNews.

“There is certainly a few things I would have liked to have got done before the race, but now it’s only four days away. Still, I always knew there was a good chance I’d be driving, so it’s given me something to focus on with my training throughout the break.

“I’m looking forward to it. The co-driver role is a bit easier. I know what my role is; stay out of trouble and keep the car in one piece. I’m pretty comfortable with Phillip Island as well, although I’ve never actually raced a V8 Supercar there before.”

One factor that could affect Percat’s debut is rain.

“I’ve only done about five laps in a V8 in the wet,” Percat added.

“Tim Blanchard is probably in a similar situation to me in that

respect. The worst situation for us will be if it is wet during practice on Friday, and dry for qualifying on Saturday. We’ll just have to take it as it comes.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

Jim Beam Racing will debut a new livery at this weekend’s L&H 500 at Phillip Island.

They’ll take the wraps off the new look today (Tuesday) – check back here later on to see it ...

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Luke’s back should be cool with Frosty V8 SUPERCARS FORD Performance Racing is confident that Luke Youlden will not have a repeat of the back problem that hampered his Bathurst 1000 stints last year.

Youlden struggled with soreness in his back last year while partnered with Dean Canto in the second FPR Falcon. However, FPR team principal says it was an awkward seating position, caused by the height difference between Youlden and Canto, that caused the problem, and that being paired with Mark Winterbottom should eradicate the issue for 2010.

“He had some pins and needles last year, but it was down to seating position,” Edwards told eNews.

“Of course he is a bit nervous about it happening again, but it had never happened before last year, and we have worked very hard to make sure he is comfortable in the car. Frosty has moved the pedals back a bit so Luke can straighten his legs out, and there’s no indication that the problem should re-surface.”

This year, Canto will share with Paul Dumbrell in the Bottle-O Racing Falcon, a match that Edwards says suits both drivers fine.

“Dean has slipped straight into the seat,” he said. “Paul likes to drive very close to the steering wheel, so we won’t even need an insert for Dean. It’s the same for Steve [Richards] and James [Moffat]; they’ll use exactly the same seat for the races.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

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WEBBER WA TRIP ON FORMULA 1

THE Australian Festival of Speed has officially been launched.

As exclusively predicted by eNews last week, Mark Webber will headline the AAC Australian Festival of Speed at WA’s Barbagallo Raceway on November 28. Webber will complete three timed

runs around the track’s short circuit configuration in a Red Bull Racing Formula 1 car, while RBR’s reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo – who hails from Perth – will also be present for the event, although his exact role is yet to be revealed.

The Australian Festival of Speed will also feature Dean Fiore in his V8 Supercar,

historic open-wheelers and Touring Cars, a SuperTruck demonstration, historic Superbikes, a rallying display with Alistair McRae, and an on-track showdown between players from AFL clubs West Coast and Fremantle.

Tickets are already available through Perth’s Pitstop Bookshop, with adult General Admission costing $50.

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CARRERA CUP IS BACK

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s AS PCR CARRERA CUP TEAM MANAGER, WE HAVE RUN ALEX DAVISON, JONATHON WEBB, DAVID WALL, AARON CARATTI IN AUSTRALIAN CC

WE WELCOME ANY SERIOUS ENQUIRIES FOR THE 2011 AUSTRALIAN CARRERA CUP

CALL ANDY McELREA ON 0402 056 306 OR EMAIL andymcelrea1@bigpond.com

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FORMER STONE TO T8 V8 SUPERCARS

NO DRAG DEAL AT CALDER DRAG RACING

ANDRA has stated that it has done no deal with Calder Park or the Victorian government that would see Championship Drag Racing return to the Melbourne venue.

The sport’s peak body issued a Sponsors Update last week, in response to eNews’ story about Calder Park’s impending redevelopment, in which it stated it had been working on a Mebourne venue for the sport since 2006.

“The Victorian project has achieved many things and we now have the Victorian Government realizing that the sport is

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significant and in need of a venue in Melbourne,” the statement said.

ANDRA further stated, “ANDRA has been approached by Calder Park and ANDRA met to listen to the approach, as it would with any request regardless of any history. ANDRA has also spoken with other venues and groups as there are many that can see opportunities at various levels.”

The statement closed, “The Government is looking for the cheapest way to solve the problem however ANDRA is looking for the most cost effective quality and long-term solution.”

THERE will be a new face within the Brains’ Trust at TeamVodafone this weekend – Ken Douglas.

The former Stone Brothers Racing manager has joined the defending Champions for the endurance races at Phillip Island, Bathurst and the Gold Coast 600. The former racer and computer systems analyst will assist with strategy, as the team attempts to get 12 finishes in the endurances races for the first time.

“Ken is helping us with some number crunching and in helping me with strategy,” said team boss Roland Dane this week.

“He is very experienced, as you know, and that is as a direct result of this change (keeping the series’ primary drivers in their own cars).”

Douglas is widely experienced and has also worked in the USA, with Wood Bros Racing.

Dirk Klynsmith

NEW CLASS IN PIPELINE FOR OLD NASCARS STOCK CARS

MOMENTUM is building for the return of NASCAR-style racing in Australia with the Historic Stock Car Series moving forward on plans to establish itself next year.

The category had a presence at the Muscle Car Masters event in Sydney at the weekend with Bob Middleton, who still owns two cars, demonstrating his ex-Superspeedway Chevrolet Monte Carlo to the large crowd present at Eastern Creek.

The Historic Stock Car Racing Series Australia’s Rowan Harman said the series was

quietly working on ramping up plans for next year.

“It’s all progressing along nicely at the moment,” he said.

“A couple of cars have changed hands and plenty of people are interested in getting on track and supporting a series made up of existing cars in Australia. Bob is here this weekend with the Monte Carlo and I know he’s had a lot of people coming up and looking at the car. He got a great reception when the car was on track, too.

“Having Bob here this weekend signals that we’re starting to get out and about with the series and starting to

spread the word.”

The Association plans to run within existing classes during its formative stages before establishing their own, standalone, historic series.

Cars will likely be required to run in their existing liveries as demonstrated during NASCAR racing’s peak in Australia in the 1990s, or in their original USliveries should the car have the appropriate documentation and history.

The series has a register of more than 20 cars and hopes to capitalise on the growing attention NASCAR racing is obtaining within Australia.

“I think with everything

Macros Ambrose is doing in the US at the moment is giving people here in Australia more of an idea about what these cars are about and the history of the sport,” Harman said.

“At its peak there were more than 70 cars in Australia and our aim is to get them back on the race track to show people how fantastic these cars were – and still are.

“Bob’s car was on display on Sunday and there were masses of people having a look. Many hadn’t seen a Stock Car before and the level of interest shows us that there is a market for an historic series here.”

– RICHARD CRAILL

Yes, that is a Top Fuel Dragster. And, yes, it is a McDonalds Drive-Through ... Phil Read helped McDonalds promote their ‘Three minute service at the Drive-Through’ by taking his pride and joy through to pick up a bite to eat recently.

John Bosher

10

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CL and Kees go testing

“Today was a very encouraging, a confidence building day. I’m becoming more comfortable inside the car and the surroundings.

“We practiced more detailed things like tyre changing, changing a driveshaft – the fundamentals of off-road racing and what we might be faced with during the Safari.

“Most importantly, Kees was happy that we finished the day with the Colorado in one piece!”

The Safari kicks off in Perth on September 17.

OFF-ROAD CRAIG Lowndes and Kees Weel have completed their final test ahead of the Australasian Safari.

A far cry from Lowndes’ first test of the Holden Colorado, which ended after an early roll, the PWR Holden Rally Team completed nearly 150km near Mildura.

“The test went really well, a lot better than our first test in Queensland last month when I rolled the Colorado,” Lowndes joked.

Sofi back, Foster to debut in F3 at EC FORMULA 3 ASTUTI Motorsport will return to the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship this weekend at Eastern Creek with two cars.

The Melbourne-based outfit has been on the sidelines for the majority of 2010, contesting only a pair of rounds with Kristian Lindbom earlier in the season. For the sixth round at Eastern Creek, they’ll be back with returnee Mat Sofi and debutant Nick Foster.

Having claimed his maiden F3 win at Eastern Creek in 2009,

Sydneysider Sofi will make his first F3 start of the year in his Honda-powered F307 Dallara.

Foster, currently third in the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship, will drive the team’s Renaultpowered F307 Dallara in his F3 debut. As first reported in eNews a fortnight ago, Foster eyed the weekend as a toe-inthe-water venture in the wings and slicks category during Formula Ford’s mid-season break.

“It’s good, we’ve got another two cars out there for the series, so we’ll see how we go,” team

owner Sam Astuti told eNews.

“In Mat’s case, it’s close to home for him, he won here last year and I was going to be there anyway, so it’s a bit of a combination of everything.

“I haven’t met Nick yet, but from what I’ve seen of him in Formula Ford, I think he’ll go well.”

Formula 3 is set for a seasonhigh field, possibly of 15. In the second round of the East Coast Shootout, Queenslanders Chris Gilmour, Roman Krumins, Ben Gersekowski and James Mann will head south. John Magro returns with R-Tek, while

the team is close to signing a second driver for the event.

Across the other categories at Eastern Creek’s Shannons Nationals round, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge presented

by Mission Foods has 21 entries, the Kerrick Sports Sedan Series is set for a 16 car field while a 14-car field looks likely for the Shannons V8 Touring Car Series.

Organisers have received 30 entries for the Formula Vee races, while the PRB Clubman category will debut on the Shannons Nationals bill with 20 cars.

– MITCHELL ADAM

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  

 John Bosher

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  11

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Turbos and Ground Effects may return FORMULA 1 THE future of Formula 1 may include a number of technical features from the past, including turbocharged engines, ground effects and KERS. British weekly Autosport has reported that the items under consideration for 2013 include the discarded items of the 1980s and last year’s energy-recovery system, in a bid to make F1 both more entertaining and greener. It reports that the teams have been advised of a proposal to allow 1600cc turbo engines to be the maximum size of motor allowed but, rather than allow horsepower to run rampant as happened 25 years ago, there will be strict limits of fuel use and, hence, power.

The report quoted Williams technical director Sam Michael as saying, “Rather than dump as much fuel in as we can at the moment, there will be a fuel flow metre – so you won’t be able to blow more 12

than a certain amount of fuel. It is a good chunk less than we had at the moment.”

The plans calls for a maximum of five engines to be used each season, rather than the current eight, and is expected to cap horsepower at 650, slightly less than the amount produced by the normallyaspirated 2.4-litre V8s in use at present.

One feature of the new regulations is expected to be a limit on the fuel flow rate, which would effectively limit the amount of power a motor can produce without reducing fuel to the point where car could run out of fuel while racing, as happened in the ‘80s.

The current regulations, which have been in place for two years and which were designed in part by the FIA’s Overtaking Working Group, have been widely seen as a failure. The development of items like double and blown diffusers, and the F-duct, have seen cornering speeds return almost to pre-OWG levels and, at the same time, mitigated against

closer racing and increased overtaking on most circuits.

Grounds effects, which allows cars to race more closely and evenly, is seen as a way of getting around these problems.

“They are talking about putting a greater proportion of down force to the diffuser, a ground effect car – like the early 1980’s,” Michael told Autosport.

“They have been looking at that, as well as increasing crash protection at the front of the car by moving the sidepods further forwards.”

otoGP/ For full F1/ M ge/news, WRC covera CLICK HERE to get to gazine GPWeek ma k.com www.gpwee motorsport news

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Chandok demos Red Bull at Korean track

Teen Dream

FORMULA 1

FORMULA 1

Korean GP

KOREA’S maiden Grand Prix took a step closer to reality last week, with Red Bull Racing christening the Yeongam circuit.

The team took a car to the circuit and Karun Chandok, currently out of a drive with Hispania Racing, completed 15 laps of the 5.6km track.

“It’s a really interesting layout,” said Chandok, who got the call because Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel were unavailable.

“The track’s got a good mix of corners and I think we’ll see a lot of overtaking in the first sector – there are long straights into slow hairpins.

“Looking at the facilities, the garages and team buildings look pretty much finished and they’re big – I think teams will need to bring around 30 percent more furniture to fill them! The grandstands also look reasonably finished. The track itself needs a bit more work on the asphalt and the kerbs, but the organisers are confident that it will be ready on time. And the location’s nice as we’re overlooking the sea here.”

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone echoed Chandhok’s sentiments and told the media, “There are problems, the circuit is definitely ready, but as

for all the buildings, perhaps not.

“So we may have to put up some tents.”

“There’s certainly enthusiasm for F1 here,” said Chandok, who is a former Red Bull Junior driver.

“There were a lot of people at the event today, which wasn’t heavily publicised, and there’s a lot of media, which shows an interest.”

The track is due to host its first Grand Prix race on Sunday, October 24.

Fernando treads carefully

Alonso gets his last new engine for Monza FORMULA 1

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any further problems may see him needing a new V8 and facing a 10-spot penalty in coming races.

Most teams are expected to run used engines in the postMonza events, though we believe that Red Bull Racing has an engine up its sleeve, should things come to that.

On the other hand, Alonso and team-mate Felipe Massa are both due to face the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council in Paris this Wednesday over Ferrari’s 1-2 result in Germany in July. If things go badly, engines could be the last thing on their mind ...

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FERNANDO Alonso may be making his last stand at Monza this weekend, because of a shortage of engines at Ferrari.

The Spaniard used his seventh of eight engines at Spa and, with the emphasis on horsepower at the Italian track, is due run his eighth new motor in the race this Sunday.

The double World champion, currently fifth in the Drivers’ Championship points, is 41 points behind leader Lewis Hamilton, has suffered two engine failures this season and

Lotus Racing

KOREA IS ON – THAT’S NO BULL F1 at 16: A

IF you have a 16-year-old nagging you for driving lessons, spare a thought for the Jeffri family.

Malaysian teenager Nabil Jeffri last week became the youngest ever driver of a Formula 1 car, after taking part in a straight-line test with Lotus Racing. The 16-year-old joined Heikki Kovalainen and Lotus tester Fairuz Fauzy in the test at Duxford airfield.

“I have had an incredible day, one of the best days of my life,” said Jeffri, who is currently fifth in this season’s Formula BMW Pacific series. “I have to admit that the first time I went out it was pretty scary – everyone told me the acceleration would be unbelievable.

“It took a while to get used to that, but Heikki and Fairuz gave me some advice on how to settle in to it, and after a while I was more comfortable and was able to get through the day’s plan.”

Team boss Tony Fernandes said: “When I first offered Nabil the chance to drive our car, he couldn’t tell if I was joking or not, but I was very serious about giving a young Malaysian the chance to step up to the big time.

“He’s repaid my faith in him and has performed incredibly well, and that’s a source of real pride for me. I suspect Nabil will head back to Malaysia with his head spinning from everything that’s happened to him today. But now he can say he’s driven an F1 car, and that will set his sights at the very top.”

13

Toyota Motorsports

TEN LOCKED IN CHASE SPRINT CUP TEN drivers are now locked in to The Chase for the Sprint Cup – but this weekend’s final race of the ‘regular season’ at Richmond could still change the season for a number of drivers.

Kevin Harvick and Jeff Gordon went to Atlanta safe in the knowledge that they were already secured in the Chase, and Kyle Busch, Atlanta winner Tony Stewart,

Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton, above, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin, #11 above, all locked in their finals appearances, despite Hamlin spinning out of the race after the engine of his polewinning Joe Gibbs Toyota blowing.

But Hamlin is 198 points clear of Ryan Newman in 13th place and, even if the Stewart Haas driver poles, wins and leads the most laps in Virginia, he is still still

going to wind up 3 points short of 10th.

Greg Biffle is in a better place, needing only to make the start next weekend to make The Chase, while Clint Bowyer is 117 clear of Newman and a minor result will get the job done for the Childress Chevy driver.

Jamie McMurray and Mark Martin require almost religious intervention to make it into the top 12, but neither are out of mathematical contention.

Test date set: Jan 17-19 NASCAR

14

NASCAR Media

REPAVING work at the Daytona International Speedway is continuing, and a tentative date has been set to test on the new surface.

Sprint Cup teams have been told that there will be a three-day test with Goodyear on the 2.5-mile track on January 17-19. The tyre giant had planned to have a few days testing with a handful of cars in early January but have been

told by Speedway officials that is now unlikely.

The track has been stripped down to its rock base, and seven layers of asphalt will be laid to make the new surface.

Lane Construction, which repaved other ISC race tracks including Talladega Superspeedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Richmond International Raceway and Darlington Raceway, will use an estimated 50,000 tonnes of asphalt to repave the track.

motorsport news

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Rahal back to fishing INDYCARS

Hot Spicy Wings INDYCARS

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FORMULA 1 teams may become involved with IndyCar’s new aero regulations.

A select group of IndyCar representatives flew to Europe August 31 to meet with a few F1 teams and car manufacturers, hoping to involve these companies in their North American series.

Randy Bernard, the IRL’s CEO led the team made up of Gil de Ferran, who represents all the car owners, along with Tony Purnell, founder of Pi Research.

De Ferran and Purnell

participated in the ICONIC committee to select the new 2012 chassis.

The first stop is Dallara located in Parma, Italy. Then the group will meet with officials from Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes, Cosworth, Audi, Renault, and Lotus.

“We have come up with such an innovative and different concept on how to tackle some of the challenges IndyCar faces that we need to ensure the concept is well-understood and not misinterpreted,” de Ferran told IndyCar.com.

“Therefore, the importance of not only this trip but other

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GRAHAM Rahal returned to Sarah Fisher Racing at Kentucky.

Fisher, the only owner/ driver in the series, called upon Rahal, 21, to compete in three events earlier this year when his season sponsorship fell through just before the season started. Rahal drove for Newman-Haas Racing for six of the final eight IndyCar events this season.

It was not a great race for the team, with Rahal finishing 20th and Fisher 22nd.

– MARY MENDEZ

initiatives that are going on are of significance in order to achieve this objective.”

F1 teams, in wanting to show case their technology, could develop the aero package (engine cover, front and rear wings) for the 2012 Dallara safety cell (remainder of the chassis) at a reasonable cost by utilizing their junior engineers. IndyCar is also hopeful to convince an engine manufacturer to compete against Honda with their own engine or engage Cosworth to build an engine to be badged with their name.

– MARY MENDEZ

No more Toys in this Pram, for now INDY LIGHTS

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into our #29 William Rast Indy Lights entry on extremely short notice.”

The reasons behind the decision are a little vague.

“I will not be racing for the rest of the season with Bryan Herta Autosport,” said Saavedra, who threw his team under the bus in a TV interview.

“It was a tough decision. After the last races, things haven’t gone the way they should. My manager and main sponsor made the decision to stop, to not continue harming my racing career and name.”

– MARY MENDEZ

IndyCar Media

SEBASTIAN Saavedra pulled out of the Firestone Indy Lights race in Kentucky in controrversoal circumstances.

Saavedra, 20, informed his team owner, Bryan Herta, the night before the Kentucky 100 race he wouldn’t be driving. His car wasn’t ready for the Lights practice nor qualifying the day before the Saturday afternoon race.

Daniel Herrington, who won last season at Chicagoland in a Bryan Herta Autosport entry, stepped into the entry, after

showing up at the track as a spotter for Conquest Racing.

Herrington, whohas not competed all season, was out of the race on lap 3 after an accident.

“Sebastian Saavedra’s father informed me last night that Sebastian has decided not to participate in today’s race,” said a shocked Herta.

“This turn of events has come to me, our sponsor and our entire race team as quite a surprise. Needless to say I am deeply disappointed. We greatly appreciate and admire Daniel’s willingness to step

15

CARRERA CUP

Mawer CupCar interest

Dirk Klynsmith

FORMER Carrera Cup racer Barton Mawer has set his sights on competing in the reborn series in 2011.

Mawer raced in Carrera Cup’s last season in 2008, finishing 10th in his first season out of open wheelers. Without a regular drive since the category’s demise, the New South Welshman is aiming to get back into action in the onemake Porsche class.

“I see Carrera Cup as a really good motorsport business model you can race at a professional level and attract sponsorship dollars for,” he said.

“I’d like to be back out there, I’m trying to put something together for next year.

“It’d be good to get in on the ground floor of a new category.

When I went in last time, it was at the end of the three or four years with that model car, and it took time to get up to speed against guys like Bairdo who knew it well.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

Gray gets Ute debut V8 UTES PRODUCTION Car racer Lauren Gray will make her V8 Ute debut this weekend at Phillip Island.

After testing a V8 Ute at Calder Park late last year, Gray will step out of her family team’s regular Toyota Production Cars and into a Brock Racing Engineering Holden Ute. “It’s safe to say I can’t wait to make my first V8 Ute start at Phillip Island,” Gray said.

“I tested one of James’ Utes at Calder late last year and by the end of the day was setting some pretty reasonable times.

It’s going to be a big learning 16

curve this weekend but I’d like to think I can get up there and mix it up with the pack.

“The V8 Utes are a hugely competitive series so I’m throwing myself into the deep end, but I can’t wait for the challenge. I’ve got plenty of laps at Phillip Island and with experienced guys like James Brock helping me adapt to the car I know I’ll be on the pace quickly.”

In other V8 Ute news, former front-runner Kurt Wimmer will return to the class for a one-off hitout in Brad Patton’s Wicked Energy Drink Falcon Ute, and West Australian Rick Gill will make his second start of the season. motorsport news

news Joel Strickland

Bates on Tweed RALLY NEAL Bates will make a return to competition this weekend, taking part in the Speed on Tweed.

Bates and co-driver Coral Taylor will run a number of

laps in their Toyota Corolla Super 2000 car, tackling the one-kilometre course in Murwillumbah. It will be the four-time Australian Rally Champion’s first competitive outing since Rally Australia last year.

“I am really looking forward to Speed on Tweed because I haven’t done a lot competition this year, and can’t wait to go and have a play in our car,” Bates said.

“Coral and I have never taken part in the event before, so it

will great to be a part of it. It’s a great course and should be good fun. I also can’t wait to get up close to some classic machinery as I am a huge car buff.”

There will be over 180 cars at the 2010 Speed on Tweed.

Korea gets F3 INTERNATIONAL

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THE Korean Formula 3 Superprix will return this year, after a seven-year absence.

But unlike before, the race won’t be held on a street circuit. Instead, the Superprix will be held on the new-for2010 Korean International Circuit, which will host its inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix next month.

The F3 Superprix will run on the full-length version of the KIC, and will return to its place as a second F3 showcase race, alongside the Macau Grand Prix. It hasn’t been run since 2003.

According to Barry Bland,

Macau organiser and the man in charge of the original Korean Superprix races, a Formula 3 race is important for the country’s burgeoning motorsport culture.

“As the first international race meeting ever held in Korea, the Superprix was the catalyst for the development of the sport here,” Bland told Autosport. “[The Superprix] culminated in the creation of the KIC, and the country’s inclusion in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.”

Previous winners of the Korean Superprix include Darren Manning and Narain Karthikeyan.

17

BRIEFLY n The MINI Challenge will lend its support to victims of last year’s Black Saturday bushfires at Phillip Island. The category has teamed up with Global Care, the key provider of relief services to those affected. In other charity news, the Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour will again support the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia as its official charity for the 2011 race. n Young Queensland racer Ryan Luke – who was injured last year at the NSW State Titles – got back behind the wheel at the weekend’s Rotax Nationals.

He completed a test day on Saturday and is planning to return to the sport. The AKA and Ipswich Kart Club had scheduled Luke to complete demonstration laps as part of the Rotax Nationals, however it had to be curtailed due to the poor weather. n Weather conditions were the big talking point at the Rotax Nationals.

Everyone expected the rain to come – and it did in buckets! Conditions for the weekend were very grippy – a combination of the new track surface at Ipswich and what competitors described as different characteristics from the MOJO tyres. For Rotax Nationals coverage, head to Page 44. n Todd Hazelwood, Darryl Tolmer and Matthew Panella were the big winners at the City of Adelaide Titles held last weekend. Hazelwood took out the Junior National and Junior Clubman categories, Tolmer won both Clubman Heavy and Clubman Over-40s, whilst Panella walked home with the Clubman Pro and Clubman Light victories. The other big victor was Scott Kissock who took out Leopard Pro against a strong field.

– MATT PAYNE/STAFF

18

NINE AUSSIES FOR ROTAX KARTING AUSTRALIAN Rotax distributor IKD has invited an unprecedented nine competitors to represent their country at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final karting event at La Conca in Italy, to be held between November 15 and 21.

The invitation encompasses the race entry and the use of the Rotax engine, chassis and consumables, along with a race gear package including a ‘Team Australia’ suit. IKD will assist competitors with grants from its World Final Fund established this year, all competitors will be required to meet costs of travel and accommodation.

Five-time Australian Rotax Champion David Sera, Kyle Ensbey and Western Australia’s Steven Scoble have been invited to compete in the Rotax MAX division. Pierce Lehane

(who represented Australia last year in Egypt) and new national champion Jonathan Venter, pictured above, have been offered Junior places, whilst former representatives, David Whitmore and Jason Pringle, along with Damian Ward, have been given the opportunity to represent their country in the Rotax DD2 category. Canberra racer Tony Prendergast has been selected as Australia’s representative in the DD2 Masters category.

Historically, Australia has performed solidly in the event, boasting Mark Wicks (2003 Masters) and Ben George (2006 Rotax DD2) as World Champions and three competitors – William Yarwood, Scott Auld and Adrian Estasy having stood on the Rotax MAX podium. With more competitors, this provides possibly Australia’s best opportunity of walking away with the Nations Cup Title after finishing third in 2007.

– MATT PAYNE

IT’S BROCK, IN STATUE FORM STATUES

THE fourth anniversary of the death of Peter Brock will be marked this week with the release of a special statue.

Acclaimed sculptor Stephen Glassborow will release a bronze statue based on a 1984 image of the nine-time Bathurst winner, after being commissioned last January by Rob McCarthy via the Peter Brock Foundation to design a limited edition Brock statue.

Only 15 examples of the 90cm statue will be produced, each one numbered and signed by the artist, for $12,000 each including GST. A percentage of the proceeds will go to the Foundation.

Enquiries can be made to Danees Denman at enquiries@ peterbrockfoundation.com.au or by contacting Rob McCarthy at pbbronze@live.com motorsport news

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Marco walks – to Yamaha SBK MOTOGP-SBK

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MARCO Melandri is leaving MotoGP to race in World Superbikes – but he will join Yamaha, not BMW. The Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team confirmed yesterday that the28 year-old Melandri will replace MotoGP-bound Cal Crutchlow.

“I’m very happy with this new challenge, it’s a big change and I want to fight for world superbike wins,” said the former 250cc GP World Champion.

“I realize Superbike is not easy and I know I have to work hard. I’m looking forward to feeling the adrenalin again and fighting for the championship.”

However, one piece in what was the Melandri-BMW puzzle looks to be in play with Yamaha. The BMW deal was

team manager, Mario Meregalli.

The Italian is apparently following his star rider of 2009, Ben Spies, to Fiat Yamaha – and this is the clearest indication yet that Jeremy Burgess will join Valentino Rossi.

Melandri’s news means that there will be a vacant seat with the Gresini team. It is expected to be filled by Andrea Dovisioso, who is currently with HRC, which has signed Casey Stoner for next season.

Gresini is expected to have access to a full factory RC212V, rather than the lesser version Melandri has raced this season.

thought to be the brainchild of Davide Tardozzi, with whom the five-time MotoGP winner worked at Ducati. But respected sources in Italy report that Tardozzi is also moving to Yamaha Sterilgarda, which is expected to lose its

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2011: CalTech 3 SBK-MOTOGP

20

Black Week MOTO2

Yamaha Racing

YAMAHA Sterilgarda is becoming a breeding ground for GP stars, with Cal Crutchlow following Ben Spies into MotoGP. Like Spies, Crutchlow will move to Tech 3 Yamaha after a single year at the top level of the production-based series he is expected to join Colin Edwards.

“Being part of the Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team has been fantastic,” said Crutchlow, who scored five pole positions and two race wins, both at Silverstone, in his first year in the WSBK. “When I first signed with Yamaha for the 2009 World Supersport Championship we went on to win the World Championship and the natural progression was to move to World Superbike. It was an

honour to be asked to be part of the team and to remain as part of the Yamaha family.

“Moving to MotoGP is a great opportunity for me, it was an honour to be asked by Herve Poncheral and for Yamaha to back me. I intend to do the best job I can with the team next year, be humble, learn and enjoy the experience.”

MOTORCYCLE racing has suffered one of its darkest weeks, with four deaths within a sadly short period.

Japanese Moto2 rider Shoya Tomizawa has died following a crash during Sunday’s San Marino Grand Prix. Tomizawa, 19, fell and was struck by the bikes of Alex De Angelis and Scott Redding, who both also fell. While the latter two were uninjured, Tomizawa was treated immediately at the scene, and transferred to hospital with massive injuries.

A week earlier, a 13-year-old

racer lost his life at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Peter Lenz of Vancouver, Washington, fell off his bike during the warmup lap for Sunday’s first race at Indianapolis and was run over by another motorcycle. He was pronounced dead several hours later in a nearby hospital.

Two amateur racers were killed at the Junior Manx GP on the Isle of Man. Chris Bradshaw, 39, a Traffic Police Officer from Tamworth in Staffordshire and Jamie Adam, 28, a Royal Navy Petty Officer, from Prestwick in Scotland, died in an accident at the Alpine Cottage part of the famed road course. motorsport news

WHINCUP: TIME TO PERFORM

JAMIE REVEALS TO MOTORSPORT NEWS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE SECOND – NOT FIRST – IN THE CHASE FOR THE TITLE PLUS: UNIQUE FORMULA 1 MID-SEASON REVIEW, WE DRIVE A FORMULA 5000 IN NEW ZEALAND, V8’S HOTTEST ROOKIE JONO WEBB, CLASSIC FLASHBACK TO PHILLIP ISLAND, BEHIND THE SCENES AT GREG MURPHY RACING AND MUCH, MUCH MORE

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21

ANDRA enjoying growth on and off track DRAG RACING THE ANDRA Pro Series has continued its impressive commercial growth into the 2010/2011 season.

With Major Associate sponsors, Auto One and Enzed already committing at the start of the year, organisers have finalised renewed deals for remaining partners.

“We are very proud of our sponsor list at ANDRA Pro Series and it’s something we have worked extremely hard to maintain,” Head of Sponsorship and Marketing, Dale Brittain said.

“Our sponsors are all bluechip companies and their level of commitment to ANDRA Pro Series, not only in the way of the financial investment but with their efforts to drive our sport forward, is one of the major reasons we have seen Australian drag racing continue to grow.”

With nine new sponsors joining the ANDRA Pro Series in 2009/2010, the commercial side of Drag Racing in Australia has never been stronger.

“Firstly I would like to acknowledge our two Major Associate Sponsors in Auto One and Enzed. These two companies showed their faith in ANDRA Pro Series by resigning for this season halfway through the last,” Brittain said.

“We have are also delighted to welcome back Rare Spares, who for the third year in

succession have increased their investment into our sport.

Rare Spares will remain as naming rights sponsors of the Pit Talk segment and take up a greater media partnership with our exclusive host broadcaster ONE HD.” Following the successful introduction of the Shannons Tri State Top Fuel Shootout last summer, the concept will return, with Shannons again backing the mini series, while ANDRA now has official suppliers for motorcycles, lubricants, auto parts, car care and electrical supplies.

“We took a gamble with Shannons last season with the creation of the ‘Shannons Tri State Top Fuel Shootout’ and it paid off with the Shootout back on again this year,” Brittain said.

“We are still working out the final touches to how the shootout system will work but what I can say is that it will be even more exciting this season.

“It is testament to the ANDRA Pro Series when we can attract and then renew major global brands like Harley-Davidson and Fuchs Lubricants,” Brittain said.

“Auto One will continue as the Official Auto Parts Stores of ANDRA Pro Series and major motorsport backer, L&H also remain as the Official Electrical Suppliers. We also welcome Mothers Polishes as the new official car care provider for this season.”

Teams firing up for DRAG RACING THE ANDRA Pro Series and Rocket Allstars Racing Series fires up again this Friday with the running of the Fuchs Australian Nationals at Sydney Dragway Strong fields across all categories will ensure the season gets off to an exciting start.

Top Fuel is expected to deliver a world-class show with 12 cars entering for the eight car field. Among those returning to competition are Andrew Cowin, main pic, Darren DiFilippo and Luke Shepherd.

Cowin’s assault on the championship has been well publicised and the team

wasted no time in making an early impression with a 4.59s time recorded in testing, even with a shut off at three quarter track.

Unfortunately for the Cowin family racing team it was followed by a run where the dragster hit the wall, damaging the chassis enough to see them bring out the back up car.

Cowin spent time racing in the US with father Graeme, who himself is one of Australia’s most well-known nitro proponents.

Reigning champ Martin Stamatis has entered for the event, but his status for the rest of the season in the Billview dragster is unclear as he may take time to work

ANDRA Pro Series news

22

motorsport news

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John Bosher

on his business to ensure his racing has longevity.

Santo Rapisarda team drivers Mark Mariani, above right, and Allan Dobson are expected to be in form, with news in recent weeks that the team is to campaign in the USA. Top Alcohol has drawn 11 teams to compete with a similar field to the one that set records at the Winternationals.

Husband and wife team Steve and Debbie Reed are both back to race and will face the tough champion from last season, Gary Phillips.

Eighteen cars will battle for eight spots in Top Doorslammer, led by Western Australians John Zappia and Robin Judd, who spent last season in a tight contest for

the championship, with Zappia ousting Judd in the final race.

Zappia has new naming rights sponsor Procomp Motorsport on board while Judd’s Studebaker will also carry a new livery.

The event will see the competition debut of Peter Kapiris’s wild new Chrysler Saratoga. After recording some stout early numbers in testing, the former champion could become a threat yet again to the top runners.

Top Bike has 11 entries with a fairly even split between the nitro Harleys and the four cylinders. Reigning champion Chris Matheson will be on the war path with time spent in the USA during the off season with Larry McBride to hone

s is proudly presented by:

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John Bosher

r Fuchs Nationals his skills in the fast part of the track, his one weak point during the last season.

Jay Upton, one of Matheson’s chief rivals, is sitting out the opening round of the season as part of a plan to regroup his operation.

Pro Stock was regarded by many as the best category at the 2009/2010 seasonending Winternationals. Even that show could be topped at Sydney with 24 cars preentered, one of the biggest fields ever for any category in the Pro Series.

Brothers Aaron and Tyronne Tremayne will be looking to hold their firm grip on the championship, which has seen them go one-two for the last three seasons.

The race within a race for the category is for the first driver to run a six-second pass. Many are predicting it could happen this season if the conditions are right.

Pro Stock Bike endured some low field sizes last season but has bounced back with ten motorcycles ready for the new championship.

Andrew Badcock will resume his riding on the championship-winning Trevor Birrell-owned Dutch Master Suzuki but could face a threat from any number of riders.

Maurice Allen is always a name to watch, but with new support from Milwaukee Tools he may now have the budget to ride with the big names.

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

Next ANDRA Pro Series Round: Fuchs Australian Nationals, Sydney Dragway, September 10-12

23

Five Minutes with ...

DAVID BRABHAM

A week after hitting the century in the ALMS, Brabs is back in Australia for another challenge – three V8 Supercar events with Stone Brothers Racing. By PHIL BRANAGAN MOTORSPORT NEWS: First things first; belated congratulations on making it to 100 starts in the ALMS. DAVID BRABHAM: Thanks! I made a century; 100, not out.

The series is something that, obviously, I have been involved in for a long time. It has been a big part of my life and I have had some fantastic races. I have raced a lot there, and won the championship last year. I have had a great experience with the Highcroft team, and it has been a great journey, really.

Your brother [Geoff] rather rudely suggested that 100 starts make you as old as he is – almost.

Yes! Not quite, as much as he would like to think. Geoff was, obviously, very big in the IMSA days and won championships. I get reminded a lot about how much people enjoyed watching him out there, racing, and they turn to me and ask, “was that your father?” I always chuckle!

Does it seem like 11 years?

Where the hell did that time go? It’s amazing, how time flies along, you get wrapped up in life and next thing, you are in your mid-40s. Where does it all go?

No regrets, though. Like I said, it has been a great journey.

The number of competitive cars in the series, in terms of outright race contenders, is down, compared to what we may seen in previous years. But at the sharp end, the competition is certainly still there, isn’t it?

Yes, it is. Sportscar racing goes in cycles, in terms of the amount of cars there. I think the best year we had was in ’08, when we had a lot of competitive cars. So that does not mean that it is any easier in terms of winning race, particularly at the moment, when the regulations are as they are. In the

American Le Mans Series, we are trying to combine the P1 and the P2 cars together, and that is difficult. We are in, essentially, a P2 car, trying to beat P1s. The fact that we are leading the championship shows how well the team has performed over the course of the year.

Do you think that Porsche and Klaus Graf have something special waiting for you in the last race?

We know that they always have something waiting for us!

I am not 100 percent sure of the reasons why, but they have got a 25 kilo weight break on us. At Elkhart Lake, that is six, seven-tenths a lap, right there.

We always struggled to beat that car a couple of years ago, in ’07 and ’08. So we know that car will be very fast at Petit [Le Mans] and for us, luckily, we have got a certain job we need to do, to win the championship. We just need to do our thing and we will win another championship.

Keep Marino [Franchitti, Highcroft’s third driver for that race] away from the haggis.

Exactly!

Before you get back to that, you are a V8 Supercar driver again, for a little while. Even in a season when you are not able to get back here, is it in your mind, something you look forward to?

It is. In the last few years, it just has not worked out for me to do it. The Acura program just did not allow it, so at Phillip Island time, or Bathurst time, I was thinking, “Damn, I wish I was down there”.

It was a nice surprise this year when Ross Stone rang me up and asked me if I would like to come to do these races.

My schedule fitted in with the races – it was tight, but I can do it – and it is great to have the opportunity.

You are well-placed to comment on driving these cars. Some drivers, you included, have the knack of going fast while some – even some wellcredentialed touring car drivers – sometimes do not. Why is that?

I think that, from my experience, when you drive a car that is very fast, like my car, with high downforce and which responds like a ‘proper’ racecar, you have a particular driving style to get the best out of it.

When you jump in a V8, like last week when I had not driven one for three years, it is a rude awakening. It is so, so different to what I am used to.

I have to change the driving style, the way I brake, the way I put the throttle on, everything. It all changes. It takes time to adapt, and I like to understand what I am driving. Sometimes, that takes a while, sometimes it doesn’t. Once I have done that, I have a good foundation underneath me.

Testing was great, to get back into the rhythm of it, and to understand how Stone Brothers run their team and their systems.

Surfers will be so fascinating. With some many drivers with so many accomplishments behind them, do you think that we could see some of them just not adapt to these big, heavy, ugle cars?

It could well be. You have guys with such good credentials and they could look pretty ordinary in a V8 Supercar. That is just the nature of it.

They are not going to get much time in the car beforehand – one day’s testing, and that may not be a full day. There is so much to learn about the car, and what you need to do in pitstops, and that all takes time to work out. It is going to be some interesting stuff on the Gold Coast.

Any hints?

No! Why would I do that?

“YOU HAVE GUYS WITH SUCH GOOD CREDENTIALS AND THEY COULD LOOK PRETTY ORDINARY” Brabs on the GC V8 race 24

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Patron Highcroft Racing

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MODERN DAY HERITAGE

I

T’S great news that the future of Sandown has now been secured.

But the really interesting thing to come out of the announcement of a 10-year commitment to the circuit from V8 Supercars Australia, along with the pledge from the Melbourne Racing Club to redevelop the pits, was the concept of Sandown’s V8 event becoming a ‘heritage’ event.

It’s the idea of new V8SCA CEO Martin Whittaker, and it’s a good one. For a start, what better place to celebrate 50 years of the Australian Touring Car Championship than the grand old Melbourne track – now the third oldest permanent road circuit in Australia.

If you don’t know what is meant by ‘heritage event’, take a look at the footy. Both the AFL and the NRL from time to time feature themed ‘heritage’ rounds, where teams revert to traditional guernsey liveries as a way of honouring the sport’s past.

But they do a lot more than that. Unlike V8 Supercars, both footy codes have vigorously embraced their history, and each has turned that history into a marketing strength.

In 2008 both codes

celebrated important milestones – 100 and 150 years respectively for the NRL and AFL – and both spent a fortune on TV ads reminding us of this all year.

In 2008 the NRL launched its centenary season at a quiet park in suburban Birchgrove in inner Sydney, which was the site of the first Sydney rugby league comp game in 1908. It was a marketing masterstroke that attracted mammoth media coverage as the NRL paid homage to its rich history, its sporting DNA. In evoking the spirit of its 1908 forefounders, the NRL was reminding everyone of the extent to which it is part of the Australian sporting and cultural landscape.

It’s not about wallowing in the past. It’s about a sport demonstrating its longevity and therefore its credibility – that it is a sporting passion that’s lived on through generations, and is not something dreamed up 10 years ago by marketing gurus.

V8 Supercars isn’t in the same league as the footy either in terms of history or mainstream appeal. But it does have a solid following, and a substantial history.

Half a century of history, in

OPINION Steve Normoyle – Special Projects Editor fact. And that half-century milestone was celebrated earlier this year by local car club enthusiasts at Orange with their annual ‘back to Gnoo Blas’ festival. This year at Gnoo Blas the theme was the 50th anniversary of the Australian Touring Car Championship, which began at this public road circuit back in 1960. It was an opportunity missed by V8 Supercars to launch its 50th anniversary season at the place where it all began …

Never mind, it’s good that they’re onto the case now.

It will be interesting to see what’s planned for Sandown, but for ideas of how to really tap into the history thing, let’s look again at the footy.

This year the NRL took the heritage concept even further, opting for an ’80s retro round.

This was held at the ‘traditional’ Leichhardt Oval, an old suburban venue that’s been outgrown by the league and is used sparingly. They pushed

the ‘heritage’ thing hard: old style footy jumper, old players from the ’80s in attendance, prizes for the best ’80s fashion in the crowd … The crowd, which filled the creaking old stadium to capacity, loved it.

You could do this kind of thing at Sandown.

Just imagine, the HRT Commodores wearing ’80s dayglo-and-white HDT livery (without the Marlboro), the DJR Falcons in a variant of Greens-Tuf or Tru-Blu ’80s DJR colours. FPR could adopt the distinctive orange colours of the 1971 factory GT-HO Phase IIIs – which if nothing else would bemuse the chiefs at TeamVodafone …

Even better, follow the NRL’s Leichhardt Oval example and make it a special ‘heritage’ venue event, with a return to the recently reopened Lakeside.

There are all sorts of possibilities. We await V8 Supercars Australia’s heritage event plans with interest.

John Morris/Mpix

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OPINION Andrew van Leeuwen – eNews Editor

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INALLY. After too many weeks of sitting around, it’s time to go racing again. And not just any old racing – it’s time for endurance racing.

Picking a winner for the L&H 500 at Phillip Island is hard, not because of how competitive the field is, but because its been so long since Townsville that I’ve forgotten most of the driver’s names.

Anyway, let’s give it a go.

As far as I see it, there are seven cars that can win this race. When I say ‘win this race’, I mean stick their car on pole after running at the front in the ‘qualifying’ races, and drive away from the field. Of course, at a place like Phillip Island where the clouds are likely to be looming ominously, a dark horse winner is always a possibility. But a result outside of these seven entries would require an element of luck.

The first car that can win is the Triple Eight car of Jamie Whincup and Steve Owen. The car doesn’t have #1 on the window by mistake, and Owen has never really done anything that’s made him look slow.

Then there’s #888; Craig Lowndes was sublime at PI last year, brought down only www.mnews.com.au

by that deflating tyre at the end of the race. As for Mark Skaife, he is capable of doing enough to help win the race.

Next comes car #18. Like in the case of Whincup, James Courtney isn’t leading the championship by accident. And Warren Luff is probably better than most give him credit for.

While it hasn’t been a great year for the Toll Holden Racing Team, the enduros have a habit of being the basis of redemption. Car #2 is an obvious pick as a near-favourite, having won the race last year. And while Garth Tander won’t have Will Davison with him in 2010, he will have Cam McConville – not a bad replacement.

As for #22, Davo’s had a shocker, but now he has David Reynolds next to him, for a crack at these races that isn’t inhibited by championship considerations.

Mark Winterbottom’s #5 car will be in the mix. He was fast on the flowing circuits in the Middle East at the start of the year, and he’s been finding form at just the right time for the enduros. Luke Youlden will be good enough to help him, so they rate as a chance.

The final car in the top seven is #33. Lee Holdsworth and David Besnard are more

Dirk Klynsmith

SEVEN’S HEAVEN

than a smokey for this race. Holdsworth is a proven quantity, and Besnard was amazingly fast at The Island last year.

These guys can win this race.

Another thing about this year’s 500 is that it will potentially be more important than it has been in the recent past. While it’s always served as a Bathurst dress rehearsal, this time it will serve as a barometer as to how well the co-drivers can soak up the pressure, particularly the likes of Steve Owen and Warren Luff, who are playing with people’s title aspirations.

If one of these guys makes a blue at The Island, the pressure on them will escalate, ten-fold, for Bathurst. If things go right at The Island, the wave of confidence could result in winning the Peter Brock Trophy.

There is also more individual onus on these drivers at PI than there is at Bathurst. For starters, the part-timers must contribute directly to qualifying, not like Bathurst where they will sit in the garage in civvies shouting at a monitor. At PI, they’ll have to race the car for a grid spot, and the weekend could turn a terrible shade of brown right there and then if someone gets it wrong ...

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Master class Some great old cars, some great old stars, the sixth annual Australian Muscle Car Masters was an on-the-racetrack celebration the 50th anniversary of the Australian Touring Car Championship.

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Mpix James Smith

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AN Geoghegan’s famous late ‘60s Ford Mustang GTA heading home an early ‘90s all-wheel-drive Nissan GT-R, and also Glenn Seton’s late ‘90s Ford Credit Falcon EL V8 Supercar – with Glenn himself at the wheel – which finished just four-tenths clear of Victor Waterhouse’s early ‘60s Jaguar Mk2.

If this sounds like the warped fantasy of an obsessed Touring Car fan who perhaps ought to get out more, the reality was even more surreal, because chasing the Jaguar home was a late ‘80s Group A BMW M3, followed by a Torana A9X, then an XU-1 model, and Falcon GTHO, BMW 635CSi, Chev Camaro, a Volvo 240T …

This was the Australian Touring Car Championship 50th Anniversary Handicap event, which was one of the 36 on-track events at the 2010 Australian Muscle Car

Masters event.

Typically the AMCMasters was an all-encompassing showcase of Australian Touring Car (and even Sports Sedan) history, with a 200-plus entry Party like it’s 1990: Could almost be the early ‘90s as Nissan GT-R heads HRT Commodore VL and BMW M3 0 driven by Glenn Seton, top. Allan Grice/Colin Bond ’83 Roadways Commodore heads JPS BMW M3. Bond drove the Roadways car in the Master Blaster demos, above right. Bob Tweedie shows that Sierra RS500s are still difficult cars 20 years on, far right. AMCMasters is as much about what’s in the paddock as on the track, right. The indefatigable John Goss was there with is replica Falcon and Jaguar, above left.

As was Des Wall with his exGeoghegan Mustang. motorsport news

Dirk Klynsmith Jon Van Daal

Mpix

Jon Van Daal

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www.mnews.com.au

Danny Bourke

Dirk Klynsmith

James Smith

featuring Group Nb, Nc, A, C, the Touring Car Masters Series, parades of past star cars and the growing band of replica Touring Cars, with the Aussie Racing Cars thrown in for something a little bit different.

What was very evident was the proliferation of the historic categories, and the growth in the Group A and replica ranks.

As it has done at past AMCMasters, the Group A field

Jon Van Daal

Masters: John Bowe, top left, and Jason Richards, above left, turned it on out on the track, while the Saturday night dinner featured Leo Geoghegan, John Harvey, Glenn Seton, Allan Grice and Bowe, left. Group C action, below. Heavy crash on Saturday for Chris Strode’s Ford Galaxie, top right.

was combined with Group C, but with more than 20 Group A cars it actually was necessary.

The Group A events were interesting to watch as Glenn Seton delivered a driving lesson in Robert Ingram’s BMW M3 (driving the Bimmer, the Falcon and his Group Nc Capri made it a busy weekend for Glenn) as he headed home Terry Ashwood’s Nissan GT-R and the Commodore VL TWRs of David Holc and Gary Collins – all Group A cars from a similar era battling at the front.

In Group C it was a ’78 model Torana A9X that showed the way to the later model ‘80s Commodores and Falcons, although it helped that the former HDT Torana in question had Team BOC Commodore driver Jason Richards at the wheel.

No doubt he’ll be hoping that an outing in the car that won the pre-Bathurst enduro 32 years ago might be an omen for how he’ll go in this year’s V8 Supercar enduro curtain raiser next Sunday ...

Dirk Klynsmith

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Dirk Klynsmith

Mpix

Mpix

Steve Normoyle

Ford man: FPR’s new ambassador Allan Moffat was there signing autpgraphs, top left. Group Nc action, above.

Jason Richards enjoyed his annual outing in Paul Stubber’s HDT Torana A9X, right, while Glenn Seton was right at home in his old late ‘90s EL Falcon. Static display of the growing array of replica Touring Cars.

Mpix

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TOURING CAR MASTERS Round 4 - EASTERN CREEK, NSW

Dirk Klynsmith

JB FLIES HIGH

James Smith

Joel Van Daal

James Smith

Mpix

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Jon Van Daal

Touring Car Master: in the TCM ranks at the AMCMasters, the master behind the wheel was John Bowe, main, above. Leanne Tander, with Bowe on the podium, above, was second second in race three, right. Garry Treloar’s neat 6.5-litre Camaro, top right, and the new later model Camaro of Andrew Miedecke.

Below: Porsche vs Chev as John Nelson and Treloar get physical.

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Despite an early scare, John Bowe dominated Round 4 of the Touring Car Masters at Muscle Car Masters to move into the lead of the series, RICHARD CRAILL reports

D

URING Friday practice at Eastern Creek, John Bowe fired his Ford Mustang off the circuit at more than 200km/ hr after locking a front brake whilst slowing for Turn 1.

Bowe said that it was the first time since the circuit opened in 1990 that he had fallen off at that corner – but if his rivals thought that was a sign of things to come they needed to think again.

That minor, if eye opening, slip up would be the only mistake the former Australian Touring Car Champion would make all weekend as he dominated the fourth round of the Touring Car Masters Series presented by Autobarn.

As the Muscle Car Masters event celebrated the 50th

anniversary of the ATCC, Bowe – the 1995 champion – took pole position and three race victories at Eastern Creek and stormed to the top of the table in the process.

“I don’t know what it is about me and this place, but I always seem to go well here,” Bowe said.

“I went well here last year as well so there’s something about Eastern Creek and I that go well together. The car has been awesome all weekend; Dick Savvy (car preparer) and the team have done a great job.”

Whilst Bowe may have won all three races, as is often the case in this super competitive series he didn’t have it easy.

Gavin Bullas, Jim Richards and Brad Tilley each pushed him hard throughout the meeting, with Richards running him particularly close in Saturday’s first race.

The Falcon Sprint driver then finished third, behind Bullas, in a competitive Race 2 and was stalking Bowe in the finale before he was assessed a drivethrough penalty for a jumped start.

Bullas finished second

overall with finishes of third, second and fourth but his Boss Mustang struggled to match the outright pace of Richards and Bowe for the majority of the weekend. In a weekend dominated by the Blue Oval, Brad Tilley was third overall in his Falcon GTHO. Perhaps the drive of the weekend was left for the final race as Leanne Tander took her four-door XA Falcon to second position from 10th on the grid.

Tander had earlier finished sixth in Race 1, but dropped to 20th in the second with a broken throttle cable.

Starting the finale on the fifth row, Tander charged through the pack and picked off Tilley and Bullas in the closing laps to score her best result in the big Ford yet.

Porsche driver Bernie Stack was a standout in Group 2, his outstanding weekend including not one, but two front-row starts. Stack utilised

the wet weather to qualify on the front row on Saturday and then used the reverse Top 8 to start Race 2 from pole, eventually finishing sixth. Class rival Cameron Tilley got one back in the third race, leading Stack home for sixth and seventh outright.

The Group 3 (under twolitre) class battle was intense all weekend with Tony Karanfliovskli’s Alfa edging out Phil Showers’ Escort after three close races.

Fellow Group 3 runner Cameron Mason had a slightly less successful weekend in his Datsun, clouting the back of his father Steve’s stalled Camaro at the start of Race 2.

The incident in isolation would have been bad enough – the fact it happened on Father’s Day only made it more ironic.

Points: Bowe 597, Bullas 578, Richards 555, Tilley 471, Pye 405, Tander 390, Miedecke 355

Dirk Klynsmith

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AUSSIE RACING CARS Round 6 - EASTERN CREEK, NSW

JACK PERKS UP

The Aussie Racing Cars made their Muscle Car Masters debut, with a famous name emerging victorious. RICHARD CRAILL reviews the action

T

HEY may not exactly qualify as ‘Muscle Cars’ in the strictest sense, but the pocket rockets from the Aussie Racing Car Super Series certainly put on one heck of

a show to an appreciative Muscle Car Masters crowd at the weekend.

Through it all stormed Jack Perkins, who returned to the series at Eastern Creek after

missing the last round at Phillip Island. Perkins won the first race on Saturday and sealed his round win by taking out the double points finale on Sunday afternoon.

James Smith

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The Aussie Racing Cars provided their regular frenetic action across each of the four races, with three drivers – Perkins, defending champion Adam Gowans and series veteran Kyle Clews – showing their class and locking out the round podium.

Maurice Masini (fourth overall) and Peter Carr (fifth) also had their time at the front throughout the weekend but it was the leading trio who generally dominated proceedings, splitting the wins between them.

In a rain affected qualifying session, Perkins was able only to score 10th, but made motorsport news

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out an inspired Maurice Masini by three tenths, who in turn had Perkins virtually alongside as they crossed the line.

The top four were covered by less than a second as they

crossed the line in a typicallyclose Aussie Racing Cars finish.

Clews took his turn at the top to become the third different winner from three races when he took out the third heat, taking a relatively comfortable one-second win over Carr, Brad Ward and Perkins.

But in the end Perkins struck back to win the double points feature comfortably to seal the

round victory.

Behind the leading battles there were some impressive performances; young South Australian Adrian Cottrell’s sixth overall one of them as the former Speedway star showed that he is one to watch for the future.

The Aussie racing Cars Super Series concludes its 2010 season in Queensland this October.

Mpix

short work of the field on the opening lap of race one to be fifth by Turn 4, third by Turn 9 and then narrowly in the lead as the pack crossed the line to complete Lap 1.

He then engaged in battle with Gowans and Clews, with the trio regularly changing position before Perkins was able to establish a small buffer – the chasing duo finishing sideby-side for second after a late flourish by Clews saw him tow alongside Gowans as they got to the flag.

Gowans struck back in Race 2 by taking a strong victory, though it was a close run thing.

The defending champ edged

James Smith

James Smith

Jack’s back: At Eastern Creek Jack Perkins made a triumphant return to the Aussie Racing Cars Super Series, above, inset. Kyle Clews, right, won Race 3, while former speedway driver Adrian Cottrell was a solid sixth overall. Defending champ Adam Gowans, below left, was beaten in the feature event by Perkins by just over half a second.

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IZOD INDYCAR SERIES Round 15 - KENTUCKY, VA

H HONDA RACING Media

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For a long while it was easy to forget he was even there, but with a brilliantly played fuel strategy Helio Castroneves was able to introduce himself to the leaders late in the race, and then show them the way home.

H

ELIO Castroneves knows that a penny saved is a penny earned – and track position given away in the middle of a race can win it for you.

The Brazilian veteran proved that in Kentucky. For most of the race, Will Power was the fastest man in the bluegrass state, while Castroneves hid in the pack. During a mid-race yellow, Helio snuck into the pits for a splash’n’dash stop, and from there, stretched his

fuel advantage to the end of the race.

From there, Power and Dan Wheldon battled for the win but when they, and six of the other seven cars on the lead lap, made late pitstops, it was the canny Helio who came through to take a classy win.

“You have to remember it is 200 laps,” said Castroneves after his second win of 2010. “We were loose in the beginning, but at the end it was meant to be.

“I remember in 2008 here I ran out of fuel and finished in second. When the team told me to save fuel I was just trying to keep it up and stay in the draft. It was similar to Fuelled ‘em: Helio Castroneves wasn’t a contender early on, but only because he was conserving fuel for a late attack, main, left.

Hello Helio HONDA RACING Media

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what happened in 2008 and this time it paid off for Team Penske.”

Ed Carpenter, who starred in the race last year, took second again, but this time the gap between the Vision driver’s maiden win and the Penske in front was 13 seconds, not 13 centimetres. The American was a surprise polesitter, but there were no such shocks in the race, in which he showed he is well-suited to fighting for wins on 1.5-mile ovals.

Wheldon took third and probably deserved to win the race, the Panther team recently expanding to take on Carpenter showing the mettle to take the race to the ‘big boys’ at Penske and Ganassi.

Tony Kanaan failed to live up to his own expectations, but he was mighty impressive

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nonetheless. He tweeted Ryan Briscoe pre-race that he would pass 11 cars on the first lap and he ‘only’ passed 10!

Kanaan felt that the team went conservative with the car’s set-up after team-mate Ryan Hunter-Reay oversteered into a big crash in qualifying and, as a result, the Brazilian started 26th. He blasted through the field to fourth.

“I want to apologise to all of my ‘followers’ that I couldn’t do it,” he joked later. “But, it was a great race. I worked with Marco and Ryan so well; it was fun. Congratulations to Helio, but I don’t really like strategy races. I think Dan [Wheldon] deserved this one, but it is what it is.”

Next came Franchitti.

The Scot, again, looked conservative in the race

and, again, finished ahead of Power, whose charge faded in the final stops. The Queenslander finished eighth, right behind Scott Dixon, and the gap between the two title contenders is now down to 17 points.

“The Verizon car was great out front,” said the Aussie. “I had a little understeer back in traffic. Really, my night was quite good, although after my last stop I think I hit some oil from an earlier incident between Turns 3 and 4. I pushed up straight towards the wall – I was very close to hitting it.”

Power survived to fight over the final laps, but the real battle, with Franchitti, looks like going right down to the wire. The battle continues at Motegi on September 19.

motorsport news

race Kentucky fried: Ryan Hunter-Reay makes sure the rear tyres are up to temperature as he leaves the pits, left. Ed Carpenter leads from pole, centre below, main. Not a great weekend for Ryan Briscoe, below, while Will Power (12) battled home in eighth while Tony Kanaan (11) rose from 26th on the grid to finish fourth, centre.

INDYCAR IZOD Media

HONDA RACING Media

HONDA RACING Media

HONDA RACING Media

Results :: Kentucky Indy 300, Kentucky, VA Pos. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

No. 3 20 4 11 10 26 9 12 7 34

Driver Helio Castroneves Ed Carpenter Dan Wheldon Tony Kanaan Dario Franchitti Marco Andretti Scott Dixon Will Power Danica Patrick Bertrand Baguette

Nat Br USA GB Br GB USA NZ Aus USA F

Team Penske Panther/Vision Panther Andretti Ganassi Andretti Ganassi Penske Andretti Conquest

Sponsor Penske Fuzzy’s Vodka National Guard 7-Eleven Dixie Venom Energy Target Verizon GoDaddy RACB

Split 200 laps +13.1597s +13.9214s +13.9931s +14.1968s +14.5669s +15.1025s +15.6142s +15.8494s +1 lap

Qual.

8 1 3 26 11 15 4 2 17 6

Top 10 Points: Power 552, Franchitti 535, Dixon 469, Castroneves 448, Briscoe 418, Hunter-Reay 404, Kanaan 392, Andretti 347, Wheldon 346, Wilson 335.

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HONDA RACING Media

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NASCAR Round 25 - ATLANTA, GA

To

Health

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ony’s

hcare benefit

Victory in the Emory Healthcare 500 was just the shot in the arm that Tony Stewart’s Sprint Cup Championship chances badly needed.

H

e’s top five in the points, he’s got a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, but after 24 races Tony Stewart was yet to win a single race in 2010.

But all that changed at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where Stewart prevailed on the mile-and-a-half track to see off a challenge from Carl Edwards as the Stewart-Haas Racing Chevy driver won his first Sprint Cup race in 11 months.

He was leading when it counted, which was with 19 laps to run as the green flag waved to end the final caution period (caused when Ryan Newman got together with Kasey Kahne).

After a race of uncertain restarts for Stewart, he got the job done to outdrag Edwards on the green. He was never headed from there.

“I didn’t hit a restart all night until right there at the end,” Stewart said.

“I’ve never been so happy with a win in my life.”

Edwards was less pleased, having been in need of a victory just as much as Stewart after a 61 racewinless run in Sprint Cup that stretches back to 2008. On the plus side, Edwards’ Roush Fenway Ford was strong all night at Atlanta, leading more laps in that one race than he had in the last 46 combined.

No less importantly, that result also secured him a place in the Championship Chase.

“Tony just has such a fast car at the end,” Edwards said, “but we’re back.

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I feel better now: Tony Stewart and the Office Depot/Old Spice had reason to feel good – it was Stewart’s first win in almost a year, left.

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I know we don’t look good as we did in 2008, but we’re better prepared to race for the championship.”

Jimmie Johnson was third, becoming one of 10 drivers to have made it into the Chase with one qualifying race, next weekend Air Guard 400 at Richmond, left to run.

“This is a huge relief for myself and this team,” the Hendrick Chevy driver said.

“That was so much fun. That was the way racing should be. Even at the end, we were trying to run [Edwards] down. We were racing hard with these guys. That says lot about [Johnson’s] team going forward.”

There wasn’t much going forward for pole man Denny Hamlin. He did lead 74 of the 195 laps, but the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota’s engine failed on its 143rd lap.

“It seems like we find all the bad luck in Joe Gibbs Racing,” Hamlin said. “It’s frustrating, but I’m going to look at it as a 50-50 day. You can look at the negative, and reliability is still somewhat of an issue.

But the positive is we brought

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our best race car to the track, pretended it was a Chase race and got to see where we stack up when we really had to go.”

Not long after the mess from Hamlin’s engine had been cleaned up, Greg Biffle and Elliott Sadler got together when Biffle got in a muddle with Ryan Newman. Sadler tried to go low but got clipped and despatched into the fence.

Kevin Harvick was lucky to avoid the melee but this was the least of the Sprint Cup points leader’s problems. The Childress Chevy driver’s luck ran dry when he wrecked a left front tyre while trying to enter the pits. He had a troubled run thereafter, ending up a distant 33rd.

Top 10: At Atlanta Marcos Ambrose made a rare 2010 appearance in the top 10, above. Pole sitter Denny Hamlin and Ryan Newman lead them away, main. Greg Biffle’s repair the 3M Ford after Biffle got together with Elliott Sadler, right. Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards battle during the final laps, far right.

motorsport news

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Results :: Emory Healthcare 500, Atlanta, GA Pos. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

No. 14 99 48 31 18 2 33 39 42 47

Driver Tony Stewart Carl Edwards Jimmie Johnson Jeff Burton Kyle Busch Kurt Busch Clint Bowyer Ryan Newman Juan Montoya Marcos Ambrose

Make Chevy Ford Chevy Chevy Toyota Dodge Chevy Chevy Chevy Toyota

Team Stewart Haas Roush Fenway Hendrick Childress Joe Gibbs Penske Childress Stewart Haas Earnhardt Ganassi JTG Daugherty

Sponsor Old Spice Aflac Kobalt Caterpillar Pedigree Miller Lite Hamburger Helper US Army Reserve Huggies Kingsford

Qual.

5 4 7 26 3 11 14 2 8 32

Top 10 Points: Harvick 3590, Gordon 3366, Kyle Busch 3330, Stewart 3302, Edwards 3288, TOYOTA Media

Burton 3261, Johnson 3247, Kurt Busch 3228, Kenseth 3225, Hamlin 3147, Biffle 3110, Bowyer 3066.

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NASCAR Media

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43

WORLD SUPERBIKES ROUND 11 – NURBURGRING

Memories are made of this

Ducati complained about racing against ‘prototypes’ when it announced its WSBK exit – and then beat them in Germany

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motorsport news

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E

VEN if Ducati’s factory Superbike team is at the end, literally, of its tether, their out-of-date bikes are still pretty damn fast.

Jonny Rea was the man of the meeting at the Nurburgring, winning the first race and taking second in Race 2 but Noriyuki Haga showed that there is considerable life in the Italian V-twins, taking a strong win.

The first race was a cracker, so long as you ignore the fact that Rea was out front, on his way to a lonely fourth win of the year. The race was red-flagged after an incident on the opening lap involving Leon Haslam and Troy Corser, and at the restart it was Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa fighting for the lead, the Italian dropping to eighth after a clash. Haga took up the battle, but lost the battle with Checa when he crashed into retirement.

Among all the chaos, Rea cruised home to win from Checa, Cal Crutchlow and Biaggi, while Tom Sykes gave Kawasaki a boost with fifth ahead of Haslam. Only 14 bikes finished.

The second race saw the Haga of old.

By lap 4, he had fought his way into the lead and this time, it was Checa’s turn to crash out of second. The Japanese veteran held out Rea for his first win since April,

Points: Biaggi 397, Haslam 339, Rea 288, Checa 224, Crutchlow 217, Haga 202, Toseland 187, Guintoli 169.

EUGENE Laverty and Gino Rea fought out a tight finish in the Supersport race but the 0.058s margin meant nothing when Rea’s Honda failed post-race inspection.

The ruling, for unspecified reasons, is bad news for Laverty, who had closed the gap to points leader Kenan Sofuoglu to nine points. With the Turk promoted to second, Laverty is now 12 points back in second, with two races remaining.

Honda Pro Images

Ducati Corse

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The Old Guard: Noriyuki Haga had a fall in Race 1 but bounced back to win Race 2, left.

Jonathan Rea scored the most points in Germany after a win and a second, right.

with Haslam third from Crutchlow, Biaggi and Sylvain Guintoli. Sykes took seventh, to give the beleagured Kawasaki team something to smile about as they prepare their new 2011 racer.

“I’m very happy with this result and very sorry for the first race,” Nori said after Race 2.

“When I had a crash, I wasn’t getting information from the front tyre and for Race 2 I made just a little modification for the front suspension and that was working much better. I was able to keep a high pace until the flag. Next round is Imola, our home track and I have much pressure but I hope to do my best.”

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SERA’S FAST 5 – VENTER & MEYER SURPRISE KARTING

Ash Budd

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Ash Budd

WHILST David Sera took out his fifth Rotax Light national crown at Ipswich on the weekend, two new National Champions were crowned in the form of Sydneyssider, Jonathan Venter (Junior Max) and Central Coast (NSW) pilot, Simon Meyer (Rotax Heavy).

Saturday’s fine conditions gave way to monsoonal rains on Sunday – 2.5 inches of rain was dumped on the Willowbank Kartway between 8:30am and 9:00am – and Venter brought his Troy Hunt tuned Kosmic to the fore.

The title race looked to be between the two Junior standouts this year – Pro Junior CIK Champ, Pierce Lehane and Junior National and Clubman Champion, Joseph Mawson – however both struck trouble on Sunday during heat and PreFinal competition.

When track conditions were wet, nobody could touch Venter, right, who dominated all races on Sunday. Hayden Cooper – another not to feature in calculations until Sunday – worked through to a front row start from the Pre-Final and was able to maintain that to record second. Lehane came from 12th on the grid to land himself on the podium.

In similar circumstances, Rotax Heavy fell the way of Simon Meyer. Another not to

have featured during the early heat races, Meyer showed his true form in the Pre-Final and Final, going on to emulate his brother, Damien, who won the Rotax Heavy Title in 2001.

After skipping away to an early lead in excess of 3.5 seconds, Meyer’s fellow CRG mounted rival, Jason Pringle began shutting down the gap.

The mid-sector of the race was blistering from Pringle.

He shut the gap down to nothing by Lap 20 and was able to challenge with just two remaining. The pair swapped the lead until the final corner, when Meyer was able to get the right amount of traction to take victory. Rick Pringle held on for third from Lee Mitchener and Brendan Nelson – the latter of whom charged from last position on the grid. Fourtime Rotax Heavy Champion, William Yarwood was fifth.

David Sera, top right, had to do it the hard way to secure his fifth Rotax Light Title; his fourth in succession and 11th national crown, now surpassing Mark Winterbottom on the all time National Champion’s list.

Sera, who was suffering with back pain after a practice crash, looked to be up against it with challenges likely from former Champion Scott Auld and Tyler Greenbury. When it came time for the final though, Sera shone through. Getting through the first corner first, he quickly

opened a gap over Auld and Troy Bretherton.

With Greenbury succumbing to a mechanical problem on Lap 14, all eyes were on Kyle Ensbey – who DNF’d the PreFinal and had the freshest wets of the field. He was charging through the field picking off up to two competitors per lap.

Passing Bretherton to get on the podium, his job was made easier by Auld expiring with six laps left.

In the end, Sera’s early lead was too much, taking the win from Ensbey by 5.8s, with Bretherton coming home third. Damian Ward and Ryal Harris completed the top five.

Estonian visitor, Mario Vendla came home 10th.

In the support categories, Damian Ward took a runaway win in Rotax DD2, getting past Chris Hays early and winning comfortably. David Whitmore got through after Hays ran wide late in the race.

Joseph Mawson made up for disappointment in Junior Max Light by taking the Heavy division convincingly. He took the win from lady racer, Renee Gracie and Scott May. Mick Robson was the class of the field in Rotax Over 35’s, while Bruce Otter took our Rotax Super Heavy.

– MATT PAYNE

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Pye makes it 11, take points lead BRITISH FFORD WITH four wins from five races across six days, Scott Pye has moved into the lead of the British Formula Ford Championship.

The South Australian picked up a pair of wins at Snetterton last Monday, English time, leading home Dan Cammish and Antti Buri. It closed the official points gap to leader

Scott Malvern, who was third and fourth, and put Pye in front on the unofficial ‘Drop your worst result’ standings.

Several days later, the field was in action again at Brands Hatch. From pole, he lead home Emil Bernstorff to win Race 1, and was second to Jamun Racing team-mate Josh Hill by just 0.070s in Race 2.

With victory in the final race – his 11th from 20 races

to date in 2010 – Pye moved into the outright lead of the championship. Pye now has a four point advantage on the current points and is well clear once worst results are dropped.

“Jamun has done a great job and the championship looks promising at the moment,” Pye said.

The penultimate event is at Donington Park on September 18-19.

Win and penalty for Ricciardo FRENAULT 3.5 DANIEL Ricciardo has endured mixed fortunes in Round 13 of the Formula Renault 3.5 Championship at Hockenheim.

With the series resuming after a two-month break, Ricciardo claimed pole position for the opening race, and went on to claim a comfortable victory over Esteban Guerrieri, with title

rival Mikhail Aleshin fifth.

But that was as good as his weekend got. After qualifying 10th for Race 2, Ricciardo charged up to fifth on the opening lap. He looked set for a top five finish ahead of Aleshin, but was served a drive-through finish for speeding in pitlane and finished 11th.

“I’m really disappointed about today’s result,” he said.

“We can’t change the result

now but I don’t understand how I could have been speeding in the pit lane during the race as I was so careful. It’s a very frustrating way to end a weekend which started off so well for us. Without the penalty we would have been looking at a podium finish.”

Guerrieri took the win, with Aleshin finishing fifth to leave with an eight point buffer over Ricciardo.

Dan ends season with Mid-Ohio win F2000 DANIEL Erickson has ended the F2000 season on a strong note, winning the season finale at Mid-Ohio.

After a disappointing run in the weekend’s first race, finishing ninth after an off, Erickson fought back on

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Sunday, qualifying second and taking his third win of the season ahead of Cole Morgan, while Victor Carbone was third after sealing the title on Saturday.

The result ensured Erickson finished third in the standings, despite missing four races.

“It was a challenging race,”

Erickson said.

“The car started to develop mid-corner understeer in the slow corners in the latter stages, so I just did my best not to make any mistakes. To pull a gap like that and come away with the win was a dream come true and a great way to end the series.”

Rigon wins, Martin fourth SUPERLEAGUE JOHN Martin was in the mix in Round 8 of the Superleague Formula at Adria International Raceway in Italy, as Davide Rigon took his third super final win of the year.

Rigon was the form driver all day, but a slow pitstop handed Martin, who started second, of the opening race. However Rigon had the measure of the Australian, re-passing him to take the victory.

Marcos Martinez won the second race, and while Martin could only manage ninth after an off, it was enough to book a place in the six-car, five-lap final.

Again, Rigon was the class of the field, holding off a challenge from Max Wissel to win, with Ben Hanley third and Martin fourth.

Despite not making the final, Craig Dolby regained the points lead, with Rigon moving RSC Anderlecht up to third, just 12 points shy of Dolby’s Tottenham Hotspurs entry.

“The Super Final was really difficult as the others were on new tyres and I wasn’t,” Rigon said.

“Max (Wissel) was very quick but my car was great. If the car continues to work like this and I don’t make any mistakes then we really have a chance to win the championship.”

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Plato edges WTCC title fight closer to remains close BTCC title WTCC BTCC

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JASON Plato was among the winners at Knockhill to extend his lead of the British Touring Car Championship.

After claiming sixth in Race One and third in Race 2, Plato took his Chevrolet Cruze to victory in the third and final race of the weekend. The results mean Plato now has a 20-point advantage over Matt Neal at the top of the standings with two events remaining.

“We’ve been there or thereabouts today but it’s been thirsty work and to grab a win in the final race of the day is a big bonus for our championship,” he said.

“Donington should suit our car better than here but I’m not counting my chickens ...

I’ve lost this thing far more times than I’ve won it.”

Neal was third in the final race behind Tom OnslowCole, after leading home team-mate Gordon Shedden to take a Honda 1-2 in Race 2. Earlier, Shedden won the opening race, but could only manage ninth in the final after a spin and is now 33 points behind Plato and fourth in the standings.

WITH a win at Oschersleben, Andy Priaulx had remained in touch with Yvan Muller in the World Touring Car Championship title fight.

Priaulx claimed his sixth win of the season with a dominant performance in the weekend’s second race, leading home fellow BMW driver Augusto Farfus by 2.729s. Muller was third, benefiting from some incidents involving Tiago Monteiro.

The Portuguese driver made contact with Michel Nykjaer and Nobert Michelisz, while passing them for third and second respectively, costing both drivers positions and earning a stop-go penalty for

his troubles.

That paved the way for Muller to take third, matching his opening race effort, with Nykjaer fourth.

In Race 1, Menu took his first win of the season ahead of Farfus, while Priaulx finished fifth and leaves the weekend 11 points behind Muller.

“Every point is important,” Muller said.

“So to be on the podium twice is a fantastic result. I am still in the lead of the championship and now we need to think about how we will keep that lead. All my competitors are a danger there are still a lot of points to gain.

Mathematically about ten drivers are still in the fight so we have to stay focused.”

Dean does the double FORMULA 2 DEAN Stoneman has extended his Formula 2 championship lead with a pair of victories at Oschersleben.

The British driver cruised to a 15.793s victory in the first race ahead of Kazim Vasiliauskas, but Race 2 was a closer affair. While Stoneman again took the win, his margin was just under two seconds, with Vasiliauskas gifted second late in the piece after Nicola De Marco’s late retirement.

Stoneman’s title rival Joylon Palmer had a tough weekend.

After taking third in Race 1, he could only qualify 14th for Race 2 and struggled to make inroads. In the end, he could only manage 12th, giving Stoneman a 31-point lead with two rounds remaining.

“Obviously I’ve moved a lot closer to the title,” Stoneman said.

“I’ve got a 31 point lead, so that’s good for us because I’ve got a race in hand. All I’ve got to do now is keep it consistent, finish the next two races in Valencia and hopefully I can win the championship!”

motorsport news

Di Resta on top at ‘home’ DTM IN the closest thing he has

to a home round in the DTM, Scottish driver Paul Di Resta claimed his first victory of the

season at Brands Hatch.

From pole, Di Resta cruised to a lights-to-flag victory,

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eventually finishing 7.4s clear of fellow Mercedes driver Bruno Spengler. As a result, Di Resta is now nine points behind Spengler in the championship with four rounds remaining.

“Today, it wasn’t difficult, because the car was just fantastic, even better than in qualifying on Saturday,” Di Resta said of his fourth career DTM win.

“I was able to control the race throughout and to score points for the championship. Winning here today is just great. I am feeling very well in my car and I hope that I can keep on racing at the front of the field.”

Timo Scheider was the best of the Audis in third place, ahead of Spaniard Miguel Molina, who took a surprise fourth in his 2008-model Audi, while Gary Paffett is now 13 points behind Spengler after finishing fifth.

The King does it again SPEEDWAY IT seemed like nobody would be able to catch Steve Kinser at Washington’s Skagit Speedway last weekend.

As it turned out, no one did, but Kinser has caught World of Outlaws championship leader, Joey Saldana, and only trails by six points in the title chase.

Saldana briefly interrupted a dominant performance by

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Kinser by claiming the lead in Saturday’s A Main on the third lap, but Kinser grabbed the lead back in Lap 27 of the 40lap race and rode it the $20,000 victory.

It was Kinser’s eighth victory of the 2010 season and second overall at Skagit Speedway in his career.

A three-car wreck in Lap 39 added to the challenges for Kinser. Under World of Outlaws

rules, drivers must get at least two consecutive laps to finish a race, so Kinser needed to ward off challenges in the last two laps — which he did.

It was just another victory in the 20-time World of Outlaws Champion’s career, winning from Saldana and Paul McMahon, with Australia’s Kerry Madsen 10th.

“It feels good to win,” Kinser said.

“We hadn’t been running all that well since Knoxville, so we put together a car I had been running and we were able to get it dialed in pretty good. It had a good feel to it tonight and we put ourselves in a good position.”

– GEOFF ROUNDS Points: Saldana 7577, Kinser 7571, Jason Meyers 7552, Donny Schatz 7437, Jason Sides 7382, McMahon 7286

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t o p S d d O

MILES FOR GILES AT EC

WHILE we all expected Troy Bayliss to be the latest two-wheeler star to end up racing cars in Australia, it might just be Shawn Giles instead.

The three-time Australian Superbike Champion was on hand at Eastern Creek over the weekend to take a ride in Gavin Bullas’ Touring Car Masters Mustang. The beast was a far cry from Giles’ normal mount – a Suzuki GSX-R1000 – but he came away suitably impressed, to the point of wanting a test in the car. And at 40 years of age, he even said he’d like to

race one.

“While I’m still keeping up with the young blokes, I’m not planning to give up racing in the ASBK with Team Suzuki,” said Giles.

“Unfortunately, I know the day will come when I have to step aside, and I don’t think I could handle not having some kind of speed fix.

“I’m looking ahead a bit and sussing out where I can get my racing buzz. I like the old cars, so the Touring Car Masters appeals. It was good to get a taste of it

today. Now, I’d really like to get behind the wheel.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a racecar. We were hanging it out a bit on the straight; we were right out on the dirt.

I was pretty impressed with the brakes and there were a couple of moments coming up behind other cars that I was sure he wasn’t going to pull it up in time and I thought I’d better hang on.”

Giles does have a history on fourwheels. Back in 2006, he won the Celebrity Challenge at the Australian Grand Prix.

DS SPELLS DISASTER FOR WRC RIVALS AS Citroen’s new DS3 readies itself for its Australian launch as a road car, the rally version is already winning in Europe.

In an ominous sign for the likes of Ford and MINI, the car that will form the basis of Citroen’s new-generation World Rally Car was ultra-dominant in R3-spec at the Rallye du Mont Blanc in France last weekend.

The car was undoubtedly the class of the two-wheel-drive field, with Intercontinental Rally Challenge front-runner Kris Meeke taking the car to its second win, in only its second competitive event. www.mnews.com.au

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