Motorsport eNews Issue 183 - November 30-December 6, 2010

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Issue No. 183 Nov 30 - Dec 06 2010

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Issue No. 183 | Nov 30 – Dec 6 2010

news 4

My Beaming HeaRT Courtney Red in 2011 7 The Sydney Showdown J v J on the Olympic Streets 8 Shed no Tiers for V8s Government updates TV list 10 TomTom comes as standard Tweedie gets a roof 14 Forza Toro Ricciardo!

Daniel’s F1 seat

chat 26 Five Minutes With ...

Mark Skaife

comment 28 van Leeuwen: Testing times 29 Adam: A MINI farewell

race 30 Preview: Sydney V8 Supercars 36 WAFOS: WebberWanneroo 40 NZV8s: Mac outed, Fogg wins 42 Tasman Revival: Eastern Creek

trade 48 Classifieds

THE STORY BEHIND

COURTNEY’S BLACKFLIP V8 SUPERCARS

T

HE V8 Supercars world has been thrown on its head in the last week, with the news that James Courtney appears to be heading to the Holden Racing Team.

As reported in previous editions of eNews, Courtney had been in line to join Ford Performance Racing, to drive a fourth car sponsored by Pepsi. But a dramatic change of direction last week appears to have the 2010 points leader and title favourite moving across V8 Supercar’s brand divide, to join Garth Tander in red for 2011.

What appears to have happened is a complicated series of events that have seen Courtney and his manager Alan Gow switch the driver’s brand allegience. eNews believes that the deal has come about because of a number of factors. We believe that the fourth FPR entry was based, at least in part, on the team’s potential use of the #10 REC, which is currently one of the two under which Bundaberg Red Racing runs its two Commodores. With that team

downsizing to a single entry next season, it appears that the most likely scenario was that the #10 was to become FPR’s fourth REC, regardless of whether it was owned by that team or by someone else, possibly Charlie Schwerkolt.

But it now appears that REC may be reclaimed, subject to the approval of its board and its current owner, Walkinshaw Racing, by V8 Supercars Australia, in line with its long-held policy to reduce the size of the grid. If that happens, and the approval of all parties involved in the transaction would be required for it to proceed, that would reduce the size of the grid to 28 cars.

With no REC immediately available to facilitate the Courtney/FPR entry, that became an unstable senario – hence, Courtney and Gow looked to their other option, HRT. eNews has not been able to secure a comment from either FPR Principal Tim Edwards or Ford’s Group Manager, Motorsport, Sponsorship and Events, Chris Styring.

Ironically, this is not the first time that

WHAT NOW FOR PEPSI? V8 SUPERCARS

ALL you Pepsi drinkers are still likely to see your brand in V8 Supercars next year.

The iconic cola brand is expected to determine the team it will back in the V8SCS in the next two weeks. Motorsport eNews believes that today was the deadline for teams to make submissions to M&C Saatchi Sports and Entertainment, the company putting the deal together and which announced on November 9 that its client Pepsi was coming into the sport.

A number of teams are believed to have made submissions for a Pepsi-grafittied car, including a re-configured FPR-Pepsi deal that doesn’t feature Courtney as driver.

The original time frame was that the Pepsi team would be announced the week following the final races of the championship, with the driver to be named in the new year.

It still appears that the Pepsi deal is slanted towards a Ford team, as the company was believed to be involved in the deal’s formative days but, after what has happened in the last week, nothing appears to be set in concrete.

Ironically, FPR already had a busy week planned, with its new look for car #6, featuring Trading Post livery, due to be shown to the world for the first time in Sydney this week.

an anticipated Courtney-to-FPR deal has not come to fruition. In late 2008, the two parties were in negotiations to join forces, but there was a late switch in plans, that saw Courtney join JBR for the 2009 season.

It was reported at the time that a deadline passed and that Courtney and Gow quickly secured a deal with Johnson’s team – which he now looks likely to exit.

Of course, Courtney has been an HRT driver before. He made his V8 Supercar debut with Team Red when he drove for the team in the 2005 endurance races, sharing a Commodore with Jim Richards. At the time, team co-owner Mark Skaife thought that he had Courtney signed for the following season but Courtney went to Stone Brothers, and has been a Ford man ever since.

A potential sticking point is the engineering balance at HRT. Walkinshaw Racing has parted ways with one of its most accomplished engineers, Matt Nilsson (see separate story), so Courtney is expected to make the trip ‘south’ to HRT with Scott Sinclair, his current engineer at Jim Beam Racing, by his side.

NEWS ANALYSIS WITH

PHIL BRANAGAN

DON’T ever let anyone tell you that sheep stations are not a feature of V8 Supercar racing.

The threads of information about the Courtney-to-FPR-nowait-it’s-HRT story show that there is a determination to win the 2011 Championship that started well before this season was put to bed.

When the smoke clears, this scenario is going to be like this weekend’s title decider. One team is going to be grinning, and the rest will be out to put them to the sword next time around.

Nobody is prepared to talk about what how all this has actually happened, but what is clear is that there has been some heavy artillery involved .

Alan Gow’s role has been to make the best deal for his driver and it appears that is what has happened ... and everyone else is just going to have to make the

best of it.

I asked him at Sandown last week how his job as the World Touring Car supremo was going, and he reminded me that he is not running the World Touring Car Championship. I pointed out that by ‘World’ I did not mean ‘WTCC’, I meant ‘Global’, as in his new role as President of the FIA’s Touring Car Commission.

Another definition of ‘global’ is ‘comprehensive’. In that regard, Gow is anything but. He has focused on the job in front of him. Everyone else will get their first crack at redemption in Abu Dhabi, in February, with Will Davison – and Techo – in a Ford and Courtney – and Sinclair – in a Commodore.

In the meantime, this weekend represents a nightmare scenario for Ford, with TeamVodafone’s 2011 driver battling for the title with HRT’s 2011 driver … motorsport news

news

Dirk Klynsmith

www.mnews.com.au

TITLE GOING TECHO JOINS FPR V8 SUPERCARS

V8 SUPERCARS

FORD Performance Racing has continued its preparation for the 2011 season by recruiting one of V8 Supercars’ most successful engineers, Matt Nilsson.

The man known as ‘Techo’, who joined the Holden Racing Team for the 2008 season, finished with the Holden factory team at Sandown last week. He will start with FPR following the seasonending Homebush race.

Nilsson will give the team a boost in its engineer talent. He worked with Garth Tander at the HSV Dealer Team in their titlewinning 2007 season, before moving with his driver to HRT, along with team manager Rob Crawford. At the start of this season, Tander and Will Davison ‘swapped’ engineers, leaving Techo working with Will Davison and Tander joining forces with Alistair McVean.

The team would appear to have a number of options available in deciding what to do with Nilsson. The obvious thought would be that he would work with Davison, who will race the #6 Falcon next season, but the planned expansion of the team to four cars means that there will be a number of new roles to be filled within the team’s engineering ranks. It is possible that he could work alongside Campbell Little in a role overseeing all the team’s race engineers, or in a production role based at the team’s Campbellfield HQ.

THE stage is set for one of the most thrilling title showdowns in recent history at the Sydney Telstra 500 this weekend.

James Courtney and Jamie Whincup head into the final two races separated by just 53 points, in a classic Red v Blue battle for

the title. Mark Winterbottom is also mathematically in the hunt, however he is currently listed as a $34 outsider at the TAB. Courtney heads into the final as favourite, thanks to a combination of his handy 53 point lead, and the fact that he won the second race in Sydney 12 months ago.

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news

G DOWN TO THE WIRE “I had good pace at Homebush last year,” he said.

“I’m coming back with the same car so I expect to be competitive again. The first race [in 2009] showed regardless of car speed, you can’t take anything for granted. We were looking good for the podium and then a door started opening

and closing. We had to come into the pits to fix it and it ruined the race.

“The next day was almost perfect – I led for more than 50 laps and won quite easily.”

For the first time since 2006, Whincup will head into the final round of the championship not leading in the points. However,

he says he is not fazed by being the underdog.

“I’m relatively relaxed about it all,” he said.

“Every time I hit there the track there is some form of expectation, from the team, the sponsors and the fans. So it’s a pressure situation every weekend. This weekend, yes,

there is an element of extra pressure with a championship on the line, but at the end of the day I have been going hard all year, and I’ve put in my best performance at each round since the start of the season. I just need to make sure I do the same this weekend.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

Dirk Klynsmith

www.mnews.com.au

V8S STAY LIVE ON TV LIST V8 SUPERCARS THE Bathurst 1000 has had its status as Australia’s premier V8 Supercar race underlined after changes to the Federal Government’s anti-siphoning legislation.

In the first major shift in legislation in 16 years, the Great Race has been positioned on a new list of ‘Tier A’ events, along with the Melbourne Cup and the AFL and NRL Grand Finals, that will be required to be televised live and in full on the free-to-air networks’ main TV channels.

Other V8 Supercar events, including the Homebush street race and the international Gold Coast 600, will be classified as Tier B, meaning that networks may choose to broadcast them

on their secondary digital channels. These events must also be broadcast in full, but such telecasts may be delayed by up to four hours.

To use current V8 Supercar broadcaster the Seven Network as an example, that means that the Bathurst 1000 must continue to be broadcast on Channel 7 itself, but that other rounds of the V8 Supercar Championship Series will be permitted to be broadcast on its digital channels, 7Two or 7Mate, should the network choose to do so.

The other Australian events that will be on the Tier A list will be the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Australian MotoGP. The now-defunct IndyCar event has been removed from

the list altogether.

The Seven Network did not comment on the new arrangements, deferring to FreeTV Australia’s Chairman Wayne Goss to comment: “The Government has faced a difficult task in updating the anti-siphoning rules in the digital television age whilst preserving the public interest,” he said.

“There has been a lot of give and take throughout this process, which has resulted in tougher use-it or lose-it rules, and the de-listing of numerous events.”

Network Ten CEO Grant Blackley said that the move was a positive.

“Given the complexity of the task, there was always going to be some give and take,” he said.

“On balance, we believe the Government has demonstrated a commitment to ensuring broad access to televised sport for all Australians. Having listed sports on digital multichannels will certainly lead to greater choice for viewers on ONE, so that’s a highly positive result for sports fans.”

The government’s report about the changes reported that 76 percent of Australia’s households now have at least one digital-capable TV receiver. Foxtel, Australia’s biggest Pay-TV provider, claims approximately 1.6 million households are subscribers.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures indicate that there are about in 7.6m households in the country.

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news

IN less than shocking news, it has been confirmed that Will Davison will not race for the Toll Holden Racing Team next season.

Back in our post-Bathurst issue, Motorsport eNews revealed that Davison would drive Ford Performance Racing’s #6 entry, with backing from Telstra. It has since been revealed that the Telstra backing will come through its Trading Post brand.

While Davison’s involvement in the deal is yet to be confirmed by FPR, HRT has officially

announced that Davison is out the door after this weekend Sydney Telstra 500.

“Since joining us, Will has been a highly valued member of the Toll HRT,” said Walkinshaw Racing’s managing director Craig Wilson in the statement.

“He was offered a contract extension, but after what has been a difficult season for us all Will has elected to continue his V8 Supercar career elsewhere in 2011. He will be leaving with our best wishes. Before then we are looking for him to finish the year on a high in Sydney.”

Davison will be replaced by James Courtney.

JR recovery continues V8 SUPERCARS JASON Richards continues his recovery from surgery in a Melbourne hospital.

The Team BOC driver underwent a second procedure last week, in his treatment for

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an abdominal tumour, and is conscious and recovering.

“He is recovering well from the operation,” team spokesman Kim Jones said on Monday.

“The procedure went as well as expected, and there are no

revelations to report about anything,” Richards’ seat in the team’s Commodore will be filled by co-driver Andrew Jones this weekend, while the team waits on further news on the Kiwi’s recovery.

sutton-images.com sutton-images.com

Dirk Klynsmith

V8 SUPERCARS

HRT FAREWELLS DAVO SMELLING LIKE A WHINNER V8 SUPERCARS

IF you have ever spelled that champagne-onracesuit smell V8 Supercar drivers have after a win, read on.

TeamVodafone drivers Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes are about to launch of Australia’s first V8 fragrance.

“A first of its kind for motor racing in Australia,” explains a team PR blurb, “the fragrance is ... designed to capture the essence of V8 racing and broaden the appeal of motor sport beyond just V8 enthusiasts.”

FUJITSU SERIES

Tom’s V8 switch

Dirk Klynsmith

TOM Tweedie will make his Fujitsu Series debut this weekend at Homebush.

The Sydney driver, who finished third in the 2010 Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, has put aside plans to move to Europe and continue racing open-wheelers in 2011 and has inked a deal to join MW Motorsport.

Ahead of a full campaign in 2011, Tweedie will make his debut in this weekend’s 2010 season finale at Homebush.

He’ll drive the Falcon driven

by F3 title rival and eventual champion Ben Barker at Bathurst last month. Tweedie will line up alongside David Russell with Matthew White’s squad this weekend.

“I tested in V8 Supercar at Wakefield Park two weeks ago and felt really comfortable in

the car straight away, which was a big turning point towards my decision to racing V8’s as opposed to going to Europe,” Tweedie, 21, said.

“My contacts and support here in Australia are also a major reason I feel I can give V8 Supercars everything I’ve got.

“Racing at Homebush will be like being thrown into the deep end as I’ve only had minimal laps behind the wheel of a V8 Supercar, but I’m fortunate that I am racing with Matt’s team as there are few more experienced outfits in the Fujitsu series to assist my transition.

“I’m going to approach the weekend with a level head. It’s a learning experience but I will still give it 100%, with the main aim to finish the races in the top 10 and, importantly, make sure I stay out of trouble.”

The Shane is right FUJITSU SERIES SHANE Price will return to the Fujitsu Series this weekend with Jay Motorsport.

Price drove the team’s VZ Commodore for the majority of the 2009 season, but will make his first start of the 2010 series at Homebush in the car. The South Australian squad has had an unstable year, running Nick

Percat for the first four rounds and Rod Salmon at Bathurst before missing Sandown.

“Sandown was the first round we’ve missed for six years, it was a big decision not to go,” team manager Keith Rennie said.

“But Homebush is very important to us, we’ve got a couple of sponsors and drivers looking at us for next year. The

opportunity came up to run Shane and we’re happy about it.

“He did a really good job last year for us and works well with the team, and the car’s come a long way since he last drove it. The car’s definitely well up to it, especially with someone like Shane in it, I think it could surprise a few people.”

The team is in talks with

several drivers for 2011 and aiming to run two cars, including a step up to a VE Commodore.

“The plan is to run two next year and move up from there,” Rennie said.

“It’d definitely be with a VE and a VZ, we’ve just got to get it all into place, then we’ll do what we need to do to get one.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

Colin Sieders’ Falcon will sport a new livery in the Fujitsu Series finale this weekend, with Bisley Workwear coming on board as a naming rights backer.

10

motorsport news

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Brand new DVD! Peter Brock “Road to Glory” Peter Brock loved living on the edge. From rally driver to nine-times Bathurst winner, Peter loved pushing the boundaries. Many things have been written about Peter and his achievements. Our story covers parts of Peter’s life that are little known. We travel back to his childhood, talk to his family and some old friends that helped him in his early days of racing, from the old tractor on his uncle’s farm to the Austin A 30, then interview some of his more famous racing opponents, culminating with his first Bathurst win in the fantastic Torana XU-1 at Bathurst in 1972. Included are interviews with Harry Firth, Colin Bond, Peter Janson, Bob Jane, Bill Tuckey and Ian Tate (Chief Mechanic for HDT).

This is a fascinating journey, with never before seen stills and family home movies, together with classic Bathurst footage from 1969, 70, 71 and 1972.

Plus with every purchase you have an opportunity to enter the competition to WIN a Peter Brock limited Edition full size replica 1996 race suit and two great runner up prizes.

Produced by

Running time approx. 90 minute with some great extras.

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MINIs get chequered flag MINI CHALLENGE THIS weekend’s final round of the 2010 Hertz MINI Challenge at Homebush will be the series’ last event.

BMW Group Australia announced late last week that the one-make series wouldn’t continue into 2011, due in part to a reduced presence in support category programming by V8 Supercars Australia. The series was formed in 2008 with a field of R56 MINI racers.

“Motorsport is becoming increasingly expensive and, together with a contraction in the television exposure, this has meant the race series has become financially unviable,” MINI national manager, David Woollcott, said. “[Category Managers] Toleman [Motorsport]

has brought a wealth of motorsport experience to the series and has delivered three outstanding seasons of racing to the highest international standards. We owe the success of MINI Challenge in Australia to Toleman’s enthusiasm and hard work.

“MINI would also like to recognise the contribution of all those who participated in MINI Challenge including V8 Supercars, CAMS, our series sponsors Hertz and Pizza Capers and most of all, the teams and drivers who made MINI Challenge such a thrilling spectacle.”

The series will sign off with an 18-car field, with Grant Doulman and Aaron Zerefos returning, while Chris Alajajian and Paul Stokell will fight it out for the title. Glenn Seton will again be the Uber Star.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR The V8 Ute Series, a key support category to the V8 Supercar Championship, and is now recruiting for the position of a Category Technical Director for 2011. Responsibilities include: • Management of all Technical, Parity and Eligibility Aspects of the Series • Advise on the process for the build and development for new race vehicles • Travel required, availability essential for all on-track race weekends Strong communication skills and a high degree of computer literacy are required. Experience in MoTeC and relevant data analysis will also be beneficial, as well as extensive experience in all aspects of race team 12

Australian V8 Ute Racing Series

engineering and dyno work.

Organisational and documentation skills are essential to complement your detailed approach, as well as the ability to work with key stakeholders including CAMS, the V8 Ute Board and V8 Ute Teams. This is a part-time, contracted position.

If you feel you have the necessary technical talents and the ability to deal with people on all levels, email

employment@v8utes.com.au for a detailed job description.

Applications close: 5pm Friday December 10, 2010 motorsport news

James Smith

Formula Forpark FORMULA 3 FORPARK Australia will back a new scholarship program in the 2011 Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship.

As previously reported by eNews, the wings-and-slicks category will launch a new initiative centred around National Class, for oldermodel cars.

Kicking off next year, the Forpark Australia Formula 3

Scholarship will put $50,000 up for grabs.

Drivers under the age of 23 who complete a full season of National Class in an F301 or F304 Dallara will be eligible for a $50,000 scholarship to be used for an outright championship campaign in 2012.

A judging panel will be formed to determine the scholarship winner, with speed, performance, technical feedback, fitness and media

skills among the factors to be reviewed.

“For over 30 years, Forpark Australia has been building and supplying playground equipment for use by thousands upon thousands of young Australians,” Forpark Australia owner Darryl Hansen said.

“The Forpark F3 Scholarship is our way of providing a slightly different kind of playground for the next generation of racing drivers.

We are very excited to be supporting this innovative concept that will invigorate and grow the Australian Formula 3 Championship as it seeks to find the next racing star.

“As a regular competitor and enthusiast of the sport, I am personally looking forward to meeting the young drivers who will be eligible for the Scholarship and following their progression next season, and onwards.”

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WON’T WORK WEEKENDS FORMULA 1

DANIEL Ricciardo has a Formula 1 seat for next season – for Fridays.

The 21-year-old will move up to be the ‘Friday driver’ for Toro Rosso next season, working alongside Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari. He will also be the team’s reserve driver, should either driver not be able to race, as he was this season.

Ricciardo will also compete in the Formula Renault 3.5 series, in which he finished second this year after a late-

season run from Russian Mikhail Aleshin.

“I am really excited at the prospect of driving for Scuderia Toro Rosso in the free practice one sessions at the Grands Prix next year, so I have to say thanks to Red Bull for this great opportunity,” Ricciardo said.

“My main priority for 2011 is to win the Formula Renault 3.5 championship, but my ultimate aim is to be a fulltime Formula 1 driver and this new role has to be the best step towards achieving that ambition.”

BERNIE MUGGED FORMULA 1 BERNIE Ecclestone has been mugged in London.

The 80-year-old was treated in hospital for minor facial injuries when he and his Brazilian companion Fabiana Flosi were set upon around 10:30pm, near the Knightsbridge offices of Formula One Holdings. Police reports indicate that the robbers made off with jewellery to the value of £200,000.

Ecclestone was released after treatment, and back at

work the next day.

Ironically, the attack comes less than a month after he suggested that robbers only go after people who look vulnerable after Jenson Button and others escaped from a gang outside the circuit at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

“They look for victims, they look for anyone that looks like a soft touch and not too bright,” Ecclestone said at the time. “The people that look a bit soft and simple, they will always have a go at.”

WEBBER YARN WINS AWARD FORMULA 1 MARK Webber may have fallen short in his bid to win the World Drivers’ Championship but he has been instrumental in another award.

The Australian Sports Commission 14

has honoured Fairfax Media for Good Weekend’s article on Webber – Mark Webber: Mark 1. Writer Amanda Hooton spent time with Webber at home in the UK in writing the story, which won for the best print feature in Profiling of an Athlete, Team or Coach. motorsport news

news

Joel Strickland

INTERNATIONAL

JENS INTERCEPTOR

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BMW has made a major change to its Motorsport program, by appointing Jens Marquardt to become BMW Motorsport Director.

The 43-year-old German will replace Dr Mario Theissen in January. There is no news what Theissen, who has run the company’s motorsport activities since April 1999, will move on to.

Marquardt comes to the role after 10 years with Toyota. He joined the company’s motorsport division in Cologne after roles with Mercedes-Benz and Ilmor Engineering, and was Toyota’s General Manager Business Development, Operations and Production.

The move appears to be well-timed, with BMW in the process of developing its new M3-based racer for the DTM series. That car is due to make its competition debut in early 2012, and there is also the possibility that the car will be raced in new DTM-like series in the USA and Japan.

BMW has announced that Theissen and Marquardt will work together for the first six months to ensure “the seamless execution of the 2011 racing programme and preparations for the 2012 DTM project”.

“We have planned and prepared this changeover very carefully,” Theissen said. “With the realignment of BMW Motorsport and the decision in favour of the DTM project, the path to a successful future on the race track has been mapped out. Now is also the best time to entrust the leadership of BMW Motorsport to new hands. I have no doubt that in Jens Marquardt we have found the right man for this exciting task and I look forward to our time working together. On 1 July 2011 he will be perfectly equipped to take over the reins.”

15

Raikkonen for NASCAR? NASCAR SPRINT CUP

squad – would appear to fit a Kimi-to-NASCAR plan. Kasey Kahne is definitely leaving the team at the end of 2011 to move to Hendrick Motorsport, so there will be a vacancy that will need to be filled.

While other European drivers have appeared in the series, notably Mattias Ekstom and Max Papis, having a former World champion enter the series, with a competitive and well-funded team, would be likely to boost NASCAR international audience.

– MARTIN D CLARK

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THE newest driver to try to move from a successful open-wheeler career to Stock Car racing could be Kimi Raikkonen.

The former World champion was spotted by eNews at the recent Homestead-Miami Sprint Cup finale. The Finn was there as a guest of Foster Gillett, son of Richard Petty Motorsport co-owner George Gillett.

While there has been talk for some time that the current Citroen Junior Team WRC pilot was interested in racing

in America, it now seems to be more of a possibility.

Raikkonen recently signed a new deal with Red Bull and the team, but only for the 2011 season and, while speculation continues that the former McLaren and Ferrari man may yet return to Formula 1, as time passes, that seems to be less and less of a possibility.

On the other hand, the current situation at Red Bull Racing – the Sprint Cup team, not the similarly-named F1

Toyota Motorsport

It’s Official: Ambrose swaps Kingsford for The King’s Ford NASCAR SPRINT CUP

16

NASCAR Media

MARCOS Ambrose learned more on his direction for 2011 last Monday when it was announced what was formerly known as Richard Petty Motorsports will remain in business, albeit under different ownership and very likely a different name.

Ambrose’s crew chief in the #9 Ford will be Todd Parrott, a 26 year NASCAR veteran, who started his crew chief duties at Robert Yates Racing in 1996 and driver Dale Jarrett who he went on to win the Cup championship in 1999 with. Mike Shiplett will remain with the team

and continue to crew chief AJ Allmendinger.

Many members of the former four-car team vacated positions the same day as the meeting and made their way with crew chiefs ‘Slugger’ Labbe and Kenny Francis to Richard Childress Racing and Red Bull Racing respectively.

Petty will continue to be a minority owner and it’s expected that investment company Boston Ventures will remain with the new organisation, along with investors unnamed at this point. Current partner George Gillett is likely not to figure in the new team.

– MARTIN D CLARK motorsport news

Ho Hoping for Fazzt INDYCARS

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HO-PIN Tung became the first Chinese driver to take the wheel of an Indycar last week when he completed a two-day test with FAZZT Race Team at Sebring.

FAZZT plans to expand to a second car to compete alongside co-owner Alex Tagliani. The team has signed an agreement with Luxembourg-based Gravity Sport Management to secure commercial partnerships necessary to ensure Tung, who turns 28 next month, a competitive full season in 2011. FAZZT’s primary sponsor Bowers & Wilkins funded his test.

“Our goal is to run a minimum of two cars for the 2011 IZOD IndyCar season and this test was a first step in that direction,” says FAZZT COO and General Manager Rob Edwards. “Two cars in the field for 2011 will give us the extra input and data we need to improve our performance and compete among the leaders each race weekend. With the support of our primary sponsor Bowers & Wilkins, our team is actively seeking sponsorship

for the second full-time entry for the 2011season and beyond. Ho-Pin Tung’s talent and presence in an IndyCar can reach a whole new nation of fans in China and presents significant opportunities for our sport and our partners.”

A Chinese driver in the IndyCar series will certainly help efforts to add a race in China to the IndyCar schedule in the near future.

IndyCar representatives have held meetings in China during the past two seasons. And, offering an international event in China could have been one incentive for a company like Chevy (GM) to become an engine supplier and welcomed by many IndyCar sponsors who desire expansion into that market.

“This is a great challenge and opportunity given to me by FAZZT and Bowers & Wilkins,” said Dutch born Tung, who served as Renault F1 test driver and competed in GP2 this year.

“The main goal for this test was to get familiar with the car and team and it has been very positive experience. There has been growing interest in motorsports in China and it would be incredible to be able to add to IndyCar’s international appeal.”

– MARY MENDEZ

THE MUSIC STOPS AT HENDRICKS NASCAR SPRINT CUP

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NASCAR Media

HENDRICK Motorsports may have won its fifth straight NASCAR Sprint Cup title last week but that has not stopped it making sweeping changes in three of its four Cup teams.

Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus will stay together but the team’s three other entries have undergone fundamental changes. Lance McGrew, right, the crew chief for Dale Earnhardt Jr last season, will switch to Mark Martin’s #5 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet; Alan Gustafson, the crew chief for Martin, will switch to Jeff Gordon’s #24 AARP entry; and Steve Letarte, formerly Gordon’s crew chief, is the new man in the hotseat, as crew chief for Earnhardt Jr’s #88 AMP Energy Chevrolet.

The team will now run as two ‘pairs’, with Johnson and Earnhardt’s teams in one building on the Hendrick campus, and the Martin and Gordon teams in another.

“This will improve us as an organisation,

across the board,” said Hendrick.

“We had a championship season (in 2010), but we weren’t where we wanted and needed to be with all four teams.

“We’ve made the right adjustments, and I’m excited to go racing with this lineup.”

While Hendrick won his 10th title as an owner, all has not been well inside the four-car powerhouse team. Only Johnson and Gordon won races in 2010 and in Texas, Knaus ‘parked’ his own #48 crew and Johnson finished the race with Gordon’s, as their driver was out of the race after a clash with Jeff Burton.

Martin will be in his last season with the team in 2011, with Kasey Kahne contracted to step into the #5 the following year – and rumours persist that Earnhardt, the sport’s most popular driver, may yet leave the team. He has not won since Michigan in 2008 – and that was a ‘fuel’ win – and one win in 112 starts is not what the team would have been thinking when he arrived in February 2008 ...

– MARTIN D CLARK

17

James Smith

CINI SIGNS REYNOLDS AUSTRALIAN GT

MARC Cini has signed David Reynolds for his campaign in February’s Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour.

Cini will run a Porsche GT3 Cup S at Mount Panorama, with Reynolds and a yetto-be-finalised third driver to complete the line-up.

Reynolds is no stranger to Porsches, having won Carrera

Cup in 2007, where he raced against Cini, as well as spending some time in the NZ Porsche series.

“Not quite yet, but we’re getting there,” Cini said of having a third driver in place.

“We’re having a chat to a couple of people, it’s almost there but not quite finalised as yet. It’ll be in the next week or so.

“David and I ran Carrera Cup together for a long time. We’ve

always got along very well and we did a 12 Hour in Sepang in ’07 together and did pretty well there.

“He’s a good guy, nice to get along with, kind on the equipment and he’s quick.

Especially in a Porsche, he’s damn good at it.”

Cini will return to the reborn Carrera Cup in 2011, but will also continue racing the Cup S in the Vodka O

Australian GT Championship, although the full extent of his involvement will depend on final calendars.

“There’s only one life, isn’t there?” he said.

“We’ll definitely run the Cup S in GT. There’s no calendar out yet, so we’re waiting to see what’s what and what clashes and so forth, but we’ll definitely run there.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

TAREK AIMING FOR AUSSIE RETURN COMMODORE CUP

MIDDLE Eastern racing driver Tarek Elgammal wants to compete in Australia, and has nominated Commodore Cup as a likely option.

Elgammal, an expatriate Aussie based in Dubai, has been a front-runner in the Chevrolet Supercars Middle East championship over the past few seasons, winning the 2006-07 title, and has also been contesting the United Arab Emirates GT Championship in a Porsche GT3 Cup car.

According to Elgammal, an Australian V8 Supercar drive is the ultimate goal, 18

but Commodore Cup would be a good starting point due to its similarities with the Supercars Middle East vehicles.

“When you look at it, Commodore Cup and Supercars Middle East have a lot in common,” he said.

“They are both one-make series for General Motors vehicles powered by V8 engines and using four-speed gearboxes.

I’m sure I could jump into a Commodore Cup car and be competitive straight away, because the cars are very similar to what I’m used to.”

Elgammal says finding the funding to progress into V8 Supercars would be the biggest obstacle in his pursuit of a

motorsport career in Australia.

“I’ve had opportunities here in the Middle East that I never would have had in Australia,” he said.

“For example, I’ve been able to race in fully-sponsored rides here, where in Australia, it’s extremely difficult to attract sponsorship, so it would be hard for me to come up with the budget to race in the Fujitsu Series, let alone the main game.

“Commodore Cup looks like a very affordable option though, so I might try and do the Commodore Cup enduro with one of the regular drivers next year and see how I go.”

– LACHLAN MANSELL motorsport news

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The hardware for next year’s Porsche Carrera Cup Australia is on its way to Australia.

A total of 22, 2011-spec Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Cars have left the manufacturer’s racing headquarters in Weissach, Germany, and are expected to land in Melbourne in the middle of January.

SERA MEGADRIVE KARTING

DAVID Sera put in arguably the finest drive of his career to advance from 29th on the grid to finish second at the recent Las Vegas SuperNationals, missing victory by 0.001s in the TaG Senior class.

Sera’s drive had the Rio Hotel and Casino buzzing. His Arrow machine began scything its way through the world-class field and he soon made short work of former Indy 500 champion Dan Wheldon. Catching the lead pack with time on his side, there was an anticipation the Aussie could win. The Kelly Racing development driver took it to the last lap, where he collided with the leader having pulled out of the slipstream in the run to the chequered flag. The collision saw the two cross the line side by side ... an epic drive in anyone’s language.

Another Aussie to impress was Joseph Mawson in the TaG Junior events. Being 20

right up the front from first practice, the Sydneysider led the final on occasions, however struck a misfire late in the event, which dropped him to fifth place. He qualified second of the packed field and after being turned around in his heat race fought back from 28th to finish seventh. Adrian Lazzarro was crashed out of the final.

In the main event – KZ2 – Australians Matt Wall and Kel Treseder showed strong form against some of the world’s best. They qualified 23rd and 26th respectively. Treseder started the final in an awesome 11th spot, with Wall further down the grid after some issues during heat racing. The former brought his CRG home in 14th, with Wall crossing the line 20th.

West Aussie Kip Foster crossed the line first in his event, the TaG Masters, however was later found to have an engine that didn’t comply with the regulations and he was disqualified.

– MATT PAYNE motorsport news

of

Dirk Klynsmith

RYO JOINS UTE FIELD V8 UTES

NATHAN Pretty and Japanese driver Ryo Orime will debut in the Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series at Homebush this weekend.

The pair will both run with links to Jennings Motorsport, with Pretty to drive the Samboy Commodore Ute driven thus far in 2010 by Scott Jennings, Paul Morris and Tim Blanchard.

Orime will drive a second Ute owned

by Jennings, but run by Hi-Tech Motorsport for the weekend. The 28-yearold has raced Formula 3, Formula Nippon and Super GT300 sportscars in Asia.

Currently based in Singapore, Orime has backing from the new SG Changi circuit – a likely V8 Supercar venue in 2012 – and is looking at options to break into Australian racing.

Orime had his first taste of a Ute

yesterday, Monday, driving a VE at Paul Morris Motorsport’s Norwell facility.

“The Ute is very interesting to drive, it’s totally different from a GT,” he said.

“There is no downforce and no grip. The feeling of braking is very different. I had less than one day to learn to drive the car but I’ve picked it up very quickly.”

Meanwhile, series leader Grant Johnson will sport backing from Brunel Energy for the season finale.

AUSSIES GALORE KARTING TEN Australians will be invited to contest the Rotax World Grand Finals in Dubai at the end of 2011.

This equals Australia’s highest representation in the event, which was just last weekend in Italy.

The Dubai Autodrome karting circuit will play host to the World Finals for the second time in the event’s history, and the 10 invitations cement Australia as one of the leading markets for Rotax karting engines in the world – backed up

by Australia’s third placing in the Nation’s Trophy in Italy.

“Australia is an important market for us, Australian drivers have proven over the years to be very competitive and I always like to see them do well at this event,” said Robert Gumpenberger of BRP-Rotax. www.mnews.com.au

“Rotax is proud to show our appreciation to Australia for their support and we will be pleased to invite 10 Australians to Al Ain next year to hopefully be crowned the World’s best Rotax driver.”

The announcement by Rotax was welcomed by Australian importer, Ian Black.

“The number of seats offered to us is recognition by Rotax of Australia’s ability and shows that we are a very competitive country at this event,” he said.

“The Rotax Grand Finals attract over 200 drivers from over 60 countries, it really is the Olympics of Karting.”

Australian drivers are able to qualify for an invitation by racing in Rotax events around the country, including State and National Titles, the Rotax Pro Tour and many other events.

– MATT PAYNE 21

WINNERS OLD AND NEW IN SA KARTING

THE South Australian State Championships produced a raft of new winners and some familiar faces in victory lane over the weekend.

Remo Luciani (Clubman Over 40s), Josh DeMaio (Rotax Light), Joseph Mawson (Rotax Junior MAX), Brad Jenner (Junior National Light), Michael Griffiths (Leopard Heavy) and Johnny Grother (Leopard Light) all recorded State Title victories.

One of the most hotly contested finals was Clubman Heavy, where young Queenslander Shay Mayes showed vastly experienced racers Shayne Piper and Remo Luciani the way home. In a rough and tumble affair, Piper spun from the leading pack, while Luciani had a small coming together with Lee Mitchener, giving Mayes the gap he needed to go on and take victory.

Piper made amends in Clubman Light, taking the

victory over Cian Fothergill and Joel Smith.

Local drivers, Tyler Morrison (Rookies), Chase Wooley (Midgets), Danny Errigo (Clubman Super Heavy) and Todd Hazelwood (Junior National Heavy) all recorded victories in their respective classes.

The biggest drama of the day and one of the most popular victories was awarded to the unheralded George Gutierrez in Junior Clubman. Facing off against

some of the nation’s best Juniors, Gutierrez was able to outlast the lot of them to take the win. He started ninth on the grid and watched as competitor after competitor fell off the racetrack in front of him. The most dramatic was young Victorian Anton dePasquale, who had charged from 20th to challenge for third. He and Aidan Wright came together late in the race, gifting Gutierrez another two places.

– MATT PAYNE

MORE OVERSEAS SUCCESS FOR LEHANE KARTING SYDNEY’S Pierce Lehane has put the karting world on notice after a stunning performance at the WSK Nations Cup finale at La Conca in Italy.

Driving a factory prepared CRG/ Maxter/Dunlop combination alongside dominant winner Max Verstappen (son of ex-F1 pilot, Jos), Lehane quickly got a handle on the European style of KF3 (Pro Junior) racing.

Lehane qualified ninth of the 62 competitors, the third fastest CRG, then went on to record a seventh, second and a fourth from his three heats on Saturday, then another third behind the Verstappen in Sunday’s final heat.

Starting from row two for the Pre22

Final, he quickly moved his way into third. Pierce was unloaded by a fellow competitor in the infield section of the course, but recovered to finish 17th. In the Final, he passed no less than 10 karts in the first six laps, before being driven over by another competitor whilst running seventh. It sheared the spark plug clean out of the engine, forcing the Australian out of the race.

He wasn’t the only Aussie in action over the weekend, with Kyle Ensbey remaining in Italy after the Rotax World Finals to race KZ2 (Pro Gearbox). Driving for the Intrepid factory ‘Driver Program’, Ensbey was against a crack field, including Roberto Toninelli, who recently toured Australia.

Getting used to the European level

of racing didn’t prove easy for the Queenslander. He advanced through to 22nd in the Pre-Final to start the final alongside former GP2 racer, Ben Hanley.

From there, Ensbey worked his way to an excellent 18th at the drop of the chequers.

The KZ2 finale was taken out by Tony Kart’s Marco Ardigo from Toninelli.

Another group of Queenslanders were competing in Malaysia at the Yamaha SL World Karting Challenge yesterday.

Harrison Oddie fared the best, coming home in fourth placing in the Cadet class after starting the final ninth, while Kris Walton recorded ninth in the Senior event. Two other Aussies were in the Cadet class, Zane Goddard finishing 13th and Harrison Hoey recording 23rd.

– MATT PAYNE motorsport news

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Top notch DRAG RACING

John Bosher

Hambridge aims high DRAG RACING AARON Hambridge is holding nothing back in his assault on the ANDRA Pro Series Top Alcohol, as his performances continue to improve.

The early points leader says he has come across a combination that is working very well.

“We tried a new clutch and a new tyre in Willowbank at the Winternationals in June and they are just working great, combine that with our engine program and the car is flying,” he said.

After coming close to the championship last season, Hambridge’s eyes are well and truly on the end of season prize.

24

“This year we want to go one better, we have had a great start and hopefully we can keep our momentum going and possibly take home that extra gold tree come season’s end,” he said.

Heading into Willowbank, Hambridge felt performances would be similar to what was seen at Sydney.

“Sydney has really stepped up their track prep in the last couple of events so I’m not sure if there will be a whole lot of difference now, but Willowbank in January and Willowbank in June are two very different race tracks, so with the heat we will probably take a soft approach when we arrive,” he said.

The first racer to break into

ONE of the biggest ever Top Doorslammer fields at Perth Motorplex will feature at the 39th Annual Goldenstates this Friday and Saturday at the Western Australian facility.

A total of 22 cars have nominated and, with an eightcar field scheduled, qualifying is set to be as frantic as race day, with 14 cars to miss out.

The field has been boosted by 10 WA-based cars alone.

Reigning Champion John Zappia, pictured, last season’s runner up Robin Judd, Adam Croker, Maurice Brennan, Daniel Gregorini, Pino Priolo, Murray O’Connor, Anthony Begley, Marty Dack and David

the 5.4s zone is a piece of history still on offer.

“I think the 5.4s is on the cards at any track, the conditions just have to be a little better, if we can get some better air hopefully that barrier can be broken,” he said.

Hambridge will eventually be expanding his team to include Jamie Noonan, whose chassis Hambridge has been running since he crashed in Perth last season.

“My car is currently at SCF Race Cars getting repaired and if everything comes together we will have it back for the race at Willowbank in January,” he said.

“Once Jamie is set up we will run as a two car team.”

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

motorsport news

news

h Top Doorslammer field for WA Simpson will all be hoping to use their local knowledge to get the edge on the opposition.

Zappia’s focus is on increasing his performance margin over the rest of the field, after a DNQ in the opening round of the championship.

“We have a long history of undergoing development programs that at first seem to be going backwards, but then produce longer term winning results,” he said.

“We broke the world record by going first into the fives by doing that and we want to jump into the five sevens to keep leading the field in Top Doorslammer.”

Victoria’s Peter Kapiris will

have his Saratoga in WA for the first time, following some good form in his racing recently. He will be joined by New South Wales drivers Mark Belleri, Deno Brijeski, Maurice Fabietti and Ivan Skaramuca, who is making his first trek west.

Queenslanders also represent strongly with Gary Phillips, Stuart Bishop, Victor Bray and Ben Bray all returning. Two racers will be flying the flag for the Northern Territory in the form of Scott Maclean and Matt Abel.

Top Bike also returns to strength with 15 entries for the event. Queensland’s Chris Matheson leads the way as he aims for a five-second charge with his nitro-fuelled machine.

“The Perth Motorplex has the best facilities in Australia and unquestionably the greatest following of Top Fuel Bike fans,” he said.

“The whole team love the trek to Perth. The team would love to be the first [to run a five second pass] but are squarely focused on backing up the championship in only their second season of competition.”

Matheson will take on the ever dangerous local Jay Upton, as well as another sandgroper in Mark Drew who has recently been running consistent mid six-second times. Other WA riders include Terry Burnett and Wayne Barrett. Victoria’s Parker Racing team, the Northern Territory’s

Mick Murray, South Australia’s Dennis Grant, Queenslanders Troy McLean and Marc Ryder and New South Wales’ Chris Porter have also nominated.

Pro Stock Bike also joins the show, making it the first time the Motorplex has hosted three ANDRA Pro Series categories. Victorians Maurice Allen, Lachlan Ireland and Glenn Wooster, South Australian Phil Howard, Tasmanian Andrew Badcock and Queenslanders Pete Cochrane, Luke Crowley and Michael Gilbertson are all entered.

Three qualifying sessions will take place on Friday with racing on Saturday.

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

John Morris / Mpix

Next ANDRA Pro Series Round: Goldenstate Titles, Perth Motorplex, December 3-4 ANDRA Pro Series on TV: Friday December 10, Top Doorslammer, Goldenstate Titles

www.mnews.com.au

25

Five Minutes with ...

MARK SKAIFE

Two drivers, one weekend, a title on the line. When it comes to grace under fire, Skaifey is the man with the inside line. Who else we gonna call – Ghostbusters?

So, do you put the Big Picture away and focus on the small things?

For sure. You focus on every area, of making your car as good as it possibly can be. Clearly, there will be times over the weekend when the drivers will be feeling the ultimate pressure. In qualifying, they will have to be able to do a lap and start well up there, because it is so hard to pass there. You know that you have critical times in the weekend that will determine the series, and qualifying there is one of those times.

I think the lack of passing is down to the fella who they had design the track, Skaifey ...

He is a bit average, but there are parts of the track that encourage mistakes from the drivers ...

It is easier to come from behind in the points in these situations, or would you rather be on top of the points like Courtney?

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Andrew Hall

MOTORSPORT NEWS: You have been in the position that James Courtney and Jamie Whincup are in this weekend.

Almost a showdown. How do you approach a weekend like this one?

MARK SKAIFE: I think that the best thing is, you have to go there with the mindset of winning the races. If you don’t win, you have to land on the podium. If he [Courtney] lands on the podium, he wins it. I think that he has a very strong attitude to doing that. It is all about points and you get the most points for winning.

So, focus on winning the race. If not, the podium. From the point of view of being a driver in that situation, make it as simple as you can. You cannot afford to get caught up in trying to work things out on the run; “if he finishes here, I have to finish here”, and so on. That is not a way you want to go to work.

The only thing you can control is what you can do. You need to focus on your own performance. That is how you go and win a series.

THESE ARE THE WEEKENDS THAT DETERMINE THE LIST OF CREDENTIALS AT THE END OF YOUR CAREER I would rather be where Courtney is.

Is is also easy to fall into the trap of just racing against one bloke? There are 27 other drivers out there, all trying to beat you.

It is. But the game this weekend is not beat everyone, it is to measure yourself against the bloke you are racing for the title.

You have got to go there thinking, “Where is the bloke who can beat for me for the whole year?” That is a clear thing and, like I said before, you make it simple for yourself. You do the best job that you can and you are only interested in where

Whincup, or Jamie interested in where Courtney might be.

Having been there a few times yourself, and now out of the cockpit, do you get particularly itchy yourself in the lead-up to these kinds of weekends?

Yeah, I still do. This is the ultimate competition, isn’t it?

These are the weekends that you drive for. The ones that determine the list of credentials at some point, at the end of your career. That is why this is so important, for both guys to grab it by the scruff of the neck and do the best job that they possibly can. motorsport news

chat

Dirk Klynsmith

www.mnews.com.au

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A NEW TEST FOR JAMIE, AND SYDNEY OPINION Andrew van Leeuwen – eNews Editor

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T’S been a while since we’ve had a good ol’ fashioned title showdown in V8 Supercars.

Actually, it would have been Phillip Island in 2007 – the last of the Grand Finale’s at The Island – that the title was genuinely fought out down to the last race. That year, Jamie Whincup, Garth Tander, Craig Lowndes and Rick Kelly all went into the final weekend with 48 points separating them, and Tander nicked the title from Whincup after being seven points behind going in.

After that, during the Whincup era, the final rounds have been over by Saturday night. At Oran Park in 2008, a Race 1 win put the title out of Mark Winterbottom’s reach. At Homebush in 2009, 12 points was all Whincup needed from the whole weekend to deny Will Davison.

Based on those facts and figures, a last-round title isn’t unchartered territory for Whincup, but winning a close fight like that is. In ’08, Whincup couldn’t get the job done with Tander breathing down his neck, and three seasons later, the task is even bigger with two races left. However, it’s worth remembering that Whincup is a much more polished driver than he was back in ’07, and he knows how to win a title. Does he know how to come from behind and win a title? We’ll know by this time next week.

The fact that there is a fantastic title battle raging on will be a new test for the Sydney Telstra 500 as well. Last year, with the title all but wrapped up, the ST500 was all about the event. The actual racing became a sideshow, while we all oohed and aahed at the fancy indoor paddock and the infield train station, all in the shadow of ANZ Stadium. No one died on what was humorously coined ‘Death Alley’ by one daily journo, and that seemed to be enough of a tick of approval for the narrow circuit itself.

This time around, the racing is important. The shine will be off the setting, and the focus will be on who will win the title out of James Courtney and Whincup. The track will have to provide good, open racing, or criticism will follow.

Yes, last year’s ST500 was a success, but this year will be a whole new ball game.

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THE WISDOM IN MINI

A

S best as I can tell, wisdom teeth and appendixes are fairly pointless parts of the human anatomy.

I had my wisdom teeth removed last week and, other than ensuring I had a weekend on the couch watching the cricket and eating icecream, I don’t think they ever did anything for me. Ditto an appendix, you only ever hear about it when one has burst or someone’s in strife. They just seem fairly surplus to requirements.

It seems the MINI Challenge has found itself in a similar position in both the 2011 Australian motorsport landscape and BMW Australia’s plans, and this weekend’s

season finale at Homebush will be the last we’ll see of the series – for the time being at least.

In the three years since it was introduced in 2008, it’s been a hard slog, coinciding with the GFC, and the original plan of category management not lasting the first season.

Toleman Motorsport then entered the scene and have pushed on with reasonable results. Every now and then uncertainty over its future arose, but the on track numbers haven’t been bad.

Sure, they could’ve been better, but there’s been a group of loyal competitors who’ve stuck with it and enjoyed their time in the series. Similarly, the racing has proven to be pretty

OPINION Mitchell Adam – National Editor

competitive, although a turbocharged engine might’ve given it a bit more spark to those outside the cabin of MINI. There have been some good concepts within the series. The Uber Star program brought some new names into motorsport and garnered extra media attention, and they played the category’s international links well with its end of season prizes.

That Paul Stokell and Chris Alajajian got an overseas trip

to contest a round of the Spanish Series earlier this year is pretty cool. So is the fact that a couple of Spaniards will be in action at Homebush this weekend.

In an ideal world, I’m sure Homebush 2010 isn’t where the series’ stakeholders would’ve wanted things to end.

But, at the end of the day, it’s another reminder that manufacturer investment and involvement in motorsport is always up for review.

James Smith

Dirk Klynsmith

www.mnews.com.au

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SECOND TIME AROUND Last year, the anticipation heading into Syndey was around whether or not the event would work. This year, it’s all about the fight for the title

Dirk Klynsmith

www.mnews.com.au

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WELVE months ago, the title was all but wrapped up when we got to Sydney.

The fact that it was V8 Supercars’ first visit to Homebush provided excitement enough but, as far as the championship went, Jamie Whincup had it all but sealed heading into the final two races. By Saturday night, it was all over – hardly a shock result.

This year, things couldn’t be more different. After taking twists and turns all year, Whincup arrives in Sydney 53 points behind James Courtney. The concrete jungle of Homebush is set to host a battle royale for the title.

Given that this event is only a year old, past form is likely to offer a good indication of what we can expect. Last year, Garth Tander won Saturday’s race and Courtney Sunday’s, an ominous sign for The ‘Fones. Even worse for those in red and silver is that neither of their cars showed much speed last year; Whincup’s fifth on Saturday was their best for the weekend, with Whincup finishing 14th on Sunday, and Craig Lowndes ending the weekend with a 19th and a DNF. For whatever reason, the tight confines of Olympic Park didn’t suit TeamVodafone in ’09.

Of course, this is the best team in the game, and you would be brave to discount Whincup ‘doing a Vettel’ and taking two poles and two wins to nab the title at the last minute.

To do so, he’ll have to take on a confident Courtney.

Despite the woes shaking the foundation of Dick Johnson Racing currently, Courtney and the team have kept their heads down and continued doing the job. Courtney’s Sunday win at Sandown was sublime, and further proof that he seems to be blessed with the luck that you need to win a championship. Coupled with the speed he showed at Homebush in ’09, it’s no wonder he’s the bookie’s favourite at around $1.30. Truth be told, he’s eNews’ favourite for the title too.

Expect there to be spoilers, too. Tander was a race winner there last year, and he’ll be right up the front this year too. Despite not looking too speedy this year, Walkinshaw-built cars love to stop, pivot slowly, and drive out of a corner at immense pace – perfect for street circuits. Remember Tander’s double win at the Clipsal 500?

And the first leg of the Gold Coast 600? Don’t be surprised if he repeats those feats this weekend.

And of course, on recent form, Ford Performance Racing are worth a mention too. Their car speed is simply awesome at the moment, and team seem to be keeping up. Mark Winterbottom will be keen to show he will be top dog at FPR when Will Davison and Courtney arrive next season with a couple of wins, and Paul Dumbrell is just in a rich vein of form currently. Winterbottom is also a very long shot for the title, and if he wins both races, you just never, ever know.

So what is the scenario? With 150 points available for each of the 250km races (300 in total), it could go a couple of ways; the simple outcomes is that is Courtney finishes ahead of Whincup in both races, the title is his. But if Whincup wins both races, the situation gets a little more complicated. Basically, if that happens, Courtney either needs a third and a fourth, or a second and a fifth.

With all that in mind, it’s going to be a heck of a battle on the streets of Sydney. And we can’t wait.

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN motorsport news

Peter Bury

Peter Bury

CORNER IN THE REDNCUP

WITH JAMIE WHI

WITH JAMES COUR

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AST year, to be honest, the focus at Sydney was all on media, and not much on what we were doing on-track and results. This year, it couldn’t be any different. It’s all about us putting in out best performance of the year this weekend; we need to do a good job to have any chance.

“Last year we really didn’t dedicate enough time to go fast at Homebush. We were launching calendars and all this other stuff, and not enough effort went into making the car go fast. That’s sound completely ludicrous now, but the media side of this sport is a big deal for us, and when you only have to get 12 points to win the championship then that takes priority.

“Now, we need 50 points more than our opposition, so the priority this weekend is going fast and getting those results. I’m confident we can do that. At the end of the day it’s just another race track, and we’ve proven that the car can be quick at all tracks, so there is no reason why we can’t be competitive. We really need to aim high this weekend, because a top five won’t be good enough. We need to be at our best.

“I’m relatively relaxed about it all. Every time I hit the track there is some form of expectation, from the team, the sponsors and the fans. So it’s a pressure situation every weekend. This weekend, yes, there is an element of extra pressure with a championship on the line, but at the end of the day I’ve been going hard all year, and I’ve put in my best performance at each round since the start of the season. I just need to make sure I do the same this weekend.” www.mnews.com.au

CORNER IN THE BLUE TN EY T’S been a close battle with Jamie [Whincup] all season, and nothing will change at Homebush.

TeamVodafone will throw everything as us, but my team and I are ready. We have proved we can handle pressure. I’d back my team against anyone else in the paddock – they have done a great job getting me to the front and keeping me there.

“I’m keeping things the same as always – go for the win.

And if I can’t win then [I will] get as many points as possible.

That’s what our team has been doing all season, so we won’t change anything. My job is to race the car as fast as I can, and I’ll let my team sort out the various scenarios with the points.”

“The good thing about my lead in the points is I can control whether I win the championship. That’s not necessarily the case for Jamie, because even if he wins both races it may not be enough. He may have to also rely on other cars beating me. This situation means he is the one who may have to take more risks, and street circuits aren’t the best places for taking risks if things go wrong!

“Mark [Winterbottom] is probably a long shot for the championship unless Jamie and I fail to finish at least one of the races. That said, it’s been a crazy championship, so who knows what will happen. Maybe ‘PD’ (Paul Dumbrell) will come out and beat us all, and you can’t rule out Garth [Tander].”

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THE SUPPORTERS CLU O

THER than the V8 Supercar Championship, there’s plenty of silverware to be handed out at Homebush this weekend.

Chances are that Steve Owen will leave Sydney with the Fujitsu Series title. Owen and Greg Murphy Racing have been the class of 2010, and enter the final round with a 218-point advantage and 300 up for grabs. Realistically, only a catastrophe will deny Owen a second Fujitsu Series crown.

While Owen has an acreage behind him, the battle is on for second, with 145 points covering second-placed David Russell, Tim Blanchard, James Moffat and Nick Percat in fifth. The quartet have all had their ups and downs in 2010, although Russell and Moffat have enjoyed better fortunes in recent rounds than the early days of their campaign. Blanchard and Percat, meanwhile, have looked good as rookies.

The Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series will round out their 10th season on the streets of Sydney. Holden driver Grant Johnson is 34

in the box seat to secure his second V8 Ute title. Having scraped from round to round thus far in 2010, Johnson has secured backing from resource recruitment company Brunel for the finale, and heads to Homebush with an 86-point buffer over reigning champion Jack Elsegood.

Sieders Racing Team stable-mates Andrew Fisher and David Sieders are fighting for third in the points, but could well overhaul Elsegood if he has a bad weekend. For his part, Sieders has already wrapped up ‘Rookie of the Year’ honours.

In the Touring Car Masters presented

by Autobarn, the ‘drop your worst round’ points format has played into the hands of Jim Richards. Missing a round, as Richards did at Symmons Plains, would generally hurt a title challenge, but being able to drop that ‘round’ means Richards is still in front.

Going into Homebush’s finale, Richards leads Gavin Bullas by 20 points, with Bullas yet to drop a round. John Bowe is

third, 74 points behind Richards. Bullas and Bowe have both had mechanical problems in recent rounds, with Bullas losing an engine at both Symmons Plains and Sandown.

Bowe had a zero-point weekend at Bathurst, his dropped round, but bounced back with a round win at home in Tassie, only to strike mechanical dramas again at Sandown.

A pair of Spanish drivers could throw a spanner into the works of the final round of the Hertz MINI Challenge. As a prize for winning the MINI Challenge Spain, Jose Manuel De Los Milagros and GP2 driver Javier Villa, will compete under the Team MINI Spain banner. The pair wrapped up the Spanish series – in which two drivers share a car – last month.

Earlier this year, Chris Alajajian and Paul Stokell contested a round of the Spanish Series at Jarama together. This weekend, they’ll be doing battle for the Australian title, with Alajajian leading by 28.5 points. motorsport news

Dirk Klynsmith

Peter Bury Phil Williams

CLUB

The Men to Beat: Steve Owen is clearly ahead in the Fujitsu Series, top, while Jim Richards is looking handy enough in the Touring Car Masters, above. Grant Johnson is on for a second title in V8 Utes, left, and Chris Alajajian will have to take on Paul Stokell to win the MINI Challenge trophy, below.

Peter Bury

John Morris/Mpix

www.mnews.com.au

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FESTIVAL OF SPEED BARBAGALLO RACEWAY, WA

BURN BABY BURN

With the mercury hitting 36 degrees at Barbagallo Raceway, the heat was literally on!

Amd having Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo scorch up the track in a Red Bull Racing Formula 1 car made things even hotter. LUKE NIEUWHOF was there

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John Morris/Mpix

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P

ERTH motorsport fans enjoyed an unusual level of exclusivity on Sunday during the running of the inaugural Festival of Speed at Barbagallo Raceway.

The highlight was the appearance of the Red Bull F1 team and its drivers Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo.

Ricciardo was given the honour of doing a demonstration run down Riverside Drive in the Perth CBD on the Friday before the event. While unadvertised to try and keep spectator numbers down, word quickly spread that the demo was on and hundreds of people lined the route.

At the festival itself Ricciardo was handed the keys by Webber for the short course time attack, before Webber himself took on the long course.

The 20,000 strong crowd was mainly attracted by this prospect, and though neither driver was on maximum attack, it gave many fans a chance to see and hear a Formula 1 car for the first time in the flesh.

The festival was aimed at giving a taste of many different disciplines of motorsport. An off road course in the centre of the track allowed for motocross bikes and trucks to set the dust flying, while all kinds of motorised beasts took to the tarmac including some vintage vehicles, modern day V8 Supercars, drift cars, a Sprintcar, prestigious Ferrari and Porsche street cars, Superbikes and even a Top Alcohol Funny Car doing burnouts on the pit straight.

This was accompanied by many off track displays.

The Red Bull F1 marquee had a crowd five thick along the small viewing area for most of the day, double that when Webber was in view. Webber certainly had little rest from his fans throughout the day, with even his Winnebago having a crush of people outside eager for a view of F1 pilot.

For a first time event it was a good day, with plenty of potential for the future. The 2011 plan to move the event to the Perth CBD will suit the event much better, as an intimate setting is required to make the most of the vehicles on display. Because it was often just lone cars going around the track, an up close event where people can get close to feel, smell and really hear the cars will allow for a much better experience.

It was also avoid the traffic issues that probably caused many people to turn away from the event.

With a queue of traffic some two hours long to get in, many people missed the beginning of the program. A central location with more public transport options would definitely help quell this.

The program also needs tightening, with some long breaks with no action on track.

These are all problems that have easy solutions, however, especially with a city location.

Western Australians backed the event in their thousands, an acknowledgement that finally there was something special and unique for them to get behind.

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Nextgen Photography

Joel Strickland

Nextgen Photography

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www.mnews.com.au

BNT NZV8s ROUND 2, RUAPUNA

DNQ FOR J-MAC HANDS FOGG WIN BNT NZV8s

A

NGUS Fogg still hasn’t won a race in the BNT NZV8s this season, but he still leads the standings after the second round at Ruapuna.

Fogg was originally classified as second for the round with a fifth and two seconds from the three races, but when Johnny McIntyre was disqualified from Race 1 in a post-meeting protest, Fogg was elevated to the round win without a race win – for the second meeting in a row!

“The top of the points table is a good 40

place to start the new year, but it will get more difficult from here on,” he said.

“We have a few more tweaks to do to the car and maybe the driver so we are looking towards Teretonga already.”

Second place in Race 1, along with the Race 2 win and fourth in the reverse-grid final, was enough to give McIntyre the round win. But he was later disqualified from the first race for spinning Andy Knight out of contention, costing McIntyre the round and second in the points.

It wasn’t the only point of contention from Race 1. Having scorched from pole position and led Craig Baird to the finish,

Kayne Scott was later penalised for a speed infringement during the rolling start. That elevated Baird to first position, something which he wasn’t too proud to inherit.

“Today’s race win was not really a win for us as Kayne got penalised, so I wont be notching that up as a win,” he said.

As for Knight, he recovered from being punted out of Race 1 to go on and win the reverse-grid Race 3, a special maiden win on home soil.

Jason Bargwanna had a consistent first two races, with seventh and sixth in Races 1 and 2 respectively. But he could only muster 16th in the final race. motorsport news

GAUNT TAKES HAT-TRICK NZ PORSCHES

WHILE Angus Fogg is winning without winning races in the V8s, Daniel Gaunt is winning by winning all the races in Porsches.

Gaunt took all three races wins in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge at Ruapuna, dealing with stifling heat to give him a 52-point advantage after inning five of the six races so far this season.

www.mnews.com.au

There was some luck involved, such as Craig Baird suffering from a tyre puncture in one race, and a radiator puncture in another, but the fact of the matter was that Gaunt was way too quick.

“Dealing with the heat, and breathing, they were some of my biggest challenges during the races,” said Gaunt.

“It seems stupid, but they are crucial to that top couple percent of performance. With

the Porsche car it’s a sealed unit – there is no air coming in, none going out – you sweat from areas of your body you didn’t know could sweat.

“The first round I was very lucky – lucky Michael Morton let me use his car, and that Craig Baird got the puncture and I inherited the first race win of the season.”

“This weekend I certainly ramped it up. I came in to it

wanting to stamp my authority on the championship – to be a serious contender – that was my goal. It certainly puts me in good stead for the rest of it.

Although I can never count out Craig or Jonny [Reid], they’ve had bad rounds and I’ve got to keep making sure I have only good rounds.”

Gaunt now leads the series from Reid and Mitch Cunningham, while Baird drops to sixth.

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TASMAN REVIVAL MEETING EASTERN CREEK

Is John, is good

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OHN Smith took his second Tasman Cup win at Eastern Creek on November 28.

Driving the Dawson-Damer family’s Lotus 49, Smith put the car on pole and won all three preliminary races comfortably.

However, the car fuelled up and nearly stalled on the line of the feature and Smith was fifth

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at the end of Lap 1, behind John Bowe (Brabham), Rob Hall (Ferrari) and Chris Farrell and Richard Carter in Brabhams.

Smith made his way up the rankings, third on Lap 3, second on Lap 4 and into the lead next time around. The Cosworth DVF clearly had the legs on the rest of the field and Smith then used his speed

advantage to keep ahead of Hall, who moved into second on Lap 5.

Bowe and Farrell tussled over third – Carter passed Bowe, spun, then re-passed on Lap 13 of 15 to take the final podium spot.

In the Post Tasman Era and Invited Racing Cars final, Guido Belgiorno-Nettis led from start

to finish in his Ferrari 156T, on a damp track. Chris Farrell (Ralt RT4) pressed hard all the way, taking time off the muchmore powerful car all around the back of the track, but the Ferrari’s superior power was enough to keep it ahead.

Increasing rain caused the race to be shortened to six laps – cars were starting to spin as

motorsport news

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John Smith was the man again as Eastern Creek hosted another Tasman Revival Meeting, BRUCE MOXON reports Rob Lang

the race had started on a dry track. Ken Bedgood (Chevron) took third.

The feature race for the oldest cars at the meeting, Groups J, K and L went to Peter Jackson’s Austin-Healy 3000, from the similar car of Laurie Sellers, after New Zealand’s Russell Greer (Stanton Corvette Special) was penalised 60

seconds for a jumped start.

Greer had won the three preliminary races.

Heavy rain spoiled the Formula 5000 race with only five cars starting. Stan Redmond led all the way, even a spin not stopping his progress. His fastest lap was nine seconds better than second-placed Bryan Sala’s.

Rob Hall, above, was second to John Smith in the Tasman race, while Guido Belgiorno-Nettis, below, took the Post Tasman Era honours.

Sefton Gibb, bottom, stuck it out in the wet in the F5000 final.

John Morris / Mpix Rob Lang

John Morris / Mpix

www.mnews.com.au

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WORLD SERIES SPRINTCARS ROUND 2, CHARLTON

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FARR: TWO FROM TWO

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OBBIE Farr has proven his World Series Sprintcars Round 1 win was no fluke with another win in Round 2 at Charlton Speedway, Toowoomba, last Saturday night.

After struggling with a fuel problem in qualifying, resulting in only the 10th fastest time, Farr was close to unstoppable for the rest of the night. He finished fifth in the first heat, fourth in the fourth heat, won the Bronze Shootout, and then finished second in the Gold Shootout. After that, he stormed to victory in the A-Main, to take the points for a second time in seven days.

“This team, we win together and we lose together,” Farr said.

“These guys have just done an awesome job over the last two weeks. Hopefully a good start will make the difference in the end.”

Cameron Gessner finished second, after charging his way from sixth at the start, while Matthew Reed was third and polesitter David Murcott was fourth.

“Everyone just kind of left it open at the start … luckily enough I had a great car to roll around there,” Gessner said.

“We come up a bit short, but we are getting closer. It was really good, and I am really proud we did it in front of our home fans.”

The biggest omission from the A-Main was Max Dumesny, who failed to make the cut after copping a flat tyre in the B-Main.

Heat winners were Shaun Dobson, Matthew Butler, Anthony Lambert and Ricky Maiolo, while Murcott won the Bronze and Gold Shootouts, and Butler won the B-Main.

www.mnews.com.au

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RACE OF CHAMPIONS

Filipe the champ KELLY GETS TAS TITLE sutton-images.com

PORTUGUESE driver Filipe Albuquerque took out the Race of Champions in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Albuquerque provided a shock, beating Sebastien Loeb in a three-run final, eventually decided in the RoC Buggies.

Earlier, Albuquerque won all

STATE RACING

A+ for Atkinson SPEEDWAY NORTHERN Territory star Ben Atkinson scored his second Tyrepower Sydney Speedway Sprintcar A Main victory of the summer last Saturday night.

Atkinson, racing the Garry Rush Pick ‘n’ Payless J&J, came from Position 10, but quickly

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moved up through the 24-car field in the 30 lap final, taking control of the race from polesitter Roddy BellBowen. All eyes were on current TSS track champ Mitchell Dumesny who, after starting three positions behind Atkinson, was simply sensational.

After getting by Atkinson in

David Clifford

REIGNING Tasmanian HQ Champion Shaun Kelly held a tiny 17-point lead over Andrew Bird going into Sunday’s final round of the Tasmanian Super Series at Baskerville Raceway.

Kelly, pictured, started second in Race 1 with Bird third and, despite Turn 1 contact with Brad Wickham, Kelly went on to secure the win with Bird finishing third.

Kelly won the next two races with Bird registering a

DNF in the second race when his car left the circuit and impacted heavily with the tyre wall during a passing move.

In the final race, Kelly’s HQ blew a head gasket but, undaunted, he finished third behind Phil Ashlin and Wickham. Bird finished fourth and this was enough for Kelly to secure back-to-back Tasmanian Championships.

Other provisional 2010 State Champions included James Curran (Formula Vee 1200), Matt Holmes (Formula Vee 1600), Kim

of his heats and eliminated Sebastian Vettel in the semifinals. Tom Kristensen and Andy Priaulx were among Loeb’s scalps.

Australia’s representative, Mick Doohan, was knocked out in the heats. Earlier, Vettel and Schumacher gave Germany a fourth-straight win in the Nations Cup.

Barwick (Sports GTA), Farrel White (Sports GTB), Yogi Burghart (Sports GTC), Eric Taylor (Sports Sedans), Leigh

Forrest (Improved Production) and Warren Bryan (Historic Touring Cars).

– DAVID CLIFFORD

traffic, the second generation Dumesny lost the lead back to Atkinson after driving over the cushion, almost sending him skyward.

Atkinson held onto the lead to win from Dumesny and Kelly Linigen. North Queensland driver Brent Aprile, Martin Lawes and James Thomson

rounded out the Top 6.

Sprintcars again headline at Tyrepower Sydney Speedway this weekend with a huge, twonight (Friday and Saturday) meeting and with the V8 Supercars just down the road at Homebush a big crowd is expected.

– GREG BOSCATO

motorsport news

race James Smith

Elli Magic STATE RACING THE Victorian circuit racing season wrapped up for 2010 at Phillip Island, with the annual Island Magic.

Mark Eddy took out the CUE Production Sports Car onehour enduro in his Audi R8, leading home the Porsche GT3 Cup S of Max Twigg and Shaun

DTM crown to Di Resta

Juniper. Earlier, Eddy and Scott Bargwanna (Lotus HPE) split the wins in the sprint races on a wet Saturday.

In his last drive of John Gourlay’s Audi A4 for the foreseeable future, Darren Hossack romped to victory in the $50k Sports Sedan feature race, with Graham Smith and Chris Muscat completing the

podium.

Elliot Barbour – in his first Formula Ford race – emerged on top in the Fiesta Class and Brett Francis in the Kent Class in the Formula Ford final. Samantha Reid and Rhys Howell were second and third of the Fiesta cars, with Greg Woodrow and Andrew Goldie on the Kent podium.

Leanne Tander won two of the three Improved Production races, holding out David Loftus to win the final, while Daniel Reinhardt took a clean sweep in Formula Vee. Fraser Ross (Historic Touring), Chris Lewis-Williams (Porsche 944) and Brendan Avard (HQ Holdens) also left with silverware.

DTM

Gary Paffett to snatch the title, as former points leader Bruno Spengler endured a tough weekend. The Canadian crashed in qualifying and started from the rear of grid, and could only manage 13th in

the race.

That saw Di Resta and Paffett fight it out for the title. Paffett took the race win, while second ahead of Timo Scheider and Martin Tomczyk was enough for Di Resta to take the title.

up claiming two separate podium positions.

Steven Anslow and Ric Shaw made it an all-Mazda podium, bringing their RX7 home in third position. Shaw was scintillating in Saturday’s qualifying sessions, lapping many seconds faster than the rest of the field, but the RX7 did not have the pace of the more nimble MX5s when the rain came down on Sunday.

Ross Wood and Hayden Pullen finished second in their HSV, ahead of the welldriven Steve Briffa / Geoff Kite Commodore. Briffa ran as high as third during an impressive wet-weather stint, and Kite was able to hold off the hard-charging Mazda 3 MPS of John Willmington and Anthony Soole in the closing laps.

– LACHLAN MANSELL

PAUL Di Resta claimed his maiden DTM title in the 2010 season finale in Shanghai.

Di Resta was second in China behind Mercedes team-mate

Radd Az ENDURANCE RACING

DAVID Raddatz dominated a wet Wakefield 300 on Sunday, finishing the endurance race in both first and second positions.

Raddatz started in one

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Mazda MX5 which he handed over to Shane Otten during the mid-race compulsory pitstop, before taking control of another Mazda MX5 which was steered by Rob Hay in the opening stint. The end result was that Raddatz ended

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TWR Walkinshaw

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Ve ss Commodore Rally Car 6.0Lt V8 Ve ss gravel spec rally car. Harrop tru trac & 4.1 ratio diff.

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300zx Sports Sedan Project

Theodore Racing Lola 332 F5000

Gemini Coupe Rally Car

Arguably the most significant F5000 in the world. Raced by Guy Edwards in 74/75 British F5000 series, Alan Jones & Patrick Tambay USA 1976, Alan Jones 77 Rothmans Series then Jon Davison in Gold Star 78-82. Meticulously restored over last 20 yrs. Log booked & race ready. Rapidly appreciating asset.

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1977 TC Gemini Coupe. CAMS log booked, ACT Rego, EFI with Skyline manifold, VL Tubro Injectors.

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1989 Bathurst GRA race car built by Barbagallo Motorsport with new Holden race shell.

Never been hit! All original components as it left the track 1993 ATCC. Fresh Neil Burns engine LP block, Holinger Getrag, Harrop struts and 9" camber diff. Original log book and C of D. 1992 Ian Love,1993 Phil Johnson. 0438928930

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VS Commodore Comp/ Outlaw Car Twin rail Molly chassis, funny car cage, thunder rd rear end, strange 9 1/2 centre, CS 1 Lenco, Crower triple plt cltch, data logger, kb526 hemi stg 15, psi, Venny heads, stg 5 rockers, new bme rods & pins, new pistons-lifters-rings & bearings. Fully srvcd heads & new pac springs. 9k spent on freshen up, inc starter. 0892421727 www.my105.com/3314

motorsport news

rear of grid

DRIVER vs DRIVER

Ever wondered who would win in a race between a golf ball and a Lamborghini? Didn’t think so. But while it isn’t one of life’s great questions, it was answered at Sandown last Friday, when a Gallardo took on a drive from Australian Masters winner Stuart Appleby as a way of launching the Diablo Octane Driver, a joint venture between Callaway and Lamborghini. Apparently, the Callaway Tour I Series ball managed to cover the 300 metres faster than the Lambo ... just.

Odd Spot

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