Motorsport eNews Issue 208 - June 7-13, 2011

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Issue No. 208 June 07 - 13 2011

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Next week’s edition of Motorsport eNews will be out one day later on Tuesday night, June 14, due to the Queen’s Birthday holiday. We wanted to run a pic of Queen Elizabeth here, but the closest we had was of Richard Petty after AJ Allmendinger brought back the King’s STP colours at Kansas on the weekend.

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Issue No. 208 | 07-14 June 2011

news 4

Kiwi cousins, eh, bro?

The Giz and Dixie team up 6 Price check, Albury store Shane on standby at BJR 9 Richo vs Richo in GT3s Jase gets a CCup ride 13 Bahrain, no Shine Webber speaks out 14 Team Penskette Simona in an Penske?

chat 26 Five Minutes With ...

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comment 28 Higgins: At home in Indiana 29 van Leeuwen: Rallying round

race 30 Kansas NASCAR 34 DTM, WTCC, BTCC, GT1 and many other consonants

trade 48 Classifieds 3

DIXON SHUFFLED FOR KIWIS TO JOIN FORCES FOR GC600 V8 SUPERCARS

T

WO of New Zealand’s best racing drivers will partner up to take on the world at the Gold Coast 600 – and they will do it for Stone Brothers Racing.

Hamilton street race winner Shane van Gisbergen will be joined on the streets of Surfers Paradise by Scott Dixon. The 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner made his V8 Supercar debut in the event last October, when he raced for Jack Daniel’s Racing, but will switch brands to form an all-Kiwi assault on the two-driver event.

Dixon, 30, and team-mate Dario Franchitti dominated last weekend’s Indy 500 in their Target Ganassi entries, Dixon leading the most laps and Franchitti leading the race until he pitted for fuel

on lap 199. The two men in red finished fifth and 12th, respectively.

In the meantime, one man who could yet find a seat in the race is the man who beat Dixon in last week’s 500-miler at the Brickyard. Dan Wheldon has no racing engagements for the rest of the season, after winning his second 500 in a one-off drive with Bryan Herta’s team.

The Briton took the lead on the final lap at the 500, but apart from appearing on David Letterman’s US talk show tonight, Monday US time, is without a drive – unless he can get a Gold Coast start.

“I would love to do that,” he told Britain’s AUTOSPORT magazine. “The day before the race I was watching Alex Tagliani’s onboard laps from there and it looks like a ton of fun.”

– PHIL BRANAGAN

MAGNUSSEN TEAMS UP WITH V8 SUPERCARS JAN Magnussen will join the list of internationals to will make their Gold Coast debut this October – and will join his mate and former rival, Russell Ingall.

The 37-year-old Danish international will suit up in the Super Cheap Autos Commodore on the Gold Coast, with the news expected to be confirmed at Le Mans this weekend. Ingall and Magnussen have been friends for two decades, since they competed against each other in the British Formula Ford Championship in the early 1990s.

Magnussen is now a member of the extremely successful Corvette Racing team, which competes in the American Le Mans Series. He will make his

12th start at Le Mans next weekend, and his eighth with the Corvette Racing squad.

He drove a 25 Grands Prix between 1995 and ’98, racing for the McLaren and Stewart teams. He has also competed in NASCAR and CART, the ITC and the Danish Touring Car Championship. His older son Kevin Magnussen is following in his footsteps, currently in fifth place in the British Formula 3 Championship – which his father won in 1994.

Magnussen’s V8 Supercar debut came eight years ago. In 2003, he was to have driven in the Sandown 500 for Team Dynamik, but licencing problems forced him to withdraw from the event at the last minute. His place was taken by Wayne Wakefield. Magnussen joined Frenchman Nicolas Minassian at Bathurst, the pair finishing in 11th place.

CONFIRMATIONS EXPECTED AT LE V8 SUPERCARS THE makeup of the grid for the GC600 will become much clearer this week, with nine drivers expected to be confirmed for the event.

The drivers who look set to do both races are Peugeot Sport’s Sebastien Bourdais

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(TeamVodafone), Alex Wurz (Tekno Autosport) and Simon Pagenaud (Garry Rogers Motorsport); RML’s Ben Collins (Kelly Racing); BMW Motorsport’s Andy Priaulx (TeamVodafone) and Joey Hand (Jim Beam Racing); Covette Racing’s Jan Magnussen (Super Cheap Autos Racing); Team Felbermayr’s Marc Lieb (Stone Bros Racing); and Flying Lizard’s Patrick Long (HRT).

motorsport news

NEWS

R GOLD Dirk Klynsmith

HRT SET TO REMAIN WALKINSHAW-OWNED V8 SUPERCARS

Dirk Klynsmith

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THE Holden Racing team is staying in the hands of its current owners, the Walkinshaw family, despite rumours to the contrary.

Since news of changes in the team’s management came last week, the industry has been buzzing with rumours that the team would change ownership as part of its restructure.

But eNews believes that Martine Walkinshaw, widow of team founder Tom Walkinshaw, is determined to see that the team not only remains in her family, but is restored to its position as Holden pre-eminent V8 Supercar team. eNews sources report that as part of a major restructure, funding will be sought to strengthen the team’s technical department, with an emphasis on consistency of performance across both HRT cars and Walkinshaw Racing’s Bundaberg racing entry.

In the meantime, Walkinshaw Racing has appointed Mike Henry as its Racing Operations Manager. In a media release, Walkinshaw Racing Managing Director Ivan Krizman said that Henry “has a decorated CV and all the credentials to be able to lead this team through its next phase.”

Henry has worked inside the Clayton business on and off since 1987, and has had stints overseas with Arrows and Zytek.

Most recently, he returned to HRT after a stint with Tasman Motorsport.

However, the release carefully avoided branding Henry a ‘team manager’, leaving the way open for a new HRT TM to be appointed in the near-to-medium future. That does not mean that he could not assume that mantle on a permanent basis, or that another person could be recruited to fill the position previously held by Rob Crawford, and Henry given a different role within the organisation.

Rumours continue to connect Chris Dyer to a technical role in the restructured team, the Bendigo-born former Ferrari race engineer having worked for both HRT and Arrows in the past.

HRT was one of several teams testing at Winton today (Monday). In his new role Henry oversaw the test, which included back-to-back testing of a new suspension set-up on the team’s Commodore VEs. 5

PRICE ON STANDBY AT BJR V8 SUPERCARS SHANE Price may end up with an endurance drive after all, after being drafted into Brad Jones Racing as a ‘reserve’ for the ill Jason Richards.

Richards, who is currently battling a rare form of stomach cancer, remains on BJR’s endurance roster, with plans for the Kiwi to

share the Team BOC entry with Jason Bright at Phillip Island and Bathurst.

However, should he not be fit to race, the team has seemingly lined up Shane Price as a back-up, with the former Perkins Engineering driver getting behind the wheel of Jason Bargwanna’s Jana Living-backed BJR Commodore during testing at Winton today (Monday).

eNews understands that should Richards not be fit to race, the team is likely to make several changes. Andrew Jones will move from Bargwanna’s car to Bright’s, with Price filling the vacant spot alongside ‘Bargs’.

As reported by eNews earlier in the year, David Wall will team up with Karl Reindler in the third BJR car.

Marshall Cass

Caruso gives Darwin 10 out of 10 V8 SUPERCARS FORMER Darwin winner Michael Caruso has hailed the reinstatement of a Top 10 Shootout at the upcoming Hidden Valley round of the V8 Supercar Championship.

While the Top 10 Shootouts were scaled back for 2011 – reserved solely for street races and endurance events – V8 Supercars Australia has decided to bring the single-lap qualifying format back into play in Darwin in a fortnight.

“I think it’s fantastic,” Caruso told eNews.

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“I’m a big fan of the Top 10 Shootout format.

It makes for a more exciting session, because it’s about who’s going to make it through to the Top 10. It gives everyone a shot at it, because it’s all about that one lap.”

According to V8 Supercar spokesperson Cole Hitchcock, the reinstatement of the Top 10 Shootout is all about the Darwin event’s name.

“The Skycity Triple Crown has been contested for several years,” said Hitchcock.

“In order to maintain the prestige of a ‘Triple Crown’ it was agreed with Northern

Territory Events to reinstate the Top 10 Shootout in Darwin. The Skycity Triple Crown trophy is a highly sought-after prize, that has never been won, to the driver who wins the Top 10 Shootout and both races.

“The trophy was first contested when the Darwin event was contested over a threerace weekend, and is unique to the Top End.” Following the Darwin round, Top 10 Shootouts will be held in Townsville, Bathurst, the Gold Coast and Homebush.

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN motorsport news

NEWS

Rain? No probs for the GRMans V8 SUPERCARS

Positive signs at QR Supercar tests V8 SUPERCARS V8 SUPERCAR teams have been testing at Queensland Raceway during the week.

TeamVodafone, Stone Brothers Racing, Triple F Racing, Jim Beam Racing, Paul Morris Motorsport and Tekno Autosports were all on track at Ipswich last Wednesday, utilising a valuable test day ahead of the Darwin and Townsville rounds of the V8 Supercar Championship.

“Without a shadow of a doubt it was the best test day I’ve had in two years,” said SBR’s Alex Davison.

“We worked methodically through the list that Dan (Kroehn, Davison’s engineer) had planned. On top of that the IRWIN Ford felt really good, it was the best car I’ve ever had at a test day.

“We are trying to improve our overall

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understanding of how best to tune the [car] so that when we are at a race meeting we can respond to different situations, different track conditions and different problems more efficiently and faster.”

Meanwhile, Dean Fiore flew from Perth to Brisbane on Tuesday to discuss his lack of pace at Winton with Triple Eight Race Engineering, before experiencing a positive test on Wednesday.

“Everything went really well at the test day, which is an extremely encouraging sign in the lead up to the event in Darwin,” said Fiore.

“The exciting result from the test gives us something to build on in the coming weeks before we head to the Northern Territory.”

Fiore’s endurance race partner Michael Patrizi also drove the Triple F Falcon at QR, ahead of the long distance races at Phillip Island and Bathurst.

GARRY Rogers Motorsport has been testing at Winton today (Monday).

Lee Holdsworth and Michael Caruso were in action at the rural Victorian circuit today, in readiness for the upcoming Darwin round of the championship.

“We’ve got a few things we didn’t get done at the last test,” Caruso told eNews late last week.

“I was at the shop today, and the guys have been full steam ahead getting everything ready.”

While wet weather was predicted for Winton today, Caruso said it would actually be a benefit to the team if it rained.

“We have a few things we want to test in the wet before the enduros, so that’s not a problem for us. The rain would actually work out okay.”

The Toll Holden Racing Team, Brad Jones Racing and Tony D’Alberto were also testing at Winton today.

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

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Michael Vettas

ATKO STILL WORKING ON WRC GIG ...

WRC IF Chris Atkinson can put together a deal to run in September’s Rally Australia, it won’t necessarily be in a Mini.

Atkinson is working on securing the finances to return to the World Rally Championship for his home event, which would be his first WRC start since the 2009 season opener in Ireland.

Through the 30-year-old’s links with Prodrive – for whom he raced as a Subaru factory driver between 2005 and 2008 – Mini’s new WRC program has been touted as a logical avenue.

But Atkinson has confirmed there is another option, in a Ford, which eNews understands is with Malcolm Wilson’s M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team.

“Obviously it’s a really big aim

to try and get there, I think it’s going to be difficult,” Atkinson said of Rally Australia.

“We’ll keep working towards trying to finding sponsors and making stuff happen. There’s only really two options, in terms of either a Mini World Rally Car or a Ford World Rally Car, but there’s some financial constraints to making that happen.”

In 66 starts with Subaru,

Atkinson scored six WRC podiums. After the Japanese manufacturer withdrew from the WRC, he finished fifth at Rally Ireland in 2009 in his sole outing with Citroen’s Junior Team.

He currently races for Proton in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship and selected Intercontinental Rally Championship events.

– MITCHELL ADAM

a dozen laps in Russell Ingall’s Supercheap Auto Commodore at Queensland Raceway last Wednesday. While Atkinson has driven – and raced – a number of circuit racing cars before, the Supercar was a different animal.

“I only got a few laps in, but they’re completely different to anything I’ve ever driven,” he said.

“They’re good fun to drive in terms of what I was doing, which

was probably a little bit too sideways, but to get a really good feeling for them takes time.”

Atkinson’s focus now returns to rallying.

“Obviously rallying is my focus and what I want to do,” Atkinson said.

“You obviously wouldn’t say no to an opportunity [in a V8 Supercar], but it’s so different to what I do, it would take some

time to adjust and get to be doing a good job to compete with these guys.

“It’s all about practice and time, and I’ve probably got the car control skills, it’s probably just a matter of getting the feeling that you need to drive these things.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

... BUT FIRST, A SKID IN A V8 V8 SUPERCARS AFTER turning his maiden laps in a V8 Supercar last week, Chris Atkinson would be open to further opportunities for V8 mileage, but says rallying remains his main priority.

Having a break at home between rounds of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, Atkinson completed about half

For more with Chris Atkinson, see ‘5 Minutes With’ on Page 26.

HEY MAN, CAN YOU DRIVE MY CAR? AUSSIES OVERSEAS OWEN Kelly will get some bonus NASCAR Nationwide miles in August.

Kelly will deputise for fellow Tasmanian Marcos Ambrose in practice and qualifying for Montreal’s Nationwide round, 8

to accommodate Ambrose’s commitments in the Sprint Cup at Michigan on August 20-21.

Like Ambrose, Kelly has been based in the US in recent years, looking to crack into NASCAR. He made a Nationwide start at Road America last year, finishing fifth, and is trying to contest at least

one road course race in the series this year.

“Obviously racing in Michigan and Montreal on the same weekend makes things pretty hectic, but I’m glad we have Owen on board to help set up and qualify the car,” Ambrose said.

“He has recent experience in Nationwide machinery, and he showed at Road America last year that he is more than capable of getting the job done.

“I think given the good equipment we have to play with, he will definitely turn some heads.” motorsport news

NEWS

JR IN CUPCAR AT CARRERA CUP THE remarkable season Jason Richards is undertaking in 2011 will take another turn in Townsville with the Team BOC V8 Supercar star set to make his Carrera Cup debut.

Richards will race in the series’ ‘guest’ car, which last saw action in March when Mark Skaife raced at the AGP support events.

Click through to our website

Richards will be in attendance to take part in the co-drivers’ session in FNQ, so it makes sense for the vacant car to be used.

The car will be prepared by Paul Cruickshank Racing.

“It will be a bit of fun for Jase,” Cruickshank said on Monday. “‘JB’ [John Bowe] has the idea for him to drive in the Touring Car Masters but this is what came out of it. Porsche has stepped in

to help with this, Michelin is on board and the other teams and drivers seem to be right behind it.”

The bonnet of the car will be divided into 25 squares and sponsors can buy one square to have their name or brand on the car. Proceeds from the sale of space will be donated to the race4jase charity, which is raising funds for Richards’s battle against cancer.

Carrera Cup will be the fourth category in which Richards has raced this season, after Australian GT, Fujitsu V8 and V8 Supercar Championship.

In other Carrera Cup news, the series has announced commercial partnerships with broadcast analysis group Nexus MG, and SIMJEN, the latter building a revamped www. carreracup.com.au.

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NEWS

CALDER, BLOCK CONFIRMED WORLD RALLY CALDER Park will host a leg of Ken Block’s Gymkhana World Tour.

Discussions between Block and the Melbourne circuit, as previously reported by eNews, have resulted in a one-off Australian event with Block and his Monsterbacked Ford Fiesta on September 3, the week before Block contests Rally Australia.

The shoe magnate-turned-rally driver has found fame with his series of ‘Gymkhana’ online videos in recent years. As with the venues which have hosted filming, it’s expected the leg of the

Gymkhana World Tour will utilise Calder Park as a whole, rather than any one component of the venue.

A range of Monster Energy’s other ambassadors – including V8 Supercar drivers Jamie Whincup, Shane van Gisbergen and Andrew Thompson – will also be involved in the day.

“I’m stoked to be coming down to Australia for one of the stops of my Gymkhana World Tour. My visit is shaping up to be wild,” the American said.

“We’re coming down and doing a ton of different things during my visit, and, I’m not just there for the World Tour. I’m

also racing in WRC Australia the following week. I can’t wait; it’s going to be a very fun couple of weeks for me.

“One of the great things about the Gymkhana World Tour down in Australia is that it’s free to the public, so everyone can come. I hope everybody that wants to see it can make it out because it’s going be amazing.

“Watching the gymkhana car slide around live in-person is much better than seeing it in video, so I hope everyone that is interested in seeing this can make it out.”

Tickets will be free, with further details to be released in the coming weeks.

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ARC REGS GETTING CLOSER AUSTRALIAN RALLY REGULATIONS for the next generation of Bosch Australian Rally Championship cars are coming together.

The outright championship will revert to a two-wheel-drive format in 2013, with the technical regulations to be announced at Rally Australia in September. A twoday seminar in Melbourne last week with delegates from CAMS, the ARC’s technical and management groups and CEO Scott Pedder, and selected motorsport engineers, has led to the creation of a draft document.

A final set of regulations is set to be submitted to CAMS in the next month.

“The first morning of the meeting we wrote down 12 key items on a whiteboard that the regulations needed to provide and 10

we ranked them in order of importance,” Pedder reported.

“The top key items were that the regulations needed to provide the noise, the speed and the look followed very closely by market relevance.

“When we got to the nuts and bolts of the new regulations we looked to the existing FIA and (CAMS) PRC regs and worked from there. We then looked at what we wanted these 2WD cars to look and perform like and we worked from the front of the car to the back, defining everything that should or shouldn’t be included in the new regulations.

“I think we came away with a document that will be very exciting and very well received by both manufacturers and privateers.”

Among the outcomes from the meeting, it was decided that privateers would be able to build their own cars, even without manufacturer input or backing, along with factory squads.

“We want to see privateer teams really taking it to manufacturer teams, that creates excitement and interest to the public. So unlike the Group N (P) regs this new class of 2WD car will be open to anyone and everyone,” Pedder said.

“In keeping with our ‘Unrestricted’ mantra, the new 2WD regs will allow a wide variety of cars to compete for outright contention – existing PRC cars, FIA N and R spec cars, Showroom cars and a new and exciting set of regulations which will be released in the coming months. There will be endless options.” motorsport news

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VIRGIN NOW WIRTH-LESS FORMULA 1

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MARUSSIA Virgin Racing has parted ways with technical director Nick Wirth, the man behind the team’s decision to build a Formula 1 car without the aid of a windtunnel.

Wirth’s departure also means that the team’s contract with WR Technology – a Wirth-owned company – to provide technical and design services will also be terminated immediately.

The news comes after a team meeting in Monaco, where former Renault F1 tech head Pat Symonds offered the results of an internal review the team paid him to conduct.

Symonds is believed to be the man who will now be responsible for planning the 2012 car.

“The decision has been taken that the team will take greater control of its own destiny,” the team’s CEO Andy Webb said in a statement to British magazine AUTOSPORT. “Accordingly, having consulted with our existing technical partner during the course of the past few weeks, we have been obliged to terminate our relationship with them.

“I believe that the steps we are taking in terms of our technical leadership and operational excellence will provide us with the robust foundation required to go on and achieve our performance objectives in the years ahead. These are bold but positive steps that will enable us to move forward with confidence.”

As a result of the split with Wirth, there are big changes on the horizon for Virgin. The Computational Fluid Dynamics-based design program is likely to be dumped, with a windtunnel program instigated for the ’12 car. The team is also looking for a new home, with the ex-Arrows and Super Aguri factory in Leafield, England, a likely venue.

“Integral to this review has been an evaluation of the technical direction of Marussia Virgin Racing. Marussia’s goal remains to be in a position to be able to challenge for a podium finish at the inaugural Russian Grand Prix in Sochi 2014,” added Webb in his statement.

“With this in mind, it is readily apparent that the team must take major steps in order to accelerate its rate of improvement.”

‘12 F1 CALENDAR RELEASED FORMULA 1 AUSTRALIA has been scheduled as the second round in a 21-race Formula 1 World Championship calendar for 2012.

The only new addition is the United States Grand Prix in Texas, while Korea moves to the pre-Europe swing at the start of the season, and Turkey remains on the calendar, albeit with a ‘subject to confirmation’ asterisk.

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2012 FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Bahrain March 11 Australia March 18 Malaysia April 1 China April 8 Korea April 22 Turkey* May 6 Spain May 20 Monaco May 27 Canada June 10 United States June 17 Valencia July 1

12 Britain July 15 13 Germany July 29 14 Hungary August 5 15 Belgium September 2 16 Italy August 9 17 Singapore August 30 18 Japan October 14 19 India October 28 20 Abu Dhabi November 11 21 Brazil November 25 * Subject to confirmation

For full F1/ MotoGP/W RC coverage/news, CLICK HERE to get to GPWeek magazine

www.gpweek.com motorsport news

NEWS

WEBBER: BAHRAIN DECISION WRONG FORMULA 1

F1 TO KEEP BOTH LOTUS TEAMS

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MARK Webber has slammed the decision to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix on the 2011 F1 schedule.

Having been postponed at the start of the season due to political unrest in the Gulf state, the race will now be run on October 30, the same weekend that was scheduled to host the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. Instead, the Indian race will become the season finale, to be held on a yet-to-be-confirmed date in December.

But the news has not been completely well received, with Webber using his personal website to offer his views on the decision.

“In my personal opinion, the sport should have taken a much firmer stance earlier this year rather than constantly delaying its decision in hope of being able to re-schedule it in 2011,” Webber said.

“It would have sent a very clear message about F1’s position on something as fundamental as human rights, and how it deals with moral issues.

“It’s obvious that the parties involved have struggled to reach a decision, but sadly I feel that they still haven’t made the right one.

Like it or not, F1 and sport in general isn’t above having a social responsibility and conscience. I hope F1 is able to return to Bahrain eventually but now isn’t the right time.”

FORMULA 1

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THERE will continue to be two Lotus teams in Formula 1.

It was determined by the High Court in London late last week that Team Lotus can continue to race under that banner, despite the Group Lotus’ separate presence in the sport through it’s affiliation with the Renault GP team.

“We are all pleased that it has been clarified that we are the rightful owners of Team Lotus,” said Team Lotus boss Tony Fernandes.

“We have always been confident that the factual evidence we presented would lead to this decision and today’s judgment confirms that belief.

“We are of course disappointed about the decision that Group Lotus was entitled to end the our licence agreement in 2010. We entered into that contract on the basis that we were beginning a long-term partnership with Group Lotus, but unfortunately they then used technical breaches of the merchandising pre-notification process to bring the licence and our partnership to an end.

“However, my fellow shareholders and I are firm believers that when one door closes another door opens. In the early days of our agreement we realised its termination was inevitable and as events have unfolded the end of the licence has proved positive for us, with many new avenues being opened up as a result.”

However, the issue may not over, with a statement from Group Lotus suggesting an appeal will be on the cards.

“Team Lotus has the right to continue to race in Formula 1 under the name Team

Lotus, but the effect of the Judgment is that only Group Lotus can use the name ‘Lotus’ on its own in F1,” read the statement.

“Group Lotus is concerned that this aspect of the Judgment will cause confusion in the eyes of spectators and the wider public.

Accordingly, Group Lotus is seeking leave to appeal so that the right to use the Lotus brand in Formula 1 is clarified once and for all in the interests of the sport and the fans.

Group Lotus and its shareholder Proton Holding Bhd are confident of success on appeal.”

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Simona and Penske?

INDYCAR

Honda Racing

COULD Simona De Silvestro move to Penske?

That was a surprise rumor circulating at Indy last month. The suggestion is that the Swiss driver could take her Nuclear Entergy sponsor and replace either Ryan Briscoe or Helio Castroneves. Considering Roger Penske wants to win his 16th Indy 500, Castroneves may be his best shot and likely to be retained by the team.

The deal could also make sense for her current team HVM, which continues to suffer financial restrictions. Team owner Keith Wiggins reminds everyone De Silvestro is signed to a long-term contract but an HVM-Penske deal could make sense to all parties.

With the potential loss of Danica Patrick to NASCAR, Penske may want to sign the next talented female driver. De Silvestro was a fan favorite at Indy last month, having bravely stepped back into the cockpit after a serious accident that left her hands burned.

At Indy, Penske ran decals for Hendrick Motorsport, a NASCAR team where the owner also has a large Chevrolet dealership. Speculation suggests Hendrick may partner with Penske to run a satellite IndyCar team as Ganassi has done with Graham Rahal and Charlie Kimball in time for Chevy entering IndyCar competition in 2012.

De Silvestro could be the driver to fit into that plan.

– MARY MENDEZ

CHILDRESS FACES SANCTION OVER PUNCHUP NASCAR

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TEAM owner Richard Childress is facing possible suspension and heavy fines from NASCAR following an altercation with Kyle Busch after the conclusion of the Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway last Saturday night.

One of Childress’s, Joey Coulter, battled hard with Busch in the closing laps, with Coulter eventually getting the upper hand to finish fifth.

Childress had recently warned Busch if he damages another piece of his equipment he would come after him personally. That’s what allegedly happened after Busch, in an uncharacteristicly non-competitive truck, hit the side of Coulter’s truck twice on the cooldown lap.

Reports allege that Childress, 65, was seen

removing his jewelry in the garage area, approaching Busch, 26, and punching him.

The pair were then separated where some comments were made verbally and then Childress approached Busch for a second time, this time putting him a head lock and again punching him.

Childress was in attendance at the track for

the Sprint Cup race on Sunday, but NASCAR placed limitations on where he could go.

NASCAR is expected to hand out a penalty to Childress on Monday, a day earlier than normal incidents, and have concluded that Busch, who is on NASCAR probation, was the innocent party in the altercation.

The feud was fueled by many on-track issues with RCR cars and Busch but, in particular, an incident on pit road following the Darlington Sprint Cup race last month.

Busch pushed Kevin Harvick’s RCR-owned car into the pit road wall after Harvick exited his car and attempted to punch Busch.

Childress has a reputation of fixing things himself, stemming from the team’s early days.

When the late Dale Earnhardt was driving for Childress, his team was nicknamed The Junkyard Dogs.

– MARTIN D CLARK motorsport news

NEWS

Dan: unemployed but a millionaire!

INDYCAR

INDYCAR

Honda Racing

DANICA Patrick won’t admit what her plans are for the 2012 season and has denied the decision has already been made.

Patrick is competing in her seventh IndyCar season and completing her second year of a two-year contract with Andretti Autosport. She is also running a number of Nationwide races around the IndyCar season Asked if she wanted to race in the 96th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2012, Patrick answered, “Sure. I truly want to win this race someday. It’s the most important race in the world.”

But her sponsor GoDaddy. com wants her two make the switch to Cup racing next season because the website host earns an exponentially greater return on investment from the Nationwide races when Danica races, in comparison to most IndyCar events shown only on the subscription TV channel, VERSUS. Title GoDaddy.com sponsor

rep Parson told ESPN.com, “Do I know for sure that she’s doing it [switching to NASCAR]? No! I would be thrilled. If I can stroke the check, I will. In the institution of IndyCar, there are some problems, one of them being VERSUS. I will never understand that decision. We measure our advertising religiously, and our advertising results dropped in half when (IndyCar) moved to VERSUS. I was teasing somebody,

asking ‘Why didn’t they move it to short-wave radio? Broadcast it in Morse code.’”

“As far as we’re concerned, it doesn’t matter to us where Patrick finishes. The only thing that matters is that she’s interested in doing it [NASCAR].

Once she figures out how to get the drafting down, learns to throw fenders — and she will — she’s as tough as any of the guys.”

– MARY MENDEZ

Earthquake damage prompts Motegi promoters to trade oval for road course INDYCAR THE Motegi IndyCar race will be run on the facility’s 4.9km road course.

Damage to the 1.5-mile Twin Ring Motegi oval from the March earthquakes has prompted the track’s owners to move the September 18 event.

“In conjunction with Mobilityland, we have made the decision to move forward with our race in Motegi after closely monitoring the ongoing situation in Japan for several months,” said Randy Bernard, CEO, INDYCAR. “After weighing a variety of options, we felt it www.mnews.com.au

Honda Racing

DANICA WANTS 500 WIN, GODADDY WANTS NASCAR

was best to move the race to the road course.

We understand that Japan is steadily moving forward with reconstruction and we look forward to entertaining our strong fan base at Motegi with our inaugural run on the road course.”

This will be the final race at Twin Ring Motegi, which has hosted North American open wheel racing since 1998, first with CART and then IndyCar in 2003. The switch to the road course in Japan results in the 17-race IZOD IndyCar season having seven ovals and 10 road courses events.

– MARY MENDEZ

DAN Wheldon had the distinction of leading only one lap at the Indianapolis 500 last week – and only a part of that lap – but that does not mean that he was not paid well for his second 500 victory.

In winning the Centennial race, Wheldon and Bryan Herta Autosport earned US$2,567,255 from the overall purse of $13,509,485. Those amounts are slightly lower those for the 2010 race, which paid out a total of $13,592,815, including $2,752,055 to winner Dario Franchitti.

The ill-fated J.R. Hildebrand, who said he kept his foot to the floor after crashing hoping to still cross the finish line first, added the Rookie of the Year award worth $25,000 to his second-placed money, bringing his total to $1,064,895.

Alex Tagliani, who led 20 laps but crashed into the Turn 4 wall on lap 148, earned $492,245, which included his Pole winning effort award of $175,000. Will Power, who retains the points lead over Dario Franchitti (194 to 178), was the highest finishing Penske driver in 14th, a lap down, earning $318,745.

Ryan Briscoe’s earnings for 27th after taken out by Townsend Bell came to $356,745, which included $50,000 for winning the coveted Pit Stop Competition.

TV ratings were up over last year with a 4.0 (6.7 million viewers) compared to a 3.6 (5.8 million viewers) in 2010. In comparison, the NASCAR final rating for the Coca-Cola 600 was a 4.5.

– MARY MENDEZ 15

Dirk Klynsmith

BROCK BACK IN A V8!

FUJITSU V8s THE Brock name will return to V8 Supercar racing in Townsville in July.

James Brock, the stepson of Bathurst legend Peter Brock, will race a Greg Murphy Racing-run VE Commodore in the Fujitsu Series races in Townsville. It will be his first outing in a V8 Supercar since

Bathurst in 2001.

“James is very pleased to have the opportunity to drive in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series,” GMR managing director Kevin Murphy said.

“While James has not raced in a V8 Supercar for quite some time, the experience he has gained in other categories should be useful as he reacquaints himself with the

driving characteristics of a V8 Supercar. We’re looking forward to working with him.”

“I’m looking forward to racing a V8 Supercar again,” Brock added.

“I don’t really have any expectations in terms of results, but it should be very exciting and fun.

“It’s a good opportunity to get back behind the wheel and

experience a current generation car and keep my knowledge current. Over the last few years, I’ve been concentrating on car preparation, so I think this opportunity will help me sharpen my driving skills with current equipment.”

Brock will test with GMR at Winton on June 21. He is likely to be back with the team for the Bathurst Fujitsu Series round.

STONER WINS HIS WAY INTO TITLE FIGHT V8 SUPERCARS CASEY Stoner has continued his charge back into contention for the 2011 MotoGP title with a stunning win in Spain.

With the threat of rain in the background, Stoner quickly recovered from losing the lead to Jorge Lorenzo at the start, barging past the reigning World Champion at the start of the second lap and controlling the race until the end.

Lorenzo finished second, with his Yamaha team-mate Ben Spies finishing third.

Stoner is now just seven points behind Lorenzo.

“I was really happy, the bike was feeling fantastic and then it started to rain,” Stoner explained.

“There was enough rain there to make you think that it will affect the bike, and in the last corner there was enough rain to make the track slippery. As I was always the first to arrive to the wet area of the track, I watched what the others were doing and if they had started to catch me then I would push and if I start to pull an advantage then I would back off a little.

“I’m just happy I kept the bike upright at this stage and I want to thank all my team at Repsol Honda for all the hard work this weekend.”

Valentino Rossi was the best of the Ducati’s in fifth, behind Honda’s Andrea Dovizioso.

16

motorsport news

NEWS

THE MONTE RETURNS TO WRC WORLD RALLY MONTE Carlo has been reinstated on the World Rally Championship calendar for 2012 – but it may not be at the expense of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

The Monte Carlo Rally will return to being the season-opener for the WRC in 2012, having missed out the last three years after failing to come to an agreement with the Automobile Club de Monaco for the 2009 calendar. AUTOSPORT has reported that it may also be the seasonopener for the IRC, however this hasn’t yet been confirmed.

But don’t look for an Australian round on the new schedule. With New Zealand back in the game, Australia goes on the bench for ’12.

“We have already done a lot of planning towards the 2012 event, which will be based in Auckland as it was in 2010,” said Rally NZ’s chairman Peter Johnston.

“But until the actual dates were known, we could not move forward with key elements. Now we can.”

Abu Dhabi is another rally that won’t be on the WRC schedule next year. The Gulf state was on a draft calendar for next year, but, in an FIA statement, it was revealed the event won’t go ahead.

“Abu Dhabi, previously published on the calendar subject to approval of the Event Business Plan, has been removed from the 2012 calendar,” read the statement.

“The organiser is invited to submit a proposal to run a candidate event for possible future inclusion in the series.”

2012 WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP 1 Monte Carlo January 22 2 Sweden February 12 3 Mexico March 11 4 Portugal April 1 5 Argentina May 29 6 Greece May 27 7 New Zealand June 24 8 Finland August 5 9 Germany August 26 10 Great Britain September 16 11 France October 7 12 Italy October* 13 Spain November 4 * Exact date no confirmed

sutton-images.com

GO SLOW BANNED BY FIA WORLD RALLY THE ‘go-slow’ tactics are set to be abolished from the World Rally Championship next season, with the addition of a new rule by the FIA. Shakedown will effectively become a qualifying session for the WRC frontrunners, with the fastest crew getting to choose their starting position. The rule has been implemented to try and stop crews purposely slowing down to gain an advantageous running position for the www.mnews.com.au

final day of the rally.

“From 1 January 2012, the shakedown will be used as a qualifying stage for all Priority 1 and 2 drivers to determine the start order for each individual gravel rally,” read a statement from the FIA. “Taking into account the shakedown times, P1 and P2 crews – in order of fastest to slowest – will be permitted to select their start positions. Subsequent days, all Priority 1 and 2 crews will restart in reverse order. The start position of all remaining crews will be determined according to the

current regulations.”

There will also be a new rule to stop drivers without a valid licence from competing in rallies, an issue bought to light in Sweden this year when Petter Solberg’s co-driver Chris Patterson was forced to drive in the final stage when Solberg’s licence was suspended because of a speeding infringement.

“From 1 January 2012, save dispensation, both crew members must have a valid driving license throughout an event,” added the FIA statement.

17

NEWS

SUPERLEAGUE SUPERLEAGUE Formula got underway again in Holland on the weekend, with the launch of its new ‘Nations Cup’ concept.

Not unlike the now defunct A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Superleague Formula has now added country-based teams, with John Martin’s car running in Australian colours. There will also be several football clubs remain involved, keeping in touch with the original Superleague Formula concept.

“I’m really looking forward to racing so close to home in New Zealand at the end of the season,” said Martin.

“Aussies and Kiwis have always enjoyed a close relationship and

Dutch Photo Agency

IT’S THE WORLD CUP OF MOTORSPORT, V2

I know a lot of my friends and supporters in Australia are making the trip across the Tasman to support me. Hopefully I can make it a weekend to remember for us all by winning the championship.

“It’s not often as a driver that you get to carry the national flag on your car, and to represent the country, and this will make it all the more special.”

The countries competing are Luxembourg, New Zealand, Japan, Netherlands, China, Brazil, Australia and England. The football clubs involved are RSC Anderlecht (Belgium), PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands), AC Sparta Praha (Czech Republic), Atletico de Madrid (Spain), Galatasaray SK (Turkey) and Girondins de Bordeaux (France).

RACING AROUND THE CLOCKS SPORTSCAR RACING SINCE the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup started in 2010, many people have wondered if it would be converted to a full-blown World Championship for prototypes and GT cars.

It was by no means a certain development, since the ILMC has been run by the Le Mans organisers the ACO, while a World Championship would require involvement of the FIA – and some very senior people in sports car racing have openly stated they are very wary of letting the FIA anywhere near the category.

It was therefore somewhat surprising that the announcement was duly made late last week that the WEC will start in 2012. Full details 18

will be announced at an FIA/ACO press conference at Le Mans on Thursday, but it is expected that the Championship will closely resemble the present ILMC. It will, however, include a Drivers’ title, which the ILMC does not.

Meanwhile, with the GT1 Championship not doing quite as well as hoped, moves have been made to shore it up by the addition of GT3 cars, the boom category in sports car racing, which can only be a good thing.

Opinions are more evenly divided about the WEC, though. It remains to be seen if the introduction of the FIA proves to be a threat or an opportunity.

– DAVID GREENHALGH motorsport news

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19

THE BA BATHURST 12 HOUR NEXT year’s Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour will be held slightly later and with more international influence.

Organisers have announced that the 2012 race will be held on February 24-26, three weeks later than in 2011, in part to maximise a new partnership with Creventic. Based in the

JOHNSON IN FOR DARWIN V8 UTES GRANT Johnson continues to put together a V8 Ute title defence, one round at a time.

Like the 2010 season, in which he eventually won the title, Johnson is racing without a fulltime major sponsor, having to find the backing to contest each event as it approaches.

After two rounds, he’s second in the series, and the West Aussie has secured his place on the grid at Hidden Valley next weekend

with backing from Holiday Inn and Core Staff. After backing Johnson’s Commodore Ute at Townsville last year, Holiday Inn will remain on board for Round 4 in Northern Queensland in July.

While he remains a roundby-round prospect, Johnson is pleased to still be on the grid as the series approaches the halfway mark and confident about putting together a full campaign.

“Unfortunately it’s a bit like last year, a round-by-round

proposition and all we can do is keep getting results and plugging away at it,” he said.

“It’s not ideal and it’s kind of hard and soul destroying at times when you feel like you’re bashing your head against a well.

“It’s not really the way we wanted to do it, but at least we’re now nearly halfway through and by the time we get to Townsville it will be halfway through and in theory the hardest bit’s behind us.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

JIM SPRINTS, JB EYES POLE RUSH TCM

Dirk Klynsmith

20

Dirk Klynsmith

JIM Richards will stick with his Falcon Sprint for at least one more round of the Touring Car Masters presented by Autobarn.

Richards, currently second in the series, will drive the car at Hidden Valley next weekend, with his AMC Javelin now likely to debut at the Muscle Car Masters at Eastern Creek in September. In other entry news, Steve Mason (Chev Camaro) and Ian McAlister (Ford Mustang) are set to return after missing the series’ trip to Barbagallo Raceway last month.

Points leader John Bowe, pictured, will be looking to maintain his perfect record of pole positions in 2011, and build

on his strike-rate of 16 poles from 23 events in the series. Bowe had a tough run at Hidden Valley last year, with engine problems hampering his weekend.

“Last year I had engine dramas in Darwin and didn’t end up collecting any points so I’m

hoping to redress that,” he said.

“That said, Jim Richards would have been tough to beat regardless but we’re expecting to go alright this year.

“With a bit of luck we’ll have a trouble-free weekend and really enjoy ourselves.”

HEIMGAR NZ SUPERTOURERS NEW Zealand teenager Andre Heimgartner is the latest driver to sign on for next year’s inaugural V8 SuperTourers race series.

Heimgartner will join dual NZV8 Champion Andy Booth at AV8 Motorsport, which is motorsport news

NEWS

ATHURST 2012 HOUR Netherlands, Creventic are the promoters of the Dubai 24 Hour, Barcelona 24 Hour and the Hungary 12 Hour, and will copromote the Bathurst 12 Hour with a view to attracting more international entrants.

The later 2012 race date gives potential Bathurst competitors more time to transport their cars and infrastructure from January’s Dubai 24 Hour. For

the second year of GT cars in the race, Bathurst’s class structure and eligibility list will also be revised, moving closer to the regulations of similar international events, in addition to existing classes for GT3 and GT4-spec sportscars and domestic Production Cars.

“This is another step forward in establishing the Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour as one of the

premier international endurance races,” Event Director James O’Brien said.

“In our first year including GT vehicles in the eligibility structure, we attracted six international entrants including three from New Zealand, one from Ireland and the two-car Audi Race Experience team from Germany that would go on to finish 1-2 in the race.

“Our new partnership with Creventic allows us to broaden our horizons and reach a significant competitor base that already exists and regularly competes in this kind of race. We would hope that the result of this partnership is an increase of between eight to 12 international entrants in the 2012 race to compliment a stronger domestic grid.”

RTNER GETS SUPER DRIVE switching to the new series.

The 15-year-old won the 2011 New Zealand Formula Ford Championship, and is currently contesting the Australian Formula Ford Championship with Team BRM. He’ll do the next Formula Ford round at Eastern Creek, but his participation beyond that is unclear. www.mnews.com.au

AV8 expect to start testing their Commodores later in the year, before the new series starts in February 2012.

“To be honest, this is quite unreal; a dream come true much sooner than I could have imagined,” Heimgartner said.

“To be able to advance my career like this and have the

opportunity to learn from and test myself against some of the best drivers in Australasia is something I had to jump at.

I’m so thankful for this chance I’ve been given by AV8 and my supporters.

“I hope to be able to repay their confidence with my performance on track

throughout what is sure to be a massive first season of the V8SuperTourers.

“The car is the most exciting thing I’ve seen in New Zealand motorsport. It’s going to be a big step up for me for sure, but I can’t wait to drive a real V8 touring car with that much power.”

21

NEWS

IPSWICH OUT, WARWICK IN KARTING MANY Queensland-based Rotax drivers have been left disappointed and confused after a last-minute change of venue was required for Round 4 of the Rotax Pro Tour.

The prestigious meeting was scheduled to be held at the Ipswich Kart Club (considered the local club for most Brisbane/ Gold Coast-based racers) over the July 22-24 weekend, however when the Ipswich

committee decided that they couldn’t agree to International Karting Distributors (IKD – promoters) terms and conditions, the venue was changed to the Warwick Kart Club.

The decision has left many local racers and Ipswich members disappointed, and having to rearrange travel and accommodation plans.

The Ipswich club claimed that when they had done their sums, they decided the event wouldn’t be as profitable or viable as what

they would have liked, stating that by their calculations, if 100 entries were received, the club would make around $5000 profit. Ipswich then requested a $10,000 fee to host the event to cover expenses – something the IKD couldn’t agree to.

Once it was known the event would no longer go ahead at the Ipswich facility, there were a

host of clubs quick to put their hands up and agree to the IKD’s guidelines, with the Cooloola, Toowoomba and Warwick clubs all actively chasing to sign it up.

With Warwick picking up the pieces, it will be the club’s second big event for the month of July, with the Queensland Open State Championships being held from July 1-3.

KARTERS CHIP IN FOR JASON RICHARDS KARTING THE Queensland karting fraternity is getting set to rally support for V8 Supercar driver Jason Richards while he battles a rare form of cancer.

Kart racers from all over Australia are expected to converge at Ipswich Kart Club in Queensland on Saturday July 16 for a three-hour endurance race aboard 125cc karts.

Several V8 Supercar drivers are also expected to support the event, with Fujitsu SBR driver Scott McLaughlin already confirming his entry, along with Michael Patrizi, who will team up with fellow Patrizi Corse Kart Racing Team driver Kyle Ensbey.

Up to 40 teams of two drivers will be taking to the track under lights, with all money raised from the event to be donated to the Bid4Jase fund, which has been created to raise funds for his treatment, and to provide support for his family during his absence from the V8 circuit.

Formula Ford driver Tom Williamson is also the mechanic 22

for Macauley Jones, son of Brad, and he too has confirmed that they are interested in participating in the event providing there are no date clashes.

“We are definitely keen to do something, whether it be with Macauley or Jason [Bright], but we just need to sit down and look at the dates, hopefully there are no clashes there,” said Williamson.

According to Queensland Karting Association President Gavin Dicinoski, the race is just a simple way of giving back to the sport.

“Whenever we’ve looked to the V8 drivers to lend a hand at karting events, Jase has always been the first to put his hand up.

This is our way of returning the favour,” said Dicinoski.

“When he came to our charity race events in Gladstone and Rockhampton a few years ago, he went above and beyond to make sure everyone had a good time and we raised a significant amount of money for the local charity.”

SERA GROWS GEARS KARTING THREE-time Australian Champion James Sera will make his KZ2 debut later this month, when he tackles the Pro Gearbox class at Round 3 of the Castrol Edge CIK Stars of Karting Series.

The event will be held at Sera’s home track, Todd Road Karting Complex in Port Melbourne, on June 18-19, and will be his first foray into the six-speed, 125cc machines.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge, it should be good,” said Sera.

“To begin with I just want to step in lightly for this year, but the plan is definitely to gear up and challenge for next year’s series.”

After only one test day aboard the gearbox kart Sera walked away reasonably confident, only two or three tenths of a second off the pace of his cousin David Sera, who took out Round 2 of the series in South Australia.

“I definitely need a bit more experience in the kart, especially on the Dunlop tyre as they are a little different for me, but we will have a go,” Sera added.

“I went pretty reasonable and was only two or three tenths off David, but I’m reasonably confident I can find that extra pace.”

Sera is also the Victorian distributor for the FA Kart, and is happy to have four karts at Round 3 of the series, with regular Pro Junior (KF3) drivers Thomas Randle and George Gutierrez being joined by Sera in the Pro Gearbox (KZ2), and newcomer to the FA brand Ben Edwards in Pro Light (KF1). motorsport news

*See www.mymagazines.com.au for the latest offer.

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23

WINTER WARM-UP PREPARES DRAG RACING

Ken Ferguson

THE pre-Winternationals test and tune in Queensland on the weekend saw a bunch of tough runs in preparation for Australia’s biggest drag racing event this weekend.

Ben Bray found some form again as he laid down a 5.88s at 244mph in his Sidchrome Monaro, though father Victor had a tougher day as he found good pace early but then blew a supercharger, resulting in a brief fire for his 57 Chev.

Gary Phillips, who didn’t qualify at the Nitro Champs in Sydney, regained his groove with a 5.56s run at a big 258mph from his Lucas Oils Funny Car, pictured, to ensure he will be well in the running in the Top Alcohol category.

Mark Drew put down a series of spectacular mid 6s passes on his K-Trans nitro Harley, getting around some of the tyre shake issues that have been affecting the team.

Many Pro Stock drivers were putting down runs but very few were showing their cards

as they shut off early. Jason Grima’s PC Group Mustang recorded the quickest run out

WILLOWBANK TO COME ALIVE DRAG RACING THIS weekend’s Castrol Edge Winternationals is not just a drag race, but a celebration of everything to do with speed and excitement.

The side shows are just as thrilling as the racing for many of the spectators and this year the track has spared nothing to bring the entertainment in droves.

The Castrol Edge Speed

24

Comparison will pit a Porsche Turbo driven by Steven Richards against an ANDRA Pro Series Pro Stock racer to demonstrate just what acceleration means.

Showtime FMX will be on hand to perform some of the best freestyle motocross in Australia on a number of occasions throughout the weekend, including riders that have been part of the Crusty Demons tours.

Graeme and Wendy Cowin’s

King Kong Cuda will be on display, the first time it has been seen in Queensland. And for those looking for a virtual adrenaline rush, Darren Morgan Racing will have on hand their Top Fuel simulator for the first time, giving spectators at the Castrol Edge Winternationals a chance to experience what it is like to lay down a quarter mile pass in a nitro-burning dragster.

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

of those making an appearance with a 7.06s.

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

PUGLIA TO DRAG RACING WA Driver of the Year, Allen Puglia has unveiled a new Ford Mustang to race in the national Pro Stock series.

Imported from the USA, the car has a low number of runs on and was freshened up and customised for the unique Australian 6.5-litre engines by

motorsport news

NEWS

ANDRA LAUNCHES 2011/2012 SCHEDULE

Sept 9-­‐11, 2011

Australian Nationals ANDRA Pro Series Rocket Allstars

Nov 18-­‐19, 2011

Goldenstate Titles ANDRA Pro Series

ANDRA Pro Series

ANDRA Pro Series

EĞǁ zĞĂƌ͛Ɛ ǀĞŶƚ Rocket Allstars

ANDRA Pro Series

2012 Westernationals ANDRA Pro Series Rocket Allstars

ANDRA Pro Series Rocket Allstars

2012 Easter nationals Race 1 ANDRA Pro Series

2012 Easter nationals Race 2 ANDRA Pro Series

2012 Nitro Champs ANDRA Pro Series Rocket Allstars

Dec 2-­‐3, 2011

Jan 6-­‐7, 2012

Jan 20-­‐21

Jan 27-­‐28, 2012

Mar 3-­‐4

DRAG RACING NEXT season’s calendar has been announced by ANDRA, incorporating some new features.

Kicking off with the Australian Nationals from September 9-11, the season then focuses largely on Perth Motorplex until March where Sydney and Willowbank alternate rounds.

Top Alcohol and Pro Stock will return to Perth Motorplex this season, while Willowbank Raceway will host a unique Easter event incorporating two separate points rounds into two days. The series concludes with the blockbuster Nitro Champs and Winternationals events.

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

Mar 23-­‐24

Apr 6, 2012

Apr 7, 2012

May 4-­‐6, 2012

Jun 8-­‐11, 2012

2012 Winternationals ANDRA Pro Series Rocket Allstars

Top Fuel 1 Top Alcohol 1 Top Doorslammer 1 Top Bike 1

Top Doorslammer 2

Top Fuel 2

Pro Stock2

Pro Stock 1 Pro Stock M͛cycle 1 Rocket Allstars 1

Sydney Dragway NSW

Top Alcohol 2

Perth Motorplex WA

Rocket Allstars 2

Perth Motorplex WA

Perth Motorplex WA

Willowbank Raceway QLD

Top Fuel 3

Top Doorslammer 3 Top Bike 2

Rocket Allstars 3

Perth Motorplex WA

Perth Motorplex WA

Top Doorslammer 4 Pro Stock 3

Top Fuel 4 Top Doorslammer 5 Top Alcohol 3

Top Fuel 5 Top Doorslammer 6 Top Alcohol 4

Top Fuel 6 Top Alcohol 5 Top Doorslammer 7 Top Bike 5

Top Fuel 7 Top Alcohol 6 Top Doorslammer 8 Top Bike 6

Pro Stock M͛cycle 2 Rocket Allstars 4

Top Bike 3 Pro Stock 4 WƌŽ ^ƚŽĐŬ D͛ĐLJĐůĞ ϯ

Top Bike 4 Pro Stock 5 WƌŽ ^ƚŽĐŬ D͛ĐLJĐůĞ ϰ

Pro Stock 6 Pro Stock M͛cycle 5 Rocket Allstars 5

Sydney Dragway NSW

Pro Stock 7 Pro Stock M͛cycle 6 Rocket Allstars 6

Willowbank Raceway QLD

O DEBUT NEW CAR

Willowbank Raceway QLD

Willowbank Raceway QLD

Sydney Dragway NSW

its original builder, RJ Racecars, in Illinois before being shipped to Australia.

Puglia will debut the car in the ANDRA Pro Series this weekend at Willowbank Raceway.

“This is a dream come true for my wife and I. It’s been decades of hard work and to finally have a dream car like this in the

workshop feels amazing. I can’t imagine how we’ll feel when we finally get to race it,” said Puglia.

The car has been as quick as 6.59s in the USA, albeit with a larger engine, but if it can run the 7.0s times needed to be competitive in Australia then Puglia will be happy.

Puglia will keep running his Ford Probe in WA, while the

NB: Some rounds remain provisional.

Mustang is based on the east coast of the nation.

“We won’t be retiring the Probe,” Puglia said.

It has something like a 91 percent win rate, so we’ll continue to run it at the Perth Motorplex for the Super Comp championship while the Mustang will do all the national Pro Stock rounds.”

“This is a big step for us, not just financially but with the infrastructure that goes with it, and you don’t take big steps like this unless you have great people to go on the journey with you, so purchasing this car was a massive vote of confidence in our racing partners.”

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

Next ANDRA Pro Series Round: 2011 Castrol EDGE Winternationals Willowbank Raceway, June 9-12 ANDRA Pro Series on TV:

Friday June 17, Top Fuel, Winternationals

www.mnews.com.au

25

FIVE MINUTES WITH ...

CHRIS ATKINSON

In a break at home between rounds of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, Chris Atkinson got a taste of a V8 Supercar last week, turning a handful of laps in Russell Ingall’s SuperCheap Commodore at Queensland Raceway. MITCHELL ADAM spoke to him about the drive, the APRC and WRC MOTORSPORT NEWS: So, tell me about having a skid in a V8 Supercar for the first time.

CHRIS ATKINSON: It was a pretty cool experience. Obviously it’s something completely different to what I normally do, but it was good fun to have the chance.

You’ve driven a few circuit racing cars in the past, how did this stack up?

I only got a few laps in, but they’re completely different to anything I’ve ever driven.

They’re good fun to drive in terms of what I was doing, which was probably a little bit too sideways, but to get a really good feeling for them takes time.

Did they meet any expectations you had leading into the drive?

I’d been told a lot about what they’re like to drive, and sort of understood that.

But when you hop in a car, and it’s all happening, obviously there’s other cars out on the track as well, it all flies out the window and you just try and do what you can. I think if you got some more time, you’d understand better what it requires to drive them fast.

But still, I was happy to get out there, do a couple of laps and get a feeling for.

You mentioned that you’ve been told some things by people, I understand you’ve been doing some riding with James Courtney and a few of 26

those guys up on the Gold Coast?

Yeah. I was hitting James up for some tips on the ride yesterday.

I’m not sure it helped that much (laughs), but it was more what to watch out for our here, the bumps and things like that.

All of those guys are right into their cycling now, so it’s good fun to go out riding with them.

Is it something you’d like to have a proper crack at?

Um. I can’t say it’s my priority, obviously rallying is my focus and what I want to do.

You obviously wouldn’t say no to an opportunity, but it’s so different to what I do, it would take some time to adjust and get to be doing a good job to compete with these guys.

It’s all about practice and time, and I’ve probably got the car control skills, it’s probably just a matter of getting the feeling that you need to drive these things.

If something like a drive at Surfers, as an ‘international’, happened to come up, is that something you’d have a look at doing?

I think it’d be amazing if something like that happened, but I think the other drivers would be more worried than me out there, having a rally driver just turn up.

Obviously you’d never say no to an opportunity, and there’s no conflict with what I do in my series, but as I said, the main focus is doing my rallying.

Speaking of your day job and more familiar territory, obviously the Asia Pacific season started well in Malaysia, but I can imagine Queensland would’ve been pretty frustrating ...

Yeah, it was a massive disappointment.

Leading the championship and leading the rally, and then to have a mechanical problem stop us isn’t the way we would’ve liked it to go.

Especially the home event, that’s one I really wanted to win, we’ll just have to fight back in the next few rallies and hopefully have no problems and get back into the championship lead.

Fair to say it was even more frustrating given that the car speed was genuinely there?

In Queensland, I’m sure we had the speed to win. You never know what’s going to happen

in a rally, but we won the first three stages, so that was probably a good sign that it was going well.

And that’s really hard to take.

That’s life, that’s motorsport, and now we’re focusing on the next race, and we’ll try and win that one.

The WRC stuff, how’s all that coming together, with efforts to have a crack at Rally Australia?

Obviously it’s a really big aim to try and get there, I think it’s going to be difficult.

We’ll keep working towards trying to finding sponsors and making stuff happen. There’s only really two options, in terms of either a Mini World Rally Car or a Ford World Rally Car, but there’s some financial constraints to making that happen.

That’s the main focus at the moment. motorsport news

CHAT

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A FIRST-TIMER’S GUI TO THE INDY OPINION For a long time, former Honda PR man and now freelance journalist Mark Higgins has dreamed of going to the Indy 500. In 2011, he realised his dream.

W

HEN I arrived in the US after a 14-hour flight from Oz, and mentioned I was here for the Indy 500, I was immediately ushered through immigration like a VIP – and that was a sign of things to come.

Just before touching down in Indianapolis, the voice of Captain Whiteknuckles hoped we’d enjoy our stay and the big race, and I had a feeling he was right. Even the airport terminal felt like pit-lane, with Indy Speedway logos, chequered flags everywhere, and giant cut-outs of the drivers, led by the smiling Scotsman and defending champion Dario Franchitti.

Outside, my taxi was decorated like a racecar, and on arriving at the hotel, I nearly tripped over a grid of Indycars

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littering the lobby. Even my room was full of magazines about the 500. There was no doubt I had arrived at motor racing heaven.

The Indy 500 is virtually a secret in Australia, with next to no media coverage. So, I was looking forward to experiencing it for the first time, first-hand, in the flesh. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I figured like most things in The States it would be bigger than Texas.

Fittingly, Bachman Turner Overdrive’s song, ‘You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet’ was on the radio as I arrowed under the tunnel off 16th street and into the track. With those words ringing in my ears, I got my first glimpse of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Wow. It’s hugely impressive and overwhelming, and you can’t help but feel the history of the place. The lawns look like the MCG, the garden beds rival the botanical gardens, the outside track wall shines in iceberg white, and the grandstands are simply massive. It’s so big there’s enough room for the

Mark Higgins – On the ground in Indian 2.5-mile rectangular speedway, the MotoGP road course, an 18hole golf course, the Rose Bowl, Yankee Stadium, Churchill Downs, the Colosseum and enough room left for all of Vatican City!

The next thing that blows you away is seeing the Indycars going hard at it for the first time.

Sitting in the Turn 1 grandstand you look down the front straight and watch the cars come though Turn 4. In a blink of an eye they are underneath you taking Turn 1, flat. It’s impressive to the point of making F1 cars through Eau Rouge look a little slow!

Then there’s the crowd. Over 100,000 on Carb day, and over 250,000 on raceday. Moving, parking, drinking and feeding that many people in one day is enough to give an aspirin a headache, but the staff of the IMS, both paid and volunteers, do a fantastic job. Friendly, courteous, efficient, helpful

motorsport news

COMMENT

IDE

napolis

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RALLYING: THE PERFECT

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and all hugely proud to be working at the event. Even when you try and sneak into a no-go zone, they point you in the right direction with a smile.

On raceday, thousands of VIPs and corporate types wander around on the grid photographing the cars and talking with the crews prior to the race. Can you imagine that happening at a Grand Prix or a V8 Supercar race?

Then there’s the pomp and ceremony of the countdown to the race, including a flyover by a stealth bomber.

So, how would I sum the experience up? Well, if you roll the atmosphere and vibe of the AFL Grand Final, Bathurst, the Melbourne Cup, the Boxing Day test and State of Origin Rugby League into one, then multiply by a factor of 100, you’re getting close.

It was everything I expected and more!!

Y wife to be and I are about to have a very interesting conversation.

You see, we’re getting Andrew van Leeuwen – married in January next year, eNews Editor and we’re not 100 percent locked in with our honeymoon backed efforts from Peugeot, Skoda, Honda and destination. Over the weekend, I had an interesting idea – Monte Carlo. On paper, Proton as well. And, we’re going to see the likes of Juho Hanninen, Jan Kopecky, PG Andersson it sounds like the perfect romantic getaway for and Freddy Loix back in the same rally as Mikko two. But when I mention that the Monte Carlo Hirvonen, Petter Solberg and Sebastien Loeb (so Rally will be on, it may provide a sticking point. long as that Ogier fellow doesn’t scare him off in Now, I’m not one to usually combine holidays the mean time). with motorsport. At the end of the day, in this This would be an awesome initiation by line of work, you spend plenty of time watching the ACM. It was always expected that, one cars drive around in circles, so on the precious day, the WRC would reclaim Monaco as its few weeks that constitute annual leave, it’s nice season opener. And it was assumed that when to get away from it all.

But I’m prepared to make an exception for next it happened, it would be bad news for the IRC, which desperately needs that jewel in the crown year’s Monte Carlo Rally. For starters, it’s back on the World Rally Championship, which means that event (alongside the Ypres) to keep it in touch with the WRC. The fact that the ACM might make those noisy, zippy new generation World Rally the call to keep both series is simply amazing.

Cars will be traipsing through the mountains It will make for an excellent spectacle, and give behind Monaco. That I’ve got to see. And as it some younger drivers, who may see the IRC as will be 2012-spec WRC, there won’t just be Fords a cheaper option to get into world rallying, the and Citroen’s, but MINIs and Volkswagen Polos chance to take it to the WRC drivers and get on as well. the big boy’s radars.

But that might not be all. Our good friends at So that’s why I’m prepared to make an AUTOSPORT are reporting that instead of simply boning the Intercontinental Rally Challenge from exception and see some motor racing on my honeymoon. Whether or not my fiance will be Monte Carlo, the Automobile Club de Monaco as receptive remains to be seen. Maybe I should might decide to make it a WRC/IRC double make her watch ‘The Vatanen Touch Too’ and header. Excuse me while I wipe the saliva away from the keyboard (too much information?). That ‘Climbdane’ before I bring it up.

Wish me luck. would mean there is also likely to be factory-

OPINION

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NASCAR ROUND 13 – KANSAS, KS

Lite Foot In a battle of fuel mileage, Brad Keselowski taught his former owner a lesson to take his second Sprint Cup win and extend Dale Earnhardt’s streak to 106

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motorsport news

RACE

NASCAR Media

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NASCAR Media

In the right Lite: The Dodge engine is not noted for its mileage but Brad Keselowski finessed the right foot sufficiently to bring the Miller Lite Dodge Charger home in Kansas, main, right.

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L

AST week, Dale Earnhardt Jr led the Coca Cola 600 out of the last corner – when his engine spluttered, out of fuel, and Kevin Harvick stormed past to take the flag.

This week, it was different.

Earnhardt was the one doing the chasing in his Amp Energy Chevy – but Brad Keselowsi outlasted him, taking his second Cup win in the STP 400 in Kansas.

It was a fascinating finish.

Keselowski made his final stop five laps earlier than Earnhardt, and stretched 57 laps of greenflag racing out of his Dodge – which is not supposed to be a particularly fuel-efficient car.

With Earnhardt also saving fuel, it was a masterful example of fuel management from the youngster, who even managed to complete a victory lap while the Hendrick Chevy ground to a halt. Keselowsi ended his own winless streak at 60 races.

Earnhardt’s is now at 106 ...

How did Keselowski do it?

“There are some secrets to [saving fuel], and I just maximised them all,” he said after giving Roger Penske his first Cup win in a year. “I had plenty left.”

The secret, or a part of it, was that he was kicking in the clutch and running through the corners in ‘angel’ gear – and he was not going to share his technique with his former boss at JR Motorsports.

Junior did not assist his own

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cause with a spin in Turn 4 on lap 152, but did a manful job to get back to the front.

“We had a good car,” he said.

“We just didn’t have a secondplace car – not at all – but we had a top-10 car.”

Denny Hamlin was a solid third, while Jeff Gordon and Carl Edwards rounded out the top five.

One of the ironies of Keselowski’s win was that a Penske Dodge dominated the race, but it was not his. Kurt Busch looked to have the race within his grasp, leading 152 laps, but he had to pit late for – you guessed it – fuel. He returned to finish ninth.

“I was all smiles,” said Busch.

“I felt the groove again, to lead the race. It was great. It was solid. There was always something in the back of my mind that we weren’t going to win, but I am proud Brad Keselowski did.”

It was a tough weekend for Marcos Ambrose. After starting 35th, his Ford never looked a factor on the hot and slick track, leaving him to battle to 26th at the flag.

“It was a tough day out there, like a lot of guys, we spent the race chasing grip,” said Ambrose, whose result drops him two places in the Sprint Cup points to 19th.

“The long green run at the end didn’t work in our favour, but that’s the game we play, and we’ll move on to Pocono.”

motorsport news

RACE

Results :: STP 400, Kansas KS Pos. No. 1 2 2 88 3 11 4 24 5 99 6 17 7 48 8 14 9 22 10 16

Driver Brad Keselowski Dale Earnhardt Jr. Denny Hamlin Jeff Gordon Carl Edwards Matt Kenseth Jimmie Johnson Tony Stewar t Kur t Busch Greg Biffle

Make Dodge Chevy Toyota Chevy Ford Ford Chevy Chevy Dodge Ford

Team Penske Hendrick Joe Gibbs Hendrick Roush Fenway Roush Fenway Hendrick Stewar t Haas Penske Roush Fenway

Sponsor Qual.

Miller Lite 25 Amp Energy 28 FedEx Freight 15 Drive to End Hunger 22 Aflac 7 Affliction Clothing 21 Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools 31 The Glades/O ffice Depot 13 AAA 1 3M 14

NASCAR Media

Top 10 Points: Edwards 485, Johnson 445, Earnhardt 444, Har vick 442, Ky Busch 425, Ku Busch 414, Kenseth 412, Stewar t 393, Bowyer 391, Newman 382, Ambrose 338 (19th).

NASCAR Media

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NASCAR Media

STP for AJ: AJ Almendinger’s Ford, here leading Marcos Ambrose, sported STP colours in the oil treatment brand’s return to the Sprint Cup, inset top. Kurt Busch and Juan Montoya lead them away, main. Dale Earnhardt Jr, heading Mark Martin and David Reutimann, was unlucky, inset right.

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BRIEFLY...

Q MITCHELL Gilbert took a maiden podium in the Formula Renault UK Championship at Oulton Park on the weekend, taking third in Race 2 despite a heavy shunt in qualifying.

“I'm really, really pleased,” said Mitch. “We've worked really hard over the break since the last round and I'm so happy we've got to this point so early in the season.

“The car was really good and I thought I might have been able to take second place on the run down to the first corner, but when it didn't come off, I decided to settle into third for a couple of laps and see what I could do.

“It got into a good rhythm and was able to respond to the late charge on the final lap.”

The two races were won by Alex Lynn.

Q CHEVROLET collected two more WTCC victories in Budapest and improved the team's tally to an impressive seven wins out of the eight races held so far in 2011.

Alain Menu and Yvan Muller shared victories - the first of the season for 2010 champion Muller - but Rob Huff was the happiest of the Chevrolet drivers as he collected two valuable results helping him maintain his championship lead.

Gabriele Tarquini had a good weekend to breifely lead, before a Red Flag ended Race 2.

–DAVID ADDISON

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TOMCZYK THE WINNER AT THE BULL RING DTM MARTIN Tomczyk took the DTM silverware for Audi at the Red Bull Ring on the weekend, making it his first win for two seasons on the way.

Tomczyk’s win was also Phoenix Racing’s first victory for 11 seasons and its first as an Audi team.

Tomczyk turned in a faultless performance to lead home the Mercedes of Ralf Schumacher and Audi’s Oliver Jarvis. But it was fourth placed

Bruno Spengler who was the star of the race.

Having qualified 12th, he fought up to eighth and dragged 22 laps out of his Hankook tyres on the first stint. After the stops, he was fourth and spent the remaining laps hunting for a way past Jarvis.

Mattias Ekstrom, who started last (having been on slicks on a wet track in qualifying and failing to do a proper lap), only got as high as 16th before he retired after his first pit stop, when a wayward wheel fell off having not been secured properly.

– DAVID ADDISON

MIEDECKE STILL SOLID IN US AUSSIES OVERSEAS GEORGE Miedecke has once again been the standout performer in the UARA Stars Series in the US, after a solid fourth place in the Marco Ambrose Motorsport Jeld-Wen Ford Fusion at the Triangle Construction 150.

Although the Australian had hedged his strategy bets on a chaotic race, the 113 laps around Anderson Speedway remains largely caution free, leaving him

struggling with tyre wear.

Despite the mal handling of his Fusion, Miedecke drove well to fourth place, earning him the Rookie of the Race award for the second time this season.

Miedecke was happy with his efforts post race.

“We thought we had something for them, but in the end it didn’t quite go our way.”

Said Miedecke.

“Anderson Speedway is a tight bullring and we expected the race to be a carnage fest, but the

last 115 laps ran caution free.

“The track is very hard on tyres, so in the early running we were in conservation mode, but that came undone a bit in the middle stages when some other cars caught me in traffic.

“The car became very loose, and was a handful in the run to the finish.

“Still, fourth is a solid result, I really have to thanks JELDWEN and Marcos Ambrose Motorsport for making it possible.”

motorsport news

RACE

FIA GT1 THE Nissan GTR of Michael Krumm and Lucas Luhr took out the honours in the FIA GT1 World Championship at Silverstone having been beaten to the Qualifying Race win by the Aston Martin of Tomas Enge and Alex Muller.

Enge initially led the main race from Krumm, but the complexion of the race changed when the Safety Car was triggered just before the pit window opened. The

Safety Car period came after Nissan pilot Richard Westbrook tagged the Aston Martin of Stefan Mucke into a spin at Becketts. The spin looked harmless enough, but when Mucke rejoined the circuit, he caught the ailing Westbrook and tried to remonstrate by chopping across the front of his rival. He misjudged the manoeuvre and hit the Japanese car, spearing it into the wall. It was hardly his finest hour.

It cost his teammates Enge and Muller a win as they were passed in the pit lane by

the Nissan pair of Krumm and Luhr, along with the Corvette of Mike Hezemans and Andreas Zuber looming ominous in third.

David Brabham meanwhile caused a Lap 1 crash in the Sumo Power GT Nissan in Race 1, retiring on the opening lap with a smashed radiator. Race 2 wasn’t much better for the Australian, retiring after a spin into the gravel trap with unwanted help from 10th placed, Jamie Campbell-Walter.

–DAVID ADDISON.

Shedden again led Race 2, again in damp conditions, and built a lead over the chasing pack with teammate Neal working his way to second. With a 10-second lead in hand, Shedden looked set for the win until John George crashed his Chevrolet Cruze, prompting a Safety Car. That allowed Neal to catch Shedden and led to a dive up the inside for the lead at the last corner. This however proved to be climatic, as the two collided, sending them both into the gravel.

Neal later accepted the blame as Jason Plato won from the Vectra of James Nash in

second and Rob Collard third.

Nick Foster’s BMW led the reverse grid Race 3 until he was overhauled by Mat Jackson’s Ford Focus which romped clear to win with Shedden taking second.

Neal meanwhile charged his way back into contention for the podium, but tangled with Andrew Jordan’s Vauxhall on the last lap, with both running off the road. Jordan was able to hang on for third.

Neal now leads the championship by two points from Shedden.

–DAVID ADDISON

PLATO WINS WHILE HONDAS BTCC

GORDON Shedden scored a win in the opening BTCC race on a drying track at Oulton Park.

He was initially beaten to Turn 1 by teammate Matt Neal on wet tyres, but ‘Sheds’ ran a mixture of wets and slicks, easily coming to his own as the track dried.

While Shedden ran out the front as the clear winner, Neal fell back to eighth, as arch-rival Jason Plato, moved up to second along with Chevrolet team-mate Alex MacDowall third.

NEED TO JOIN A CAR CLUB TO GET YOUR CAMS LICENSE? No matter what car you drive, Formula Ford Association membership is a cost effective way to get you on track.

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MORCOM HAS ONE TO FORGET AUSSIES OVERSEAS STRIKING bad luck at every opportune moment in Watkins Glen was Australia’s Nathan Morcom after no less than three engine failures put him on the back foot for Rounds 5 and 6 on the weekend.

Two engines letting go in practise set the tone for the weekend, as Morcom headed into Saturday down on crutial running time. Then, the third motor expired during Round 5 qualifying, leaving Morcom’s Primus outfit searching for a

spare Zetec motor. Without enough time to install a new motor, his Saturday running was all but over.

Sunday meanwhile saw Primus team-boss Jon Baytos secure a motor from a rival outfit, allowing Morcom to compete in the Round 6 running, albiet, severely down on power.

Morcom drove with a mature head and reletive speed to a solid seventh place, retaining third in the Rookie standings and sixth in the overall standings.

Morcom revealed post race he

was nervous heading into the weekend with so little running to his name.

“I was getting a bit nervous by Friday afternoon, because with all the motor problems we’d hardly done any set-up work during the testing and practice sessions.” Said Morcom.

“Then, when the third motor blew on Saturday it looked like that was it for me for the weekend. Luckily Jon Baytos has a good reputation in the F2000 paddock, because he managed to find a team that would loan us a motor.

“It wasn’t the strongest motor in the race – probably 10-15km/ h down on top speed along the back straight – but it got me through qualifying and the race.

“I nearly caught La Rocca because there was something wrong with his car, but with the full course yellow there just weren’t enough laps left.

“If I can still come away from a race meeting with some points after losing three engines, then there’s still hope for the rest of the series!”

–CALLUM BRANAGAN

THE RACING GETS HOT AT MALLALA SA STATE

Paris Charles

ADELAIDE’S racing faithful were treated to a healthy variety of Motorsport for the second round of the South Australian Motor Racing Championship Series at Mallala Motorsport Park, last weekend.

The Improved Production category drew the strongest car count with a healthy field of 25 competitors. Reigning Australian Champion, Kevin Ledger easily adapted to his new surroundings to claim three victories from four races.

The Holden vs Ford battle raged on strong in the Saloon Cars where it was Wayne King who showed the field a clean pair

of heels in his flying Ford Falcon, winning both Sunday’s races.

The Sports Cars, Sedans, Historics and Tarmac Rally category proved victorious for Jim Doig dominating the weekend in his potent Motorlab ASP. The HQ Holdens provided plenty of entertainment for the fans and Graham Mason as he claimed an unbeaten record over the four races. Graham Boulter claimed second for the weekend.

Dominating the Group N Historic Touring Cars was Graham Jarrett in his Chevrolet Camaro, making it four wins from as many starts.

The new Hyundai Excel Circuit class wins were shared by Mark

Foster and Asher Johnston with two wins a piece. Foster however was awarded the win after accumulating more round points.

Easilly holding his own in the Formula Vees was Benjamin Forgan, making it yet another clean sweep ahead of Daniel Westcott. Luke Fraser was the class of them all in the 1200s.

Chris Slusarski had the Formula Ford Kent honours all to him self at Mallala, while Michael O’Donnell was start performer in the Formula Ford Fiesta class.

And Rodney Gibb showed that he was the best of the rest in the MGF series, taking a classy four wins from four starts.

–PARIS CHARLES

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THE MARTIN OF ALL NATIONS ...

SUPERLEAGUE AUSTRALIAN racing export John Martin has hit the lead for Australia in the Superleague Formula’s Nations Cup. Having a mixed weekend in terms of relative pace, Martin finished well in sixth place in Race 1, and looked much stronger to finish second in Race 2, allowing him onto the starting grid for the ‘Dash for Cash’ Super Final. However, after making a few too many mistakes in the five-lap finale, Martin had to settle for fourth, leaving him and Australia tied with Japan for the lead in the Nation’s Cup by the end of the weekend.

“All in all it was a pretty good weekend,” said Martin.

“I just made a few too many mistakes, maybe I was rusty after eight months out of the car. I should have won Race Two and the Super Final and was in a position to do so.”

“On the upside we are leading the championship, well joint leader and I usually get stronger as the season goes on.”

–CALLUM BRANAGAN

STAUFFER DOMINATES IN QUEENSLAND ...

ASBK GLORIOUS weather conditions gleamed on Queensland Raceway for Round 5 of the QBE Australian Superbike Championship on the weekend, where it was Jamie Stauffer who dominated the program riding his Honda CBR RR. After starting from pole position, Stauffer was the hot favourite to escape the clutches of the BMW S RR of Glenn Allerton in second and the Suzuki GSX-R of Josh Waters in third for the two 17-lap races. And escape he did,

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beating his own lap-record on the way to an easy pair of wins.

“In the first race we got in front and just tried to maintain the lead really.” Said Stauffer.

“The bike felt good. Josh (Waters) pressured us there for a while but in the end we pulled a bit of a gap. The second race was much the same, the times seemed a bit slower in the second race, myself included, but I was able to get a gap and be a lot more comfortable out there.

“It was a great weekend for us, we really needed to have at least a race win, so to get

two wins, pole position and the round is what we needed.”

The race was on for second between Allerton and Waters, with the two taking in turns to finish in second across the two races.

Allerton was eventually handed the second step on the podium, while Waters was in third.

Allerton however still remains at the top of the championship standings heading into the ‘2+4’ meeting at Queensland Raceway alongside the V8 Supercars.

–CALLUM BRANAGAN.

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ODD SPOT!

rear of grid

Over to you, Webber!

NASCAR Media

YUP, that is Brian Vickers.

And yes, that is the Daytona International Speedway, 5000 feet below him.

The Red Bull Racing driver dropped in on the track — literally last Wednesday to promote the Coke Zero 400 on July 2. Vickers, an experienced jumped with more than 70 jumps to his credit, had planned to do the stunt a year ago, but his hopes were interrupted by surgery to correct his blood clot problems.

“This one’s been a long time coming and I think that’s what increases the significance of it for me is that we had this planned last year,” he said. “To be able to come back and finish what we started was pretty special.”

ON THIS DAY 6 JUNE 1960 IT was 51 years ago that Jim Clark made his Grand Prix debut. John Surtees was having a busy season, combining Formula 1 with racing on two wheels, and when the Dutch GP clashed with the Isle of Man TT and Surtees had to miss the Zandvvort race, Clark, 24, was brought to substitute in a Lotus 18. He retired on lap 49 with final drive failure. In 71 subsequent GP starts, Clark won 25 times, winning the 1963 and 1965 World Championships. Below L to R Colin Chapman and drivers Innes Ireland, Clark and Alan Stacey.

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