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Issue No. 037 15 – 21 January 2008
CARUSO’S CALL-UP GRM RIDE GOES TO ROOKIE AS CANTO IS LEFT IN THE COLD
GREAT SCOTT! TEAM KIWI RACING CEMENTS FUTURE
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Contributing Writers F1: Mark Glendenning, Paolo Filisetti Europe: Quentin Spurring, David Addison US: Martin D. Clark, Phil Morris Speedway: Greg Boscato, Geoff Rounds, Darren Sutton, Tony Millard (UK) Rally: Ryan Lahiff Drag Racing: Dave Ostaszewski (USA), Ken Ferguson, John Bosher National: Mark Wicks, Mark Jones, Aaron Shaw, Daniel Powell
Photographers Sutton Motorsport Images, Dirk Klynsmith, Marshall Cass, John Morris/Mpix, AF1 Images, James Smith, Peter Bury, Neil Blackbourn, Chris Carter, Coopers Photography, Geoff Gracie, Ash Budd, Paris Charles, Neil Hammond, Joel Strickland, Mike Patrick (UK) Motorsport eNews is published by Australasian Motorsport News ABN 55 125 120 702 Publisher: C Lambden Copyright: Material published in Motorsport eNews is copyright and may not be reproduced in full or in part without the written permission of the publisher. Freelance contributions are welcome, and while all care will be taken, Motorsport eNews does not accept responsibility for damage or loss of material submitted. Opinions expressed in Motorsport eNews are not necessarily those of Australasian Motorsport News or its staff.
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Australasian
The ‘A’ Team
Issue No. 037 | 15 – 21 January 2008
news 5 Caruso! 6 SBR drivers? 9 Fisi the Force 10 Wurz so good 14 Fitzy goes large
chat 20 5 minutes with ... opinion 2021 Lambden Rick Kelly 33 Punter
Steps up to GRM The wait is nearly over... Giancarlo to India Alex to test F1 again Three Porsches, thanks Bart Mawer Size doesn’t matter? Change can be good Still on holidays!
race 22 Dubai 24h
Aussie VIPs win 26 World Series Sprinters Tatnell wins series 28 Parramatta Sprinters Skipping away 29 Toyota Racing Series Knight wins NZGP
trade 32 Trade and Industry / Raceshop / Classifieds
welcome World Series Sprintcar Champion Brooke Tatnell ‘takes a mo’ to say hello ... Check out the latest eNews supplements via http://www.mnews.com.au
Marshall Cass
Valued FV8s COMMENT Grant Rowley Editor eNews WHEN confirmation of Kayne Scott’s drive with Team Kiwi Racing comes through later next week, it will mean that the top three drivers from the 2007 Fujitsu V8 Series will be racing in the ‘Main Game’ this year. Tony D’Alberto, Michael Caruso and Scott are set to do battle against the likes of Tander, Skaife and Lowndes in 2008, which confirms that the Fujitsu V8 Series is the place to make the grade in V8 Supercar. The step is a big one. While Mark Winterbottom (who won the development series after winning Ford’s karting talent-search in 2001) has made a lasting impression, Dean Canto may well be returning to the development series, after being replaced at GRM. It’s a tough business, but there is no doubt that it is the developmet series which has given many their chance.
‘Robins
Scott’s TKR
KAYNE Scott is set to make his full-time main series debut with Team Kiwi Racing this year. Scott, who finished third in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series last year, will be confirmed soon as the replacement for Shane Van Gisbergen as the TKR driver. Scott and TKR will use a recently-purchased Triple Eight chassis (T8009), run independently by TKR. The car will use SBR engines and was formerly Triple Eight’s spare chassis. The chassis is best remembered for its victory in the 2006 Clipsal 500 – Jamie Whincup’s maiden V8 victory. Seven full-time staff will be
dedicated to the V8 program, based in a new facility on the Gold Coast. The Queensland base will be TKR’s second home, with its new facility in Hamilton complete and functioning. The Hamilton establishment (based just five minutes from the town’s street track) is home to the team’s ride cars, promotional cars, old Supercars, merchandise and offices. After a tumultuous 2007 season, where the team switched from Ford Performance Racing to Stone Brothers Racing, the team is now in control of its own destiny. – GRANT ROWLEY
PWR, Walden cars DNS, so ... ... 29 cars expected for opening V8 Supercar Championship round at the Clipsal 500
THE V8 Supercar field will most likely initially consist of 29 cars in 2008, following the close of entry registration on December 21, and the ‘for sale’ sign still attached to three V8 licences. At that December close-off, the list did not include either licence held by Kees Weel (ex Supercheap Auto/PWR Racing) or the newly-acquired licence held by Brian Walden. All three licences are now on the market.
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Under V8SA regs, if a licence remains unsold after three months, it passes back to V8SA who look to initiate a sale on behalf of the owner. The situation is a mixed one for existing team owners. While the reduced numbers mean an increase in the share of the revenue ‘pie’ for the 29, the fact that three licences remain on the market may start to affect the value of all licences. This latter may assist the likes of Jim Morton, the former
Fujitsu series team owner, who is still seeking to step up to the main series in 2008. Morton told us on Monday that “we’re still working on putting the financial package together to make the step (up to the main series). Time is going by, and so it looks like we may be starting the year, at least, in the Fujitsu series. “Fortunately, V8 Supercars Australia have been good enough to confirm that they’ll let us step up part way through
the year, if that’s the case.” Despite a statement from the former Team Dynamik (in legal dispute with Rod Nash Racing over ownership of the licence currently being used by Nash) suggesting that it will win its case and that the licence will be for sale, V8SA CEO Wayne Cattach confirmed on Monday that V8SA is supporting and expecting Nash to field a car (for Tony D’Alberto), describing Dynamik’s claim as “premature”. – see Opinon, page 20
news
son’ Caruso to the Rescue! Fujitsu V8 runner-up gets Main Game chance V8 SUPERCARS
John Morris/Mpix
MICHAEL Caruso has replaced Dean Canto at Garry Rogers Motorsport for the 2008 season. After finishing second in the Fujitsu V8 Series in 2007, Caruso will make his full-time main series debut this year, driving the #34 Commodore alongside Lee Holdsworth. Caruso is excited about the prospect of his first full-time V8 ride. “It’s been a goal that I’ve wanted to achieve for a while,” Caruso told eNews. “It’s a great seat at Garry’s and the opportunity is there to be taken. They’ve been building on their potential for some time and Lee (Holdsworth) has been showing some good pace last year. With the new HMS engines coming, it’s certainly a good spot to be in.” Holdsworth’s impressive 2007 was part of the reason why Canto was outed for 2008, but
Caruso is looking forward to the challenge of racing against his new team-mate. “It doesn’t matter which team you’re at, there’s always going to be some competition, and that’s healthy. It’s a good way for both of us to move forward. I know Lee is going to be quick this year so it’s good that I’ll have a strong benchmark and I’ll be doing my best to put some good performances in and doing the best for the team. “I haven’t really set myself any solid goals yet. The series is very competitive, so it’s a matter of getting comfortable. Once that happens, I’m sure I’ll be able to get some good results.” Caruso will drive the #34 Commodore that Canto used last year (the first VE built by GRM for the start of the 2007 season). The former Ford Rising Star will get his first test with the team on February 14 at Winton. – GRANT ROWLEY
So what now for Canto? from a team about it so I’ve just got to weigh up my options.” Canto was told by Rogers last Friday that his services at the team were not required, but remains complimentary with regard to his two full-seasons with the Valvoline squad. “It’s definitely a shame,” Canto said. “I think with the new Walkinshaw engine deal, it’s going to be a strong year for them and it’s a shame that I won’t be there for it. “Given the size of the team, with all the young blokes, it was a pleasure to have worked with everyone. They put in a lot of effort.” – GRANT ROWLEY
Marshall Cass
AFTER a difficult 2007, Dean Canto’s axing from Garry Rogers Motorsport (first mooted in eNews #031), has come at a bad time for the 26 year-old. With no drives in the main V8 Series remaining, Canto is now pressing ahead with plans to re-enter the Fujitsu V8 Series, and is already fielding interest about his services in the endurance races. “I want to keep my face in there, work on something in some other categories,” he told eNews. “I’m on the lookout for an endurance drive. I’m sure I can provide a team with good speed and have their car finish at the front. I already had an approach
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