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Event Wrap- 2013 NSW Motor Racing Championships, Round 5

On a beautiful blue-sky weekend, 198 entrants brought Round 5 of the NSW Motor Racing Championship back to Sydney Motorsport Park on September 21-22.

Racing was spirited, and several competitors were sporting new livery and cars this round. Simon Pace in Formula Vee ( Mako MK111) had a new paint job, and his racing successes have continued strongly into this round with one second, one third and a fifth placing over the weekend. Steve Lacey (Sports Sedans) drove a very quick Camaro to a second and third place, but ended with an unfortunate DNF in the third race.

In the HQs, Tony Camilleri’s good-heartedness reached new heights as he helped his fellow category competitors to get (or keep) their cars on the circuit, including changing brake pads on Troy Hulbert’ #82, replacing a head gasket for Adam Leach in #42, loaning a carby to Chris Molle in the 23 car, and assisting to repair drivers side panel damage on John Baxters #51 car.

As usual, some campaigns came to a premature end, and Ahmed Bagdadi (Improved Prod) was unfortunate to have a power steering line rupture, and cause a weekend-ending fire in the VXSS Commodore. Misadventure plagued Tim Miller as well, after qualifying fastest, he finished second in race one, only to be sidelined for the rest of the weekend after a broken driveshaft left him standing motionless on the starting grid. Peter Foote shattered a gearbox on turn 15, leaving a legacy of oil on the track and gave an almighty scare to two competitors who were right on his hammer. It also caused a lengthy delay and subsequent shortening of race one.

Terry Robertson ( Reynard 913), who is currently supporting five entrants in the Formula R class, spoke enthusiastically about the probability of seeing up to seven competitors in this class for 2014. This class offers an economical entry into competitive racing on the back of a Dallara platform with a VW engine, providing incredible reliability and cost-effective racing.

Production Sports saw Russell Bayley win all three races in his flying 7-litre yellow Chev Corvette with Lachlan Higgins (Porsche 996) taking second in all three. Sports Sedans best performer was Birol Cetin (Chev Camaro) with a first and second placing, before he succumbed to a DNF in the third race.

Improved Production was hotly contested with a large field of 34 cars, the pointy end a battle between Mark Ruta ( Mazda 808) with two race wins, and John McKenzie ( Commodore) with two second places and a third.

Production Touring was ruled by the triumvirate of Gerry Murphy (EVO 10) with three race wins, Matthew Holt (HSV GTS) with two race seconds, and Bob Pearson (EVO 10) with three race third placings.

Formula Cars’ clean sweep went to Garnet Patterson ( Dallara 301), followed by Graeme Holmes (Dallara F3) recording two seconds and a third placing. Tim Reynolds ( Sabre 02) had two race wins in Formula Vee, while Tim Brook (LE 100) took the other win and a second.

As the sun started to set, the final session saw the ever popular vintage HQ’s dashing and spinning, with Troy Hulbert (#82) executing a graceful 360 degree spin at turn 15. With wickedly twitching rear ends disappearing into the distance, Jeff Mulligan (#69) piloted the Baxter Coaches sponsored car to two first places and a third. Brett Osborn (#86) was his closest rival with a second, third and fourth results.
– words and pics by Rob Annesley
look@shotbyrob.com.au

 

OFFICIAL RELEASE: 2014 V8 Supercars Calendar and race formats

OFFICIAL RELEASE: Innovation follows Consolidation for V8 Supercars in 2014

V8 Supercars has announced ground-breaking changes for 2014, building on a year which has featured multiple race and rookie winners, captivating racing and new generation V8 Supercars.

Innovation is the key to further broadening the appeal of V8 Supercars and making it accessible to more people than ever.

Key initiatives for 2014 include a shift towards prime time twilight racing and new standardised race formats; and an exciting new ANZAC Day weekend in New Zealand. Sydney will host three events in 2015.

“We have the opportunity to continue with an entrepreneurial approach, with high levels of innovation and commitment to our fans,” V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton said.

“There is a chance to build on the energy and passion of the business created through the course of this year; taking it to the next level in 2014 and even further in 2015.

“We have had the period of consolidation, now is the time for innovation, growth and building for the next five to ten years.”

A minimum of five Saturday twilight races are possible in 2014. V8 Supercars will announce timings of all races early in the New Year in consultation with host broadcaster Seven.

As a precursor the first 250km race at the Sydney 500 this December will run from 5.10pm to 7.30pm. The ARMOR ALL Top Ten Shootout at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 next month will also be staged later on Saturday afternoon.

The prospect of racing at twilight has received unanimous support from fans with 85 per cent supporting a Saturday evening race and almost 50 per cent more people would attend or watch a twilight race.

V8 Supercars also announced a move to three categories of events – SuperSprint, SuperStreet and the PIRTEK Enduro Cup – to standardise and simplify race formats into a consistent package. The 60/60 format of this year has been scrapped.

Accordingly the Townsville 500 and ITM 500 Auckland become 500km events in line with the SuperStreet formats, while all SuperSprint events are two 100km races on Saturdays with a single 200km feature race on the Sunday.

All SuperSprint races will count towards the Championship.

The 2014 V8 Supercar calendar consists of 16 events including the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne and the hugely popular sydney.com V8 Supercars Test Day at Sydney Motorsport Park.

The Sydney 500 was locked in for a further three years earlier this month by the New South Wales Government, with an option for a further two years. This followed the recent the extension of the three Queensland events, also for a further three years.

Additionally, V8 Supercars will return to Sydney Motorsport Park for a Championship event in 2014 in August, meaning Sydney will host three events in 2014.

In New Zealand the ITM500 Auckland will be held on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the ANZAC weekend.V8 Supercars believes racing on ANZAC weekend in New Zealand is a huge drawcard for the event that will encourage fans to travel to Auckland on the long weekend.

The blockbuster Clipsal 500 in Adelaide kicks off the Championship year once again.

V8 Supercars will delay a return to Texas until 2015 because of a clash of dates with the recently signed X Games and the composition of the V8 Supercar and COTA calendars.

“The timing of COTA securing the X Games next year led to the mutual agreement of a gap-year before consolidating, planning and returning to Texas in 2015,” Warburton said.

“The first Texas 400 was an enormous success at all levels and a tremendous platform to build into the future; in conjunction with developing an extensive international strategy for 2015 and beyond.

“The prospects are virtually limitless; there is that much potential in the sport.”

COTA President Steve Sexton said he was looking forward to V8 Supercars return in 2015 after a highly successful North American debut in May.

“Circuit of The Americas is quickly becoming a year-round destination for a variety of large-scale sports and entertainment properties, and with our packed schedule, we were not able to find mutually workable dates to facilitate a return of V8 Supercars to Austin in 2014,” Circuit Chief Executive Officer Steve Sexton said.

“V8 Supercars continues to be one of the most exciting shows in world motorsports. We know our US and international fans really enjoyed the Austin 400 event this year, and we are very excited to have V8 Supercars return to the United States in 2015.”

V8 Supercars has had preliminary discussions with several venues in the US with a view to „twinning%u201F the Texas 400 in the future.

The 2014 V8 Supercars calendar:

Feb 15
sydney.com V8 Supercars Test Day
Sydney MSP

Feb 27-Mar 2
Clipsal 500 Adelaide
Adelaide Street Circuit
SuperStreet DS

Mar 13-16
2014 Formula 1 Aust Grand Prix
Albert Park
TBC

Mar 28-30
Tasmania 400
Symmons Plains Raceway
SuperSprint

Apr 4-6
Winton 400
Winton Motor Raceway
SuperSprint DS

April 24-27
ITM 500 Auckland
Pukekohe Park Raceway
SuperSprint

May 16-18 TBC
Perth 400
Barbagallo Raceway
SuperSprint DS

June 20-22
SKYCITY Triple Crown Darwin 400
Hidden Valley Raceway
SuperSprint

July 4-6
Townsville 500
Reid Park
SuperStreet DS

Aug 1-3 TBC
Coates Hire Ipswich 400
Queensland Raceway
SuperSprint DS

Aug 22-24
Sydney Motorsport Park 400
Sydney Motorsport Park
SuperSprint

Sept 12-14
Wilson Security Sandown 500
Sandown Raceway
PIRTEK Enduro Cup

Oct 9-12
Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000
Mount Panorama
PIRTEK Enduro Cup DS

Oct 24-26
ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600
Surfers Paradise
PIRTEK Enduro Cup

Nov 14-16
Phillip Island 400
Phillip Island Circuit
SuperSprint

Dec 5-7
Sydney 500
Sydney Olympic Park
SuperStreet DS

 

Seven News- V8 Supercars return to Sydney Motorsport Park

We are excited and delighted to announce that Sydney Motorsport Park will host a round of the V8 Supercars series next August, in addition to the pre-season test and fan day in February. We would like to thank Minister Souris and Destination NSW for their support in helping to bring a Championship round to Sydney Motorsport Park.

Event release- TOUGH MUDDER Sydney Spring 2013 Venue Change

The venue for Sydney Spring 2013 will now be held at Sydney Motorsport Park and Sydney Dragway.
Tough Mudder made this change after experiencingsome complications with our original site. Aside from the change of venue, everything else remains the same for the Sydney Spring event.
We have high standards when it comes to venues — we only sign with places that will bring you an unforgettable experience. Here’s what’s awesome about this venue:
The facilities are epic. Incorporating parts of a motorsport park and a dragway, the venue’s varied terrain includes dams, swamps, bush, scrub, and gravel traps. We’ll have complete run of the place, so you can expect to be running on racetracks, dragstrips, and on the 4WD proving grounds.
It gives everyone the chance to try out a new venue. We always change our courses from event to event, but sometimes a change of scenery is a bonus. For those who have already run a Tough Mudder at Fernhill Estates, this is a chance to try something totally different.
Of course, no matter where a Tough Mudder event takes place, there’s one thing you can always expect — an unforgettable challenge that will push you to your limits both physically and mentally. And you can expect to take on that challenge with thousands of your next best mates by your side.
Tough Mudder Sydney Spring 2013
October 12 & 13, 2013
New venue: Sydney Motorsport Park and Sydney Dragway

 

All about the 2013 WORLD TIME ATTACK CHALLENGE

THE WORLD’S BEST HYPERCARS AGAINST THE CLOCK

WHEN: Friday October 17 – Saturday October 18, 2013.

WHERE: Sydney Motorsport Park, Brabham Drive, Eastern Creek.

WHAT: WTAC is two days of motorsport nirvana, with non-stop Time Attack and Drift action plus Turbo Legends, Flying 500 top speed challenge, Show’n’Shine and a massive trade display.
Time Attack, also known as Superlap originated in Japan in the 1980s as a proving ground for street-tuned cars built by highly respected tuning companies. The Superlap format is not unlike a qualifying lap in traditional motorsport, with competitors racing against the clock with the fastest single lap collecting the prize.
The rules are limited almost purely to the safety aspects meaning the vehicles can have almost unlimited modifications making for some seriously spectacular on track action. It is not uncommon to see 1000kg cars with 800 hp on tap battling it out for brand supremacy. The allegiance of fans to a particular brand is no different to the traditional Holden vs Ford rivalry that we have become accustomed to in Australia.
As the sun goes down, all eyes move to the South Circuit for the Tectaloy International Drift Challenge, where the cream of Aussie drifters take on the best of international drift stars. The current D1GP Champion Daigo Saito is the hot favourite but a strong Aussie and Kiwi contingent will do their best to dethrone him.
Yokohama World Time Attack Challenge is a family-friendly event. Kids under 12 get in for free.

ADMISSION: Adults Fri $40/Sat $50/ Two-day pass $69
Student / Concessions Sat $30/Sun $35/ Two-day pass $50
Children 12 and under FOC
Free grandstand access, free competitors paddock entry, free parking.

MORE INFO: www.worldtimeattack.com

Event wrap- 2013 Round 7 CAMS Supersprint Championships

On Sunday Sept 8, Sydney Motorsport Park hosted Round 7 of the CAMS Supersprint Championships using the North Circuit track layout. A solid field of 97 competitors in eight different classes had a fabulous day racing the clock.
Andre Tan ( Radical) bettered his previous outings result on this circuit by nearly two seconds recording a 0:58.77 fastest lap of the day. Alexander Kenny (Juno LMP3) and Marek Tomaszewski (Stohr WF1) battled for second place honours, with Kenny just pipping Tomaszewski by the narrowest of margins: 0.005 seconds. Tomaszewski lowered his April meetings quickest time by 2.5 seconds, but had to settle with third-fastest for the day.
Ben Porter was the fastest of the tin tops, with a 1:03.79. This was 4.22 seconds faster than the previous best time this year on the SMSP circuit , recorded in June by Alan Bugh in his Clubman. Bugh also lowered his Round 3 time by 1.5 seconds.
Supersprint always features its fair share of exotic street and custom vehicles, and today’s event was no different. Andrew McLaughlin brought his magnificent little flyer, the 5.7L ELFIN MS8 Clubman and Rudy Franz’s 1973 VW L-Bug boasting 330kW “at the wheels” flew down pit straight at 240kph. “Not enough horses”, said Rudy, who after today’s event has plans to replace the current engine with a WRX unit, with 450kW the anticipated result.
Mike Pritchett (Clubman) retired early with an electrical gremlin, Mike Hicks (MX5) was having fun with his new 6-speed gearbox, and unlike fine wine, Mike Loomes (Clubman) complained he wasn’t getting any better with age.
Evan Jones, Supersprint event controller, commented: “Supersprint timed racing is the best value for laps racing available. It is the most economical way to get time on a race track if you want to gain experience, or if you are seeking to upgrade your racing licence in order to compete in other styles of competitive racing.”
– Rob Annesley