The Australian Racing Drivers Club

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News Archive

The ARDC pays homage to Bathurst history at SMSP

The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club (ARDC), which kicked off the now annual and iconic Australian motorsport event, the Bathurst 1000, has paid tribute to the race, the place and the club’s racing heritage with the announcement of its newly named Turn 9, dubbed ‘Panorama’. The ARDC, which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year, formed an alliance in 1954 with the Bathurst Light Car Club to purchase land between Murray’s Corner and Hell Corner in order to build the Mt Panorama pit lane and establish the Bathurst circuit. In 1962, the ARDC ran the first six-hour race at Bathurst to prove that Mt Panorama could handle a then-500 mile event. One year later, the Armstrong 500 race meeting moved from Phillip Island to Mt Panorama, and the Bathurst 500 was born. “Given the ARDC’s place in Australian motorsport history in presenting and developing this country’s most iconic race, the Bathurst 1000, it is only appropriate that we recognise this part of our history in naming Turn 9 of the circuit ‘Panorama’”, said ARDC CEO, Glenn Matthews. Panorama sits atop the new Brabham Circuit, and appropriately its position is the highest point of elevation at the Sydney Motorsport Park track, with an amazing vista to the equally iconic control tower. The 4.5 kilometre Brabham extended circuit was created by combining the original Eastern Creek International Raceway layout with an exciting and undulating extension designed by Apex Circuit Design from the UK, and launched with the re-branded Sydney Motorsport Park in May, 2012. Racing this still-new circuit on August 31 and September 1 in the Touring Car Masters as part of the annual Australian Muscle Car Masters, Bathurst masters John Bowe and Jim Richards were on hand to launch ‘Panorama’ to the motorsport world. “It’s fantastic that we have two Bathurst legends here at the 2013 Muscle Car Masters to help us celebrate its naming this weekend, at an event that celebrates the Bathurst cars of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s,” added Matthews. Now in its ninth year, the Muscle Car Masters is a weekend-long celebration of Australia’s muscle car heritage, and a tribute to the drivers who raced them. On-track action includes races for historic touring cars, Bathurst beasts, Formula 5000 V8 open wheelers and production sports cars, with the Touring Car Masters one of the major drawcards of the Fathers’ Day weekend festivities, and most categories will use the Brabham circuit and fly past ‘Panorama’ over many a lap.

MORE INFO:

www.sydneymotorsportpark.com.au

www.ardc.com.au

www.musclecarmasters.com.au

The Shannons Sydney Classic

A classic car festival like no other, the Shannons Sydney Classic sees nearly 2000 Veteran and Classic vehicles from 150 clubs converge on Sydney Motorsport Park for parades, rides, cruises and displays. Vehicles include cars, bikes, scooters and military vehicles, even double-decker buses, which cruise around the racetrack! The Concours Display will keep your jaw dropping, while trade displays in Pit Garages all day with books, models and all sorts of memorabilia will keep the enthusiast thoroughly entertained. Live music, food and beverage, and clowns and face painting make this event a true family outing, and kids under 12 years, Grandstand access, and parking are all free. It’s one of the biggest car shows on the calendar!

DATE: Sunday 18th August

ADMISSION: Adults $15, ARDC Members and children 12 and under free.

CAMS announces FIA Academy at SMSP

The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) is on the search for one young Australian driver who can take on the world.
CAMS will be hosting the Asia Pacific Region Selection Event for the 2013 FIA Institute’s Young Driver Excellence Academy in October with the search starting now for a young Australian driver who will become one of up to 19 from across the Asia Pacific region to converge on Sydney for three days of intensive testing, training and evaluation.
They will be here to stake their claim on the single guaranteed Asia Pacific position available on the FIA Institute’s global Academy.
The selection process for the Academy involves a series of five qualifying events in regions across the world to give as many drivers as possible the opportunity to participate.
Each of the qualifying events produces one winner to go forward to the 2013/14 Young Driver Excellence Academy with a total of eight participants in the final Academy training programme, which aims to help drivers develop their motor sport careers, while increasing safety skills and actively promoting the principles of safety, fairness and responsibility on and off the track.
The Asia Pacific Region Selection Event for the 2013 FIA Institute’s Young Driver Excellence Academy will be hosted by CAMS and will take place at Sydney Motorsport Park on 20-23 October.
CAMS President Andrew Papadopoulos said “CAMS is delighted that the FIA Institute has asked us to organise and run its regional selection event. It is a great tribute to the expertise of staff at CAMS and we look forward to playing a continued role in the identification and development of young talent in our region for many years to come.”
The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club has partnered with CAMS to make the Asia Pacific Selection Event possible in Australia.
The program will be headed by CAMS ambassador and former V8 Supercar driver Cameron McConville who will develop a comprehensive elite program including involvement from the NSW Institute of Sport and recognised motor sport fitness experts.
They will oversee exercises designed to evaluate fitness and driving performance, media techniques, teamwork and psychology.
All Asia Pacific Region National Sports Authorities (ASNs) can nominate one driver each with the single Australian spot to be nominated by CAMS with the applicant having met the minimum criteria set out by the FIA Institute.
A selection panel consisting Geoff Morgan, Chairman, Australian Motor Sports Foundation (AMSF), Neal Bates as the Rally representative and CAMS’ Director of Racing Operations Tim Schenken will determine who of the Australian applicants will be successful.
Drivers aged 17-23 from circuit and rally disciplines, who have demonstrated excellence in competition so far, will be considered.

ASBK Race weekend wrap

TEAM SUZUKI rider Wayne Maxwell capped off a perfect weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park with victory in today’s fifth round of the QBE Australian Superbike Championship.
Maxwell, who won both 12-lap races today, has extended his lead in the championship to sit 24 points ahead of Glenn Allerton.
“What a weekend,” Maxwell said. “To win all four races is the ultimate dream come true.
“The GSXR 1000 was incredible all weekend and handled extremely well. Full credit to the team for giving me such an awesome bike to ride this weekend.
“We have the championship lead but I am not going to get ahead of myself. We need to take it race by race. If we are winning races the rest will come,” he continued.
Pole-sitter Robbie Bugden was second for the round with Allerton bouncing back from a disappointing result yesterday to round out the podium.
“I had a good first race and finished second to Wayne,” Budgen explained. “In Race 2, I ended up involved in a massive battle and I tried a few things but they didn’t pay off and I ended up fifth.
“It was still a fantastic weekend for the team. We finished 1-2 in both rounds and I had pole for today’s races.”
Team Honda riders Josh Hook and Jamie Stauffer were fourth and fifth for the round with Sydney rider Glenn Scott sixth.
Scott broke through for his first top three finish in today’s opening Superbike race and was the leading privateer for the round.
In the Motul Supersport class Aaron Morris took the round victory with two race wins ahead of Aiden Wagner.
The Yamaha mounted duo traded blows throughout today’s final 12-lap race with Morris moving into the lead on Lap 9.
“I pretty much led the first race from start to finish but I hit false neutral on Lap 2 in the second race and lost about four spots,” Morris explained.
“From there I just had to keep chipping away at it. Aiden and I ended up in a good battle but I was able to get him towards the end.
“I got some good points today and have started to close the gap to Daniel (Falzon),” Morris said.
Morris has reduced the points deficit to Motul Supersport championship leader Daniel Falzon to just eight points in the championship standings.
Matt Walters continued to dominate the Prostock field with another clean sweep of today’s three 9-lap races. He was joined on the podium by fellow New South Welshmen Dustin Goldsmith and Sean Condon.
The next event sees the QBE Australian Superbike Championship head to Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway for the September 12-15 ultimate weekend of motorsport, which will include the Australian Supercross Championship.
Top Ten Round 5 Results QBE Australian Superbikes – Sydney Motorsport Park
1. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) 50
2. Robert BUGDEN (QLD) 37
3. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW) 35
4. Josh HOOK (NSW) 34
5. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW) 34
6. Glenn SCOTT (NSW) 33
7. Linden MAGEE (QLD) 28
8. Beau BEATON (NSW) 26
9. Sloan FROST (NZ) 24
10. Ben HENRY (QLD / WA)21
Top Ten QBE Australian Superbike Championship Standings (After Rd 5 of 7)
1. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) 180
2. Glenn ALLERTON 156
3. Robert BUGDEN (QLD) 156
4. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW) 135
5. Josh HOOK (NSW) 133
6. Glenn SCOTT (NSW) 119
7. Linden MAGEE (QLD) 99
8. Beau BEATON (NSW) 99
9.Phil LOVETT (NSW) 79
10. Sloan FROST (NZ) 71
Top Ten Round 5 Results Motul Supersport – Sydney Motorsport Park
1. Aaron MORRIS (NSW) 50
2. Aiden WAGNER (QLD) 40
3. Daniel FALZON (SA) 36
4. Michael BLAIR (NSW) 34
5. Chris QUINN (NSW) 31
6. Kyle BUCKLEY (QLD) 28
7. Aaron GOBERT (NSW) 28
8. Callum SPRIGGS (QLD) 26
9. Mohd RAMDAN (MAL) 23
10. Michael LOCKART (NSW) 23
Top Ten Motul Supersport Championship Standings (After Rd 5-7)
1. Daniel FALZON (SA) 158
2. Aaron MORRIS (NSW) 149
3. Michael BLAIR (NSW) 135
4. Chris QUINN (NSW) 130
5. Aiden WAGNER (QLD) 112
6.Callum SPRIGGS (QLD) 112
7. Ryan TAYLOR (VIC) 109
8. Aaron GOBERT (NSW) 91
9. Kyle BUCKLEY (QLD) 86
10. Michael LOCKART (NSW) 80
TEAM SUZUKI RIDER WAYNE MAXWELL CAPPED OFF A PERFECT WEEKEND AT SYDNEY MOTORSPORT PARK WITH VICTORY IN TODAYS FIFTH ROUND OF THE QBE AUSTRALIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP.
Maxwell, who won both 12-lap races today, has extended his lead in the championship to sit 24 points ahead of Glenn Allerton.
“What a weekend,” Maxwell said. “To win all four races is the ultimate dream come true.
“The GSXR 1000 was incredible all weekend and handled extremely well. Full credit to the team for giving me such an awesome bike to ride this weekend.
“We have the championship lead but I am not going to get ahead of myself. We need to take it race by race. If we are winning races the rest will come,” he continued.
Pole-sitter Robbie Bugden was second for the round with Allerton bouncing back from a disappointing result yesterday to round out the podium.
“I had a good first race and finished second to Wayne,” Budgen explained. “In Race 2, I ended up involved in a massive battle and I tried a few things but they didn’t pay off and I ended up fifth.
“It was still a fantastic weekend for the team. We finished 1-2 in both rounds and I had pole for today’s races.”
Team Honda riders Josh Hook and Jamie Stauffer were fourth and fifth for the round with Sydney rider Glenn Scott sixth.
Scott broke through for his first top three finish in today’s opening Superbike race and was the leading privateer for the round.
In the Motul Supersport class Aaron Morris took the round victory with two race wins ahead of Aiden Wagner.
The Yamaha mounted duo traded blows throughout today’s final 12-lap race with Morris moving into the lead on Lap 9.
“I pretty much led the first race from start to finish but I hit false neutral on Lap 2 in the second race and lost about four spots,” Morris explained.
“From there I just had to keep chipping away at it. Aiden and I ended up in a good battle but I was able to get him towards the end.
“I got some good points today and have started to close the gap to Daniel (Falzon),” Morris said.
Morris has reduced the points deficit to Motul Supersport championship leader Daniel Falzon to just eight points in the championship standings.
Matt Walters continued to dominate the Prostock field with another clean sweep of today’s three 9-lap races. He was joined on the podium by fellow New South Welshmen Dustin Goldsmith and Sean Condon.
The next event sees the QBE Australian Superbike Championship head to Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway for the September 12-15 ultimate weekend of motorsport, which will include the Australian Supercross Championship.
Top Ten Round 5 Results QBE Australian Superbikes – Sydney Motorsport Park
1. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) 50
2. Robert BUGDEN (QLD) 37
3. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW) 35
4. Josh HOOK (NSW) 34
5. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW) 34
6. Glenn SCOTT (NSW) 33
7. Linden MAGEE (QLD) 28
8. Beau BEATON (NSW) 26
9. Sloan FROST (NZ) 24
10. Ben HENRY (QLD / WA)21
Top Ten QBE Australian Superbike Championship Standings (After Rd 5 of 7)
1. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) 180
2. Glenn ALLERTON 156
3. Robert BUGDEN (QLD) 156
4. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW) 135
5. Josh HOOK (NSW) 133
6. Glenn SCOTT (NSW) 119
7. Linden MAGEE (QLD) 99
8. Beau BEATON (NSW) 99
9.Phil LOVETT (NSW) 79
10. Sloan FROST (NZ) 71
Top Ten Round 5 Results Motul Supersport – Sydney Motorsport Park
1. Aaron MORRIS (NSW) 50
2. Aiden WAGNER (QLD) 40
3. Daniel FALZON (SA) 36
4. Michael BLAIR (NSW) 34
5. Chris QUINN (NSW) 31
6. Kyle BUCKLEY (QLD) 28
7. Aaron GOBERT (NSW) 28
8. Callum SPRIGGS (QLD) 26
9. Mohd RAMDAN (MAL) 23
10. Michael LOCKART (NSW) 23
Top Ten Motul Supersport Championship Standings (After Rd 5-7)
1. Daniel FALZON (SA) 158
2. Aaron MORRIS (NSW) 149
3. Michael BLAIR (NSW) 135
4. Chris QUINN (NSW) 130
5. Aiden WAGNER (QLD) 112
6.Callum SPRIGGS (QLD) 112
7. Ryan TAYLOR (VIC) 109
8. Aaron GOBERT (NSW) 91
9. Kyle BUCKLEY (QLD) 86
10. Michael LOCKART (NSW) 80

 

Hi-Tec Oils Figure-8 Drift Series Round 1 wrap up

Round 1 of the Hi-Tec Oils Figure-8 Drift Series is run and done, with big crowds, great atmosphere and some great driving.

James Abbott from Blaze Unit took out the number 1 spot in the 3 FINGERS NEAT S15 Silvia, Brad Tuohy in the D2D Customs S13 took 2nd and Michael Prosenik, up from Victoria, took 3rd place.

Twenty-two drivers made it to Round 1, which would be the first time a competition had ever been held on the Figure 8 track at Sydney Motorsport Park.

It was also the first time that four cars were allowed on track at once during the tandem practice sessions, giving drivers more track time, and spectators more action.

Practice allowed drivers who had never been on the Figure 8 track to learn it, and those who had, to remfamiliarise themselves with it and learn to drive it with clipping points and zones for the first time.

Having a proper track layout and some great drivers in a professionally judged competition gave the Figure-8 a new lease on life. Combine the action on track with a DJ and Bar off track as well as Motive DVD trade stand, cars on show and a monster trade stand form the guys at Hi-Tec Oils, and it made for a great night out.

Qualifying was the first chance for the drivers to try the course from a standing start, taking off from a run-up start line under instruction from the lights. The judges for this event were 2012 ADGP champion, Rob Whyte, and Travis Roberts.

Both judges commented on how the facility lent itself well to this type of event, and had a great atmosphere. They also commented on some of the great driving, especially from number one qualifier, Gavin Edwards, who put down a near-perfect run.

Brad Tuohy qualified in 2nd place, Michael Prosenik in 3rd and James Abbott in 4th. Once the battles started, things really started to heat up. Ferds and Anthony Bilic showed promise in Qualifying, but Anthony didn’t make it to the start grid due to car dramas, and teething problems in Ferds’ car meant he lost to Matt Hill in the 180SX in the Top-16. Schembri was blazin’ hard but a small mistake in the Top-8 had him out early.

The Top-4 qualifiers were looking unstoppable, and all of them made it to the Top-4 for the fiercest battles of the night. Number 1 qualifier Gavin Edwards lost to Jabbott but then went in to battle for third place. Brad Tuohy won the battle of the V8 Silvias, defeating Michael Prosenik, and then took on Jabbott in the finals. Brad put up a great fight, but Jabbott was super aggressive on the chase, and the crazy entry that no-one thought he would hold gave him the win.
Round 2 is scheduled for Friday the 16th of August, with the same location and schedule. It is set to be even bigger and better both on and off track, with a massive All Stars car meet, more trade stands and even more drivers.
ROUND 1 FINAL STANDINGS
1 James Abbott 3 FINGERS NEAT Nissan S15 Silvia 100
2 Brad Tuohy D2D Customs Nissan S13 Silvia 93
3 Michael Prosenik SCR Nissan S13 Silvia 85
4 Gavin Edwards 3 FINGERS NEAT R32 Skyline 79
5 Mitchell Jeffery Federal Tyres, Micks Motorsport Nissan 180SX 72
6 Scott Schembri 3 FINGERS NEAT Nissan 180SX 69
7 Mathew Hill Nissan 180SX 66
8 Phillip Searle Toyota Corlla 63
9 Anthony Bilic Drift Racing Industries Nissan S13 Silvia 58
10 Fernando Weirhl Project D Nissan R32 Skyline 55
11 Brian Campbell 666 Racing Nissan S14 Silvia 52
12 Jim Turner ART Nissan 180SX 49
13 Alex Sciacca W3SLIDE Nissan S14 Silvia 46
14 Benjamin Toyer Nissan 180SX 43
15 Mathew Trevena Toyota Corolla 40
16 Glen Atkins Driving Sports Mazda RX-7 37
17 Andrew Callaghan GCG Toyota Soarer 33
18 John Ferguson Driftmob Nissan 180SX 32
19 Mitchell Mahaffey Foytt Auto Nissan 180SX 31
20 Tyler Jay Markman 999 Automotive Nissan R31 30
21 Michael Spencer 666 Racing Nissan S14 Silvia 29
DNF Al Bennett Slide Industries Nissan S13 Silvia 2

 

Shannons Nationals event wrap

EVENT RELEASE: The most controversial finish in the recent history of the Australian Manufacturers Championship has clouded results after Sunday’s three-hour race at Sydney Motorsport Park.
On track to take a strong one lap victory but running on fumes and driving without the benefit of pit-to-car communication or a working dashboard, Stuart Kostera (sharing with car owner, Dylan Thomas) brought the CXC Global Mitsubishi lancer in to pit lane for a desperate splash-and-go fuel stop, at the end of today’s three-hour race.
However, uncertainty surrounding the end of the timed race and the displaying of the checkered flag saw the car classified as a non finisher, due to being in pit lane at the end of the race.
The CXC team believes that they are the rightful victors given their car crossed the control line after the completion of the timed race – even if it was in pit lane.
His nearest rivals believe that because the car was in pit lane and never actually received the checkered flag, the car should not be classified.
The fact that the Kostera / Thomas car was a lap clear of their nearest rivals adds to the confusion.
Beric Lynton and Tim Leahey (BMW 1M) have been classified the winners pending a protest from the Mitsubishi team.
Having led the early running, the Pro Duct Mitsubishi driven by Glenn Seton and Bob Pearson developed a clutch drama in the second hour that saw the team unable to select fifth gear, the team eventually retiring to the garage when the dramas became too severe.
Garry Holt and Ryan McLeod were classified third, the Michael Benton / Geoff Russell FPV GT fourth and the class D Honda Integra of Jake Williams and Brendan Stone scored a remarkable fifth outright.
Results are officially provisional pending a protest lodged by the CXC Global team, with a hearing to be held at Queensland Raceway in three weeks.
Despite having a group of top-flight international drivers thrown at him, Radical Australia Cup dominator Neale Muston continued his command of the sports car class by winning the First Neon 250 endurance event today.
Muston won the opening 45-minute leg comfortably over Ash Samadi and Richard Kimber, and then went on to defeat the pro drivers in the second to wrap up another round victory.
Pro drivers were assessed a drive-through handicap as part of their status this weekend though that scarcely changed the result; when leg two leader James Winslow pitted for his brief visit to pit lane Muston was already running second on the road.
Samadi finished second overall – based on combined points from both legs – whilst SR3 pilot Simon Haggarty finished third.
Winslow smashed the existing Sydney Motorsport Park RAC lap record, lowering the benchmark to a stunning 1m25.7027s in his V8-powered SR8.
Jack LeBrocq today completed a perfect weekend in the Australian GT Championship presented by Pirelli, sweeping to another victory in his Erebus Motorsport Mercedes Benz SLS AMG.
The young Victorian now has four race wins in a row to his credit, and today he won by nearly a full minute to complete a weekend of domination.
Klark Quinn continues to accumulate championship points – his second place finish today keeping him on course for a second Australian GT title – though it didn’t all go his way.
The Porsche driver was pressured in the closing stages by a charging John Bowe, who only just missed out on scoring second in the Maranello Motorsport Ferrari he shared with Peter Edwards.
Tony Quinn finished fourth in his Aston Martin whilst Lamborghini driver Roger Lago bounced back from a non-finish yesterday – a drive-belt broke on the V10 engine – to finish fifth.
Phil Woodbury and John Goodacre were the big winners in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Pirelli, the pair taking out the professional and elite divisions of the one-make Porsche category, respectively.
Woodbury won race two today, resisting a charge from Richard Muscat in the closing laps after the series leader started from the rear of the grid thanks to his race one non-finish.
Contact with Jon McCorkindale restricted Woodbury to a 10th finish in the final race – but it was still enough to take the professional class win. Muscat won the third race, continuing his impressive season with another podium.
Goodacre actually won the round outright, and led home Steven Grove and John Morris in the series’ elite division.
John Magro completed a perfect weekend in the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, sweeping to victory in today’s 12-lap feature race having won both sprint races yesterday, too.
Tim Macrow and Nathan Morcom completed the podium, Macrow continuing to lead the Gold Star standings ahead of the next round in Queensland.
Ben Grice completed a perfect weekend in the Suzuki Swift series, with pole position and two race wins to his name. Having won yesterday’s sprint race, Grice comfortably led for the entire one-hour distance contested today – taking victory by over eight seconds. Allan Jarvis and Luke Fraser rounded out the top three.