ZitatFeb 10th-12th Yas V8 400 - Yas Marina (UAE) Mar 17th-20th Clipsal 500 – Adelaide Mar 24th-27th Australian GP – Albert Park [SUPPORT / NON-CHAMPIONSHIP] Apr 15th-17th ITM 400 – Hamilton (NZ) Apr 29th-May 1st Barbagallo May 20th-22nd Winton June 17th-19th Sky City Triple Crown – Hidden Valley July 8th-10th Sucrogen Townsville 400 – Reid Park Aug 19th-21st Queensland Sept 16th-18th L&H 500 – Phillip Island Oct 6th-9th Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 - Mount Panorama Oct 21st-23rd Armor All Gold Coast 600 - Surfers Paradise Nov 11th-13th Falken Tasmania Challenge – Symmons Plains Nov 18th-20th Norton 360 Sandown Challenge – Sandown Dec 2nd-4th Sydney Telstra 500 – Sydney Olympic Park
What do James Courtney said the track all the PR circles:
Zitat“To be honest, the track is very boring to drive … in that it has zero character. All the good circuits are the ones that are old and beaten up with walls where they shouldn’t be and that sort of stuff. The new circuits that they’re building for Formula One such as Yas have 1000km of run-off, they’re dead-flat, there’s no bumps, there’s no character to the place. Although it’s an amazing facility, it does lack that (character).
Like Clipsal, you look at that on paper and think ‘geez, I can’t believe we race there’ but it’s bouncing all over the place. Everyone complains about New Zealand but it’s got some great racing. It’s bumpy, a little bit hairy, sorts the men out from the boys and makes the cars look spectacular. Although the facilities are great and it’s good to go back and enjoy the facilities … but then you come back to reality when you come back to Australia.”
ZitatToll Holden Racing Team celebrates 21st birthday
It is 21 years to the day since HRT made its race debut at the first round of the Australian Touring Car Championship, held at the now defunct Amaroo Park Raceway in Sydney on Sunday, 25 February, 1990.
On that day, then-team manager/driver Win Percy steered the team’s lone car on the day, the #16 VL Commodore SS Group A SV, finishing 14th after starting 16th. That race was won by Jim Richards in the Nissan Skyline HR31.
Later that year at the Bathurst 1000, Percy and Grice combined to win The Great Race, against the might of Nissan’s GTR and the horde of Ford Sierras
To mark the occasion today, the Toll HRT held a party at its race headquarters in the Melbourne suburb of Clayton.
Current day drivers, Garth Tander and James Courtney were joined in the celebrations by team members past and present, and City of Kingston Mayor Cr Ron Brownlees.
Tander and Courtney began the day by cutting a commemorative birthday cake.
“Driving for the Toll Holden Racing Team is a great honour and it makes me even more proud to be here today celebrating 21 years of achievement – today is recognition of everyone that has worked with HRT and contributed to its winning heritage,” Tander said.
New team-mate Courtney said the team’s recent success in the Middle East added to the occasion.
“I love a party and what better way to begin my career at HRT than to arrive in time to celebrate the team’s 21st birthday – and after such a great win in Abu Dhabi, it makes today even more special,” Courtney said.
Holden Motorsport Manager, Simon McNamara congratulated Holden’s official factory racing team on the special occasion.
“The Holden Racing Team is a much loved and valued member of the Holden family and we are incredibly proud of its achievements,” McNamara said.
“We congratulate the team today on its 21st birthday and we look forward to many more celebrations together.”
Toll Holden Racing Team Managing Director, Craig Wilson said the team was proud of its history.
“To get to 21 years is a fantastic achievement and one we at the Toll Holden Racing Team are extremely proud of,” Wilson said.
“HRT has experienced much success over that time and it is a credit to all of the team members, both past and present that have made a contribution over the last 21 years.
“All of the 2011 Toll Holden Racing Team members look forward to continuing that success over the coming year.”
In recognition of its achievements, Mayor Brownlees presented the team with a framed commemorative certificate.
“Congratulations to the Holden Racing Team on 21 years of success on the Australian and International race circuit,” Brownlees said.
“As a Council, we are extremely proud of the world class, high-tech advanced manufacturers that operate in our city.
“The Holden Racing Team is to be commended for its commitment to total excellence which is required for such success. We are very proud to have HRT as a business in the City of Kingston.”
The Holden Racing Team is Australia’s most successful race team, including six driver’s titles (1996, 98, 99, 2000, 01, 02), six Bathurst 1000 victories (1990, 96, 2001, 02, 05, 09), and the 2009 V8 Supercar Team’s Championship.
HRT also holds the all-time modern era record of 196 race wins (166 championship, 30 non-championship) – the most recent coming with Courtney’s thrilling Race 2 win at the opening round of the 2011 International V8 Supercar Championship in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.
HRT’s past and present driver line-up reads like a Who’s Who of motor racing, including Percy, Grice, Brad Jones, Neil Crompton, Tomas Mezera, Wayne Gardner, Peter Brock, Craig Lowndes, Greg Murphy, Mark Noske, Mark Skaife, Paul Morris, Cameron McConville, Yvan Muller, Jason Plato, Tony Longhurst, Jim Richards, Nathan Pretty, Glenn Seton, Craig Baird, Jason Bright, Todd Kelly, Ryan Briscoe, Will Davison, Tander and Courtney.
Suffering from cancer continues to Jason Richards, otherwise made a partial return to racing behind the wheel of a car Clipsal context. The man drove the Fujitsu series of exercises, and the Australian Grand Prix GT opening race with the Ferrari 430 GT3.
Clipsal 500 Adelaide first race the top 10:
Zitat1. Garth Tander 76 Laps 2. Jamie Whincup +0.542 3. Craig Lowndes +2.472 4. Jason Bright +3.324 5. Fabian Coulthard +4.814 6. Mark Winterbottom +5.124 7. Todd Kelly +5.766 8. Tim Slade +7.021 9. Will Davison +7.493 10. Jason Bargwanna +8.806
Clipsal 500 Adelaide final race the top 10:
Zitat1. Jamie Whincup 77 Laps 2. Rick Kelly +1.320 3. Mark Winterbottom +2.123 4. James Courtney +6.089 5. Garth Tander +8.285 6. Paul Dumbrell +9.121 7. Will Davison +9.821 8. Steven Johnson +13.174 9. Fabian Coulthard +15.178 10. Alex Davison +16.599
All 28 V8 Supercar drivers gathered on the grid prior to today’s race to pay tribute to Tom Walkinshaw, former racing driver and founder of the Holden Racing Team.
V8 Supercar driver Craig Lowndes and 2009 Formula 1 champion Jenson Button took turns to drive each others regular rides at the infamous Mount Panorama circuit today. Craig Lowndes became the first Australian driver to drive a Formula 1 car at Bathurst, driving a 2008-specification McLaren MP4/23 for five laps around the 3.86 mile long circuit.
Jenson Button took to the track in Lowndes regular ride, a 5.0 litre V8 powered Holden Commodore VE2 and set a best time of 2:17, 10 seconds down on the pole position time at the circuit last year. However, at the wheel of the Formula 1 car, Button blitzed that time, completing a full lap in just 1:48.
"These guys are crazy they really are," said Button.
"This place is fantastic. Television just doesnt do it justice. When I drove around earlier in a Mercedes road car it even felt fast. I think Im going to have more fun in the V8 car than the F1 because you can actually use all the kerbs and get a good flow. Im really excited about the challenge. Its the second time Ill be driving a V8 and Ive got so many good memories of watching the V8s on TV and hopefully one day I get to drive one for real and it not just be four laps."
The event was arranged by both Triple Eight and McLarens shared sponsor Vodafone, with support from Bathurst Council. Thousands of spectators attended with their entry donations going to the Queensland and Victoria Flood Appeal.
Button and Lowndes will be in action this weekend, with the V8 Supercars Championship holding its non-championship event in support of the opening round of the 2011 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
Melbourne is Non-Championship race Melbourne first race the top 10:
Zitat1 Jamie Whincup 25 Laps 2 Garth Tander +7.995 3 Shane van Gisbergen +15.245 4 Alex Davison +30.303 5 Rick Kelly +30.572 6 Lee Holdsworth +33.848 7 Jason Richards +34.565 8 Mark Winterbottom +36.303 9 Jonathon Webb +39.428 10 Jason Bright +42.374
Melbourne final race the top 10:
Zitat1 Garth Tander 25 Laps 2 Jason Richards +6.363 3 Alex Davison +13.861 4 Jamie Whincup +18.502 5 Rick Kelly +18.524 6 Craig Lowndes +18.680 7 Tim Slade +23.070 8 Fabian Coulthard +24.391 9 Jason Bright +24.967 10 Shane van Gisbergen +30.213
Jason Richards was certainly a great return, one rarely sees a man's emotional after the race.
Whincup appeared to be quite a straight speed advantage compared to others, or else only got Whincup often the better the output of the last bend. Courtney, the spooky season was again continued, We'll see what goes wrong next.
See below for an unoffical list of teams and drivers for this year’s Phillip Island and Bathurst endurance races.
ZitatWalkinshaw Racing James Courtney Garth Tander Fabian Coulthard Cameron McConville Nick Percat Craig Baird
Tony D’Alberto Racing Tony D’Alberto – ?
Stone Brothers Racing Alex Davison Shane van Gisbergen Tim Slade David Brabham John McIntyre Daniel Gaunt
Ford Performance Racing Mark Winterbottom Will Davison Paul Dumbrell Steven Richards Luke Youlden Dean Canto
Kelly Racing Todd Kelly Greg Murphy Rick Kelly David Reynolds Owen Kelly David Russell Allan Simonsen Tim Blanchard
Brad Jones Racing Jason Bright Jason Bargwanna Karl Reindler Jason Richards Andrew Jones David Wall
Triple F Racing Dean Fiore Michael Patrizi
Dick Johnson Racing Steven Johnson James Moffat David Besnard Matt Halliday
Tekno Autosport Jonathon Webb Richard Lyons
Lucas Dumbrel Motorsport Warren Luff Nathan Pretty
Garry Rogers Motorsport Lee Holdsworth Michael Caruso Greg Ritter – ?
Paul Morris Motorsport Russell Ingall Steve Owen Jack Perkins Paul Morris
Triple Eight Race Engineering Jamie Whincup Craig Lowndes Andrew Thompson Mark Skaife
ZitatWill Power Poised For FPR Return?
Ford Performance Racing is close to confirming its Gold Coast endurance race line-up for the international-flavoured street race in October.
Speedcafe.com.au has learned that Australian IndyCar star Will Power is set to re-sign for the factory Ford team, partnering Orrcon Steel-back driver Mark Winterbottom.
Power drove with Steve Richards in the inaugural Gold Coast event last year.
In the second FPR car, former Formula One driver Mika Salo is being tipped to drive alongside new team signing Will Davison in the #6 Trading Post Falcon.
Speedcafe.com.au spoke to team principal Tim Edwards, who would only confirm that he had not officially signed any driver.
“I’ve got the drivers sorted, but it’s only verbal agreements at this point,” said Edwards. "I want to get pen to paper before I announce it, because as you know, things change.”
In most cases, teams are responsible for finding their own international drivers, although each guest needs to be approved by V8 Supercars Australia.
One driver certain not to return to the Gold Coast is Jacques Villeneuve. The 1997 Formula One driver drove with the factory team’s third car last year, partnering Paul Dumbrell in the #55 Bottle-O Racing Falcon.
According to sources, Villeneunve is “highly unlikely” to return to the Gold Coast race due to “unrealistic financial demands.”
One driver certain not to return to the Gold Coast is Jacques Villeneuve. The 1997 Formula One driver drove with the factory team’s third car last year, partnering Paul Dumbrell in the #55 Bottle-O Racing Falcon.
According to sources, Villeneunve is “highly unlikely” to return to the Gold Coast race due to “unrealistic financial demands.”
Villeneuve wants too much money to drive down under or the team wants him to pay a lot of money to drive?
Zitat von valukVilleneuve wants too much money to drive down under or the team wants him to pay a lot of money to drive?
Villeneuve has said that he no longer ask for big salaries anymore, but hope for the best that Jacques is involved in the Armor All Gold Coast 600 endurance race.
ZitatMuch of the growth has been attributed to the introduction of international drivers, in particular on the Gold Coast, with former F1 driver Jaques Villeneuve raving about the sport and current driver Jenson Button reportedly keen to race in the near future.
"They love it, because these are real cars - not saying Formula 1 cars aren't," Hitchcock said. "They need to be manhandled a bit, they're hot, you bash the panels a bit and you take it to the edge. We have a list as long as both arms of drivers from other motorsport disciplines who want to drive."
Speedcafe.com understands that eight-times Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen and reigning Daytona 24 Hour winner Joey Hand are the front-runners to drive with the championship-winning team at the Armor All Gold Coast 600.
Other drivers heavily linked to seats include Will Power and Mika Salo (Ford Performance Racing), Patrick Long and Ryan Briscoe (Toll Holden Racing Team) and Sebastian Bourdais and Andy Priaulx (TeamVodafone).
Rick Kelly took the first victory for his family run Kelly Racing team at Hamilton in New Zealand, with Triple Eight's Craig Lowndes second and brother Todd completing the podium.
Hamilton Street Circuit final race result:
Zitat1. Shane Van Gisbergen (Ford) 01:34:19.8748 2. Lee Holdsworth (Holden) 01:34:20.6575 3. Garth Tander (Holden) 01:34:26.0864 4. Will Davison (Ford) 01:34:28.2543 5. Steve Owen (Holden) 01:34:32.4021 6. Rick Kelly (Holden) 01:34:35.1604 7. Alex Davison (Ford) 01:34:35.2822 8. Russell Ingall (Holden) 01:34:35.8649 9. Steven Johnson (Ford) 01:34:36.6180 10. Craig Lowndes (Holden) 01:34:38.5023 11. Jason Bright (Holden) 01:34:39.9275 12. Jonathon Webb (Ford) 01:34:40.8585 13. Karl Reindler (Holden) 01:34:43.5946 14. Dean Fiore (Ford) 01:34:43.9523 15. Todd Kelly (Holden) 01:34:47.9227 16. Warren Luff (Holden) 01:34:53.8513 17. James Moffat (Ford) 01:35:20.8381 18. Jamie Whincup (Holden) + 2 laps 19. Paul Dumbrell (Ford) + 3 laps 20. David Reynolds (Holden) + 11 laps 21. Tim Slade (Ford) DNF 22. Fabian Coulthard (Holden) DNF 23. Tony D'Alberto (Ford) DNF 24. Michael Caruso (Holden) DNF 25. Jason Bargwanna (Holden) DNF 26. Mark Winterbottom (Ford) DNF 27. Greg Murphy (Holden) DNF 28. James Courtney (Holden) DNF
Trading Post Perth Challenge has run two Practice: Results 1 and 2 of the Practice. Third Practice ended just recently.
Hispania Formula One driver Vitantonio Liuzzi and Peugeot at Le Mans man Alex Wurz may participate in Surfers Paradise race in October. Liuzzi is combined with Wilson Security Racing Tony D'Alberto and Wurz are in turn taking the Mother Energy Racing's Jonathon Webb.
full-time Indian driver, racing an Indian-backed car in back-to-back V8 Supercars events in Delhi and Chennai could happen as soon as 2012, according to the Australia Trade Commission’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner for South Asia, Peter Linford.
Saturday's race to victory drove Jamie Whincup and came second Craig Lowndes therefore, Team Vodafone took a double victory. Third, established in Will Davison was the first podium place in the new employer, the Ford Performance Racing Team.
Day the first race won Jason Bright, but a dangerous-looking situation was seen as competition start when Karl Reindler car caught fire, one suddenly. Reindler is currently in the hospital and he received second degree burns. Reindler the manager Damon Hill told that the man gets out of the hospital in the coming hours.
Perth-off final victory drove Jamie Whincup, before Jason Bringht.
Jamie Whincup has won the first race of the weekend at Winton in Victoria from GRM's Lee Holdsworth and DJR driver Steven Johnson.
V8 Supercars organisers have announced the series has agreed to a deal to sell 60 per cent of the championship's shares to a private equity firm. Sydney-based firm Archer Capital will support new owners Australian Motor Racing Partners Pty Limited, which will take a controlling share of the series for over $300 million. The 18 teams, which before the deal owned 75 per cent of the sport, will retain the remaining 40 per cent stake.
Mount Panorama will remain the home of Australian motorsport until at least 2034 after Bathurst Regional Council, last night, agreed to extend its contract with V8 Supercars.
ZitatDarryl O'Young for 600?
The Gold Coast 600 will add a Chinese driver to is keen for a V8 Supercars hit-out on October as well as pursuing a V8 upercars career in the longer term. He is one of 40 or more internationals either pursuig a drive in one of the 28 cars on the grid or being pursued by teams to take part. While not a supertar, O'Young chanses are not impossible considering he hails fom the Asian region where V8 Supercars is looking to expand. There are also more seats on ogger this year, as an international must co-drive in every car rather than in every team. Meanwhile, the list of more established stars being linked to the event include many of the drivers who showed up last year. plus some interresting additions scuh as retired F1 ace David Couthard, USA hard-man Robby Gordon, IndyCar star Paul Tracy and Intetional-crasher Nelson Piquet Jr. Not every 2010 Gold Coast International will be able to retun because of a clash of dates with the World Touring Car Championship. Las years higheat profile 1997 World F1 Champion Jacques Villeneuve, is yet to be confirmed as he is pursuing drives in the Philipp Island and Bathurst enduros with the support of Ford motorsport boss Chris Styring.
Simon Pagenaud to drive with Garry Rogers Motorsport at the Armor All Gold Coast 600 this October.
Jason Bright put on a great charge in the final stages of Race 11 at Winton, taking his second race win of the season from championship leader Jamie Whincup.
Former champion Rick Kelly took a surprise win in the first race at Darwin, when the top four runners all made contact at the restart five laps from the end.
Shane van Gisbergen has won a tyre strategy determined Race 13 of the V8 Supercars Championship at Hidden Valley Raceway today, marking the Kiwi’s second career win.
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Sat Apr 02, 2011 10:16 am
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