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2006 V8 SUPERCAR: BATHURST 1000 

• David Clark & Mark Porter Accident - porter dead
• SKAIFEON POLE

• 44th Bathurst 1000
• WINNER WILL RECEIVE THE NEW PETER BROCK TROPHY

• 1Mark Skaife/Todd Kelly
• 2 Jason Richards/Jamie Whincup
• 3 Steve Ellery/Adam Macrow

2006 SCHEDULE

• FRI QUALIFYING 2-3.30PM
• SAT TOP 10 SHOOT-OUT 3.30-4.30PM
• SUN RACE 10AM - 161 LAPS

RACE - BATHURST 1000, 2006

RACE RESULT, SUN, OCT 9, 2006
	1 C.Lowndes/J.Whincup
	2 R.Kelly/T.Kelly
	3 J.Courtney/G.Seton
	4 R.Ingall/L.Youlden
	5 P.Dumbrell/S.Richards
	6 S.Ellery/P.Morris
	7 T.Longhurst/S.Owen
	8 N.Pretty/P.Weel
	9 A.Davison/G.Denyer
	10 C.Baird/J.Bargwanna
	11 J.Bowe/B.Jones
	12 R.Lyons/A.Simonsen
	13 G.Ritter/C.McLean
	14 D.Besnard/M.Wilson
	15 O.Kelly/M.Noske
DNF	M.Skaife/G.Tander LAP 1 J.Bright/M.Winterbottom LAP 27 R.Briscoe/Jim Richards LAP 24 A.Jones/J.Richards LAP 151 W.Davison/S.Johnson LAP 27 J.Perkins/S.Price LAP 1 M.Halliday/D.Brabham LAP 56

• WINNER, Craig Lowndes 888 Team Betta Electrical Falcon: “It’s been a pretty moving weekend,” said Lowndes. “For Ford it has been so long and I definitely couldn’t have done it without this whiz kid (Whincup) with me. I couldn’t do it without him and this great team. “For us it’s a dream come true. It was always going to be a special weekend. To get your name on this trophy is a special thing and to be the first is a little more special. “The car wasn’t too bad on full tanks and got better as it went, which was a bonus for us. “Rick (Kelly) had the pace down the straights and we were a bit better across the top of the mountain. We worked hard all weekend to make sure we had a great race car. “I hope I don’t have to wait another ten years.
• “This weekend was always going to be a very special weekend. The best way I could show my respect was to get my name on that trophy. “I think that this victory for me will top them all. To win on a very special weekend of memories and respect will probably hold as my number one.”
• WINNER, Jamie Whincup888 Team Betta Electrical Falcon: “To win the Clipsal 500 and Bathurst with Triple Eight this year is very special,” said Whincup. “I had a big responsibility this weekend driving with Craig. I’ve really worked hard to make this weekend go well as I had such a big responsibility. “At the last Safety Car I felt quite calm and I knew Craig was going to do the job. We were able to win the race on pure car speed and Craig’s awesome driving.”

QUALIFYING

TOP 10 SHOOT-OUT, SAT, OCT 7, 2006
	1 Mark Skaife
	2 Jason Bright
	3 RICK KELLY
	4 Jason Richards
	5 STEVEN Richards
	6 Craig Lowndes
	7 DEAN CANTO
	8 GREG MURPHY
	9 Russell Ingall
	10 Steven Johnson

FRI, OCT 6, 2006
	1 Mark Skaife
	2 Jason Bright
	3 RICK KELLY
	4 Jason Richards
	5 GREG MURPHY
	6 Russell Ingall
	7 Craig Lowndes
	8 STEVEN Richards
	9 DEAN CANTO
	10 Steven Johnson
	11 James Courtney
	12 Jim Richards
	13 Alex Davison
	14 David Brabham
	15 STEVE Ellery

David Clark & Mark Porter Accident

MEDIA STATEMENT FROM THE FAMILY OF MARK PORTER: 08/10/2006

• With untold sadness the family of Mark Porter advises that Mark has passed away.
• The family wishes to convey their heartfelt appreciation for the efforts of the medical crews who have been involved all the way through – at the track, at the Bathurst Base Hospital and at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and all of those who transported Mark between those facilities. They gave Mark every chance at life, for which we thank them.
• The family also expresses their appreciation of the efforts of the officials of V8 Supercars Australia, all of whom have done their utmost to support all those involved in this tragedy. The family conveys their best wishes to David Clark and those close to him and wishes him a complete recovery. The Porter family also passes on their sincerest thanks to all of those who have conveyed to us their best wishes and prayers since Friday afternoon.
• The family asks that the media respect the privacy of our family at this very emotionally stressful time. The Porter Family

Statement from V8 Supercars Australia and CAMS: 07/10/2006

• V8 Supercar driver David Clark remains in a critical but stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit at Sydney’s Nepean Hospital. David was treated at the Mount Panorama circuit in Bathurst by medical staff before being airlifted to Sydney aboard the CareFlight helicopter to Sydney. He is being treated for a collapsed lung, fractured pelvis, right arm and knee cap. Initial tests have not discovered any further significant internal injuries.
• Clark was joined in Sydney last night by his wife Leah, eight-month old daughter Reese, mother Lillian and mother in-law, Kath. His remaining two children, Kyle (7) and Ashleigh (4), remained in Adelaide with relatives. He has made good progress overnight. The team has issued a statement which is available.
• Mark Porter’s condition remains unchanged. Mark was initially treated at Bathurst Hospital and airlifted to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney where he remains today. Any further information will be relayed to the media at an appropriate time. We thank all of the medical services and staff that were involved in their treatment.
• Further information will be provided as it comes to hand.
• Our thoughts are with the families of Mark and David, their respective teams and friends. We are working closely with the V8 Supercar Chaplain Garry Coleman to assist the families in every way we can. The respective families are in all of our thoughts at this very difficult time.
• Statement from V8 Supercars Australia and CAMS: 06/10/2006
• There has been a serious racing incident at today’s Bathurst 1000 in the first race of Development Series at Mount Panorama · The drivers involved were drivers of car number 111 Mark Porter and car number 36 David Clark · The emergency response procedures were immediately activated and operated effectively· Following the initial intervention at the scene and at the circuit medical centre Mark Porter was transported to Bathurst Base Hospital by road ambulance and David was airlifted to Nepean Hospital· Following stabilization treatment at Bathurst Base Hospital Mark is subsequently being airlifted to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney· At this time both drivers are in a critical condition· CAMS and V8 Supercars Australia have initiated support services for the families of the injured drivers · As per procedure a critical incident response process has been initiated and is still in place

TRAGIC ACCIDENT CANCELS AUSSIE RACING CARS BATHURST OPENER (OCT 6, 2006)

• The opening race for Aussie Racing Cars has been cancelled due to a sickening Fujitsu Series incident at Mount Panorama Bathurst earlier today.
• The incident, involving Mark Porter and David Clark resulted in an hour delay. This caused the remaining events after V8 Supercar qualifying to be cancelled. Both drivers are currently in a critical condition.
• Tomorrow’s program for the ‘pocket rockets’ remains unchanged, albeit the meeting will now be held over two races with second, and final, race still counting as double points.
• The pressure will be mounting on the competitors as a mistake in the first race tomorrow could be detrimental to their championship standings as there will be only one remaining race to haul points from.
• With only one round remaining after Bathurst tomorrow will be an important day for all championship contenders.
• For Phil Ward it will be a case of ‘catch me if you can’ as he starts from pole position tomorrow; and with several championship contenders right behind him, expect an epic battle throughout both six lap races.
• Aussie Racing Cars would like to express its thoughts and well wishes towards Mark Porter, David Clark and their family and crews at this difficult time.
• Event schedule
• Saturday: 8:40-9:00 - Race 2, 14:55-15:15 - Race 3

PREVIEW

HOLDEN MOTORSPORTS

• HOLDEN ACES RECKON MURPHY'S BATHURST LAP RECORD LIKELY TO BE TOPPED
• Holden's V8 Supercar stars agree on one thing heading into this weekend's Supercheap Auto 1000 at Bathurst that Greg Murphy's qualifying lap record of 2m06.8594s set in 2003 can be topped.
• And the man himself says there's every chance his mark could fall if the weather conditions during Saturday qualifying and the Top 10 Shootout are conducive to fast times.
• "I think it's very likely someone could do it, namely the guys in the #2 HRT Commodore," says Murphy.
• "With the speed that car showed at Sandown, Garth and Mark look like being a fairly good shot.
• "Lowndes did a 2m07.1s lap last year in a session which came pretty close. It will depend a lot on the weather, which wasn't too favourably last year for beating the time.
• "The surface was new in 2003 and everyone noticed how much grip there was in the track. Guys were going faster than we had every gone before.
• "I thought last year it would have lost a bit of its grip but it's still performing really well and this year it could still do that."
• The man Murphy points to as the favourite to grab the record, the Holden Racing Team's Garth Tander, agrees with the Kiwi that the record is up for grabs.
• "It will depend a lot on the weather," Tander said.
• "The weather is looking pretty stable for race week so if it's stable all week and we don't get any rain on the track and that allows it to build up the rubber just as it did in 2003 it could be done."
• Tander will pair with Mark Skaife in the #2 Holden Racing Team Commodore. The duo started the Sandown 500 from pole position and dominated the race before steering dramas stopped them in their tracks.
• With the Peter Brock Trophy now the reward for the winners of the Bathurst classic after the passing of the ninetime race winner, victory would be extremely special for any of the Holden drivers in 2006.
• "Being Holden drivers we probably will place a little more pressure on ourselves to win the race than normal," says Tander, who sits fourth in points heading to Bathurst.
• "It would mean a lot to Holden if a Holden driver and team can be the first to be engraved on the Peter Brock Trophy." Murphy, who shared Brock's last victory at Bathurst with him in the 24 Hour race in 2003 in a Monaro is still finding it difficult to think of the Mountain without its King.
• "It's going to be very strange without Peter Brock this year. When I start talking about it I always get a bit of a shiver down my spine. It's a huge loss to the industry and to Australia as a whole, because the place has just about ground to a halt.
• "Leading up to Bathurst, it's been such a short gap between his death and the actual race, so this is going to be a very special one to be at. A lot of people will realise that and be there for a celebration of his life.
• "We can't get too cocky about Holden's winning record at Bathurst, but we have to make sure we do it again."
• Tasman Motorsport's Jason Richards, who finished runnerup to Skaife and Todd Kelly last year at Bathurst, says that this year's race will have added significance.
• "Racing for the Peter Brock Trophy is fitting for us all going to Bathurst and the perfect way for Peter's memory to be honoured," said the Kiwi.
• "Having said that, I think Murph's time can be beaten too, but not with the sort of gap of 1.2 seconds that he had over the field on that particular day in 2003. It will be far closer."
• Sixteen Holden Commodore VZs will line up among the 31car grid on Sunday, with a record smashing eighth consecutive Bathurst 1000 victory for Holden the sole focus.
• All drivers will be competing for the Peter Brock Trophy, named in honour of the ninetime race winner and Australian motorsport icon that passed away on September 8 of this year.
• The new trophy will be presented to the winners of the Supercheap Auto 1000 by Brock's brother Phil, who paired with Peter to finish third at Bathurst in 1976 in a Torana L34 and fourth a year later in an A9X Torana.
• The trophy will be unveiled to the public and media at Bathurst on Friday.
• HOLDEN MOTORSPORT QUOTEBOOK
• Rick Kelly (#15 Toll HSV DT Commodore VZ 2nd in points)
  "There's been a Kelly on the top step of the podium at Bathurst for three years in a row now, and Todd and I hope to make it four. Having said that, it is going to be really tough this year. There are so many fast cars and fast drivers this year that whoever wins this race is really going to earn it. Our target this year will be to simply go out in each practice session and build a good race car with good race speed. Then, with a bit of luck on race day, we can go one better than we did at Sandown."
• Steven Richards (#7 Jack Daniel's Racing Commodore VZ 9th in points)
  "As much as you respect the legacy that Peter has left us and the legend he was we all have a big job to do for our teams, and the whole objective for Paul [Dumbrell] and I is to get that win for Jack Daniel's Racing. For some of us the championship may be off the radar, but Bathurst is the race that we all want to win, it's the biggest race of the year. I think the biggest thing with Bathurst is that you keep your mind on the game all day long it's important that come the last pit stops, you have the pace and are in a position to challenge."
• Todd Kelly (#15 Toll HSV DT Commodore VZ 12th in points)
  "Unfortunately, I won't be able to square up the tally with Rick this year, being in the same car. But to have success there this year with my brother would be pretty special. Rick and I have a little bit of unfinished business after Sandown. On one hand, we were happy to get good points out of it, but on the other, we would have liked to win that race. We thought we could have done a better job in a few areas, and we want to make sure that when we go to Bathurst we improve on those little things and go one spot better."
• Cameron McConville (#51 Supercheap Auto Commodore VZ 21st in points)
  "Mount Panorama is an incredible place it stands the hairs up on the back of your neck when you drive through the gates. Every year when you drive into town you get that feeling that it's the BIG one, our Grand Final, and it's the one race you desperately want to win. Having had such a tough year, there isn't a better place for our team to get a result than at Bathurst it's not only the biggest race of the year, but its also sponsored by our team sponsor, Supercheap Auto."

TEAM BETTA ELECTRICAL - C LOWNDES

• BATHURST BECKONS AS LOWNDES AND WHINCUP UNITE FOR TEAM BETTA
• Ten years after he last took victory at the legendary Mount Panorama, Team Betta Electrical's Craig Lowndes will line up for his best chance yet at returning to the top step of the podium, assisted by his talented and capable teammate Jamie Whincup.
  The team's Super Cheap Auto 1000 Bathurst campaign is just days away from beginning, and spirits are high within the Brisbane-based outfit, with a recent test session proving extremely beneficial for the drivers and pit crew ahead of the 9th round of the national series.
  Lowndes is the current V8 Supercar Series points leader, and knows the outcome of the 1000km race will be crucial in determining the eventual champion -- he will pull out all stops next Sunday to ensure the #888 Ford Falcon is well in contention as the race nears the final stages.
  "It has been 10 years since I won at Bathurst and personally I have never felt better prepared for this event," said Lowndes.
  "Without a doubt this is the best driver pairing of my career, Jamie is doing a tremendous job this year and knows what is required to get on the podium at Bathurst having finished second there last year."
  "The whole team is really looking forward to getting to Bathurst after the five week break and we are all a lot more confident going into this year's event."
  "We had a successful shakedown yesterday and given the car speed we had at Mt Panorama last year we will run a very similar setup."
  "Last year we had nothing to lose, this year we are in a totally different position and will need to race smart and be mindful of the championship."
  "Once again weather will play a big role in the outcome of this event and tyre choice on the circuit can also be critical. It is a long lap around Mount Panorama -- it can literally be raining on one side and sunny on the other."
  "Last year's result was pretty disappointing, we were the quickest around Mt Panorama and had a reliable car but it just wasn't to be, hopefully all our hard work and preparation will pay off and this will be our year."
• Paired with Lowndes is the 23-year-old distance-race expert Jamie Whincup, who has finished on the podium in his last three endurance event attempts, an achievement shared by just one other driver in the field.
  As teammates in the regular season rounds, the duo has worked exceptionally well together, and combine to form an even stronger endurance pairing with both drivers enjoying similar car setups.
  Whincup experienced a meteoric rise to recognition in 2005 following his string of podium results, and is determined to 'go one better' at Bathurst this year with Lowndes and Team Betta Electrical.
  "This has been our biggest break of the year with a five week gap from Sandown to Bathurst," said Whincup.
  "The break has been excellent for me personally, I have really done a lot of training and while the team has worked on car development I have worked on my own driver development for the important run home to the end of the season," he explained.
• "I am very excited to be driving with Craig at Bathurst, it's been 10 years since he last won there and I would love to be the one to help him to secure his next win at the 'Mountain.""I know what's required of me as a co-driver and I'm determined to get in and give it my all.""Bathurst is my favourite event so no matter what I am just looking forward to getting up there and driving around the track."
• Triple Eight Race Engineering has a proven reliability record, with both cars demonstrating consistent performances across the course of the season. Team Principal Roland Dane is pleased with the progress that the team has made since Sandown, where the lead pairing of Lowndes and Whincup achieved a stunning third place finish after coming back from a lap down.
• "At Sandown the team demonstrated that they are very capable of working in the high pressure situation of an endurance race, and Craig, Jamie and the crew were able to adapt the race strategy and work on bringing home a really good result," said Dane. "We have been given a long break to prepare for Bathurst and everyone has contributed their all to ensure both cars will be perfect next week." "The team has showed round after round why it is both leading the championship and the top Ford team in the paddock, there is a very positive vibe at the workshop and I look forward to the Bathurst weekend."
• Providing strong backup as the team's second entry will be the pairing of Alan Simonsen and Richard Lyons, campaigning Jamie Whincup's regular season car #88. Simonsen will make his 4th start in the Bathurst 1000 race, and has finished as high as 10th place in the past. It will be Lyons' first ever experience at the world-renowned circuit, and he will look to provide strong support to Simonsen and bring home the Team Betta Electrical Falcon in sight of the top 10.

FORD PERFORMANCE RACING - J BRIGHT

• September 29, 2006 - Sandown 500 Champions and two-time Bathurst 1000 runners-up Ford Performance Racing (FPR) return to Bathurst's world famous Mount Panorama road circuit for next Sunday's Super Cheap Auto 1000, the 47th running of Australia's premier endurance race.
• The Prodrive team is seeking to be the first V8 Supercar team in ten years to claim both the Sandown 500 & Bathurst 1000 titles. FPR also seeks to be the first Ford team in eight years to win the prestigious Bathurst classic. Ironically, the last Ford driver to win the great race was CAT FPR Falcon driver Jason Bright who gained his first V8 Supercar victory with Ford at Bathurst back in 1998.
• In line with FPR's now well established tradition of returning the legendary Ford GT to the Bathurst 1000, the Ford Credit FPR Falcon will carry retro-styled GT signage at Bathurst, along with authentic GT badges appearing on the front and rear of both FPR Falcons. This also marks the 35th anniversary of Ford legend Allan Moffat's triumph at Bathurst in his XY Falcon GTHO Phase III.
• CAT FPR Falcon drivers Jason Bright and team mate Mark Winterbottom delivered on their promise to be the most formidable Ford endurance driver pairing this season after winning the Sandown 500. The super-fast combination are planning to do all in their power to deliver Ford a long awaited Bathurst triumph, while also boosting their standings in the Championship. Winterbottom and Bright are currently 3rd and 6th (corrected) heading into the most famous Touring Car race in the world.
• Returning FPR endurance racer David Brabham will be joining talented New Zealand racer Matt Halliday in the Ford Credit FPR Falcon at Bathurst. Brabham's hectic international Sportscar racing commitments finds the Australian competing in his third race on a third different continent in three weeks at Bathurst next weekend. Halliday will also be well trained for Bathurst, as he returns to Australia after representing New Zealand in the new season opening A1 Grand Prix of Nations round at Zandvoort in Holland.
• Brabham also returns to Australia after competing at the Petit Le Mans 1000 mile race in the United States - the best possible preparation for the 1000 kilometres that await him and Halliday next Sunday. Before heading overseas, both Brabham and Halliday took part in a successful FPR test day to ensure that they are both comfortable with their FPR Falcon for next Sunday's challenging six and a half hours of V8 Supercar racing.
• Aside from being the last start winner, FPR also has a challenging record in long distance, single race rounds. The team has finished second or better on seven occasions in single race format or long distance events since its formation in 2003. This statistic is a reflection of the team's proficiency in developing strong race strategies and actioning technical efficiencies which are crucial for success at Bathurst.
• FPR's drivers are ready to mount the strongest Ford challenge yet at Mount Panorama and with three previous Bathurst race winners within their driving team, experience is definitely on their side. Bright has stood on all three steps of the Bathurst 1000 podium, winning the great race in 1998, finishing second in 2000 and third in 2002. Winterbottom has also enjoyed success at Mount Panorama, winning the Konica V8 Supercar Challenge race at Bathurst in 2003, the year he was crowned the V8 Supercar Development Series Champion. Winterbottom's best Bathurst 1000 main V8 Supercar series result was his fifth place that he gained in 2004.
• Brabham won the 1997 AMP Bathurst 1000 aboard a BMW Super Tourer and FPR partner Halliday will be making the third Bathurst V8 Supercar start of his career following his 11th and 12th placings in the last two Bathurst 1000's with Ford.
• The Great Race, now in its 47th year, had its origins at Victoria's Phillip Island in 1960, before the event moved to Bathurst for 1963. The Super Cheap Auto Bathurst 1000 is the 12th different name for this world famous touring car endurance classic. This year's winners will be the first to have their names engraved on the Peter Brock Perpetual Trophy, the Bathurst 1000 accolade named after the recently passed nine-time Mount Panorama Champion and Australia's most famous motor racing identity.
• #6 Jason Bright - "Bathurst is the race of the year. It is one of those very special places that means a lot more to every driver. We are putting every effort into winning this race, every single area of our team is working to ensure that everything is in place to give FPR the best shot at taking a Mount Panorama victory. The hard part is that it is a single race with big Championship points, so we could potentially sacrifice a lot, or we could gain a very big reward. There will be a bit of conservatism there in line with the team being in the running for the Championship, but if we are in with a shot during the final hour, we will be going all out to win it - just like we did at Sandown. Nothing could please me more than to be both the last and the next driver to win the Bathurst 1000 for Ford."
• #6 Mark Winterbottom - "My first memory of a motor race was watching the Bathurst 1000 on television. It was that race that inspired me to become a racing driver and to win the great race would mean absolutely everything to me. It is great to be heading to Mount Panorama with a well prepared team who are ranked as favourites, rather than going to the biggest race of the year relying on luck and circumstances to possibly gain a strong result. This is without a doubt my best chance to gain a Bathurst title and even though I am in the running for the Championship, this won't be stopping Jason and I from fighting all the way to the finish line."
• #5 David Brabham - "After testing the FPR Falcons last month, I can say that the team is in great shape heading to Bathurst. While the goal of every driver is to win it, it is a very good feeling to be racing there in a car that you know can get the job done. To win Bathurst in a V8 Supercar would be better than winning the Le Mans 24 Hour race in my opinion. The team definitely has it all together this season and after their thrilling Sandown 500 victory, FPR has gained a taste for winning at the highest level."
• #5 Matt Halliday - "I was comfortable with the car at Sandown and made some further gains after our last test day. I am confident of our ability to compete strongly at Bathurst and it is very pleasing to be heading to the world's most notorious touring car race with a car and team that are proven front runners. While I know and respect just how demanding this race can be - David and I are planning to give Bathurst a real shake this year as we don't have any Championship concerns, we are just seeking the best possible result."
• FPR Motorsport Director Tim Edwards - "We head to Bathurst with high hopes after our successful season and our victory at Sandown. It is great for the team to be one of the favourites for one of the biggest Touring Car races in the world. With any race of this distance luck will no doubt play a part, but we remain very optimistic."

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