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2005 NEWS: AUS MOTORSPORTS

PRESS RELEASE

ALL V8 SUPERCAR CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES DRIVERS TO WEAR HANS DEVICE (FEB 22, 2005)

• Every driver in the V8 Supercar Championship Series and Development Series will be required to wear Head and Neck Safety (HANS) devices in 2005, bringing the sport into line with Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) regulations. This follows the introduction last year of the compulsory wearing of FIA approved fire proof undergarments and race suits to ensure drivers and teams observe the highest of safety precautions. The HANS device secures the head and neck of drivers in the event of a crash, further preventing the risk of severe injury as the result of an accident. The compulsory introduction of the HANS device, worn by many drivers last year, has been welcomed by teams.
  The following is an outline of other significant changes for 2005:
• Safety
• Compulsory use of the HANS Device in the VCS and the DVS.
• All Safety related car items reflect FIA Standards bring V8 Supercars in line with international standards. i.e: Belts, Extinguishers, Seats.
• Championship Points
• Drop worst round up until Round 10.
• Top Ten
• Top 10 Shootout order will be randomly selected after the conclusion of qualifying.
• At most events, the shootout will occur 15 minutes after the end of qualifying.
• Pre-Race
• No warm-up sessions.
• All cars will be in Pit Lane nose out at 45 degrees prior to all race starts.
• No Pre Race roll around laps, once cars have exited pit lane they must proceed directly to the Grid. Should a car re-enter Pit Lane it will start the race from Pit Lane.
• Compulsory Pit Stops - Sprint Rounds
• Two CPS lights compulsory for all Cars, 1 x Yellow and 1 x Green. For all single driver/sprint rounds, the lights will be on at the commencement of the Race and once the part of the stop has been completed the relevant light will be switched off by the Driver.
• At a Sprint Round/1 Driver Race, a maximum of two air impact tools (wheel guns) may be used during a Pit Stop.
• A minimum of two tyres (but they may change up to 4 tyres) must be replaced during a CPS at all Sprint Rounds.
• If the CPS window opens while the Safety Car is on the track, no CPS may be completed until 3 laps have been completed after the Safety Car has been withdrawn. (AVESCO)

Australian Motor Racing Series ready to race (FEB 15, 2005)

Over the course of 2005, the newly formed Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS) will visit South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland as it establishes itself as an exciting National Series put together by competitors, for competitors with value for money as its priority for all. Some of the most exciting categories in Australia have signed onto the AMRS in 2005 and will feature various CAMS Australian Championships and National Series.

The Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship who will race for the Australian Driver's Championship for the CAMS Gold Star as they establish themselves as the premier open wheel racing class in 2005 and 2006. F3 is an internationally recognised formula and has the ability to provide a direct pathway to Europe and ultimately to Formula One.
The Australian Production Car Championship is the National series for Production car racing in Australia. The vehicles raced are "straight off the show-room floor", with the alteration of only a few components allowed to ensure the safety of the driver and crews. Get you backside trackside to see this fantastic action!
The Australian Porsche Drivers Challenge & Australian GT Sports Cars is an alliance between the Australian Porsche Drivers Challenge and the Australian GT Sports Cars that will see the two categories combining grids and produce the most exhilarating on track action that will delight race fans nationwide. The Australian Formula 4000 Championship which are truly Australia's fastest racing cars heads into its seventeenth year by competing in two rounds of the Formula 4000 Asian Series and six rounds of the Formula 4000 National Series.
The Australian Super Kart Championship will be contested over four rounds with two main categories of Super Karts forming their National Championship. Superkarting is a high speed high profile category with classes to suit all budgets. The highest performance Superkarts have lap times lower than V8 Supercars!
The Gulf Western Oil Australian Touring Car Challenge Series is an exciting new race series introduced to Australia in 2004, bringing together in the one race 18 years of Touring Car history... With the inclusion of Gulf Western Oils as co-sponsor the series will include V8 Supercars, Super Tourers, Future Tourers and Group 'A' race cars. Even at this early stage 2005 looks to be a big year for the GWTCC.
With over thirty years of heritage the Tranzam Sports Sedans (TSS) Series brings together an exciting mix of V8 Chev, Rotary powered monsters and Turbo machines with an excellent mix of State and National cars throughout the year. Always entertaining, the TSS Series offers a thundering rolling start from the moment the flag is dropped.
The CSA Alloy Wheels Saloon Car Series, the traditional Ford versus Holden battle has taken the first step in 2005 by introducing its new name "The Australian Saloon Car Company P/L" or "TASCCO" as they establish themselves as one of the best support categories in the country.
The RDA Rotors Commodore Cup Series roars into its twelfth year as a premier category in Australian Motorsport and with the inclusion of title rights sponsor RDA Rotors the upgrade from VH to VS bodies has added yet another exciting element to their series. We all look forward to seeing them trackside for the type of hustle and bustle they provide.

TV PACKAGE: A television package with edited highlights of each round of the Series has been successfully negotiated by the AMRS on behalf of all categories with AVE and the AMRS is delighted to be working with Greg Sita and Nathan Prendergast. The highlights from each round of the AMRS will be shown on SBS Speedweek throughout the year utilising SBS Speedweeks new show format shown Sunday's at 12noon on a two hour show. The AMRS is delighted to have packaged around twenty hours of SBS Speedweek action already negotiated the AMRS action will also be shown on Fox Sports Inside Speed program throughout the year. For more information about SBS Speedweek log onto www.speedweek.com.au and for further information about Fox Sports and Inside Speed log onto www.foxsports.news.com.au

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission statement of the AMRS is simple: To facilitate, organise and promote National Motor Racing events to the highest standard with the welfare and investment of all competitors, event promoters and spectators.

AMRS OVERVIEW: The primary focus is to promote Motorsport within Australia and to encourage spectators to attend the circuits and to increase competitor numbers. It is our objective to have a competitively priced National Series for all categories involved. We also provide event promoters with a viable option to host an alternative National Series and we are confident that the Australian Motor Racing Series will grow each year. Born into an uncertain Motor Racing world the AMRS has the potential to provide a stable future of Motor Racing in Australia for competitors, officials, spectators and circuits for many years to come. (AMRS)

MX: Kiwi GP stars kick off international MX season in Mantova this weekend (FEB 9, 2005)

The international MX season kicks off this weekend in Mantova - Italy with Kiwi GP stars, Ben Townley and Josh Coppins lining up alongside an impressive starting list of riders, all eager to get the first race of the season under their belts. Coppins, a GP winner last year, and 2004 MX 2 World champion, Townley, have been sharing a flat in Italy for the past month and have been helping each other with pre-season training. The riding conditions and moderate Italian weather are far better at this time of year than their normal Belgian home base and the duo have lapped up every opportunity. With former MX world champ, Corrado Madii, giving the Kiwi mates exclusive usage of his private track, BT and “Lizzard” have been building an excellent fitness base as they prepare for the 2005 MX1 world championships.

“It’s been great training with Josh here in Italy and we have been having heaps of fun. I love the food and the weather has been great too. I’m really enjoying the factory 450cc Redbull KTM and I have been doing plenty of riding. That’s the best way to gain strength and a good base for the season. My goal for this weekend is to finish all three races in a strong position. I like the track at Mantova and I’ll be interested to see the pace of the other riders” explained an enthusiastic Townley. Coppins, on the other hand, has not set his goals too high for the weekend and the CAS Honda star is very modest in his predictions: “Last year, I had a terrible race in Mantova so I’m not expecting too much. I don’t want to rush into the season - we have been doing a lot of riding and testing and I have been working on my speed and fitness. The CRF 450 is running great at the moment – it’s going to be great to feel that adrenalin rush again!” The special friendship and camaraderie that the two Kiwi’s share will be put aside this weekend when the gate drops on the arena style circuit for their first international race in 2005.

MOTO ENDURO: All-new Australian Off Road Series to kick off in April (FEB 7, 2005)

An oft-mooted, multi-round enduro series in Australia will finally come to fruition in 2005, with hostilities set to commence on the weekend of April 23-24. Falling under the auspices and General Competition Rules of Motorcycling Australia, the title will be officially known as the "2005 Australian Off Road Series", with three meetings to be held in NSW, and one apiece in Victoria and Queensland. Each meeting will consist of two rounds -- one each on the Saturday and Sunday.

To be promoted by the Orange (NSW) based Dirt Bike Promotions, there will be three separate championship classes, adopting a similar structure to that of the Enduro World Championship. That is, an Enduro 1 class will cater for two-stroke (2T) machinery up to 175cc and four-strokes (4T) up to 250cc, followed by Enduro 2 (176-250cc 2T and 251-450cc 4T) and Enduro 3 (251cc and over 2T, 451cc and over 4T). The three separate classes will also be in use for Expert and Clubman competitors, with the non- championship divisions also set to cater for Veteran (35 years plus), Masters (45 years plus) and female competitors.

"It's going to be about the best riders going head-to-head a number of times a year on a national level, which is something Australia has never had," says Phil Sargent from Dirt Bike Promotions, which already has an eight-year association with motocross, supercross and enduro events. "That alone is an exciting prospect, and the interest I've received from the corporate sector, and the riders themselves, has been really positive. "Australia continues to produce enduro riders of the highest calibre, and to be able to crown a bond-fide national champion at the final round in August will be a great thing."

Hitherto, the 27-year-old Australian Four Day Enduro (A4DE) - ostensibly a teams' event - has been the commonly accepted forum for crowning the nation's finest individual talent, with Yamaha's Glenn Kearney claiming the honours in 2004. "The A4DE is a brilliant event and remains an integral part of the national calendar, and I'm sure the events will complement each other," says Sargent, himself as former top-level motocrosser. "It's about seeing the best riders in action, and at the end of the day that's a bonus for everyone."

The 2005 Australian Off Road Series will commence at Raymond Terrace (NSW) on April 23-24, and conclude back in NSW at Milldradale on August 13-14. The A4DE will be held in Wyong (NSW) from July 28-31.
SERIES DATES Rds 1&2 April 23-24 Raymond Terrace, NSW Rds 3&4 May 21-22 Aratula, Qld Rds 5&6 June 18-19 Gilgandra, Qld Rds 7&8 July 9-10 Wodonga, Vic Rds 9&10 August 13-14 Milldradale, NSW. (MOTORCYCLING AUS)

Ballard now an AM (JAN 31, 2005)

Off-road motorcycle racing stalwart Geoff Ballard is now an AM – a Member in the Order of Australia. The 45-year-old was appointed an AM – for service in a particular locality or field of activity to a particular group – in the annual Australia Day Honours list on January 26, becoming the third Aussie motorcycle racer since 1975 to receive the award. Although surprised by the honour, Ballard, the reigning Australian enduro champion in the Veterans’ class, said he was privileged to receive it.

”It’s a huge honour. I feel proud about it,” Ballard said. “I first heard that I had been nominated in mid-December, and I thought ‘That’s interesting’. “Then I got the official letter about three weeks ago, and I’ve been pretty excited ever since. “I actually haven’t received anything yet, because the official ceremony will be held at Government House in Sydney in a few months. That will definitely be something to look forward to.” “I've had plenty of recognition from within the industry over the years, but not much outside of it.”

Ballard’s association with the off-road scene began in 1977 when he began racing motocross on a German Maico machine. A year later, enduro became his discipline of choice, and he continued his alliance with Maico in Europe and America before the company went into liquidation in 1983. Ballard’s first big enduro win came in America in 1979, and since that time his catalogue of international results has been superb – highlighted by12 gold and seven silver medals in the International Six Days’ Enduro. At a domestic level, Geoff has three American enduro titles in his dossier, and eight Australian championships. Nowadays, Geoff continues to compete at the highest level, as well as running a successful enduro race team under the Yamaha umbrella. Ballard follows in the footsteps of world 500cc champions Wayne Gardner (1988) and Michael Doohan (1996) in being appointed an AM since 1975. Meanwhile, veteran speedway campaigner and administrator Neil Street, from Melbourne, received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2002. (Motorcycling Australia)

The all-new Motorcycling Australia Museum (JAN 28, 2005)

Hot on the heels of Motorcycling Australia (MA) announcing the formation of a new division to cater for the needs of recreational motorcyclists, comes yet another initiative – a museum designed to preserve significant racing motorcycles. All too often, motorcycles that contribute to our great sporting heritage are lost to future generations: cast aside, forgotten or dismantled. It is MA’s aim to find these machines, as well as sporting memorabilia, and display them for all to see. We will establish a loan scheme with other public and private collections, so that enthusiasts, Australia-wide, will have the opportunity to witness our history close-up.

The motorcycles in the MA Museum will all be mobile, and will be demonstrated wherever possible, rather than remaining as static exhibits. MA is proud to announce the following acquisitions to kickstart the museum:
1. Mike Hailwood’s Ducati 750SS. Arguably one of the most significant racing bikes in the world. When the late Mike Hailwood made his celebrated comeback to racing in 1977, he did it on the Ducati 750SS at the famed Castrol 6-hour. Teamed with Jim Scaysbrook, the duo finished sixth outright and third in the 750cc class. The same pairing, still 750SS mounted, also went on to contest the following year’s six-hour, in addition to the popular Adelaide 3-hour. The bike has been owned since new by Newcastle-based Malcolm Bailey, and was completely rebuilt after its last race. It is still painted in the livery of its main sponsor, the Adelaide clothing company Golden Breed. MA’s purchase means that the 750SS will remain in Australia, rather than disappear overseas like so many others.
2. Roy East’s Matchless Metisse. Roy East, who passed away in 2002, was one of the greatest all-rounders Australia has ever seen. A champion road racer, dirt tracer and motocrosser, Roy spent 10 years racing professionally in England, Europe and the USA, first on BSA Gold Stars and later on the Metisse. On his return to Australia in 1970, Roy became a Honda dealer and later the Australian importer for Husqvarna. Roy’s Metisse represents the classic period in motocross when the big four-strokes could still hold their own with the two-strokes. The Metisse was stored for many years and is currently being rebuilt for display and demonstration purposes.

The museum will be established at MA headquarters in South Melbourne, and will also be accessible as a virtual museum on the MA website – www.ma.org.au. MA welcomes offers of a loan, donations or motorcycles and memorabilia for sale. For more information, tel (03) 9684 0500. (pic 1: M Hailwood; pic 2: Roy East)

Australia’s best young rally driver will be fast tracked (JAN 25, 2005)

In what could be a first for car racing in this country, Atomic Black Racing is offering a talented young driver a "free ride" into the national rally series. A competition called ABR Rising Star Driver Search will give a promising driver a dream opportunity to race with the Atomic Black rally driving team. The Brisbane-based team races in both national and international competition. The winner will be paid to drive an ABR Subaru WRX Sti to support the ABR team in its assault on the 2005 Australian Rally Championship starting April 22-24. In what sounds a bit like the "Australian Idol" of car racing, keen drivers are being asked to fill in a form, on the Atomic Black website, and wait for the ABR team to visit their capital city. http://sanderson-media.com/index.php

Russell Ingall To Lead Asian Tsunami Charity Ride (JAN 24, 2005)

Caltex Racing's Russell Ingall will lead hundreds of personal water craft users on an Asian Tsunami Charity ride on the Gold Coast Broadwater this weekend. Ingall, who was runner-up in last year's V8 Supercar Championship Series, will be one of several celebrities on the ride which will be held on Sunday January 30 at 10am. Participation is open to anyone with a personal water craft who is willing to donate a minimum of $20 to the tsunami appeal.

The Gold Coast region is home to an estimated 7000 PWC users and the majority of those are families. "The Australian reaction to the Tsunami tragedy has been incredible and I guess this is just another indication of the wiliness of Aussies to get in and help," said Ingall. "I am looking forward to taking my new RXP Sea-Doo for a ride around South Stradbroke Island while helping to raise some much needed cash at the same time. "This is not a race. This is a chance for jet ski users to get together and have some fun, while helping a needy cause."

The ride has been supported by every major PWC retailer on the Gold Coast in what has been a fantastic show of unity from the industry. The ride will leave the Southport Broadwater car park at 10am and there will be a free barbeque lunch for all participants at the end of the event, according to one of the event's organisers, Mathew Birch, from Gold Coast Sea-Doo "The reaction from riders everywhere has been fantastic," said Birch. "I think this is a way for personal water craft users to do their bit for the Tsunami appeal while helping improve the status of their sport at the same time. "It's great that we have a high-profile sportsman like Russell Ingall to help lead the ride, but this will be anything but a race. "We have had massive interest from family groups who really want to participate as a group and enjoy a great day out."

For further information on the event please contact: Gold Coast Sea-Doo (07) 55290322 , Jet Ski World (07) 55 379290, Gold Coast Waverunners (07) 55291855, Jet Ski Warehouse (07) 55292616

WPS Racing Prepares For Race-Fit Baird (JAN 24, 2005)

Businessman Craig Gore's WPS Racing is gearing up for the arrival of race-hardened driver Craig Baird as it prepares to enter its second season in the V8 Supercar Championship Series. Baird chose to waive the customary new year break to compete in the Porsche GT3 Cup series in New Zealand before flying out to America at the end of the month to compete in the prestigious Daytona 24-hour classic in early February. Baird then travels back to New Zealand to complete the GT3 season before returning to the Gold Coast to link with WPS Racing's foundation driver, David Besnard, to prepare for his debut drive with the team. He will have his first hit out for WPS at a test session at Queensland's Willowbank Raceway on February 25, just one week ahead of the V8 Supercar non-championship round at the Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne in early March. Baird will then have his first championship race start for WPS, supported by the Wright Patton Shakespeare financial group, in the season-opening Clipsal 500 in Adelaide from March 17-20.

"Between practice, qualifying and racing I have done some huge mileage in recent weeks," said Baird. "I believe it keeps your mind focused and it will have me well prepared when the V8 Supercar season begins." Baird said the planned WPS Racing test day in late February will give him the opportunity to get a feel for his new car. "The test day and the grand prix give me the opportunity to learn about the car and the time between now and then gives me the chance to get to know the team," he said.

WPS has used the off-season to rebuild its two cars, with the work including extensive chassis and engine development programs. Both cars have also changed numbers, with Baird to race in Car 8 and Besnard in Car 11. "My expectation going into the 2005 season is to start from the strong platform that WPS finished on last year," said Baird. "Bezzy had a strong final round where he qualified in the top 10 and placed fourth in one of the races so that is the benchmark from where we start this season."

Baird, who last year drove for Team Kiwi Racing in the 2004 V8 Supercar Championship Series, builds a new layer of experience into the fledgling WPS team. He has won 16 motorsport championships in New Zealand in categories including karting, formula Atlantic and touring cars. Baird has had multiple seasons in Australia's V8 Supercar Championship Series, with his highlights including a round win in 2000 at Philip Island, several top 10 finishes in the Bathurst 1000 and a pole position in round seven of the 2004 championship.

Team BRM Asks for Mawer (JAN 23, 2005)

ADELAIDE (Sunday, Jan 23, 2005.) Fresh of the back of signing two young kiwi's for the 2005 racing season, Team BRM confirmed today that the team has signed International Aussie Barton Mawer to bolster the team's ranks at the Australian Grand Prix Formula 3 support races this March. Mawer, 24, finished second in the 2003 Australian F3 championship before heading to England last year to run alongside the likes of Marcus Marshall in the British Formula 3 series. Competing in the series' scholarship class, Mawer impressed many experts with a number of strong drives and podium positions, but was forced to pull out mid season due to a lack of finances. Since returning home from the UK, Mawer has been acting as the public face for Wakefield Park Raceway's "No Speed Limit" days, who will act as the Sydneysider's primary backers for the Albert Park event.

"For me, the Grand Prix is the perfect way to get the year started," Mawer said. "I have raced at the track before in a Formula Ford and finished on the podium, so I am really looking forward to having a go in a Formula 3 car. "I will be running the 01 Dallara, which is the same model I ran in the British F3 Scholarship class last year, so I have plenty of experience in the car. It will be the same car that was so good in Asia at the end of last year as well, so I am confident that the car will be competitive. "We should be doing some quick times around Albert Park, so it will be awesome." Mawer also said that he was pleased to have the support from Wakefield Park on board for the weekend. "I am really excited to have them on board for the Grand Prix. We will be using the meeting to promote the 'No Speed Limit' Days to the public and help publicise the fact that speed is for the race track, and not for the public road."

Team owner Bronte Rundle said that having Mawer on board for the Grand Prix would only heighten BRM's chance of success at the prestigious event. "Barton brings a lot of experience in Formula 3 cars to the team for the Grand Prix," he said. "We are very excited to be able to give him the opportunity to run on the Australian Grand Prix schedule and, again, show just what he can do in what will be a very strong field." For more information about Barton Mawer, visit his website at www.bartonmawer.com. Information about Wakefield Park's 'No Speed Limit' Days, can be found at the track's official website www.wakefieldpark.com -www.teambrm.com.au