206 NEWS: AUS / NZ MOTORSPORTS

PRESS RELEASE

GTP: Drivers eye championship box seat in GTP Tasmania round (NOV 8, 2006)

• THREE drivers in three very different cars in the Australian Performance Car Championship (GTP) head for Symmons Plains circuit in Tasmania next weekend for a crucial round that could put one of them in the box seat for the 2007 driver’s crown.
• Garry Holt’s lead of 63.5 points in the series is comfortable but not insurmountable and he knows his four-cylinder Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 will be vulnerable to more powerful cars on Symmons’ long back straight in the three 18-lap races of round six over Saturday and Sunday.
• “It won’t suit us, but we will go down to Tasmania with a good lead and hopefully we’ll be able to keep our buffer in the championship standings,” Holt said.
• Beric Lynton, recently nominated for CAMS Motor Sport Personality of the Year, has worked his way to second place in the standings through a combination of one race win and impressive consistency in his six-cylinder BMW M3. He’s focused on winning his first GTP championship.
• “The BMW is a great all-round car and is particularly reliable. It also loves a long straight, so we should be right in contention this weekend,” Lynton said..
• “There are plenty of points still up for grabs and a good result in Tassie would put me in a position to fight for the title when we go to the final round at Eastern Creek two weeks later.”
• However, last year’s results show the round honours are likely to fall to one of the seven Holden or Ford V8 drivers entered.
• Defending series champion Peter Floyd, third in the pointscore and only 3.5 points behind Lynton, claimed pole position and a race win at Symmons Plains last November.
• His 400-horsepower Holden HSV GTS is one of the fastest cars in the field and, in Floyd’s hands, one of the best under brakes – both qualities suited to the ultra-fast straight and the heavy stops required at both ends.
• For the first time this season, Floyd will have a teammate in an identical car, Tasmanian Sam Walter.
• Former Tasmanian Steve Cramp, winner of race two last year and holder of the GTP lap record at 59.86 seconds, also is pumped for success.
• “We have every intention of keeping that record and repeating the result this year,” he said.
• “The previous round at Mallala allowed us to further develop the HSV and it’s now running magnificently. I love coming back to Tassie and there is absolutely no reason we shouldn’t do well.”
• The outright field is packed with class.
• Holt’s teammate Barry Morcom, in an identical Mitsubishi, is only three points adrift of Floyd in the series and usually among the leading pack. Another Mitsubishi driver, veteran Graham Alexander, was the surprise winner of the last round.
• After his maiden GTP win in round four at Phillip Island and then missing round five, James Philip is back to prove the speed of his Falcon GT, while Dean Lillie and teammates Barrie Nesbitt and Tony Alford all have the advantage of Holden V8 power.
• And returning to the series for the first time in 2006 is one of its strongest competitors, two-time champion Mark King. Parking his usual Mitsubishi, King has taken over the Ford Falcon F6 Typhoon driven previously by Andrew Moffat and says he can’t wait to hit the track.
• “I tested with the team owner Ted Robinson at Winton last week and we’ve changed a few things to massage the car to suit my driving style,” he said.
• “Ted and the guys from Ford Performance Racing have put a huge effort into the car, although we still have a bit to do to get the braking and handling exactly how I’d like it.
• “But I’m very excited – I can’t wait. I haven’t raced in GTP all year and I’ll be giving it my best shot because I’d really like to give Ted and the boys a good result.”
• In the Ferntree Gully Holden Privateers Cup class, experienced Launceston driver Adam Beechey appears to be the strongest contender, in a Nissan 200SX.
• The STS Turbo Australian Performance Car Championship, continuing a 10-year tradition of GTP racing, features a wide range of cars that can be purchased in Australian showrooms.
• Modifications are limited to the removal of interior trim, fitment of safety equipment and minor mechanical changes to suspension, brakes, exhausts and engine management systems.
• A parity adjustment system ensures similar performance across the field, resulting in close and exciting racing between cars that have strong relevance to everyday motorists. Parity is complemented by a success-penalty system that adds temporary ballast to the first three cars in class in each race.
• SPEED READ
• Weekend timetable – Friday 9.30 am Practice (20 min.), 11.45 am Practice (20 min.). Saturday 1.05 pm Qualifying (20 min.), 4.05 pm Race 1 (18 laps). Sunday 8.50 am Race 2 (18 laps), 1.10 pm Race 3 (18 laps).
  Championship standings after round 5 – Outright 357 Garry Holt, 293.5 Beric Lynton, 290 Peter Floyd, 287 Barry Morcom, 216.5 Dean Lillie, 185.5 Graham Alexander. Ferntree Gully Privateers Cup 344 Drew Russell, 295 Mark Cohen, 90 Steve Knight.
  Results, race reports, photos – www.gtpracing.com.au.
  Last time at Symmons Plains (2005) – Pole Peter Floyd (Holden HSV GTS) 59.7537 sec; Race 1 Peter Floyd, Race 2 Steve Cramp, Race 3 Race abandoned. Lap record, Steve Cramp 59.8610 sec. on 13/11/05.
  GTP Champions – 2005 Peter Floyd (HSV), 2004 Justin Hemmes (Subaru), 2003 Mark King (Mitsubishi), 2002 Brett Peters (Subaru), 2001 Brett Peters (Subaru), 2000 Mark King (Mitsubishi).

AUS F3: MACROW THE WINNER IN END OF SEASON KUMHO TYRES F3 DOUBLE (OCT 29, 2006)

• When Tim Macrow entered the 2006 Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship he had an old car, no budget and plans to complete just a few rounds of the 8-event series.
• Today he completed his campaign this year in the best possible way with a pair of commanding race victories in the final two races of the season , leaving his score at three wins from the final four races and establishing him as the man to beat for the 2007 championship before it even begins.
• Macrow lead both races for all bar one lap, taking advantage of Leanne Tander stalling at the start of today's first race and then slipping past Chris Gilmour half way through the opening lap of race two to take a lead he'd never loose.
• Macrow, driving the Scud / Cooltemp Racing Dallara F304, also secured second in the championship in Michael Trimble's absence this weekend.
• "I wasn't going to stay behind Chris in that second race," Said Macrow after his race two win.
• "Once you get in a rhythm around here it's really hard to pass so I was aggressive from the first lap and it paid off when I was able to get by Chris , once I was by I made the most of my advantage, pressed on, and got the margin out to a few seconds.
• "It's been an incredible weekend and what a way to end the season, just perfect.
• "I have to thank Bevan, Garry, all my guys and the sponsors for a fantastic season, bring on 2007!" he enthused.
• A strong second today was Chris Gilmour, who capped off a developmental season by racing at his absolute best today.
• Whilst no match for Macrow, The Queensland driver of the #17 SnatchIT.com.au Dallara engaged in two entertaining dices with Stuart Kostera throughout the day's racing and scoring his best result since the end of the 2004 championship season , where he finished second.
• "It's been a great weekend," he said.
• "It's been our best meeting since 2004 and a great way to end the season. It's been an up and down season but in the end we get there and we have ended the season really strongly. Bring on 07!"
• Stuart Kostera capped off a remarkable end of the season with a pair of third-place results today, his PHR Scuderia entry another competitor set to shine should he complete a full championship schedule in 2007.
• Kostera raced closely with Chris Gilmour in both races today and despite not being able to get by was pleased with the performance.
• "It's really good," he said.
• "We only came into it half way through the year and it's been a long process getting the car right, but in the end it's been pretty good. This is a good track and I've really enjoyed racing here."
• There were mixed fortunes behind the leading pack, Leanne Tander and Chris Alajajian both enduring tough ends to their respective campaigns.
• Tander stalled at the start of the first race before storming through the field to score fourth, the second race just as tough when she spun early in the event before finishing an eventual seventh place.
• Alajajian failed to score in race one , his Dallara suffered an acute loss of radiator fluids , before surviving a spin en route to fourth in race two.
• Tim Berryman ended a strong debut year by scoring two Kumho Tyres National Class race wins today; his Delta Agribusiness Dallara running at times with the championship class contenders in what was a strong performance from the Wagga Wagga-based driver.
• The Kumho Trophy Class was also decided today, Graeme Holmes executing a come-from-behind championship victory over Melbourne youngster Lauren Gray thanks to two race wins today.
• Gray's teammate, Scud Racing boss Bill Maddocks, capped off his driving career with a strong performance in the second of the Scud Racers.
• Teams and drivers now have a three month break before the championship gets underway in 2007, the first of eight rounds to be held at Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway in early February in conjunction with the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport meeting.
• Championship Points, After 8 of 8 Rounds.
• Championship Class
  1. Ben Clucas 249
  2. Tim Macrow 197
  3. Michael Trimble 191
  4. Chris Gilmour 150
  5. Leanne Tander 118
• National Class
  1. Ricky Occhipinti 201
  2. Tim Berryman 165
  3. Chris Barry 97
• Trophy Class
  1. Graeme Holmes 199
  2. Lauren Gray 194
  3. Bill Maddocks 165

AUS MOTO: New Junior Road Racing rules (OCT 17, 2006)

• The Motorcycling Australia Board has approved some new Junior Road Racing rules which will see the expansion of junior racing in the Road Racing discipline. Effective from January 1, 2007, the following ages and classes of Road Racing for juniors will apply:
• 7 to 9 year olds - 50cc automatic machines
• 9 to 12 year olds - 50cc manual clutch and gearbox machines
• 9 to 12 year olds - 70cc manual clutch and gearbox machines
• 13 to 15 year olds - Up to 80cc 2 stroke and/or up to 160cc 4 stroke manual clutch and gearbox machines
• Up until the introduction of this rule, the 13-15 year old age group was the only one available to juniors in Road Racing. It was felt that for the development of junior racing the additional age categories should be introduced, and as a result they will all be run in 2007.
• CREDIT: Motorcycling Australia

US SX: Townley races first ever US Open Supercross (OCT 17, 2006)

• Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki’s Ben Townley has raced his very first US Open Supercross in front of a sell out crowd in Las Vegas. Townley had a tough Friday night final in the Supercross Lites class and while he set the fastest lap of the race a mistake over the muddy outside double saw the Kiwi go down. He battled to get his motorcycle started and finally re-entered the race to finish 10th. Saturday night’s final went way better for the BT where he just missed out on a podium finish to come home in 4th.
• “It’s been a really good experience for me” explained Townley. “I’m really glad I rode the Open. It is my first official Supercross in the US and it didn’t go too badly. There are a lot of aspects I still need to improve on so I’ll take this experience and work on my weak points. The racing was really intense this weekend and I’ll need to work on getting used to that. A lot of time is made up in the whoops and with them changing the direction of the track on Saturday I didn’t feel as confident going into them so that’s definitely an area I need to work on. Corner speed is also so important in Supercross and watching guys like Ricky and James is a perfect example of how to do it. I have got plenty of time before the 2007 Supercross kicks off so I’m looking forward to getting back to the training tracks and pumping out those laps!”
• CREDIT: www.bentownleymx.com

WSBK: JOSH BROOKES RETURNS TO HONDA (OCT 3, 2006)

• 2005 Dual Australian Superbike/Supersport Champion, Josh Brookes has signed a deal to ride in next year’s World Superbike Championships under the ALTO EVOLUTION - TEAM BERTOCCHI banner, and Honda Australia could not be happier.
• Josh will be back on board a CBR1000RR, the bike on which he won his home country Championships, and next year, he will continue to receive professional and personal support from Honda Australia.
• “We are absolutely thrilled to have Josh back on board a Honda where we believe he belongs,” said General Manager Tony Hinton.
• “It has been a tough learning year for him in certain ways, but he has continued to show the kind of grit and determination needed to cut it on the world circuit.”
• “We have stayed in close contact to try and assist in whatever way possible this past year, and have no doubt that Josh has the talent and ability to be a world champion.”
• In 2007, Honda Australia will work with Team Manager Sergio Bertocchi to play a role in the young rider’s activities where appropriate.
• “We will be particularly involved with Josh whenever his schedule brings him here to Australia,” Hinton added.
• Brookes is also looking forward to the renewed partnership. “I really must thank Honda Australia for their constant support throughout this year and into next year of course,” the 23 year old rider said.
• “HRC Japan has also been fantastic as well as Honda Europe through this whole process. The Fireblade is my favourite bike. I love riding it and can’t wait to get back onto it when we start testing very soon.”
• Brooke’s affinity for Honda’s foremost production sportsbike was made clear once again at this year’s Suzuka 8 hour where he finished in the top seven for the second year running.
• In regard to being a serious contender for the World Superbike Championship, TEAM BERTOCCHI intend to work closely with Josh in 2007 to come up with the best race package possible, based on his own unique requirements.
• "I am just so rapt to have this deal. Sergio Bertocchi has never once doubted me or my ability this past year. I hope to repay the Team and Honda by getting some good results in 2007.”
• CREDIT: Honda Australia

APRC: Crocker takes TITLE (SEP 17, 2006)

• Crocker takes unassailable lead in Asia-Pacific Championship
• Subaru rally driver, Cody Crocker, has taken an unassailable lead in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship after finishing second in Rally Indonesia, but first among his title rivals. He becomes just the second Australian to take the regional motorsports title, following Ross Dunkerton who won back to back titles in 1991 and 1992.
• Crocker dominated the Australian domestic championship from 2003 to 2005 and moved to the international scene this year in search of higher goals. His success has been instant and dramatic. He sits on top of the championship points table on 168 points from a maximum score of 170.
• Japan’s Toshi Arai, a non-championship entrant, won Rally Indonesia from Crocker, with Jarko Miettinen third. Crocker now heads to Rally China in November where he will be presented with his Championship crown.
• CROCKER: "This is a huge thrill to win the Asia-Pacific title, really special. It is only as you travel around the region and see how big each of these events are in each of the host countries that you start to truly understand the significance of the challenge you have set yourself. It’s huge wherever you go and this win definitely compares to my first Australian title back in 2003.
• The conditions in every event are so different as well, and so each event is a whole new experience and that has made me a better driver than ever before. The way we’ve operated is testament to the team at Les Walkden Rallying who have sent me out in a perfect car every event. We’ve had no trouble across some of the toughest and roughest roads you’d ever get to drive on.
• Ben (Atkinson (co-driver)) has also been superb and we’ve managed to turn a lot of really tough times into good fun, and that has been vital as well. (SUBARU MOTORSPORT)

MOTOCROSS BIKES : HONDA’S 2-STROKE ERA COMING TO AN END (SEP 12, 2006)

• As early as 1997, Honda started to introduce measures to phase out all 2-stroke machines across their range of motorcycles, marine and power equipment.
• The philosophy behind this decision was simple. Honda realised that expanding the use of 4-stroke engines would achieve cleaner exhaust emissions and higher fuel efficiency across its entire range of products.
• This is just one of the means by which Honda is reaching its environmental goals which are designed to contribute to the preservation of the global environment in each phase of its corporate activity.
• As President and C.E.O. of Honda Motor Co explains in the company’s 2006 Environmental Annual Report, environmental problems are no longer limited to issues of local pollution, which have collectively caused global warming.
• “It has been reported that CO2 emissions from vehicles account for approximately 22 percent of all CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuel, and these emissions have increased every year. To address this trend, companies that conduct business on a global scale must make concerted efforts to implement global measures to reduce their environmental impact.” (Takeo Fukui, 2006)
• In fact, Honda has set voluntary targets for reduction in CO2 output of 10% from its products and production activities around the world. Honda is the first company in the auto industry to announce such an ambitious target.
• Due to the high emissions and low fuel efficiency associated with 2-stroke technology, and in support of their long term policies, Honda will therefore no longer produce the CR 250, 125 and 85 motocross bikes for the Australian market after the 2007 season.
• According to Honda Australia’s General Manager, Motorcycles, Tony Hinton the movement toward 4-stroke engines exclusively makes sense.
• “The most efficient engines available are 4-stroke, and Honda is now setting the benchmark in working toward a better future for our planet,” he said. (HONDA)

APRC: Crocker takes honours in Malaysia (AUG 20, 2006)

• Subaru driver, Cody Crocker, has taken his Les Walkden Rallying Impreza WRX STI to victory in Rally Malaysia and extended his lead in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship after a testing weekend of competition.
• Crocker took the outright honours by two minutes 34 seconds from Jarko Miettinen with Japan’s Katsu Taguchi third.
• The Victorian driver was the second fastest across Sunday’s six stages, so added two bonus points to the three he scored yesterday as the fastest in Leg One. Added to the ten he takes as the winner, he now has 63 championship points, 24 clear of Taguchi on 39, with Indonesia’s Rifat Sungkar third on 31 points.
• Fellow Les Walkden Rallying driver, Eli Evans, finished in seventh place outright and remains in fifth place on the points table with 19 points.
• Underlining his dominance of the APRC this year, Crocker has scored 63 points from a possible maximum score of 64.
• But being the fastest today and keeping the perfect score intact was a low priority compared to safely negotiating the remaining 78 kilometres and getting to the end as the event victor.
• Crocker, who has won the last three Australian Rally Championship titles, is desperate to add the Asia-Pacific Championship title to his impressive career record.
• “This event was vital to us, being the first time we’ve been here, and we couldn’t afford any mistakes or problems,” Crocker said.
• “But we kept right out of trouble all weekend and the car has been fantastic once again. When you have confidence in your car it gives you so much more confidence to drive harder.”
• “It was incredibly hot, getting to around 45 degrees in the car and when the sun came out it was absolutely scorching.”
• “But we’ve come through well. Ben (Atkinson) did a great job calling the notes and we now have a handy 24 point buffer, which is getting to the point of giving us some confidence that we can win this championship.”
• Evans was exhausted by the end of the day but knew he had learnt a great deal from the experience.
• “This was definitely the toughest rally that I’ve ever done,” Evans said.
• “The heat is one element but the roads are really difficult as well.”
• “You just don’t seem to get any flow and even when you think you’ve worked it out you find out at the next corner that you haven’t.”
• “Still, this is a learning year for me. It is all part of my education which I’m sure is making me a better rally driver.”
• Results – 2006 Rally Malaysia (Provisional)
• 1 C Crocker (Aus), B Atkinson (Aus), Subaru Impreza WRX STI
  2 J Miettinen (Fin), L Malley (Fin), Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, +2 mins 34 secs
  3 K Taguchi (J), M Stacey (Aus), Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, +2:36
  4 H Yanagisawa (J), T Misaizu (J), Subaru Impreza WRX STI, +4:54
  5 R Sungkar (RI), R Swarwano (RI), Proton Pert, + 12:34
  6 S Aksa (RI)/ H Mboi (RI), Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8, +14:16
  7 E Evans (Aus), C Murphy (Aus), Subaru Impreza WRX STI, +16:56
  8 D Malley (NZ), S Malley (NZ), Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8, +27:58
• APRC Points (Provisional)
• 1 C Crocker (Australia), Subaru, 63
  2 K Taguchi (Japan), Mitsubishi, 39
  3 R Sungkar (Indonesia), Mitsubishi, 31
  4 H Yangisawa, Japan, 26
  5 E Evans, (Australia), Subaru, 19
  6 J Mietten (Finland), Mitsubishi, 16

ARC: PRIVATEER GLENNEY IN SHOCK RALLY VICTORY (AUG 20, 2006)

• ADELAIDE: A rally driver who had not competed in this year’s Australian Rally Championship until this weekend has scored a shock win in the second heat of Rally SA.
• Steve Glenney, driving on roads in the Mt Crawford Forest near his home in the Barossa Valley, upstaged leading factory team drivers in notching the victory.
• However, Glenney was not eligible for championship points and the overall win for the weekend went to West Australian Dean Herridge in another Subaru, who finished fourth and second in the two heats.
• Mitsubishi factory driver Scott Pedder, winner of Saturday’s first heat, was out of contention from the start today after his turbocharger blew and could not be changed until the third stage.
• Toyota’s championship leader Simon Evans recovered to sixth in today’s heat after dropping to 17th early when the bonnet of his Corolla flew up and broke his windscreen, which had to be replaced.
• The final round of the championship is in Melbourne’s Yarra Valley on September 23-24.

BSBK: Brendan Roberts - National Superstock Champion (AUG 14, 2006)

• 21-year-old Brendan Roberts secured the National Superstock Championship this weekend with three rounds of the series still remaining. Taking Pole Position, setting the fastest lap and also the race win, Roberts certainly sealed the title in true style. The young Australian dominated all weekend at the 2.12-mile Croft Circuit. Varied weather conditions throughout the weekend proved challenging for him but this did not deter him from topping the time sheets in every session.
• With the race being declared as wet and not having a morning warm up or a wet session, the riders were given two sighting laps before being thrown straight into the 16-lap race. A steady start for Roberts saw him slip back to fourth place but he was soon finding his feet in the damp conditions and began to move forward through the field.
• A battle with Irishman Marshall Neil proved interesting for the initial laps of the race allowing front runners Steve Brogan and Aaron Zanotti to make a break from the chasing pack. A tidy manoeuvre on lap three saw Roberts move up to third and he was soon hunting down Championship contender Zanotti, a tidy pass on him into turn one on lap 10 enabled Roberts to move a step closer to clinching the title.
• With a huge 76-point lead going into Croft he only needed a strong finish to take the title, but Roberts had other plans and wanted to ensure that he meant business and took another race win. A strong pass on Brogan down the start/finish straight on lap 12 saw the Grantham based rider take to the front and bridge a gap of nearly two seconds in the remaining four laps and seal a confident win.
• A delighted Roberts commented "What a weekend, I surprised myself during practice and qualifying with the times I managed. I feel riding with the Europeans in an even tougher series has helped me out 100% and its starting to show. To get me to where I am now I couldn't have done it without the support of my family and friends. A big thanks has to go to Jonny and Chris from Moto-Direct for taking an interest in my career and Niall Mackenzie for his advice and friendship since I've been in the UK. (Geoff Harris)

F1: WEBBER JOINS RED BULL (AUG 8, 2006)

• 29 year old Australian Mark Webber will drive for Red Bull Racing in 2007. He will partner David Coulthard and replace Christian Klien. Webber's current contract with Williams was not renewed last week.
• WEBBER: "It's fantastic to be joining Red Bull Racing. It's clear that the team is very hungry for long term success, it has a very talented group of personnel and there seems to be a real sense of team spirit and unity. I believe I'm joining the team at exactly the right time for success in the future. After I left Jaguar Racing at the end of the 2004 season and discovered that Mr. Mateschitz was taking over the team, I said that I felt the team had been placed in very good hands and had an assured future. As a team, it seems to be very realistic and knows the challenge that lies ahead. I hope to bring good experience to the team and to assist it by being a fast and consistent driver and scoring as many points as possible. I hope that with Red Bull Racing I can have my best F1 season to date and believe that we can be very, very strong together. I'm looking forward to some great times with David and the rest of the Red Bull Racing team."

NZ MX: NEW VENUE FOR NEW ZEALAND MOTOCROSS NATIONALS (JULY 19, 2006)

• At a meeting of the Pukekohe Motorcycle Club last night it was agreed the first round of the NZ Motocross Championship on 26th and 27th August will now be held at the Mercer sand track. The weather in Auckland during August can be and is predicted to be, very wet. This creates a number of problems for the Club and their ability to host such an event at MR Motorcycles Raceway at Harrisville. The decision to change the venue has been taken early to enable adequate time to prepare the Mercer facility to the standard required to hold a national championship event.
• The Club looks forward to running a NZ championship at a true sand track for the first time in living memory. This will provide a true test of rider and machine providing an exciting spectacle similar to what is seen at sand tracks in Belgium or The Netherlands.
• The Mercer track is located on SH1 Mercer, approximately five minutes south of the Bombay Hills. Entry is via the Mercer off ramp on the Waikato expressway.
• For any further information please contact Scott Wilkins.
• Scott Wilkins
  President, Pukekohe Motorcycle Club
  Email: scott@mrmotorcycles.co.nz
  Phone: 0275 767 050

ASIA PACIFIC RALLY: Crocker looks to take Tassie team to Hokkaido victory (JULY 6, 2006)

• Three-time Australian Rally Champion Cody Crocker will lead the Tasmanian-based Les Walkden Rallying (LWR) assault on the Rally Hokkaido title this weekend, looking to further build his lead in the Asia Pacific Championship.
• Crocker has competed in two of the first three rounds of the Championship and taken the maximum points on offer on each occasion in his Walkden-prepared Impreza WRX STI.
• His performances at the Australian round in Canberra and the New Zealand round in Rotorua leave him on top of the points table on 32, five clear of Indonesia’s Rifat Sungkar on 27 points. Japan’s Katsu Taguchi is third with 23 points and LWR’s Eli Evans is fourth on 13.
• Rally Rotorua was six weeks ago and Crocker has not driven competitively since, so the Melbourne-based driver is looking forward to getting back behind the wheel.
• “Six weeks is a long time between events for us compared to our program over recent years, so I’m super keen to get back into action,” Crocker said.
• Crocker has competed in Japan twice before, in 2004 when Hokkaido was a designated event in both the WRC and APRC and then again in the WRC round in 2005, where he was the second Group N car home, beaten only by local rally star Toshi Aria.
• His co-driver, Ben Atkinson, has also experienced the local conditions during his time in Japan with brother, Chris, in 2003 and 2004.
• “It certainly helps being familiar with the event, the organisers and some of the roads,” Crocker said.
• “The WRC and APRC events share some roads and I know the roads and what we’ll need with our set-up and our tyres.”
• “The roads are exceptionally narrow, which makes noting them very difficult. So having done them before should give me an advantage over many, though I won’t have any over Katsu [Taguchi] and Hiroshi [Yanagisawa] as they’ve done this rally many more times than me.”
• “Pirelli has also had success in Japan, winning both the WRC events held, so I’m confident that we’ll have the tyres and the car to be competitive.”
• “I’ve got to say that driving the Impreza WRX STI in this event is pretty cool because it is a real cult car in Japan and the local rally fans get right behind us.”
• “From the team’s point of view we’re hoping for a really strong event and that Eli can move up into the top three and we can stay out in front.”
• “There is still Malaysia, Indonesia and China to go after this, but now all the top contenders have dropped their one event from the seven, so every rally is vital.”
• Team boss, Launceston-based Les Walkden, is sure his team can produce its third win of the season.
• “These events are never easy, and you need a bit of luck on your side, but Cody is a class operator and he has a great record of bringing the car home fast but safe,” Walkden said.
• “It is a great challenge for us, and the whole team is really looking forward to this event. Subaru winning in Japan is always huge news, so I hope it will be us celebrating on Sunday.”
• “It is also a great opportunity for young Eli (Evans). He did really well on the second day in New Zealand after a mistake on the first day cost him pretty heavily, so with a clean drive on both days he’ll be at the pointy end of the field as well.”
• Evans and co-driver Matt McAdam know they are on a steep learning curve as they tackle a new event in only their third outing in a Group N Impreza.
• “We performed really well in Canberra, then had a major hiccup in New Zealand, so we know we just have to produce a good clean run here,” Evans said.
• “We’ll start off carefully and just look to work our way into the event. No heroics early, we’re just looking for a solid run over the two days.”
• Leg One of Rally Hokkaido takes place on Saturday July 8, with eight special stages across 138.26 competitive kilometres. Leg Two on Sunday is shorter, with eight stages across just 85.66 kilometres.
• The event starts at 7:53am local time on Saturday, 8:53am Australian Eastern Standard time.

125 GP : Aussie dealt wildcard for Brit GP (JUNE 14, 2006)

• 16 year old Gold Coast racer Blake Leigh-Smith will be mixing it with the world’s best at the 125 GP at Donington the first weekend in July, having been granted a wild card entry.
• The British Grand Prix will be Blake’s fourth overseas race this year, following promising performances at Albacete and Jerez in the highly competitive Spanish 125 Championship. In January, he won his class in a round of the New Zealand road racing championship.
• Blake has been riding since age 5, graduating from dirt track to competing on a Moriwaki 80cc junior road race machine in 2003. Last year, Blake began racing a Honda RS125, winning three rounds of the 125 class in the Australian Superbike Championships.
• With the backing of his parents business, Runaway Bay Riviera, Cut Graphics, Shoei Helmets and Sidi boots, Blake took the plunge to start his overseas racing career. In his second race of the Spanish Championship, Blake finished 26th from 53 entrants at Jerez.
• Blake will make his UK racing debut on his Keen Racing Preparations RS125 in a class widely seen as prep school for budding MotoGP riders.
• His appearance at Donington was facilitated by Motorcycling Australia. (Motorcycling Australia)

APRC: CROCKER SECOND BUT RECLAIMS CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD (MAY 29, 2006)

• After an epic trans-Tasman tussle across 275 competitive kilometres, New Zealander Richard Mason has defeated Australian Cody Crocker by just 8.9 seconds in Rally Rotarua.
• But importantly for Crocker, who has set his sights on adding the 2006 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship to his three consecutive Australian national titles, the Victorian took the maximum points on offer as Mason is not a series competitor.
• Driving a Subaru Impreza WRX STI prepared by Tasmanian team Les Walkden Rallying, Crocker held a 13.1 second lead overnight but the local Subaru driver showed good form on the final day, winning four of the six stages to run out the victor.
• Subaru took a clean-sweep of the podium with another New Zealand Impreza WRX STI driver, Sam Murray, finishing in third place eight minutes 21.7 seconds from the lead.
• Crocker’s 16 points, the maximum on offer, go with the 16 he took in Canberra in March, leaving him on top of the Asia-Pacific points table on 32 points, five clear of Indonesia’s Rifat Sungkar on 27 points.
• Katsu Taguchi, who missed this event, is third with 23 points and Les Walkden Rallying’s Eli Evans is still fourth, after salvaging two points by finishing second fastest today to take his total to 13.
• The weather today was a vast improvement on yesterday’s heavy rain, with dry and mild conditions greeting the competitors.
• Crocker was pleased to come away with the maximum points on offer.
• “Victory would have been nice but the points are what we came here for,” Crocker said.
• “We had to always keep this in mind when the natural instinct is to attack and try and win,” Crocker said.
• “I would have looked pretty silly if I’d put the car into a bank when I was ten minutes clear of Sungkar (second place among the Asia-Pacific Championship competitors).”
• “This was a really tough test. It was a long rally and the conditions varied from OK to diabolical across the two days.”
• “We’ll go to Japan with a lot of positives coming out of the weekend. The car has been very, very good for the second event in a row, the Pirelli tyres were spot-on and Ben (Atkinson, co-driver) and I are working well and we’ll just get better.”
• Eli Evans was second fastest today of the Asia-Pacific drivers, finishing the weekend knowing that a very good result was not far away.
• “Except for that mistake yesterday, we had a good run. Each time we take the car out we learn a lot and I’m really looking forward to Japan.”
• Team boss, Les Walkden was delighted with the result.
• “This was a gutsy drive by Cody because he had to drive this weekend in contention for the outright victory but keeping his mind clearly on our overall championship objectives,” Walkden said.
• “By the afternoon he was ten seconds behind Mason yet ten minutes clear of his nearest Asia-Pacific title contender. It is not easy to drive with two competing objectives - attacking and defending - but Cody did it exceptionally well and nearly pulled both off.”
• “We have a lot of confidence going forward to Japan. Our championship goals are on track, going well.”
• The next round of the Asia-Pacific Championship is Rally Hokkaido in Japan on July 7-9. With the leading competitors having each dropped a round, every event will now count in the battle for the 2006 championship honours.

WSBK: BROOKES TO RACE WORLD SUPERBIKE (MAY 17, 2006)

• Josh Brookes who made his international debut this year with World Supersport Ducati will move up to World Superbikes. From next round at Silverstone, he'll ride for the Kawasaki Bertocchi World Superbike Team.
• BROKKES: “It has been quite a ride. It was difficult to leave Ducati, because the guys were great, and my life long ambition is to win World Championships. To leave a team after only three races really tore me up, but I knew it was the best thing for everyone concerned. Taking a step back to take a couple forward is hard, but I knew that it would lead to good things, and it has. Bertocchi Kawasaki have shown faith in me, and I intend to return their faith with 100% commitment 100% of the time. I am fitter than I have ever been, and maybe just a little bit wiser. I know the bike is fast, and it’s a very very good bike, now I’ve got to get it to be fast with me on it. I am totally focused on making the Kawasaki Bertocchi competitive against the best in the field and working closely with the team and Kawasaki to do so, and know with the help and support of the Team and Kawasaki, it will happen. SBK is a step up for sure, but I love a challenge!”

WRC: ATKINSON SET TO SHOW SPEED IN SARDINIA (MAY 15, 2006)

• Subaru rally driver Chris Atkinson is in Sardinia this week preparing for the seventh round of the World Rally Championship, Rally d’Italia-Sardegna, which gets underway with a ceremonial start in the exclusive tourist resort of Porto Cervo on Thursday 18 May.
• It will be the second time that Atkinson has taken part in the Sardinian round of the championship. Last year he climbed as high as third overall, winning one stage, but issues on both of the first two days ruined his chance of a good outright result. He finished the three day event in 18th place but has set himself for a top five finish in 2006.
• “My goal is a top five result,” Atkinson said. "We set some good stage times last year and were running as high as third at one point, so there’s no reason why we can’t achieve this target.”
• “Sardinia is a challenge as it’s very technical and narrow and you have to drive cleanly to do well here.”
• “It’s a good drivers’ rally and I really enjoy it. Over half the route is new this year so a lot will depend on making good pace notes on the recce.”
• Atkinson tested for two days in Greece after returning from his sixth placing in Argentina at the end of April.
• After the test he returned to the UK to work on set-ups for Sardinia with his engineers and has travelled to the island early to continue his physical training program.
• Subaru World Rally Sporting Director, Luis Moya, is hopeful of a good performance from the young Queenslander.
• “Chris’ aim is to be consistent and deliver an acceptable pace with zero errors,” Moya said.
• “Chris has tested in Sardinia before and he’s just come back from a two-day test in Greece so his confidence in the car is high. We know he has the speed to finish in the top five.”
• Rally d’Italia-Sardegna will be the third gravel rally of the year, following Mexico and Argentina. (Subaru Motorsport)

GTP: PERFORMANCE CAR SERIES SIGNS STS TURBO AS 2006 TITLE SPONSOR (APR 24, 2006)

• AUSTRALIA’S fastest production-based touring car series, the Australian Performance Car Championship, will return to the track this season with Sydney-based company STS Turbo as its new title sponsor.
• The 2006 STS Turbo Australian Performance Car Championship will open at Oran Park Raceway, near Sydney, on 6-7 May with a field including some of the hottest sedans and coupes on Australian roads, such as the HSV GTS Coupe, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX, Subaru Impreza STi, BMW M3 and a Ford Falcon FPV F6 Typhoon to be driven by Andrew Moffat, son of the legendary Allan Moffat.
• Joining the field for the first time in 2006 will be competitors in a new Privateers Cup class, in which a number of measures have been designed to limit costs and make the racing more enjoyable for non-professional drivers.
• The seven-round championship will include three rounds on V8 Supercar event programs.
• Announcing the championship developments today, Performance Car Category Manager Craig Nayda said the signing of STS Turbo Australia as primary sponsor would give the series a strong foundation.
• “The Australian Performance Car Championship and STS Turbo Australia are an ideal partnership, as many of the cars run by our competitors and our fans are turbocharged,” he said.
• “We are indebted to the STS Turbo Australia directors Peter Boylan and John Reece for their commitment to the series and are confident it will introduce many performance car enthusiasts to the unique STS Turbo concept.”
• Mr Nayda also announced the return of Donut King as a sponsor of the category for the third season. Donut King signs will be seen on the number plate panels of all competing cars.
• The United States-developed STS Turbo system achieves big gains in power, fuel economy and emissions reduction by remotely mounting the turbocharger away from the engine compartment in a cooler airflow.
• STS Australia is the Utah company’s first international licensee and will be the sole manufacturer and distributor of the patented technology throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Asian region.
• “We’re very excited to introduce the innovative STS technology into the Australian market. It has limitless potential for cars and trucks and petrol or diesel engines,” said Peter Boylan, who will contest the Performance Car championship in his familiar BMW M3 coupe.
• “The tremendous benefits of the remote turbocharging concept will be very attractive to the Australian performance enthusiast and as well as supplying kits manufactured by STS Turbo in the US, STS Turbo Australia will be developing a unique line of applications for our local vehicles.”
• The STS Turbo Australian Performance Car Championship’s new Privateers Cup is designed to provide cost-effective racing for both social drivers and those with limited budgets.
• Cost-reduction measures will include mandatory use of a control tyre, with an allocation of four per car per round.
• As well as controlling costs, the nominated tyre is expected to help save on mechanical maintenance by reducing stresses on drive-train components. Other features of the Privateers Cup include extended eligibility life for cars superseded from the Outright class, meaning lower entry costs to the championship, exception from performance-parity adjustments applied to Outright cars and guaranteed coverage in four round telecasts on the Channel Nine national TV network.
• “All in all, these upgrades to the Australian Performance Car Championship will ensure another season of tremendous competition,” Mr Nayda said.
• “We have the security of a naming-rights sponsor in STS Turbo, the promise of a crack Outright field and the opportunity for the new Privateers Cup competitors to join the series at minimal cost while still enjoying valuable benefits such as national, free-to-air TV exposure.” GTP

ENDURO: Vale Ian Cunningham (APR 18, 2006)

• Former Australian enduro and motocross champion, Ian Cunningham, has passed away following a car accident on Easter Sunday.
• The 30-year-old Goulburn (NSW) resident, the brother of another well-known Cunningham, Jamie, was on his way home after competing in last weekend’s Condo 750 rally in central NSW.
• Ian was a well-known figure in Australian racing circles since the 1990s, clinching the national 500cc motocross title in 1997, before finishing on the podium again three years later.
• But it was in the bush where Ian really excelled, claiming three successive victories in the Australian Four-Day Enduro from 1999-2001.
• Motorcycling Australia sends its deepest sympathies to Ian’s family, and his countless friends and associates.
• The funeral for the late Ian Cunningham will be held on Monday, April 24 at 2.00pm at St Saviour's Cathedral, Goulburn (NSW). The service will then be followed by interment at the city’s lawn cemetery - tel (02) 4821 2122. (MOTORCYCLING AUSTRALIA)

WSBK: MUGGERIDGE TO MISS NEXT ROUND (APR 13, 2006)

• Karl Muggeridge has back injury from testing accident and will miss the next round ( Valencia round on April 23). His place will be filled by Giovanni Bussei.
• Muggeridge: "... injury is in a delicate position and even if I don't feel any pain, a hard fall could make it much worse ..."

MX: JOSH COPPINS INJURY UPDATE (APR 2, 2006)

• To my team, friends, family, fans and sponsors.
• Obviously my season hasn’t started how I planned it!  I’ve been working extremely hard for the past six months leading up to the first GP and I have made a lot of sacrifices to give myself and the team the best chance at this season.  Last Wednesday I was training in Belgium and I caught my right shoulder on a post.  It dislocated and then went back into place straight away.  I kept riding thinking it wasn’t real but then my shoulder gave way again and I was forced to stop, in a lot of pain.
• Thursday morning I met with Dr Toon Claes to have an x-ray, scan and an ultrasound - I hate going to Dr Claes as he always looks at the x-rays and goes “aha, aha” which normally follows with the bad news.  Basically I dislocated my shoulder for the first time at Hawkestone Park last year damaging the bottom part of the cuff.  When I dislocated it this past Wednesday I damaged the top part of the cuff - of course there are technical terms for what I’ve done but it all went in one ear and out of the other.  I was just so devastated and all I heard were the numbers 50/50, that being the chance I had of not having reoccurring problems.
• I tried to ride yesterday (Saturday) and it wasn’t stable even with all the tape and brace. There is just no way I can last the season like this and I don’t want to be a rider making up the numbers - I want to be in the race to try and win!
• I want to apologise to CAS Honda, my family, friends, fans and of course my personal sponsors and the team’s sponsors. If you know me well you know I give 100% in my training and racing.  I will be back when the team (Harry, Neil, Fabio and Roger) believe I can race at that level.  As for the time this is going to take, we don’t really know until I have surgery next week but it’s expected I will be training on the bike in eight weeks.  I also want to thank Jacky Vimond and Stefan Nuesser my coach and trainer. Both have supported me in my preparation and through this injury.
• I wish my competitors good racing and I’m sorry I can’t be there to make it a better race.
• A wise person told me once told me, some people succeed because they are destined to.  Most succeed because they are determined to!
• Josh Coppins # 2

HONDA TO SPONSOR AUS SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP (MAR 8, 2006)

• HONDA PARTNERS WITH AUSCO FOR ’06 CHAMPIONSHIP
• Honda Australia is very pleased to announce that they will act as a major sponsor for the 2006 Australian Superbike Championships (ASC) to commence in April at Eastern Creek.
• The long running series is Motorcycling Australia’s sanctioned national road racing championship and features the best production bike riders in the country, many of whom have gone on to make a name for themselves overseas.
• Honda will provide financial backing for the seven round series to take place in six states including, for the first time, Symmons Plains in Tasmania.
• The manufacturer will also continue to sponsor RACESAFE for the second year running after a very successful partnership was established last year.
• RACESAFE is Australia’s Largest Motorsport Safety organisation, and provides much needed emergency medical services at over 60 Motorsport events across the country including the ASC.
• “Our involvement with AUSCO (the promoter of the series) is very exciting,” said Honda’s General Manager, Motorcycles, Tony Hinton.
• “We have wanted to be able to further support road racing in the best way possible for some time now. I’m pleased that we can now do that through direct support to the series as well to the riders via Racesafe.”
• “Having developed a mutually beneficial agreement with Terry O’Neill at AUSCO is very rewarding, and we are confident that this will be another highly successful year for us both on and off the track.”
• O’Neill is also very optimistic about the new partnership.
• "Having Honda as a series sponsor is a very positive step forward for the Australian Superbike Championship and road racing in general,” he said.
• “It is great to see the industry as a whole starting to come to together to support Australia's premier motorcycle series and in return receive the many benefits that a healthy ASC can provide."
• After winning the Supersport and Superbike Championships in 2004 and 2005, Honda Australia is aiming to claim both trophies again in 2006 with their two factory backed teams, Joe Rocket Honda and Jardine Honda.

ARC: MITSUBISHI RALLIART’S EVOLUTION IX LANCER SET FOR DEBUT IN NATIONAL CAPITAL (MAR 7, 2006)

• Team Mitsubishi Ralliart’s first Evolution IX Lancer will make its debut at this weekend’s Rally of Canberra.
• Driver Scott Pedder wants to win the season-opening rally but he and Team Mitsubishi Ralliart principal Alan Heaphy are intent first and foremost on getting the brand new Evo IX to the finish.
• Construction of the all-wheel-drive, turbocharged Lancer was only finished last Friday at TMR’s Dandenong headquarters in Melbourne and it is having its only pre-season test near Canberra today.
• The car has the new 2-litre MIVEC - Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic lift and Control – engine.
• However, it will not have the new brake package homologated by the world governing body of motor sport, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) - with four-piston calipers front and rear and bigger disks – for Canberra.
• Heaphy said TMR had made some suspension improvements to the Evo IX but it would run on last year’s Pirelli tyres at this first event in the national capital.
• “The car is pretty much as it came out of the box,” Heaphy said.
• “The dynamometer tests we did last week showed that the MIVEC engine was a little more powerful than what we had in the Evo VIII last season, but it’s early days with that yet.
• “We’re doing everything we can to ensure that our preparation of the car is to the absolute highest standard, but it would be a lot to expect that we could win first time out with this car.
• “The vitally important thing for Canberra is that we get the Evo IX to the finish on Sunday afternoon.
• “Winning championships is about accumulating points, and we want to walk away from Canberra with Scott Pedder and his co-driver Glen Weston having a bundle of points.
• “Finishing is what it’s all about, to get through with the new car, and hopefully to finish well up.”
• Mitsubishi has a long and proud record of success in Canberra, with the legendary Ross Dunkerton giving it four outright victories and Ed Ordynski two. Dunkerton also won the national rally in Canberra in 2004 in the all-wheel-drive Mitsubishi Magna VR-X in which he and TMR went on to win the Australia Cup.
• Announcing TMR’s 2006 rally program recently, Mitsubishi Motors President and CEO Robert McEniry said motorsport was at the heart of the marque’s brand values.
• “I certainly believe that success in motorsport translates into success in the showroom,” Mr McEniry said.
• Apart from the Australian Rally Championship on gravel, TMR will enter another Evolution IX Lancer in tarmac events such as Targa Tasmania in late April and Targa West in early September, to be driven by Sydney pair Warwick Rooklyn and Linda Long.
• Scott Pedder has excellent form on the gravel in Canberra, with second places as a Mitsubishi privateer in 2002 and 2003 in an Evo VI Lancer and sixth place last year on debut with TMR and the Evo VIII after two flat tyres on the first day from hitting rocks.
• Pedder, of Melbourne, and endodontist – or root canal specialist – Weston, of Brisbane, won the South Australian round of the championship in 2005, finished runner-up in the Tasmanian round, and in the top three in seven of the season’s 12 heats.
• Pedder was second in the drivers’ championship until an unfortunate crash in the first heat of the final round at Bathurst, NSW, saw him finish fourth in the most competitive Group N (showroom production) rally championship in the world.
• Toyota is expected to be TMR’s main rival in the ARC this year with its Corolla prototypes, while Ford is entering the championship with its Focus. Subaru is not fielding a factory team in the GARC and its reigning national champion Cody Crocker has joined an Australian-run satellite team that is contesting the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship.
• Canberra has long been a round of the Asia-Pacific series and competitors in that championship are scheduled to drive one more stage this weekend than ARC drivers, who face 16 stages and 220 competitive kilometres in the two-day event.
• Pedder and Weston are seeded third, behind the Toyota pairings – Simon and Sue Evans and Neal Bates and Coral Taylor.
• “Time in the seat is going to be invaluable because we haven’t had the opportunity for a lot of testing like our main rivals,” Pedder said.
• “Of course, I would love to win (the ARC round), but the main aim for this year is the drivers’ championship.
• “You don’t have to win every rally to win the championship.
• “First of all we want to finish as many heats as possible.
• “If we do that we should be in with a good chance.
• “Canberra is one of my favourite events in the championship.
• “The roads are very challenging. They are tight and twisty … very technical and requiring precise lines.
• “There are some very special stages - especially Mineshaft, which can make or break you.
• “You can make a lot of time on a stage like that, or lose a lot of time.
• “It is a little disappointing to see a couple of the traditional stages gone this year, but it’s still a great course. It’s a rally that really rewards commitment.
• “The roads won’t be as dusty as they have been the past couple of years because there has been some rain leading into the event this year.”
• While Pedder and Weston did not have the opportunity for off-season testing they kept in close contact and are confident they can make further progress together this season.
• “Glen is a fantastic co-driver – a benchmark of professionalism,” Pedder said.
• “He’s very precise and very organised, which I believe are the main attributes a co-driver needs.
• “He’s also very experienced and passionate. He just lives for it.
• “We’re both very hungry for success.
• “Last year was a great learning year for us. This season we want to be more consistent and maximise our performance - and that of the Evo IX.
• “It’s exciting to be stepping into the Evo IX, and one of the big things I learned last year was that TMR’s standards of preparation are absolutely first-class, so it is going to be up to Glen and I to make the most of the car we have.
• “We gelled very well in our first season together and we can only get stronger, and to have an Evo IX and the professionalism of TMR around us gives us great confidence.” (Geoff Harris)

WSBK: JOE ROCKET HONDA TO DEBUT NEW CBR1000RR AT ISLAND (MAR 2, 2006)

• This weekend’s second round of the World Superbike series will be an opportunity to showcase Honda’s latest incarnation of Australia’s top selling sport bike, the CBR1000RR Fireblade.
  
  Adam ‘Krusty’ Fergusson and Glenn Allerton will have the honour of racing the new bike in three support races to be held on Saturday and Sunday at the illustrious circuit under the Joe Rocket Honda team banner.
  
  This will be Allerton’s first official outing for the Team after progressively making his mark over the past few years.
  
  The 24 year old, Camden, NSW based rider finished third in the 250cc production class in 2001 and then in the following year, raced only three rounds but still managed to finish third overall.
  
  In 2003, Allerton made the step up to the 600cc class and took the trophy home for top privateer that year. Glenn’s success continued into 2004 with a second overall in the Championships.
  
  Now starring with the Joe Rocket Team next to 2004 Dual Champion Fergusson, Allerton
  has been all smiles about his new ride.
  
  “The ’06 Blade feels great and I’m really happy to be riding a Honda this year. I've had quite a bit of time on the bike now and am very comfortable with it."
  
  Fergusson is also positive about the latest modifications. “The wheelbase on the new CBR is shorter and the styling is sharper. But it is also a bit lighter and even more powerful than last year’s bike.”
  
  “I can’t wait to get out there and see what it can do in a race environment. I think both Glenn and myself will be setting the pace on these bikes.”
  
  Fergusson and Allerton will also contest the Supersport class, along with junior development team rider Bryan Staring (Jardine Honda) this weekend.
  
  On his first race event for the year, Fergusson is typically confident. “Its not for points, but its always for honour,” he said.
  
  “I’ve done a lot of work personally, professionally and physically since the end of last year so I’m planning on having a successful weekend.”
  
  During the off season build up to this first non-championship race of the season, both
  teams – under the leadership of Paul Free - have been busy getting friendly with their
  new bikes at the Island as well as Winton Raceway in Victoria.
  
  “We’re looking forward to a chance to test our set ups,” Free said.
  
  “The World Supers always provide a fantastic opportunity to mix it up with the other Teams for the first time.”
  

ARC: MITSUBISHI RALLIART EXPANDS HORIZONS WITH CAMPAIGNS IN 2006 (FEB 27, 2006)

• Team Mitsubishi Ralliart has renewed and expanded its commitment to rallying, with the announcement today of gravel and tarmac rally programs this year with a pair of all-wheel-drive, turbocharged Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IXs. Scott Pedder and Glen Weston have been retained for the Global Australian Rally Championship on gravel, while Warwick Rooklyn and Linda Long will represent Mitsubishi Ralliart in major tarmac events.
• Mitsubishi Motors President and CEO Robert McEniry says motorsport is at the heart of the marque’s brand values. “Mitsubishi has been very successful in gravel rallying and off-road rally raids for many years,” Mr McEniry said. “Participation in these forms of motorsport helps to give the brand a personality, while proving the vehicle’s reliability and advanced technology that finds its way into our everyday vehicles. “I am confident that the Evo IX will acquit itself well in both gravel and tarmac rallying this year, and I am looking forward tremendously to seeing some great results. “I certainly believe that success in motorsport translates into success in the showroom.”
• The Evo IX for Pedder and Weston is almost complete at Team Mitsubishi Ralliart’s Dandenong headquarters in Melbourne and another is under construction for Rooklyn and Long. TMR principal Alan Heaphy believes the cars and drivers can be winners on both gravel and tarmac. Heaphy says the Evo IX is “a step forward”, especially its 2-litre MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control) engine which will be “a lot more flexible”. “The driveability of this engine will be a big advantage to us,” Heaphy said. A new brake package with four-piston calipers front and rear and bigger disks homologated by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the world governing body of motor sport, will further enhance the Evo IX’s competitiveness.
• Starting his second season as a factory driver as he approaches his 30th birthday, Heaphy has declared Pedder a strong challenger for the national title in the season starting at the Rally of Canberra on March 11-12. And he said the accomplished Rooklyn’s vast experience was “just what we need” for tarmac events such as Targa Tasmania on April 25-30 and Targa West on September 9-10.
• Heaphy is particularly excited about tarmac rallying, in which Mitsubishi Ralliart has the potential to upstage exotic marques as well as explore commercial opportunities. “Our major customer base looks like being in tarmac rallying and it looks like it may have a higher growth rate in 2006 than gravel rallying,” Heaphy said. Already 10 of 12 RS models of the Evo IX that Mitsubishi Motors Australia is importing are destined for tarmac competition. A Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution VIII Lancer won Western Australia’s initial Targa West last September, driven by the legendary Ross Dunkerton. Heaphy said Team Mitsubishi Ralliart was working towards being in a position to assist its customers in all motorsport events in an effort to make them more competitive and make their motorsport more affordable.
• Rooklyn’s diversified motor sport career has included various forms of circuit racing, a Formula Two rally championship title in 2002, and the past three years he has driven an Evolution VII Mitsubishi Lancer in tarmac rallies, taking victory in the 2004 East Coast Targa and second place in Tasmania’s Rallye Burnie in 2005. He is also a noted yachtsman, with the distinction of having been the youngest winning skipper in the Sydney-Hobart classic - at 27 on Apollo in 1985.
• Rooklyn said that, having felt he had achieved all he could as a privateer, it was “a great honor” to be invited to join TMR. “Ralliart is synonymous with the top echelon of rallying, so it is a fantastic opportunity,” Rooklyn said. “Every area will just be so much better than I have known as a privateer, and the level of support will allow me to concentrate solely on driving – it will be great. “The job is still going to be very hard, because you are always going to encounter tough opposition to beat. “The rules in tarmac rallying limit budgets, which is something I believe Alan Heaphy and TMR appreciate very well. “For example, you have to do Targa Tasmania on one set of tyres, so you have to be very strategic about how you approach these events. “The Evo VII was a great car, but driving an Evo IX for the factory is going to be something else!”
• TMR is entering its third year of ARC competition under the leadership of Heaphy, the renowned touring car engineer and team manager who has delighted in his return to his roots in rallying. The new-look TMR began in 2004, campaigning a pair of automatic all-wheel-drive Magna VR-Xs that ran almost faultlessly and took Dunkerton to the Australia Cup. Last year was TMR’s first as an ARC outright contender and, with Pedder and Brisbane endodontist – or root canal specialist – Weston in an Evo VIII Lancer, it won the South Australian round of the championship, finished runner-up in another, in Tasmania, and in the top three in seven of the 12 heats.
• Pedder was second in the championship until an unfortunate crash in the first heat of the final round at Bathurst, NSW, saw him finish fourth in the most competitive Group N (showroom production) rally championship in the world. Pedder said 2005 had been “a great learning year” and he was now aiming to be more consistent and to maximise his potential and that of the Evo IX. “It’s going to be exciting stepping up to the Evo IX, and one of the big things I learned last year was that TMR’s standards of preparation are absolutely first-class, so it is going to be up to Glen and I to make the most of the car we have. “Glen and I gelled very well in our first season together and we can only get stronger, and to have an Evo IX and the professionalism of TMR around us gives us great confidence.”
• Subaru will not field a factory team in the ARC this year but will still have strong representation, while Toyota is expected to be very competitive with its Group N prototypes and Ford is set to enter the championship. (Team Mitsubishi Ralliart )

WSMOTO: Garry McCoy to race in 2006 Supermoto World Championship (FEB 24, 2006)

• After failing to broker a deal to continue his road racing career, Australian Garry McCoy will switch his focus to the Supermoto World Championship in 2006. The Andorra-based 33-year-old, who competed in the last two Superbike World Championships, will start up his own Supermoto team, and is planning to ride a KTM pending final negotiations with the Austrian marque in mid March. The five-time GP winner (two in the 125c and three in 500cc) is now back to full fitness after a crash-marred 2005 on the Foggy Petronas FP1 Superbike, and will become the first Australian to mount a full-time Supermoto campaign.
• According to McCoy’s long-time partner, Jemma Voces, the diminutive Aussie has spent February in full training, after a short period spent back in Camden (NSW) during the off-season – three weeks in January. “Because the situation wasn’t really good as far as a (road racing) ride was concerned, we didn’t spend that long back in Australia,” said Voces. “But now we are looking at getting all the paperwork done in time to allow Garry to race in the Supermoto title. “There’s a Supermoto test track in Andorra for Garry to ride on, and there’s also one just over the border in Spain. So he’s not lacking for places to get up to speed.”
• McCoy has previously made irregular appearances in the hybrid dirt-bitumen discipline, which is well suited to his spectacular, tyre-smoking riding style – which reached a crescendo during his 500cc outings on the Red Bull Yamaha. The eight-round Supermoto World Championship, now into its fifth year, commences on April 30 in Italy, and concludes on November 5 in Greece. The defending champions are Gerald Delepine (Husqvarna) in the big-bore S1 class, and stalwart Boris Chambon (KTM) in S2. It is not yet clear which class McCoy will compete it. (MOTORCYCLING AUSTRALIA)

MOTO: Lake Gairdner set to host FIM land speed record attempt (FEB 22, 2006)

• A Suzuki Hayabusa-engined motorcycle – the “Ack Attack” – will attempt to break the 16-year-old FIM land speed record at South Australia’s Lake Gairdner in early March.
• With conditions at the spiritual home of land speed racing, Bonneville, not up to scratch in 2005, the Californian-based Mike Akatiff has decided to shoot for the record in Australia, with the initial run planned at first light on March 6. The record attempt will be the highlight of the 2006 Lake Gairdner Speed Trials, which runs from March 6-10.
• The streamlined Act Attack, designed by Akatiff and constructed at the Akatiff-owned ACK Technologies (an avionics emporium) in San Jose, is powered by two turbo-charged 1300cc Hayabusa engines, which are ensconced in chrome moly tubing and a predominantly carbon-fibre skin. Output is around 900 horsepower.
• There is a 68-litre ice and water cooling system, as well as dedicated mechanisms to keep the chain, brakes and cockpit at sustainable temperatures. Safety equipment includes a seven-point safety harness for the pilot; parachutes which deploy automatically when the bike exceeds 45 degrees of lean; and low-speed stabilising wheels.
• Ack Attack, which Akatiff first started building in November 2002, will be piloted on the first run by 62-year-old American Sam Wheeler, who has years of experience in motorcycle streamliners.
• The current FIM land speed record is held by American Dave Campos, who set the benchmark on the Easy Rider twin-engined Harley-Davidson in 1990. Before that, the record was held by Don Vesco (512.733kmh in 1978).
• Unofficially, Ack Attack has already usurped Campos’ record, when Jim Doom went 528.334kmh at Bonneville in 2004. However, it was not an FIM-sanctioned event.
• This time, officials from the FIM will be at Lake Gairdner to certify any successful attempt. In addition, the timing traps must be surveyed by a licensed land surveyor, while the timing equipment must be certified for accuracy.
• If Ack Attack sets a new land speed record at Lake Gairdner, the ambitious Akatiff’s ultimate goal would then be to break the magical 400mph (676.12kmh) barrier.
• “There are only five wheel-driven, piston-engined vehicles that have exceeded 400mph,” said Akatiff, “and no motorcycle has approached that speed.
• “To reach this speed we would probably need to switch from gas to mild fuel and run the… longer courses. At the moment, we have the only motorcycle streamliner running with tyres designed for and proven at these speeds.”
• Akatiff, 50, is co-ordinating a multi-pronged blitz on the FIM records at Lake Gairdner, for as well as the Ack Attack, two other bikes will be unloaded out of the crate in Adelaide on March 1: John Noonan’s 1350cc turbo Suzuki Hayabusa, and John and Joe Amo's 394kmh-plus plus 1000cc machine.
• Noonan already holds the FIM record for forced induction (and partially streamlined) machines on the Hayabusa, when he averaged 406.893kmh over the measured mile at Bonneville in September, 2004. Noonan will also jump inside Ack Attack after Wheeler.
• Lake Gairdner is a dry salt in central South Australia, located 550km north-west of Adelaide. It is 160km long and 30km wide, and intermittently fills with water. It is named after Gordon Gairdner, former chief clerk in the Australian Department of the Colonial Office, London.
• Evolution of the FIM Land Speed Record (* = two engines)
• 1937 Ernst Henne BMW 500 274.494kmh
• 1951 William Herz NSU 500 289.681kmh
• 1955 Russell Wright Vincent 1000 297.728kmh
• 1956 Johnny Allen Triumph 650 311.778kmh
• 1956 William Herz NSU 500 338.992kmh
• 1956 Johnny Allen Triumph 650 345.426kmh
• 1962 Bill Johnson Triumph 650 361.410kmh
• 1966 Bob Leppan Triumph 650 395.362kmh*
• 1970 Don Vesco Yamaha 350 405.425kmh*
• 1970 Cal Rayborn Harley-Davidson 427.267kmh*
• 1975 Don Vesco Yamaha 700 487.084kmh*
• 1978 Don Vesco Kawasaki 1000 512.733kmh*
• 1990 Dave Campos Harley-Davidson 518.450kmh*      (MOTORCYCLING AUSTRALIA)
  

WSS: ANTHONY GOBERT GETS WILDCARD RIDE IN WORLD SUPERSPORT (FEB 21, 2006)

• Yamaha GMT94 has signed Australian rider Anthony Gobert to ride its YZF-R6 in the opening rounds of the Supersport World Championship.
• The eight-time world superbike race winner will substitute for the injured David Checa. Checa crashed in testing last week and broke his arm, forcing him out of the opening races in Qatar and Australia. After undergoing a successful operation on Friday the Spaniard is expected to return to the saddle by the end of March, leaving the team needing a replacement rider for the opening two races.
• Gobert, who celebrates his 31st birthday on the day of the Phillip Island race, rocketed onto the world superbike scene at the end of the 1994 campaign - taking pole position and a win at the Australian round. After three years in the championship 'The Go-Show' moved to 500cc Grands Prix before returning to the world superbike series in which he made his name in 2000. His win on the underpowered Bimota, again at Phillip Island, was as memorable as the race six years earlier and showed his undoubted natural talent as he won by almost 30 seconds in a wet race. His last world championship outing came in October 2000 when he rode a Yamaha YZF-R7 at Brands Hatch.
• In the intervening years he faced well-documented personal problems while racing in American and Australian national championships, but Anthony says he is fit and ready to race in what will be his debut world championship supersport races.
• "I'm really happy to have the opportunity to get back into the world series with a good team and bike," he said. "I took a few years out to work out what I wanted to do and I've realized that it is to get back into racing. I raced in Australia last year and it looked like I might be doing that again, until this offer came to ride in the first few races. At first I was approached for the Phillip Island race but I really wanted some time on the bike beforehand, so the team invited me along to Qatar as well.
• "The first race will really be a test for us. I raced supersport for Yamaha US in 2001 and 2002 but the bikes have changed a lot since then. It's a new track, team, tyres and bike for me and I haven't ridden for five months, so the goal in Qatar to get a good set-up and hopefully a top ten. If we can get into the groove in Qatar then there's no reason why we can't be aiming at the top five in Phillip Island."

WSS: BROOKES VALENCIA TEST (FEB 9, 2006)

• Joshua Brookes, the 2005 Australian Superbike and Supersport Champion completed his second test in Valencia with Team SC Caracchi Ducati today in preparation for the World Supersport Championship with great progress being made. His best time of 1:39:05 was a result of constant refinement of the bike and a solid working relationship with the Team that has developed over the last month.
• “This test has been fantastic. The Ducati 749RS is a great bike. Getting off an inline 4 to a V Twin has been much easier than I thought. It’s got great power and considering it’s only my second proper test, a good feeling. The best thing is the Team is professional and totally committed to helping me in my first season of World Supersport. I have been busting my butt training in the freezing cold, riding hundreds of kilometers a week on my road bicycle and mountain bike, and it’s sometimes pretty tough, especially in a country where I don’t speak the language. But it all makes sense when I get here and get out on the track. We are now working closely with Ohlins to create a suspension set up that will suit my style perfectly, so I reckon when we get that nailed, the times will drop much further. I followed Fujiwara for a few laps whilst he was a little quicker; I felt that the pace was well within our reach, especially when we get things perfect. I can’t wait for the season to begin. “
• Brookes has returned to Bologna and will spend the time between now and the first race in Qatar working with the Team and training.

ASBK: KRUSTY TO RIDE AGAIN FOR JOE ROCKET HONDA

• 2004 Dual Superbike/Supersport Champion Adam ‘Krusty’ Fergusson has now officially signed to ride again for the Joe Rocket Honda team next year.
• Fergusson is considered a veteran of the race circuit after having spent over 10 years competing within Australia as well as overseas in both the USA and Europe.
• Since his full time return to home soil, Adam has been unstoppable, often setting the benchmark for all others in his class with fastest laps and incredible racing tactics.
• He is fast, determined and looking to reclaim both Championship crowns in 2006.
• “I’m very happy to continue riding for Honda next year,” said the 31 year old champion. “This past year threw up a few challenges that affected my overall results, but I’m confident we are going to get those sorted before the new season starts.”
• The Joe Rocket Honda Team won both the Supersport and Superbike titles in 2004 as well as 2005 with Adam and