A weekly wrap of motorsport from around thew world.

A weekly wrap of motorsport from around thew world.

AUSTRALIA is the second race on next year's 19-event schedule for the Formula One world championship. For only the second time since the AGP returned to the F1 calendar in Melbourne it is bumped from the number one spot with a March 28 date that takes place a fortnight after the season-opener in Bahrain. The only new event for 2010 is in Korea in October, although the Canadian Grand Prix returns in June after a break this year.

CRAIG Lowndes, who once jokingly admitted Captain Feathersword from the Wiggles crew was his hero, is getting involved with another kids' show. This time it is Roary the Racing Car - whose voice is provided by Sir Stirling Moss - and Lowdnes will voice the character Conrod, an Aussie addition to the cast for the second series of the animated children's show.

DANIEL Erickson had a down-and-up weekend at Brands Hatch in the latest rounds of the British Formula Ford championship. He failed to finish the first of two heats but rebounded with a fighting third in the second race.

The dates have been set - almost - for next year's Australian Rally Championship. The series opens in Tasmania on February 26-28, followed by Western Australia on March 27-28, NSW on May 15-16, South Australia on June 26-27 and Queensland on July 31-August 1, but the date has not been set for Victoria's event in 2010.

MARCOS Ambrose held his top-20 fo rm in the Sprint Cup with that spot in the latest Nascar event at Loudon in New Hampshire. He actually led two laps but a risky strategy, when he only took on two fresh tyres, hurt him and fell back in the final laps. Ambrose continues his Nascar season this weekend at Dover International Speedway.

AUSTRALIAN motorsport fans are being called to help Nick Percat in his effort to win a global contest which rewards the winner with a Formula BMW drive in Europe. Percat, who is already confirme d as this year's Formula Ford champion, can claim votes at www.grandprixshootout.com

COVERAGE of the massively popular Muscle Car Masters race meeting will be screened by the Seven Network on Saturday, September 26. The event has become Australia's most popular old-timer meeting with a combination of races and displays by some of the country's most famous cars.

JAMES Courtney is auctioning the helmet he will use in this year's Bathurst 1000 to help raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. To make a bid, head to www.jimbeamauction.com.au