Articles by James Phelps

Team Vodafone star Jamie Whincup was last night crowned the Midas 400 champion as Ford battered Holden at the Melbourne round of the V8 Supercars.Whincup led the charge for the Blue Oval, winning two out of the three races, as Holden slumped to their worst defeat of the year.In a crushing win at Sandown raceway, Ford took out the top four spots for the round, with veteran driver Russell Ingall flying the flag for Holden in fifth spot (212 points).A disappointing round also saw Holden Racing Team star Garth Tander lose the championship lead to Ford Performance Racing driver Mark Winterbottom.A highlight of race three was Whincup producing the first sub-1min 10sec lap.“That lap I probably won't forget for a long time. I'll probably never forget it. It has been a fantastic day,” he said.The Sandown V8 Supercar event exploded to life on the final day with Ford superstar Craig Lowndes dramatically failing to start race three after snapping an axle during a warm-up lap.After winning race two, the three times Bathurst champion sustained fatal damage while breaking into a corner and surrendered his pole position.“We went out, went through turn one and it went bang,” Lowndes said while stranded in the garage.“It started going left and I knew it was an axle.”With Lowndes out of the race, his Team Vodafone teammate Whincup became embroiled in a three-way battle with fellow Ford drivers Mark Winterbottom and James Courtney.On a slippery track, the star trio fought for position but it was a stunning Team Vodafone pit-stop that put Whincup in the lead.“I am just glad we had the best team in the pits today,” Whincup said. “I had a great battle with Mark but it became a battle of the pit-stops. We came out in front and I held it together to win.”The event marked the arrival of rookie driver Shane Van Gisbergen. Touted as a future champion, the Kiwi teenager lived up to the hype with a second in race two.Winterbottom was delighted after securing the series lead.“It is the first time ever for FPR,” Winterbottom enthused “We are excited about how we are going and to lead the championship is a big achievement.“The car was close to good enough but Jamie had a solid weekend. We just couldn't bridge the gap.”Glamour team HRT had major set-up issues with Tander and veteran Mark Skaife both failing in the wet. They weren't alone with Holden cars in general struggling to make the most of the conditions.“The Falcons, for some reason, seem to dial into the wet a little bit better,” Ingall said.“Having been in one myself it seems that way. They are a bit softer and absorb it a little bit better. But it is horses for courses.”The Super Cheap Auto driver said he was ready to challenge the more “experienced” Holden team (HRT) after his surprise result.“Yeah, we won the Holden race but that isn't the one we want to win,” Ingall said. “We want to win overall.” ——- Midas 400 V8 Championship, Sandown — V8 SUPERCARS AUSTRALIA ——-1 ... Jamie Whincup ............. (Ford) ....... 47min:20.7150sec2 ... Mark Winterbottom ....... (Ford) ....... 47:22.89803 ... James Courtney ........... (Ford) ....... 27.57624 ... Shane Van Gisbergen ... (Ford) ....... 47:38.74795 ... Todd Kelly .................... (Holden) ... 47:39.1517 ————— Championship (after five of 14 rounds) —————1 ... Mark Winterbottom ... (Ford) ....... 1124 points2 ... Garth Tander ............ (Holden) ... 10723 ... Jamie Whincup ......... (Ford) ...... 10624 ... Rick Kelly ................ (Holden) ... 10285 ... Craig Lowndes .......... (Ford) ...... 897

V8 Supercar boss Wayne Cattach yesterday slapped a compulsory $500,000 life insurance policy on drivers as veteran Russell Ingall warned the round three Hamilton race beginning on April 18 would become a “crash fest”.On the same day Supercheap Auto driver Ingall predicted the New Zealand street track would become a war zone, Cattich declared all drivers would have to present their current insurance details with a minimum $500,000 cover before the race.The insurance decision comes after the death of Fujitsu series driver Ashley Cooper in February.“The board felt the need to ensure drivers have an adequate financial safeguard in the case of any severe accidents,” Cattich said. “This is in no way pointed towards any particular incident, more a measure that the board wanted to adopt and has been discussing for several months.”Ingall predicted the cover would come in handy, declaring there would be “carnage” on the newly built Kiwi street track.“Hamilton's going to be risky; it's got long straights and tight, 90 degree corners so there'll be a lot of drivers making big lunges under brakes,” Ingall said.“Qualifying is more important than most races and the pit stops will come into play as usual, but there's lots of concrete and not a lot of run off so there's going to be some carnage — lots of crashes.“The young guys charging with a head full of steam are going to be a worry, especially with they way they've been driving the last couple rounds.“Everyone's going to make mistakes, but to be successful you're going to have to be smart. It'll be the person who makes the least mistakes that wins.”Cattach said the new insurance policy was implemented for the drivers' welfare. “It is common sense that we as a sport play a part in the welfare of our competitors in the same way we deliver the highest of safety standards as directed by the FIA,” he said.“Many of our drivers have individual insurance in place, this is more of a checking process. If they are not adequately insured they will be required to take out insurance that provides a minimum cover of $500,000.”

Australia's number one party strip roared into gear yesterday with about 50,000 people arriving in Surfers Paradise for the country's most colourful motorsport carnival.The first cars screamed on to the track for practice yesterday but, with more than 300,000 people expected in the tourist mecca by Sunday, Indy week is as much about partying as it is racing.The best hotels in Surfers have been booked out for months, while landing a flight to Coolangatta airport is like finding full-strength beer at the cricket.For all the latest coverage on Indy this weekend, go to www.goldcoast.com.auBut while the hard stuff might be privy to the members at the SCG, getting a drink in Surfers Paradise is no harder than finding a bad pick-up line on Cavil Ave at 3am.With about 100 bars; not to mention the strip clubs sure to be packed over the next three nights, Indy week on the Gold Coast has been dubbed “Schoolies week for adults.”But you won't find any fake IDs in town this weekend, just a sea of black and white as grid fever grips the Gold Coast. The streets have been swamped with checkered race flags while local burger joints are serving up motor racing happy meals “V8 burgers” and “burnout fries with a large serving of high-octane cola.”The V8 Super Car Challenge; the fourth last round of the V8 championship; will take place after the Lexmark Indy 300 on Sunday afternoon. Regarded as a feeder competition to Formula One, the Indy series features the world's best up-and-coming drivers who race on tracks throughout the world in Champ cars.Although they look very similar to Formula One cars, the Champ cars are far less advanced and come at a fraction of the price.Those new to motorsport could have been forgiven for thinking Bathurst champion Craig Lowndes had parked his car in their hotel lobby; with about 15 replica 888 Fords doing the resort rounds.But V8 star Lowndes was yesterday dining with the stars of Australian motorsport at a lavish lunch at Jupiter's Casino.And while admitting even the drivers had been swept up by the party atmosphere, Lowndes declared Team Vodafone was on track to make it back-to-back series wins.“Our championship was lost here last year so we want to turn that from a negative to a positive,” Lowndes said. “We walked the track this morning and had a good chat about what went wrong last year and we have learnt from that.“We have always had a good car here and, as everyone will say, it is a great circuit because it is a street circuit with a lot of concrete walls and the crowding of the road.“We really need to put a lap together and I think it is really going to be a great weekend. We have four rounds remaining and I think this will be one of the most crucial ones.”After Holden's showing at Bathurst two weeks ago, you could forgive the red army if they decided to watch the girls instead of the race, with 30 Miss Indy finalists set to join the Gold Coast's famous meter maids for an eye-candy extravaganza. But HRT star Mark Skaife yesterday gave Holden fans a glimmer of hope when he declared the Holden team could still win the series.“We have had some opportunities to win some events and we haven't,” Skaife said.“Our speed has been good and now we have to get on with the four last rounds. Mathematically we have a hope. It is pretty remote but we are going to do the best job we can.”Fellow Holden driver and last year's Indy champion Todd Kelly said the new VE would be suited to the deadly track known as concrete canyon.“The cars are very good at Indy every year and I think our car will work well for this style of track,” Kelly said. “I can't wait to get out there.”  

Australia's most senior V8 driver Russell Ingall has predicted carnage in today's Bathurst 1000, warning a controversial braking system could lead to someone getting hurt. The former V8 series winner last night expressed his fears over a cost-cutting “controlled braking system” used in cars that can reach up to 300km/h. “For sure people could get hurt, there is no doubt about it,” Ingall said. “If you are thundering down that straight and you can't pull the car up, you will start running into things. All the talk around is about the brakes. “Drivers and the teams are concerned about whether the brakes are going to last. It will be an issue and a big danger as well.” Ingall's concerns have been prompted by a mandatory braking system introduced by V8 Supercars this year. “The reason they (V8 Supercars) did it was for cost cutting,” Ingall said. “So teams didn't go out spending a fortune on exotic brakes and discs. “But some teams have gone out and spent thousands of dollars developing a new system to gain an advantage. A few teams now have these quick change discs, where they can change the front rotors in the car quickly (during a pit stop). “It gives them a huge advantage. The other teams that don't have that system will have to push on. It's not like you have the luxury to take it easy. You are going to have to take the risk and go hard on the car.” Ingall warned drivers would run the gauntlet with worn brakes in an attempt to make up time on rivals using the advanced disc changing technology. “Bathurst is the hardest race on all components, including brakes,” Ingall said. “We are going from a 300km/h straight into a corner which is about 80km/h. You are washing off a lot of speed there in just 200m. We have 1350kg of car, so there is still a lot of weight. “We have to do mandatory changes, but obviously if people start running out of brakes it will be up to the individual whether or not they are going to press on or come in. The problem is with race drivers, we don't like to stop no matter what. It could be very dangerous.” Ingall called on the sports governing body to rethink the control brake package. “Sometimes the category is a bit slow to react, but something needs to be done about it,” Ingall said. “If it was a level playing field we would all know we had a braking issue and we would all adjust to survive. But if you haven't got a quick release system then you will have to push on, increasing the risk. The frustrating thing is someone could take you out of the race.”

At just 19, he is barely old enough to hold a licence, but tomorrow he will take on Australia's most-feared racetrack in a lethal piece of machinery. The teenage Jim Beam Racing driver is poised to take to the grid in an event that attracts a national audience of 800 million homes worldwide. But in a startling admission, Thompson yesterday revealed he races for free. Thompson will be paid absolutely nothing for putting his life at risk in the country's most famous and dangerous race — the Bathurst 1000. “There isn't any money yet,” Thompson said. “There isn't any payment at all. “You have to bring your own money and find your own sponsors, which makes it all quite difficult. “It's the toughest part but I have an opportunity and that's what counts. I have my real estate licence and a property development certificate, so I have something to fall back on if it doesn't work out.” Thompson still lives at his Gold Coast home with his parents, but tomorrow he will line up in Australia's greatest motor sport event against the likes of Craig Lowndes and Rick Kelly. But, strangely, the teenager with a smile full of braces admits he was never a race fan. Thompson hadn't even watched a Bathurst 1000 until a couple of years ago. “It's funny because there is no motor sport background in my family,” Thompson said. “I really didn't know what all this was until a couple of years ago. It wasn't something we were into, and it is all new to me.” But, gradually, Thompson became addicted to octane. While his mates were kicking around footballs on the Gold Coast, Thompson found himself spending his weekends at the local go-kart track. “It started back in 1997,” said Thompson. “I really just went down to the go-karts for a bit of fun. I played around with that for a few years and really got into it, but I was only having fun. “As I got a bit older I started moving up the ranks and categories. As I moved up the ranks I started to get a bit more serious.” What started as nothing more than a hobby quickly snowballed into a career. After being invited to compete in the national Formula Ford series, Thompson won a place in the prestigious Dick Johnson Racing Team. Thompson's big break came at last year's Bathurst 1000 — the same course he will tackle with partner Alex Davison tomorrow — when he won a development series event. “I was just trying to come to terms with it all, then I came to Bathurst last year and I made a big jump,” Thompson said. “That was the turning point for me. “I always believed in myself but that was my defining point.” Thompson won't entertain thoughts of winning the prestigious race, but he has his eyes firmly fixed on a top-10 finish. “We are aiming for a top-10 position. I am aiming to make no mistakes and I won't be happy if we don't finish in the top 10.” Australian racing legend Dick Johnson is backing his young charge. “He has got the potential,” Johnson said. And if things work out tomorrow, Thompson might finally get his first pay cheque. “We are trying to work things out for next year,” Thompson said. “I am pretty confident things will work out but a good showing will help.”

The Daily Telegraph yesterday tracked down the controversial haul of beer and spirits confiscated from racegoers at the Bathurst 1000.The alcohol has been taken to a secure storage shed by police as part of a major crackdown on “hooligans” at the famous race.A one-case-per-person limit imposed by police on revellers at the Super Cheap Auto 1000 has left fans fuming.But, as was discovered yesterday, it is not stopping them from trying to slip their grog past heavily-fortified police checkpoints.The contents of one of the containers revealed punters had even tried to bring 50-litre stainless steel kegs past police.“We were stunned when we found the kegs,” Inspector Dave Cotten said.“But the people were pretty good about it when we took them. They realise that there are rules here and they need to be enforced. They gave the kegs up without a problem.”Insp Cotten said the controversial limit would not be lifted.Scores of outraged fans responded to this newspaper's story yesterday, opposed to the one-slab limit.“The rules won't be changing, it will remain one carton per person,” Insp Cotten said.“Excess alcohol taken from any person will be kept here and they are entitled to get it back when they leave.”Insp Cotten said partygoers on the mountain had been well behaved so far.“We have been very busy but I have been impressed by the people coming up to the mountain,” he said.“I know we have had a lot of results with drugs seized and alcohol confiscated but the people have generally been fantastic.“It has been well publicised that there are certain rules to be enforced but the people have been really good.”But, many fans camping on Mount Panorama were not impressed with the drastic action.More than 700 police have converged on the track — double the presence at last year's event — with a water cannon and riot squad on standby.More than 70 arrests have already been made.“I have been coming to Bathurst for years and there is no need for the police,” Shane Sanders, from Portland in Victoria, said.“I had some beer taken and I wasn't real happy with it.“I am an adult and I know how much I can drink. All these police are just going to piss people off. The check points are just unreasonable.”Mark Wright added: “ I just had six beers taken but I sculled the rest before they could get them,” he said.“I don't mind them cracking down on drugs but I don't think the alcohol causes a problem.“It is Australian to have some fun and it seems like they are trying to take that away.”

Racegoers were last night venting their fury at a controversial “one case” of alcohol limit at the Bathurst 1000 as police began an unprecedented security operation ahead of the famous race.Motorsport fans have been outraged over the police crackdown on “hooligans” and have labelled the large-scale security campaign as “overkill”.The town has been transformed into a police state ahead of Sunday's race, with more than 750 armed officers — twice last year's total — converging on the historic rural town.Police have set up checkpoints around Mount Panorama and are permitting only one standard case of alcohol (24 cans) per adult to be taken into the grounds.Police are also subjecting fans to sniffer dog checks and body searches.Victorian resident Wayne Houston had beer confiscated yesterday at a checkpoint in front of the Max Cameron camping ground.“One box of beer per adult for four days is ridiculous,” Mr Houston said.“All they want to do is spoil our fun. I have been coming here for 11 years and have never even seen a fight. I take my kids here and I wouldn't do that if it wasn't safe.“We never have any problems and to let just one box of grog in will only start trouble. No one gets in here with out being subjected to a search. It is creating chaos,” he said.The highly trained riot squad was yesterday out in force as the water cannon used at APEC cast an ominous shadow over the mountain.Assistant Police Commissioner Garry Dobson yesterday announced a large quantity of beer and spirits had been seized along with 50 arrests in just 48 hours. With less than 20 people arrested at last year's event, Mr Dobson denied the drastic increase in police numbers was “overkill”.“There is a suggestion that it is overkill and that will be the assertion if nothing happens come Monday morning. But we have done our job if that is the case. We have certainly increased the size of the force to several hundred but it is consistent with any other sizeable event,” he said.“We have had checkpoints in place for the past couple of days and we have been searching vehicles and persons. We have seized alcohol and it can be collected at the end of the event.”But in a stern warning Mr Dobson admitted he had an APEC-type arsenal at his disposal.“Our tactics, techniques and assets we used are all available to us. Whether it be the water cannon, the helicopter flying over head or anything else. When you see the water cannon driving up Pitt straight, we are planning on that not happening, but it will mean we have had to deploy it for some reason,” he said.V8 fan Shane Carn, 35, accused the “fun police” of ruining his annual pilgrimage to Australia's greatest motor racing event.“It is just going to incite trouble. We can't even walk out of certain fences and the inconvenience will create a lot of anger,” he said.