Articles by Mark Hinchliffe

Famed for its two-seater, rear-wheel-drive supercars, the Italian manufacturer has revealed its first four-wheel drive, the four-seater Ferrari FF.  The latest addition to the Maranello prancing horse fleet is also a hatchback or "shooting brake", but unlike any normal hatchback. Its 6262cc direct-injection V12 engine delivers 485kW of power that slings the red missile from standstill to 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds and a maximum speed of 335km/h. But the main point of difference in the "Ferrari Four" is the addition of four-wheel drive for the first time which places it in even closer competition with all-wheel-drive Lamborghinis.  Ferrari's patented 4RM four-wheel drive system is claimed to weigh half as much as other systems to provide a balanced weight distribution of 53 per cent over the rear axle. While no details of how the drive system works have been released, it is believed Ferrari favours a part-time system.  This could be a system that is activated by driver selection, when slip is detected in the rear wheels or engaged at lower speeds then kicks into rear-wheel-drive for better fuel economy and performance. It is integrated with the car's electronic dynamic control systems and has the latest version of Ferrari's magnetic suspension damping system and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes. Carsguide has published spy photos from Carparazzi of the car heavily disguised but looking frumpy in the rear end.  However, with the covers removed it appears Italian design house Pininfarina has produced a sleek supercar that looks like an aerodynamic version of the 1970s Jensen Interceptor. It has generous space for four passengers and even 450 litres of luggage. With the rear seats down, luggage space increases to 800 litres.The new four-seater gran turismo style puts it in direct competition with the emergence over the past few years of other four-steer GTs such as the Porsche Panamera and Aston Rapide. The FF will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March and will arrive in Australia early next year.  Australian importer Ateco says it will replace the 612 Scaglietti in its four-car line-up. The current Scaglietti sells here for $698,000, but the FF's drive system is expected to boost that price.  It would join Ferrari's current Australian line-up of California Convertible ($459,650), 458 Italia ($526,950) and 599 Fiorano ($677,250). The Italian manufacturer is currently enjoying record sales in the US and China and in Australia, Ferrari sold 126 cars last year, up 21.2 per cent which is double the market trend. Ateco spokesman Edward Rowe says the FF will appeal to "people who want a Ferrari that is able to used across a broad range of uses.  What's been happening over the past 10-15 years is Ferrari owners' average mileage they drive has been increasing significantly every year and Ferrari owners want to be able to use their cars in a much wider range of uses," he says. "The idea of this car is it's fully capable of going to a high-speed performance day and then take you and your family and skis in the car down to the snow for a ski weekend.  This illustrates the enormous breadth and ability of this car." Rowe says the FF is "still a true supercar" in performance and handling.  "It remains a true mid-engined Ferrari but at the same time it's like no other Ferrari that's gone before it." Rowe says they already have "double figures" of customers "putting their hand up" for the FF. Ferrari FF Price: TBAEngine: 65-degree 6262cc direct-injection V12Power: 485kW @ 8000 rpmTorque: 683Nm @ 6000 rpmDimensions (mm): 4907 (l), 1953 (w), 1379  (h) Dry weight: 1790kg Weight distribution: 47% front, 53% rear Top speed: 335 km/h0-100km/h: 3.7 secEconomy: 15.4L/100kmCO2: 360g/kmFerrari FF

A WAGON version of the Mini is not the first vehicle that comes to mind when evacuating in the face of raging floods. However, that is one of the cars at our disposal recently in the Brisbane drama.Packed to the gunwales, rear seats down, no passengers, just my wife and much of our worldly possessions the Mini Clubman was on its way to higher ground when stopped by police. The officer was stunned by how much we had managed to pack inside the little car.The Clubman is not exactly huge. It stood in our garage next to my daughter's Suzuki Swift and was only a little bit longer. But it has enormous capacity for cargo. It would be even more cavernous if the rear seats folded down lower and flatter.VALUEConsidering it is a similar size to the Swift, but costs double, it is difficult to argue the value case for the Clubman. However, Mini is put together by BMW so it has good build quality and driving dynamics, although certainly not double that of the Swift. For most people Mini is a decision of the heart, anyway.Now the range comes with more standard features and customisation options with a modest price increase of $400. But who could put a value on the fact that you can now choose from 756 interior light colour combinations!The most important new standard feature is the inclusion of Bluetooth, although music streaming is an optional extra. Other new standard features include rain-sensing wipers, auto headlights, fog lights, and velour floor mats.TECHNOLOGY"S" used to stand for supercharged. But some time ago Mini did away with the whining supercharger that sounded like a Morris gearbox in reverse. Instead, the S stands for turbocharger. Go figure.Last year the Cooper S turbo petrol engines received technical upgrades lifting power 2kW (7kW for S) with a slight decrease in emissions, plus better economy and acceleration figures. It's a wickedly powerful little unit that lights up around 2500rpm.In the test car it was mated to a slick six-speed manual gearbox, although you can also get a six-speed auto. A "sport" button sharpens the steering and throttle response and is standard on all Mini Cooper S and JCW models.STYLESome say it looks quite odd and out of proportion. I say it looks a bit like a pie van with its double rear doors. But it is still undoubtedly a Mini and will have its fans, especially with its extra versatility and carrying capacity. The way those rear doors open and leave the taillights behind is quite a tasty little feature.Inside, the layout is much the same, with the iconic centrally located dishplate speedo, but trim quality has improved and the volume knob is now where it should be. The car is designed for left-hand-drive markets which means the door configuration is opposite to how it should be.This is a five-door car with two rear doors and a "suicide" door (front-opening door) on the right behind the driver. The suicide door cleverly takes the front seat belt with it and is designed to allow easier access to the rear seats. However, it opens out into traffic on right-hand-drive models. It should be on the left for footpath access. (By the way, manufacturers hate people calling it a suicide door, for obvious reasons.) Also, the right rear door opens before the left; again a left-hand-drive preference. At least it pops open with the remote which is handy.DRIVINGIf you think the Clubman is great for driving on flood-affected streets, think again.On several occasions it banged into massive potholes and felt like it wouldn't emerge from the other side. And the wild torque steer and huge volumes of power going through the front wheels make it difficult to keep traction and control on the slick mud-coated streets. For these conditions you might be better waiting for the soon-to-arrive Countryman SUV.Like all Minis it drives like a go-kart, but it also rides a bit like one so beware those potholes. I love the driver's door extra visor which is a great idea when driving with the afternoon sun belting in through the side window. Why can't other manufacturers add this simple, cheap, but handy device?Interior accommodation belies exterior dimensions. There is plenty of room front and back except it's a bit of a tight fit around the pedals for size 11 feet.VERDICTA fun little car with an added touch of practicalilty.MINI CLUBMAN COOPER SPrice: $43,800Engine: 4-cylinder 16-valve 1598cc turbo petrolPower: 128kW @ 5500rpmTorque: 240Nm @ 1600Economy: 7L/100kmDimensions (mm): 3958 (l), 1683 (w), 1432 (h), 2547 (wheelbase)Turning circle: 11mKerb weight: 1205kgCO2: 166g/km

LARGE family sedans are on the slippery downhill slope - at least sales wise. But not everyone wants to move from big sedans to SUVs with their perceived aura of "killing the planet".There are now quite a few sleek station wagons available that have as much carrying capacity as an SUV without the high clearance, road-dominating stature and politically incorrect label. One of the best is the Volkswagen Passat.The cargo area is so cavernous it could almost be used as a hearse. And without the all-wheel-drive transmission bulk of an SUV, it's quite frugal, especially the entry level 118 TSI version. Could this be the best Australian family car available?VALUEIt's right on the money. The 118 TSI starts at $38,990 and our review car was $40,990, but with luxury options (metallic paint, Media Device Interface, electric glass sunroof and leather upholstery) that bolstered the cost to $46,990. Considering trim levels, that makes it around the same price as a typical large family sedan.STYLESleek is not a word often associated with station wagons, but this model certainly deserves the description. Some of the new breed of "sports wagons" try a little too hard to disguise their big rear end and simply fail. The cars either look silly or are impractical with small cargo areas and low roof lines that cramp the rear passengers.The Passat has the perfect balance between style and practicality.Outside there are trendy LED taillights and a tasteful amount of chrome including practical and handsome roof rails, while inside is sedate and comfortable with a fine balance between bling and austerity. The seats are comfortable and there is plenty of foot, leg, head and elbow room front and back.Anyone coming from a large car will be more than happy with the space. However, the fifth passenger may find the seat a little hard and space a bit cramped for long trips.SAFETYThere is a high level of safety gear on board including a suite of seven airbags, a rigid safety cell, ABS, electronic brake-pressure distribution, brake assist, and traction and stability control.TECHNOLOGYVW keeps raking in the engine awards and this 118kW turbo petrol unit is one of the gems in its range. It's powerful, quiet, refined and frugal.With four adults and a heap of luggage on board, driving through cities, highways and up and down mountains, it returned 8.2L/100km, which is not much above the claimed figure of 7.7. That provides potential range from the 70-litre tank of 850km, which is more than adequate for Australian long-distance driving conditions.The Passat also comes with a fair bit of standard technology such as handy rain sensor wipers that actually worked, an optical parking system and parking sensors that make the carpark a breeze and an SD card slot and six-disc CD changer for entertainment.However, Bluetooth with streaming is the best way to go for convenience and safety. Instead, the Passat has an aux in socket in the centre console for your MP3 player and 12V sockets at the bottom of the centre stack and behind the centre console. It's good but not good enough.For those with sensitive noses there is an air quality sensor with automatic air recirculation when you're following a smoky truck and dust and pollen filters.The optional Multi-Function Display features driving time, trip length, average speed, average and current fuel consumption, distance till empty, speed warning function, audio and convenience display. On a long trip these on-board computer functions are not only handy, but also keep the mind alert.Another couple of handy bits of low-technology are the chillable glovebox and umbrella holder in the driver's door. One bit of technology I'm not a fan of is the electro-mechanical parking brake but it worked well enough.DRIVINGMost people who move from a large sedan miss its high-speed stability, quiet cabin and no-fuss road holding. They won't be disappointed with the Passat.The 2709mm wheelbase keeps it stable under speed and the sophisticated independent front end and four-link rear suspension tackles the lumps and bumps with aplomb. The electro-mechanical power-assisted steering gives plenty of feel and feedback.It simply doesn't drive or steer like a station wagon.The key to this car is the enormous cargo area with its flat floor, automatic tailgate release, adjustable net partition and luggage cover, and storage box. You can also lay the rear seats down flat and turn it into a hearse. And under that flat floor there's also a full-sized alloy spare.VERDICTAn ideal family car for Australian conditions.VW Passat 118TSI wagonPrice: $40,990 ($46,990 as tested)Engine: 4-cylinder 1798cc TSIPower: 118kW @ 4500rpmTorque: 250Nm @ 1500-4500Transmission: 7 Speed DSG, front-wheel driveEconomy (L/100km): 7.8 (claimed), 8.2 (tested with 4 adults and luggage)CO2: 182g/kmWheels: 17 x 71.2h alloysTyres: 235/45 R17Fuel: 70-litre tankWeight: 1529kgTowing: 1500kg (braked), 740kg (unbraked), 85kg (towbar load limit)Dimensions (mm): 4774 (l), 1820 (w), 1517 (h), 2709 (wheelbase)

Hankook chief financial officer Hyun Bum Cho last year said he had held talks with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone about supplying tyres to the premier motorsport category.  However, the first major motorsport category to be running on Korean rubber will be the German touring car series, DTM.Hankook has previously focused on long-distance sports car events, last year finishing second at the Nurburgring 24-Hour race with a Ferrari F430 GT2 co-driven by Bathurst 1000 invitee Allan Simonsen.Now the company has announced an exclusive three-year contract with DTM, including Audi, Mercedes and the new BMW teams. The DTM series is based in Germany but also races in Austria, China, England, Netherlands and Spain.The seventh-biggest tyre manufacturer in the world plans to move into other major racing categories in the next few years.  Cho, who launched the South Korean company's motorsport program 10 years ago, said the company, which spends about 3 per cent of its sales revenue on marketing, needed to become involved in the "top categories" of world motorsports."Right now we have a little Le Mans team and some rally teams here and there," he said.  "The worldwide motorsport market is about two million (tyres) a year, which is quite profitable because motorsport tyres are quite expensive."So we need to be in WRC, F1 or the top end of Le Mans.  In future we need to be in those but it will cost a lot of money."Hankook Tyre Australia marketing assistant William Ng says DTM "will form the core of Hankook's motor sport activities".  "Other forms of motorsport may be entered into if they are in line with our strategic goals," he says.Their tyres have been used in the Bathurst 12-Hour race, but when asked if the V8 Supercar series is in their sights, he replied: "No comment at the moment."Hankook Tyre Australia managing director Paul Park says Hankook is well poised to be in premium motorsport categories because most of the bigger companies are either "old or disinterested" and the Japanese brands do not have the money to participate."So it is quite obvious that in the motorsport field we are emerging as a new rising star," he said.

Peter Champion, owner of Champion,s Brock Experience museum in Yeppoon, announced yesterday that he will close "permanently".  Spokesperson Heather Smith says they are "considering our options". "We had a 30 per cent increase in numbers from last year to this year and were looking forward to a busy Christmas, but the floods have been the straw that broke the camel's back with no access into Rockhampton airport for more than three weeks," she said.  This decision has been made with great sadness, but has been unavoidable." Rumours persist that the museum's collection will be incorporated into a major motorsport museum to be established at the Big Pineapple site in Nambour.  We have had several approaches and that (Big Pineapple) was one of them, but we are considering our options," she said. Smith said the closure of the museum would not affect their Holden Dealer Team special edition vehicles business. Their HDT vehicles are produced in the company's Smeaton Grange workshops in western Sydney and are based on the VE Holden Commodore SV6, SS and the SSV models. Champions Brock Experience will be open to the public each Saturday from 10am until 2pm up to February 26.

"I used to sit there in an old chair and watch all the cars go past," he says.  "One day I remember seeing a red Healey 100 drive past and I said, 'One day I'll own one of those'." The 61-year-old Mortlake real estate agent has done better than that. Over the years he has owned about 15 Healeys "in varying degrees of respectability". "Funnily enough I've bought well and made some dough on them," he says.  "At one stage I bought and sold a few to help put the kids through private school." After owning several MGs, he bought his first Austin Healey at a Pickles auction in 1983. He passed on a "rather tatty" BN2 and paid $11,000 for a BN1 owned by John Laws.  "The BN2 would have been the better buy but I still doubled my money in nine years," he says. Horwood currently owns a 1985 Porsche convertible, a rare 1980 GLX Valiant, a'67 Mustang convertible, a 1966 3.9 MkII Jaguar, a'95 ClubSport he's had from new and two Healeys.  "I like the others but Healey is my first love," he says. One of his current Healeys is a rare two-seater, sixcylinder 1958 BN6 100/6 roadster he bought in 1991.  It is one of 263 out of 4000 made in right-hand-drive.  The RHD was an export order to Washington DC, possibly for a diplomat. After 30 years it was shipped back to the UK, then Australia where it changed hands several times before Horwood bought it for $12,000. "I've kept it going for all those years and just tidied it up," he said. "I spent about $3000 on a new diff, wheels and wiring. Only last year I spent about $20,000 on an engine rebuild. Had it blueprinted with an alloy head, plus triple Weber carbies and straightcut Tulip ratios fitted to the gearbox. All the goodies. "It goes very hard. Like the clappers. We dynoed it and it has over 200hp (149kW) at the rear wheels. Originally it had about 90-95hp. It's been bored out from 2.6 litres to more than three litres." Horwood says the body has no rust, but is "pretty sad" and there is work to be done.  "But I could drive it from here to Brisbane if I need to.  Mechanically it's fine.  It is insured for $25,000 and he hasn't had that updated to account for the restoration.  Because of money I spent on the engine it should be about $35,000-$40,000." His other Healey is called Stan, which is short for standard because the 1966 3000MK 111 BJ 8 convertible was originally ordered in Yorkshire without overdrive or an adjustable steering wheel. "The only explanation I can think of is that Yorkshiremen are notoriously tight with their money so I reckon this bloke has walked in and didn't want to pay for all the bulls--t on it," he says. Horwood bought it in 2000 on a swap deal.  "lt owes me about $45,000 and it's now worth up to $70,000," he says. "BJ8s are pretty popular, because they're convertibles with wind-up windows and a wrap-around windscreen and are more user friendly," he says. "It was in good nick, but I've done a lot of work to it. "The fuel lines needed to be replaced, brakes were ordinary, the booster wasn't working. It's had a paint touch-up, new trim, new carpet and the tailshaft and rear brake drums have been balanced. It now runs like a bird. Sweet as. "It rides smoothly on 80 profile tyres on the original 15-inch wheels so the tyres fill the arches better and it gives the correct rolling diameter so the speedo is accurate. Low-profile tyres have better acceleration, but this doesn't have overdrive, so this works better."

There will hardly be a chance to dab the brakes all year once the motorsport and motoring calendar hits the road with the Dakar Rally on New Year's Day.

The 28-year-old Sunshine Coast cattle farmer crashed at high speed in the opening round at Phillip Island, retired from the season for major knee surgery five months later and after another five months he is still walking with a cane and won't be able to ride a motorcycle until next Tuesday, December 21. But the year has ended on a high note with his engagement to long-time British girlfriend Toni Pinion, 32. "He didn't get down on one knee to propose, but I suppose he had a good excuse" Pinion said yesterday at their Yandina cattle property. Vermeulen says they haven't fixed a date for the wedding yet. "I'm in no rush," he said. "But being married didn't do any harm for Casey Stoner, Troy Corser or Troy Bayliss." The world number-one rider for Kawasaki says his rehabilitation from surgery has taken longer than expected, but he plans to be fit enough to test the new ZX10-R bike in Malaysia on January 10. "The operation involved new technology not done in Australia, so I had it done in southern Spain," he said. "But there was a lot more damage to my knee than expected and I've only just graduated this week from crutches to one walking stick. One month ago I would have said I'd be fully fit by the start of the season, but I've had to learn to walk all over again. "Realistically I won't be fighting fit until the middle of the season. But I still intend to be the first Kawasaki rider to win a World Superbike race since Akira Yanagawa about 10 years ago." Vermeulen was heavily involved in the development of the 2011 ZX10-R road bike on which the race bike is based. "It has ABS and traction control so it's a BMW beater," he said. "I'd prefer to race without the electronics but this is development and it makes road riders safer and it makes racers more competitive." While he has been convalescing, Vermeulen has been cycling and surf skiing to keep his fitness levels high for the punishing 26-race season. "The surf ski is goof for upper body and core strength which is important in bike racing," he said. "Cycling is good for cardio which is also important because my heart rate is about 170 beats per minute for the whole race. Testing in Malaysia will be really physically demanding because we do about 500km at race pace over four days in blistering heat and humidity." Vermeulen was the 2005 World Supersport (60cc) champion before moving to World Superbike the next year and finishing second. He then spent four disappointing years in MotoGP before returning to World Superbike last year. "I don't have an urge or desire to go back to MotoGP," he said. "I'm happy to be Kawasaki's world number one rider, but if they want to return to MotoGP and are committed to winning, then I would go." Vermeulen hasn't ruled out switching to four wheels when he retires from motorcycle racing like former world champion Wayne Gardner. "I test drove Jason Bright's V8 Supercar three years ago and did about 15 laps around Winton," he said. "The thing that surprised me was the brakes and how deep you can go into a corner, but the acceleration from a 600 horsepower car was less than exhilarating. It's much less than a bike. "I wouldn't mind racing cars, but for me it's not a love like bikes."

Former F1 champion Alan Jones has helped developed a AJF1 supercar prototype which will be developed into three pre-production cars early next year with the first handbuilt production model rolling out of a Gold Coast factory later in the year. "I can't say when we will build the first production cars; maybe late next year," the 1980 Formula One champion says. "I don't want to let the car out until it is spot on." The AJF1 was designed and engineered over three years by Gold Coast electrician and refrigeration engineer Darrell Barnett who sparked his supercar dream when he built a kit car in 2000. "I thought that wasn't hard, so I decided to build a supercar," he says. Barnett then took the idea to Jones and long-time business partner Greg Wilson. "I didn't want to put my name to it until I knew it would be a real supercar," Jones says. "It has to have looks, finish, performance and power." The prototype looks like an amalgam of Italian sportscars and at 2150mm is slightly wider than a Lamborghini Murcielago. Jones says they will produce a luxury model "with all the trimmings" and a lightweight, 1220kg, stripped-down, supercharged, track-day special, which he believes will be the most popular. "I can see that people will keep this in their garage under wraps and only take it out to a track," he says. It is fitted with a mid-mounted Lexus V8, but the production model will be powered by a Chevrolet LS9 6.2-litre V8 and will sell for about $250,000 to $270,000. "I don't believe you need a V10 or a V12," Jones says. "You want reliability and the Chev engine gives power, performance and reliability." The body is made of strong and lightweight carbonfibre and kevlar over a multi-tubular steel space frame, and it will come with a choice of six-speed manual transmission and a seven-seed double-clutch auto with manual and sports modes. Despite the global financial crisis, Jones says sales of supercars have never been so strong. "Every country seems to have a supercar now and I see no reason why we can't build one," he says. "Five years ago people hadn't heard of the Pagani Zonda." Jones believes the car will sell well overseas, particularly in Asia. "We've had expressions of interest and one guy who wants to buy one, but what exactly are we selling? We don't have final specifications yet. It's still a work in progress," he says. Jones says the finished car will have a 0-100km/h time of about three seconds. The AJF1 has been government approved to be built at a limit of 25 for Australia and 75 for export. "I can understand limiting local sales to 25, but why limit exports to 75? It's only money that's going to come back to Australia," Jones says. Wilson says the project has so far cost $700,000, not including labour. The car will be built by Alan Jones Signature Vehicles with a fourth business partner, New Zealand businessman Tony Richards. Wilson says they are considering a public float. The car has been shown at the Gold Coast V8 Supercars event and the inaugural Festival of Speed in Perth last month, and will be on display at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide in March. Jones says he has tested the car on road and track and had "input into everything" including suspension, design, fit-out and powertrain. But he admits there is still a lot of work to do. "For a start the roof needs to be higher so you sit up a bit more," he says. "I have to admit, it's not an easy car to get in and out of." Jones says they will also investigate alternative powertrains, including a two-litre twin turbo, electric motor, hydrogen and even a magnetic engine being developed on the Gold Coast. DRIVING Carsguide was privileged to have a short drive in the prototype, but Jones stressed that the vehicle had teething problems and was only a pre-production model with the wrong engine. Like other concept cars, prototypes and pre-production vehicles that I have seen at motor shows and driven, the vehicle doesn't stand close scrutiny. The trim is slightly rough, the noise dampening is limited and it feels unfinished. But it still feels like a purpose-built machine destined for production, even in limited handbuilt numbers. Barnett says there is an oil leak problem and we are limited in revs on the short drive, but the clutch feels light, the gearshift positive and the steering light and responsive for such a high-powered, low-slung supercar with wide tyres. It seems to deliver on Jones's intention that the AJF1 is a supercar you can use every day. However, Jones is also right about the roof. It's too low, making it almost painful getting in and out. Once inside, the seats are raked back too far, yet your head still scrapes the ceiling. While there is sparse noise dampening material inside, the glorious roar of the V8 just behind your head is delightful and there is only a slight rumble in the seat. Suspension feels stiff and although there is 140mm of clearance, we take it cautiously slow over the speed bumps. With limited revs it is difficult to vouch for its performance, besides the engine will be replaced. However, Jones says it is "almost certain" that the car will have some motorsport involvement. AJF1 Fusion Series 358 & 480 Price: about $250,000-$270,000Engine: 6.2-litre V8 (358); supercharged 6.2-litre V8 (480)Power: 358kW @ 5750rpm (358); 480kW @ 6500rpm (480)Torque: 644Nm @ 4500rpm (358); 820Nm @ 3800rpm (480)Transmission: 6-speed manual (358); 7-speed double-clutch auto with manual and sports modes (480)0-100km/h: 4 secs (358); 3.4s (480)Top speed: 325+km/h (358); 335+km/h (480)Suspension: double A with castor, camber, toe, damper and height adjustment (front), alloy upper A arm, triple-link lower with camber, toe, damper and height adjustment (rear)Turning circle: 10mDimensions (mm): 4170 (l), 2150 (w), 1030 (h)Net weight: 1220kg

John Martin, 26, this year won more races than any other driver in the European-based Superleague series and pocketed more than $500,000 in prizemoney.  Next year, the former national Formula Ford champion could be racing in front of a home crowd as the international football-themed series seeks to spread to an international audience. "There's been a lot of talk about coming to Australia, also Brazil, Abu Dhabi and another race in China," he said.  The Superleague put up its hand in 2009 to fill in for the A1GP when it failed to show for the Gold Coast "Indy". "They'd still really like to come to Australia and are really pushing for it," Martin said.  "I'm in the loop a bit but they play their cards close to their chest so we won't know until they are near a deal. "(Superleague co-founder) Robin Webb has been out here a couple of times in the last couple of weeks.  "I've heard that Adelaide and a few other places have been mentioned. Adelaide would be good because it's a former F1 track." Martin scored six pole positions this year for his Beijing Guoan FC team, 10 podiums and won six races, including two super finals, but finished ninth in the convoluted points system.  "The year didn't go quite as planned, but it was still a good one," he said.  "We wanted to challenge for the championship but had a few problems. But towards the end of the year we went really well." Since he arrived back in Australia last month the former Gosford-born Queensland karting champion has been racing karts at Rockhampton and Bundaberg "for some fun" and to keep his eye in, winning all four races.  He says he will race a full season of Superleague next year but has not yet signed a contract. "Motorsport is a crazy world and things change all the time," he said.  "I'm still just chasing the F1 dream. I'd also like to be in GP2 but I don't have the budget for that.  Maybe if I make some more money out of Superleague I can think about GP2 or an F1 test." Martin said it costs about $675,000 to race a season in Superleague and about $2.7 million "just to turn up" in GP2.  "And then there's crash damage and things aren't cheap to fix," he said. "My prizemoney this year paid for my season, so basically I raced for nothing. Sponsors and my family help out with living expenses.  "My dad (Greg) worked as a mining contractor in Blackwater and he's spent a quite a bit on my career." Martin congratulated Perth 21-year-old Daniel Ricciardo scoring a contract with F1 team Toro Rosso as the third and reserve driver for next season, but said there were drawbacks. The former Red Bull reserve driver will drive in the free practice sessions on the first day of each GP, alternating with regular drivers Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastian Buemi. If either is injured or their performance is diminished, Ricciardo is likely to get a drive. "That's the way into F1 these days, not being a test driver," Martin said.  "There's not much testing in F1 these days as they put a ban on it, so it makes it harder to get in. "A few years ago when Webber started he test drove for several years and go lots of miles in.  "But as a reserve driver you do a lot of standing around hoping someone gets sick. Plus it takes you away from other competition. "You need to be racing to keep your name out there and keep your race craft up as well.  "You can do all the time in the gym you like but you have to go out and get match fitness."FAST LANE Driver: John Martin, 26, from Blackwater , now living in YeppoonCareer: Qld karting champion, Australian Formula Ford champion, also raced British Formula 3 and A1GP2010: finished 9th in Superleague points and 4th in prizemoney, with 4 race 1 wins, 2 super finals, 6 poles, 10 podiums, 13 front row starts, qualified front row for the last 5 rounds.Superleague history: Started in 2008 in the UK with sponsorship by international football clubs such as AC Milan, Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Totenham.Superleague cars: Teams run identical cars with 560kW V12 engines in open-wheel, single-seaters.Superleague rounds: 12 rounds each consisting of qualifying, race 1, a reverse-grid race 2 and a super final of the top 6 drivers from race 2.