Articles by Stephen Ottley

Troy Bayliss will take his last laps in the final round of the World Superbike Championship at Portugal's new Portimao circuit.The Ducati star has already clinched this year's world title on the company's new 1098 F08 machine. It was his third title on as many different Ducati models, making him the only rider in the series' history to achieve the feat.The 39-year-old is looking to end his career with two more wins to add to his tally of 50 victories and 92 podiums in 152 starts.“I am a lot more relaxed now that I know we have done what we set out to do,” Bayliss said.“We've won the riders and constructors titles and can tick that off the list.“Now I can go to Portimao knowing a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.“I'm looking forward to racing there, as what we saw during the recent test days was a very impressive track.”After all his success, he knows he has chosen the right time to call it quits.“It's been a long and stressful year and I'm tired, I feel I have just enough energy left to complete these last two races,” Bayliss said.“I would love to finish the season and my career with a win, so that's my goal this weekend, to ride with no pressure and just enjoy what will be my final two Superbike races.”His history with Ducati dates back to 1998 when he first rode for the Italian marque in the British Superbike series.He won that title in 1999 before being promoted the World Superbike team to replace Carl Fogarty in 2000.He won the world title in 2001 and finished runner-up in 2002 to American Colin Edwards at a thrilling final-race decider.He switched to MotoGP in 2003 with Ducati and spent two season there before moving manufacturer, to the Pons Honda team, in 2005.The MotoGP bikes did not suit his riding style and he returned to Superbikes in 2006 to win the title for Ducati again.He made a one-off appearance in MotoGP in Valencia and dominated from the start to notch his only MotoGP win.Bayliss will move back to Australia from his present home in Monaco with his wife Kim and three children.He is interested in following fellow motorcycle champion Wayne Gardner into V8 Supercars but has not revealed plans.“I don't think I'm finished with racing but I've had enough of world Superbikes,” he said earlier this year.“I love touring cars. I'd rather watch touring car races than any other racing. It's close and it's full-on, just like Superbikes.” 

It wasn't much of a race, but it was the perfect result.Hometown hero Casey Stoner dominated yesterday's MotoGP at Phillip Island with a start-to-finish demolition of his rivals.The Ducati star never looked threatened during the 27-lap race and left the 50,541-strong crowd to cheer him home for his second win at the track.“It's just good to see Australians are enjoying motorcycle racing,” Stoner said yesterday.“It's still good to see such a large crowd. I know it's not as big as last year when I won the championship, but it was still a fantastic crowd here.”Italian megastar Valentino Rossi charged through the field to take second place ahead of American Nicky Hayden, but the pair were six seconds behind Stoner.As with all things that are made to look easy, behind-the-scenes it was anything but straightforward.“I never imagined winning my home GP twice in a row,” Stoner said.“It's been a bit of a difficult patch. Going into this weekend we felt that if everything worked like it did in testing we'd be very confident for the race. But it was a lot more difficult. We had a lot of dramas and it was a hard weekend trying to find the right set up.”Concerns early in the week about Stoner's injured wrist, which will require surgery at the end of the season, proved unfounded.“In (the previous race in) Japan I struggled a lot more with change of direction than brakes,” Stoner said.“I think it was the braking points in Japan that caused my weakness in change of direction.“This weekend has been really good. It hasn't given me any dramas so once we got to two-thirds race distance I could actually ease off a bit in the braking points. I could flow the track together and take a lot of weight off it.”While Stoner controlled the race at the front, world champion Rossi created excitement with another brilliant display, riding from 12th place to second.The Yamaha star had to start deep in the pack yesterday after his qualifying crash but lived up to his nickname, The Doctor, by carving his way to the front with surgical precision.“Yes, I enjoy a lot,” Rossi said.“For enjoyment, for sure, starting from the fourth row is good.“But to try to win is a bit more difficult.”That comment drew a reaction from the quick-witted Hayden in a great display between the pair in the post-race press conference.“Maybe he should start every race from there if you enjoy it so much,” Hayden said. “Just a thought.”Rossi said he was still struggling with the after effects of his crash in qualifying yesterday when he hurt his head and neck, but was determined to race.“I was confident because before the crash we find quite good setting and quite good rhythm for the race,” he said.“This morning when I wake up it was a disaster because my head was like this (gestures throbbing pain), like explode. It was a very bad feeling, more than the neck.”On the first lap he only narrowly missed being caught up in an accident involving Honda's Alex de Angelis. “The race was good. It was a great battle from the beginning,” Rossi said.“I was very lucky with de Angelis because he crashed right in front of me and I miss him by two centimetres I think.”Rossi had a battle with fellow Yamaha rider James Toseland for third before beginning his pursuit of Hayden in the second half of the race. Rossi caught Hayden on the last lap and made a bold move to take the place at the high-speed turn one.“Coming down the front straight, away out of the corner of my eye, I've seen him on the big screen and seen him in my draft,” Hayden said.“I knew it was going to be tough but it is cool to be on the podium here. I enjoyed it.”Although he did not add to his tally of wins and lost the chance to record 11 victories in a season, Rossi said he was pleased with his efforts.“I think today for us second place is the best result possible,” Rossi said.He will return home to celebrate his sixth MotoGP title, which he won last month in Japan, in typical Rossi style.“I (will go) back to Italy because I stay around for another week and then I have another two races in a row,” Rossi said.“I'm quite old. I need to sleep in my bed (and) speak a little bit with my dog. So I need a rest. I go back to Italy.”Hayden was the only rider to get close to Stoner in the race.The Honda rider jumped to second at the start and was on Stoner's tail for the early laps.But he couldn't keep up with the Australian's relentless pace.“I got a really good start and I thought I was going to lead,” Hayden said.“Things felt pretty good early and I went a lot faster in the race than I went all weekend.“The bike and everything was working pretty good and I was able to stay with Casey.“I felt comfortable there and then he started to pull away. I had a few issues and couldn't keep the corner speed that I had early on. But I enjoyed the race, it was a lot of fun.“To ride this track at the limit for 27 laps is quite intense.”Behind the leading trio there was some spirited action.Rossi's Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo won the battle for fourth, but had to race hard against Shinya Nakano (Honda), Toseland and Andrea Dovizioso (Honda).Hayden's factory Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa was the only rider besides de Angelis to fail to make the finish.He made a great start from sixth place on the grid but threw it all away by crashing at the second corner of the race. TOP TENAUSTRALIAN MotoGP1 Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati 40min 56.643sec2 Valentino Rossi (ITA) Yamaha +6.504sec behind3 Nicky Hayden (USA) Honda at +7.2054 Jorge Lorenzo (ESP) Yamaha +11.5005 Shinya Nakano (JPN) Honda +11.9146 James Toseland (GB) Yamaha +12.2437 Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Honda +12.7808 Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha +25.9209 Randy De Puniet (FRA) Honda +26.03710 Loris Capirossi (ITA) Suzuki +26.799MANUFACTURER POINTSYamaha 361, Ducati 286 Honda 275 Suzuki 165 Kawasaki 81. 

While it is harsh to dismiss the first R53 version of the JCW as not being a success, it wasn't all it could so Mini owner's BMW have improved the breed for the new R56.The last JCW was more of an retro-fitted parts kit, supplied through the John Cooper Works tuning arm, than a proper Mini model. The new car is the real deal with Mini taking control of the JCW brand and developing the road car - both hatch and Clubman - alongside its Mini Challenge racer.That means the JCW earns its place at the top of the Mini heap, as the brand’s halo car, above the Cooper and Chilli models.It is a natural extension to the brand given the strong racing heritage of the original Mini and John Cooper; the man who ran Jack Brabham to two Formula One world titles.Mini is pushing the links to the Challenge racers hard, and with good reason. The engine is the same one found in the track cars.The 1.6-litre turbo-charged four-cylinder powerplant produces 155kW and 260Nm; with a further 20Nm available on Overboost. It boasts new pistons, valves, turbochargers, intake and exhaust systems on top of the standard Cooper S engine.But for all the power, Mini hasn't forgot that the world craves environmentally friendly cars. Fuel economy is an impressive 6.9l/100km for the hatch and 7.0l for the Clubman on the EU cycle and the engine already meets the EU 5 emission standards, that have still to be introduced.The company has also gone to work on the car's handling and other performance measures. There are upgraded brakes, suspension, gearbox and a recalibrated Dynamic Stability Control system and traction control.There is also a unique Electronic Diff Lock Control that works when the DSC is switched off.While the car's has been toughened up, Mini is also offering a range of performance parts to let customers go even further.Cross-drilled brake discs, an aerodynamic kit that includes a wing and rear diffuser, a strut bar and suspension upgrades are all on the options list.Also available are interior upgrades that include racing seats, sports steering wheel, carbon fibre gear lever and handbrake and bigger, 18-inch wheels.The JCW is based on the Chilli S model so the base package for the car is solid.Prices start at $48,800 for the hatch and $51,300 for the Clubman.The Cabrio version of the JCW won't hit the roads until the updated soft-top emerges next year. With the basic models due by the second quarter the JCW probably won't land on our shores until the middle of 2009.Despite starting late in the year Mini Australia is expecting to sell 60 JCWs by the end of 2008 and is targeting 150 in 2009.  ON THE ROADWhat the Mini JCW lacks in style, it makes up in substance.The biggest criticism of the car is the styling is under-whelming. Sitting inside the car there is almost nothing to really distinguish it from a regular Mini.Granted the steering wheel is leather, there are sports seats, anthracite roof lining and a 260km/h speedo but they are very subtle touches and don't suggest a premium model. You don't even get special badging unless you pay extra.But having said that, it is typically comfortable and stylish as we've come to expect from the Mini.Things are improved on the exterior with 17-inch alloy wheels, bonnet stripes and JCW badges. But again you are left with the feeling that Mini could have taken things further. The optional 18-inch black wheels and aerodynamic kit give the car real presence but come at a price.For a brand so heavily aware of style it is a surprising element to the JCW.But while the styling is under done you can make no such criticism of the engine. It is brilliant; capable of pumping out 97kw per litre.It's small size belies the fact that it is a powerful unit that is capable of taking the car to 238km/h and from 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds.It's not just the raw power too. It is smooth across the rev range and sounds great when you put your foot down.The gearbox is also impressive. Despite being beefed up to cope with the extra grunt it retains the same sharp feel of the standard Mini six-speed manual unit.As you'd expect for a sports model with upgraded suspension the ride is firm. The handling is direct and the JCW provides good feedback to the driver; especially when the Sports mode is engaged. While it can feel harsh on the rougher, open roads it work well on smoother tarmac.To demonstrate this the launch program for the JCW included a stop-over at the Broadford State Motorcycle Complex for some racetrack laps.On the track the JCW is impressive. For such a small car it provides big entertainment. The engine comes into its own when there are no speed limits to worry about and the brakes held up well to the punishment the track dished out.The extra weight made the Clubman less predictable and stable in the rear in the high-speed corners. The hatch had no such problems and lived up to Mini's claims of go-kart like handling. INSIDE VIEWPrice: Hardtop $48,800, Clubman $51,300Engine: 1.6-litre turbo-charged four-cylinder, 155kW and 260NmTransmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel driveFuel economy: Hardtop 6.9l/100km, Clubman 7.0l/100km both on combined EU cycle 

Jamie Whincup could not hide his disappointment after losing yesterday's L&H 500 enduro at Phillip Island.The Team Vodafone young gun looked set for his fourth straight V8 Supercar endurance race win until he made a critical mistake with only 10 laps remaining.Whincup locked his brakes and slid off the track at the hairpin, allowing Garth Tander to sneak through to the lead.It was only a small mistake, but it was all it took to hand the win to the Holden Racing Team pairing of Tander and Mark Skaife.“I was just pushing too hard,” Whincup said. “I was on the limit and just went over the limit. I shouldn't have done that. I'm a professional. I should have found the limit and stuck to it.”Whincup's teammate Craig Lowndes had his trademark grin on display throughout the media conference in a vain attempt to put a positive light on the heartbreaking loss.But Whincup could not. He sat dejectedly through proceedings, pausing only to berate himself.He did not need to be so hard on himself. Up until that point he had driven a magnificent race under some difficult conditions.In the end he was beaten by Tander, but the Holden man had to produce one of his best performances to do it.A mid-race shower turn the race on its head, but Whincup and his crew played the strategy to perfection.HRT, on the other hand, looked as if it was destined for a disappointing day.During Skaife's stint the car was languishing in 15th place as he fought an ill-handling machine. But with fresh tyres, a smart pit strategy and Tander behind the wheel, the team re-emerged as a serious contender.“He's the benchmark guy in Australian motor sport at the moment,” Skaife said of his teammate.“I thought that the battle Garth and Jamie had there at the end was as good as it gets in Australian motor sport. Personally, (I feel) fantastic. But the win was Garth's. He drove the car very, very well.”The win was Tander's third of the season and Skaife's first since Eastern Creek last year. It was also Holden's first endurance win since Bathurst 2005 when Skaife was partnered by Todd Kelly.“I said going into this weekend the team that thinks best on its feet will win,” Tander said.The team was fantastic. But so was Team Vodafone, the team that has won the last three endurance races and looked unstoppable before Whincup slid off.“It's a good result, I suppose, but it's not what it could have been,” Whincup said.“Craig did a faultless performance but I just dropped the bundle.“I'll come back. I don't know how yet. I don't want this feeling ever again.”Third place went to the Dick Johnson Racing duo of Will Davison and Steven Johnson in another sign the former championship-winning team is on the road to recovery.Davison again demonstrated he is a star on the rise by holding off a determined Steven Richards in the closing laps.Richards was recovering after his Ford Performance Racing crew did not pit for wet tyres during the mid-race rain, a decision he described as “as wrong as you can get”.Before the rain fell he was running second behind Whincup and looked set for a strong points haul to elevate his co-driver, Mark Winterbottom, back into the championship points lead.“For sure (we could have won),” Richards said. “Absolutely, no question. I don't say that with flippancy. We had the pace of the guys that won the race. If we had the track position, we could have.”Richards survived the treacherous conditions to finish fourth, passing James Courtney and Lee Holdsworth in the closing laps.It was good enough for Winterbottom to retain second place in the standings, despite Tander's win and Whincup's second place.Tander did manage to extend his lead from 12 points going into the weekend to 80 points as the series head to the Bathurst 1000 next month.The biggest disappointment of the weekend was the crowd. Only 19,020 fans passed through the gates yesterday for the inaugural 500km race at Phillip Island.But V8 Supercars officials remained upbeat about the event's future, believing it will take three years for the race to gain a foothold after replacing the traditional Sandown event. ROUND 9 L&H 500, PHILLIP ISLAND1 Garth Tander/ Mark Skaife Holden2 Jamie Whincup/ Craig Lowndes Ford3 Will Davison/ Steven Johnson Ford4 Mark Winterbottom/ Steve Richards Ford5 Lee Holdsworth/ Michael Caruso HoldenCHAMPIONSHIP POINTS1 Garth Tander 20962 Mark Winterbottom 20433 Jamie Whincup 20164 Rick Kelly 17025 Will Davison 1661 

But the Japanese firm isn't expecting more sales.Honda's flagship has been given a mid-life overhaul after falling short of its sales targets locally. But even though it failed to reach its target of 60 sales a month, Honda Australia is happy with its range-topping model, which was relaunched two years ago.“The current model has sold 700 since its launch, which is pretty much on target. The car is a showcase for technology. It was never meant to be a volume seller,” Honda Australia's Mark Higgins says.Last year Honda sold 404 examples of the Legend - well below its target of 600 - despite having repositioned it at $74,500 after the price had crept towards $90,000 on the previous generation.But Higgins says the company was happy with those numbers. Stock problems throughout its run had hampered sales of the previous model.“We hope this new car will achieve all its targets and objectives. I think we were happy with where the old model settled, about 30 a month. We see it at that level.”The 2009-model Legend is the most powerful Honda road car the company has produced. The old model's 3.5-litre V6 has grown to 3.7-litres and now produces 226kW of power and 370Nm of torque. That's up from 217kW and 351Nm from the old unit.Despite the power increase, fuel use has been marginally reduced from 11.8litres/100km to 11.3litres/100km.The Legend retains its Super Handling all-wheel-drive system and drive-by-wire throttle, but gets an updated five-speed Sequential SportsShift transmission.On the outside the car has more than a dozen cosmetic changes. At the front is a new bonnet, bi-xenon headlights, grille and bumper. The rear gets a new boot with integrated spoiler, bumper, lights and exhaust. There are new 18-inch alloy wheels and side rocker panels.Continuing the technological theme, the “acoustic windscreen” features a thin film of butyl alcohol sandwiched between two glass panels to increase sound protection. There is also the Honda Active noise-cancellation system, which transmits acoustic signals into the cabin to reduce noise.The interior has new seats, steering wheel, BOSE sound system and climate control. But the changes come at a price. The 2009 Legend now costs from $77,500. 

The FG petrol sedan range, from the $36,490 XT model up, has earned a 5-star rating in the Australasian New Car Assessment Program.It is the first Australian-made car to receive the top ranking and should help give the Falcon range a boost after some lower than expected sales results.“The petrol FG Falcon sedan range has been judged by ANCAP as being the safety leader among locally-manufactured vehicles, cementing Ford's reputation for safety leadership,” says Ford Australia President Bill Osborne.“We design our cars to deliver real-world safety benefits. This is a resounding third party endorsement of the extensive safety development program undertaken for the all-new FG Falcon.”The FG Falcon joins the European-sourced Focus and Mondeo as 5-star ANCAP models in the blue oval's range. However, the E-Gas range of LPG-fuel Falcons missed out on the top honour because it does not have stability control. It received a 4-star rating. Falcon's rivals, the Holden VE Commodore and Toyota Aurion, have four-star ANCAP ratings.To achieve the 5-star rating a vehicle must pass four key criteria above a minimum score. The tests are an offset front test, a side impact test, a pole impact test and the car must have electronic stability control.Ford crash-tested 426 actual cars and ran more than 5000 computer-simulated tests during the development of the FG. The company used Ford's facilities in Australia and Detroit, as wellas sister-brand Volvo's Swedish facility. Head airbags for driver and front-seat passenger are standard across the range. The G6E and G6E Turbo have curtain and thorax airbags as standard and are optional on other models.Ford Australia senior executive Trevor Worthington says the rating comes at an important time and vindicates the extensive safety work the company has invested in.“Consumers are more aware of the importance of vehicle safety,” Worthington says. “As the company that first made driver airbags standard and introduced stability control, Beltminder, dual-stage airbags and a reverse camera on Australian-built vehicles, anticipating these growing consumer demands for increased safety was a top priority.” 

The figures, released this week, show that of 349 vehicles tested there were 26 deemed to have performed “significantly better than average”.The ratings are produced by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) with help from the RACV, TAC and VicRoads.The ratings are based on the MUARC team's analysis of more than 3.2 million car crashes in Australia and New Zealand between 1986 and 2006.That means that unlike the ANCAP testing, which is done under control conditions in a special testing facility, the Used Car Safety Ratings are based on real world accidents.The survey rates vehicles in five marks: significantly better than average; better than average; average; worse than average; and significantly worse than average.The ratings expose the myth that larger cars are safer in an accident with bigger cars putting occupants at a greater risk of serious injury in an accident.Small and medium sized cars fared the best with the smallest category offering up nine cars with the eight medium sized cars pulling the top result.Once again large cars fared the worst with only the 2002-06 Holden Commodore awarded the significantly better than average honour.The Subaru Forester 1997-2002 model was the best performer outright in the survey, just ahead of another compact four-wheel-driver, the 1997-2001 Honda CR-V.Light cars fared badly with none achieving the top rating and only three scoring a better than average mark.Also performing poorly were commercial vehicles, both vans and utes. Only the Ford Transit van scored better than average across the two categories. BEST PERFORMING VEHICLESSubaru Forester 97-02Honda CR-V 97-01Ford Explorer 01-05Mercedes-BenzM-Class 98-05Mitsubishi Pajero 00-06Jeep Cherokee 01-04Ford Transit 01-06Holden Commodore 02-06Mazda6 02-06Subaru Liberty 99-03WORST PERFORMING VEHICLESDaihatsu Rocky 85-98Toyota Landcruiser 82-89Holden Rodeo 89-95Subaru Brumby 82-92Suzuki Mighty Boy 85-88Toyota Hiace 87-89Toyota Hiace 90-95Daihatsu Handivan 82-90Holden Scurry/Suzuki Carry 82-00Toyota Hiace 82-86 LIGHT CARSBEST PERFORMERSMazda 121 97-02Holden Barina 01-06Volkswagen Polo 96-00Daihatsu Sirion 96-04Toyota Echo 99-05WORST PERFORMERSHyundai Getz 02-06Suzuki Alto 85-00Daihatsu Mira 90-96Subaru Sherpa 89-92Mitsubishi Mirage 82-88SMALL CARSBEST PERFORMERSVolkswagen Golf 99-04Mazda3 03-06Peugeot 306 94-01Volkswagen Golf 04-06Peugeot 307 01-06WORST PERFORMERSMitsubishi Cordia 83-87Nissan Exa 83-86Nissan NX 91-96Hyundai Excel 86-90Honda Civic 84-87MEDIUM CARSBEST PERFORMERSMazda6 02-06Subaru Liberty 99-03BMW 5- Series 96-03Saab 9000 86-97Saab 9-3 94-02WORST PERFORMERSMitsubishi Starion 82-87Holden Camira 82-89Toyota Corona 82-88Nissan Bluebird 82-86Nissan Pintara 89-92LARGE CARSBEST PERFORMERSHolden Commodore 02-06Ford Falcon 98-02Ford Falcon 02-06Holden Commodore 97-02Mitsubishi Magna 03-06WORST PERFORMERSToyota Supra 82-90Holden Commodore 82-88Ford Falcon 82-88Nissan Skyline 83-88Mitsubishi Magna 86-90LARGE 4WDBEST PERFORMERSFord Explorer 01-05Mercedes M-Class 98-05Nissan Patrol 98-04Nissan Patrol 88-97Toyota Landcruiser 99-06WORST PERFORMERSToyota Landcruiser 82-89Nissan Patrol 82-87Toyota Landcruiser 90-97Range Rover 96-02Jeep Cherokee 96-99PEOPLE-MOVERSBEST PERFORMERSMitsubishi Nimbus 99-03Kia Carnival 99-06Toyota Tarago 91-99Honda Odyssey 95-00Nissan Serena 92-95WORST PERFORMERSMitsubishi Starwagon 83-86Toyota Tarago 83-89Mitsubishi Starwagon 87-93Mazda MPV 94-99Mitsubishi Starwagon 95-98 

But it is still not confirmed for Australia. Even with the showroom rollout beginning in Europe, Volkswagen Group Australia chief Jutta Dierks says she is waiting for the right price and position before she pushes the button on a local sales plan for the Scirocco.The German coupe dominated its class in the gruelling Nurburgring 24-hour race in May.Volkswagen is concerned the car could steal sales from the Golf GTi or convertible EOS if it is not set on the right path from day one.“It's a serious matter and we will take the time we need,” says Dierks. “We have to get an agreement from Germany on the position of the car in the Australian market.”Discussions on the 2.0-litre Scirocco coupe began more than six months ago and there is no news yet on a cut-off date.The Golf-based Scirocco has been revived as Volkswagen's sports coupe and has been a sellout since it went on sale in Europe. Dierks says the car's appeal is obvious.“It's about emotion,” she says. “It's a car that's unusual for a premium volume brand. For some people it is a dream car, for others the Scirocco makes it possible to drive a sports car.“Cars like this bring emotion to the brand. It is outside the normal mass volume that people associate with Volksagen.“There is nothing negative about having the same car as your neighbour, but some people want something different.”The final decision could be some months away — but in the final wash-up, it's all about money.“It's the price,” Dierks says. “We want it in the right position against the Golf GTi and EOS. We don't have any market in Europe where the GTi is 25 per cent of the Golf sales but it is in Australia. We need to find where to position the Scirocco.”Despite the uncertainty and the length of negotiations, Dierks wants the Scirocco here.“I'm keen to get the car. It is not a volume model, but there is a lot of Volkswagen history involved. It will fit in our range and there is a good story to tell. But we have a lot of good products at the moment, so we don't have to rush.”Volkswagen held its ground in 10th place through the first half of this year's new-car sales race, but Dierks says the company is not racing to move up the rankings.“It's not about being No.10 or 9, but growing the volume and everything else,” she says.“Besides, the gap is still huge. And we cannot do it too fast. We need to get things set right.”Golf is still the brand's big seller, but Volkswagen is also getting a boost from the compact Tiguan four-wheel-drive.Dierks says the biggest sales success this year is the four-wheel-drive Touareg.“What really makes me happy for the first six months is the Touareg,” she says. “Finally we have found our place. The target was to sell 100 a month and we are doing that. It is very good to see we are selling 140 a month.“The winner is Golf. We continue to grow it ... and also the EOS.“The whole range is obviously selling quite well and now we have delivered some Tiguans, but we only have 750.”The waiting list for the Tiguan has blown out to almost 12 months. VW had the same problem when it launched Golf GTi three years ago.Though there is no official waiting list, several dealers report delays of nine to 12 months for cars ordered now. Even those who have already ordered the car have had an extra three months added to delivery delay.But Volkswagen spokesman Karl Gehling says the problem is not limited to Australia.“It's simply to do with demand exceeding supply,” Gehling says. “And that's the case in every market.”Australia has 750 Tiguans allocated to it for the first year, and Gehling says it can't source extras.“The factory is working at capacity,” he says. “We're getting as many as we can.”Though it may seem like a good problem to have, Volkswagen will need to be careful to avoid losing too many potential Tiguan customers to rival brands.Nissan, hot on the heals of the Tiguan, is adding a turbodiesel to the X-Trail range that competes against the VW. But Gehling is confident Volkswagen won't be affected too badly while waiting for more cars to arrive.“Obviously it's always a concern, but we're trying to get as many cars as we can,” he says.Though the waiting list is long for specially ordered cars, several dealers Carsguide spoke to had a limited number of examples on the lot. 

Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway wants to bring world-class sportscar racing back to Australia after failing to steal the Grand Prix from Albert Park.The track operator, the Australian Racing Drivers Club, has commissioned a masterplan for its redevelopment by British track designers, Apex.The masterplan is meant to update the circuit, now in its 18th year, to help attract high-profile international events.The FIA GT Championship is run by French promoter Stephane Ratel, who aims to make it a world championship by 2010.He claims he could “sign with a promoter tomorrow” in Australia and Eastern Creek general manager Geoff Arnold didn't deny it is the ARDC when questioned by carsGuide.“The FIA GT Championship is one of the events we'd like to attract to Sydney,” Arnold says.Ratel has always maintained that Australia is a crucial element to his plans to make the GT Championship a true world series.He was here in 2004 to watch races at Surfers Paradise, Phillip Island, and he visited Bathurst.But Eastern Creek appears to have moved into pole position to secure an FIA GT round, thanks to its upgrades.Apex is due to deliver its masterplan to the ARDC by the end of next month and Arnold hopes to have a decision about what changes will be made by the end of the year.Despite being unable to lure the Grand Prix, and losing the A1GP race and its V8 Supercar round, Arnold says the track will still be upgraded.“The plan is, and always was, to look at a redevelopment of Eastern Creek because it's 18-years old,” he says. “We need to do something to improve the venue for the next 18 years.”

When Ford's favourite racer rolls down the pitlane at Sandown in the all-new FG Falcon, he will be unveiling the car that will take up the touring-car contest with Holden's latest VE Commodore.