Around the tracks September 4 2009

Foiled on last lap

Marcos Ambrose experieced a devasting last-lap defeat in the Nationwide series road race in Montreal, Canada, last weekend. He was on track for a second Nascar win for the season after qualifying in pole position. But a rare mistake on the final lap -- after leading from the start -- handed victory to Carl Edwards. Ambrose recovered for second.

Race veteran dies

Frank Gardner, one of Australia's most successful racers of the 1960s and '70s, has died at the age of 78. Gardner starred in all sorts of high-powered cars in Europe and returned home to win an Australian sports sedan championship. He then ran the factory BMW racing team with a long string of drivers from Jim Richards and Allan Grice to Paul Morris and Tony Longhurst.

Swept away in crash

A rare crash cost Chad Reed another sweep in the AMA 450cc motocross championship at the Southwick track in the US last weekend. Reed rode his Suzuki to an easy first-leg win but a fall on a soaking track in the second heat left him 31st, and eighth overall for the event. Even so, Reed has already clinched the series.

Lighting way for Aussies

The first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be run under lights later this year. A 5pm start time means the second Formula One event in the Middle East will start before dusk and run through to the flag once the sun has set. The move opens the way for a potential V8 Supercar night race next year if plans for an Aussie double-header in the Middle East go ahead.

Taylor made for title

Molly Taylor has achieved a career milestone -- named this year's British Ladies Rally Champion. She is still battling to win the Suzuki Cup title but a string of top results in her Swift have given her the top award for a female driver in the British championship.

Closing in on leader

James Davison continued his front-running form in the US Indy Lights series with second place at the Chicagoland oval track last weekend. Davison qualified sixth but moved up to follow Daniel Herrington over the line. The result moves him to second in the championship behind J.R. Hildebrand.

Celebration booked

TeamVodafone has started plans for a series celebration this year with an official record of the V8 Supercar campaign of Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes. The TeamVodafone yearbook is already in production, under the direction of photographer Scott Wensley and journalist Gordon Lomas, with plans for hard and soft-cover books before Christmas. Details: www.teamvodafoneyearbook.com

Briggs back on track

John Briggs, a former V8 Supercar team owner and Australian sports sedan champion, is coming back to racing. Briggs will drive a Mosler sports car in the Australian GT championship in a move that gives him Australian distribution rights for Mosler.