Race track

The Ford star yesterday blasted his way to a come-from-behind victory in Hamilton to remain unbeaten for the year. It was his 14th win from 17 starts, making him the hottest driver in V8 Supercars history.The Daily Telegraph can reveal the off-contract Whincup is considering a move overseas.The V8 Supercars champion, who was yesterday robbed of pole position by a controversial red flag, last month knocked back a mega-rich offer to compete in Le Mans, one of the world's most prestigious races.“I had two offers for him to race in Le Mans,” his manager Matt Cousins revealed. “And racing overseas is something he may look at in the future.”Whincup is expected to field offers of up to $1million a year to leave Roland Dane's Team Vodafone. Yesterday, he proved he is worth every cent by crushing his rivals.“Right now longevity is the key,” Cousins said. “His future is here at the moment and he is concentrating on winning another championship. That is all that matters to him.“I think concentrating on the championship and his long-term future is better than a quick earn. Right now we are very comfortable at Triple Eight. It would have to be a very impressive offer to leave, but you can never say never.”Two rival V8 Supercars teams have already inquired about Whincup's services for 2010.On a horror day in Hamilton for Holden, Ford took out all three spots on the podium, with James Courtney and Steve Johnson taking the minor placings, as the 26-year-old drove his best race of the year.But Whincup was far from happy after the race, slamming V8 officials for a controversial qualifying session that saw him denied the fastest lap just 50m before crossing the line.A red flag was dropped on the session when Tim Slade crashed as the sport's big guns were making their final assault with four minutes to go.“It was a tough session because it got cut short,” Whincup said. “It got Steven Johnson up the front. I was angry and annoyed. It was a lottery.“We don't want to get to the stage where we are drawing numbers out of a hat. I don't want to be disrespectful to the guys who did a good job, but the fastest car did not qualify first.” 

Leading teams have formed a cartel and plan a touring troupe through the coming summer season to ensure the best drivers and cars front for the major meetings across the country.The new franchise system means the end of the current World Series Sprintcar setup but should lead to much better racing and a better deal for fans.The umbrella organisation for the new push is Sprintcar Racing Pty Ltd, which is already supported by more the 20 teams and drivers such as Brooke Tatnell, Max Dumsney and Robbie Farr.The new push is led by long-time motorsport identity Dale Rogers, the former owner of Revolution Racewear in Melbourne, who is the CEO under a board topped by former sprintcar and V8 Supercar racer Tony Noske.Team owners Shane Krikke, Robbie Farr, Noel Gessner and John Farrell are also on the board.Rogers says the new group has only just opened negotiations with track owners and race promoters but is hoping to revitalise sprintcar racing in Australia."This is something that had to happen. We think it is going to be very good for speedway in Australia," Rogers says."This is the start of a new era for sprintcar racing. For too long, sprintcar racing has floundered along looking for direction."Rogers says the new group is working on a touring schedule for the 2009-2010 summer season, as well as ensuring the top drivers make all the major meeting, but it is too early to make any firm promises.Instead, he says Sprintcar Racing Pty Ltd will soon establish a website to keep fans up to date with plans. 

The new king of Australian motor sport Jamie Whincup began his quest for back-to-back V8 titles in style, making it two from two at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide yesterday.The V8 Supercars champion admitted he was suffering from pre-season nerves, but showed no mercy as he blitzed his Holden rivals Will Davison (second) and Garth Tander (third).Whincup is hoping to become the first driver since Marcos Ambrose (2003-04) to win back-to-back championship crowns.“It has been a long three months since I won the championship at Oran Park,” Whincup said. “There was a lot of pressure coming into this round carrying the No. 1.“There were a lot of question marks over a lot of things. There have been big changes at the team with the new cars and it has been just such a different lead up to the season. I didn't know if I was going to run 25th or finish up the front.”Whincup was forced to dig deep early, with Tander leading a Holden fight-back on the first lap.As the second race fired to life in spectacular fashion, Tander ducked inside Whincup to take the lead in a gutsy move. But Whincup put his head down and stole the lead back on lap 10 with a classy pass on Holden's top dog.It was a horror start for last year's runner-up Mark Winterbottom, with another crash costing him valuable championship points.After fighting his way up to fifth, Winterbottom flew round turn 13 and ended up in the gravel when his steering failed. The mechanical malfunction sent him back to last place and all but ended a disappointing weekend for Ford Performance Racing.Davison is looming as a championship threat after an outstanding debut with the Holden Racing Team.After a strong year with Dick Johnson Racing last year, Davison is shaping as a genuine force with the Red Lion's backing.“It is just one step at a time,” Davison said.“For me it is just crazy to start thinking of the championship. I know what I want to achieve this year and this is a great start.”But the day belonged to Whincup.“My car got stronger and stronger,” he said. “The pace was massive. We were doing mid-22s, which was just huge. I had a great battle with Will. It was intense pressure the whole way and I am so happy to get a second win.” ROUND 1CLIPSAL 500, RACE 21 Jamie Whincup (Ford)2 Will Davison (Holden)3 Garth Tander (Holden)4 Craig Lowndes (Ford)5 Lee Holdsworth (Holden)CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS AFTER ROUND 11 Jamie Whincup 3002 Will Davison 2673 Lee Holdsworth 2494 Steven Johnson 2225 Jason Richards 207 

Last year I came away with the round victory and it was just about the best racing of my life.We were leading then had mechanical issues and dropped back through the field only to fight our way back through the pack and hit the lead near the end.It was like a Rocky movie; something you just dream of. And to happen in front of such a big crowd was the icing on the cake.But I really don't feel any extra pressure or expectation being last year's round winner and the current champion because this year we start with a clean sheet of paper.We have some major rule changes and a brand new race car, so what happened last year is somewhat irrelevant.It's certainly important to get the year off to a good start as it really sets the tone for the season and creates momentum.After two slid days of testing last week at Queensland Raceway we have a lot of things sorted, but we're still not 100 per cent sure if we have the pace.However, all the elements that gave us pace last year are still there. It's mainly just a matter of fine tuning the aero kit.While there were about six cars last year that could have won in Adelaide I reckon there are about 12 that could win here this year.The competition is so much tougher and closer.Another major unknown is fuel. This year we are running on 85 per cent ethanol which burns at a faster rate than the 10 per cent ethanol blend we ran last year.That means it may come down to who pits at the right time as there is no compulsory pit window.We know how many laps the car will do on a tank so it will be a matter of getting to that lap and then filling up and going to the end.The use of E85 fuel is designed to make the racing better and more interesting and I think it will.But it is also designed to show that we as a sport are concerned about the environment.It may burn faster, but it also burns so much cleaner. I looked at the exhaust after our big test days at Queensland Raceway last week and it was so much cleaner. It wasn't covered in near as much soot as it used to be.I think we will demonstrate to the public that ethanol is a good clean fuel that you should use in your road car. It's good for the environment and healthy for your engine.But right now I just can't wait to get out there. It's been three months since I last raced and I've only had two test days in the meantime. Bring on race day. 

Venues like Amaroo Park and -- soon -- Oran Park are becoming distant fond memories in drivers minds.  So the launch of the Marulan Driver Training Centre (MDTC) is timely.Based 20 minutes from Goulburn, the MDTC gives drivers the chance to push their cars hard in a very inviting and safe setting. The track is so tight that you won’t get into the higher cogs… but if you think never getting out of second gear isn’t fun, you need to give this a try. The track is just one kilometer long, so the 12-minute sessions allow at least eight laps each … something unheard of at larger settings.  Not having to worry about changing gear so much also lets you concentrate on what you’re there for -- improving your driving.The track has just about every type of turn, angle, and run you will ever experience on a track or on the street.  Off-camber corners, sharp downhill turns, crests leading into double S-bends, a hairpin, and a main straight right in front of the pits.  Race driver instructors are on-hand all day to give you pointers.  Don’t want to take your own car?  A group of race-prepared MX5s are available for hire there. The design of the track is no accident.  Garry Willmington and his family built the facility, starting in 1991 and drawing on more than 30 years of race knowledge, including multiple Bathurst belt-notches to Willmington’s credit.  A final resurfacing allowed the venue to open in August last year.  Yes, close to 20 years since conception.  One can only shudder at the thought of all the red-tape Willmington went through… and the persistence and determination it requiredThe first event at the MDTC was organised by Circuit Club – a non-CAMs affiliated group that asks for no member fees.  The members are the drivers who turn up on the day.  No strings attached.  And this attitude allowed a variety of drivers to enjoy a particularly well organised day free of pressure.Drivers in a range of cars from stock-standard Astras to full race-spec Civics and Turbo MX5s put their skills to the test.  All up, the track saw a field of 60 different cars over the weekend. All the organisers served as marshals, keeping everyone safe and answering any questions.  I was also treated to a hot lap in Circuit Club director Narada Kudinar’s S2000, and a very nicely tuned Lotus Elise. An organization like this brings a level of experience and professionalism to first-time drivers, so Circuit Club has given me an experience that was out of my reach till now, and one that no one should be afraid of exploring.Being my first track day, my nerves were on edge.  It’s well know that motorsport has risks -- not only to the driver, but to the car.  And my beloved Nissan Skyline is a car I have worked on for the past two years, carefully preparing it for this day: its track baptism. With this in mind, the organisers gave me, and all the other novices, a helping hand through the day.  A slow and steady approach was encouraged to start with.By the end of the day my trusty steed had pulled through with flying colours, with my newly-installed suspension keeping me well planted on the road all day. By the fourth session a hunger hit me for just one thing...  grip.  Until you start pushing your car to the limit, you can’t grasp how much you still have to learn about driving and how poor your `performance’ tyres really are.  So it’s straight off to eBay for me, hunting down a nice set of semi-slicks for the next outing. Yes the track bug has bitten, and bitten hard.  Do yourself and your car a favour and head out to a Circuit Club event.  Trust me, its love at first drift. 

If your colleagues have been in the office all weekend, be very suspicious. If you’ve been sentenced to weekend detention, here’s an idea to brighten up the time...      

He ended any fitness questions over his broken leg when he jumped into the Red Bull RB5 in Spain on Thursday and rattled off 83 laps in his new grand prix racer.Webber was third-fastest of the drivers testing at Jerez, behind Sebastian Buemi who was quickest again in last year's Toro Rosso and Heikki Kovalainen in the 2009 McLaren-Mercedes.He also made sure that his new team mate, Sebastian Vettel, had nothing to do for the day as the young German could only sit in the pits on standby in case of some sort of problem for the speedy Australia."There were a lot of questions going into today and I answered them," Webber said after his successful return to the track."I'm very relieved of course. It has been a tough few months for me, but I've had good people around me and the team have been fantastic as well."From my point of view, it all went better than expected and to do over a race distance on my first day back in the cockpit, with several weeks to go to Melbourne, is a good thing."Webber was also happy that the RB5 ran reliably and allowed his team to get through the whole job list for the day. He advanced from basic reliability tests, which Vettel had begun on Tuesday, to more advanced work on the car's aero package and mechanical set-up.But Red Bull is taking no changes with Webber and Vettel will be back in the car for the third day of the crucial pre-season test.Webber is upbeat after his first run and is also expected to be back in action as Red Bull ramps-up its pre-Melbourne test work."I wasn't going in pessimistically, but F1 cars can be quite ferocious. I knew what to expect, I tried to do what I could. I answered some questions for myself and it turned out to be ok."Kovalainen's lap at Jerez shows the pace of development on the new-style grand prix cars, as he was more than a second quicker than the previous day before handing over to world champion Lews Hamilton.Ferrari, BMW-Sauber and Toyota continued their work in Bahrain and, despite a sand storm which cut short their track time, Felipe Massa set the pace ahead of Robert Kubica and Timo Glock. Formula One test times:Jerez, Spain1. Sebastian Buemi, Toro Rosso, 1:17.5912. Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren, 1:20.7993. Mark Webber, Red Bull, 1:21.3214. Kazuki Nakajima, Williams, 1:21.4515. Nelson Piquet, Renault, 1:21.908Bahrain 1. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, 1:33.6392. Robert Kubica, BMW-Sauber, 1:34.3983. Timo Glock, Toyota, 1:34.902 

One of the pre-race favourites at Albert Park and also for the 2009 world championship, Kubica — who led last year's world championship for half the season in a BMW-Sauber — is not worried about track conditions and looking forward to a rare Sunday sleep-in on race day.The main event at Albert Park will not begin until 5pm this year, as Formula One adjusts its Asian timetable to suit television times in Europe, but that's not a worry for Kubica."This is the first time I hear of it," he admitted during an interview with the Herald Sun after testing yesterday in Bahrain."I don't think it's a big deal or a big issue. Formula One decides to postpone the races to get a bit more sleep for people watching the races in Europe. They will wake up anyway."If it is raining and cloudy maybe we finish in the night. Anyway, we will have a bit more time to sleep on Sunday morning before the race."Kubica said the real problem is catching a flight back to Europe after the finish, although he admitted there could be more time to party in Melbourne.He is now well into development work on the latest BMW-Sauber racer, although he was slowest of the three drivers to run in Bahrain yesterday and had a mechanical failure which stopped him at one point."We are now here in Bahrain finally getting a bit more information on the tyres in hotter conditions than 10 degrees. We are tryng to understand the cars, the tyres, everything that has changed this year," he said."The cars are completely different. If you look at them, they are completely different."We lost a lot of downforce, although we get some grip back from the tyres so that is a positive. Slick tyres, I think everybody agrees, this is better to race."Kubica said he has had to adjust to a car which is less settled, as well as the electric Kinetic Energy Recovery System - which stores braking force and releases it in a burst of extra power - fitted for the '09 season."You can see quite clearly that the car is sliding. The biggest difference is aero, which is a really big cut. It is about 40 per cent, so the car slides a lot more."Kubica was not prepared to back himself for the AGP or the world title but the speedy pole is confident after BMW made an early start on this year's car."In the end last, year was a very strong first part of the season, leading. Let's hope we can repeat this or even beter, to the end this year," he said."But it's early stages, we don't have enough data compared to the other teams."I hope this car will pay off, the early switch on development last year."Kubica was slowest of the three runners in Bahrain, behind Timo Glock in a Toyota and Felipe Massa in a Ferrari."It was the first time I was able to drive the new car in warm weather. We learned a lot about the car's behaviour in these conditions, so overall it was a good day."In other test action yesterday, youngster Sebastian Buemi was quickest at Jerez in Spain driving one of last year's Toro Rosso racers.He was well clear of Mark Webber's new team mate Sebastian Vettel, who was having his final laps before handing over to the Aussie in the new Red Bull RB5, with the rest of the 2009 cars within a single second and Nelson Piquet bringing up the rear for Renault. Formula One test times:Bahrain 1. Timo Glock, Toyota, 1:33.5012. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, 1:33.6153. Robert Kubica, BMW-Sauber, 1:33.702 Jerez, Spain1. Sebastian Buemi, Toro Rosso, 1:19.660 2. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 1:22.177 3. Nico Hulkenberg, Williams, 1:22.443 4. Heiki Kovalainen, McLaren, 1:22.643 5. Nelson Piquet, Renault, 1:23.313

The twinkle-toed speedster is absolutely committed to jumping into the lead pack in touring car racing and has changed teams to make it happen.Courtney has deserted the once-powerful Stone Brothers Racing and intends to help push Dick Johnson's born-again operation to the top."I know I can win races. I know I will win races," Courtney says."It's massively important for me to show my true potential this year."I haven't forgotten how to drive over the past three years."Courtney is confirmed as the lead driver at Jim Beam Racing this week, with Steven Johnson continuing for another year, with his former British Formula 3 team boss Adrian Burgess in charge of a team which is now financed by Charlie Schwerkolt."I think I'll have the right team and the right equipment this year.That's something that's been missing since I came into V8 Supercars,"Courtney says."There have been flashes over the past three years but we were never able to put a good strong weekend together. The team struggled to do that. We always had fast cars at some stage of a race weekend, but not for the whole weekend."This time Courtney will be jumping into a brand-new FG Falcon built by Triple Eight, but with a V8 engine from Johnson's shop."The car is a work of art. It looks fast and when they look fast they normally go pretty good. And Dick's team has never been short of horsepower," Courtney says.He is so pumped that he is even predicting a first-up with the car at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide."We've been ultra-fast at Clipsal each year, so I'm going there confident I can do it. I was fast enough to win the last two years.Last year was more my fault, but with the car I have now and my experience I reckon we can be p the front."I'm going there with a big expectation to win first first-up. I think I can do it."He is less bullish about the V8 Supercar series crown, but hopes to be a contender."The championship is going to be hard to win straight-out with a new team, but that's what I'm going for. DJR was third in the teams'championship last year and they have been improving all the time since Adrian got here. If I can finish in the top three in the driver'schampionship and keep the team in the top three it will be a very successful year." 

Two-time winner John Bowe leads the pilgrimmage - heading a group that includes Glenn Seton and Jason Bargwanna and Brad Jones and Neil Crompton - for a unique tilt at the Mountain.They are all chasing victory in the 12-hour Bathurst Showroom Enduro with cars which are much closer to stock than anything in The Great Race in October.The entry for the half-day grind is dominated by turbocharged Mitsubishi Lancers and Subaru Imprezas, with a sprinkling of fast Fords and Commodores and BMWs, and Bowe will be trading his traditional blue-oval cap for Subaru overalls.Bowe has never raced an all-wheel drive car before, but a shakedown at Eastern Creek in Sydney last week has him pumped for another run at Bathurst."I did 23 Bathurst 1000s so any opportunity to drive on that track is special. It's always good. It makes the rest of our Australian tracks look pretty second-rate," Bowe says."I'm not sure what to expect in the Subaru, but it looks like it will be a bit of fun. We still have a bit of work to do on our car but I can understand why people are drawn to this sort of car - you just put your foot down and it drags you around the corner."Bowe has battled since retiring from V8 Supercars at the end of 2007, but the 50-something racer re-invented himself last year as the one to beat in historic racing with a thundering V8 Camaro."I really like that series and the car I'm driving. It reminds people that you are still around," Bowe says.He was quickest qualifier in every race he contested with the Camaro, although his target is more modest at Bathurst."The aim is always to finish in the top 10. But with a 12-hour race you never really know," Bowe says."I'm with a good team run by Jim Hunter, and he and Gavin Bullas can both drive, but the first thing in a long-distance race is to have a reliable car. Subaru builds a pretty solid car so I'm hopeful."The Bathurst 12-hour runs from February 20-22 and is the start of a mixed year for Bowe."I'm doing the Biante series again in the Camaro, I have plenty of corporate work with Dunlop and Rare Spares and Wilson Parking, and driver training. I'd also like to do the odd drive in an historic open- wheeler or sports car."So I'm retired, but not retired, if you know what I mean. I still love racing and I want to keep buys. That's what Bathurst is all about, with the chance of a bit of a good result if we're lucky."