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Archive | February, 2009

MOTORSPORT JOINS THE BUSHFIRE RECOVERY FIGHT

13. February 2009

Australia's Motorsport community has joined the rest of the nation in supporting the victims of the terrible bushfires that as we go to press continue to race across Victoria. At this time over 180 people are confirmed dead with many others missing or seriously injured. Young Victorian Drifter Luke Jacobs and his parents Alan and Miros Jacobs as well as Luke's close friend BMX rider Nathan Charles all lost their lives at the Jacobs family home in Koornalla.  “This is a horrible tragedy and they will be sorely missed.” said Drift Australia’s Wayne Boatwright.  Several Victorian state rally competitors lost business and homes in the inferno that swept across the ranges at a stunning speed fanned by 46 degree temperatures and gale force winds. V8 Supercars Australia joined other professional sporting groups across the country in announcing a $100000 donation to the national appeal while V8 stars, Jamie Whincup, Craig Lowndes, Garth Tander and Will Davison gave their time in a nationally televised appeal that raised over $20 million. “As a sport we are doing what we can with this donation and the other initiatives announced today" said V8 Supercar Chairman Tony Cochrane. "We urge our fan base throughout Australia to contribute to this extremely worthwhile cause.” V8 Supercars Australia CEO Cameron Levick said that all proceeds from the annual test day at Winton Motor Raceway on March 9 would also be donated to the relief fund. Queensland Raceway, which has a test day on March 11, will donate all it's gate takings to the North Queensland Flood Appeal. Jamie Whincup said he was devastated by the fires in an area so close to where he grew up. “Personally I am in a state of shock - having grown up only 15 minutes from the Whittlesea Relief Centre; I enjoyed much of my recreational time in the King Lake district and have many of my relatives, friends and fans located in the fire affected area.  “I have today personally donated $1,000 to the appeal and call upon my fellow V8 Supercar drivers to match that amount. If we can all do this that will equate to an additional $30,000 on top of the $100,000 V8 Supercars have donated as our sports governing body."

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INCREDIBLE HULKENBURG SHINES IN QATAR

13. February 2009

INCREDIBLE HULKENBURG SHINES IN QATAR

Germany's Nico Hulkenburg raced through the Qatar night to grab pole position for the latest round of the GP2 Asia series. The young German ended Thursday night's qualifying session with a fastest lap of 1:35.741 to edge out the Campos team pairing of Sergio Perez and Vitaly Petrov. Perez, the youngest driver to win a GP2 race beat his Russian team-mate Vitaly Petrov's quickest lap in the very last seconds of the session. Petrov looked set for pole and had dominated for most of the session until Hulkenburg snatched the pole on his very last lap. A few seconds later, Vitaly Petrov crossed the finish line, but could not better Hülkenberg’s time while Perez also put i a last lap screamer to relegate his team-mate to P3. After the session Hulkenburg said he was delighted with his car and was comfortable with both the track and the night time running. "I... like the circuit: it’s very quick, very flowing which maybe suits my driving style. Generally, I like this kind of circuit. Yeah, I think we have a good (car) and a good setup for qualifying, I hope we can repeat that in the race as well." he said. "The night conditions are different: it’s something else and special. I like it!" Championship leader Kamui Kobayashi recovered in fourth place in his very last lap after a rather difficult session while Piquet’s Roldan Rodriguez finished fifth. Sakon Yamamoto, Javier Villa, Davide Valsecchi, Edoardo Mortara and Jérôme d’Ambrosio complete the Top 10. with GP2 Media Release

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AUSSIE DRAG RACING CHAMP ON DRUGS CHARGES

4. February 2009

AUSSIE DRAG RACING CHAMP ON DRUGS CHARGES

Australian Drag Racing Legend Brett Stevens who recently retired from the sport has been arrested and charged on serious drug charges.   Stevens, 44, of Narangba, was bailed to appear on March 30 after a brief appearence in the Brisbane Magistrates Court. Stevens was charged with six drug offences including trafficking, producing and supplying drugs as well as possessing drug property. The court was told that authorities had a court order to freeze assets connected to Mr Stevens including his race team & race car & bike fabrication business. Magistrate Sheryl Cornack granted bail, noting Mr Stevens had known he was under investigation for some time and had made no attempt to flee. Steven's recently retired from the sport of drag racing at the height of his success in a move that shocked many connected with the sport. Steven's known to his fans as "The Boss" recently attended the Calder Park True Blue Drag Championships assisting a fellow competitor. Speaking with Melbourne TV show In Pit Lane, Stevens said that he had retired due to the fact that he was no longer enjoying the sport. "My wife said one morning, if you're not enjoying it any more then give it away, I thought, yeah she's right so I did." Stevens said that he still harboured the dream to compete in Nitro Funny Cars in the USA and run against his hero John Force.   The Australian National Drag Racing Association, the peak govening body for the sport in Australia issued a statement saying the news of the charges was an enormously disappointing situation for everyone involved in the sport. “It is imperative that it is made clear that ANDRA, its members and our corporate partners do not condone in any way the illegal activities that have allegedly occurred." said ANDRA CEO, Tony Thornton.  

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FORMULA 5000 RETURNS TO THE AGP

3. February 2009

FORMULA 5000 RETURNS TO THE AGP

Formula 5000, the category that ran for the Australian Grand Prix from the late 60's throughout the 70's will return to the event with the announcement that Albert Park will host the final round of the MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series. There will be two races for the F5000 Tasman Cup Revival cars with both carrying points for the 2008/09 series which is currently led by veteran New Zealand driver Ken Smith (Lola T430). The long anticipated announcement of the races is reward for many years of hard work by the New Zealand F5000 Association and spokesman David Abbott says that the events confirmation is - quite literally - a dream come true. “Formula 5000 was the premier category across the Tasman for many years and we have several cars running in our series which contested the Australian Grand Prix” said Mr Abbott. “So one of our goals - our ultimate one if you like - was to take them back." Places on the support roster at any Grand Prix are eagerly sought after and Abbott says that the New Zealand Association owes a debt of gratitude to Australian member Bob Harborow for the time and effort he and fellow members of the Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR) put into the proposal and process.

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AUSSIE AUTO SHOWS MERGE

3. February 2009

AUSSIE AUTO SHOWS MERGE

Conformation today that the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show (MIMS) starting February 27 at Melbourne's Exhibition Centre will be the last in it's current form.   From 2010 the event will alternate with Sydney under the new title of the Australian International Motor Show. MIMS organisers The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC), and its new car division, AADA (Vic) and the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), organiser of the Sydney Motor Show and have announced the formation of a new Motor Show Joint Venture to run the new event. The move comes after many years of often bitter rivalry between the two cities, both seeking to be the pre-eminent Auto show in the country. VACC Executive Director, David Purchase said that today's announcement was “a significant and important step forward for the future of motor shows in Sydney and Melbourne and establishes a strong relationship between the FCAI and VACC which no doubt will be of benefit to the broader Australian automotive industry,”  FCAI Chief Executive, Andrew McKellar said that the new relationship will allow a new direction, while maintaining the tradition and heritage of the motor shows in the two capital cities.”  One sticking point still to be announced could be a regular date, Melbourne's early March date fits perfectly into the packed Melbourne major events calendar, often running close to, or concurrent with the Australian Grand Prix at the nearby Albert Park. Sydney is commited to it's traditional October date and it's this date that will feature the first of the new combined shows in 2010. The move to combine the two shows came after pressure from manufacturers and the media who considered the proliferation of motor shows in a small market like Australia as being too costly”  

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