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Tag Archive | "Hidden Valley"

HAIL TO THE GREAT CARUSO

Sunday, June 21, 2009

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HAIL TO THE GREAT CARUSO

Former Australian Formula 3 star Michael Caruso has broken through for his first ever V8 Supercar win at Darwin's Hidden Valley Raceway. In a virtuoso performance Caruso took the lead in the race on lap eight and despite challenges from the more experienced Craig Lowndes and Alex Davison held on to the end. Davison stormed through the field coming from 13th place to finish second to Caruso after a late race change to the softer compound sprint tyres. Caruso's win was another triumph for former racer, Melbourne car dealer Gary Rogers who has made something of a speciality of taking young drivers from supporting categories and turning them into top V8 drivers. “I’m just really stoked but I don’t think there has been enough time yet to really feel the emotion. said Caruso. Davison's second place was also his best ever V8 Supercar finish. The Falcon driver stayed out on the control tyres until his last pit stop late in the race. With the rest of the field, including Caruso battling with wearing rubber, Davison raced through the field and almost took his first victory. "I just kept plugging away and I had no idea what position we were in until I was in about third or something. he said. “Before today I wasn’t that keen on this soft tyre thing but obviously I’ve changed my mind on that now." Davison the Grandson of former Australian Grand Prix winner Lex Davison and cousin of Indy Lights driver James admitted that the transition from GT cars in Europe to the big heavy V8 Supercars had been difficult. "It's been pretty hard for me coming from Porsches and it requires a totally different set up and I’ve had to erase all that from my memory and I’ve just been learning every round.” Third place went to Team Vodafone diver Craig Lowndes. Lowndes, known around the paddock as "The Kid" celebrated his 35th birthday today. Lowndes was one of the drivers to benefit from a late race safety car that came out inexplicably to attend to the slowing car of Tim Slade. Slade had stopped briefly with overheating problems but managed to return to the pits under his own (dare I say it) steam. CAMS stewards have launched an enquiry into just why the safety car was deployed so rapidly. Rick Kelly was next just in front of Garth Tander who was furious after the race with backmarkers, especially young Victorian driver Dale Wood. “We got stuffed up at the restart by Dale Wood and that hurt as Lowndes got past and ended up third. “Wood needs to go back to Formula Ford because he’s seriously out of his depth,” Tander said. “I was caught amongst a few cars at the restart that were coming through, so it was just a matter of getting through that and trying to hold position with Murph and McConville behind me.” said Wood who finished down in 26th place. Championship leader Jamie Whincup who won Saturday's first race finished back in 10th place after starting the race 13th. Whincup however extended his lead in the series after second place man Will Davison had late race drama with Falcon driver James Courtney and finished 18th. The V8 Supercar circus will now move east across the top end of Australia to race at the new Townsville circuit in North Queensland  on July 10-12.

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I CAN FEEL PR SPIN COMING ON

Friday, June 19, 2009

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I CAN FEEL PR SPIN COMING ON

  V8 Supercars Australia (VESA) have been unable to attract manufacturer support for their safety car programme due to their insistence on the carrying of alcohol sponsorship. Nissan Australia withdrew their support for the safety car programme after the company's Nissan GTR was adorned with logos from Queensland beer brand XXXX Gold. It was only six months into a two-year contract. An approach to HSV to use their W427 Supercar was also refused again due to the beer sponsorship issue. The new safety car unveiled at Darwin's Hidden Valley Raceway is a Holden Commodore supplied by suspension and car repair company Pedders. In what is clearly a public relations move to try and stave off criticism of the Beer sponsorship, the car will carry road safety messages and feature in XXXX Gold's new ‘Know When to Slow Down’ campaign. A V8SA statement said Pedders will support the “generic” Safety and Course cars “before a further announcement in the coming weeks regarding a unique concept for the XXXX Gold Pedders Safety Car Program”. XXXX Gold has taped a 30-second television advertisement with V8 drivers Jamie Whincup, Garth Tander, Mark Winterbottom and Greg Murphy. According to XXXX GOLD Category Director, Andrew Coates, said that “Know When To Slow Down not only works from a V8 Supercar and Safety Car perspective, but it’s a great fit for a mid-strength product.” He said that the campaign echoes the brand’s mateship values and is consistent with the company's V8 Mates promotional theme. Mr Coates said the Safety Car and TV commercial will allow XXXX Gold to spread the really important message about slowing down, taking responsibility and making sensible decisions. Meanwhile after two weeks of internal turmoil, VESA have finally had some good news to report with the announcement the the taxpayers of the Northern Territory will continue to support VESA's mid Winter flight from the cold for another nine years. V8 Supercar supremo and colourful Broadway impresario Tony Cochrane told a delighted media that their annual Baramundi fishing expedition will continue. “It’s no secret that Darwin... is a favourite amongst our drivers, teams and our staff,” he said. “Year after year we can’t wait to get back to the special feeling of the Top End and this particular weekend. Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson said that the event was loved by Territorians and visitors alike. “The V8 Supercars weekend has become a great celebration of our Territory lifestyle – starting with the truck convoy through the city on Thursday and ending with great music on Sunday night – this year with the Presets,” he said. Mr Henderson claimed that the race injects more than $8 million into the local economy.  

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PERCAT TOPS TOP END FORMULA FORD CLASH

Friday, June 19, 2009

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  Austraian Formula Ford Championship leader Nick Percat has topped the time sheets in today's Formula Ford practice sessions at Darwin's Hidden Valley Raceway. Percat posted a convincing seven tenths of a second lead over his nearest rival, Chaz Mostert.  "I'm surprised we managed to quicker this afternoon," Percat said. "There's obviously a lot more heat around this afternoon and I would have thought our tyres would have suffered as a result but they held out," he added. "I'm really happy with the setup I'm running at the moment so I don't think we'll do much in the way of changes between now and qualifying ... I'll just rely on some fresh rubber for more speed tomorrow." Looking for answers to explain the time gap to Percat, second fastest Chaz Mostert was left scratching his head after today's sessions. "I feel like I'm pushing it to the limit but the times just aren't reflecting that," a dejected Mostert said. "Six tenths (the gap to Percat) is a lot of time to make up ... I'm really not sure where we're losing the time at the moment but am confident we can make some positive changes before tomorrow's qualifying session." Third quickest today was young New Zealander Richie Stanaway. Stanaway, fresh from his maiden Australian Championship race win at Symmons Plains is relishing the technical Darwin circuit. "Obviously I'd like to be a bit quicker but it's such a great track to drive you can easily forget you're out there to do a job!" he said. "I'm still learning the track as it's my first time here and there's a few improvements we can make to our suspension settings before tomorrow so I'm sure I can go quicker as the weekend goes on ... Tasmania was a real confidence booster for the team so now we just have to find the speed we enjoyed there and I'm sure we can repeat that performance." Percat's Sonic Racing teammates Mitch Evans and Geoff Uhrhane rounded out the top five in today's practice and will no doubt be sneaking a look at their comrade's data tonight to see if there's a way they can haul in the championship leader in tomorrow's qualifying. Qualifying for the fourth round of the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship takes place tomorrow morning at 9.25am, and is followed by race one at 1.20pm. Races two and three will be held on Sunday at 9.45am and 12.45pm respectively. Races one and two will be televised live from Darwin on the Seven Network around Australia. Check your local guides for details. Source: Formula Ford Association Media Release  

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