With the sword of Ecclestone swinging precariously overhead, we look at the future of the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park. Grand Prix CEO Andrew Westacott joins Bret Ramsey and Michael Lamonato to talk about the race and its future.
Continue reading...Thursday, March 10, 2011
In the wake of Lewis Hamilton's public flogging from the Melbourne media after last year's "Burnout" scandal, local hero Mark Webber described Victoria as "A nanny state". These comments provoked mock outrage from the talkback radio demi-gods of Melbourne and their loyal army of lonely housewives, bored loners and senile geriatrics. Now Webber is caught up in another controversy that again proves his original statement 100% correct. The Melbourne Grand Prix, and Red Bull want Mark to drive an F1 car across Melbourne's less than iconic Bolte Bridge.
Continue reading...Thursday, February 24, 2011
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation is fighting back in it's attempts to keep the race in Melbourne. In the wake of criticism of the event by Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and local Parliamentary member Michael Danby, the AGP Corporation has issued a media release featuring the world's best drivers singing praise to the Albert Park race. Sebastian Vettel, Felipe Massa, Fernando Alonso, and Red Bull's team boss Christian Horner join Mark Webber in extolling the virtues of the race which cost Victorian taxpayers $50 Million last year. “Albert Park holds a phenomenal event each year,” said Webber. “I, along with other competitors, the media and team personnel, have enjoyed coming to the Australian GP over the last 30 years – we should be proud to have this event in Australia, on a world stage.” Webber asked how many events put Melbourne at the centre of the world’s attention? "Each year there are two: our tennis Grand Slam, the Australian Open, and the Australian Grand Prix." Webber said that for people living in Melbourne "perhaps it’s easy to see things through the small end of the telescope instead of taking a broader international view."
Continue reading...Friday, November 12, 2010
The Australian Grand Prix is again under threat over an argument involving fees paid to the sport's Australian National Sporting Association (ASN) CAMS. Australian Grand Prix boss Ron Walker has called on CAMS to drop its' organising fee for the event, said to be around $800'000 AUD. In a remarkable display of pots describing kettles as less than pristine, Walker has accused CAMS of holding the event to ransom. Mr Walker said that CAMS was a monopoly and demanded that services supplied by CAMS be put out to tenderm a request backed up by acting CEO for the event Andrew Westacott. “The AGPC contract with CAMS has expired. Any new contract entered into by AGPC is reviewed to ensure the scope of works and services provided are competitively costed and any cost savings are delivered. CAMS have been invited to submit a proposal for the supply of the services relating to the role of race organiser at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. “ CAMS is Australia's FIA approved ASN and are responsible for providing flag marshals, scrutineers, and other volunteers essential to the safe running of the Grand Prix.
Continue reading...Friday, September 10, 2010
In a major boost to the Australian Auto manufacturing industry Toyota Australia have committed to manufacturing a new engine for its Camry and Hybrid Camry sedans at its Australian engine plant in Altona, Victoria. More than 100,000 engines will be produced each year commencing in the later half of 2012. Approximately $300 million of project expenditure will be injected into the Australian economy. According to Toyota securing the next generation engine provides a foundation for on-going vehicle production at the Altona plant. It also provides Toyota Australia with significant opportunities to export the new engine to other Toyota manufacturing plants in ASEAN countries that produce Camry and Hybrid Camry. Toyota Australia President and CEO, Mr Max Yasuda, welcomed the decision and praised the efforts of Toyota Australia's employees, unions and suppliers in ensuring the project went ahead.
Continue reading...Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Classic Car Specialists Brooklands Classic Cars and iconic Australian Sports and Racing Car manufacturer Elfin have joined forces to bring C31's popular live motorsport tonight show In Pit Lane back to Melbourne's TV screens. The new series of In Pit Lane will commence 9.30pm Tuesday night September 7th, live from the studios of RMITV in the heart of Grand Prix City, Melbourne. Special guest will be popular V8 Supercar star Jason Bright driver of the Trading Post Commodore for Brad Jones Racing. Paul Sabine of Brooklands Classic Cars said that the sponsorship of In Pit Lane was a great choice for the company. “In Pit Lane has developed to be an icon in Australian motor sport and Brooklands Classic Cars are delighted to assist in fostering IPL’s ongoing success." he said. Mr Sabine said that Brooklands had been catering to car enthusiasts and owners of interesting and sporting cars for many years and clients could rely on that experience when searching for that special car. "The sort of hard core enthusiast and classic car lover that buys our cars and uses our services are the very same people who regularly tune into In Pit Lane." he said. In Pit Lane host Brett Ramsey said he was delighted to be able to continue with the show which is now in it's 15th straight year of production. The show finished it's last season in May and looked set to disappear forever due to a lack of sponsorship. Now thanks to Brooklands Classic Cars and Elfin, the show returns for a new 13 week series to cover a busy three months of local and international motorsport.
Continue reading...Thursday, May 6, 2010
Australian companies involved in the motorsport and high performance tuning industries may want to check out an interesting discussion forum, next Tuesday night (yes the same night as In Pit Lane) in Melbourne. The Australian Performance, Racing & Tuning Council have brought together a number of industry experts including Alan Evans (Dyno Dynamics), Nic Cooper (Turbosmart), Steve Broad (Redranger) and Paul Franks (ACP Publications) to be part of a moderated discussion led by Ben Bartlett (AAAA). Issues to be discussed include: affects of new vehicle technology and accompanying Government regulations, export opportunities, new media and marketing strategies, supply chain rationalisation and much more.
Continue reading...Wednesday, April 14, 2010
On a night when a 30 year old TV show made it's return to Australian television screens, now comes a report that Formula One may soon return to the days of the 1.5 litre turbocharged engine. According to the popular motorsport website Pitpass, serious consideration is being given to introducing a four cylinder 1.5 turbo engine for F1 from 2013. The 1.5 litre turbo era saw some of the most powerful and fastest F1 cars ever built with some engines claimed to be putting out well in excess of 1000 BHP. The cars were however often unreliable and very expensive to build and maintain. What do you think? Would you like to see a return to the turbo era of F1? That, and many other issues will be just one of the subjects we'll be talking about in our In Pit Lane Live Forum Thursday April 15 at 8.30 pm Australian EST here on the In Pit Lane website. To join just check out the chat box on the right hand side of the page and enter your email to register. It's free, and we hope it'll be fun.
Continue reading...Monday, March 30, 2009
The sensational win by Jenson Button of the Australian Grand Prix has reinvigorated the sport. The team formally known as Honda faced extinction only six weeks ago and yesterday in front of over 105'000 people the new Brawn GP team dominated as Button led team-mate Rubens Barrichello home in a Brawn Mercedes 1-2. Toyota's Timo Glock crossed the line in third but was later penalised for passing under a yellow flag giving reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton the final podium spot. Local hero Mark Webber again had a dire home GP after tangling with Barrichello into turn one forcing him into the pits and well out of contention. After the race an emotional Webber couldn't hide his intense disappointment. "For all the fans to come and watch today, I wanted a good result for many reasons today." Drivers were critical of the race's new start time with glare from the setting sun causing problems for several drivers including the winner. It was really difficult, you know a few of the corners, it's strange for such an open circuit you could not see the exit of the corners at all," he said. "I used a visor that was slightly tinted and that was the correct thing to do, but with the glare from the sun and the change in light from the trees it was so, so difficult - so easy to put a wheel wrong." Toro Roso driver Sebastian Bourdais was one of the most vocal critics "We do half of a lap with the sun in your eyes," he said. "It's not the most enjoyable racing. Visibility is quite poor. Turn one is difficult, turn three is difficult. The shade from the trees makes it tough to get your eyes accustomed." Despite the current economic crisis and a clash with the local AFL football ( a regional curiosity much loved by the simple folk) crowds were down only about 16'000 overall. The race day crowd of 105'000 was only 3000 down on last year yet the Melbourne mainstream media have seized upon the downturn as a clear sign that the GP has passed it's use by date and that it should be shut down. Led by the taxpayer funded ABC, who launched into a tirade of the evils of taxpayer funding, and the inner-city broadsheet The Age, the football dominated Melbourne media spent most of the weekend trying to find any reason real or imagined to attack the race. Well known and respected football journalist Caroline Wilson was totally dismissive of the event when it came to discussion on the myopic ABC gabfest "The Outsiders"
Continue reading...Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Next weekend at Sebring in the USA the achivements of Australia's own three times World Champion Sir Jack Brabham will be honoured on the 50th anniversary of his first title win. No such fuss in his home country as Australia's most celebrated racer hasn't even been invited to this year's Australian Grand Prix. According to Ian Tate of the Victorian Historic Racing Register, of which Sir Jack is Patron, as of Monday night Sir Jack had not received any invitation to the event. Brabham is Australia's most famous and successful international racing driver with three World Titles including two in cars of his own manufacture. His legendary status though is celebrated more outside of his home nation than it is in it. At Sebring, Sir Jack's son David, a champion international driver in his own right will drive his Father's winning Cooper Climax to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of his first World Title. One would hope that Sir Jacks snub is an unfortunate oversight on the part of Grand Prix organisers and one which we have no doubt will be fixed very soon.
Continue reading...
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
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