FOSTER FEELS FORMULA FORD FAME

Nick Foster came out on top in the opening race of round five of the Australian Formula Ford Championship at Sandown Raceway. The Mygale driver had to work hard to fend off the advances of Sonic Motor Racing Services team mates Cameron Waters and Gary Jacobson, as well as Synergy Motorsport's Liam Sager. The victory follows on from race wins at the previous two championship rounds at Eastern Creek and Queensland Raceway. "After the restart (for a mid-race safety car), I put my head down and was able to make a gap," Foster said. "I feel that I do my best driving out in front, so I felt pretty comfortable towards the finish. "Hopefully the weather holds off again for tomorrow's races."

WINSLOW WINS SATURDAY SANDOWN

British driver James Winslow set a new Sandown lap record on the final lap to hold off main rival Chris Gilmour to win the first race of this weekend's Australian Drivers Championship at Sandown. Gilmour led away early from pole sitter John Magro, but it wasn't long before Winslow grabbed the lead. Magro hung on for third with the first three all under the long standing lap record. Fourth place was a great result for Formula BMW Asia-Pacific graduate Steel Giulliania who led home his R-Tek team mate Josh Burdon. Queenslanders Ben Gersekowski and Roman Krumins rounded out the field. Only Seven cars fronted the start of the event, a clear indication of just how sad the state of open-wheel racing is in Australia.

HORSPOWER OF THE FOUR LEGGED KIND GETS BEHIND JASON RICHARDS

Horsepower of a different kind will come to force at Sandown on May 25 with the running of a special day of horse racing for popular V8 Supercar driver Jason Richards. The Horsepower Hero day will see sponsorship money from the eight race card go to Richards to assist in his fight against a rare form of cancer. The day's main race will be named in Jason's honour. Many of Australia's top V8 Supercar drivers and team owners will join the day which will also feature a special VIP lunch in the Sandown Committee Room. The day was the brainchild of Sandown General Manager, and Jason's fellow Kiwi ex-pat, Wade Calderwood. "I came up with the idea after reading an article about Jase’s response when interviewed following his courageous 2nd at Albert Park in the V8 event. By donating a horse race meeting I felt sponsors would get additional value for their generosity, above and beyond the knowledge they are supporting a great bloke in a time of need." With the assistance of Brad Jones Racing Media Manager, Lucy Peacock and fellow driver John Bowe, the meeting was put together in a few weeks. "We’ve successfully sold all 8 races, including one we donated to the Bid4Jase website" Mr Calderwood said. Sponsors include: Fujitsu General, Telstra, Wilson Security & Pace, Norton 360, Apex Construction, & Jack Daniels/Kelly Racing. V8 Supercar fans are also invited to take part in the event with a limited number of VIP tickets still available for the lunch and cheque presentation to Jason. The event will include full cocktail style hospitality, including meal, drinks and entertainment in Sandown’s Committee Room. Ticket's are available at $200 for your chance to mingle with your V8 heroes and help out a great driver and a top class bloke in a time of need. Contact kneumann@melbourneracingclub.net.au or call the track on 03 9518 1362.

THE RETURN OF THE SANDOWN 500

The return of the Sandown 500 is one of the highlights of the 2011 Australian Manufacturers Championship announced today. The series will be held over six rounds including an eight hour race at Sydney’s Eastern Creek, a six hour race at Phillip Island and the return of the 500 kms event at Sandown. The series will be [...]

AUSSIE ICONS BACK IN PIT LANE

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.

V8 SUPERCARS ANNOUNCE NEW SANDOWN DEAL

V8 Supercars Australia will today announce a new long term deal with Melbourne's Sandown Motor Raceway. The new contract will see the popular Melbourne circuit make several major changes to the pit area plus some on-track work to meet the demands of the V8 circus. Work has already begun and the first stage should be completed by the time of the Historic SandownReturn of the Thunder meeting in November. That meeting as well as the V8's and the Horse Racing Sandown Cup will form a major festival for the circuit in November. The announcement will be made today (August 24) at a media conference at 11.00am Melbourne time to be attended by V8 Supercar boss Martin Whitaker, Sandown track manager Wade Calderwood, and racing legends Allan Moffatt and Dick Johnson. More News this afternoon.

RICHARDS RUNS NEW CARRERA CUP CAR AT SANDOWN

A surprise visitor to the Sandown pits for today's open practice for round three of the Victorian State Circuit Racing Championship at Sandown. The new challenger of the reborn Carrera Cup series completed a handful of laps with Jim Richards behind the wheel. The new car features more advanced aerodynamics than the previous model with a wider rear wing and more pronounced front splitter. The new car is also more powerful than the car it will replace with power increased to 450 bhp. The car was entered for the day via Porsche Cars Australia who were testing the car for compliance with noise regulations. Porsche Cars Australia have made no secret of their desire to return the Carrera Cup to the local racing scene. The return to the V8 Supercar support calendar could cause some consternation in the ranks of the Australian GT Championship who have established for themselves a popular niche in several major V8 events.

DANDENONG COUNCIL DROP EASTERNATS CHARGES

The City of Greater Dandenong have withdrawn all charges against the company of former Sandown promotor Jon Davison in regard to alledged breaches of the council permit at the Repco Easternat staged at Sandown in April 2009. The charges against Davison and the event were the catlyst for the axing of the popular event from the Sandown calendar. The cancelation of the Easternats and the subseqent cancelation of a replacement event at Calder Park Raceway led to a riot at the Bob Jane T-Mart store in Chadstone in March this year. The City council has issued Mr Davison with six infringement notices for permit breaches at the 2009 event  including excessive noise levels and burnouts in places they were not permitted. According to a media release by Mr Davison the withdrawl of all charges was supported by the Magistrate at hearing today (July 21). The City of Greater Dandenong was not available for comment.

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WIN TICKETS TO HISTORIC SANDOWN

With a record 420 competitors taking part, this weekend’s 18th Nationallube Historic Sandown (November 6-8) can claim the largest entry ever seen at the popular Melbourne circuit since it opened in 1962. As well as capacity fields in most categories, some 100 V8-engined historic touring, sports and open wheeler racing cars will compete in 16 races over the weekend. A highlight of this year’s meeting is the final and deciding round of the 2009 Biante Touring Car Masters series, with former Bathurst winners Jim Richards and John Bowe again locking horns in their Falcon Sprint and Chevrolet Camaro respectively. Three generations of the Brabham family will also be on track for a unique Speed Comparison, with Victorian Historic Racing Register Patron Sir Jack dropping the flag on his Le Mans 25-Hour race winning son Geoff in a BMW M3, his grandson and rising Formula Ford star Matthew aged 15 and four times Australian champion John Bowe in a racing GT40 replica.