HAMILTON

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RACE GUIDEEvent 3 – ITM400 Hamilton – April 15-17 www.speedcafe.com

Davo is back!

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The 2010 ITM400 Hamilton saw a classic contest between TeamVodafone’s Jamie Whincup and the Toll Holden Racing Team’s Garth Tander. This image depicts the start of Saturday’s race.

Race Guide

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Races 5/6 - Hamilton

Race Preview

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Race Guide

T his weekend’s ITM400 Hamilton marks 10 years since the V8 Supercars first travelled to New Zealand for a championship event.

Now called the International V8 Supercars Championship, today’s show is a very different product to that exported back in 2001.

Only eight of the 30 drivers who took the start on that grey Saturday afternoon at Pukekohe will also line-up this weekend, such has been the generational shift.

Sadly for the Kiwi fans, the increased interest brought about by having a local V8 Supercars race has not translated into more New Zealand talent behind the wheel.

The Kiwi contingent has halved since Greg Murphy began his amazing run in 2001, with only Murphy, Shane van Gisbergen and Fabian Coulthard upholding local honour this weekend.

A New Zealand born driver has not won a V8 Supercars Championship race in almost three years, and few would call Steven Richards a Kiwi.

The last bloke with a proper accent to win? Jason Richards, Winton, 2006 - back in the days of the infamous reverse grid.

With New Zealand’s own V8 touring car scene at somewhat of a crossroads, it feels like an important time for V8 Supercars to keep interest levels up across the Tasman.

Van Gisbergen is clearly the best chance to restore local pride this weekend. A maiden win for the young charger on home turf? That’d do it!

Green means go!

STEFAN BARTHOLOMAEUS

Journalist, Speedcafe.comEditor, Speedcafe Race Guides

INTRODUCTION

EDITOR:Stefan Bartholomaeus

PRODUCTION:Stefan Bartholomaeus

SALES/MARKETING:Leisa Emberson

IMAGES:Edge Photographics

QUESTION & ANSWER:Will Davison

TECHNICAL:Campbell Little

GUEST COLUMNIST:Speed

PARTNERS:Castrol EDGE, IRWIN Tools, Jack Daniel’s, Orrcon Steel, Pirtek, Vodafone, HDT, Norton 360

Kiwi ConnectionRACE GUIDESEPANG

EVENT 3 – ITM400 Hamilton – April 15-17 www.speedcafe.com

HAMILTON

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Races 5/6 - Hamilton

Q&A with WILL DAVISON

A fter returning to the front of the V8 Supercars field at the recent Clipsal 500, Will Davison heads to Hamilton with high hopes.

Speedcafe.com’s News Editor Grant Rowley spoke to the 2009 Bathurst winner about his settling in period with Ford Performance Racing.

SPEEDCAFE: Last time we were at a points race (in Adelaide) you put the car on pole. It was just your fourth race with the team, so not a bad start...

WILL DAVISON: Absolutely. I think from the first time I sat in the car I showed the potential of how quick we could be. So I wasn’t overly surprised to score the pole in my fourth race, because I knew what I was capable of. But I think, like anyone in this game, actually getting the car into that sweet spot takes either a fluke, or a real understanding of your car and your engineer.

Obviously the aim is to understand how you can get into that sweet spot, so that you can do it all the time. A lot of people have proven that every now and then they can hit it and be very quick, but to win the championship or to match Jamie (Whincup)... he can do it all the time. It’s a great skill to be able to do that, and that’s what we’re all after.

SPEEDCAFE: Are you finding it less difficult to get the car into that sweet spot than what you had last year at the Holden Racing Team?

WD: I feel that certainly, the car is easier than I’m used to to get into that sweet spot. It’s an easier car to drive, and particularly in Adelaide it was very good. At the Grand Prix is wasn’t brilliant, but it’s a very different circuit. The soft tyres were a bit of a weakness for us at the Grand Prix, but we’ve worked hard since then to try and work out why that was.

We head back to a street circuit in Hamilton that’s a lot more like Adelaide than the Grand Prix, so I can’t see why now we can’t be back in the hunt like we were at Clipsal. We were fast at Eastern Creek, and even in Abu Dhabi the car was quick, I just didn’t do a good job.

SPEEDCAFE: Jamie is clearly the one to beat still. At Clipsal, it must have been pleasing to be racing with him so early in your relationship with FPR.

WD: Yes, but we can’t just focus on Jamie, we’ve got to focus on doing our best. I’ve proven that once we’ve got the car working well for me, it happens quite easy. When the car is easy to drive, you don’t make the little errors and have to make all the excuses. When you’re clinging on and driving out of your skin, that’s when mistakes happen, and the ‘Woulda-shoulda.com Grand Prix’ happens, because you’ve got quick sectors and this and that, which is true, but you’re not getting the results.

When everything is working in harmony, it’s actually quite easy, and that’s when confidence breeds. Jamie and his team have that now, it happens easy for them, and we’re just building the roll we’ve got going. We’ve got to focus on getting the car right, and we’ve shown that when we do that, we can beat him.

SPEEDCAFE: FPR has had its issues in recent times, in particular in pitlane, and also with the soft tyres. Do you feel you’re making progress on those issues as a team?

WD: We have had some bad luck with strategy, a couple of bad calls, and again we’ve worked on why that happened, and worked on our structures and communication among the team to try and make sure that doesn’t happen again. The car was a rocket in Adelaide, and it was a real missed opportunity.

It was a lot of fun to have that sort of pace again, which makes me really excited about the races coming up. I would say Hamilton is a little bit of a question mark - the FPR cars weren’t brilliant in New Zealand last year, but a lot of things have changed on the cars since then, and they feel the weakness they had here last year is a much improved area now.

The soft tyres haven’t been brilliant for the car either, but the guys have really had their thinking caps on and it’s going to be an interesting weekend. I think if we can be strong in Hamilton, then it’s a brilliant sign for the year coming up.

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Race Guide

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Races 5/6 - Hamilton

Five qualifying sessions have been held across the first three years of the ITM400 Hamilton

- with no driver having taken more than one Armor All Pole Award cheque. Will the trend

continue in 2011?

CHASING CHEQUES

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Race Guide

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Races 5/6 Hamilton

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Race Guide

CIRCUIT INFO

A genuine street circuit in the heart of the Frankston business district in Hamilton, the 3.4-kilometre layout is relatively fast and flowing. The track runs alongside the Waikato Stadium - home of Rugby Super 14 team the Waikato Chiefs - and the international cricket ground at Seddon Park.

V8 Supercars Lap Records Qualifying 2010 Garth Tander Commodore VE 1m23.0349sRace 2010 Jamie Whincup Commodore VE 1m23.2780s

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Races 5/6 - Hamilton

TECHINCAL by CAMPBELL LITTLE

W e’re heading to Hamilton this year for the first time with Dunlop’s Sprint tyre, which makes it a new challenge for the teams.

It’ll be the first time we’ve used the softer compound on a true street circuit. We used them recently at the Grand Prix, but Albert Park is a very unique circuit in terms of the speed of the corners, the radius of the corners, and the grip level.

Hamilton is going to be very different, but I think it’ll carry over that whoever has been good on the soft tyre will still be good on the soft tyre.

The full soft tyre events provide a significantly different challenge to the mixed compound events. The softs are so sensitive to how you treat them when they’re brand new, and qualifying on them really effects the way they perform when you bolt them back on during a race.

BUMPS

Last year a lot of people struggled with the bumps in Hamilton, mainly at the roundabout into Turn 3, and Turn 6 over the back which they opened up.

Making Turn 6 faster really favoured the teams that get to test at Willowbank. Testing over the bumps at

Turns 1 and 3 there has allowed those teams to get a real handle on that kind of corner.

We’re thinking from the little bit of testing that we did at Willowbank with our car prior to Indy (Gold Coast 600), we’ll have a much better car through there than we did last year.

BRAKES

Hamilton is very very hard on brakes. On the soft tyre we’re hearing the drivers complaining that the brakes aren’t working very well, but what we’re actually seeing is that, with the extra grip, the drivers have to use them harder. Then as the tyres go away the balance changes front-to-rear, so they don’t seem to be able to brake as well.

It’s something that the drivers have to be very aware of. I think we’re going to see some entertainment this weekend with brakes.

OVERHEATING

Something that is looming as an interesting one for Hamilton is overheating. We’ve seen a lot of cars overheating in the last couple of races from debris on the circuit, both from crashes and discarded soft tyre rubber. Listening to the radios, a couple of cars came

TECH PREVIEW withCAMPBELL LITTLE

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Race Guide

close to expiring at the Grand Prix, and I think we’ll see more of that this weekend.

STRATEGY

In all honesty the racing at Hamilton is fairly processional - it’s not a great track for overtaking. The only car we really saw on the move last year was (James) Courtney. He moved up through the top 10 by pitting early and getting some clear air.

The fuel window is quite big - it’s not like Adelaide where we’ve got a two lap window - it’s quite a big window. It’s only if we get a Safety Car at the wrong time that fuel could turn into an issue.

Tyre degradation of the softs at most of the circuits hasn’t been very high. The drivers are managing the tyres much better - they’re not going out all guns blazing in the first 10 laps and wearing it out.

So the degradation isn’t as high, and due to the fuel tank size, most will break the races into three runs of about 20 laps. They should still be faster at the end of that then they would be on hards.

The issue with short-pitting like we saw with Courtney is trading fuel time versus tyre time in the pitstops. Coming in on lap 10, you’ll only get four tyres on it in the fuel time if everything goes right. You’ll probably only see people doing it if they’re racing cars of a similar pace. If someone has genuine car pace, like with Courtney last year, they’re unlikely to short-pit.

It’ll depend on how the traffic is as well. Last year we saw cars able to hold position that didn’t really have car speed. They could jack cars up behind them, and once you get a train of cars it’s very hard to overtake. If that happens, it might tempt cars to short-pit.

PIT CONGESTION

We saw a lot of pit congestion last year, with cars slowing down in the fast lane, and also on the circuit. There were two winners out of that, and a lot of losers.

At Albert Park we weren’t allowed to have two cars in the pitlane at the same time, but that was because there was physically no room to stack a car and get anybody past. In Hamilton there’s enough room, but it’s very tight.

TRACK CHANGES

The back-straight chicane will be a lot different this year with the electronic system replacing the tyre bundles.

I believe it will speed it up, because if you do flow the car right, you can get through that chicane, when there’s no tyres there, without being illegal.

When the tyres were there vision was a real killer, especially if you were the second car.

There was a lot of car damage from the drivers hitting the bundles, which we certainly won’t miss.

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Races 5/6 - Hamilton

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Race Guide

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Race Guide

T his weekend is a big test for Dunlop’s Sprint tyre. Drivers have raved about the softer rubber since it was introduced in 2009, and while the

fairness of the ‘mixed-tyre’ races has caused some debate, few can complain about the all-soft tyre format to be run in New Zealand.

Hamilton will mark the first time that the stickier tyres have been used on a street course, and it will be very interesting to see how the grip benefits evident on the permanent circuits translates to the bumps, cambers, kerbs and general surface characteristics of a layout like this one.

The different tyre formats are definitely having an effect on the established pecking order.

TeamVodafone is perhaps the only team to have a super-consistent hard tyre set-up, so it’s no coincidence that its soft tyre form is also top notch.

Stone Brothers Racing has proved a more interesting case - with its cars genuine contenders on the softs, but falling back into the pack on the hards.

The real surprise on the softer rubber of late though has been Garth Tander. The 2007 champ really has worked out the style required to nurse the Sprints over a long distance, and was impressive at the Grand Prix.

Regardless of who goes well this weekend, what I really want to see from the Sprint tyre is better racing. Let’s be honest - Hamilton has yet to produce a truly cracking contest in the seven races it has held so far.

While the back half of the lap looks a lot of fun for the drivers on a qualifier, the layout has produced its fair share of processional ‘flat-orbit’ racing with the hard tyre.

From what we’ve seen on other tracks, the Sprint tyre will open up the strategy game somewhat - with the option of ‘short-pitting’ to gain track position a more attractive proposition thanks to the extra new-tyre gain.

Out-braking rivals is rather high-risk in bumpy, narrow, concrete-lined braking zones like those seen in Hamilton, so let’s hope the extra confidence provided by the tyre encourages the drivers to have a bit of a go.

With the chances of a Kiwi winning this weekend not

all that great, hopefully the likes of Whincup, Tander and Winterbottom can at least provide an exciting tussle for the local fans to enjoy.

I t’s looking more and more like the 2011 season will go down as a watershed year in the long and drawn out saga of replacing our old foe the tyre-bundle.

The unsightly apex-squatting lumps that have dominated Hamilton’s back-straight chicane will be missing this year - replaced by the same electronic detection system seen at this year’s Clipsal 500 and Albert Park 400.

The technology is a god-send for those who have loathed the variety of anti-kerb-jumping devices seen over the years.

While it can be argued that the likes of tennis and cricket shouldn’t do away with human umpires completely in the name of tradition, I’m yet to hear a fan request more interference from Race Control as the V8 Supercars do their thing.

Apex tyre bundles have damaged cars, caused Safety Cars, and cluttered the look of our race tracks for too long.

Tyres belong on the outside of corners, not the inside.

Speedspeed@speedcafe.com

OPINION by SPEEDChanges for the better

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Races 5/6 - Hamilton

DID YOU KNOW?

Only two men have won V8 Supercars races on the streets of Hamilton - Jamie Whincup and Garth Tander.

The TeamVodafone driver is on a four-race winning streak having taken the double in 2009 and 2010, while the Holden factory pilot took the three-race 2008 event when Whincup crashed out in qualifying.

The 2005 V8 Supercars Champion Russell Ingall will move to sixth on the all-time Australian Tour-ing Car Championship/V8 Supercars Champion-ship event starts list this weekend.

Ingall made his debut at Calder Park in 1996 with Perkins Engineering (Castrol), before mov-

ing to Stone Brothers Racing (Caltex) in 2003, and Paul Morris Motorsport (Supercheap Auto) in 2008.

This weekend marks Ingall's 193rd start, mov-ing him past fellow dual-Bathurst winner Tony Longhurst.

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Race Guide

The Dunlop Soft tyre will make its first-ever appearance on the streets of Hamilton at the 2011 event.

This weekend will be solely a Soft tyre event, as was the case at the season-opener in Abu Dhabi.

Each driver will have 32 Soft tyres (eight sets) to use for the three days of on-track activity across practice, qualifying and the races.

Teams also have 12 Wet tyres (three sets) to use if required over the weekend.

Orrcon Steel Ford Performance Racing ace Mark Winterbottom celebrates his 100th Australian Touring Car Championship/V8 Supercars Championship event start in Hamilton.

Winterbottom becomes just the 33rd man in the 51-year history of the ATCC/V8SC to achieve the feat.

Having debuted at Sandown in 2003 and driven full-time since joining Larkham Motor Sport in 2004, Winterbottom has racked up 15 championship race wins, 39 podium

finishes and 17 pole positions.He enters the 2011 ITM400 Hamilton second in the

championship, 144 points behind title leader Jamie Whincup.

Three drivers will make their first ITM400 Hamilton starts this weekend.

James Moffat (Jim Beam Racing), Warren Luff (Gulf Western Oil Racing) and Steve Owen (VIP Petfoods Racing) are all track rookies, despite having significant experience in V8 Supercars.

Owen will move back into his regular Triple Eight-built Commodore after it was damaged in Adelaide and he was forced to drive Andrew Thompson’s reliveried Monster Holden at Albert Park.

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Races 5/6 - Hamilton

SPOTTER’S GUIDECar Number: 1 Driver: James Courtney Team: Toll Holden Racing Team Born: 29 June 1980 Starts: 165 Wins: 9 Engineer: Scott Sinclair

Car Number: 2 Driver: Garth Tander Team: Toll Holden Racing Team Born: 31 March 1977 Starts: 386 Wins: 48 Engineer: Alistair McVean

Car Number: 3 Driver: Tony D’Alberto Team: Wilson Security Racing Born: 9 December 1985 Starts: 98 Wins: 0 Engineer: Adam DeBorre

Car Number: 4 Driver: Alex Davison Team: IRWIN Racing Born: 3 November 1979 Starts: 84 Wins: 0 Engineer: Dan Kroehn

Car Number: 5 Driver: Mark Winterbottom Team: Orrcon Steel FPR Born: 20 May 1981 Starts: 220 Wins: 15 Engineer: Campbell Little

Car Number: 6 Driver: Will Davison Team: Trading Post FPR Born: 30 August 1982 Starts: 170 Wins: 6 Engineer: Grant McPherson

Car Number: 7 Driver: Todd Kelly Team: Jack Daniel’s Racing Born: 9 October 1979 Starts: 322 Wins: 19 Engineer: Brendan Hogan

Car Number: 8 Driver: Jason Bright Team: Team BOC Born: 7 March 1973 Starts: 359 Wins: 15 Engineer: Phil Keed

Car Number: 9 Driver: Shane van Gisbergen Team: SP Tools Racing Born: 9 May 1989 Starts: 110 Wins: 0 Engineer: Paul Forgie

Car Number: 11 Driver: Greg Murphy Team: Pepsi Max Crew Born: 23 August 1972 Starts: 390 Wins: 28 Engineer: Stuart McDonald

Car Number: 12 Driver: Dean Fiore Team: Triple F Racing Born: 1 December 1983 Starts: 56 Wins: 0 Engineer: Darren Papworth

Car Number: 14 Driver: Jason Bargwanna Team: Jana Living Racing Born: 26 April 1972 Starts: 355 Wins: 7 Engineer: Andrew Edwards

Car Number: 15 Driver: Rick Kelly Team: Jack Daniel’s Racing Born: 17 January 1983 Starts: 263 Wins: 9 Engineer: Adam Hardy

Car Number: 16 Driver: David Reynolds Team: Stratco Racing Born: 3 July 1985 Starts: 37 Wins: 0 Engineer: James Small

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Race Guide

Car Number: 17 Driver: Steven Johnson Team: Jim Beam Racing Born: 6 September 1974 Starts: 361 Wins: 3 Engineer: TBA

Car Number: 18 Driver: James Moffat Team: Jim Beam Racing Born: 18 June 1984 Starts: 6 Wins: 0 Engineer: Perry Kapper

Car Number: 19 Driver: Jonathon Webb Team: Mother Energy Racing Born: 10 December 1983 Starts: 38 Wins: 0 Engineer: Geoff Slater

Car Number: 21 Driver: Karl Reindler Team: Fair Dinkum Sheds Racing Born: 18 April 1985 Starts: 33 Wins: 0 Engineer: Chris Stuckey

Car Number: 30 Driver: Warren Luff Team: Gulf Western Oil Racing Born: 21 April 1976 Starts: 87 Wins: 0 Engineer: Rob Palmero

Car Number: 33 Driver: Lee Holdsworth Team: Fujitsu Racing Born: 2 February 1983 Starts: 173 Wins: 2 Engineer: Richard Hollway

Car Number: 34 Driver: Michael Caruso Team: Fujitsu Racing Born: 25 May 1983 Starts: 96 Wins: 1 Engineer: Steven Todkill

Car Number: 39 Driver: Russell Ingall Team: Supercheap Auto Racing Born: 24 February 1964 Starts: 451 Wins: 27 Engineer: Mark Fenning

Car Number: 47 Driver: Tim Slade Team: Lucky 7 Racing Born: 3 August 1985 Starts: 55 Wins: 0 Engineer: Wes McDougall

Car Number: 49 Driver: Steve Owen Team: VIP Petfoods Racing Born: 18 December 1974 Starts: 112 Wins: 1 Engineer: Blake Smith

Car Number: 55 Driver: Paul Dumbrell Team: The Bottle-O Racing Born: 1 September 1982 Starts: 249 Wins: 1 Engineer: Dave Patterson

Car Number: 61 Driver: Fabian Coulthard Team: Bundaberg Racing Born: 28 July 1982 Starts: 132 Wins: 0 Engineer: Rob Starr

Car Number: 88 Driver: Jamie Whincup Team: TeamVodafone Born: 6 February 1983 Starts: 215 Wins: 44 Engineer: Mark Dutton

Car Number: 888 Driver: Craig Lowndes Team: TeamVodafone Born: 21 June 1974 Starts: 417 Wins: 77 Engineer: Jeromy Moore

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Races 5/6 - Hamilton

SPEEDCAFE.COM’S

THE BAGMAN

TRACK FORM – SEASON FORM - THE BAGMAN’S SAY

THE BAG MAN

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Race Guide

THE BAGMAN’S SAYHas had mixed fortunes since joining the Holden Racing Team at the begining of the season. Is a noted gun on street courses. Lacked qualifying speed in his Falcon here last year, but should be one of the leading contenders this weekend.

#1 James CourtneyLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 4 8 9

Qual 2 - - - 2 6

Race 1 - - 4 13 3

Race 2 - - 3 2 21

Race 3 - - 3 - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 20 8

Qual 2 5 5

Race 1 26 24

Race 2 1 4

THE BAGMAN’S SAYHas an outstanding record at this circuit - the only man other than Whincup to win a race. This car and driver combination has very strong street circuit form, including a great win on Saturday at the 2011 Clipsal 500, and looms as Whincup’s main rival.

#2 Garth TanderLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 2 5 2

Qual 2 - - - 19 1

Race 1 - - 1 11 2

Race 2 - - 1 9 2

Race 3 - - 1 - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 23 21

Qual 2 21 10

Race 1 17 22

Race 2 4 14

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Races 5/6 - Hamilton

THE BAGMAN’S SAYQualified in the top 10 in a shock last year, but isn’t expected to repeat the feet quite yet in his Falcon. Top 15 qualifying and race results would be a strong performance.

#3 Tony D’AlbertoLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 29 30 8

Qual 2 - - - 16 17

Race 1 - - 13 20 12

Race 2 - - 10 21 DNF

Race 3 - - DNF - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 16 19

Qual 2 16 17

Race 1 18 17

Race 2 DNF 20

THE BAGMAN’S SAYAlex Davo started 2011 extremely strongly in Abu Dhabi, but was unwell in Adelaide and failed to fire. Aggressive wheel-to-wheel combat with Whincup in Race 3 at Albert Park shows the former Carrera Cup champ means business. Qualifying will be vital for the IRWIN Ford.

#4 Alex DavisonLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - - 16 26

Qual 2 - - - 21 20

Race 1 - - - 9 17

Race 2 - - - 10 DNF

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 3 23

Qual 2 8 20

Race 1 2 23

Race 2 7 10

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Race Guide

Races 5/6 – Hamilton

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Races 5/6 Hamilton

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Race Guide

224

Race Guide

THE BAGMAN’S SAYStruggled for car speed here last year, but should be a contender this weekend regardless. Based on early season form Winterbottom is the best Ford chance, and potentially the only man capable of running with Whincup and Tander.

#5 Mark WinterbottomLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 13 1 10

Qual 2 - - - 10 10

Race 1 - - 10 2 7

Race 2 - - 7 DNF DSQ

Race 3 - - 5 - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 4 5

Qual 2 3 3

Race 1 3 6

Race 2 14 3

THE BAGMAN’S SAYWill Davo has settled into his new team nicely., with pole position for Race 4 at the Clipsal 500 a clear confidence boost. Not expected to fight for the wins, but shouldn’t be too far away from his team-mate.

#6 Will DavisonLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 16 12 24

Qual 2 - - - 20 8

Race 1 - - 9 4 DNF

Race 2 - - 22 7 5

Race 3 - - DNF - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 12 7

Qual 2 13 1

Race 1 12 9

Race 2 16 7

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Races 5/6 - Hamilton

THE BAGMAN’S SAYCrashes in Race 2 at both Abu Dhabi and Adelaide have dogged Todd’s season so far. Has found some car speed this year however, and always has the potential to qualifying up the front. More top 10 results wouldn’t be a surprise.

#7 Todd KellyLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 19 10 19

Qual 2 - - - 17 9

Race 1 - - 8 8 20

Race 2 - - 19 24 8

Race 3 - - 15 - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 17 16

Qual 2 12 19

Race 1 10 7

Race 2 DNF DNF

THE BAGMAN’S SAYHas qualified in the back half of the top dozen for every race so far this year, and nearly caused a boilover in the second race in Abu Dhabi. Could run into a placing at juicy odds.

#8 Jason BrightLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 15 19 18

Qual 2 - - - 15 14

Race 1 - - 11 21 21

Race 2 - - 12 18 13

Race 3 - - 13 - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 7 9

Qual 2 7 11

Race 1 DNF 4

Race 2 2 23

Race Guide

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Race Guide

THE BAGMAN’S SAYThe young local hero comes into the weekend with the spotlight well and truly on. Didn’t handle the pressure well last year, and proved uncompetitive on-track. Soft tyres may help The Giz break into the top-five this weekend though.

#9 Shane van GisbergenLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 12 11 21

Qual 2 - - - 7 12

Race 1 - - 21 17 DNF

Race 2 - - 26 15 7

Race 3 - - 10 - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 15 6

Qual 2 18 23

Race 1 4 13

Race 2 8 18

THE BAGMAN’S SAYWhile his successes on home soil seem a distant memory now, a second place finish last time out at Albert Park will give Murph confidence. Hasn’t show a lot of speed in the early points events this year, but the Kellys are determined to see him succeed. Still a top 10 contender at best.

#11 Greg MurphyLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Qual 1 - - 7th 17th 13th

Qual 2 - - - 11th 18th

Race 1 - - 23rd DNF 18th

Race 2 - - 25th 8th 15th

Race 3 - - DNF - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 27 24

Qual 2 24 12

Race 1 21 18

Race 2 9 19

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Races 5/6 - Hamilton

THE BAGMAN’S SAYA pair of 15th placings in Adelaide is as good as it gets for Fiore and his team. Lacks the firepower to qualify among the top 10, but loves the soft tyre and could benefit from high attrition.

#12 Dean FioreLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - - 28 23

Qual 2 - - - 30 24

Race 1 - - - DNF DNF

Race 2 - - - 20 14

Race 3 - - - - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 26 27

Qual 2 23 26

Race 1 22 15

Race 2 20 15

THE BAGMAN’S SAYWelcoming a new sponsor since Albert Park, Bargwanna’s car proved very quick in the hands of Jason Richards at the Grand Prix. Bargs showed in Race 3 at the Clipsal 500 that he can still finish among the top 10 if things go well.

#14 Jason BargwannaLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - - 24 22

Qual 2 - - - 23 23

Race 1 - - - DNF 15

Race 2 - - - DNF 9

Race 3 - - - - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 19 17

Qual 2 25 16

Race 1 18 10

Race 2 12 DNF

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Race Guide

THE BAGMAN’S SAYThis team is making big steps, and Rick is clearly the most complete driver of the four. Sound finishing record at this circuit. A real chance to repeat his Clipsal 500 podium finish, providing the spare chassis is up to the job.

#15 Rick KellyLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 3 9 7

Qual 2 - - - 13 4

Race 1 - - 2 7 8

Race 2 - - 6 14 6

Race 3 - - 4 - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 25 4

Qual 2 27 8

Race 1 13 12

Race 2 19 2

THE BAGMAN’S SAYThe result didn’t show it, but Reynolds was the star of Race 4 at the Clipsal 500, racing wheel-to-wheel with the best in the sport as the track dried in the opening stint. Qualifying is still a question mark, but the potential is there.

#16 David ReynoldsLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - - 23 -

Qual 2 - - - 22 -

Race 1 - - - 12 -

Race 2 - - - 11 -

Race 3 - - - - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 23 21

Qual 2 21 10

Race 1 17 22

Race 2 4 14

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Races 5/6 - Hamilton

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Race Preview

22

Race Guide

THE BAGMAN’S SAYWas in excellent form here in 2009, taking a rare pole position. Carrying a lot on his shoulders as the lead driver in the team this year, Johnson is unlikely to feature in the top five, but making the 10 is certainly not beyond him. Is running a spare car after his Albert Park shunt.

#17 Steven JohnsonLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 18 3 5

Qual 2 - - - 1 7

Race 1 - - DNF 5 6

Race 2 - - 13 3 DSQ

Race 3 - - 8 - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 8 12

Qual 2 4 15

Race 1 11 11

Race 2 18 8

THE BAGMAN’S SAYDebuting full-time in the main game and one of three drivers having his first look at the Hamilton layout. On a massive learning curve this year, and is currently at the tail of the championship order. Qualifying in the top 20 will be a good performance at this stage.

#18 James MoffatLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - - - -

Qual 2 - - - - -

Race 1 - - - - -

Race 2 - - - - -

Race 3 - - - - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 28 25

Qual 2 22 24

Race 1 16 DNF

Race 2 DNF 22

31

Races 5/6 - Hamilton

THE BAGMAN’S SAYContinues to be a quiet achiever. Was thrust into the front of the pack during the strategy cycle in Race 4 at Clipsal and looked very comfortable running with the leaders. Could feature in the top 10 here, but a place may be stretching it.

#19 Jonathon WebbLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - - - 11

Qual 2 - - - - 15

Race 1 - - - - 13

Race 2 - - - - 10

Race 3 - - - - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 10 14

Qual 2 17 7

Race 1 20 14

Race 2 6 11

THE BAGMAN’S SAYHas had a couple of solid results so far this season, and ran well here in the races last year. The car and driver package is making progress, but still lacks the pace to figure strongly.

#21 Karl ReindlerLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - - - 28

Qual 2 - - - - 28

Race 1 - - - - 16

Race 2 - - - - 18

Race 3 - - - - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 22 28

Qual 2 28 25

Race 1 DNF 19

Race 2 11 17

32

Race Guide

THE BAGMAN’S SAYBig shunts in Adelaide and at the Australian Grand Prix has left this team battling just to make the grid. While Luff’s experience is one of the young squad’s key assets, the production car ace is having his first V8 start at the Hamilton track. Shouldn’t qualify inside the top 25.

#30 Warren LuffLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - - - -

Qual 2 - - - - -

Race 1 - - - - -

Race 2 - - - - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 24 26

Qual 2 26 27

Race 1 23 21

Race 2 17 DNF

33

Races 5/6 - Hamilton

THE BAGMAN’S SAYShowed cracking car speed in Adelaide - continuing Garry Rogers Motorsport’s tradition of being fast on street circuits - but came away with little to show for it. An outside chance for victory.

#33 Lee HoldsworthLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 5 6 14

Qual 2 - - - 6 11

Race 1 - - 5 3 10

Race 2 - - 4 4 4

Race 3 - - DNF - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 9 3

Qual 2 6 4

Race 1 9 20

Race 2 22 DNF

THE BAGMAN’S SAYWasn’t too far away from the pace in the Middle East before a Clipsal shocker - later attributed to a car issue. Finished on the podium in the second race here last year in a stand-out weekend, and is a threat to repeat in 2011.

#34 Michael CarusoLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 8 4 3

Qual 2 - - - 5 3

Race 1 - - 12 25 5

Race 2 - - 18 6 3

Race 3 - - 17 - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 18 18

Qual 2 9 22

Race 1 15 16

Race 2 5 21

34

Race Guide

THE BAGMAN’S SAYHas a frightfully bad finishing record on the streets of Hamilton with four DNFs. Based on current form Ingall’s long odds assessment is justified.

#39 Russell IngallLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 22 18 20

Qual 2 - - - 12 22

Race 1 - - DNF 23 DNF

Race 2 - - DNF DNF 12

Race 3 - - 11 - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 21 22

Qual 2 15 14

Race 1 24 DNF

Race 2 DNF 16

29

Races 3/4 – Adelaide

3

Races 5/6 Hamilton

THE BAGMAN’S SAYShowed terrific pace in the Middle East before qualifying mid-pack in Adelaide. Will be hoping that the return to soft tyres brings a return to form.

#47 Tim SladeLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - - 25 25

Qual 2 - - - 26 21

Race 1 - - - DNF DNF

Race 2 - - - DNS 16

Race 3 - - - - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 6 15

Qual 2 10 18

Race 1 5 8

Race 2 DNF 13

36

Race Guide

THE BAGMAN’S SAYWill be back in his own chassis for Hamilton, after a Clipsal shunt saw it miss the Grand Prix. Owen is highly experienced in V8 Supercars, and is unlucky that two of the opening three events feature circuits he hasn’t raced on previously. Unlikely to see the top 10 based on speed.

#49 Steve OwenLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - - - -

Qual 2 - - - - -

Race 1 - - - - -

Race 2 - - - - -

Race 3 - - - - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 13 13

Qual 2 20 -

Race 1 14 27

Race 2 13 DNS

THE BAGMAN’S SAYHas had patchy results so far this season, and has only one top 10 finish to his name at this circuit. A potential top-five finisher, but will need to keep his concentration better than he did in Adelaide.

#55 Paul DumbrellLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 23 14 12

Qual 2 - - - 14 13

Race 1 - - 14 18 9

Race 2 - - 11 23 20

Race 3 - - DNF - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 5 10

Qual 2 11 6

Race 1 21 25

Race 2 10 6

THE BAGMAN’S SAYEnters the New Zealand event as the highest placed Kiwi driver in the points standings and with the best results by a local at the Hamilton circuit. Ironically, has less pressure on his shoulders than van Giz and Murphy. Should continue his run of being solid but unspectacular.

#61 Fabian CoulthardLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 10 21 6

Qual 2 - - - 9 19

Race 1 - - 7 6 22

Race 2 - - 8 5 22

Race 3 - - 6 - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 11 20

Qual 2 19 21

Race 1 8 5

Race 2 15 9

37

Races 5/6 - Hamilton

32

Race Guide

22

Race Guide

THE BAGMAN’S SAYUnbeaten here since the horrors of 2008 when he had to sit out the weekend after destroying his car in qualifying. The driver to beat this year and is rated at short odds to keep his amazing run intact.

#88 Jamie WhincupLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 11 2 1

Qual 2 - - - 4 2

Race 1 - - DNS 1 1

Race 2 - - DNS 1 1

Race 3 - - DNS - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE

Qual 1 16

Qual 2 16

Race 1 18

Race 2 DNF

THE BAGMAN’S SAYStarted the season with a pole position in Abu Dhabi, but has been less than convincing since. Needs to qualifying better than in Adelaide. Has the car to win, and should contend for a top-five at a minimum.

#888 Craig LowndesLATEST RESULTS AT HAMILTON

‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10

Qual 1 - - 21 7 4

Qual 2 - - - 8 5

Race 1 - - 19 24 4

Race 2 - - 14 DNF 19

Race 3 - - 7 - -

2011 SEASON FORM

UAE C500

Qual 1 1 11

Qual 2 2 9

Race 1 7 3

Race 2 21 12

39

Races 5/6 - Hamilton

COLOUR

Mark Skaife gives one of the Clipsal girls a champagne spray on the podium after his victory on Sunday in Round 2 of the 2001 Clipsal 500.

40

Race Guide

Adelaide’s Clipsal 500 confirmed its status as the world’s premier touring car event last month

41

Races 5/6 - Hamilton

SCHEDULE OF EVENTSFRIDAY

Start Finish Category Session730 1230 V8 Supercars Scrutineering730 830 V8 Supercars Tyre Selection730 855 V8 Supercars Document check820 920 GT1 NZ Testing/Qualifying830 955 V8 Supercars Teams Briefing900 1035 V8 UTES Testing935 1120 On tack entertainment Stunt Utes1005 1155 NZV8s Testing1045 1225 V8 Supercars Practice – Part1145 1305 Muscle Touring Cars Testing/Qualifying1205 1320 On tack entertainment Concert Truck1235 1345 NZV8s Testing1310 1405 V8 Supercars Practice – Part1325 1445 On tack entertainment Stunt Utes1350 1540 V8 UTES Qualifying1415 1620 On tack entertainment Drift Cars1455 1640 V8 Supercars Practice – Part1550 1655 NZV8s Qualifying1625 1730 V8 Supercars Practice – Part1625 1750 V8TV On track time 1700 Media Conference V8 Supercars1735 V8 Supercars Meeting Rides1750 CIRCUIT CLOSED

SATURDAY

Start Finish Category Session800 815 Safety Car test 820 850 NZ Category Hot Laps 830 V8 Supercars Competitors Briefing900 920 GT1 NZ Race #1 (10laps)930 945 On track entertainment Stunt Utes955 1010 Muscle Touring Cars Race #1 (8laps)1020 1040 V8 Supercars Qualifying10:50 1110 V8 UTES Race #1 (8laps)1115 1140 On track entertainment Concert Truck1145 1215 V8 Supercars Top Ten Shootout1223 1248 NZV8s Race #1 (12laps)1258 1313 On track entertainment Elthanol Promotion

42

Race Guide

1325 1340 GT1 NZ Race #2 (10aps)1345 1355 Muscle Touring Cars Race #2 (8laps)1359 1409 On track entertainment Drift Cars1410 1435 On track entertainment Harley Parade1435 Pre race build-up 30 minute signal 1450 V8 Supercars Pit Exit Open1440 V8 Supercars Pit Exit Closed1505 1730 V8 Supercars Race 1 (59laps) V8 Supercars Podium V8 Supercars Presentation V8 Supercars Media Conference1700 Safety & Course Car Rides 1730 CIRCUIT CLOSED

SUNDAY

Start Finish Category Session805 835 Safety & Course Car Rides 845 905 V8 UTES Race #2 (8laps)905 920 On track entertainment Stunt Utes – 10mins920 945 NZV8s Race #2 (12laps)1020 1035 GT1 NZ Race #3 (10laps)1040 1055 On track entertainment Stunt Utes1100 1120 V8 Supercars Qualifying1125 1135 On track entertainment Beach Hop Parade1145 1205 V8 UTES Race #3 (8laps)1210 1220 V8 Supercars DRIVERS PARADE1220 1230 On track entertainment HSV Parade1245 1300 Muscle Touring Cars Race #3 (8laps)1305 1330 On track entertainment Concert Truck1340 1410 NZV8s Race #3 (16laps)1420 1432 On track entertainment Drift Cars1420 1435 Support Podiums 1432 1435 Stunt Utes 1435 V8 Supercars 30 Minute Signal 1440 V8 Supercars Pit Exit Open 1450 V8 Supercars Pit Exit Closed1505 V8 Supercars Race 2 (59laps) V8 Supercars Podium V8 Supercars Presentation V8 Supercars Media Conference1745 CIRCUIT CLOSED

43

Races 5/6 - Hamilton

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

44

Race Guide

1 Jamie Whincup TeamVodafone Holden Commodore VEII 5672 Mark Winterbottom Orrcon Steel FPR Ford Falcon FG 4233 Garth Tander Toll Holden Racing Team Holden Commodore VEII 3634 Alex Davison IRWIN Racing Ford Falcon FG 3485 Fabian Coulthard Bundaberg Racing Holden Commodore VEII 3456 Craig Lowndes Team Vodafone Holden Commodore VEII 3367 Shane van Gisbergen SP Tools Racing Ford Falcon FG 3278 Rick Kelly Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore VEII 3219 Will Davison Trading Post Racing FPR Ford Falcon FG 30610 Jason Bright Team BOC Holden Commodore VEII 29411 James Courtney Toll Holden Racing Team Holden Commodore VEII 28012 David Reynolds Stratco Racing Holden Commodore VEII 27613 Michael Caruso Fujitsu Racing Holden Commodore VEII 27014 Tim Slade Lucky 7 Racing Ford Falcon FG 26715 Steven Johnson Jim Beam Racing Ford Falcon FG 26016 Jonathon Webb Mother Energy Racing Ford Falcon FG 25717 Paul Dumbrell The Bottle-O Racing Ford Falcon FG 24018 Greg Murphy Pepsi Max Crew Holden Commodore VEII 22519 Dean Fiore Triple F Racing Ford Falcon FG 20420 Jason Bargwanna Jana Living Racing Holden Commodore VEII 19521 Todd Kelly Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore VEII 17422 Karl Reindler Fair Dinkum Sheds Racing Holden Commodore VEII 17423 Lee Holdsworth Fujitsu Racing Holden Commodore VEII 16824 Warren Luff Gulf Western Oils Racing Holden Commodore VEII 13225 Steve Owen VIP Petfoods Racing Holden Commodore VEII 12926 Tony D’Alberto Wilson Security Racing Holden Commodore VEII 12527 Russell Ingall Supercheap Auto Racing Holden Commodore VEII 9028 James Moffat Jim Beam Racing Ford Falcon FG 71

13

Races 3/4 – AdelaideRaces 3/4 – Adelaide

133

Races 5/6 Hamilton

32

Race Guide

22

Race Guide

PAST CHAMPIONS2010 James Courtney Dick Johnson Racing Ford Falcon FG2009 Jamie Whincup Triple Eight Race Engineering Ford Falcon FG2008 Jamie Whincup Triple Eight Race Engineering Ford Falcon BF2007 Garth Tander Toll HSV Dealer Team Holden Commodore VE2006 Rick Kelly Toll HSV Dealer Team Holden Commodore VZ2005 Russell Ingall Stone Brothers Racing Ford Falcon BA2004 Marcos Ambrose Stone Brothers Racing Ford Falcon BA2003 Marcos Ambrose Stone Brothers Racing Ford Falcon BA2002 Mark Skaife Holden Racing Team Holden Commodore VX2001 Mark Skaife Holden Racing Team Holden Commodore VX2000 Mark Skaife Holden Racing Team Holden Commodore VT1999 Craig Lowndes Holden Racing Team Holden Commodore VS/VT1998 Craig Lowndes Holden Racing Team Holden Commodore VS/VT1997 Glenn Seton Glenn Seton Racing Ford Falcon EL1996 Craig Lowndes Holden Racing Team Holden Commodore VR1995 John Bowe Dick Johnson Racing Ford Falcon EF1994 Mark Skaife Gibson Motor Sport Holden Commodore VP1993 Glenn Seton Glenn Seton Racing Ford Falcon EB1992 Mark Skaife Winfield Team Nissan Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R 1991 Jim Richards Gibson Motor Sport Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R1990 Jim Richards Gibson Motor Sport Nissan Skyline HR31 GTS-R/R32 GT-R1989 Dick Johnson Dick Johnson Racing Ford Sierra RS5001988 Dick Johnson Dick Johnson Racing Ford Sierra RS5001987 Jim Richards JPS Team BMW MW M3 E301986 Robbie Francevic Volvo Dealer Team Volvo 240T1985 Jim Richards JPS Team BMW BMW 635CSi1984 Dick Johnson Dick Johnson Racing Ford XE Falcon1983 Allan Moffat Peter Stuyvesant Racing Mazda RX-71982 Dick Johnson Dick Johnson Racing Ford Falcon XD1981 Dick Johnson Dick Johnson Racing Ford Falcon XD1980 Peter Brock Marlboro Holden ealer Team Holden Commodore VB1979 Bob Morris Ron Hodgson Channel 7 Racing Holden Torana LX SS A9X1978 Peter Brock Marlboro Holden Dealer Team Holden Torana LX SS A9X1977 Allan Moffat Moffat Ford Dealers Ford Falcon XB GT/XC1976 Allan Moffat Allan Moffat Racing Ford Falcon XB GT1975 Colin Bond Marlboro Holden Dealer Team Holden Torana LH SL/R 5000 L341974 Peter Brock Marlboro Holden Dealer Team Holden Torana LJ GTR XU-1/LH SL/R 50001973 Allan Moffat Ford Motor Company Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III 1972 Bob Jane Bob Jane Racing Team Chevrolet Camaro ZL-11971 Bob Jane Bob Jane Racing Team Chevrolet Camaro ZL-11970 Norm Beechey Shell Racing Team Holden Monaro HT GTS3501969 Ian Geoghegan Mustang Team Ford Mustang1968 Ian Geoghegan Mustang Team Ford Mustang1967 Ian Geoghegan Mustang Team Ford Mustang1966 Ian Geoghegan Total Team Ford Mustang1965 Norm Beechey Neptune Racing Team Ford Mustang1964 Ian Geoghegan Total Team Ford Cortina GT1963 Bob Jane Bob Jane Jaguar 3.8 Litre Mk II1962 Bob Jane Bob Jane Jaguar 3.8 Litre Mk II1961 Bill Pitt Bill Pitt Jaguar 3.4 Litre1960 David McKay David McKay Jaguar 3.4 Litre

47

Races 5/6 - Hamilton

FLASHBACKSteven Richards won’t be on the grid this weekend, but the dual Bathurst winner set the early pace when the V8 Supercars first visited the circuit in 2008 - taking pole position.

48

Race Guide

49

Races 5/6 - Hamilton

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