David Besnard has copped another penalty for speeding in pitlane at Bathurst when a chance to win the Great Race – he's been dumped from the Fujitsu Racing/Garry Rogers Motorsport line-up for next week's Gold Coast 600
Friday motorsport report
- October 15, 2010
Lee Holdsworth gets Greg Ritter as replacement co-driver
One of the stars of the Bathurst 1000, David Besnard, has been axed by Garry Rogers Motorsport from the third endurance round of the V8 Super car games Championship, next weekend's Armor All Gold Coast 600.
Even though Besnard is based on the Gold Coast, the 33-year-old will find himself looking on as a field including a host of international drivers – many of whom previously came to compete in the former Indy open-wheeler race – take part in next weekend's three V8 Supercar races.
On another front, today is the deadline for the deal in which mining magnate Nathan Tinkler was to buy Charlie Schwerkolt's half share of Jim Beam/Dick Johnson Racing for a reputed $4 million, but there are strong indications it's not going to happen.
Meanwhile, Fujitsu Racing/GRM has slotted in its other co-driver from Phillip Island and Bathurst, Greg Ritter, for the Gold Coast next week in place of Besnard – who incurred a drive-through penalty for the team's No 33 Holden Commodore for speeding in the Bathurst pitlane after he had led eventual winner Craig Lowndes, and the race, for 30 laps.
Lowndes, in the Team Vodafone/Triple Eight Race Engineering Commodore he shared with Mark Skaife, had snuck past Besnard before the final round of driver changes and Besnard's pitlane error, but the part-timer's stint remained one of the highlights of the Great Race.
However, any chance of GRM's lead driver Lee Holdsworth battling for the win were lost by the drive-through and he could only bring the car home in seventh place.
The team's other entry, the No. 34 Commodore driven by Michael Caruso and Ritter, finished 10th.
While Besnard – out of a full-time V8 Supercar drive for several years now, with the New Zealand V8 Championship his main activity, but probably the best co-driver available within Australia for endurance races other than Skaife - was one of the heroes of Bathurst, he has paid a high price for also being the "villain" with the pitlane infringement.
With Ritter joining Holdsworth in the No. 33 for the Gold Coast, Caruso will be partnered by little-known American Patrick Long, who usually races Porsche sports cars.
The highly-regarded Holdsworth said of his new co-driver for the Gold Coast: "I think Ritter and I have a good shot at a top three."
Of Bathurst he said: "It was frustrating to get that close and to have a silly mistake."
Team owner Garry Rogers wrote a lengthy report on Bathurst for his team's website (grmotorsport.com.au), and – although he did not repeat his comment made on the telecast that the pitlane speeding was "dumb" - here are excerpts of what he had to say there.
"Leethal (Holdsworth) had great pace and took the lead (early).
"The No. 33 car was looking the goods. David (Besnard) and Lee would share the car through the early sessions and would lead the race, holding off the Holden Racing Team and 888 (Lowndes-Skaife) cars.
"Lee and David at the end of the day would lead the race for over 80 laps.
"David's last stint would be one of the highlights of the day.
"He would hold off Lowndes for 30 laps with a brilliant drive.
"You could tell that Lowndes was not enjoying this stint by his radio chat and the attitude of the 888 car as he did try a couple of desperate dives to pass, but David stood his ground.
"David had driven the pants off the No. 33 car but would only succumb to Lowndes with a very ragged, delaminating tyre.
"After this drive David came into pit and change over with Lee, and this is where our afternoon went pear-shaped.
"The No. 33 was pinged for exceeding the pitlane speed limit of 40km/h and was given a drive-through penalty.
"All eyes were on Lee as he took over the car for the run to the end, but the news of the penalty came in over the radio and he had to take the drive-through and lost the lead.
"It is very frustrating, annoying and gives you the heebie-jeebies that a silly mistake in the heat of the moment can be made and bring undone months of work and preparation by the team for this race week.
"This race is incredibly hard to win but very easy to lose. The No. 33 car was not out of the race, but it would be a struggle from here. Lee would challenge for a podium result but it wasn't to be and the car would finish in seventh.
"I would be telling untruths if I said I was not disappointed with how the afternoon unfolded, but Bathurst is always full of surprises and that is why we keep going back each year.
"There has been quite a lot of speculation in the media re driver line-ups for the Gold Coast event and, with quite a lot of deliberation; we are able to announce ours.
"Leethal will drive with Greg Ritter and Robbo (Caruso) will drive with Patrick Long, who has now arrived safely in Australia from America and is raring to go."
Armor All Gold Coast 600 driver pairings
1 - Jamie Whincup/Steve Owen, TeamVodafone, Holden Commodore VE
2- Garth Tander/Cameron McConville , Toll Holden Racing Team, Commodore VE
3 - Tony D'Alberto/Tiago Monteiro, Centaur Racing, Commodore VE
4 - Alex Davison/David Brabham, Irwin Racing, Ford Falcon FG
5 - Mark Winterbottom/Luke Youlden, Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon, Falcon FG
6 - Steve Richards/Will Power, Dunlop Super Dealer FPR Falcon, Falcon FG
7 - Todd Kelly/Scott Dixon, Jack Daniel's Racing, Commodore VE
8 - Jason Richards/Andrew Jones, Team BOC, Commodore VE
9 - Shane Van Gisbergen/John McIntyre, SP Tools Racing, Falcon FG
10 - Andrew Thompson/Mika Salo, Bundaberg Red Racing, Commodore VE
11 - Jason Bargwanna/Alex Tagliani, Rock Racing, Commodore VE
12 - Dean Fiore/Gianni Morbidelli, Triple F Racing, Falcon FG
14 - Jason Bright/Alain Menu, Trading Post Racing, Commodore VE
15 - Rick Kelly/Owen Kelly, Jack Daniel's Racing, Commodore VE
16 - Tony Ricciardello/Taz Douglas, Stratco Racing, Commodore VE
17 - Steven Johnson/Dario Franchitti, Jim Beam Racing, Falcon FG
18 - James Courtney/Warren Luff, Jim Beam Racing, Falcon FG
19 - Jonathon Webb/Sebastien Bourdais, Dick Johnson Racing, Falcon FG
21 - Karl Reindler/Fabrizio Giovanardi, Fair Dinkum Sheds Racing, Commodore VE
22 - Will Davison/Ryan Briscoe, Toll Holden Racing Team, Commodore VE
24 - Fabian Coulthard/David Reynolds, Bundaberg Red Racing, Commodore VE
30 - Mark Noske/Scott Pruett, Gulf Western Oil Racing, Commodore VE
33 - Lee Holdsworth/Greg Ritter, Fujitsu Racing/GRM, Commodore VE
34 - Michael Caruso/Patrick Long, Fujitsu Racing/GRM, Commodore VE
39 - Russell Ingall /Jack Perkins, Supercheap Auto Racing, Commodore VE
47 - Tim Slade/Helio Castroneves, Wilson Security Racing, Falcon FG
51 - Greg Murphy/Yvan Muller, Castrol Edge Racing, Commodore VE
55 - Paul Dumbrell/Jacques Villeneuve, The Bottle-O Racing Team, Falcon FG
888 - Craig Lowndes/Andy Priaulx, TeamVodafone, Commodore VE
Lowndes blasts Seven's Bathurst delay as 'excessive'
Craig Lowndes has added his voice to the complaints about the Seven network delaying the vision of the Bathurst 1000 as the race progressed. While the chequered flag was waved at 4.53pm last Sunday, the race finish was not seen on TV until 5.20pm.
One media report last Monday called it "the race that delayed a nation".
"I've heard about the complaints on Twitter over Channel 7's delayed coverage of the event and I must say I agree," Lowndes said in a column published in News Corporation newspapers this week.
"There is always a slight delay, but 20-odd minutes was excessive.
"In these days of instant communication with Twitter, Facebook and mobile phones it is more evident to fans if there is a delay.
"I understand the commercial realities, but Seven could easily have made up the time during safety car periods."
The irony of Lowndes' comments is that his co-driver in victory last Sunday, Mark Skaife, is the specialist commentator with Seven at races other than the Phillip Island and Bathurst enduros in which he competes.
Russia gets a Grand Prix from 2014
A Russian Grand Prix will be added to the Formula One world championship from 2014.
It will be held in Sochi, a Black Sea resort that also will host the Winter Olympics that year.
Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin announced that a deal had been struck with F1 ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone for a race at Sochi until 2020.
Meanwhile, the new Korean circuit at Yeongam, about four hours' drive from Seoul, has been given final clearance for next weekend's 17th round of this year's championship, which Australia's Mark Webber leads by 14 points.
Ambrose on his NASCAR 'home ground'
NASCAR's Sprint Cup, now just six weeks from its conclusion, this weekend is at Charlotte, North Carolina, the hub of American stock car racing.
Australia's Marcos Ambrose is hoping to better the 22nd place that is his best finish in four previous Cup starts at Charlotte, his American "home town".
His JTG Daugherty Racing team will field the Toyota in which he finished fifth in the non-championship All-Star Showdown there in May.
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site.
Thứ Hai, 2 tháng 4, 2012
AIMS: FJ Cruiser lands in Oz
Toyota revives pioneering spirit, brings funky off-road style to Sydney streets with Rough 'n' ready FJ Cruiser
discount new cars » Get the best price on a new Toyota
Toyota has today unveiled its new FJ Cruiser SUV at the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) in Sydney, the retro-styled pseudo off-roader challenging conventional SUV styling with its design language paying a colourful homage to Toyota's late '60s namesake.
Although Toyota admits FJ Cruiser will likely attract "well-heeled" younger buyers who know nothing about the tradition surrounding its FJ nameplate, TMCA's senior executive director of sales and marketing, David Buttner, told the Carsales Network today: "The FJ Cruiser is likely to be priced within the same realm as similarly proportioned competitors such as Dodge Nitro and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, placing it somewhere within the $37,000 to $50,000 retail range".
The new Toyota FJ Crusier will hit showrooms locally in March next year.
Like the recently-released Rukus, the FJ Cruiser provides Toyota with a model that attracts attention to the marque for something other than the usual brand traits (quality, reliability, etc), although the company points to the FJ Cruiser's strong performance in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study as evidence that it is built to a quality standard. Australian-delivered models will be built in Japan.
FJ Cruiser has been on sale in the US since late 2006 and until recently, was only available in left hand drive.
Sharing underpinnings with the latest generation 150 Series LandCruiser Prado, FJ Cruiser features uniquely retro styling with 'suicide' rear doors, and a familiar fascia to that of the original, now legendary FJ Series LandCruiser.
Setting it apart from any other SUV, FJ's retro-inspired styling includes a near vertical windscreen with three wipers, white roof (irrespective of body colour -- just like the original) and wrap-around rear windows.
Inside, there are two rows of seats with standard-size front door and smaller, reverse-opening rear doors.
In keeping with the FJ's mantra of "style and substance", Toyota has opted for a "no frills" interior, including moulded floors for easy cleaning.
The FJ Cruiser's exterior styling provides the most obvious connection with Toyota's roots -- body-on-frame structure, stocky appearance, unique "Toyota" badge on the grille, and the arrangement of its headlights and grille.
Toyota says the reborn classic is more than a reinterpretation of its classic FJ40, but part of the brand's aim to revive its passion and pioneering off-road spirit in a vehicle that's designed to deliver loads of character while also being fun to drive. The original FJ Series LandCruiser was highly acclaimed for its ability to travel to -- and return from -- any extreme environment.
Under the bonnet, and again sharing origins with LandCrusier Prado, the FJ Cruiser features a (200kW/380Nm) 4.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts for an optimum combination of power and economy.
Official performance figures are yet to be released (as are fuel economy details), but Toyota assures us performance is "willing". Power is put to the road via a five-speed automatic transmission and a part-time 4WD system with a dual-range transfer case.
FJ Cruiser is suspended by double-wishbone coil suspension at the front and coils at the rear providing large wheel articulation and impressive fording capability, while there is also "excellent ground clearance".
Watch Carsales TV's video review of the new Toyota FJ by clicking on this link
For our full coverage of the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney visit our minisite at carsales.com.au/aims
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site.
discount new cars » Get the best price on a new Toyota
Toyota has today unveiled its new FJ Cruiser SUV at the Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) in Sydney, the retro-styled pseudo off-roader challenging conventional SUV styling with its design language paying a colourful homage to Toyota's late '60s namesake.
Although Toyota admits FJ Cruiser will likely attract "well-heeled" younger buyers who know nothing about the tradition surrounding its FJ nameplate, TMCA's senior executive director of sales and marketing, David Buttner, told the Carsales Network today: "The FJ Cruiser is likely to be priced within the same realm as similarly proportioned competitors such as Dodge Nitro and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, placing it somewhere within the $37,000 to $50,000 retail range".
The new Toyota FJ Crusier will hit showrooms locally in March next year.
Like the recently-released Rukus, the FJ Cruiser provides Toyota with a model that attracts attention to the marque for something other than the usual brand traits (quality, reliability, etc), although the company points to the FJ Cruiser's strong performance in the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Initial Quality Study as evidence that it is built to a quality standard. Australian-delivered models will be built in Japan.
FJ Cruiser has been on sale in the US since late 2006 and until recently, was only available in left hand drive.
Sharing underpinnings with the latest generation 150 Series LandCruiser Prado, FJ Cruiser features uniquely retro styling with 'suicide' rear doors, and a familiar fascia to that of the original, now legendary FJ Series LandCruiser.
Setting it apart from any other SUV, FJ's retro-inspired styling includes a near vertical windscreen with three wipers, white roof (irrespective of body colour -- just like the original) and wrap-around rear windows.
Inside, there are two rows of seats with standard-size front door and smaller, reverse-opening rear doors.
In keeping with the FJ's mantra of "style and substance", Toyota has opted for a "no frills" interior, including moulded floors for easy cleaning.
The FJ Cruiser's exterior styling provides the most obvious connection with Toyota's roots -- body-on-frame structure, stocky appearance, unique "Toyota" badge on the grille, and the arrangement of its headlights and grille.
Toyota says the reborn classic is more than a reinterpretation of its classic FJ40, but part of the brand's aim to revive its passion and pioneering off-road spirit in a vehicle that's designed to deliver loads of character while also being fun to drive. The original FJ Series LandCruiser was highly acclaimed for its ability to travel to -- and return from -- any extreme environment.
Under the bonnet, and again sharing origins with LandCrusier Prado, the FJ Cruiser features a (200kW/380Nm) 4.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts for an optimum combination of power and economy.
Official performance figures are yet to be released (as are fuel economy details), but Toyota assures us performance is "willing". Power is put to the road via a five-speed automatic transmission and a part-time 4WD system with a dual-range transfer case.
FJ Cruiser is suspended by double-wishbone coil suspension at the front and coils at the rear providing large wheel articulation and impressive fording capability, while there is also "excellent ground clearance".
Watch Carsales TV's video review of the new Toyota FJ by clicking on this link
For our full coverage of the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney visit our minisite at carsales.com.au/aims
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site.
AIMS: Walkinshaw Performance Series II unveiled
Aussie muscle alive and well in Sydney with new supercharged V8 ready to tackle world's best
Walkinshaw Performance (WP) today unveiled its latest supercar, the WP Series II at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.
A totally new and integrated product, the WP Series II is based on a Holden Commodore SS but boasts the unqiue and all-new WP 230 supercharger (sourced from US supplier Edelbrock) with a resulting output of 460kW/780Nm.
"Today's unveil is the culmination of a real breakthrough year for Walkinshaw Performance, with the introduction of new products and an industry-first driveline warranty", said Walkinshaw Performance CEO, Craig Wilson.
"The package is the result of hundreds of hours of testing, refinement and discussions between the WP team and our suppliers to bring to market a truly unique product
"We're celebrating the release of the WP Series II Supercar by producing just 23 examples, finished in Panorama Silver, the same colour which adorned the original 'Walky' when it debuted at the Sydney Motor show 23 years ago."
The package will also feature three-inch bi-modal exhaust, carbon-fibre lip spoiler and specially embroidered WP headrests, sill plates and armrests.
The addition to the WP230 supercharger to the Commodore SS's 6.0-litre V8 represents a new frontier for Walkinshaw Performance, and not just because of raw numbers the supercharged engine delivers, as Chief Engineer Alan Hale explains.
"The big benefit of this package is the huge 12-inch long intake runner system which delivers massive amounts of torque under the curve, for instance 700Nm as low as 3000rpm," he said.
"We're really proud of the end product and we know it is going to be popular with customers looking for something extra from their Holden or HSV."
Sales and Marketing Manager Tony Harris said Walkinshaw Performance were limiting the launch of the WP Series II Supercar to a run of just 23 and recognising initial customers in a special way.
"They will receive a special certificate of authenticity and have the chance to personally view their car being built at our Clayton manufacturing facility," he said.
"With only a small run of the new car to be available in the original Panorama Silver 1987 Sydney Motor Show launch colour, we expect demand to be strong."
The Panorama Silver colour was produced using the same pigments from the original Walkinshaw, according to Hale, but using modern processes.
Could they sell more than 23 cars, we asked. "I think 23 is realistic," Hale told the Carsales Network. The original Walkinshaw was built to 500 units for Group A homologation purposes. A further 250 were built but "the majority sat around."
WP Series II Supercar highlights:
- Edelbrock E Force supercharger, machine finished in billet aluminium
- Braking: six-piston 378mm front rotors / six-piston 365mm rear rotors
- Upgraded & recalibrated suspension package developed with Bilstein
- A specially commissioned audio upgrade package from Rockford Fosgate
- Body finished Panorama Silver
- Price: $99,990 ($117,760 as shown)
For our full coverage of the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney visit our minisite at carsales.com.au/aims
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site.
Walkinshaw Performance (WP) today unveiled its latest supercar, the WP Series II at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.
A totally new and integrated product, the WP Series II is based on a Holden Commodore SS but boasts the unqiue and all-new WP 230 supercharger (sourced from US supplier Edelbrock) with a resulting output of 460kW/780Nm.
"Today's unveil is the culmination of a real breakthrough year for Walkinshaw Performance, with the introduction of new products and an industry-first driveline warranty", said Walkinshaw Performance CEO, Craig Wilson.
"The package is the result of hundreds of hours of testing, refinement and discussions between the WP team and our suppliers to bring to market a truly unique product
"We're celebrating the release of the WP Series II Supercar by producing just 23 examples, finished in Panorama Silver, the same colour which adorned the original 'Walky' when it debuted at the Sydney Motor show 23 years ago."
The package will also feature three-inch bi-modal exhaust, carbon-fibre lip spoiler and specially embroidered WP headrests, sill plates and armrests.
The addition to the WP230 supercharger to the Commodore SS's 6.0-litre V8 represents a new frontier for Walkinshaw Performance, and not just because of raw numbers the supercharged engine delivers, as Chief Engineer Alan Hale explains.
"The big benefit of this package is the huge 12-inch long intake runner system which delivers massive amounts of torque under the curve, for instance 700Nm as low as 3000rpm," he said.
"We're really proud of the end product and we know it is going to be popular with customers looking for something extra from their Holden or HSV."
Sales and Marketing Manager Tony Harris said Walkinshaw Performance were limiting the launch of the WP Series II Supercar to a run of just 23 and recognising initial customers in a special way.
"They will receive a special certificate of authenticity and have the chance to personally view their car being built at our Clayton manufacturing facility," he said.
"With only a small run of the new car to be available in the original Panorama Silver 1987 Sydney Motor Show launch colour, we expect demand to be strong."
The Panorama Silver colour was produced using the same pigments from the original Walkinshaw, according to Hale, but using modern processes.
Could they sell more than 23 cars, we asked. "I think 23 is realistic," Hale told the Carsales Network. The original Walkinshaw was built to 500 units for Group A homologation purposes. A further 250 were built but "the majority sat around."
WP Series II Supercar highlights:
- Edelbrock E Force supercharger, machine finished in billet aluminium
- Braking: six-piston 378mm front rotors / six-piston 365mm rear rotors
- Upgraded & recalibrated suspension package developed with Bilstein
- A specially commissioned audio upgrade package from Rockford Fosgate
- Body finished Panorama Silver
- Price: $99,990 ($117,760 as shown)
For our full coverage of the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney visit our minisite at carsales.com.au/aims
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the carsales mobile site.
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