Heath Opens the Ledger

Newcomer to the PCC David Heath has enjoyed a stunning debut, blitzing the competition during Round Two at Calder Park.

Friday evening brought grey skies and rain to the Calder Park circuit, and the surface was greasy on Saturday morning. So much so that proceedings were a little delayed. When things did get underway, it was Clark Stott in his BlackberryStore.com.au Mazda 3 MPS who jumped to the top of the timesheets with a 1m09.2s lap. Round 1 winner, Jeremy Gray (AU Falcon XR8) was next quickest, heading Hans Riehs (Mini Cooper S), Anthony Soole (Toyota Celica), David Heath (BF Falcon XR8), Joshua Riehs (Mini Cooper S), Daniel Flanagan (Hyundai Sonata), Phil Buggee (Fiat Punto Sport), Lauren Gray (Toyota Echo), Shane Tanner (Proton Satria) and John Willmington (Nissan Pulsar).

By the time the cars finished qualifying, the order had changed somewhat, with the V8-powered Falcons able to stretch their legs, and enjoying the long straights of Calder. David Heath moved his carstockade.com BF XR8 to the top of the timesheets, with a 1m08.2s lap. Just 2 tenths behind (and at the top of the sheets for most of the session), Jeremy Gray was running strongly. Within half a second of pole was Clark Stott, followed by Hans Riehs - the first of the Class B cars, Soole, Flanagan, Buggee (top Class D), Tanner (top Class C), Lauren Gray and John Willmington. Josh Riehs didn't make it out as his car was suffering hydraulic problems. Neil Byers was also relegated to spectator duties, with his Mitsubishi 380 suffering an electrical gremlin that could not be resolved.

Again the rain fell overnight, and the competitors were faced with a slippery circuit for Race One on Sunday morning. Jeremy Gray got off to a terrific start, and held the lead for most of the race, from David Heath. He relinquished it on the last lap though, Heath sneaking through for the win, with under a second between the two at the finish. A strong performance from Hans Riehs in the Hansinsure Mini Cooper S saw him finish 3rd (and first of the Class B cars), ahead of Clark Stott, Soole, Flanagan, Buggee, Tanner (first Class C) and Willmington. Flanagan ran as high as third early in the race, but slipped back as the race progressed (he was also handed an 11 point penalty for his part in an incident during the race). Absent from the race was Lauren Gray after problems with her Toyota Echo.

The circuit dried out in time for the reverse-grid Race Two, but again it was Jeremy Gray who took the early lead, holding onto it for the first 5 laps. Flanagan also did well out of the reverse grid, holding second place for the first lap. He was gobbled up by David Heath and Anthony Soole on the second lap though, and eventually dropped back to 6th. Heath made the pass stick on Gray on the sixth lap, and held the lead to the finish. Clark Stott ran as low as 6th early in the race, but drove forcefully to make his way up to third by the 5th lap. Soole was the best of the Class B runners, finishing 4th overall, ahead of Riehs, Flanagan, Buggee, Tanner (top Class C) and Willmington.

For the third and final race the grid positions are determined by each driver's fastest laptime from the previous races. This gave Heath pole position, and he used it to full advantage - never headed throughout the race. Behind him Gray held second place throughout, while Clark Stott ran strongly in third until he ran into fuel pressure problems which put him out of the race. Hans Riehs was elevated to third (and first Class B), ahead of Flanagan, Soole, Tanner (first Class C), Buggee and Willmington.

Overall, David Heath's clean sweep saw him take overall honours for the round, and Class A honours. Second outright was Jeremy Gray, and third was Hans Riehs after a strong performance in the Mini Cooper S. Hans also took class honours in Class B, and Shane Tanner won Class C. Philip Buggee took out the Diesel Class D honours.

The next appearance for the AASA Production Car Championship will be at Ipswich's Queensland Raceway 17-18 May.

AMRC Presentation Lifted by Super Hoist Plus

The presentation of teams racing in the 2008 Australian Motor Racing Championships is set to be raised to a new level, with support and prizes from Super Hoist Plus.

The presentation of the cars and teams will be judged by scrutineers at each race weekend. The best three cars will be announced at each event, and will then gain points that will be added to a tally to determine the top three cars at the end of the year. The top three cars in the final tally will be eligible for the following fantastic prizes:

First Place: Tyre Changer and Wheel Balancer Package. The fantastic NHT-821 Tyre Changer makes changing tyres a breeze. Adjustable for wheel diameters from 12" to 23", and widths upto 13", with a bead breaker force of 2500kg, this tyre changer makes a welcome addition to any workshop. And it is complemented perfectly by the NHT-251 Wheel Balancer. Suitable for wheel diameters from 10" to 24", and widths up to 20", and with an amazing accuracy of +/- 1g, the tyre changer will help you totally eliminate vibrations.

Second Place: Two Post Hoist. The Super Hoist Plus YSJ-3000 is the perfect two post hoist for any workshop. With a lifting capacity of 3000kg, and capable of lifting to a height of 1.8 metres, this two post hoist will help the second best presented competitor to be even better presented and prepared.

Third Place: Moveable Hoist. The Super Hoist Plus YYJ-2800 is the ideal solution for lifting cars where space or installation is limited. The moveable hoist can be used on any flat (and hard) surface, and has a lifting capacity of 2800kg, and can lift to a height of 1.2 metres. This hoist will be awarded to third placegetter in the Super Hoist Plus Best Presented competition.

A fantastic prize pool from the terrific guys at Super Hoist Plus, valued at over $10,000, this provides even more incentive to turn out a well presented car and team.

In addition, Super Hoist Plus are offering a 10% discount to all AMRC competitors. Just quote this article when discussing your purchase.

Super Hoist Plus P/L is a national company with distributors in all states of Australia. They offer a great range of top quality, Australian Standards compliant workshop equipment at very competitive prices. For more information on the company, check out their website: www.superhoistplus.com

The Super Hoist Plus Best Presented Competition will be judged at each round of the Australian Motor Racing Championships, with the scrutineers nominating the top three cars at each event. Judging criteria will include the presentation and preparation of the car, as well as the preparation of the team. First place at each round will be awarded 10 points. Second place will be awarded 5 points, and Third will be awarded 3 points.

The next round of the Australian Motor Racing Championships will be held at Melbourne's Calder Park, 26-27 April. Keep track of all the latest news via the official website: www.amrc.net.au

Free Private Practice and Garages at Round 2 of the 2008 AMRC

Melbourne's Calder Park Raceway will host the second round of the Bob Jane T-Marts Australian Motor Racing Championships (AMRC) on April 26 and 27.

Calder Park has thrown in a couple of major competitor incentives to further promote the fact that the AMRC has been designed to provide low cost, highly enjoyable motor racing competition for all entrants.

Calder Park will provide FREE private practice for all AMRC round entered competitors on Friday April 25 and in an added value incentive, the popular Melbourne motor racing complex will also supply pit garages (until all available garages are allocated on a first in, first served basis) to all AMRC competitors at no further cost throughout the weekend of April 26 and 27.

The venue will also host a free barbecue for all entrants and officials on Saturday evening, April 26 to further enhance the social interaction that is enjoyed at all AMRC rounds.

According to Calder Park Raceway CEO Bryan Nokes, "The main aim of the Australian Motorsport Club and the AMRC is to provide an affordable and enjoyable national motor racing alternative for everyone from the grass roots levels of the sport to the professional competitor. By providing free private practice and garage use until they are all taken up, we are delivering on our promise to make the 2008 Bob Jane T-Marts AMRC the most affordable and enjoyable national motor racing series in the country. We are expecting a bumper number of entries for our first Victorian round of the year."

Calder Park's AMRC round on April 25 and 26 is the first of two AMRC rounds to be held at Melbourne's traditional home of motorsport. Categories that will be competing over the weekend include:

AASA Australian Touring Car Championship - highly competitive racing with fields containing V8 Giants (V8-powered sedans from all major manufacturers, with older 5 litre V8 Supercar specification cars, 4-litre, quad-cam cars, all the way up to 7-litre pushrod engines, plus the newly introduced 3 litre turbo Giant Killer class.

AASA Production Touring Car Championship - any street legal sedan, fitted with roll-over protection, fire extinguisher and racing seat belt is eligible.

OzBoss ("Big Open Single Seaters") such as F4000, F3000, F/Atlantic and ANF2 cars, plus Prototype Sports Cars - with makes such as Saker (NZ), Minetti, Radicals and West in these fields this year.

Thundersports - Motorcycle engined cars with a fiberglass body, super-fast high power to weight designed cars that allow for extremely low cost racing.

Super TT - Utes, Commodore Cup, Sports Sedans and 3.3 Litre Holdens - popular old classic Touring Cars, also including HQ Holdens.

Of course, the all new 2008 Pirelli Gran Turismo Championship returns to Calder Park at Round 2, with a number of exotic Maserati, Porsche and Dodge sportscars taking part.

New Contender Joins the Fray

New competitor, Dave Heath, is set to shake things up in the AASA Production Car Championship from Round Two onwards.

After conquering the mountain at the Bathurst Motor Festival, 27 year old Heath is set to join the PCC for an all-out assault in his beautiful BF Falcon XR8. He was partnered by veterans Warren and Ian Luff at Mount Panorama, and plans to use some of the lessons he learned driving alongside them in his pursuit of success in the PCC.

Heath is supported by The Car Stockade, Autotech21, The Blue Oval Garage, Penrite, Xtreme Clutch, Rural Welding Sheds & Garages and Xtreme Industries, and is expected to mount a strong challenge to the dominance Jeremy Gray enjoyed at Wakefield Park.

Round Two of the AASA Production Car Championship heads to Melbourne's Calder Park, 26-27 April. Keep track of all the latest developments on www.productioncarchampionship.net.au

Gray Wins PCC Round One

Newcomer Jeremy Gray has won the opening round of the 2008 AASA Production Car Championship, driving his AU Falcon XR8 at Goulburns Wakefield Park circuit.

Gray suffered an engine problem during official practice on Saturday morning, and as a consequence missed the qualifying session (while he headed home to install his spare engine). In his absence, fellow newcomer, Clark Stott set the fastest time to take pole position in his fantastic Mazda 3 MPS. Stott was joined on the front row by Daniel Flanagan in his Hyundai Sonata. Anthony Soole's new Celica took him to third on the grid, with Bryan Fitzpatrick alongside him in his Renault Clio. Neil Byers, John Willmington and Hans Riehs made up the remainder of the qualifiers, with Shane Tanner unable to be present, and Gray still busy installing his spare engine.

On Sunday mornings Race One, Clark Stott led the field away, and was never headed during the race, improving his qualifying laptime to set a 1m10.95 in the race. Close behind was Daniel Flanagan, with Gray third after having made his way through the field from the back of the grid - giving an indication of his raw pace by setting the fastest time of the race in the process (1m10.77). Hans Riehs was next up and first of the Class B cars, having come to grips with his new Mini, and also setting a 1m10 lap. Anthony Soole placed 5th, with Bryan Fitzpatrick, Neil Byers, John Willmington and Shane Tanner rounding out the results.

For the second race, the starting order was decided on laptimes from race one, only reversed, so John Willmington had pole position, and again, Jeremy Gray was starting from the rear. Despite starting close together, Gray was able to make his way through the field where Stott could only make his way up to 5th place - possibly the power of the big V8 giving Gray an advantage on the straights, and allowing him to make some efficient passes. Stott's efforts in his first reverse-grid race were commendable all the same. Daniel Flanagan made his way through to second place, but not without controversy - he made contact with Hans Riehs in the Mini, causing the latter to come perilously close to the wall at the exit of turn 10, and ultimately causing Riehs to retire from the race. Neil Byers put in a very strong performance in the Magna (ex-Nat Willmington) to take third place. Anthony Soole was 4th, Bryan Fitzpatrick 6th, Shane Tanner 7th and John Willmington 8th.

The grid for the final race was again determined by fastest times from the earlier races (only this time not reversed), this put Gray on pole, and he was never headed on his way to victory. Clark Stott held second place for the duration of the race, holding out in the face of strong pressure from Daniel Flanagan (who ultimately finished in third).Hans Riehs finished fourth, with Bryan Fitzpatrick fifth, Anthony Soole sixth, Tanner, Willmington and Byers filling the rest of the positions.

For the round, Jeremy Gray amassed enough points to take the outright victory. Daniel Flanagan took out second, with Clark Stott a very impressive third. Soole, Tanner, Fitzpatrick, Byers, Willmington and Riehs rounded out the results. Division A honours went to Gray, Division B to Anthony Soole, and Division C to Flanagan.

The next round of the 2008 AASA Production Car Championship will be held at Melbournes Calder Park, 26-27 April.

Television broadcast details from this round will be announced shortly.

Gray Wins on Debut

Newcomer to the AMRC, Jeremy Gray has taken out the very first round of the AASA Production Car Championship. Using his spare engine (after blowing his primary engine in practice), Gray won two of the three races on his way to taking the round win.

Check back tomorrow (Monday) for a full report, and full round results.

Debutant Takes Pole

New driver Clark Stott has taken pole position for tomorrows first AASA Production Car Championship race.

Stott will be driving his brand new Mazda 3 MPS, and will lead the Hyundai Sonata of Daniel Flanagan (a Division C car on the front row!) and Anthony Soole's brand new Toyota Celica.

Newcomer Jeremy Gray suffered a blown engine in his AU XR8 Falcon and will start from the rear of the grid with a spare engine fitted. His car showed good pace early and is expected to make a thrilling attempt at getting through the field.

The PCC field will compete in 3 races tomorrow, the first getting underway around 10am. Head to Goulburn's Wakefield Park to see all the action from the PCC and six other categories.