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Motorsport: Champion racer can't get fulltime gig
By Eric Thompson

Young Kiwi racing driver Wade Cunningham made the motor racing world sit up and notice in 2003 when he won the world's premier karting class, Formula A.

In October of that year he became New Zealand's first and only world karting champion and the second Kiwi to win an official FIA world championship behind Denny Hulme who won his Formula One title in 1967.

The next year Cunningham headed to the US and his breakout year came in 2005 when he was offered an Indy Lights seat with Brian Stewart Racing, who would soon be rubbing their hands with glee.

Despite no pre-season testing, Cunningham finished in the top 10 in every race and handed the championship to BSR at the end of the season.

Cunningham was well on course to land another title in 2006 but was hauled up sharply by an emergency appendectomy. On his return he was 18th in the series but clawed his way back to finish third, collecting his first Indianapolis Motor Speedway Freedom 100 (the first driver from New Zealand to do so).

Things were looking good for Cunningham by now, especially when he joined a team aligned to IndyCar series team Andretti Green Racing and he gave them their first two poles in 2007. He finished third that year.

When IndyCar and Champ car united in 2008 Cunningham hoped to get a drive but it wasn't to be. He accepted a limited drive, only racing three times.

The following year looked better and while he didn't win the series (finishing fourth), he did become the only driver to set two poles at Indianapolis and win two Freedom 100 races.

Not wanting to take just any seat in 2010, Cunningham's first race this year was the Freedom 100, which he won for the third time.

"I've been back in New Zealand to compete in an endurance race that was held at Hampton Downs and I'm now heading back to the States," said Cunningham.

"I was hoping to finish the rest of the season with Sam Schmidt Motorsports but that doesn't look like it's going to happen now. But things change quickly and that's why I'm going back."

It's a strange thing that a driver who's won a series, finished in the top five twice and has three Freedom 100 trophies to his name can't get a full-time gig in a race car.

"It all comes down to funding. Everyone says you're more than qualified to be in a car. Except for the top three teams in IndyCar racing all the other teams need a driver who can bring a lot of money and it's not based only on talent," said Cunningham.

"It's not just about being a driver anymore. What you're trying to do is build your personal network of people you do business with and find out where they overlap and make something out of that."

It's not all doom and gloom, though: "There's a chance to do a few more Lights races this year. There's also a Kiwi expat group in New York who are helping me raise enough money to do at least two IndyCar races this year."

WADE CUNNINGHAM

Firestone Indy Lights Series

Starts: 56

Wins: 7
(including three Indianapolis Freedom 100 races)

Poles: 9

Championship titles
* 2001 Asia-Pacific Championship
* 2003 World Karting Championship
* 2005 Indy Lights Series

By Eric Thompson

For more Motorsport articles by the New Zealand Herald please click here

Weight and motion are vital

By Eric Thompson

I have been at pains over the years to castigate the standard of driving on New Zealand roads and mostly it has fallen on deaf ears. Of late though, more and more people are taking notice that Kiwi drivers are appalling when put in charge of a motor vehicle.

Maybe not as bad as the badlands of Afghanistan, or the back roads of Gaza or Iraq, but we are a First World country and not some Third World back water still fighting over "my God is better than your God".

A perfect example of crap driving happened on Monday morning on my way to work. As I was approaching the rear quarter panel of a silver Holden Captiva in the outside lane of the Northern Gateway, the driver put his indicator on and proceeded to pull out right in front of me. I pulled back and gave a honk to inform the driver I was there.

Having done a number of defensive driving courses, I decided to keep braking to give the idiot even more room. Luckily for me I was on the case because numpty got miffed I had hooted him and slammed on his brakes at around 100km/h right along side the car he was passing. The car behind me saw all this unfolding and thankfully pulled into the inside lane giving me more room to brake.

After the Holden driver had almost caused a major accident at speed, he then decided to speed up again. Small-minded, petty and extraordinarily dangerous. It's that utter lack of comprehension, re: the chaos lunatic driving like that could cause, which beggars belief as far as I'm concerned.

The driver in question then slowed down and pulled into the inside lane and when I finally passed him, it didn't take much working out what he saying. What was a little more concerning, was he followed me off the motorway, then at the next junction turned right and followed again. By the time I was turning into my place of work's car park I was a little concerned as he was right there.

I didn't recognise the car so knew he wasn't a staff member. As I got out of my car he approached and said he was sorry he'd braked in the fast lane. I accepted the apology but then he went on to accuse me of causing the problem. At that instance I walked away.

The point of the story is not only the bad driving, but also the audacity of thought you can use a tonne-plus of metal, at speed, as a plaything because you're a bit pissed someone passed you.

It really reiterated to me that Kiwi driving skills are not up to scratch. Recently I had the privilege of driving a saloon car around the new Hampton Downs track with none other than Australian V8 Supercar driver, Kiwi Jason Richards in the passenger seat. He's a strong advocate for improving driver skills and is none too happy with the standard of driving on most roads.

"First, before we even get going, let's talk about how you're sitting," said Richards. "Put your arms out and if your wrists sit comfortable on top of the steering wheel you're about right. In a drama situation you don't want to be tripping over your arms and it's better to be a bit too close rather than too far away from the wheel.

"Vision is important. To catch a ball you've got to be looking at the ball. It's the same in a car. You've got to be looking where you want to go, not where you've been. There are lots of instances where someone's hit the only tree in the paddock because they've been looking at it. You've got to be looking at the gaps.

"The further in front you look, the more time you have to react to a situation and become a smoother driver. A pet hate of mine is shuffling the hands on the wheel because you wouldn't be able to find centre if you needed it quickly. I like to keep the hands at nine and three, or 10 and two, or somewhere in there. By not shuffling the hands you become smoother.

"A big problem is people go into corners too fast and try and slow down through the corner, upsetting the balance of the car. Always remember the old adage: slow in, fast out - within the speed limit of course. If you're slow into a corner it allows for a safety margin if something goes wrong. The problem of going into a corner too fast, which most drivers do, is the car will veer out over the medium strip and into oncoming traffic. Not a good place to be.

"One of the big keys in making sure the car doesn't move all over the place on the road is transferring the weight smoothly when either braking, accelerating or cornering.

The less sudden changes in direction the less likely the car is to become unbalanced and the driver lose control. The quicker the weight is shifted, the more likely the car will get away from you.

"Cars are heavy and when the weight shifts it has a big effect. Car control isn't only about the steering, brakes and acceleration, it's also about where the weight is at any given time. Being smooth means weight is moved smoothly. Sudden changes in direction cause the weight to move too quickly and the car will break traction and go into a slide or skid, causing all sorts of problems."

So there you have it, from a bloke who makes his living out of driving. The key things are to anticipate, be aware of your surroundings, give yourself room and be smooth. And, I might add, don't have an ego when driving.

By Eric Thompson

For more Motorsport articles by the New Zealand Herald please click here

I am the Stig

by Heather McCracken

14 June 2010

Here's a question I never thought I'd have to answer: "Would you like to drive the Ferrari or the Lamborghini today?"

I guess punters who fork out for a supercar worth as much as their house would have given this some thought. But I was a little overwhelmed by the choice at the Freeman X driving experience - Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, racing Mini - any one of them is a far cry from my Honda Civic.

So Eddie Freeman, the man behind the Hampton Downs driving experience, set me up with the Ferrari 360 Modena. It was a good choice: a 3.6 litre V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and a top speed of close to 300km/h. Plus, it's red.

First though, my morning started with a "siting lap" in a Mitsubishi Evolution X to look around the track.

I'd never been on any racetrack before, let alone in a Ferrari, so this was my chance to see how it was laid out, get some tips, and get a look at the signs and marker cones showing where to brake, where to corner and what line to take through the turns.

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Welcome to Hampton Downs Motorsport Parks Second Newsletter!

Well we started off the month on a high with the World Rally Championship! The day was packed with 22,000 people arriving through the day to watch the Super Carnival Stage. In between the World Rally Championship arriving at 11am and 4pm was saloon car racing and the spectacle of Red Bull supercross bikes and V8 Utes.

We had a great Public Open Day on Sunday the 30^th of May with over 50 cars and 200 spectators. You can come and drive your own car at one of the Open Days on the 4^th of June, 6^th of June or 19^th of June. You can now book Public Open Days online at www.hamptondowns.com > Fans > Purchase Tickets and simply pick your day for a $15 discount! Hampton Downs also offer Helmets for hire and vouchers for you to give loved ones an experience of a lifetime!

Within the new convention “Hamptons” we are operating a café with coffee, hot chocolates, pie’s, Panini’s, slice’s, and heater’s to keep you toasty throughout winter as you observe the action on the circuit.

A new day here is our Student Open Days! During the University Holidays we have 2 days, 21^st and 28^th of June – Mad Mondays! Where students can improve their driving skills on track. They will get a classroom presentation, controlled induction laps and chicanes to navigate (just like the World rally Drivers). These half days are very affordable and can be booked online! Any queries email admin@hamptondowns.com

Our first Kart Open Day was on the 29^th of May and was so successful we are hosting another one on Sunday the 27^th of June in preparation for the Super Karts race at Hampton Downs on the 4^th of July (as part of the Winter Series).

Altherm 1000 – a brand new event on the Motorsport calendar - a 500km race to contest six national endurance titles is on this Saturday the 5^th of June. This will involve drivers (minimum of two per car over the race duration) in a testing 179 laps negotiating 1071 corners (maximum race time: four hours). One race will include Open and Porsche GT3 classes while the other will comprise NZV8s, Production Racing cars, Minis and Suzuki Swift Sports Cup contestants. SPECTATOR ENTRY IS FREE!! SO COME ALONG AND SEE WHO MAKES IT TO THE FINISH LINE!

Hampton Downs Winter series is coming up with 3 rounds over winter on the 4 July, 8 August and 12 September. Ensure your car doesn’t get cobwebs over winter. The classes racing are: Formula Libre, Formula Ford, Formula First, Honda Cup, Alfa, BMW, Open Saloons, Sports & Sports Racing Cars, Super Karts and Honda Cup. Enter online at www.motorsportentry.com There will be Food and Beverages all day and a prize giving for all the classes!

“Hampton’s” event centre has already stages several product launches, conventions and AGM’s and are busy organizing balls and events. Keep posted on the website for upcoming events. For all convention enquiries please email claire@hamptondowns.com

Country Market Day this Sunday the 6^th of June starting at 9am. With a huge variety of over 20 different stalls to browse there are some delectable treats, produce and interesting arts and crafts.

The 12 Industrial units now have titles and the owners are moving their operations in. Having can constructors on site will be a great boom for racers with the availability of spares and repair equipment.

Working hard with the government agencies to organize funding for the World Superbike Championship and Motorsport Asia Series. Watch this space!

Happy Queens Birthday!

Motorsport: Cunninghams to test endurance
By Eric Thompson
Saturday June 5

 
Today's inaugural Altherm 1000 endurance race at the Hampton Downs circuit has flown a little under the radar since the race was announced in February. Initially the event was going to be two 500km races held over Saturday and Sunday but has morphed into a one-off 500km race today.

The New Zealand V8s will not be racing nor will many of the Suzuki Swifts, just leaving the Porsche GT3s, open and production classes to fight it out. The NZV8s have decided not to race and who can blame them. Race technology that Noah left behind when he set sail is no contest for the purpose-built Porsches, which are raced all around the world in endurance trim.

As for the Suzukis, after the Hamilton round of the Australian V8 Supercars, where they were a support class, there can't too many of them left without some sort of damage. Also, the drivers would be spending more time looking in the rear vision mirror wondering what would be thundering up behind them every 10 or so laps.

"We decided to keep the name [Altherm 1000] as everyone knew the race as that, although it's now only 500 kilometres," said general manager of The Motorsport Company Kerry Cooper. "The NZV8s are going to have their own 250 kilometre endurance race at round two of the summer series at Ruapuna."

Despite a drop in numbers the race isn't without some high-profile drivers. The only man to win the Firestone Indy Lights - support for the Indianapolis 500 - race three times, Kiwi Wade Cunningham, is teaming up with his brother Mitch in a Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Car, the same car the former Toyota Racing Series winner Mitch raced in the 2009-10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge championship.
"Because we planned this before I signed up to do the Freedom 100 it was a bit of a rush getting out of Indy and back down here," said Wade. "But you know, it's always nice to come home and if I can drive something when I'm here all the better."

It will be the first time in a tin-top for former world karting champion Wade and the first time at Hampton Downs for his brother Mitch. Both see the race as a chance to get a first-hand feel for endurance-style racing.

"Getting used to the car is the main thing and it's not too different from what I'm used to. The biggest thing is getting used to the brakes and how long the thing takes to slow down. You just don't have the same feel as in a light single seater," said Wade.

The Carter brothers Matt and Dwayne in their modified Australian V8 Supercar-style Ford Falcon along with Mitch and Simon Evans will keep the Cunningham's honest. Mitch Evans is the current TRS champion and lies second in the Australian F3 series and is also new to racing a car with a roof.

"The hardest thing I'm finding is going back to an H-pattern gearbox in a 996," said Mitch. "The TRS and F3 cars both have sequential boxes and when you're going hard it's so easy to find the wrong gear."

Each driver will get one 20-minute test session before both drivers each face a 20-minute qualifying session at 10.35am. The race is expected to launch into action at 12.30pm and take four hours.

Cars will complete around 179 laps of the 2.8km circuit hammering through over 1000 corners. The winning team will have put in consistent lap times, have a reliable car and a pit crew who know how to go about their jobs.
 

Suzuki's e-ticket to ride

by Alastair Stone

Suzuki's greatest strength was its weakness when it sat down to plot a way into the New Zealand market for its first mid-sized global sedan, the Kizashi.

It was a small-car and SUV specialist, had been since day one. Now it had a medium-sized sedan to sell. Not just a four-door but a "world-class premium" four-door with "driving dynamics to match the best of Europe".

It needed a gimmick, something that hadn't been done before, a way to draw attention to its move from last Monday into a new segment.

Marketing manager Tom Peck and chief executive Bill Grice got together with Suzuki NZ advertising agency Promotus to target Air New Zealand.

The result was new ground for the ad industry: the Suzuki and Kizashi brand printed across the bottom of every e-ticket issued by Air New Zealand, with Kizashi brochures in Koru lounges and Koru car parks.

"The agreement with Air New Zealand is for two months with the right of renewal after that," says Peck.

"It's the first time e-ticket advertising has been done in New Zealand. Air NZ issues between 150,000 and 300,000 e-tickets a month and Kizashi is on every one."

Peck says Suzuki especially wanted to target the business sector with the four-door the company rates as a premium product, despite its aggressive entry-level price of $35,990.

"Kizashi is an unknown product and most people do not associate Suzuki with the word premium," he says.

"But we have a high-brand profile in New Zealand at present and the best-ever market share. We want to take advantage of that.

"This is the most lavishly equipped Suzuki ever offered in New Zealand. For example, the automatic headlamps incorporate a newly developed optical sensor that turns on the headlights when the car is about to enter a tunnel or darkened building but leaves them off when it passes under a relatively short overhang such as a bridge."

Suzuki has done particularly well in New Zealand with the Swift hatchback. It was the carmaker's first world car, in 2005. It believes there is much more potential here and aims to sell around 50 Kizashis a month, or around 300 before the end of the year. It is aiming the car at pretty much everything - Toyota Camry, Ford Mondeo, Mazda6, Honda Accord, Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series.

"We will need to take customers away from other brands to meet the sales targets for Kizashi," says Peck.

"It's the company's flagship passenger model and we are aiming it at the customer looking for a slightly more premium feel."

Kizashi is a Japanese word meaning "prelude" or "foretaste".

The name symbolises the change within Suzuki as it seeks to further expand its model range across 190-odd countries and beyond 3.2 million annual sales.

Before Kizashi it had nothing to offer Suzuki loyalists, those who had gone from one hatchback to another. Now it has. Kizashi also enables Suzuki to show off its technological know-how.

Suzuki began work on the Kizashi in 2004, setting out to combine sporty handling with ride comfort, a mix of the best of Japan and Europe. It ran prototypes over Germany's autobahns, Switzerland's mountain passes, England's cobbled roads and the high-speed Nurburgring's twists and turns. Cold weather tests were done in Minnesota, hot weather in California's Death Valley. It even came to New Zealand for braking and traction control tests. All up, Suzuki spent more than $2 billion on development.

A constant challenge for development engineers since the project began in 2004 was scepticism inside and outside Suzuki about whether they could produce such a car.

But the doubts only inspired them, says the company. The car so far has received high praise, especially for its drivability.

The price isn't bad, either - $35,990 for the GLX six-speed manual, $37,990 for the GLX automatic with CVT, and $42,990 for the leather-lined Ltd automatic with CVT. Equipment and safety levels are up there, too.

"At this pricing we are very excited about the prospects for Kizashi," says Suzuki NZ technical chief Rodney Brown.

"Our decision to price the GLX Kizashi below $40,000 breaks a significant price point.

"And when we compare our Ltd version, most of our competitors are hitting close to $50,000.

"While we acknowledge that all these competitors will offer sizeable fleet discounts, we have a very significant head start at retail."

That's not the only head start - go-fast slalom tests on a wet track at Hampton Downs and a brief spin on good and bad Waikato roads showed that Kizashi engineers got it right: ride/handling sets a new standard for mid-size Japanese models, with sharper dynamics than the new-look Mazda6.

Kizashi is powered by a revised version of the 2.4-litre petrol engine from the Grand Vitara mated to either a manual six-speed or continuously variable automatic.

The four-cylinder unit delivers 131kW at 6500 rpm and 230Nm at 4000 rpm, allowing a top speed of 204km/h and a zero to 100km/h sprint upwards of seven seconds. Fuel economy is a claimed 7.9 litres/100km, although a Suzuki staffer said he achieved 6.6 litres between Wanganui and Auckland. Kizashi carries a 63-litre fuel tank.

The car rides on a McPherson strut set-up in front and a multi-link rear. The GLX sits in 17-inch rims, the LTD on 18s. Suzuki claims the rigid steel unibody forms the basis for the fine handling and smooth ride.

Akebono, the company that provides the braking system for the Japanese Bullet train, supplies the brakes for Kizashi, with ventilated front discs and solid rear discs.

The cabin offers impressive leg and shoulder room for four adults both front and rear. It is well-designed with quality soft-skin surfaces throughout. Road noise is well suppressed, another Kizashi highlight.

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BP Ford Focus driver Finland’s Jari-Matti Latvala won Rally New Zealand after a day of high drama in the four special stages near Raglan.

Latvala and co-driver Miikka Anttila snatched the win on the second run of the iconic Whaanga Coast test, the very last stage of the 2010 FIA World Rally Championship’s fifth round. Latvala pushed hard to overtake overnight rally leader Sébastien Ogier of the Citroën Junior Team.

Latvala went into the final test 6.2 seconds behind the Frenchman who did his chances no good with a small spin early in the stage and another, three corners from the end. Ogier eventually recorded a time just under nine seconds slower than the Ford’s, which gave victory to Latvala by 2.4 seconds. World champion and 2010 series leader Sébastien Loeb finished third in his works Citroen, 15.2 seconds behind Latvala.

When he reached the end of the final stage, Latvala wasn’t sure he had won. “Three corners from the end (of Whaanga 2), I saw a piece of bumper on the road and knew something was happening. But I didn’t know what was going on (the bumper belonged to Ogier’s Citroen).

“Suddenly my co-driver Miikka said: ‘we have won’. And we had won! There are no words to describe this. I can’t believe I’m second in the championship,” Latvala said. “I wasn’t the fastest here but I was the most consistent and that paid off when it mattered.”

The winning margin was the second smallest in a WRC event this century. The previous one was the 2007 Rally New Zealand where Ford’s Marcus Grönholm beat Loeb on the final special stage by three-tenths of a second. Latvala’s win is also significant for Ford as they overtook Lancia as the most successful manufacturer in WRC history, with 75 wins.

The Raglan stages, particularly the long and very demanding Whaanga Coast test, again determined the rally’s outcome. Two years ago, mishaps on the final run through Whaanga cost the factory Fords victory, and Loeb won. This year, the tables were turned, and it was the works Citroens which were in strife, and Ford which capitalised on their misfortune.

Mikko Hirvonen finished fourth today, giving Ford a better manufacturers’ championship points haul than Citroën in this event. Citroen’s points from Rally New Zealand came from Loeb in third and Dani Sordo who finished fifth.

Loeb started the morning well, overtaking Ogier for the lead in the first special stage, Te Hutewai, near Raglan. Ogier, running first on the road, spun and set only the eighth-fastest time.

But then came the first run through the Whaanga Coast test, and disaster for Loeb who ran wide on a fast right-hander, sliding off the road in thick gravel and charging through shrubbery before coming to rest against a small tree. He got going again but had lost 30 seconds and dropped from the lead to fourth place, 21.7 seconds behind leader Ogier.

“It was a bit more gravelled than what I expected and I lost control of the car,” Loeb said. “Then, the second pass through, I really tried again because we were not so far from the lead and finally I had another spin – maybe pushing a bit too hard.”

Both Latvala and Hirvonen had been in strong form in the day’s opening tests, Hirvonen winning the first and finishing second in the other. Latvala, meanwhile, had been pouring the pressure on to Ogier and was now in second place. 5.6 seconds behind. Loeb won the morning’s third test, the second run through Te Hutewai, with Ogier second and edging the gap over Latvala to 6.2 seconds. The rally would be decided on the final stage, Whaanga Coast 2.

Ogier said second place was “still a very good result but a bit frustrating. I did another spin and I lost 10 seconds. With that, I lost first place.

“For sure it was big disappointment to lose my first victory like this but it doesn’t really matter if I continue in this way I will have a victory soon, so it’s a good result,” said the former junior world rally champion.

Fifth-placed Hirvonen said it had been a difficult weekend, “really difficult. In the end we managed to get two positions today and we got good (manufacturers’) points for the team.”

After being day one’s overnight leader, Norway’s Petter Solberg was still in a strong position to push for his first win in his privately-entered Citroën as day three started. He won the first Whaanga stage in a time that was 23 seconds faster than Ogier’s and went into Whaanga 2 in third place, just 16.8 seconds behind the Frenchman and 10.6 adrift of Latvala. Solberg was pushing hard when he slid off the road, hitting a power pole and bringing down a power line. His Citroen ended up in a ditch with its nose badly damaged and Solberg’s rally was over.

Rally New Zealand also counts for the 2010 Super 2000 and production world rally championships. Ford scored a clean sweep in Super 2000, with Finn Jari Ketomaa finishing eighth overall, leading home the similar Fiesta S2000s of Xavier Pons and Martin Prokop.

With a big lead over Pons, Ketomaa said he had just driven to finish on today’s four stages. “Trying to keep the rhythm and drive slowly, it’s not easy to go like that. The first stage was a little bit bad from my side but after that I started to go very well.”

New Zealand rally champion Hayden Paddon won the production car world championship category in his Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX finishing 14th overall. He also took the first New Zealander crown, claiming for the second time in succession the coveted Woolf-Whittaker Trophy. His main opposition, former production world champion Toshi Arai and double New Zealand champion Richard Mason, both fell out of contention on day one. Paddon finished just over three minutes ahead of fellow Kiwis contesting the PWRC class Emma Gilmour and Kingsley Thompson.

Aside from worries about a faulty clutch during today’s stages, Paddon had a trouble-free run. “It’s been an absolute dream weekend and we got the result we wanted. What more could we ask for?”

It was an all-New Zealand podium in the production class with Gilmour bringing her Subaru Impreza STI into second, and Kingsley Thompson third in a Lancer EVO.

The 40th running of Rally New Zealand, run mainly in fine but overcast conditions, drew many thousands of enthusiastic spectators to the gravel stages and the super specials on tarmac in the Auckland Domain and the Hampton Downs race circuit in the Waikato and to the service park at Queens Wharf on the Auckland waterfront.
 

World champion Sébastien Loeb has put himself within an inch of the lead in Rally New Zealand as fellow Citroen pilot, Sébastien Ogier leads after crews returned to Auckland after the second day of action.

From his overnight starting position of seventh, Loeb drove devastatingly fast through Saturday’s eight special stages, averaging at least one second per kilometre better than any other driver during the day’s 155.62 competitive kilometres. Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena, in their Citroen C4 WRC, took six stage victories and cut their overnight deficit from 1m 19s to end the day a scant 5.3 seconds adrift of Ogier and Julien Ingrassia in the Citroën Junior Team C4.

The six-time world champion rated it his best performance yet. “I think this was my greatest rally day; it was incredible,” said Loeb. “We drove today flat-out everywhere and in every stage. We pushed hard all day and had some very, very good times and now we are second. I knew with my road position I could take time, so overall today was not so bad.”

Ogier was happy despite not being able to match Loeb’s pace. “Today was very good. Our car was very strong, and we are still in the lead,” said the former junior world rally champion.

Overnight leader Petter Solberg remains confident of a podium position in his privately-entered Citroën C4 WRC car after spending the day at the top of the running order, ahead of BP Ford’s Jari-Matti Latvala and Ogier. “I am ‘on it’, I can tell you! I am using all of the road and then more! I am going to keep trying to get the times as best as I can, so I will try my hardest and see how it goes.” Solberg is fifth, 53.6 seconds behind Ogier, but like Loeb today, has the advantage of a better-swept road for the rally’s final four stages in Raglan.

Latvala holds third place going into the rally’s final day, 33.2 seconds behind Loeb while Loeb’s Citroen works team-mate Dani Sordo is fourth.

Ford’s other works driver Mikko Hirvonen had a difficult day. “I tried so hard but I just can’t go any faster. I made a mistake this morning but after that I drove well and really enjoyed the stages. I’m happier with my driving today and a harder suspension set-up was better, but the times just weren’t there. It has been a long time since I’ve been happy with my driving yet found myself in sixth,” added the 29-year-old Finn.    

Rally New Zealand, the fifth round of the 2010 FIA World Rally Championship, is also a round of Super 2000 WRC and Production WRC support championships. Finn Jari Ketomaa leads the S2000 category in his Ford Fiesta S2000, by more than a minute from Xavier Pons’ similar car. “It was a very, very good day. the morning didn’t start so well, but we went well through the Te Akau stage [one of the event’s longest] and got better this afternoon,” said Ketomaa who is ninth overall going into day three.

The leading Kiwi is two-time New Zealand champion Hayden Paddon, who also leads the PWRC section as well as being the best-placed New Zealand Rally Championship competitor in his Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX. Paddon is 15th overall ahead of fellow New Zealanders Chris West (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX) in the NZRC standings and Emma Gilmour (Subaru Impreza STI) in the PWRC standings.

Aucklander Mark Tapper had been the highest running Kiwi until he rolled out of 12th place in Stage 15 near Naike in his Group A Mitsubishi Lancer.

The event’s second day also featured a first, a special ‘carnival’ at Hampton Downs. While the rally competitors completed two super special stages on the recently-built motor racing circuit, organisers put on an impressive array of other motorsport spectacles for fans to enjoy.

“We were absolutely thrilled to see what was easily more than 15,000 people enjoying this unique mix of rally and racing action,” said Rally New Zealand chairman Chris Carr. “It really was a special and highly enjoyable day which attracted fans from all regions around the North Waikato circuit.”

The final day of the 40th running of Rally New Zealand concludes with the two runs around two stages – four in total – near Raglan. The iconic Whaanga Coast, being 29.67 km in length, is likely to prove the deciding test of the 396 km event. Crews return to Auckland to cross the finish ramp at Viaduct Harbour at 3pm Sunday with a stirring finish ceremony, free for all, promising to provide a fitting end to this hard-fought sporting event.

More information, news and results available from www.rallynz.org.nz
 

Norwegian Petter Solberg, driving his privately-entered Citroen C4 world rally car, leads Rally New Zealand, after the first day of competition on ultra-slippery gravel roads north of Auckland.

Solberg, a firm favourite with New Zealand rally fans, set the pace in the fifth round of the 2010 FIA World Rally Championship from the outset, winning stage one and opening a narrow lead over Sébastien Ogier’s similar car, despite running second on the road.

For world champion and 2010 series leader, Sébastien Loeb who was driving first on the road in his works Citroen, the thick gravel on the dry Northland roads was a nightmare. “There was absolutely no grip,” he said. “It was like driving a boat.” After stage one he was fourth overall.

Worse was to come for Loeb on the morning’s final test on Cassidy Road when the Frenchman hit a bridge and completed the stage holding the door shut with his left elbow. He dropped to eighth overall, 1m 40.3 seconds behind the then rally leader, his teammate Dani Sordo.

Loeb fought back strongly in the four afternoon gravel stages, which included three repeat runs through the morning’s tests. He took one stage win and finished second in three. By the end of the day he was seventh, 1m 19.8s behind the rally leader. “I push it really, really hard but it’s difficult to make (up any time),” he said after the final gravel stage.

Loeb will face a mammoth task to claw his way through the field tomorrow, but will benefit from running seventh on the road.

Works Ford Focus WRC driver Jari-Matti Latvala finished the day second, handily placed behind Solberg, with Ogier third, ahead of Sordo and Ford drivers, Mikko Hirvonen and Matthew Wilson.

Loeb and Ogier finished the day with the same time for the Auckland domain tarmac stage in front of a massive crowd. Solberg starts tomorrow’s eight special stages in the north-western Waikato in the unenviable position of first car on the road, as the second day’s starting order is determined the positions in which drivers finish day one. Like Loeb today, Solberg will sweep the special stages clear of loose gravel.

Solberg is unfazed by running as first car. “This is just how it is – no choice.” He says he can still set fast stage times even though he’ll be “sweeping” the road. His lead over Latvala is a slender 1.4 seconds.

Finn Jari Ketomaa leads the Super 2000 World Rally Championship class for non-turbo four-wheel-drive cars in his Ford Fiesta S2000, from the similar cars of Xavier Pons and Martin Prokop.

New Zealanders are firmly in control in the Production World Rally Championship (Group N) category, with Pirelli Star Driver Hayden Paddon (Lancer) leading Emma Gilmour (Subaru Impreza STI) and Kingsley Thomson in a Czech-entered Lancer. Paddon is 15th overall, Gilmour 18th and Thompson 23rd.

Former Production Car World Champion Toshi Arai withdrew his Subaru after wrecking the rear suspension cross-member when he clouted a bridge on the morning’s final test, and the early Group N leader, New Zealander Richard Mason, dropped out of the event 8.8 kilometres into stage six after going off the road, and both crews are expected to re-start tomorrow under the SupeRally rules.

The first New Zealander at the end of day one was Auckland’s Mark Tapper in a Group A Mitsubishi Lancer. Tapper finished the day 12th, having started 29th.

Rally New Zealand continues with eight stages on Saturday around the Franklin and North Waikato, including a full day of motorsport action at the Hampton Down super special carnival. The 40th running of this iconic event finishes on Sunday with four high-speed special stages near Raglan, and the cars will cross the finish ramp at Viaduct Harbour on the Auckland waterfront at 3pm Sunday.

More information, news and results available from www.rallynz.org.nz

Welcome to Hampton Downs Motorsport Parks First Newsletter!

Well we have been busy. We kicked off the year with the Trans Tasman Revival meeting, followed by the NZ Festival of Motor racing celebrating Bruce McLaren, which was a memorable success! Over 400 entrants and 24,000 spectators enjoyed the event. We also officially opened on the 24th of January 2010 with a speech and ribbon cutting from His Worship the Mayor of Waikato District, Peter Harris.

Following the grand opening we had the New Zealand Motor Cup, an international event highlighting round 5 of the Toyota Racing Series. Mitch Evans drove extremely well and managed to break the lap record previously held by Kenny Smith with a time of 1:01.846.
 
We have also had a 12 hour endurance race won by Taupo drivers, Rick Cooper (Mayor of Taupo), Deon Cooper and Mike Ashton in their Hyundai sponsored Ford GT won after an action filled race consisting of 499 laps! Second home was a CEMAC sponsored BMW E30 of Hamilton drivers Ross Wilson, Martyn & Mathew Seddon.
Over the past few months we have had many fantastic car club events and recently we had the HRC’s Legends of Speed event with 250 entries.&nbs p;
 
Our first motorbike event, the NZ Classic Bikes, was very successful and the race stewards commented that it was the first event for many years that the ambulance stayed parked all day! The New Zealand SuperBike Championship followed with excellent spectator numbers culminating in 6,000 people on the Sunday at Hampton Downs. Once again it was a very incident free weekend and Hampton Downs is proving to be a very safe circuit for the motorcycles to race on. Waikato’s own Andrew Stroud won the Championship with his fastest lap being 1:04.693.
Additionally we are in discussion with the World Superbike Championship regarding the proposal of having a round at Hampton Downs in 2011 (dependent on Government funding). Did you know that the WSC is 2nd only to Formula One in spectator viewing and is watched by 2 billion people worldwide? That’s a lot of eyes keenly focused on New Zealand!
 FROM    TO   TO 
We have also just completed our new Convention/Events Centre called “Hampton’s”. This venue set in the heart of the Motorsport Park is an ideal location for events such as product launches, conventions and themed dinners. Hampton’s can comfortably seat 10 or 300 for a banquet dinner and over 600 for cocktail. For all enquiries please email admin@hamptondowns.com

Managing Director Tony Roberts has also moved offices from the Bruce McLaren Trust to be onsite at Hampton Downs to head the property and sales division like the Business Apartments that are selling fast! Be in to purchase your piece of real estate alongside the back straight. With 2-3 bedrooms, ensuite option, 7 car garage (Yes 7!) and a view of the track from your own personal balcony how could you go wrong! If you would like more information please contact Tony on tony@hamptondowns.com or (09) 280 6591 or 021 1332 895.
 
You can come and DRIVE YOUR OWN CAR at one of our Public Open Days! Whether you are an experienced racer or novice these are ideal. 
The next ones coming up are Friday the 7th of May and Sunday the 30th of May. Full medical facilities are available to ensure a safe and exhilarating day! At only $150 from 9am to 4.30pm that only $20 per hour. Simply register on the day!

OUR FIRST Hampton Downs Country Market was on the 11th of April and was a huge success with a variety of Stalls offering a selection of local goods! We had a range of stalls from fresh fruit and produce, bakery products, arts and crafts, preserves, plants and the essential coffee. The Country Market will be all year round on the first Sunday of every month with the next one on the 2nd of May 2010.
 

   
Upcoming Events to note in your diary for the winter season are the World Rally Championship – Special Carnival has a stage at Hampton Downs on Saturday the 8th of May. The Altherm Endurance Race over Queens Birthday weekend on the 5th, 6th and 7th of June. The Targa on the 6th and 7th of August and the Historic Racing Club’s renowned Ice Breaker meeting from the 24th – 26th of September.

Book your accommodation and stay at Hampton Downs’s luxury apartments over looking the track! To book please contact reception on (09) 280 6590 or email motorlodge@hamptondowns.com
Feel free to contact us on admin@hamptondowns.com if you have any enquiries.

Keep posted on our website for more news and updates!

Kindest regards,
The Hampton Downs Team
 

Stroud reclaims his national crown

By Andy McGechan
Wednesday Mar 31, 2010

Waikato's Andrew Stroud is the No1 superbike racer in New Zealand once again. 

The 42-year-old father of seven convincingly won both the premier superbike races at the fifth and final round of this year's Castrol Power 1 New Zealand Superbike Championships at the new Hampton Downs circuit on Sunday, giving him a record eighth national title - his first since 2006.

Stroud seemed untroubled as he won the day's first 15-lap superbike race - leading in from start to finish - but it was a different story in the second leg, the 20-lapper that also counted as the national TT title race.

In the second outing, Stroud had to power his Brother Suzuki GSX-R1000 through the field after a bad start, eventually snatching the lead from defending champion Robbie Bugden (Suzuki) at about the midway point.

Brisbane rider Bugden had no answer for Stroud, although he kept the Kiwi hero honest and harried him to the end, finishing less than a second behind Stroud.

"I didn't get a great start and got pushed around a bit at the beginning," said Stroud. "But I didn't panic and when I saw the gap widening I just put my head down a bit.

"I beat Australian Shawn Giles to take the New Zealand superbike title in 2006 but, for the past three years, it's belonged to Robbie (Bugden). It's good ... to take it back for New Zealand.
Whakatane's Tony Rees took a stock standard Yamaha R1 to win the race-within-a-race for open stock production class honours.

It was double the glory for the Waikato region with another Hamilton rider, Kawasaki's Nick Cole, wrapping up the 600cc sports production class, finishing 1-2 in his two outings on Sunday and ending the series a solid 40 points ahead of Christchurch's James Smith (Suzuki).

"It's my first national title and I reckon it won't be my last," said an emotional Cole afterwards.

"I had a great bike, great suspension, excellent sponsors, wonderful support and a great team behind me. I can't thank them enough.

"That last race seemed like the longest of my life."

Christchurch's Alastair Hoogenboezem had already sewn up the national 125GP title at the previous round but that didn't seem to slow him down at the final round.

Hoogenboezem took his Honda to a hat-trick of wins over the weekend, stretching his advantage to 116 points over Orewa girl Avalon Biddle (Honda) in the final standings.

The battle for formula three honours became a one-horse race when Foxton's Jason Easton (Tigcraft Aprilia) lost his brakes and crashed out of the second race, gifting race winner and defending champion Glen Williams (Suzuki) an unassailable lead in the championship.

To emphasise his command of the class, Palmerston North's Williams also won the third and final F3 race to push his points buffer out to 51 points over Easton.

Dannevirke's Geoff Booth (Suzuki) overcame a first race glitch - when he had to settle for third spot - to bounce back and win the next two 650 Pro Twins races, finishing the series 53 points ahead of Christchurch's James Hoogenboezem (Suzuki).

In the sidecars class, Wanganui men Stephen Bron and Dennis Simonsen (Suzuki) bagged another hat-trick of wins and easily wrapped up the class ahead of Canterbury pair Dave Annan and Warwick Demmocks.

The best and the bravest

* Superbikes

Andrew Stroud (Hamilton, Suzuki) 228 points; Robbie Bugden (Australia, Suzuki) 175; Craig Shirriffs (Feilding, Honda) 139.

* Open Stock Production Class:

Tony Rees (Whakatane, Yamaha) 100 points; Reece Pickett (Whakatane, Yamaha) 80; Brent Hall (Suzuki) 75.

* 600cc Sports Production:

Nick Cole (Hamilton, Kawasaki) 187.5 points; James Smith (Christchurch, Suzuki) 147; John Ross (Christchurch, Yamaha) 140.

* 125GP:

Alastair Hoogenboezem (Christchurch, Honda) 341 points; Avalon Biddle (Auckland, Honda) 225; Jaden Hassan (Auckland, Yamaha) 212.

* Formula Three:

Glen Williams (Palmerston North, Suzuki) 324 points; Jason Easton (Palmerston North, Aprilia) 273; Terry Fitzgerald (New Plymouth, Suzuki) 251.

* 650 Pro Twins:

Geoff Booth (Dannevirke, Suzuki) 326 points; James Hoogenboezem (Christchurch, Suzuki) 273; Jason Cameron (Kaiapoi, Suzuki) 235.

* Sidecars

Stephen Bron and Dennis Simonsen (Wanganui, Masterton) 295 points; Dave Annan and Warwick Demmocks (West Melton, Rangiora) 188; Peter Goodwin and Dion Weedon (Bay of Islands, Papakura) 176

By Andy McGechan

For this article and more Motorsport Articles by the NZ Herlad please click here

Rally New Zealand’s day of motorsport action at Hampton Downs

Rally New Zealand adds an exciting new component to an already well-proven, world-class motorsport event with the Hampton Downs Super Special Carnival on Saturday 8 May.
 
The event’s general manager Paul Mallard explains: “The new Hampton Downs Motorsport Park and its brand-new race track provide a fantastic venue for two super special stages to be run by the World Rally Championship and the other rally crews contesting Rally New Zealand in 2010.
 
“Hampton Downs is conveniently located for rally fans from Auckland, Hamilton, Pukekohe and the surrounding rural areas to travel a relatively short distance to enjoy a huge day of motorsport entertainment.
 
“Teams must use the specified Pirelli gravel format tyre for all Rally New Zealand stages and we know gravel format tyres on a slick tarmac surface make for some exciting action!
 
“The first leading WRC car starts the first run around Hampton Downs at 11:46am, with the second car starting just five seconds later. Four minutes later the next pair of cars start and so on through the top priority cars, with the New Zealand competitors starting in these five second-apart pairs at two minute intervals. It’s fair to say we’d expect the drivers to be extremely competitive in this sort of set-up.”
 
So with the first Hampton Downs super special stage being run late morning, then a second run from 3:59pm, fans will be kept entertained throughout the day with a huge variety of motorsport action.
 
“Red Bull is joining us as a partner to put on demonstrations from drift racing stars and freestyle motocross riders. Their Red Bull Hummer and DJ will add to the fun atmosphere, and NZ Performance Car magazine is calling for readers to register for a special infield VIP zone and track parades,” says Mallard.
 
“Speed comparisons, handicap saloon car races, WRC driving skill demonstrations, driver autograph sessions and much more will keep fans entertained from 10am to well after 5pm, so for a $20 adult pass, it’s great value.”
 
When accompanied by a paying adult, children under 15 years of age are free.
 
The WRC and other rally competitors also complete their 15-minute lunchtime service while at Hampton Downs, which officially becomes a remote service park for that day only.
 
“The new-look remote service parks add some real challenges for rally teams,” says Rally New Zealand’s clerk of the course Willard Martin. “Previously we would have had to design a route that took the crews back to the main service park for the lunchtime service. Now that we can run a more extensive route using remote service parks, we have these placed in Whangarei on the Friday, Hampton Downs on Saturday and Raglan on Sunday. This is really bringing the rally to WRC fans, which can only be a positive thing.
 
“The other reason it’s particularly interesting to watch the top rally teams complete their service is they’re allowed only four technicians, a limited array of parts and tools, and just 15 minutes to repair any damage.  With cars returned to the best condition possible, teams send the cars out for another 80km of hard-out rally stages that afternoon before being able to return to the main service park at Queens Wharf in Auckland.”
 
Saturday’s line-up contesting the Hampton Downs super special stage includes competitors from the WRC, Production World Rally Championship, Super 2000 World Rally Championship, New Zealand Rally Championship and Smartwood by Alpwood Possum Bourne Memorial Rally fields. In total, fans can expect to see 120 cars run the two super special stages.
 
In 2010 Rally New Zealand is based in Auckland with several key elements located within the city’s boundaries, such as the spectacular start ceremony at Viaduct Harbour, the service park on Queens Wharf and the rally headquarters at SKYCITY Auckland.
 
The rally route takes competitors both north and south of the city – Friday’s route runs through the Whangarei and Kaipara districts, while Saturday and Sunday’s stages are in the Franklin, North Waikato and Raglan districts.
 
Tickets will be available from early April at all Repco stores and online at www.repco.co.nz, or at the gate at Hampton Down on Saturday 8 May.
 
More information is available on www.rallynz.org.nz.
ENDS/
 
Photo: Citroen Total World Rally Team pairing of Sebastien Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena are known for their prowess on tarmac so can be relied on to set the benchmark for the Hampton Downs CARnival, where drivers in Rally New Zealand get two chances at being master of the brand new circuit.  Photo: Rally New Zealand/McKlein.
 
For further information, please contact:
Paul Mallard, general manager, Rally New Zealand
Mob: 021 2725596
Email: paul@rallynz.org.nz
Or
Kate Gordon, media manager, Rally New Zealand
Mob: 021 587 227
Email: kate@rallynz.org.nz

Gilmour and Mason win Rally New Zealand wildcards

Two of New Zealand’s best rally drivers, Emma Gilmour and Richard Mason, have been selected by Rally New Zealand to receive special wildcard entries for the FIA Production World Rally.

Championship class of Rally New Zealand taking place from 6 to 9 May this year. The ‘wildcard’ or guest entry for this global production car category of rallying offers both Gilmour and Mason to prove their skills on the world stage.
 
“We’re delighted to have Emma Gilmour and Richard Mason represent New Zealand in the hotly-contested Production World Rally Championship category,” says Chris Carr, chairman of Rally New Zealand.
 
“Both drivers are highly talented and professional, and we’re sure they will make the most of the opportunity to showcase their abilities by being seeded among and running directly against the current PWRC competitors.”
 
Mason, from Masterton, will unveil his new Subaru Group N, or production class, car after Easter. In the meantime, he’s delighted to have his second opportunity as a Rally New Zealand wildcard entry in the PWRC field.
 
“We’ve be awarded the wildcard entry once before and have entered PWRC directly twice before,” says Mason, whose wife Sara is his co-driver. “It’s always a huge opportunity for Sara and I to run directly against the PWRC competitors. Even though, as a New Zealand Rally Championship competitor in Rally New Zealand, we use the same sort of Group N car as the PWRC competitors, you don’t get the same recognition in the wider rallying world as you would being one of the PWRC entrants.”
 
In his previous runs in the PWRC field, Mason finished third twice and second once in Australia and New Zealand.
 
“We’re definitely aiming to go one better this year – top of the PWRC podium.
 
“This gives a great lift to our plans to win the New Zealand Rally Championship title again this year. And with the new car we’re about to unveil, we have the best opportunity we’ve ever had to do well in the PWRC field in 2010.”
 
As a PWRC guest entrant, Mason would normally carry number 49 but in honour of Rally New Zealand’s 40th anniversary in 2010, the former New Zealand rally champion will carry number 40 on his Subaru rally car.
 
“Normally number 40 is allocated to a Pirelli Star driver, Ott Tanak, but he’s not coming to New Zealand, so the FIA has allowed the number to be assigned to Richard Mason,” explains Carr.
 
Gilmour is currently ranked as the world’s top woman rally driver courtesy of her second place in the 2009 Asia Pacific Rally Championship. However Gilmour herself isn’t concerned with rankings by gender – she’s simply excited to be chosen by Rally New Zealand as one of the PWRC guest entries in 2010.
 
“It’s the second time I’ve had this opportunity and it’s fantastic to have another chance to represent New Zealand in the PWRC class,” says Gilmour, who is originally from Dunedin and now lives in Hamilton with her partner and co-driver Glenn Macneall.
 
“To be on an even playing field with global competitors, all driving Group N production cars, that’s the opportunity I want to make the most of. It all helps my profile globally.”
 
Like Mason, Gilmour is about to unveil her new Subaru rally car.
 
The guest entries see Mason and Gilmour registered to earn points in the 2010 FIA Production World Rally Championship, as well as the New Zealand Rally Championship, during Rally New Zealand. The wildcard entry is worth around $NZ 7,000 (3,650 Euro) to the each competitor whose team is also allocated a space in the service park, lights and power – a package worth $NZ 1,000.
 
This year Rally New Zealand is based in Auckland with several key elements located within the city’s boundaries, such as the spectacular start ceremony at Viaduct Harbour, the service park on Queens Wharf and the rally headquarters at SKYCITY Auckland. The rally route takes competitors both north and south of the city – Friday’s route runs through the Whangarei and Kaipara districts, while Saturday and Sunday’s stages are in the Franklin, North Waikato and Raglan districts. More information is available on www.rallynz.org.nz
 
Photo information: Free to use. Please credit: Rally New Zealand/Alan McDonald
 
For further information, please contact:
Paul Mallard, general manager, Rally New Zealand
Mob: 021 2725596
Email: paul@rallynz.org.nz
 
For high resolution or alternative images, please contact:
Kate Gordon, media manager, Rally New Zealand
Mob: 021 587 227
Email: kate@rallynz.org.nz
 

Superbike shoo-in keeps up final round pressure

27 March 2010
By Eric Thompson

Kiwi Superbike rider Andrew Stroud will wheel his Suzuki out this weekend with an almost unassailable lead in the New Zealand Superbike championship.

Stroud carries a 43-point lead over Aussie Robbie Budgen going into the final round of the series at the new Hampton Downs circuit.

Budgen has had the wood over the Kiwi riders, and Stroud in particular, winning the title the past three years.

If everything goes according to plan, come Sunday night Stroud will have won his eighth New Zealand Superbike championship and his first since 2006.

Stroud strengthened his grip on the trophy at the last round in Feilding winning both races, while electrical gremlins caused Budgen to retire from one of the races.

"I feel good going into the weekend and can't afford to make any mistakes," said Stroud. "I've got to keep it consistent like I have all season and finish the job."

With such a big lead, Stroud can afford to score no points in one of the races and finish as low as eighth in the other. To most people such a scenario would make for a relaxed weekend. However, to sit back and not try is not in Stroud's nature.

"I'm going to go out there and try and win both races. I always race to win," he said.

At the end of last season Stroud became aware his fitness was letting him down towards the end of races and that's where Budgen was getting the jump on him.

During the off-season Stroud set about improving his stamina to be in better shape when the race was coming to the end.

The approach has paid dividends this season and Stroud's been pleased he can push that little bit harder late in a race. "I feel stronger on the bike and feel better riding and it was certainly worth doing [the fitness]. I haven't had a problem all year and still have strength at the end of the races," said Stroud.

Improved fitness hasn't been the only change since last year. Stroud has a new bike and different tyre to add to his winning package this season.

"The bikes been faultless really. It's a newer model and I really enjoy riding it. There's a better feel from the front end and I like the way it turns in.

"The new tyre profile has been good and it's made my job at lot easier. It's more stable and has more grip unlike last year where it was always sliding," said Stroud.

The 42-year-old will have his whole family at the track over the weekend - wife and seven children - cheering him on as he races to victory.
On the other hand, the 600cc sports production class is a different story. A mere 2.5 points separates the two protagonists at the top of the table, with Nick Cole having the slight advantage over James Smith. Third-place man John Ross is still in with a slight chance, 22 points behind Smith.

The Formula Three riders continue their battle with rivals Glen Williams and Jason Easton desperate to stamp their authority. Easton is within striking distance of Williams just 16 points back while Terry Fitzgerald is out of the picture a further 63 points back.

Geoff Booth is 36 points ahead of James Hoogenboezem in the 650 Pro Twins class, while Hoogenboezem's bother, Alastair, has already wrapped up the 125GP class ahead of Avalon Biddle.

Sidecar duo Stephen Bron and Dennis Simonsen have a 56-point buffer over Dave Annan and Warwicks Demmocks. The New Zealand TT titles are also at stake in each of the classes this weekend.

By Eric Thompson

For this news article and more click here

Motorsport: Stroud threatens return to superbike glory
By Andy McGechan featured in the New Zealand Herald
 
Hamilton's Andrew Stroud is possibly less than two races away from reclaiming the New Zealand superbike crown he last held four seasons ago.

The Brother Suzuki rider raced to two commanding wins in the class at the weekend's fourth round of five in this year's Castrol Power 1 New Zealand Superbike Championships at Feilding's Manfeild race circuit.

Stroud's double race victory in the Manawatu on Sunday means the 42-year-old has stretched his lead to 43 points over the defending champion, Brisbane Suzuki rider Robbie Bugden, with just 50 points available at the fifth and final round at Hampton Downs, near Meremere, in March.

Stroud's massive points advantage came about thanks to two key factors - his own fantastic talent on a motorcycle and the incredible bad luck that struck main rival Bugden when his bike mysteriously ran out of power nine laps into the 14-lapper and he was forced to withdraw.

"Winning was what I had in mind coming here and that's also what I plan to do at Hampton Downs. I can afford to settle for seconds and thirds now but I wouldn't be a real racer if I was happy to do that," said Stroud.

Second best superbike class rider on Sunday was home-town favourite Craig Shirriffs (Honda), while his team-mate, New Plymouth's Hayden Fitzgerald, was third overall.

With Shirriffs finishing 3-2 at Manfeild, he has moved to third in the championship standings, with Christchurch Suzuki rider James Smith slipping to fourth and Fitzgerald remaining in fifth spot.

It was bad luck all around for Smith as he also lost his grip on the lead of the other class he is contesting, the 600cc sports production class.

Hamilton's Nick Cole (Kawasaki) was one of the beneficiaries after Smith and Wellington's Glen Skachill were each penalised 20 seconds after allegedly jumping the start of race one.

That decision by track officials elevated Cole from fifth to third in race one. Cole backed that up by placing fourth in race two, that battle abbreviated to just three laps following a serious crash.

So, finishing 3-4 on the day was enough for Cole to zoom into the championship lead, now 6.5 points clear of Smith.

"This was a better weekend for me than I had expected," said Cole. "Manfeild is not one of my favourite tracks."

The day's outright winner in the class was Inglewood's Midge Smart (Yamaha), making his first appearance in the championship and stunning with his 1-2 results.

The battle for formula three honours continued between Manawatu friends and rivals Glen Williams (Suzuki) and Jason Easton (Tigcraft Aprillia), with defending champion Williams edging further ahead in the championship chase thanks to his 1-2-1 results.

For the full Motorsport article from the New Zealand Herald please click here

Classics at Hampton Downs

By Andy McGechan as featured in the New Zealand Herld

The New Zealand Classic Motor Cycle Racing Register will the first motorcycle club to run a race meeting at the new Hampton Downs race track this weekend. Over 150 riders have entered and the classes range from vintage and pre-war through to 1976. Bikes are British, European or American origin and range from Norton, AJS and Matchless Grand Prix bikes to vintage Indian, Harley Davidson racers.

Easton had to settle for 2-1-2 at Manfeild and was disappointed to learn he is now 16 points behind Williams with just the final round to come.

Dannevirke's Geoff Booth (Suzuki) was untouchable in the 650 Pro Twins class, winning all three races in the class at Manfeild. He is now 36 points ahead of Christchurch's James Hoogenboezem (Suzuki).

Meanwhile, Hoogenboezem's bother, Alastair (Honda), overcame problems racing without a foot-peg when it fell off on his warm-up lap before race one in the 125GP class on Saturday, still managing third place and then bouncing back to win both his races the following day.

He is a massive 90 points in front of teenage Auckland girl Avalon Biddle (Honda).

In the sidecars class, Wanganui men Stephen Bron and Dennis Simonsen (Suzuki) finished 2-1-1 at the weekend, further boosting their lead in the championship.

For the full article please click here

Three winners from three races at Hampton Downs
• First ever Estonian driver to take iconic trophy
• Car trouble slows Evans

Estonian racer Sten Pentus made good on a troubled morning race when he dominated this afternoon’s 20-lap New Zealand Motor Cup race at Hampton Downs.

Pentus said the key to his win was getting a good start.

“Getting off the line cleanly with not too much wheelspin and then into the first corner was so important. I was able to go around Mitch [Evans] there and then could drive the race my way,” he said.

Evans chased Pentus but also found himself defending against an attack from Tauranga’s Richie Stanaway.

Stanaway was trying everything he knew to overtake Evans and get a chance to close on Pentus, darting from one side of the track to the other and twice stepping onto the grass at the track side.

As the race continued, the Evans car developed an electrical misfire that slowly dropped him back and allowed Stanaway to challenge for second.

On lap 10 Stanaway made his move and took second place.

Brazilian driver Lucas Foresti followed suit, and Evans began a soul-destroying tumble down the race order. The electrical misfire did not clear before race end.

Next through was Earl Bamber, and Evans found himself defending his place from Stefan Webling.

“It wasn’t anything we could have foreseen, just something that happens,” Evans said afterward.

The finish order was Pentus, then Stanaway, with a 2.151 second gap between them, then Lucas Foresti another three seconds adrift.

Pentus said the race win was a “huge highlight” of his New Zealand campaign.

The Hampton Downs track, he said, was “excellent”.

“I think all my favourite tracks and corners are in New Zealand! From the first turn at Invercargill through the left-right corners at Timaru and now to such a good track here at Hampton Downs, it has been great.”

“Hampton Downs is very, very good. To make a new track such as this that is safe and yet still gives the drivers a challenge is very tricky.”

Evans retains the championship lead and holds the Toyota Racing Series – and outright – lap record at Hampton Downs with a 1:01.846, set on lap 12 of the second race with a best speed of 153.090 km/h.

The points battle is closer than ever, with Evans’ lead narrowed to 25 points with Earl Bamber still second overall on 533 and Sten Pentus moving back into contention second equal with Bamber and Lucas Foresti a close fourth on 491.

The Toyota Racing Series now moves south to Manfeild near Feilding in the lower North Island for next weekend’s New Zealand Grand Prix, the final round of the International Series.
-End-

7 February 2010.

Toyota Racing Series Race Three
Sten Pentus, Estonia, 1
Richie Stanaway, Tauranga, 2
Lucas Foresti, Brazil, 3
Earl Bamber, Wanganui, 4
Mitch Evans, Auckland, 1
Stefan Webling, Oakura, 6
Andrew Waite, Auckland, 7
Andy Knight, Christchurch, 8
Daniel Jilesen, Taumarunui, 9
Jamie McNee, Wellington, 10
Alistair Wootten, Auckland, 11
Ken Smith, Auckland, 12

Championship points
Mitch Evans 558
Earl Bamber 533
Sten Pentus 533
Lucas Foresti 491
Andrew Waite 463
Daniel Jileson 405
Alistair Wootten 356
Stefan Webling 352
Jamie McNee 251
Nathan Morcom 219
Richie Stanaway 166
Ken Smith 106
Andy Knight 78
Chris Wootton 66
Sam MacNeill 0

Note to journalists: History of the NZ Motor Cup

The New Zealand Motor Cup was donated by the Auckland Automobile Association to mark what are regarded as the first organised motor races in New Zealand in 1921 were held.
Muriwai Beach, north of Auckland, was chosen for the New Zealand Motor Cup Race. In those days beaches were still regarded as the most suitable venues for motor racing.
The inaugural event was simply a 25-mile dash along the beach which the winner – Howard Nattrass driving a Caddilac – covered in 17 minutes at an average speed of 88 m.p.h.
The distance was doubled in 1922 and the race was made up of four 12½-mile laps.
It became an annual event and touring cars gave way to more specialised machines, though the most successful car of the twenties was an American Stutz in which Bob Wilson won the 1926, 1927, and 1928 events to become the outright winner of the trophy. Beaches continued to provide the main circuits for motor racing until 1949.
The first Grand Prix for the New Zealand Motor Cup, donated by Bob Wilson, of Stutz fame, and a prize of £1,000 was held at Ardmore (near Auckland) on a 2.1-mile airfield circuit. The race attracted overseas entries, including the famous 16-cylinder 1½-litre BRM. This race was won by Stan Jones, of Australia, driving a German-Australian hybrid, the Maybach Special.

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Motorsport: Pentus joins list of the greats
By Eric Thompson fetaured in the New Zealand Herald

Monday Feb 8, 2010

 
Estonian driver Sten Pentus is the new name on the New Zealand Motor Cup, joining an illustrious list of drivers.

His name is added to a group that includes Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, John Surtees, Graham Hill, Keke Rosberg and our own Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon.

"It's incredible, I'm amazed and really happy about winning today and I'm really proud to have my name along with them," said Pentus. "In this race [the feature] I managed to get away better and get in front. If you get a clean start and get ahead you can control the race."

Since 2002 the Cup has been contested as part of the International Toyota Racing Series and this year it was held at New Zealand's newest international circuit, Hampton Downs.

As the lights went out in the feature race, pole sitter Mitch Evans and Pentus had a straight line drag to the first corner and despite Evans sticking his nose up the inside, Pentus held his line to lead the field on its first lap.

By lap seven of 20, Pentus had settled down into a comfortable lead from Evans and Richie Stanaway. Soon after, Evans had a problem with his car and slipped back through the field to finish a mediocre fifth.

The race became a bit of a procession towards the end with Pentus winning by over two seconds from Stanaway and Brazilian Lucas Foresti.

Evans turned pole position into a race win in the first race of the weekend on Saturday. He survived a safety car interlude on the first lap and fought off a strong challenge from Foresti and controlled the race from the front.

Race two featured a top six reverse grid with Andrew Waite on pole. Being no slouch, Waite bounced out to lead the field into the first corner and for the first part of the race romped away to a healthy lead. Behind him Pentus, Stanaway and Evans were dicing it out to see who could catch him.

Pentus and Stanaway touched, with Pentus damaging a front wing that had to be replaced, putting him out of the reckoning. Stanaway suffered steering damage and battled on to finish a disappointing sixth, with Halberg Award recipient and veteran racer Kenny close behind in seventh. Earl Bamber ran out of laps to catch Waite, with Evans coming home in a lonely third.

After three TRS rounds Evans has jumped into the lead on 558 points, with Pentus and Bamber equal second on 533 points. Round winner on the day was Evans from Foresti and Bamber.

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Motorsport: Endurance races make return to NZ
Friday Feb 5 2010

National motor racing endurance titles are being resurrected after an absence of almost 25 years.

Two new 500km endurance races are to be contested at Hampton Downs near Auckland in June.

The Altherm 1000, officially launched this week at Hampton Downs by promoters, The MotorSport Company (TMC), will take place on June 5-6 and encompass two 500km races and six national endurance titles.

Each day will feature a 500km, four-hour limit, race with a minimum of two drivers per car.

Saturday's race will be an open class competition for top open class honours and will also include the GT3 Porsche title.

The V8s, New Zealand's premier class, will race on Sunday with production, mini and Suzuki classes for individual class titles.

"Motorsport New Zealand has not awarded any national endurance titles since the Castrol GTX Series and Benson & Hedges Series were discontinued in 1986," TMC sponsorship manager Geoff Short said today.

"We know it's going to be a popular event because we've had huge interest already. It will be well organised and promoted and for the competitors there's the lure of national titles up for grabs."

Drivers will cover 179 laps of the undulating 2.8km Hampton Downs circuit, negotiating 1071 corners in the process.

- NZPA
 

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From Left: Chris Amon, Howden Ganley, Chris Watson, Tony Roberts, His Worship Mayor Peter Harris, Greeta Hulme, Pattie McLaren, Amanda McLaren and a host of Formula 5000's.

NZ Festival of Motor Racing ready for Jan 2010

Preparations are coming along well for the upcoming Festival of Motor Racing to be held in January next year. Recent developments have seen the name of the festival change from the former ‘Tasman Revival Series’ to attract a bigger population with the new ‘Festival of Motor Racing’. From now the NZ Festival of Motor Racing will be held annually in January each year. Each year the festival will be held at Hampton Downs MotorSports Park and at Pukekohe race track. Every Festival will celebrate either a noted driver or a different marquee of car. The first Festival of Motor Racing will celebrate Bruce McLaren with the 2011 event to celebrate Chris Amon.

The final programme of events for the festival is yet to be completed, but provisional dates have been set. The festival will run from Wednesday 20th January to Sunday 24th January 2010 at Hampton Downs and from Wedesday 27th January to Sunday 31st January 2010 at Pukekohe race track. There are many different historic racing classes planned for the festival and highlights will include the Formula F5000 and Invited F1 class, the Formula Junior and Invited F3 Class and the Invited Early Historics Class. Some very special vehicles will also be on display at the festival lead by a Ford 10 Special once owned by Bruce McLaren and a 1958 Cooper Climax formerly raaced by Mclaren.

Classic Car August 2009

Hampton Downs impresses Gaunt

The all-new Hampton Downs circuit has been given an enthusiastic endorsement by Daniel Gaunt after the first shakedown test of a TRS car on the circuit.

The recent twilight test was run by TRS management in preparation for the third round of the 2010 TRS Championship at the venue on February 5-7 which will be the first International single seater race at Hampton Downs.

"Racing a TRS car at Hampton Downs will be a special challenge – it’s like no other circuit in New Zealand," said the former TRS Champion.

"The elevation, the wide corners with lots of passing opportunities and the smooth surface; they all work together and in a modern single seater, the racing will be very good."

Gaunt ran about 20 laps to confirm the initial set-up on behalf of next season’s TRS competitors. The modern single seater design, still in Gaunt’s New Zealand Grand Prix winning VNC colours, was well suited to the state-of-the-art circuit.

"It was a chance to confirm the gear ratios, establish the ride heights and get an initial aerodynamic balance on the car. We didn’t need to change much and had a trouble free run," said Gaunt.

Contrary to speculation, the sharp rise on the front straight did not cause any issues. After 20 laps Gaunt was down to 64.6 seconds on the new 2.8km circuit and was confident there is more time to come when the circuit grips up with more use.

The testing data confirmed Gaunt was on full throttle for around 60 per cent of each lap and the average speed was 140kph.

"It’s a bit ‘green’ - like Taupo was when it first opened. Until some rubber goes down it is low grip and it is hard to get tyre temperatures; but you can see the potential because the corners flow so well."

"Sitting in the car in the pit road I was thinking I was somewhere in Europe, surrounded by the rolling hill country and it all seemed very professional.

"Out on the track there was more elevation than I expected and you really need to think about your racing lines.

"You are in sixth gear down the long front straight – just slightly slower than Puke’s back straight – and the first corner is awesome. You go down two gears and the track drops away, a bit like Paddock Hill Bend at Brand Hatch. It’s challenging and you are hard on the gas as you exit

"The slower second gear infield corners work well and then you arrive over a crest and you are braking downhill for the second gear left-handed hairpin. This is mega because you are braking on the brow and the track drops away.

Gaunt’s initial impression was that the final corner, onto the front straight, was the most difficult and challenging at Hampton Downs.

"This is where you will make up time because you are in this corner for a long time – it’s a bit like turn one at Teretonga in that respect. You need to feed in the power and keep the car well balanced.

"And then you need to think about your line for the front straight because it is wide and there are several options"

"It was fantastic and I’d now love to be racing a TRS car at Hampton Downs in February"

Media Release

Prime Minister, John Key, visited Hampton Downs  26 June 09 for an extensive look at the Motorsport Park and drove a circuit of the track.

Mr Key spent 90 minutes talking to Tony Roberts and staff at Hampton Downs and was very interested in the concepts and potential of the Motorsport Park.

Driver training at the circuit and the use of the skid pan is of particular interest to the Government, especially after yesterday’s announcement of theb horrific costs ($450 million per year) of motorcycle accidents in New Zealand. From a Motorsport perspective, it was simply great to have our top man
take an interest in our sport that has such great potential for tourism and bringing money into the country by hosting international events at a world class venue.