V8 Supercars News & Results 2005

[JoeT]

WELCOME TO V8 SUPERCARS NEWS & RESULTS 2005

I'll post all the lastest V8 Supercars News & Results here in the 'Motorsports News' page
every week for all you worldwide V8 Supercars lovers out there.

This is the official V8 Supercars website
www.v8supercars.com.au

You can view the V8 Supercars Championship Series on your PC
free with Telstra Bigpond's Live Videostreaming & Round Highlights
http://v8supercar.bigpond.com/flash/V8_2005_promo.html

If you want to discuss any V8 Supercars news or just have a question to ask other fans,
Don't post here.
Come down to the 'Holden and Australian Automobile Industry Discussion' page,
in the 'All V8 Supercars Discussions Here' thread.

2005 V8 Supercars Championship Series Calender

Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit
Pre Season Race 4 Mar - 6 Mar 2005

Clipsal 500, Adelaide Street Circuit
Round 01 17 Mar - 20 Mar 2005

PlaceMakers V8 International, Pukekohe Park Raceway
Round 02 15 Apr - 17 Apr 2005

Perth V8 400, Barbagallo Raceway Wanneroo
Round 03 6 May - 8 May 2005

Eastern Creek, Eastern Creek International Raceway
Round 04 27 May - 29 May 2005

Shanghai China, Shanghai International Circuit
Round 05 10 Jun - 12 Jun 2005

SKYCITY V8 Supercars Darwin, Hidden Valley Raceway
Round 06 1 Jul - 3 Jul 2005

Queensland 300, Queensland Raceway
Round 07 22 Jul - 24 Jul 2005

Oran Park, Oran Park Raceway
Round 08 12 Aug - 14 Aug 2005

Betta Electrical 500, Sandown International Raceway
Round 09 9 Sep - 11 Sep 2005

Super Cheap Auto 1000, Mount Panorama, Bathurst
Round 10 6 Oct - 9 Oct 2005

Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge, Lexmark Indy 300
Round 11 20 Oct - 23 Oct 2005

Ferodo Triple Challenge, Symmons Plains Raceway
Round 12 11 Nov - 13 Nov 2005

BigPond Grand Finale, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
Round 13 25 Nov - 27 Nov 2005

[JoeT]

V8 Supercars Round 4 Results

Release Date: 30/05/2005
www.v8supercars.com.au

Team Betta Electrical’s Craig Lowndes scored the narrowest of V8 Supercar Championship Series victories at Eastern Creek by finishing the event on equal points with Pirtek Racing’s Marcos Ambrose after each scored race victories in Sydney today.

The Ford pair shared the glory with third-placed Supercheap Auto Racing’s Greg Murphy after another controversial weekend threatened to implode on Holden racing Team’s Mark Skaife. Lowndes was awarded the round based on his victory in the last race of the day.

Skaife was involved in incidents with Ambrose in the first race and Team Perkins’ Steven Richards in the second, both resulting in costly spins for the HRT team leader.

In front of more than 16,000 spectators though, Lowndes confirmed his Championship potential with his new team in 2005.

Lowndes finished second behind a dominant Ambrose in the opening race, but changes to both cars reversed the performance advantage. Ambrose won the start, but Lowndes jumped into the lead with a fastest pitstop in race two.

Lowndes’ second child, Chilli, was born five days ago in Brisbane.
Ambrose was pleased with his weekend despite again having to the front the stewards over another incident with Skaife. He was able to extend his lead in the Series over team-mate Russell Ingall.

Murphy was third, for the weekend, his best result at Eastern Creek after two disastrous years with his old team.

Richards came home fourth overall after also being involved in a tap with Mark Skaife at Turn 3, Skaife spinning off the track and Richards moving into fifth on the track which cemented his overall placing.

Skaife was fairly outspoken after Ambrose was cleared of any wrongdoing in the early incident, but silent after the Richards tap simply pushed him wide. Skaife’s Holden team-mate Todd Kelly claimed fifth ahead of Ingall and Skaife.

Paul Morris was the only big hit of the day, the laconic Queenslander spearing off the track at high speed before slamming into the tyre wall at the end of the front straight.


Eastern Creek, Eastern Creek International Raceway - Round 4
Race Day: Sunday, 11:20-12:30 Race Duration: 140 Klms
Race 1

Final Position / Car No / Team / Driver / Car Type / Laps / Final Race Time / Fastest Time
1 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 36 01:00:28.5261 1:32.9433
2 888 Team Betta Electrical Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 36 01:00:34.9890 1:32.8516
3 11 Team Perkins Racing Steven Richards Holden Commodore VY 36 01:00:52.5105 1:33.5073
4 51 Super Cheap Auto Racing Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:00:56.7161 1:33.6268
5 9 Caltex Racing Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 36 01:00:56.9899 1:33.1374
6 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:00:57.3045 1:33.8143
7 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:00:59.7814 1:32.8888
8 88 Team Betta Electrical Steve Ellery Ford Falcon BA 36 01:01:12.5716 1:34.0334
9 16 HSV Dealer Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:01:14.9572 1:33.8222
10 3 Dodo Racing Jason Richards Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:01:15.3356 1:34.2998
11 67 Sirromet-Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:01:24.2432 1:34.6461
12 12 Team BOC John Bowe Ford Falcon BA 36 01:01:27.2255 1:34.7620
13 17 Westpoint Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 36 01:01:28.5987 1:34.6755
14 21 Team BOC Brad Jones Ford Falcon BA 36 01:01:37.6529 1:34.8118
15 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:01:38.0998 1:34.7711
16 24 Team Perkins Racing Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VY 36 01:01:41.0702 1:34.5277
17 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 36 01:01:47.2592 1:34.7560
18 5 Ford Performance Racing Greg Ritter Ford Falcon BA 36 01:01:50.4856 1:34.7975
19 25 Fujitsu Racing Steve Owen Ford Falcon BA 36 01:01:51.6619 1:34.9099
20 18 Westpoint Racing Glenn Seton Ford Falcon BA 36 01:01:51.7986 1:34.6131
21 8 WPS Racing Craig Baird Ford Falcon BA 36 01:01:52.2303 11 1:35.1071
22 52 Fujitsu Racing Matthew White Ford Falcon BA 36 01:01:52.8297 1:34.8728
23 20 Larkham Orrcon Racing Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon BA 36 01:01:53.1325 1:34.7938
24 23 Dodo Racing Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:01:53.3991 1:35.3056
25 75 Toll Racing Anthony Tratt Holden Commodore VY 36 01:01:59.1402 1:34.8493
26 45 WOW Sight & Sound Max Wilson Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:01:59.5878 1:34.6501
27 50 Super Cheap Auto Racing Paul Weel Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:02:00.6452 1:34.4307
28 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Andrew Jones Holden Commodore VZ 35 01:00:34.1061 1:35.4820
29 7 Autobarn Racing Alex Davison Holden Commodore VZ 35 01:00:36.5863 1:35.5749
30 48 WPS David Besnard Ford Falcon BA 35 01:01:22.1965 1:34.4833
31 15 Team Buick Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 35 01:01:22.9702 1:34.9685
32 021 Team Kiwi Racing Paul Radisich Holden Commodore VZ 35 01:01:40.4260 1:34.8884
33 6 Ford Performance Racing Jason Bright Ford Falcon BA 35 01:02:16.7540 1:34.2365
34 44 Team Dynamik Simon Wills Holden Commodore VZ 29 01:00:42.7190 1:35.8647


Eastern Creek, Eastern Creek International Raceway - Round 4
Race Day: Sunday, 15:15-16:30 Race Duration: 140 Klms
Race 2

Final Position / Car No / Team / Driver / Car Type / Laps / Final Race Time / Fastest Time
1 888 Team Betta Electrical Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 36 01:01:46.3894 1:32.9370
2 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 36 01:01:48.4061 1:33.1793
3 51 Super Cheap Auto Racing Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:01:48.6463 1:33.4840
4 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:01:54.4820 1:33.4556
5 11 Team Perkins Racing Steven Richards Holden Commodore VY 36 01:01:55.6658 1:33.3081
6 9 Caltex Racing Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 36 01:01:56.1257 1:33.7392
7 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:02:00.2053 1:33.7181
8 12 Team BOC John Bowe Ford Falcon BA 36 01:02:04.8012 1:34.0680
9 17 Westpoint Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 36 01:02:05.0887 1:34.4664
10 16 HSV Dealer Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:02:06.1373 10 1:34.5143
11 21 Team BOC Brad Jones Ford Falcon BA 36 01:02:06.7288 1:34.4223
12 3 Dodo Racing Jason Richards Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:02:07.1212 1:34.5307
13 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:02:07.9261 1:34.4553
14 15 Team Buick Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:02:16.1218 1:34.8410
15 23 Dodo Racing Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:02:16.3401 1:35.1855
16 45 WOW Sight & Sound Max Wilson Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:02:16.5210 1:34.2650
17 8 WPS Racing Craig Baird Ford Falcon BA 36 01:02:18.7209 1:35.1528
18 021 Team Kiwi Racing Paul Radisich Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:02:19.0105 1:33.6887
19 52 Fujitsu Racing Matthew White Ford Falcon BA 36 01:02:29.5551 1:35.1874
20 44 Team Dynamik Simon Wills Holden Commodore VZ 36 01:02:31.5190 1:34.4769
21 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 36 01:02:32.5527 1:34.8790
22 25 Fujitsu Racing Steve Owen Ford Falcon BA 36 01:02:43.4057 1:34.9826
23 6 Ford Performance Racing Jason Bright Ford Falcon BA 36 01:02:51.3433 1:34.5485
24 48 WPS David Besnard Ford Falcon BA 36 01:03:18.1267 1:34.1828
25 7 Autobarn Racing Alex Davison Holden Commodore VZ 35 01:01:47.5013 1:35.9383
26 50 Super Cheap Auto Racing Paul Weel Holden Commodore VZ 35 01:02:16.9442 1:35.2661
27 18 Westpoint Racing Glenn Seton Ford Falcon BA 35 01:03:03.2308 1:34.5800
28 88 Team Betta Electrical Steve Ellery Ford Falcon BA 34 01:02:17.1289 1:33.7513
DNF 75 Toll Racing Anthony Tratt Holden Commodore VY 35 01:01:27.4619 1:35.7331
DNF 20 Larkham Orrcon Racing Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon BA 35 01:01:39.7996 1:34.2669
DNF 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Andrew Jones Holden Commodore VZ 35 01:03:53.8226 1:35.7074
DNF 67 Sirromet-Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VZ 19 32:28.3876 1:34.2147
DNF 5 Ford Performance Racing Greg Ritter Ford Falcon BA 12 20:00.2521 1:34.5518
DNF 24 Team Perkins Racing Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VY 2 3:22.3382 1:35.3400


V8 Supercars Round 8 Points & Championship Points

Championship Position / Driver / Round 8 Points / Championship Points
1 Marcos Ambrose 189 708
2 Russell Ingall 165 673
3 Steven Richards 174 585
4 Craig Lowndes 189 554
5 Mark Skaife 156 546
6 Greg Murphy 177 506
7 Todd Kelly 168 492
8 Steven Johnson 132 485
9 John Bowe 138 469
10 Paul Weel 39 442
11 Cameron McConville 114 423
12 Paul Radisich 48 413
13 Garth Tander 141 411
14 Paul Morris 66 406
15 Jason Bright 30 394
16 Glenn Seton 57 387
17 Jamie Whincup 81 379
18 Rick Kelly 63 367
19 Jason Richards 132 347
20 Brad Jones 123 318
21 Steve Ellery 90 314
22 Craig Baird 84 264
23 Jason Bargwanna 84 258
24 Max Wilson 72 252
25 Mark Winterbottom 30 236
26 David Besnard 36 231
27 Matthew White 75 228
28 Anthony Tratt 24 215
29 Paul Dumbrell 51 203
30 Andrew Jones 15 188
31 Simon Wills 39 175
32 Steve Owen 75 159
33 Greg Ritter 45 125
34 Alex Davison 36 72

V8 Supercars Live Videostreaming & Round Highlights
http://v8supercar.bigpond.com/flash/V8_2005_promo.html

If you want to discuss any V8 Supercars news or just have a question to ask other fans,
come down to the 'Holden and Australian Automobile Industry Discussion' page,
in the 'All V8 Supercars Discussions Here' thread

[JoeT]

V8 Supercars Hit Shanghai International Circuit

Release Date: 07/06/2005
www.v8supercars.com.au

Thirty-two V8 Supercars have arrived at Shanghai International Circuit ahead of the inaugural V8 Supercars round in Shanghai, China this weekend. This historic round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series will mark the first ‘fly-away’ international event for the series and is expected to be a landmark event for the sport and Australia.

Two 747-400 Series Freighter Aircrafts landed at Pudong Airport, Shanghai on Sunday carrying 32 V8 Supercars strapped into custom built car racks as well as more than 20 purpose built aircraft containers used to hold team equipment as well as spare engines (one per car), gear boxes (two per car) and wheels which were packed into communal cargo in the aircrafts.

The first car was wheeled out onto the Shanghai International Circuit yesterday morning as freight was unloaded and preparation for round five of the series began.

The first shipment of drivers, teams, media and officials have started to make their way to China. More than 66 team members and media flew into Pudong Airport Shanghai last night, 129 tonight and a further 197 on Wednesday night.

Drivers have already started a hectic week of promotional activities, sponsorship commitments and interviews with Chinese media in the lead up to the first ever V8 Supercar event in China.

This morning V8 Supercar drivers Rick Kelly, Brad Jones, Craig Baird, Greg Murphy, Max Wilson and Cameron McConville visited Pund Park for their first full glimpse of the Pudong area including the Oriental Pearl Tower.

“This country has so far been unbelievable,” Super Cheap Auto Racing’s Greg Murphy said. “It is such a contrast to what we have in New Zealand and Australia and I would never have imagined how different the Chinese lifestyle and culture would be until we arrived here.

“We have already received an overwhelming response from local media as well as the community and I can guarantee I’m not the only driver who can’t wait to get out onto the Shanghai International Circuit on Friday.”

A group of twelve V8 Supercar drivers including Team Buick’s Rick Kelly, Team Perkins Racing’s Steven Richards and Larkham-Orrcon Racing’s Jason Bargwanna will endure a full day scenic tour of Shanghai tomorrow with Chinese and Australian media. Sites include Yu Garden Pudong, Central Park, Oriental Tower, Nanpu Bridge and Binjiang Park.

V8 Supercars Live Videostreaming & Round Highlights
http://v8supercar.bigpond.com/flash/V8_2005_promo.html

If you want to discuss any V8 Supercars news or just have a question to ask other fans,
come down to the 'Holden and Australian Automobile Industry Discussion' page,
in the 'All V8 Supercars Discussions Here' thread

[JoeT]

Todd Kelly Scores First Australian Win In China

Release Date: 11/06/2005
www.v8supercars.com.au

Holden Racing Team’s Todd Kelly has scored a historic win this afternoon at the Shanghai International Circuit in China.

Kelly charged to the flag to take race one honours in the first V8 Supercar race outside of Australasia from Steve Richards and pole winner Mark Skaife.

Kelly said he was excited to take the win which also puts his Championship quest back on track.

Steve Richards was second across the line after leading the opening laps in the race, losing the lead to Kelly mid-distance when he locked a wheel going into turn one.

Mark Skaife was third, scoring his first pole position of the year during the Top 10 Shootout earlier in the day. Skaife made a slower start off the line than Richards who was alongside him on the grid, and in the opening laps he was following Richards so closely he couldn’t see the tyres on the inside of turn eleven.

As a result, Skaife’s Holden encountered damage to the steering and the nose of his car on contact with the tyres, and lost time during his compulsory pit stop while the panel damage was repaired.

Craig Lowndes followed Skaife home in fourth after capitalising on a small error by current Championship leader Marcos Ambrose who had been running third for the majority of the race. Ambrose had earlier locked his rear tyres in the hairpin to let Skaife through into third, and ended the race in fifth.

There are two races tomorrow to close out the historic first round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Shanghai International Circuit in China, the first at 12:20pm AEST and the second at 3:30pm.


Shanghai China, Shanghai International Circuit - Round 5
Race Day: Saturday, 10:45-11:30 Race Duration: 20 Minutes
Qualifying

Final Position / Car No / Team / Driver / Car Type / Final Race Time / Time Gap
1 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VZ 1:49.6053 0:00.0000
2 888 Team Betta Electrical Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 1:49.9893 0:00.3840
3 51 Super Cheap Auto Racing Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VZ 1:50.0728 0:00.4675
4 11 Team Perkins Racing Steven Richards Holden Commodore VY 1:50.1025 0:00.4972
5 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 1:50.1130 0:00.5077
6 23 Dodo Racing Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VZ 1:50.1390 0:00.5337
7 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 1:50.1556 0:00.5503
8 6 Ford Performance Racing Jason Bright Ford Falcon BA 1:50.2455 0:00.6402
9 021 Team Kiwi Racing Paul Radisich Holden Commodore VZ 1:50.2827 0:00.6774
10 17 Westpoint Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 1:50.3578 0:00.7525
11 3 Dodo Racing Jason Richards Holden Commodore VZ 1:50.4020 0:00.7967
12 16 HSV Dealer Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VZ 1:50.4474 0:00.8421
13 9 Caltex Racing Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 1:50.5047 0:00.8994
14 67 Sirromet-Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VZ 1:50.5049 0:00.8996
15 88 Team Betta Electrical Steve Ellery Ford Falcon BA 1:50.6092 0:01.0039
16 5 Ford Performance Racing Greg Ritter Ford Falcon BA 1:50.6176 0:01.0123
17 50 Super Cheap Auto Racing Paul Weel Holden Commodore VZ 1:50.7469 0:01.1416
18 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 1:50.7699 0:01.1646
19 168 Team Dynamik Simon Wills Holden Commodore VZ 1:50.8376 0:01.2323
20 52 Fujitsu Racing Matthew White Ford Falcon BA 1:50.8787 0:01.2734
21 18 Westpoint Racing Glenn Seton Ford Falcon BA 1:50.8925 0:01.2872
22 7 Autobarn Racing Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VZ 1:51.0486 0:01.4433
23 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VZ 1:51.1391 0:01.5338
24 20 Larkham Orrcon Racing Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon BA 1:51.1932 0:01.5879
25 8 WPS Racing Craig Baird Ford Falcon BA 1:51.3903 0:01.7850
26 328 WOW Sight & Sound Max Wilson Holden Commodore VZ 1:51.4577 0:01.8524
27 48 WPS David Besnard Ford Falcon BA 1:51.6225 0:02.0172
28 75 Toll Racing Anthony Tratt Holden Commodore VY 1:51.6989 0:02.0936
29 21 Team BOC Brad Jones Ford Falcon BA 1:51.8063 0:02.2010
30 12 Team BOC John Bowe Ford Falcon BA 1:51.8184 0:02.2131
31 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Andrew Jones Holden Commodore VZ 1:51.8677 0:02.2624
32 15 Team Buick Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 1:52.0723 0:02.4670


Shanghai China, Shanghai International Circuit - Round 5
Race Day: Saturday, 11:45-12:15 Race Duration: 30 Minutes
Top 10 Shootout

Final Position / Car No / Team / Driver / Car Type / Final Race Time / Time Gap
1 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VZ 1:49.8516
2 11 Team Perkins Racing Steven Richards Holden Commodore VY 1:50.0360 0:00.1844
3 51 Super Cheap Auto Racing Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VZ 1:50.0667 0:00.2151
4 021 Team Kiwi Racing Paul Radisich Holden Commodore VZ 1:50.1682 0:00.3166
5 888 Team Betta Electrical Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 1:50.1862 0:00.3346
6 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 1:50.2211 0:00.3695
7 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 1:50.5851 0:00.7335
8 6 Ford Performance Racing Jason Bright Ford Falcon BA 1:50.7781 0:00.9265
9 17 Westpoint Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 1:51.2731 0:01.4215
EXC 23 Dodo Racing Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VZ 0:00.0000 0:00.0000


Shanghai China, Shanghai International Circuit - Round 5
Race Day: Saturday, 15:20-16:10 Race Duration: 100 Klms
Race 1

Final Position / Car No / Team / Driver / Car Type / Laps / Final Race Time / Fastest Time
1 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 22 41:49.4584 1:51.0737
2 11 Team Perkins Racing Steven Richards Holden Commodore VY 22 41:50.5601 1:51.2962
3 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VZ 22 41:53.4526 1:51.3011
4 888 Team Betta Electrical Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 22 41:53.8357 1:51.4702
5 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 22 41:54.3447 1:51.5604
6 021 Team Kiwi Racing Paul Radisich Holden Commodore VZ 22 41:55.5014 1:51.5679
7 6 Ford Performance Racing Jason Bright Ford Falcon BA 22 41:59.2969 1:51.5765
8 3 Dodo Racing Jason Richards Holden Commodore VZ 22 42:01.1811 1:51.4500
9 23 Dodo Racing Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VZ 22 42:02.5905 1:51.3821
10 51 Super Cheap Auto Racing Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VZ 22 42:03.1965 1:51.7468
11 17 Westpoint Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 22 42:03.3926 1:51.6285
12 16 HSV Dealer Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VZ 22 42:08.5828 1:52.1160
13 9 Caltex Racing Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 22 42:09.0883 1:52.0439
14 18 Westpoint Racing Glenn Seton Ford Falcon BA 22 42:10.8145 1:51.7207
15 88 Team Betta Electrical Steve Ellery Ford Falcon BA 22 42:16.7125 1:51.5968
16 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VZ 22 42:17.6313 1:51.9920
17 67 Sirromet-Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VZ 22 42:17.9571 1:51.5726
18 168 Team Dynamik Simon Wills Holden Commodore VZ 22 42:22.5536 1:52.4141
19 7 Autobarn Racing Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VZ 22 42:29.2427 1:52.1799
20 50 Super Cheap Auto Racing Paul Weel Holden Commodore VZ 22 42:31.0990 1:51.8810
21 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 22 42:35.4557 1:52.7581
22 12 Team BOC John Bowe Ford Falcon BA 22 42:36.2529 1:52.6226
23 5 Ford Performance Racing Greg Ritter Ford Falcon BA 22 42:36.4207 1:51.6017
24 8 WPS Racing Craig Baird Ford Falcon BA 22 42:37.0518 1:52.6912
25 21 Team BOC Brad Jones Ford Falcon BA 22 42:38.4551 1:52.5257
26 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Andrew Jones Holden Commodore VZ 22 42:40.7437 1:52.8668
27 52 Fujitsu Racing Matthew White Ford Falcon BA 22 42:50.1210 1:51.6091
28 75 Toll Racing Anthony Tratt Holden Commodore VY 19 43:25.3037 1:53.0867
DNF 48 WPS David Besnard Ford Falcon BA 12 43:37.5571 1:51.5595
DNF 20 Larkham Orrcon Racing Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon BA 7 13:35.5283 1:53.4212
DNF 328 WOW Sight & Sound Max Wilson Holden Commodore VZ 6 11:39.0294 1:52.5979
DNF 15 Team Buick Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 2 4:44.8909 2:12.5907

V8 Supercars Live Videostreaming & Round Highlights
http://v8supercar.bigpond.com/flash/V8_2005_promo.html

If you want to discuss any V8 Supercars news or just have a question to ask other fans,
come down to the 'Holden and Australian Automobile Industry Discussion' page,
in the 'All V8 Supercars Discussions Here' thread

[Mike The Canadian]

how many people does team buick have?
and ffs, buick is big in china, can rick do us a favour and win?
this sounds cool...I wish it was on TV over here...
go team buick!!!

[JoeT]

V8 Supercars Round 5 Results

Release Date: 12/06/2005
www.v8supercars.com.au

Holden Racing Team’s Todd Kelly flew the red flag in China as the V8 Supercar Championship Series landed firmly in Shanghai to an unexpectedly huge crowd.

Kelly won the unforgettable event where an estimated 70,000 people turned out to watch Australia’s premier Motorsport category stage the historic event in China. This followed estimated crowds of 10,000 on Friday and 30,000 yesterday.

It was announced after the event by V8 Supercar Championship Series Chairman Tony Cochrane that a driving scholarship would be offered to a Chinese driver in 2007 with an ultimate view to them graduating to the championship.

The partnerships with the Chinese and Australian Governments would also continue to prosper through the event.

Kelly won the event ahead of fellow Holden drivers Steven Richards and Paul Radisich to complete a red trifecta for Holden, or General Motors as it is known in China. It wasn’t a happy event, however, for his little brother Rick, driving for the locally badged Buick Team.

Ricky Kelly finished with just 34 points for the event when he failed to finish race three. But it was a very different feeling for Todd who became the first V8 Supercar driver to stand on the Shanghai podium.

Richards was again his consistent best to finish second for the round.

Radisich gave Team Kiwi Racing its first podium finish in the four-year history of the team. But he was too exhausted and dehydrated from the grueling hear that he had to leave the podium and could not attend the press conference while he sought medical attention.

The wash-up meant that the gap between leader Marcos Ambrose was narrowed slightly when his worst round is dropped under the current rules. Ambrose struggled all weekend but still finished fifth for the event.

The next event will be held at the Sky City Challenge in Darwin on July 1-3.


Shanghai China, Shanghai International Circuit - Round 5
Race Day: Sunday, 10:20-11:30 Race Duration: 140 Klms
Race 2

Final Position / Car No / Team / Driver / Car Type / Laps / Final Race Time / Fastest Time
1 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VZ 30 56:55.5933 1:51.3924
2 11 Team Perkins Racing Steven Richards Holden Commodore VY 30 56:58.2826 1:51.6272
3 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 30 56:58.6066 1:51.0557
4 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 30 57:06.6939 1:51.7114
5 021 Team Kiwi Racing Paul Radisich Holden Commodore VZ 30 57:09.8069 1:51.4252
6 9 Caltex Racing Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 30 57:13.3246 1:51.5865
7 18 Westpoint Racing Glenn Seton Ford Falcon BA 30 57:16.9595 1:52.2168
8 23 Dodo Racing Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VZ 30 57:26.4548 1:51.7504
9 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VZ 30 57:31.3237 1:52.2660
10 5 Ford Performance Racing Greg Ritter Ford Falcon BA 30 57:35.5618 1:51.6997
11 50 Super Cheap Auto Racing Paul Weel Holden Commodore VZ 30 57:36.5924 1:52.0925
12 7 Autobarn Racing Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VZ 30 57:37.9502 1:51.8408
13 168 Team Dynamik Simon Wills Holden Commodore VZ 30 57:39.9810 1:52.4345
14 328 WOW Sight & Sound Max Wilson Holden Commodore VZ 30 57:43.2749 1:52.3166
15 12 Team BOC John Bowe Ford Falcon BA 30 57:45.9716 1:52.4745
16 15 Team Buick Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 30 57:53.7380 1:52.4092
17 21 Team BOC Brad Jones Ford Falcon BA 30 57:54.2697 1:52.7408
18 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Andrew Jones Holden Commodore VZ 30 57:57.3026 1:52.6668
19 8 WPS Racing Craig Baird Ford Falcon BA 30 58:00.8473 1:52.3491
20 6 Ford Performance Racing Jason Bright Ford Falcon BA 30 58:01.0994 1:52.5737
21 16 HSV Dealer Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VZ 30 58:07.8161 1:52.2733
22 67 Sirromet-Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VZ 30 58:17.2460 1:52.0963
23 52 Fujitsu Racing Matthew White Ford Falcon BA 30 58:32.2940 1:53.3916
24 88 Team Betta Electrical Steve Ellery Ford Falcon BA 29 58:01.8421 1:51.5124
25 75 Toll Racing Anthony Tratt Holden Commodore VY 27 58:04.8686 1:52.5771
26 17 Westpoint Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 25 57:29.8289 1:52.5281
DNF 48 WPS David Besnard Ford Falcon BA 21 42:21.9335 1:52.2294
DNF 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 9 18:05.3081 1:53.3134
DNF 51 Super Cheap Auto Racing Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VZ 3 6:41.0010 2:08.0496
DNF 888 Team Betta Electrical Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 2 4:33.9074 1:55.9497
DNF 3 Dodo Racing Jason Richards Holden Commodore VZ 2 4:46.4737 2:02.0048


Shanghai China, Shanghai International Circuit - Round 5
Race Day: Sunday, 13:30-14:40 Race Duration: 140 Klms
Race 3

Final Position / Car No / Team / Driver / Car Type / Laps / Final Race Time / Fastest Time
1 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 30 59:32.3831 1:51.5532
2 11 Team Perkins Racing Steven Richards Holden Commodore VY 30 59:33.6256 1:51.8675
3 021 Team Kiwi Racing Paul Radisich Holden Commodore VZ 30 59:34.2887 1:51.9083
4 23 Dodo Racing Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VZ 30 59:34.5951 1:51.9946
5 328 WOW Sight & Sound Max Wilson Holden Commodore VZ 30 59:38.4099 1:51.9470
6 6 Ford Performance Racing Jason Bright Ford Falcon BA 30 59:41.3359 1:51.5846
7 51 Super Cheap Auto Racing Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VZ 30 59:41.5667 1:51.5509
8 5 Ford Performance Racing Greg Ritter Ford Falcon BA 30 59:47.9806 1:52.0497
9 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VZ 30 59:49.5888 1:52.4242
10 21 Team BOC Brad Jones Ford Falcon BA 30 59:52.7604 1:52.1355
11 7 Autobarn Racing Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VZ 30 59:54.7850 1:52.1550
12 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 30 59:58.4140 1:51.1012
13 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 30 01:00:07.1660 1:52.8155
14 12 Team BOC John Bowe Ford Falcon BA 30 01:00:07.5762 1:52.5651
15 8 WPS Racing Craig Baird Ford Falcon BA 30 01:00:17.4674 1:52.8285
16 75 Toll Racing Anthony Tratt Holden Commodore VY 30 01:00:18.7355 1:53.1525
17 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Andrew Jones Holden Commodore VZ 30 01:00:19.9825 1:53.2804
18 52 Fujitsu Racing Matthew White Ford Falcon BA 30 01:00:20.6238 1:52.5242
19 50 Super Cheap Auto Racing Paul Weel Holden Commodore VZ 30 01:00:25.2850 1:52.9416
20 168 Team Dynamik Simon Wills Holden Commodore VZ 30 01:00:25.4947 1:51.9824
21 17 Westpoint Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 30 01:00:27.0339 1:52.0315
22 16 HSV Dealer Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VZ 30 01:00:33.1583 1:52.2847
23 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VZ 30 01:01:06.7593 1:51.5484
24 18 Westpoint Racing Glenn Seton Ford Falcon BA 29 01:00:32.8466 1:52.0136
25 67 Sirromet-Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VZ 28 59:49.2802 1:52.3803
26 9 Caltex Racing Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 28 01:00:46.7906 1:51.9415
27 88 Team Betta Electrical Steve Ellery Ford Falcon BA 24 01:01:03.9049 1:51.2329
DNF 3 Dodo Racing Jason Richards Holden Commodore VZ 17 35:43.6194 1:52.4897
DNF 15 Team Buick Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 5 9:39.4560 1:52.9663
DNF 48 WPS David Besnard Ford Falcon BA 4 8:31.1863 1:55.2892
DNF 888 Team Betta Electrical Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 1 2:18.9377 2:18.9377


NO CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS ADVERTISED DUE TO TEAMS DROPPING WORST ROUND RESULTS AFTER ROUND 5

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[JoeT]

What A Shiner In China

Release Date: 15/06/2005 Comment by Mark Fogarty
www.v8supercars.com.au

On Tuesday morning in Shanghai, as the officials, team personnel and media who stayed on after V8 Supercar’s first appearance outside Australasia mingled over breakfast at the Galaxy Hotel, the excited chatter continued.

Two days after the triumph in China, hard-bitten racing people were still marveling at the stunning success of Aussie V8 racing’s debut on the international motor sport stage.

They all agreed that the crowded grandstands, the animated reaction of the newfound fans and how smoothly the event went were beyond even the most optimistic expectations.

Just to be there, racing in the showcase megatropolis of the world’s most populous country, was a feat in itself. To actually be noticed to the extent that large numbers of the locals turned out to watch such an unknown quantity in their eyes, could never have been imagined by the V8 fraternity.

And as they swapped stories in the bustling breakfast room, to the background of the incessant tooting of horns coming from the crawling traffic outside, there was unprecedented universal agreement that it all went wonderfully well.

Eves-dropping on their excited and jocular conversations, you heard tales of the many near-disasters that went on behind the scenes during the meeting. Like the crisis that nearly brought the Australian-run TV coverage undone. Like the organizational and procedural snafus that tried the patience and experience of the V8 officialdom.

But no one cared. They were mentioned not as criticisms, but as further examples of how well Australian motor sport’s greatest gamble paid off. The hiccoughs were all dealt with efficiently and effectively, and from the outside, had no discernable effect on the smooth running of the event or its appearance of thorough professionalism.

It was all in stark contrast to the uncertainty when we all arrived here last week. Even AVESCO supremo Tony Cochrane, a man not given to hiding his light under a bushel, admitted to sleepless nights early last week, wondering and worrying if the grand adventure to which he had been driving his sport since the late 1990s would work.

What he most feared was a debacle like last year’s German Touring Car Masters street race in Shanghai, an ill-conceived and hastily organised event that was an unmitigated flop on all fronts. AVESCO, TEGA and CAMS prepared meticulously to ensure that “the world’s greatest touring car championship”, as proclaimed by Cochrane, didn’t suffer such embarrassment.

The perpetual grin on Cochrane’s face since the ceremonial conclusion of the event on Sunday afternoon until he flew out on Monday night was final proof that all his fears – and those of lots of others down the V8 chain of command – were unfounded.

Typically, Cochrane came up with a colourful colloquialism to sum up the general feeling of euphoria. “I feel like I’ve been kissed on the **** by a fairy,” he beamed, his lack of eloquence forgiven by his cheeky enthusiasm.

And by all accounts, local officials were equally ecstatic. The figure given to the Australian media for the three-day crowd was 110,000, including a claimed 74,000 on the Sunday.

Given the vague nature and unofficial status of the estimate, the numbers should be treated with some circumspection. But your own eyes told you there were a lot of spectators present – no mean feat given the size of the grandstands at the $600 million State-funded Shanghai International Circuit.

Even if attendance were only half as big, which would be entirely plausible, the turnout represented a major victory. Most Australian track promoters would be doing a dance to attract similar crowds.

Quietly, and very unofficially, Chinese officials expressed the view that the Shanghai round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series would become more popular each year while interest in the Chinese F1 Grand Prix – for which the state-of-the-art complex was built – would decline.

Their reasoning was that the crowds loved the noise and spectacle of the V8s – especially the close-quarter racing – and found it more fascinating than the comparatively uneventful F1 contests.

V8 Supercar’s success in Shanghai will open doors all around the region and beyond. While the category has no aspirations to expand into Europe or the United States, it has big ambitions in and around the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
By 2007, a second far-flung foray will take the V8 circus to the Middle East. And a year later, Cochrane’s grand plan is for at least one more offshore event – or another two fully foreign legs, depending on the outcome of New Zealand’s efforts to find a new international-standard venue.

The Shanghai surprise will increase V8 Supercar’s stocks internationally and boost demand in many more countries in the eastern hemisphere. But AVESCO is adamant that the series will remain predominantly Australian, with a maximum of four overseas rounds – including NZ – on the 14-event annual schedule. The Sakir F1 circuit in Bahrain and the Dubai Autodrome have lodged competing bids for the Middle East round, which could happen as soon as next year. Where and when will be decided by the AVESCO board of directors late next month, following a fact-finding mission to Dubai and Bahrain next week. Cochrane is leading a four-man delegation to review the tracks and their Government-backed bids.

Standing in the awesome surroundings of SIC late on Sunday afternoon was a proud moment for the hundreds of Australians there. V8 Supercars came of age as a genuine international motor sport category last weekend, putting on a show that should be the envy of other important series across the globe.

Mark Fogarty is Editor-At-Large of Auto Action magazine
and an internationally renowned motor sport journalist

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[JoeT]

V8 Supercar Championship Series Teams Championship - Round 5

Release Date: 22/06/2005
www.v8supercars.com.au

The two car team with the highest combined point score from both its Cars at the end of the 2005 V8 Supercar Championship will be determined the V8 Supercar Champion Team.

After five rounds of the series having already been completed, Stone Brothers Racing is leading the points table ahead of the Holden Racing Team and Super Cheap Auto Racing in third.

Position / Team / Total Points
1 Stone Brothers Racing 1668
2 Holden Racing Team 1370
3 Super Cheap Auto Racing 1142
4 Westpoint Racing 1060
5 Team Perkins Racing 1005
6 Team Betta Electrical 992
7 Team BOC 975
8 Dodo Racing 932
9 HSV Dealer Team 920
10 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team 815
11 Ford Performance Racing 767
12 Team Kiwi Racing (S) 583
13 WPS Racing 575
14 Larkham Orrcon Racing 556
15 Sirromet-Life, Style, Wine (S) 476
16 Team Fujitsu 447
17 WOW Sight & Sound (S) 350
18 Toll Racing (S) 273
19 Team Dynamik (S) 269
20 Autobarn Racing (S) 230

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[chinamonty]

Thanks for the comprehensive report. Its enough to make me cry in to my breakfast dumplings ( actually today I had vegemite on toast)

[JoeT]

Thriving Frogs Could Be Green Light For V8s

By Ray Kershler 24/06/05
www.carsguide.com.au

Could the endangered green and golden bell frog be responsible for opening the way for a V8 Supercar race at the Olympic precinct at Homebush Bay?

For years now, V8 officials have harboured dreams of a street race in Sydney with a circuit around the Olympic Stadium seen as the preferred option.
But to date, the NSW Government has resisted all blandishments. The regular feelers from the depths of the Gold Coast boardroom where V8 policy is determined have so far been rebuffed.

"Sydney is our biggest market and it would be nice to put on a major event in the demographic heart of Sydney which probably would go beyond just being a motor race," says AVESCO chief Wayne Cattach.

"We've had a close look at the logistics and know we can put on an exciting performance. There is an easily identifiable track we could construct. In our opinion, Sydney needs more major events."

Generally speaking, there have been three reasons proffered for the brick-wall approach from the Government.

The first is that Premier Bob Carr is not a motorsport-type person. Scurrilous rumour suggests he is not even a sporting type.

However he gave up a Sunday morning recently to flag off Mark Webber when the Aussie F1 driver did his Sydney Harbour Bridge crossing prior to the big Melbourne street race called the Grand Prix. Was that a chink in his seemingly armour-plated attitude?

The second is that street circuits cost loads of money. Certainly, Homebush Bay would create minimum interference to the daily life of residents (certainly compared to closing the streets of a major city). Such a race, however, would still require a financial input from local authorities which are deemed to retrieve their investment and more by the economic return of ancillary benefits.

Tony Cochrane, the chairman of the board of AVESCO, which runs V8 Supercar racing, has long maintained that, compared to other sports, governments have given all motor sport categories short shrift when it comes to financial assistance.

With a state election due next year, Cochrane is certain to remind officers of the NSW Government that motor sport fans vote too.

The third reason the Government is thought to have been reluctant to embrace the roar and the thunder of motor sport at Homebush Bay is the green and golden bell frog. This small, amphibious creature pulls more than its own weight when it comes to environmental pressure.

The frogs were discovered in the abandoned brickpit at Homebush Bay during the Olympic construction and forced organisers to shift the site of the tennis venue.

Now a $6.5-million sanctuary for the frogs, the Brickpit Ring, is to be established at the site and should be open to the public by the Christmas holidays.

The once endangered little critter has now a healthy population of somewhere between 500 and 700, undaunted by more than a million visitors to the Park last year.

With the green and yellow bell frog seemingly safe in its natural habitat, one of the more delicate negotiating chips in talks about a V8 race might have been removed from the equation.

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[chinamonty]

Geez you have to support a frog who took the time to evolve in national colours wouldn't you.

I am not a big fan of street circuits. I think the concept has had its day. It should only be used for street cars or slightly modified ones.

What is happening with circuits in Sydney these days. has Oran park been sold for real estate yet. Maybe they should move Sydney airport and make it a real race track!!!

[JoeT]

Unique insight into the Super Cheap Auto 1000

Release Date: 28/06/2005
www.v8supercars.com.au

Some of the current greats of Australian Motorsport offer a unique and emotive insight into what it means to compete in and win the Super Cheap Auto 1000 at Bathurst in an innovative series of television commercials to be aired across the country from this Friday (July 1).

Four-time Bathurst winners Greg Murphy and Mark Skaife, 1996 winner Craig Lowndes and current V8 Supercar Championship Series titleholder Marcos Ambrose star in the commercials where they offer their defining thoughts on one of Australia’s ultimate sporting prizes.

The Super Cheap Auto 1000 will be held at Mount Panorama from October 6-9. Grandstand and corporate tickets are virtually sold out. For inquiries please see http://www.ticketmaster.com.au or phone 1300 136 122.

On the eve of the commercial going to air, Lowndes, the youngest winner of the Super Cheap Auto 1000 prior to the last two victories of Rick Kelly, recalled his first experiences on the infamous mountain when he finished second to the great Dck Johnson and John Bowe in 1994.

“My first time at the mount was just a huge joy, it’s very hard to explain,” Lowndes said.

“At the end of the race I couldn’t get out of the racecar, I couldn’t let go of the steering wheel. Once the adrenalin actually slowed up I was a wreck mentally and physically.

“Then to stand on the podium was amazing knowing that as a kid I’d sit at home watching TV hoping that one day that I could actually complete a race at Mount Panorama.

“Bathurst is the most traditional race for a race driver in Australia. It has a huge impact on who you are, who you become, and you always go down in history of winning the best race in Australia.”

In contrast Ambrose, who is yet to win at Bathurst with fourth last year his best result, has a void in his career.

“It’s a pain in my side,” Ambrose said. “I’ve really got to win that race before I die. That’s pretty much it.”

Ambrose said racing at the mountain was something no race driver could really explain.

“My first experience at Bathurst in a V8 Supercar was life changing. It’s the first time I’ve genuinely been scared for myself out there on the racetrack and it’s the only track in the world that I’ve driven on that commands your total respect,” Ambrose said.

“It’s my greatest challenge in motor sport to this date. It has made me frustrated because I can’t conquer it, and it’s going to be a life-long pursuit until I do. I’ll keep coming back until I get one.”

Murphy and Skaife have been far more fortunate than Ambrose and Lowndes. They are behind only Larry Perkins (six), Jim Richards (seven) and Peter Brock (nine) as the most prolific winners of the event.

“The mountain is a goal that I set a long, long time ago and the history of it means so much to me. And to win it puts you a step above the rest,” Murphy said.

“There’s so many things that can determine the outcome of the race and you have to do everything right. No-one wins this by being lucky, even though people like to say so afterwards. That’s just not true.

“Now it’s a harder race to win than ever before because of the competition, and mentally you need to be able to break away from everything and do the job on the track. Every lap, break it down for every lap. Every lap is a whole new challenge.”

Skaife agreed.

“This one’s different because it has the tradition, it has the racetrack, and it has the level of competition that we’ve got, that it means more today to win it than ever in our history,” he said.

“It’s the place, there’s no other circuit that has the unforgiving character that Bathurst has got. And when you do a great lap there, it’s more rewarding than any other racetrack I’ve ever driven on.”

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[JoeT]

Team Red The First To Reach 50 Round Victories

Release Date: 30/06/05
www.hrt.com.au

The Holden Racing Team has created touring car history by becoming the first team to clinch 50 round victories in the Australian Touring Car Championship/V8 Supercar Championship Series.

HRT, the official factory racing team of Holden, first tasted success in a championship event thanks to Peter Brock at Eastern Creek in 1994, and had won 49 rounds prior to the 2005 V8 Supercar Championship Series.

Since the inaugural win in 1994, eight drivers have pushed Team Red to the top of the list. Prior to this weekend, team owner/driver Mark Skaife has claimed 19 of the victories individually, with Craig Lowndes (16), Brock (3), Greg Murphy (3), Jason Bright (3) and Todd Kelly (1) all contributing to the tally.

In addition, the team has won four endurance races that have counted towards the championship where two drivers shared a car. Included in this tally are Skaife’s back-to-back Bathurst 1000 wins (in 2001 with Tony Longhurst and 2002 with Jim Richards), his win in the 2000 Queensland 500 with Lowndes and the 2003 Sandown 500 with Kelly.

The milestone reinforces HRT’s position as the most successful team in ATCC/V8SCS history, clear of Dck Johnson Racing (41 wins). The forerunner to HRT, the famous Holden Dealer Team, clocked up 35 round victories between 1973 and 1986.

In addition, prior to this weekend Skaife had himself won 35 rounds of the ATCC/V8SCS, and was within two victories of equalling all-time leader Peter Brock, who has 37 round wins to his credit. Allan Moffat is third on the all-time list on 32 wins.

“The significance of winning 50 rounds is that it highlights the success of this team in a relatively short time since our first win in 1994,” said HRT owner Skaife.

“We have set a benchmark for consistency with nine round victories in a season once (2002) and eight (1999) and seven wins (1996) once each.

“We’ve also won the championship six times, and Bathurst four times. We’re proud to own an honour roll that no team in Australian touring car history can match.”

HRT's 50 Wins: The Honour Roll

1. Peter Brock - Eastern Creek, Round 7, 05/06/94 (Commodore VP #05)
2. Craig Lowndes - Eastern Creek, Round 1, 27/01/96 (Commodore VR #15)
3. Craig Lowndes - Sandown, Round 2, 04/02/96 (Commodore VR #15)
4. Craig Lowndes - Symmons Plains, Round 4, 17/03/96 (Commodore VR #15)
5. Craig Lowndes - Lakeside, Round 7, 05/05/96 (Commodore VR #15)
6. Craig Lowndes - Barbagallo, Round 8, 26/05/96 (Commodore VR #15)
7. Craig Lowndes - Mallala, Round 9, 02/06/96 (Commodore VR #15)
8. Peter Brock - Oran Park, Round 10, 17/06/96 (Commodore VR #05)
9. Peter Brock - Barbagallo, Round 7, 06/07/97 (Commodore VS #05)
10. Greg Murphy - Symmons Plains, Round 4, 04/05/97 (Commodore VS #15)
11. Greg Murphy - Mallala, Round 9, 13/07/97 (Commodore VS #15)
12. Greg Murphy - Oran Park, Round 10, 03/08/97 (Commodore VS #15)
13. Craig Lowndes - Sandown, Round 1, 01/02/98 (Commodore VS #15)
14. Craig Lowndes - Symmons Plains, Round 2, 08/02/98 (Commodore VS #15)
15. Craig Lowndes - Phillip Island, Round 4, 19/04/98 (Commodore VS #15)
16. Craig Lowndes - Barbagallo, Round 7, 31/05/98 (Commodore VS #15)
17. Craig Lowndes - Calder Park, Round 8, 21/06/98 (Commodore VS #15)
18. Craig Lowndes - Oran Park, Round 10, 02/08/98 ( Commodore VT #15)
19. Mark Skaife - Eastern Creek, Round 1, 28/03/99 ( Commodore VT #2)
20. Craig Lowndes - Adelaide 500, Round 2, 11/04/99 ( Commodore VT #1)
21. Craig Lowndes - Barbagallo, Round 3, 02/05/99 ( Commodore VT #1)
22. Mark Skaife - Phillip Island, Round 4, 16/05/99 ( Commodore VT #2)
23. Mark Skaife - Sandown, Round 6, 27/06/99 ( Commodore VT #2)
24. Mark Skaife - Calder Park, Round 8, 25/07/99 ( Commodore VT #2)
25. Mark Skaife - Symmons Plains, Round 9, 08/08/99 ( Commodore VT #2)
26. Mark Skaife - Oran Park, Round 11, 05/09/99 ( Commodore VT #2)
27. Craig Lowndes - Barbagallo, Round 2, 19/03/00 ( Commodore VT #1)
28. Mark Skaife - Eastern Creek, Round 4, 30/04/00 ( Commodore VT #2)
29. Mark Skaife - Hidden Valley, Round 5, 21/05/00 ( Commodore VT #2)
30. Craig Lowndes - Qld Raceway, Round 7, 02/07/00 ( Commodore VT #1)
31. Mark Skaife - Oran Park, Round 9, 30/07/00 ( Commodore VT #2)
32. Mark Skaife/Craig Lowndes - Qld 500, Round 11, 10/09/00 ( Commodore VT #1)
33. Mark Skaife - Phillip Island, Round 1, 25/03/01 (Commodore VX #1)
34. Jason Bright - Clipsal 500, Round 2, 08/04/01 (Commodore VX #2)
35. Mark Skaife - Eastern Creek, Round 3, 29/04/01 (Commodore VX #1)
36. Mark Skaife - Oran Park, Round 8, 29/07/01 (Commodore VX #1)
37. Mark Skaife/Tony Longhurst - Bathurst 1000, Round 11, 07/10/01 (Commodore VX #1)
38. Mark Skaife - Clipsal 500, Round 1, 17/03/02 (Commodore VX #1)
39. Mark Skaife - Phillip Island, Round 2, 14/04/02 (Commodore VX #1)
40. Mark Skaife - Eastern Creek, Round 3, 28/04/02 (Commodore VX #1)
41. Mark Skaife - Hidden Valley, Round 4, 19/05/02 (Commodore VX #1)
42. Mark Skaife - Canberra 400, Round 5, 09/06/02 (Commodore VX #1)
43. Jason Bright - Barbagallo, Round 6, 30/06/02 (Commodore VX #2)
44. Mark Skaife - Oran Park, Round 7, 28/07/02 (Commodore VX #1)
45. Jason Bright - Winton, Round 8, 18/08/02 (Commodore VX #2)
46. Mark Skaife/Jim Richards - Bathurst 1000, Round 10, 13/10/02 (Commodore VX #1)
47. Mark Skaife - Clipsal 500, Round 1, 23/03/03 (Commodore VY #1)
48. Mark Skaife/Todd Kelly - Sandown 500, Round 9, 13/09/03 (Commodore VY #1)
49. Todd Kelly - Hidden Valley, Round 4, 23/05/04 (Commodore VY #22)
50. Todd Kelly - Shanghai, Round 5, 12/06/05 (Commodore VZ #22)

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[JoeT]

V8 Supercars: Destination Middle East?

Release Date: 01/07/05
www.v8supercars.com.au

An advance party led by Australian Vee Eight Supercar Company (AVESCO) Chairman Tony Cochrane to the Middle East has returned to confirm the likely staging of a race in 2007.

The outstanding success of the V8 Supercar Championship Series in China just over a fortnight ago buoyed the party which went virtually straight from Shanghai to visit several undisclosed locations in the Middle East region.

“It was a huge success and proves what a truly international series we now are” Mr Cochrane said of the reconnaissance mission.

“This is our third trip to the Middle East to meet with senior delegates from several countries who have expressed an interest in the V8 Supercar Championship Series.

“Those we met with were telling us how much regard they have for our World class product. Their level of awareness of our Series is really quite amazing. They are extremely familiar with what we do.

“The success of China proved to us that we are ready to go again, it’s just a matter of when. We’ve had our first experience of airlifting 32 cars, hundreds of tonnes of equipment and more than 400 people to another part of the world.

“That has prepared us to consider any country in the Indian, Asian and Pacific Basins to be our stage.”

Mr Cochrane was still coming down from the event at the Shanghai International Circuit where more than 100,000 spectators came to see what V8 Supercars were all about over the three days.

“The feedback from our teams, those who went along, the drivers and all manner of people has been quite incredible. Our office has been getting a dozens of communications of congratulations every single day and still is two weeks later,” he said.

“It was a very significant stake that we planted in the ground in China. It has made us realise, believe it or not, that even we at AVESCO perhaps underestimate our own profile around the World and our own international potential as an Australian sporting export.

“Having said that we are very conscience of our Australian fan base and their needs. We have always said that we will ensure there are 10 races permanently in Australia and four overseas, including New Zealand.

“Our commitment is to race in every state in Australia at least once every year, full stop. This is our stated goal. This ensures we remain a truly national sport and that every state has the opportunity to come and witness our great Championship first hand.

“AVESCO’s commitment is to keep seeking out the best facilities for our teams, television, sponsors and especially our growing band of fans. The China event at the $500 million Shanghai International Circuit, a similar venue in the Middle East and the upgrading of Bathurst has raised the bar for all Australian venues.”

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[JoeT]

The Red Lion Roars Again In Darwin

Release Date: 02/07/05
www.v8supercars.com.au

The Red Lion roared again in Darwin today when the Holden Racing Team scored a double in the first race of the SkyCity V8 Supercars at Hidden Valley Raceway.

Todd Kelly and Mark Skaife started side by side on the grid having qualified fastest and over the 17-lap sprint were not headed. It followed on from Kelly’s strong round win in the previous event in China. Kelly also won the Darwin event this time last year.

For Kelly it was another dominant performance from the youngster.

Championship contender Craig Lowndes finished third after a great drive including a fantastic pass under current champion Marcos Ambrose who made the smallest of errors that was quickly snapped up by his Ford colleague.

Steven Richards’ championship hopes turned to disaster when he left the track on lap 14 in the Team Perkins Holden. He finished 22nd for the day with two races tomorrow to make amends.

It was all Red from qualifying. Skaife impressed his young son Mitchell who made the trip to Darwin with dad by nailing the fastest time for the weekend with a sizzling shootout lap that stole pole position from his team-mate Todd Kelly.

Mark Winterbottom made his first career shootout which was a great boost for the young Orccon racer. He qualified in tenth but it was still a solid learning curve for the former champion of the up and coming secondary V8 Supercar series.

Caltex Racing’s Russell Ingall made a fatal mistake in qualifying when he failed to stop at the weigh scales during the second session. The subsequent penalty moved him from 10th and a shootout position to the back of the grid.

But a strong drive meant he moved up to 14th and salvaged invaluable points. He will now have his sights firmly set on the front of the pack tomorrow.


SKYCITY V8 Supercars Darwin, Hidden Valley Raceway - Round 6
Race Day: Saturday, 11:30-12:15 Race Duration: 20 Minutes
Qualifying

Final Position / Car No / Team / Driver / Car Type / Final Race Time / Time Gap
1 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VZ 1:08.8921 0:00.0000
2 888 Team Betta Electrical Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 1:09.0925 0:00.2004
3 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 1:09.0939 0:00.2018
4 11 Team Perkins Racing Steven Richards Holden Commodore VY 1:09.1579 0:00.2658
5 20 Larkham Orrcon Racing Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon BA 1:09.2066 0:00.3145
6 67 Sirromet-Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VZ 1:09.2805 0:00.3884
7 16 HSV Dealer Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VZ 1:09.3357 0:00.4436
8 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 1:09.3734 0:00.4813
9 6 Ford Performance Racing Jason Bright Ford Falcon BA 1:09.3975 0:00.5054
10 021 Team Kiwi Racing Paul Radisich Holden Commodore VZ 1:09.4551 0:00.5630
11 3 Dodo Racing Jason Richards Holden Commodore VZ 1:09.4837 0:00.5916
12 18 Westpoint Racing Glenn Seton Ford Falcon BA 1:09.5070 0:00.6149
13 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 1:09.5236 0:00.6315
14 44 Team Dynamik Simon Wills Holden Commodore VZ 1:09.5250 0:00.6329
15 5 Ford Performance Racing Greg Ritter Ford Falcon BA 1:09.5465 0:00.6544
16 12 Team BOC John Bowe Ford Falcon BA 1:09.5650 0:00.6729
17 88 Team Betta Electrical Steve Ellery Ford Falcon BA 1:09.6025 0:00.7104
18 8 WPS Racing Craig Baird Ford Falcon BA 1:09.6254 0:00.7333
19 24 Team Perkins Racing Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VY 1:09.6824 0:00.7903
20 15 HSV Dealer Team Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 1:09.8505 0:00.9584
21 45 WOW Sight & Sound Max Wilson Holden Commodore VZ 1:09.8764 0:00.9843
22 17 Westpoint Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 1:09.9176 0:01.0255
23 21 Team BOC Brad Jones Ford Falcon BA 1:09.9831 0:01.0910
24 51 Super Cheap Auto Racing Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VZ 1:10.0629 0:01.1708
25 23 Dodo Racing Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VZ 1:10.1103 0:01.2182
26 50 Super Cheap Auto Racing Paul Weel Holden Commodore VZ 1:10.1357 0:01.2436
27 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VZ 1:10.1368 0:01.2447
28 25 Fujitsu Racing Steve Owen Ford Falcon BA 1:10.3104 0:01.4183
29 52 Fujitsu Racing Matthew White Ford Falcon BA 1:10.3149 0:01.4228
30 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Andrew Jones Holden Commodore VZ 1:10.3376 0:01.4455
31 75 Toll Racing Anthony Tratt Holden Commodore VY 1:10.3580 0:01.4659
32 48 WPS David Besnard Ford Falcon BA 1:10.3947 0:01.5026
33 7 Autobarn Racing Alex Davison Holden Commodore VZ 2:59.1642 1:50.2721


SKYCITY V8 Supercars Darwin, Hidden Valley Raceway - Round 6
Race Day: Saturday, 12:30-13:00 Race Duration: 30 Minutes
Top 10 Shootout

Final Position / Car No / Team / Driver / Car Type / Final Race Time / Time Gap
1 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VZ 1:08.7300 0:00.0000
2 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 1:09.0249 0:00.2949
3 888 Team Betta Electrical Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 1:09.0323 0:00.3023
4 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 1:09.2677 0:00.5377
5 11 Team Perkins Racing Steven Richards Holden Commodore VY 1:09.3079 0:00.5779
6 16 HSV Dealer Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VZ 1:09.3835 0:00.6535
7 021 Team Kiwi Racing Paul Radisich Holden Commodore VZ 1:09.4329 0:00.7029
8 67 Sirromet-Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VZ 1:09.4812 0:00.7512
9 6 Ford Performance Racing Jason Bright Ford Falcon BA 1:09.7235 0:00.9935
10 20 Larkham Orrcon Racing Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon BA 1:09.9615 0:01.2315


SKYCITY V8 Supercars Darwin, Hidden Valley Raceway - Round 6
Race Day: Saturday, 15:00-15:20 Race Duration: 20 Minutes
Race 1

Final Position / Car No / Team / Driver / Car Type / Laps / Final Race Time / Fastest Time
1 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 17 20:08.1710 1:09.8544
2 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VZ 17 20:08.8656 1:09.9880
3 888 Team Betta Electrical Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 17 20:09.2385 1:10.1042
4 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 17 20:10.5154 1:10.0150
5 16 HSV Dealer Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VZ 17 20:19.1818 1:10.5192
6 021 Team Kiwi Racing Paul Radisich Holden Commodore VZ 17 20:20.1685 1:10.5302
7 67 Sirromet-Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VZ 17 20:21.0836 1:10.6923
8 18 Westpoint Racing Glenn Seton Ford Falcon BA 17 20:22.7822 1:10.7322
9 15 HSV Dealer Team Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 17 20:26.8877 1:10.8244
10 12 Team BOC John Bowe Ford Falcon BA 17 20:30.7146 1:11.1696
11 5 Ford Performance Racing Greg Ritter Ford Falcon BA 17 20:32.0643 1:11.2321
12 17 Westpoint Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 17 20:33.7587 1:10.9857
13 51 Super Cheap Auto Racing Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VZ 17 20:35.4999 1:11.2288
14 9 Caltex Racing Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 17 20:35.5928 1:10.7843
15 23 Dodo Racing Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VZ 17 20:38.7040 1:11.3794
16 45 WOW Sight & Sound Max Wilson Holden Commodore VZ 17 20:41.5451 1:10.7420
17 21 Team BOC Brad Jones Ford Falcon BA 17 20:41.7980 1:11.3601
18 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VZ 17 20:44.3134 1:11.2055
19 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Andrew Jones Holden Commodore VZ 17 20:45.0334 1:11.6022
20 25 Fujitsu Racing Steve Owen Ford Falcon BA 17 20:45.9633 1:11.4423
21 52 Fujitsu Racing Matthew White Ford Falcon BA 17 20:46.9649 1:11.6758
22 11 Team Perkins Racing Steven Richards Holden Commodore VY 17 20:48.4078 1:10.3513
23 7 Autobarn Racing Alex Davison Holden Commodore VZ 17 20:48.8656 1:11.5728
24 20 Larkham Orrcon Racing Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon BA 17 20:50.1900 1:11.6578
25 3 Dodo Racing Jason Richards Holden Commodore VZ 17 20:50.4464 1:10.7024
26 50 Super Cheap Auto Racing Paul Weel Holden Commodore VZ 16 20:12.8715 1:11.2108
27 8 WPS Racing Craig Baird Ford Falcon BA 16 20:14.2259 1:10.6731
28 88 Team Betta Electrical Steve Ellery Ford Falcon BA 15 20:13.1812 1:10.8269
DNF 75 Toll Racing Anthony Tratt Holden Commodore VY 15 18:18.2995 1:11.4041
DNF 24 Team Perkins Racing Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VY 10 13:12.6524 1:10.8376
DNF 48 WPS David Besnard Ford Falcon BA 6 7:28.3381 1:11.5684
DNF 44 Team Dynamik Simon Wills Holden Commodore VZ 3 11:13.2108 1:12.8864
DNF 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 0:00.0000 0:00.0000
DNF 6 Ford Performance Racing Jason Bright Ford Falcon BA 0:00.0000 0:00.0000

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