Two-wheel maestro Valentino Rossi is climbing a mountain.
Supercars Icon Switches to Ford
May I wish you and your families a wonderful New Year!
THERE ARE FEW BIGGER NAMES in global motorsport than Valentino Rossi, who confirmed this week he’ll compete under his trademark #46 number in the 2023 LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour February 3-5.
Rossi is the highest profile driver to compete in Australia’s international endurance race at Mount Panorama since its re-launch in 2007.
His co-drivers are experienced enduro specialists Belgian Maxime Martin and Brazilian Augusto Farfus and they will battle it out against other international motorsport stars and our Supercars drivers in a host of the swishiest of GT3 chariots.
Unique bars, classic cars on display, entertainment and food offerings add to the motoring festival feel, the LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour delivers an unforgettable experience.
An additional fan bonus is that the 2022 FIA Formula 1 ™ World Champions Oracle Red Bull Racing will attack the amazing mountain circuit in the double F1 title winning RB7 (below) – a model raced in the 2011 championship, but still a spritely beast.
And hopes are high that our dashing Daniel Ricciardo will be behind the wheel of the beast, now he has a little more spare time at his disposal!
Checo Reckons “No Worries, Mate!”
Christian Horner and Daniel Ricciardo embrace, as the Team announces the Australian’s return. Image courtesy of Red Bull Racing
Meanwhile Red Bull’s Mexican superstar Sergio Perez, at 32 just one year younger than Daniel, said the Aussie’s signing has little in the way of ramifications for him.
“I’m pretty relaxed,” Checo told Sky Sports F1. “We live under a lot of pressure all the time. It doesn’t change anything from my side.
“I think it’s a great achievement for the team to have a driver like Daniel. He’s going to contribute a lot to our team.
“He’s a great guy, he’s one of the guys I get on with the most in the paddock.
“It’s just great to have Daniel in the team and from my side, it doesn’t change anything.
“We started our careers at a similar time. We’ve known each other for a long time and certainly get on with him.”
Remember, Daniel is well and truly aware 27-year-old Dutchman Nyck De Vries is poised to make his fulltime F1 debut driving for Red Bull’s sister team AlphaTauri.
Supercars Icon Switches to Ford
Supercars icon Garth Tander has joined Penrite Racing as enduro co-driver from 2023, in a remarkable switcheroo from Holden to Ford that has the paddock buzzing.
After 642 starts — and 57 wins — in Commodores, Garth will race a Ford for the first time in Supercars.
The five-time Bathurst 1000 winner provides significant fire power to Penrite’s enduro campaign, while playing a crucial role in mentoring Matt Payne in his rookie season in the Repco Supercars Championship.
With the introduction of the Gen3 spec Supercar for the new season, the Perth-born racer, adds mega experience to developing the Penrite Racing Ford Mustangs, having worked with newly appointed Technical Director Grant McPherson and Race Engineer Alistair McVean, both of whom have engineered Garth to victory at the great race.
Garth, currently an expert analyst with Supercars Media broadcast team, has been a co-driver with Triple Eight since 2019 and he and Shane van Gisbergen have emerged as the sport’s dominant force, winning in 2020 and claiming Holden’s final Bathurst victory. It was Tander’s fifth win, and van Gisbergen’s second.
DAVID CAUCHI, Penrite Racing Team Principal:
“To have an individual of Garth’s calibre elect to partner with us is a testament to the work the team have done over the past year and exemplifies the progress we have made. He’s a terrific guy who I have had the pleasure of working with previously and his knowledge and experience will be invaluable to the team.”
GARTH TANDER, five-time Bathurst champ:
“I’ve been fortunate enough to work in some great race teams in Supercars. What I have seen Stephen and Brenton Grove achieve in a very short time frame is seriously impressive.
“When they asked me to be part of what they are building for the future, not only as a driver, but also to help mentor Matt Payne, who has already proven to be an immense talent and also help guide the Grove Junior Team it was something that grabbed my attention.
“I would also like to thank everyone at Triple 8 Race Engineering for the last 4 years.
“To have the opportunity to win Bathurst in 2020 and 2022, with SVG, added another chapter to my career and that’s something I am very grateful for.”
The inaugural round of the Gen3 era is scheduled for Newcastle, NSW, March 10-12 with tickets on sale on Supercars.com and Ticketek.com.
WASCC 2023 Memberships link
The WA Sporting Car Club – one of the largest in the country – launches its 2023 season on Saturday February 4 with action at the renamed CARCO.com.au Raceway, then on Sunday March 4 for the CARCO.com.au Cup!
The Supercars series returns to Western Australia at the State’s premier motor racing circuit at Wanneroo April 28-30 for the inaugural season of the Gen3 era with the 2023 Repco Supercars Championship contested over 12 rounds.
The Gen3 Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro first race on the streets of Newcastle on March 10-12, followed by the Beaurepaires Melbourne 400 and then arriving in Perth for the Perth SuperSprint.
The announcement follows a new multi-year deal struck between Supercars and the WA Government for the future of the Perth SuperSprint at CARCO.com.au Raceway.
The WASCC admin office and raceway closed on December 23 and reopen 8:00am on Tuesday January 3. Members have access to their garages between 6:00am – 6:00pm throughout the closure period, except for public holidays.
You may secure your WASCC Memberships for 2023 here today and go into the draw to WIN a free upgrade to an Ultimate Racing Membership valued at $1,770!
Aussie Official Named World’s Best
Motorsport Australia official Christopher McMahon (right) has been named 2022 FIA Senior Official of the Year.
Among a small number of officials recognised from around the world, McMahon was acknowledged for his work as a senior steward.
The Queenslander has been a regular contributor to motorsport in Australia, including as one of the current co-chairs of the Repco Supercars Championship Stewards Panel.
He is also passionate about developing and mentoring officials looking to advance through the officiating pathway.
“It’s a bit humbling but I am very chuffed that my efforts have been acknowledged,” McMahon said. “To be honest, I am a little embarrassed as stewarding is a team activity, and I was individually recognised. However, it is all very pleasing and came as a complete surprise.”
Motorsport Australia Officials have been recognised every year since 2011, highlighting the skills and expertise working across the sport locally.
Please Consider Subscribing to ACM for 2023
ACM WAS CREATED IN 2016 by the good graces of my friend Bert van Zuylen to try to get my head straight after a major health scare. We went live that November and our aim seems to be true, ‘cos I’m still here – in my 79th year!
And that minor miracle is due largely to the generous support of Al Letcher and his Automotive Equipment businesses, Dick Ward and his Go Gear Racing Services, and Ozbiztech’s Zaid Bilal!
We’re in the midst of a much-needed and long-overdue major overhaul of the site which we hope to unleash early in the New Year.
A $15 annual subscription for a motorsport fan could well go down a treat.
While ACM remains a labour of love, essential ongoing maintenance is a costly exercise and requires IT expertise I simply don’t possess.
So, I really would appreciate your ongoing support during 2023 – by subscription, or even donating.
Every little bit helps!
And writing this regular column gives me great pleasure and continues to keep my brain ticking over.
I look forward to your company during 2023. And I always welcome your comments. Thank you, Adrian.
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