div class="image-right"a href="http://www.superhoistplus.com" rel="self"img class="imageStyle" alt="image-1" src="http://www.amrc.net.au/news/amrc/files/superhoistlogo" width="283" height="69"//a/divThe presentation of teams racing in the 2008 Australian Motor Racing Championships is set to be raised to a new level, with support and prizes from strongSuper Hoist Plus/strong.br /br /The presentation of the cars and teams will be judged by scrutineers at each race weekend. The best three cars will be announced at each event, and will then gain points that will be added to a tally to determine the top three cars at the end of the year. The top three cars in the final tally will be eligible for the following fantastic prizes:br /br /div class="image-left"a href="http://www.amrc.net.au/news/amrc/assets/Tyre Changer 821[4].pdf" rel="self"img class="imageStyle" alt="Tyre Changer[4]" src="http://www.amrc.net.au/news/amrc/files/tyrechanger.jpg" width="48" height="90"//aa href="http://www.amrc.net.au/news/amrc/assets/Wheel Balancer 251 With Hood[4].pdf" rel="self"img class="imageStyle" alt="Wheel Balancer 251[4]" src="http://www.amrc.net.au/news/amrc/files/wheelbalancer.jpg" width="68" height="91"//a/divstrongFirst Place: Tyre Changer and Wheel Balancer Package/strong. The fantastic NHT-821 Tyre Changer makes changing tyres a breeze. Adjustable for wheel diameters from 12" to 23", and widths upto 13", with a bead breaker force of 2500kg, this tyre changer makes a welcome addition to any workshop. And it is complemented perfectly by the NHT-251 Wheel Balancer. Suitable for wheel diameters from 10" to 24", and widths up to 20", and with an amazing accuracy of +/- 1g, the tyre changer will help you totally eliminate vibrations.br /br /div class="image-left"a href="http://www.amrc.net.au/news/amrc/assets/YSJ-3000 spec sheet low res.pdf" rel="self"img class="imageStyle" alt="YSJ-3000 clipped[4]" src="http://www.amrc.net.au/news/amrc/files/twoposthoist.jpg" width="71" height="66"//a/divstrongSecond Place: Two Post Hoist/strong. The Super Hoist Plus YSJ-3000 is the perfect two post hoist for any workshop. With a lifting capacity of 3000kg, and capable of lifting to a height of 1.8 metres, this two post hoist will help the second best presented competitor to be even better presented and prepared.br /br /div class="image-left"a href="http://www.amrc.net.au/news/amrc/assets/YYJ-2800 low res.pdf" rel="self"img class="imageStyle" alt="YYJ-2800[4]" src="http://www.amrc.net.au/news/amrc/files/moveablehoist.jpg" width="87" height="70"//a/divstrongThird Place: Moveable Hoist/strong. The Super Hoist Plus YYJ-2800 is the ideal solution for lifting cars where space or installation is limited. The moveable hoist can be used on any flat (and hard) surface, and has a lifting capacity of 2800kg, and can lift to a height of 1.2 metres. This hoist will be awarded to third placegetter in the Super Hoist Plus Best Presented competition.br /br /A fantastic prize pool from the terrific guys at Super Hoist Plus, valued at over $10,000, this provides even more incentive to turn out a well presented car and team.br /br /In addition, Super Hoist Plus are offering a strong10% discount to all AMRC competitors/strong. Just quote this article when discussing your purchase.br /br /Super Hoist Plus P/L is a national company with distributors in all states of Australia. They offer a great range of top quality, Australian Standards compliant workshop equipment at very competitive prices. For more information on the company, check out their website: a href="http://www.superhoistplus.com" rel="self"www.superhoistplus.com/abr /br /The Super Hoist Plus Best Presented Competition will be judged at each round of the Australian Motor Racing Championships, with the scrutineers nominating the top three cars at each event. Judging criteria will include the presentation and preparation of the car, as well as the preparation of the team. First place at each round will be awarded 10 points. Second place will be awarded 5 points, and Third will be awarded 3 points.br /br /The next round of the Australian Motor Racing Championships will be held at Melbourne's Calder Park, 26-27 April. Keep track of all the latest news via the official website: a href="http://www.amrc.net.au" rel="self"www.amrc.net.au/adiv class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1710207993483751665-1450747847586990870?l=granturismochampionship.blogspot.com'//div

AMRC

divWakefield Park saw the track debut of Australian motorsport’s newest competition concept, the Pirelli Gran Turismo Championship, with a number of competitors firing their opening shots for the 2008 season in anger in what would be the first of the nine round series./divdiv /divdivWith the hectic schedule for competitors with Gran Turismo spec cars during the early months of 2008, series organiser Melissa Roberts was reflective about entry numbers and not in any way concerned about the relatively ‘low-key’ event.  “We knew it would be tight this time of year, especially with new cars arriving for competitors, the hectic early season calendar with Clipsal and the AGP, two iconic rounds that GT competitors look to enter because of the status of those events../divdiv /divdiv“We’ve been in discussion with a number of competitors across the country and the Pirelli Gran Turismo Championship concept has been very well received.  This is all about the competitor and we’re not forcing them to have to choose between us and an event they may campaign every year, so they have that opportunity to miss one or two rounds and still compete for championship honours.”/divdiv /divdivUnder clear skies it was experienced campaigner Rod Wilson who took early honours in his Trofeo Motorsport Maserati Trofeo GT3 setting the fastest qualifying time, marginally clear of Graeme Cook’s 2000 model Porsche 996 RS. “I just needed to be a fraction quicker,” Cook admitted afterwards, “because now Rod’s got control of the start and it’s so tight around here that unless I can get an early jump, I fear that the Porsche is going to be held up on the straight.”/divdiv /divdivMuch to Cook’s frustration his prophecy was right, the less powerful Maserati getting the jump into turn one on every occasion to hold out the Porsche, but it did keep Wilson honest. “Those 17-lappers were killers,” Rod smiled afterwards, “there was no time to relax with Graeme on my tail the whole way..”/divdiv /divdivFriday allowed competitors the first opportunity to dial in their cars before lap times became official. Former AMRS competitor Scott Lyddiard was one that was relishing the opportunity to gain miles, enjoying every lap in the former GT Championship winning Dodge Viper of Greg Crick, turning in some very respectable times./divdiv /divdiv“I really haven’t completed too many laps prior to this” he admitted, “and it is very different to drive compared to the Porsche 993 I ran in past years, but I love the horsepower and it’s such a good looking car..”/divdiv /divdivFor many competitors too it was their first chance to compete in anger on the Pirelli control-tyre for the series, the first time many teams had competed with the iconic brand./divdiv /divdivAt the close of qualifying Wilson managed to overcome an early deficit to Cook, who had set the practice pace, to record pole by the narrowest of margins in both sessions, ultimately coming out clear of Cook by just 17 one thousandths of a second in Q2 - his pole time, 1:01.1744. Third was Lyddiard in the Viper who was just half a second off the leaders and relishing the chance to gain valuable miles with the Viper on the Pirellis, with Roger Lago making his circuit debut in his ex-Carrera Cup Asia 997 Porsche fourth, just clear of Jim Manolios in the second Trofeo GT3./divdiv /divdivWith the spectacular Maserati GranTurismo Pace car leading the field for their first rolling start race it was the Maserati of Rod Wilson leading the way.  As Graeme Cook had prophesised, Wilson’s Maserati led the field into turn one for each of the three races, and was quick enough through the top of the circuit to keep the more powerful Porsche at bay. “I knew if he had me at turn one, it was going to be almost impossible to beat him,” Cook admitted. “The Maserati was more nimble through the tighter sections, but I had so much more speed on the straight, but it just wasn’t long enough to catch him and then pass him..”/divdiv /divdivWilson’s advantage helped him to three straight wins, with Cook’s Porsche second at every juncture.. “I think we’ll have him at Calder,” Graeme summised afterwards, “we’re fitting the RSR sequential gearbox after the AGP and the straights there are longer, so we’ll be ready..”/divdiv /divdivThird outright, and getting faster with every session was Lyddiard who ended the final of Sunday’s three races just marginally ahead of Lago in his ‘new’ 997 Cup Car. “We’re getting faster with each session as we learn the new Pirelli’s,” Scott admitted. “The car was set up for a different tyre and we struggled a little early, but we spoke with Cricky’s engineer and he explained what we could do to adjust the car, and it was a lot quicker, I’m very happy./divdiv /divdivLago too was all smiles after another great race with Lyddiard. “He took race one honours, I grabbed them in the second one after he made a slight mistake, and I got him again in this one despite him getting the early jump, but then I missed a gear and couldn’t find a way past../divdiv /divdiv“It’s been an excellent event and I’m actually quite happy there weren’t too many entries because it gave me my first chance to run the car and get a feel for it without having to worry about other guys banging doors. Really this is my first experience in a circuit racing championship like this and my first time to Wakefield, so I’m rapt, it was an excellent weekend./divdiv /divdiv“I also like the fact that we have some serious television to offer value to sponsors. It’s great to go and do the odd state round, but that costs much the same but doesn’t provide you the laps or the media exposure, and let’s face it, sponsors are important, and giving those sponsors value for their investment is critical, so the PGTC is ideal..”/divdiv /divdivDespite an ideal start to their PGTC campaign, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Trofeo Motorsport team, Rod Wilson’s team-mate Jim Manolios off the pace during the three races after running within touch of Lagos and Lyddiard during practice./divdiv /divdiv“I can’t explain what happened,” a frustrated Manolios said afterwards. “I was very happy with our practice pace, and figured once I bolted new rubber on I’d be well in touch with Scott and Roger, but for some reason, I couldn’t get within reach of them during the races.”/divdiv /divdivA review of the Manolios Trofeo GT3 on return to team headquarters in Melbourne revealed a practice spin had actually damaged the silencer and the torque tube on the Maserati which may have contributed to his lack of pace./divdiv /divdiv“Regardless, we’ll repair it and be ready for the next round at Calder.. I can’t wait.”/divdiv /divdivRound two of the 2008 Pirelli Gran Turismo Championship will be held at Melbourne’s Calder Park Raceway on April 26-27, with the opening round of the PGTC scheduled to appear on Speedweek  amp; Foxtel (check local guides for details)./divdivEntries forms for Calder to follow later in the week./divdiv /divdiv2008 Pirelli Gran Turismo Championship points/divdiv1.         Rod Wilson - Maserati Trofeo GT3 (30 points)/divdiv2.         Graeme Cook - Porsche 996 RS (26)/divdiv3.         Scott Lyddiard - Dodge Viper GT3 (17)/divdiv4.         Roger Lago - Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Car (16)/divdiv5.         Jim Manolios - Maserati Trofeo GT3 (12)/divdiv class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1710207993483751665-2693074986007911741?l=granturismochampionship.blogspot.com'//div

AMRC

From its very first days as the AMRS, the Australian Motor Racing Championships has been about innovation and pioneering new paths in Australian Motorsport. And in 2008, the tradition continues - the latest development is about recognising the often overlooked efforts of the officials that make our events possible.br /br /Every race meeting has an army of officials working behind the scenes, working in race control, working on the circuit, manning flagpoints and recovery vehicles, driving the course car, and keeping things in order in pitlane. Without these hardworking, and for the most part volunteer, people, there could be no racing.br /br /Quite frequently, drivers will thank the officials when accepting awards, and give them a wave on the slow down lap, but now, in 2008, the AMRC, in conjunction with V8RACE Experience and QR Raceway RACE Experience, officials at Australian Motor Racing Championships events will have the chance to enjoy one of the fantastic experiences on offer from V8RACE Experience and QR Raceway RACE Experience.br /br /The experience includes Pre-Drive Tuition, Use of Race Suit and Helmet, a Personal in-car coach, and the chance to drive a V8RACE car, at one of Australia's premier circuits. One experience will be up for grabs at each AMRC round by way of a raffle draw.br /br /For more information on V8RACE Experience, head to the official website: a href="http://www.v8race.com.au"www.v8race.com.au/abr /For information on QR Raceway RACE Experience, head to the official website: a href="http://www.qldraceways.com.au/V8_RaceX/v8_racex_index.html"www.qldraceways.com.au/a br /br /For information on how you can become an official, head to the AASA a href="http://australianautosportalliance.com/aasa/index.php?option=com_contactItemid=3"Contact Us/a page, and get in touch with the AASA staff.br /br /To our officials we say THANK YOU, and good luck in the next draw to win a V8RACE Experience!div class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/1710207993483751665-373878306220138478?l=granturismochampionship.blogspot.com'//div

AMRC