It was a quiet weekend on the Oz BOSS front for Round Two at Calder Park. With regular front-runner Ty Hanger taking a sabbatical, and the Formula R drivers electing not to take the journey to Melbourne, Bob Muir and Sam Dale were the sole competitors. The ProtoSports cars added some spice though, and managed to keep Bob Muir honest when Dale couldn't.

Muir enjoyed a strong performance all weekend, the only disappointment being the absence of more competitors to judge his strong performance against. Conversely though, Dale had a weekend to forget.

During Friday practice, Dale's Reynard 94D suffered a starter motor malfunction. While the team were pushing the car back to the garage, Dale managed to run over his own right foot with one of the rear wheels. Although the starter motor was easily repaired, the right foot continued to give trouble throughout the weekend - swelling and pain forcing Dale to adapt to left foot braking.

For Saturday practice, Muir was enjoying the long Calder straights, and stretching the legs of his Lexus V8-powered Reynard 94D. Dale spent the session adapting to left foot braking, and downshifting without the clutch.

In qualifying, Muir set a scorching 57.2s laptime, ahead of the West of Laucke, and Dale battling on to set 59.5s. The remaining ProtoSports were close behind and showed promise of making it an exciting race.

The rain came down hard on Saturday night, and the circuit was still damp for the first race on Sunday morning as the cars came around for the rolling start. Muir controlled the start, and powered ahead of Laucke initially. Dale was struggling for grip (and to modulate the power with his swollen right foot), and was passed by Shane Otten (West). Otten saw his chance into the first corner, and slithered into the lead! Otten held the top spot for the first four laps, when Muir was able to power through. Laucke got the better of Otten five laps later, and then went on to seriously challenge Muir, the two block-parrying for a number of laps. Dale had done his best, but to no avail. Seven laps into the race he lost drive through an output shaft failure in the transmission - the failure would put him out for the remainder of the weekend. Laucke's assault on Muir continued, and almost ended in tears on the final lap. Laucke touched the grass as he came onto the straight for the final time, losing control in the process - he performed three full spins, narrowly missing the wall, and crossing the finish line backwards - he hadn't seen the chequered flag, and carried on for an extra lap. Otten narrowly missed out on passing Laucke during his spin, but placed third ahead of Michael Gibson (Saker) and Bruce Burchett (West).

For the second race, the circuit was fully dry. Muir led them away from the standing start, but relinquished his lead on the second lap to Otten. Muir was ahead again a lap later, but then had to contend with Laucke who managed to hold the lead from lap 10 to lap 13. Meanwhile, ProtoSports debutante Michael Gibson suffered a major fire in his Subaru-powered Saker. Muir went on to win the race, followed by Laucke, Otten and Burchett.

Muir took out the round for Oz BOSS, and now leads the championship.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bob Muir has powered to victory at Goulburn's Wakefield Park in his Reynard Lexus V8 Big Open Single Seater.

Early pacesetter, Ty Hanger took pole in his RALT RT4 Formula Atlantic, revelling in the smooth conditions of Wakefield Parks new surface. Bob Muir qualified second, ahead of Sam Dale who battled overheating problems in his Reynard 94D F3000V6, right until the dying minutes of the qualifying session. Next up was Adam Barnes, who set a scorching sub-1 minute time in his Dallara F398 Formula R. A strong brace of Formula R cars made up the rest of the grid, with the ProtoSports mixed in for a little extra excitement.

In the first race, Ty Hanger built an early lead, stretching the legs of the RALT, and coming within 2 tenths of a second of breaking the outright lap record. Sam Dale managed to get past Bob Muir mid-race, and built a small gap, but went on to spin a couple of laps later. Dale's car stalled, and was stricken at the exit of the "Fish hook", which forced the safety car to be deployed. The safety car neutralised Hanger's lead, and left the circuit with only one lap remaining. Hanger and Muir ran nose to tail for the final lap, but Hanger was able to hold on across the line. Adam Barnes took third place - improving on his time from qualifying, and leading home Glenn Lynch, Craig Dawson, Barry Elbourn, Eric Barnes, Terry Robertson and Warwick Robertson, all in Formula R cars. Sam Dale and Russell Newell were the only non-finishers.

Between the two races, Ty Hanger discovered he had a blown head gasket in his RALT RT4, and was forced to withdraw from the second race.

Muir lead the field away, with a number of cars coming together behind him as at least two cars stalled on the grid. Sam Dale, starting from the back, took advantage and moved from 16th to 4th by the end of the opening lap. Separating Muir and Dale was Glenn Lynch in 3rd and one of the ProtoSports cars (Mark Laucke) in 2nd. In his haste to get to the front though, Sam Dale spun in turn 1 on the second lap, and was again dropped down the order. Muir and Lynch were essentially untroubled at the front of the field, while Dale set about trying to regain the positions he had lost through the spin, passing a number of the Formula R cars along the way. The safety car was again deployed to recover a stricken car, and the field closed up. It was during this period that Sam Dale was forced to retire with a punctured radiator hose - all in all not a good weekend for the Mumbo Racing driver. Muir had it all his own way though at the front. Using the power of the big V8 to pull away at the restart, and bring the car across the line in first place. Lynch was second of the Oz BOSS cars, followed by Eric Barnes, Craig Dawson and Barry Elbourn, all driving Formula R machines. The list of cars that didn't make the finish was a little longer this time, with Adam Barnes out after the startline incident, Russell Newell out on lap 7, Dale on lap 9, and both Warwick and Terry Robertson not quite making the finish.

Bob Muir was awarded outright victory for the day, followed by Glenn Lynch, and Ty Hanger grabbed enough points in the first race to wrap up third.

Ty Hanger won the Formula Atlantic class, Bob Muir the BOSS class and the Formula R winners were: Glenn Lynch - 1st, Craig Dawson - 2nd, Eric Barnes - 3rd.

The next round of the 2008 Oz BOSS Championship will be held at Melbourne's Calder Park, 26-27 April. If you thought the action at Round One was good, just wait until Round Two!

Bob Muir has won the opening round of the 2008 Oz BOSS Championship. In what was an exciting preview to the season ahead, a strong field, and plenty of action saw Muir top the tables at the end of the day. Pre-race favourite, Ty Hanger was forced to withdraw after the opening race with engine problems.

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

Round One of the 2008 Oz BOSS Championship is nearly here, and even before the cars hit Goulburn's Wakefield Park layout, the competition is looking fierce.

Defending champion, Ty Hanger will be the man to beat, but will be aboard his RALT RT4 Formula Atlantic (rather than his Reynard 95D F3000V6 mount). Taking the fight to Hanger will be Bob Muir, in his Lexus V8-powered Reynard 94D, and Sam Dale in his slightly less powerful F3000V6-spec Reynard 94D. The newly resurfaced circuit is an unknown quantity, but it is expected that the removal of some of the bumps will help the more stiffly sprung F3000V6 cars, more than it will help the more softly sprung Formula Atlantics (which already did a pretty good job of riding the bumps). Chris Farrell should make a strong showing in his 2001 Swift 014a Formula Atlantic, as it features a stiffer setup similar to the F3000V6 cars.

The Formula R ranks are continuing to grow, with a number of ex Formula 3 cars coming online, as well as plenty of ex F2 cars. David Choon has proven to be a strong performer, as well as Glenn Lynch and 2007 Formula R Champion Barry Elbourn. Warwick Robertson has been working hard on his car, and will no doubt be intending to beat his old man, Terry Robertson. Other strong contenders in the field include Adam Barnes and Craig Dawson, both in ex-F3 machines.

The cars should hit the track on Friday for unofficial practice, and then official practice and qualifying is scheduled for Saturday (1 Mar). Both races will be held on Sunday (2 Mar).

If you can't make it to Wakefield Park to catch all the action live, keep up-to-date at www.ozboss.net - with a particular eye on the News section, and the Live Gallery, both of which should receive updates from the circuit.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For more information on V8RACE Experience, head to the official website: www.v8race.com.au
For information on QR Raceway RACE Experience, head to the official website: www.qldraceways.com.au

For information on how you can become an official, head to the AASA Contact Us page, and get in touch with the AASA staff.

To our officials we say THANK YOU, and good luck in the next draw to win a V8RACE Experience!

For 2008, the Oz BOSS website has had a major overhaul, and raced ahead into the leading edge of website technology to bring you more accessible content and a better experience when visiting the site. To help you get the most out of the new features of the site, we've added an article to the "About" page, highlighting some key areas for attention, including:

• Using the latest version of a good web browser
• Staying up to the minute by accessing the latest news a number of different ways
• Exploring the various areas of the website, and making the navigation system work for you
• Giving us your feedback
• Making a contribution to the site

To read the full article, click here. Or access it at any time through the "About" page.

Congratulations to 2007 Oz BOSS Champion, Ty Hanger, for an outstanding performance at the A1GP meeting at Sydney's Eastern Creek over the weekend.

Hanger demolished the Historic Sports & Racing Cars field, in his RALT RT4. He took pole by three and a half seconds (from fellow Oz BOSS competitor, Chris Farrell), and went on to win Race One and Race Two (the latter by a 25 second margin). The third race was called off as a result of typhoon weather conditions.

An exciting new addition to the Oz BOSS ranks is the IndyCar of Matt "Kangaroo Kid" Coulter.

Coulter has had an ex-Eddie Cheever 2002 IndyCar in his possession for several years, but has been lacking a couple of key components he had been having difficulty getting his hands on. He's managed to remedy that situation though, by purchasing a whole new car!

Coulter visited the United States during the off season, and managed to purchase the car (pictured) to add to his collection, and it includes the key elements he has been missing. The car should be on Australian shores soon, and expect Coulter to really mix it up in the Oz BOSS field.

The Kangaroo Kid, as Coulter is known to his fans, is no stranger to being the centre of attention. He holds a number of world records for jumping quad bikes, and spent a number of years touring the world with his Kangaroo Kid quad bike show. He enjoyed a brief foray with the AMRS in 2007, driving a Production Car, with immediate success. Watch out for him in his new machine in 2008!