Hazelwood ready to bounce back after fifth placing on day one

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Hazelwood in Practice yesterday. Credit: Jake Burgess/0-100 Photography

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Todd Hazelwood has placed fifth in practice for Round 2 of the V8 Supercars Dunlop Series at Barbagallo Raceway for the Perth SuperSprint this weekend.

The round is coming off the bat from a successful test day last week at Matt Stone Racing’s home track at Queensland Raceway, and the 19-year-old is confident going into qualifying tomorrow.

“Our performance in Practice 2 was very encouraging and showed that we have genuine speed to compete for the podium this weekend,” Hazelwood said.

“I was held up in traffic on my fastest lap which cost me time.

“We have good potential to move further forward tomorrow and hopefully we can put it all together in the short qualifying session tomorrow, as the times are very close so the smallest mistake will be costly.”

The teenager believes that preserving the tyres as much as possible will help this weekend in the races.

“The practice session was rather frustrating as the first few flying laps of the session were the fastest, and then for the last 30 minutes we were making good progress with set-up but didn’t have enough tyre life left to get a reading if we were making progress or not,” Hazelwood said.

“But it was good to have a long run on the tyres and see how long they lasted.

“We had good speed on old tyres, which will help us with long high tyre degradation tomorrow.”

The South Australian will head into Round 2 of the championship at Perth sitting inside the top ten of the Dunlop Development Series in ninth position on 174 points.

The Mike Kable Young Gun managed to finish fourth on debut at Barbagallo last year, and wants to go that step further gaining his first podium in the series.

Today’s racing kicks off with Qualifying and Race 1, which will be live on Foxtel.

Racing schedule: Perth SuperSprint (Live on Fox 5)
Saturday
Qualifying 1 – 11:55 (40 minutes)
Race 1 – 14:15 (28 laps)
Sunday
Race 2 – 10:10 (28 laps)
Race 3 – 12:45 (28 laps)

Working as hard as Steel: future F1 star Steel Guiliana

Fiasco Sports, Formula 1, Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Sprint Karting

Motorsport is a long and hard road, and no one knows the international track more than Australian Steel Guiliana, who is on the way to his Formula 1 dream.

Steel Guiliana leading the pack at Mt. Panorama, Bathurst. Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

For 22-year-old Steel Guiliana, life is a juggle between working hard and driving with pure dedication and skill to make it to the pinnacle of world motorsport, Formula 1.

Raised on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Guiliana immediately impressed those competing against him, from the beginning in go-karts and winning numerous titles in the rookie and junior ranks, even against current V8 Supercar drivers and current F1 driver, Daniel Ricciardo.

Guiliana pursued towards his dream at a very young age, at just 15 years old he lived in Austria to compete in the European Rotax Karting Championship, where Guiliana went on to finish second in the series.

Austria kickstarted Guiliana’s international racing career, then he moved to Italy where he won the Italian Karting Championship and was also given the opportunity to race in the Formula BMW category.

The rising star then raced in America, but later returned back home to Australia to compete in the Australian Formula 3 Drivers’ Championship, where Guiliana claimed seven race wins in his first season in the national class and was also awarded a $50,000 scholarship to race in the series for the following year.

Guiliana continued to pursue his dream to the Formula 1 grid, testing in GP3 at the end of 2012, showing the world he has what it takes.

The Central Coast driver decided in November 2013 to team up with 1980 Formula 1 World Champion Alan Jones to travel to Abu Dhabi, to hopefully seal a deal for GP3 in the 2014 season.

Fiasco Sports motorsport reporter Loren Hazelwood recently caught up with Guiliana, asking about his future and delving into how hard he has worked to get where he is today.

Steel at Symmons Plains, Tasmania. Photo: Steel Guiliana’s official website

Loren: Racing is your passion and has always been in your blood, how did you first get involved with racing?

Steel: My Dad came from a racing background running Formula Ford earlier in his career, so he took me to a kart track when I was five years old and we went to Newcastle to see what it was like. I was instantly hooked, then Dad bought an old go-kart and started practicing when I was six. I started at Coffs Harbour and raced at Newcastle by the time I was seven.

Loren: You’ve raced all over the world and at some incredible circuits, what would be your favourite?

Steel: My favourite tracks would definitely be Monza and Singapore, mainly because of the atmosphere behind the venues, it makes it more exciting to drive around. Singapore is probably my favourite circuit to race at though, but Monza is awesome because of the venue.

Loren: All round, you have sacrificed a lot to go racing, what has kept your passion alive for the last 15 years?

Steel: Going fast. I love the speed and the adrenaline, and also the competition, I don’t like losing. I have a passion for fast cars and everything that goes on behind the scenes. It’s awesome to be honoured to drive a car that hundreds of people have prepared just for you.

Loren: Would you be able to describe a typical lap in an open wheel car?

Steel: It’s very challenging to start with, the harder you push under brakes the more stable the car is, you have to get rid of the fear of the speed and once you’ve done that you will be confident to go fast, and in saying that you have to be fit to handle the g-forces the car produces. You also can’t just plant your foot coming out of a corner, so there is a lot of different techniques that can be used. The hardest thing is to not make a mistake over 20-40 laps and hold concentration for that period of time, while other people are racing with you.

Loren: What is your plan for 2014?

Steel: To compete in the GP3 series in Europe.

Loren: Who is your racing idol and mentor?

Steel: That would be Alan Jones, and also Ayrton Senna. Ayrton was my first idol and when I started to learn a bit about what Alan did to get into Formula 1 and the hard route he had I started to look up to him and achieved world champion status from a difficult background.

Loren: What has the experience been like working alongside the likes of Alan Jones?

Steel: It’s ben great to get inside knowledge to how people work in Formula 1. It’s a very cut throat business and if you don’t know the right people it’s very difficult, so to be able to work next to Alan is a great pleasure for myself and it’s great having someone of his status to help support my racing. He’s been able to give me advice on fitness he used to do and it’s been incredible to talk to someone who raced in the 70s and 80s when the cars weren’t easy to drive.

Steel Guiliana and Alan Jones. Photo: Steel Guiliana

Loren: How big is the difference between racing in Australia against racing Internationally?

Steel: I think the level of competition is very similar, but the different is you may have the top two or three guys to take victory, which we saw in the Australian Formula 3 category this year, where as overseas there can be ten different drivers in a series that win races. The way the teams go about it is very different also, overseas you don’t get a lot of practice, where as over here you get a bit of time to try different things.

Loren: Where was your best ever race?

Steel: When i finished third in the championship round in England back in 2005, that was definitely a highlight to be able to be in the European championship as a privateer and run alongside factory teams on their home track and to end up on the podium was a big thing.

Loren: Anyone you would like to thank or any other comments?

Steel: Big thanks to my parents who have supported me since I was seven, my crew back home for their continued support, my manager Titus Day, my girlfriend for helping out with my media, Alan Jones and his manager Patrick Wedes, R-Tek Motorsport for preparing my Formula 3 car over the last three years and Peter Hawkes and Aaron Borg for mentoring me. The list could go on forever really, but these people have been crucial in helping me get to Formula 1.

Steel racing in Formula BMW. Photo: Steel Guiliana’s official website

Written by Loren Hazelwood. @LorenHazelwood

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/working-as-hard-as-steel-future-f1-star-steel-guiliana/#sthash.RrOFXTEf.dpuf

Mark Webber to drive at Bathurst 12 Hour with Eric Bana and James Tomkins

Bathurst 12 Hour, Film and TV, Formula 1

Recently retired Formula 1 driver Mark Webber is tipped to head home to Australia for the Bathurst 12 Hour race in 2015.

Mark Webber has his eyes set on Bathurst 12 Hour. Photo: Martin Rickett/PA

Australian racing driver Mark Webber has today started rumours that he may race the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12-hour in 2015.

Only days after racing his last Grand Prix in Formula 1 at Brazil, Webber already has his eyes on to conquer Australia’s endurance event at Mount Panorama, running under the Porsche banner.

The ex-Red Bull driver was asked on Twitter by a fan if he was going to run the Bathurst 12 Hour this year with the German team next year, with Webber’s reply “No 2015″.

Webber has also indicated that he will co-drive with Australian actor Eric Bana and Olympic rower James Tomkins.

Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour media manager Richard Craill believes this is fantastic news and can’t wait to see what Webber brings to the event.

“If Mark comes out, it will obviously be a massive boost for the event, he’s the biggest name in Australian motorsport on a global level and has a significant fan base both here and overseas,” said Craill.

“The reaction alone from him tweeting about coming and racing in 2015 has been massive, there is obviously a huge want for him to come and do it.

“The one thing we need to stress is that, at the moment, this is all coming off the back of Mark getting on Twitter – so fingers crossed he goes on record about it sooner rather than later and ‘officially’ commits to it!”

Webber is yet to officialy confirm if he will race in the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.

Written by Loren Hazelwood. @LorenHazelwood

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/mark-webber-to-drive-at-bathurst-12-hour-with-eric-bana-and-james-tomkins/#sthash.n2IHwNPt.dpuf

Todd Rounds Second Place in F3 Championship

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Todd Hazelwood Racing

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Todd Hazelwood has sealed second place in the Forpark National Formula 3 championship, after taking second place at the final round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship at Sandown Raceway.

The 18-year-old was the most consistent driver in the Forpark National class throughout the entire seven-round season, winning one round and finishing second in the other six.

Qualifying saw Hazelwood finish third fastest, despite holding provisional pole throughout the session.

The first race at Sandown saw the top three only separated by twenty one-thousands of a second, battling throughout the race to take third place.

With the teenager starting from third place on the grid in race two, Hazelwood had a great battle for second with the championship winner, just missing out on second being passed on the final lap.

Race three Hazelwood had a great start, and was behind the leader until lap 8, when the Fujitsu Racing/R-Tek Dallara was showing low fuel on the dash, with the teenager then having to cruise to the finish line, crossing the chequered in second position.

“It was good to finish the year off with a solid second position finish in the championship,” said Hazelwood.

“This weekend was a little bit frustrating, we were hoping to finish off the year with a win, but it wasn’t meant to be so we settled for second.

“I’d like to thank my sponsors for their continuing support, without them I would have not achieved what I have this year, and I hope that we can continue this great form in 2014 and bounce back even stronger.”

Hazelwood would also like to thank his team at R-Tek Motorsport and his mechanic Pauly for accepting him in for the 2013 Forpark National Formula 3 championship.

The teenager will continue working hard for his 2014 season, with updates to follow soon on what he plans to pursue.

Second Place for Hazelwood at Phillip Island

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Todd racing at Phillip Island

17-YEAR-OLD Todd Hazelwood has finished second in the Forpark National class in a thrilling finale at Phillip Island for the sixth round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship.

The South Australian had previously raced at the Phillip Island circuit last year in Formula Ford; the first time in this year’s championship Hazelwood had previous experience at a circuit.

Qualifying saw Hazelwood set the third fastest time in the Forpark National class, enduring a close battle with his teammate throughout the session and also lapping the original track record.

The teenager finished third in the first 9-lap race, second in race 2 and had a fantastic battle with his teammate in the final feature 14-lap race to finish second for the round.

“I had a great battle with my teammate in the final race,” said Hazelwood.

“Going side by side through turn 1 and also the last three corners certainly got the heart rate racing!”

Once again Hazelwood continued to show his pace and his place in the Forpark National championship, currently running in second.

“This weekend has once again been very consistent and successful, but it wasn’t strong enough,” said Hazelwood.

“I felt this weekend was my best opportunity to close the gap to the Forpark National class championship leader, but unfortunately the gap has slightly increased.

“I really enjoyed racing at Phillip Island, previously having great success in the past and it was great to continue my strong form at this exciting circuit.”

The South Australian will be working super hard in preparation to ensure he finishes the year off with a good result and to thank everyone involved who has made this year in Formula 3 happen.

The final round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship will be held at Sandown Raceway on November 15-17.

Todd Hazelwood More Than Ready for Phillip Island

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Todd ready to race. Picture: Coopers Photography

PREVIOUSLY RACING Formula Ford at the Phillip Island circuit last year, Todd Hazelwood is more than ready to attack the island in his Fujitsu Racing/R-Tek Dallara for the sixth round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship.

Currently second in the Forpark National Formula 3 Championship, the 17-year-old is more than confident in closing the championship gap, for the first time this year having previous experience at a circuit on the Formula 3 calendar.

Since having a few weeks break since Queensland, the South Australian has been busy competing on season three of the Shannons Supercar Showdown show, keeping Hazelwood more than ready for this weekend.

“The championship so far has been really close, and racing at Phillip Island this weekend will make the title chase closer than ever,” said Hazelwood.

“I haven’t raced on the track since it’s been resurfaced, so I’m looking forward to going out on the track for practice tomorrow to see what elements of the circuit have changed.

“I have had good success in the past at Phillip Island, hopefully we can continue that form and put it towards our championship.”

Todd Hazelwood will hit the track tomorrow for two practice sessions, commencing at 10:45 local time. To follow Todd’s progress throughout the weekend, like his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter.

Shannons Nationals Schedule: Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship

Friday
10:45 Practice 1 – 25 minutes
13:50 Practice 2 – 25 minutes

Saturday
10:25 Qualifying 1 – 20 minutes
14:30 Race 1 – 9 laps

Sunday
10:35 Race 2 – 9 laps
14:05 Race 3 – 14 laps

Hazelwood Closes Championship Gap at Ipswich

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Todd Hazelwood Racing

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Todd Hazelwood has once again showed his stance in the Forpark National Formula 3 Championship, finishing a thrilling second position for the fifth round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship.

Having never raced at the circuit before, Hazelwood was once again quick, picking up the track in no time and setting the quickest lap time in practice.

Qualifying saw the 17-year-old start from second on the grid in the Forpark National class, but had clutch dramas causing Hazelwood to start on the back-foot for race one finishing in third.

Race two saw Hazelwood pick up second position in the 12-lap race after just being edged out for the top step of the podium.

The third feature race saw spectators stand up on their seats, having made a great comeback from the start and catching the lead pack in the Forpark National class within two laps on cold tyres. Hazelwood then battled with his teammate for the entire 16-laps, only just being edged out for the win finishing second overall.

“This weekend was great to show our true car speed that we’ve been showing good signs of in the last few rounds,” said Hazelwood.

“Our speed is consistently quick and from track-to-track I am feeling confident we are a true contender to win this year’s championship.

“Racing around the Willowbank circuit was difficult in a wings and slicks category, with being stuck behind someone with dirty air unfortunately determined our end result for this weekend.”

The teenager also set the fastest lap in all three races, showing the rest of the competition he’s got what it takes.

With Hazelwood currently second in the Forpark National Formula 3 class, he will be looking at closing that gap to the series leader heading into Phillip Island and Sandown.

Hazelwood Makes Race Debut at Queensland Raceway

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Todd Hazelwood Racing

AFTER having a great day in practice yesterday, Todd Hazelwood made his qualifying and race debut at the Ipswich circuit in the Australian Formula 3 Drivers Championship.

Even from suffering from food poisoning, Hazelwood managed to qualify second in the Forpark National class and finish race one on the podium in third position.

“Pretty happy with today’s effort, didn’t get the most out of the car in qualifying which cost us pole position,” Hazelwood said.

“It was good to have another podium in race one today, but the start cost my overall result.

“My pace was good throughout the race and that showed as we had the fastest lap, hopefully tomorrow we can have a good start and move up the order.”

The South Australian is currently second in the Forpark National Formula 3 class.

“Hopefully we can gain some points on the championship leader tomorrow to remain a contender for the next three rounds of the series.”

The 17-year-old will hit the circuit again tomorrow morning for race two and later on for the feature race of 16 laps.

To follow Todd Hazelwood’s progress throughout this weekend for the fifth round of the Australian Formula 3 Championship, like Todd Hazelwood on Facebook, follow Todd on Twitter or watch the live streaming of Sunday’s races at www.thenationals.com.au.

Racing schedule: Shannons Nationals Queensland Raceway

Sunday
08:25 Race 2 (14 laps)
11:40 Race 3 (16 laps)

Round Four Win for Todd Hazelwood at Sydney

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Todd Hazelwood wins the Forpark National class

17-YEAR-OLD Todd Hazelwood has achieved his career best in Formula 3, winning the Forpark National Formula 3 class for the fourth round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship.

Hazelwood was consistently quick throughout the whole round, qualifying pole position, winning race one and winning the all-important 14-lap feature race, defeating his current championship rival.

The round win didn’t come easy for Hazelwood, with the Fujitsu Racing driver being pushed all the way by the championship contenders.

“The race was unreal, it was a tight race between Arrie and myself and it was great to back it up with a great result,” said Hazelwood.

“It’s been by far my best weekend in racing in open wheel racing, and it’s finally good to see the hard work and dedication paying off.

“This weekend would have not been possible without my supporters and I’d like to thank Fujitsu Racing, R-Tek Motorsport and my sponsors.”

Todd Hazelwood is now looking forward to back up his great results from this weekend at Queensland Raceway in three weeks time.

“Hopefully we can maintain our consistent run in the championship and have a good round at Queensland Raceway,” said Hazelwood.

“I’ve never raced at the Queensland circuit so it will be good to once again test my ability and learn a new track on the Formula 3 calendar.”

Hazelwood’s round win helps the South Australian’s championship campaign, closing the gap to the current series leader.

Todd Hazelwood currently sits second on 119 points in the Forpark National class, with the championship leader on 161.

The next round of the championship is held at Queensland Raceway, a part of the Shannons Nationals series on August 2-4.

Australian F3 Driver on the Road to Recovery

Fiasco Sports, Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship

Despite being involved in a monstrous crash at Hidden Valley in Darwin a few weeks ago, Steel Guiliana will be racing his Formula 3 at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend.

Australian Formula 3 driver Steel Guiliana is set to race at this weekend’s round of the championship at Sydney Motorsport Park despite being involved in a crash at Hidden Valley a few weeks ago.

The 22-year-old endured the effects of a high impact crash at turn one, hitting the tyre barriers at the end of the 1.2km straight reaching speeds of 230 k/ph.

Fortunately Guiliana walked away unhurt due to the safety standards of the Formula 3 cars, however his car was too damaged to continue the rest of the round at Hidden Valley.

Guiliana climbed into Team BRM’s car for this weekend’s round of the championship at Sydney Motorsport Park, with the team at R-Tek Motorsport working tirelessly to prepare the car in a short period.

“The team have done a great job to turn this car around ready for Sydney and have been very supportive after my big accident,” said Guiliana.

“It certainly knocked me around but shortly after the race I felt fine and was keen to get back out there.”

“I hope we can have a strong return to the front at my home race and get our championship back on track.”

Guiliana will be racing at his home circuit this weekend, with the Sydney driver currently sixth in the Australian Formula 3 championship.

Written by Loren Hazelwood @LorenHazelwood

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/australian-f3-driver-on-the-road-to-recovery/#sthash.4svSM40C.dpuf

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