Dunlop V8 Supercar Series

Dunlop Development Series stronger than ever

Australian V8 Supercars, Dunlop Development Series, Fiasco Sports, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Each year the V8 Dunlop Development Series grows and this year’s series is set to be huge with 30 entries confirmed for the opening round at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500. 

Ash Walsh is set to be a strong contender for the 2014 Dunlop Series. Image: Ash Walsh Motorsport

Ash Walsh is set to be a strong contender for the 2014 Dunlop Series. Image: Ash Walsh Motorsport

The Official V8 Supercars Series kicks off this week on Adelaide’s streets, with all eyes on the Dunlop Development Series, kicking off the season with 30 entries confirmed.

After last year’s stellar entry list including the names of Casey Stoner, Chaz Mostert, Jack Perkins, Dale Wood and Steve Owen, 2014 is once again looking to be a strong season and will also be a debut for many young and talented drivers.

One driver looking particularly strong for this year is Ash Walsh, who will be racing under Matt Stone Racing for the third year after picking up five race wins in the series last year, just missing out on the title.

Ford Performance Racing are also coming back into the series after a one-year absence, partnering up with young Cameron Waters in an Enzed sponsored FG Falcon.

Ex-V8 Supercar drivers will also make-up the grid again, with Paul Dumbrell making his way into the series this year, alongside Paul Morris and Taz Douglas. 

Erebus today also announced they will make their debut into the series, with their Erebus Academy driver Jack Le Brocq who recently finished third in the Bathurst 12-Hour race is set to make his debut into the series with Image Racing.

Adelaide-based team THR Racing Developments have progressed from the Kumho V8 series to the big stage of Dunlop Series, with Jordan Ormsby and Jay Verdnik the two confirmed drivers for the first round, with Josh Hunter and Matthew Hansen also making the jump from Kumho to Dunlop series.

Two Formula 3 drivers are also set to make their debut into the series this year, with Gold Star champion Tim Macrow to race with Gallagher Motorsport, and winner of Shannons Supercar Showdown, Todd Hazelwood, to compete under Matt Stone Racing.

Brad Jones Racing will also be another team to look out for, with Andrew Jones and Chris Pither set to steer their VE Commodores this year. 

Reigning Dunlop Series team MW Motorsport will once again be strong a three-car team including drivers Andre Heimgartner, Ryan Simpson and Morgan Haber, while Eggleston Motorsport will also be running a three-car team, with Garry Jacobson, Ant Pederson and Dumbrell behind the wheel.

The Dunlop Development Series have changed the format of the races for the season, including two 40-minute races and two 15-minute qualifying sessions. 

While the round opens at the Clipsal 500, teams and drivers will compete for the title across seven-rounds including Winton, Bathurst, Townsville, Sydney, Ipswich and Perth.

The drivers will first hit the Clipsal circuit at 1:20pm for their first practice session for the year.


Official Clipsal 500 Adelaide entry list

# Team Sponsor Name CAMS Competitor Name Driver Model
10 Image Racing Image Racing Taz Douglas FG
11 Worlds Best Technology/Castrol Bruin Beasley Josh Hunter VE II
20 Team Advam Brad Jones Racing Andrew Jones VE II
24 Worldwide Gaming Gallagher Motorsport Tim Macrow VE II
25 Dreamland Bedding S & J Automotive Dan Day VE II
26 Finance Ezi MW Motorsport Andre Heimgartner FG
27 Parramatta Smash Repairs MW Motorsport Ryan Simpson FG
28 Miraflores Estate/Haber Excavations MW Motorsport Morgan Haber FG
32 Alphabet Josh Kean Josh Kean VE II
35 Matt Stone Racing Matt Stone Racing Todd Hazelwood FG
38 Eggleston Motorsport Eggleston Motorsport Ant Pederson VE II
42 Icebreak Racing Brad Jones Racing Chris Pither VE II
44 Pacific Hoists / Halda Race Pilot Rsport Race Engineering Fredrik Lestrup VE II
45 THR Motorsports/S.A.Racing & Logistics THR Developments Pty Ltd Jordan Ormsby VE II
46 THR Motorsports/S.A.Racing & Logistics THR Developments Pty Ltd Jay Verdnik VE II
48 R&J Batteries Emery Motorsport Geoff Emery VE II
49 Image Racing Image Racing Jack Le Brocq FG
50 Forpark / Australian Custom Moulders Matthew Hansen Matthew Hansen VE II
51 Poll Performance Jim Pollicina Jim Pollicina FG
54 Eggleston Motorsport Eggleston Motorsport Garry Jacobson VE II
56 TEAM ENZED FPR Prodrive Racing (Australia) Pty Ltd Cam Waters FG
58 Go Karts Go Novocastrian Motorsport Aaren Russell FG
60 Gulf Western Oil Matt Stone Racing Michael Hector FG
62 Warrin Mining Volvo Construction Equipment Adam Wallis Adam Wallis VE II
67 Sargent Security Racing Nemo Racing Pty Ltd Paul Morris FG
71 Action Racing Action Racing Marcus Zukanovic FG
73 Formula Tech Performance/Interquip Racing Brett Stewart Brett Stewart VE II
75 McGill Motorsport Auto-Motion Australia Aaron McGill VE II
87 Infants Friend Matt Stone Racing Ash Walsh FG
88 Eggleston Motorsport Eggleston Motorsport Paul Dumbrell VE II
98 Voight Contracting Rsport Race Engineering Aaron Tebb VE II

Written by Loren Hazelwood. @LorenHazelwood

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/dunlop-development-series-stronger-than-ever/#sthash.1Tzukl18.dpuf

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Todd Hazelwood Secures V8 Development Series Drive for 2014

Australian V8 Supercars, Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing
Todd Hazelwood with team owner Matt Stone.

Todd Hazelwood with team owner Matt Stone.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Todd Hazelwood has confirmed he will race the 2014 Dunlop Development Series, racing with Queensland-based team Matt Stone Racing.

The 18-year-old will race in an ex-Stone Brother Racing’s Ford FG Falcon, making his debut with the team at his home round in Adelaide, the Clipsal 500.

Hazelwood is excited to announce his new venture into the series and believes this is a massive step forward for his racing career.

“I’m very proud and excited to be part of this year’s championship, it was a huge challenge by everyone involved to make this happen and I can’t wait to kick the year off at my home event, the Clipsal 500,” Hazelwood said.

“The year will be a steep learning curve for me and I will be going into the championship with a realistic mindset … but like anyone else in the field, I want to perform at my best and I believe I have one of the best packages to do that.”

The teenager had his first test day with the team last week at Queensland Raceway, which was a great success.

“My first test day last week was very productive and it’s a pleasure to work with such an experienced and professional team, they know how to maximise the potential out of both the driver and the race car which will be a massive bonus for my first season.”

Team owner Matt Stone was also impressed with Hazelwood’s first test and looks forward to the first round in Adelaide.
“It’s good to run a rookie again in a V8 and we were impressed with Todd’s ability to quickly adapt to driving a V8 and had a very productive day testing,” Stone said.

“We have faith that Todd has the skill to drive the car competitively at Clipsal and we will be working on his race-craft and comfort ability with all the other cars around him.

“It can be very daunting racing a V8 around a street circuit but we have every faith that Todd will continue to impress.”

Hazelwood also has worked hard in the off-season to gain the support of Tecalemit, Airtec, Repco, Da Mario’s Pizza, Slape & Sons, Gadget Graphics and Winning Spirit.

Hazelwood Wins Series Three of Shannons Supercar Showdown

Australian V8 Supercars, Film and TV, Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Todd Hazelwood Racing
Todd being congratulated by team mentor Will Davison

Todd being congratulated by team mentor Will Davison

AUSTRALIAN FORMULA 3 racer Todd Hazelwood has taken out the grand finale of the Shannons Supercar Showdown, winning series three of the motor racing reality TV show.

The grand prize entitles the South Australian to a testing contract with Ford Performance Racing, as well as a race in the Dunlop Development Series race which will be held at the final round of the V8 Supercar Championship, the Sydney 500 at Homebush.

The 18-year-old went through several challenges among seven other rookies, having Ford Performance Racing’s Will Davison as his team coach, along with Mark Winterbottom and Tim Edwards also watching his progress throughout the show.

Hazelwood is ecstatic with the result, with the win really boosting his career progress.

“This is absolutely phenomenal, can’t believe I’ve won the show with the smallest of margins and to top it off be connected with leading V8 Supercar team Ford Performance Racing,” said Hazelwood

“The competition in the show was really tight between everyone and especially the Davison team, and after a long hard eight weeks, it was awesome to finish it all off with a win.

“Both Shannons and Ford Performance Racing have given me a once in a lifetime opportunity, I can’t wait to test their cars and experience the V8 Supercars for the first time.”

The Shannons Supercar Showdown ran over eight episodes, airing on Seven Network’s 7mate, with all episodes available to watch on YouTube among other special features.

The South Australian is set to test in a FPR Falcon before his Dunlop Development Series race in Shannons colours at the Sydney 500, over December 6-8.

Hazelwood also has his final round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, currently second in the championship and held at Sandown Raceway, November 15-17.