Mark Winterbottom

Jason Richards Memorial win goes to Winterbottom

Australian V8 Supercars, Fiasco Sports

Mark Winterbottom has claimed the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy after beating Scott McLaughlin to the finish line in Race 13 of the V8 Championship. 

Mark Winterbottom is the second winner of the JR Trophy. Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung / photosport.co.nz

Ford Performance Racing’s Mark Winterbottom became the second winner of the prestigious Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, after taking two race wins at Pukekohe Raceway for the fourth round of the V8 Supercars Championship.

Winterbottom defeated young-gun Scott McLaughlin, overtaking McLaughlin in pit-lane to win Race 13 of the championship.

Chaz Mostert also gained his first podium with Ford Performance Racing, finishing in third place with his new team.

Despite McLaughlin taking two pole positions over the weekend, he was unable to grab a win in front of his home New Zealand crowd like last year.

Front-row starter Tim Slade qualified second for Race 13, but due to a clutch failure the Supercheap Auto Commodore only managed 21st.

Craig Lowndes‘ championship also took a beating, with the Red Bull racer only finishing in 20th position.

Shane van Gisbergen fell shy of another podium finish in front of his home finishing fourth, with Michael Caruso, Jason Bright, Will Davison, Rick Kelly and V8 Champion Jamie Whincup rounding out the top ten.

Winterbottom was also able to grab the championship lead after Saturday’s race results, with the number 5 Falcon driver currently in first to Craig Lowndes by 107 points, with Fabian Coulthard third and Holden Racing’s James Courtney fourth.

“What an awesome race, the car was really good,” Winterbottom said.

“I had a bit of a bodgy start and trucked on through…

“A 100 point lead, that’s cool! I wanted to lead going out, not just halfway through.

“I feel honoured to win [the JR trophy].”

The next round of the V8 Supercars Championship will see the drivers head to Barbagallo for the Perth 400, on the 16-18 May.

Race 13 results

Position Car Driver Team Car
1   5  Mark Winterbottom Ford Pepsi Max Crew  Ford Falcon FG
2  33  Scott McLaughlin Valvoline Racing GRM  Volvo S60
3   6  Chaz Mostert Ford Pepsi Max Crew  Ford Falcon FG
4  97  Shane Van Gisbergen Team Tekno VIP Petfoods  Holden Commodore VF
5  36  Michael Caruso Norton Hornets  Nissan Altima
6   8  Jason Bright Team BOC  Holden Commodore VF
7   9  Will Davison Erebus Motorsport V8  Mercedes E63 AMG
8  15  Rick Kelly Jack Daniel’s Racing  Nissan Altima
9  14  Fabian Coulthard Lockwood Racing  Holden Commodore VF
10   1  Jamie Whincup Red Bull Racing Australia  Holden Commodore VF
11 222  Nick Percat Walkinshaw Racing  Holden Commodore VF
12   2  Garth Tander Holden Racing Team  Holden Commodore VF
13  16  Scott Pye Wilson Security Racing  Ford Falcon FG
14  22  James Courtney Holden Racing Team  Holden Commodore VF
15   4  Lee Holdsworth Erebus Motorsport V8  Mercedes E63 AMG
16 360  James Moffat Norton Hornets  Nissan Altima
17  55  David Reynolds The Bottle-O Racing Team  Ford Falcon FG
18  18  Jack Perkins Team JELD-WEN  Ford Falcon FG
19  23  Russell Ingall Repair Management Aust Racing  Holden Commodore VF
20 888  Craig Lowndes Red Bull Racing Australia  Holden Commodore VF
21  47  Tim Slade Supercheap Auto Racing  Holden Commodore VF
22  21  Dale Wood Team Advam/GB  Holden Commodore VF
23  34 Robert Dahlgren Valvoline Racing GRM  Volvo S60
24   7 Todd Kelly Jack Daniel’s Racing  Nissan Altima

By Loren Hazelwood @LorenHazelwood

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/jason-richards-memorial-win-goes-to-winterbottom/#sthash.AhRGTwFW.dpuf

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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.

Whincup takes pole in thrilling shootout

Australian V8 Supercars, Fiasco Sports

Redbull Racing’s Jamie Whincup has taken pole position for today’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Whincup/Dumbrell will start first for today's big race. Photo: Getty Images/The Daily Telegraph

Whincup/Dumbrell will start first for today’s big race. Photo: Getty Images/The Daily Telegraph

Holden’s Jamie Whincup has taken his maiden pole position at Mount Panorama in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, with a time of 2:07.88. 

Whincup started last in the shootout with his previous pole position in qualifying the day before, taking first by only 0.2 to Ford rival Mark Winterbottom.

The Redbull Racing Australia driver was the only driver in the session to get into the 2:07s, with Winterbottom only just shy with a time of 2:08.07.

A shootout held later in the day than normal, the sun came out and the track became quicker and quicker throughout the session, giving an advantage to those qualifying quicker the day before.

Jason Bright set the third quickest time, just edging out Shane van Gisbergen who set a strong lap holding over James Courtney. 

29 cars will start the race today, racing around Mount Panorama for 161 laps over 6 and a half hours.

Final Top 10 Shootout Results

1 Red Bull Racing Australia Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VF 02:07.88
2 Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon FG 02:08.08 00:00.19
3 Team BOC Jason Bright Holden Commodore VF 02:08.28 00:00.39
4 TEKNO Team VIP Petfoods Shane Van Gisbergen Holden Commodore VF 02:08.28 00:00.40
5 Holden Racing Team James Courtney Holden Commodore VF 02:08.83 00:00.95
6 Red Bull Racing Australia Craig Lowndes Holden Commodore VF 02:08.96 00:01.08
7 Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford Will Davison Ford Falcon FG 02:09.00 00:01.12
8 Fujitsu Racing GRM Scott McLaughlin Holden Commodore VF 02:09.19 00:01.31
9 The Bottle-O FPR Ford David Reynolds Ford Falcon FG 02:09.24 00:01.36
10 Fujitsu Racing GRM Alexandre Premat Holden Commodore VF 02:10.41 00:02.53

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/whincup-takes-pole-in-thrilling-shootout/#sthash.Go2KtL5o.dpuf

How To Punt This Bathurst

Australian V8 Supercars, Spultured

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Can’t decide how to bet at Mount Panorama this year? We’ve got you covered.

At the moment, Sandown 500 winners and reigning Bathurst champions Jamie Whincup and Paul Dumbrell are sitting at $3.00, with their teammates for the great race Craig Lowndes and Warren Luff at $4.33. Red Bull’s season has not been as dominant as previous years, but they still continue to lead this year’s championship.

Next up is Ford Performance Racing. Mark Winterbottom is partnering up with Steven Richards, with ‘Frosty‘ looking for his first win at the mountain ($7.50). Teammate Will Davison has previously won Bathurst with the Holden Racing Team, with Davison partnering up with Steve Owen ($8.00). Ford has shown great pace this year, but unfortunate pit stops have cost them the championship lead.

Holden Racing Team, this year have James Courtney joining Greg Murphy to make a fiery duo and are currently priced at $9.00. Keep an eye out also for Garth Tander and Nick Percat who are at $13.

Brad Jones Racing present a dark horse, with victories coming their way throughout this year’s V8 Championship. Jason Bright will be teaming up with Andrew Jones, and at $18 they offer a bit of value, as do Fabian Coulthard and Luke Youlden.

A great car to put money on would be David Reynolds and Dean Canto, with the duo finishing a close second to Whincup and Dumbrell last year. The Bottle-O Falcon currently stands at $26. A real smokey however are young guns Scott McLaughlin and Jack Perkins. McLaughlin this year took the record for being the youngest driver ever to win a V8 Supercars race, with Jack Perkins bringing a wealth of knowledge to the pair. This duo, running for Gary Rogers, currently sit at $26.

So there you have it – there’s plenty of value around, even if you are having a punt just to make laps 1-140 that bit more interesting. Either way, Bathurst is definitely not something you want to miss this Sunday.

Shannons Supercar Showdown Season Three

Australian V8 Supercars, Fiasco Sports, Film and TV, Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Sprint Karting, Todd Hazelwood Racing

The Shannons Supercar Showdown is back for series three this year, unveiling a new team and a new prize.

Season 3 with Ford Performance Racing. Source: FPR

Season 3 with Ford Performance Racing. Source: FPR

Eight young rookies this year will battle it out in a series of challenges to claim the number one prize of winning the Shannons Supercar Showdown.

The series is back for it’s third season, this year under Ford Performance Racing and also with a brand new prize, a 2014 testing contract with Ford Performance Racing and a race at Homebush this year in a Dunlop Development Series car.

Professional V8 Supercar drivers Will Davison and Mark Winterbottom will be the driver coaches this year, with brand new host motor racing reporter Briony Ingerson.

The rookies confirmed include two British drivers of Adrian Campfield and Dan Cammish, Formula Ford’s Macauley Jones, Chelsea Angelo and James Golding, Formula 3 stars Tim Macrow and Todd Hazelwood and current V8 Ute driver Craig Dontas.

This year’s rookies will split into teams of four, either belonging to Team Davison or Team Winterbottom.

They will compete in teams to earn points, testing their mental and psychical ability, race on simulators and compete in motorkhanas, Formula Ford, Sprint Karts and of course, V8 Supercars.

The team coach will then allocate a certain amount of points to the winner, with whoever having the most points earning themselves a place in the final four.

There is also a captain’s choice option, so if the contestant doesn’t earn many points, they may still have a place in the final four.

Unlike the two previous series, there are no eliminations this year.

The series will air over eight episodes on Australian channel 7mate Saturday evenings, online at: http://www.shannons.com.au/supercarshowdown/videos

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/shannons-supercar-showdown-season-three/#sthash.Dz8lrvjB.dpuf

Whincup and Dumbrell take the first endurance win

Australian V8 Supercars, Fiasco Sports

After an eventful start to the V8 Supercar endurance calendar, Red Bull Racing have come through to finish 1-2 at the Sandown 500. 

 

Whincup and Dumbrell celebrating their win. Picture: Getty Images/Adelaide Now

Whincup and Dumbrell celebrating their win. Picture: Getty Images/Adelaide Now

 

Red Bull Racing pair Jamie Whincup and Paul Dumbrell have taken the first endurance win for the season, alongside their teammates Craig Lowndes and Warren Luff. 

 

A win that looked doubtful from the halfway mark after receiving a penalty from spinning the wheels in pitlane, the Whincup/Dumbrell duo fell back to 25th, but were able to claw their way back to first.

 

Teammates Lowndes/Luff were looking strong for the win, but their tyres were fading away allowing the Whincup/Dumbrell duo to make the overtake for the win with 10 laps to go.

 

Lowndes/Luff finished in front of the Ford Performance Racing pair of Will Davison and Steve Owen, despite having fluid leaking from the transaxle of their Falcon.

 

Ford Performance Racing were looking strong for the win after putting the Davison/Owen car on pole on Saturday, but were held up in pit lane after the other Falcon of Mark Winterbottom and Steven Richards were re-fuelling.

 

Winterbottom and Richards had hold of the race lead in front of the Red Bull Racing team, until a slow wheel change put the Ford team back in last place.

 

Erebus Motorsport pair Lee Holdsworth and Craig Baird drove the Mercedes AMG to their career best position since entering the category, finishing in fourth place. 

 

James Courtney and Greg Murphy worked a hard-fought battle to finish in fifth, after receiving two black flags at the start of the race due to loose body work.

 

Winterbottom and Richards managed to climb their way back to sixth place after their pit lane drama.

 

Ashley Walsh caused the first safety car on Lap 35, spearing into the fence at high speeds from the back straight, walking away with no injuries.

 

eKol Racing pair Scott Pye and Paul Morris also did not finish the 500km race, suffering from broken steering. 

 

Whincup now leads the V8 Supercar championship by 96 points, second is teammate Lowndes, with Ford Performance Racing’s Davison third and Winterbottom fourth.

 

The next round of the championship will be at Bathurst for the Supercheap 1000 10-13 October.

 

Race results for Sandown 500

1 J.Whincup/P.Dumbrell Holden Commodore VF 161 03:22:54.62
2 C.Lowndes/W.Luff Holden Commodore VF 161 03:23:02.81
3 W.Davison/S.Owen Ford Falcon FG 161 03:23:12.56
4 L.Holdsworth/C.Baird Mercedes E63 AMG 161 03:23:13.53
5 J.Courtney/G.Murphy Holden Commodore VF 161 03:23:20.77
6 M.Winterbottom/S.Richards Ford Falcon FG 161 03:23:21.14
7 F.Coulthard/L.Youlden Holden Commodore VF 161 03:23:25.87
8 S.McLaughlin/J.Perkins Holden Commodore VF 161 03:23:27.93
9 R.Ingall/R.Briscoe Holden Commodore VF 161 03:23:33.15
10 A.Premat/G.Ritter Holden Commodore VF 161 03:23:44.50
11 T.Kelly/D.Russell Nissan Altima 161 03:23:46.43
12 S.Van Gisbergen/J.Bleekemolen Holden Commodore VF 161 03:23:54.26
13 J.Webb/M.Lieb Holden Commodore VF 161 03:23:55.18
14 C.Mostert/D.Wood Ford Falcon FG 161 03:24:04.30
15 A.Davison/J.McIntyre Ford Falcon FG 160 03:22:56.45
16 R.Kelly/K.Reindler Nissan Altima 160 03:23:03.85
17 D.Reynolds/D.Canto Ford Falcon FG 160 03:23:03.97
18 D.Fiore/M.Halliday Holden Commodore VF 160 03:23:06.06
19 D.Wall/C.Pither Holden Commodore VF 160 03:23:07.02
20 M.Caruso/D.Gaunt Nissan Altima 160 03:23:10.18
21 T.Slade/A.Thompson Mercedes E63 AMG 159 03:23:17.33
22 G.Tander/N.Percat Holden Commodore VF 152 03:23:33.77
23 T.D’Alberto/J.Reid Holden Commodore VF 152 03:23:58.16
24 J.Bright/A.Jones Holden Commodore VF 147 03:23:19.98
25 M.Engel/S.Johnson Mercedes E63 AMG 143 03:23:37.57
26 J.Moffat/T.Douglas Nissan Altima 123 03:23:17.08
DNF S.Pye/P.Morris Holden Commodore VF 135 02:56:03.57
DNF Ashley Walsh Ford Falcon FG 33 42:25.70

 

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/whincup-and-dumbrell-take-the-first-endurance-win/#sthash.OX3z8zgV.dpuf

Winterbottom and Courtney tighten championship at Winton

Australian V8 Supercars, Fiasco Sports

With the Australian V8 Supercar Championship tighter than ever, it was vital for Mark Winterbottom and James Courtney to take the final wins in Sunday’s two races.

626443-james-courtney
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

With the current championship leader Jamie Whincup having a horrific weekend at Winton Raceway, rivals Mark Winterbottom and James Courtney were able to close the championship gap by taking the two race wins.

Sunday’s first race saw Jason Bright take pole position, but this did not stop Winterbottom from taking his first race win on home soil at Winton.

Behind the leaders, Alexandre Prémat caused a multi-car accident when rejoining the track at Turn 2, and with championship leader Whincup involved in the accident, he later failed to finish the race.

Others involved in the accident were Russell Ingall, Alex Davison, Garth Tander and Michael Caruso.

The safety car entered the track after the accident, making the dash to the finish close between Winterbottom and Bright, crossing the line 0.4s apart.

Winterbottom failed to qualify at the front of the field for the second race of the day, giving Courtney pole position for the finale.

Courtney managed to take the win, holding first for the entire 34-lap race, with a safety car coming in to play with 10 laps to go.

Young gun Chaz Mostert held second for most of the race, but had to settle for third after Fabian Coulthard took a gamble and put on new tyres during the safety car.

The race was filled with accidents, with Todd Kelly crashing out on the pit-straight at the start of the race, after receiving contact from the front of Whincup’s car, causing the first safety car.

Scott Pye once again had dramas, with the eKol Holden catching fire due to a bent exhaust.

Rick Kelly followed his brother’s suit, after causing contact with Winterbottom at the Turn 5 sweeper, causing damage to his rear suspension and bringing out the second safety car.

Craig Lowndes later received a 25-point penalty for making contact with Caruso’s Nissan, causing him to fall from second to fourth in the championship, with teammate Whincup holding onto the current series lead.

The next round of the championship will be held at Sandown Raceway, starting the season of endurance races.

Current Championship Standings
1 Jamie Whincup 1847
2 Will Davison 1792
3 Mark Winterbottom 1777
4 Craig Lowndes 1775
5 Fabian Coulthard 1709
6 James Courtney 1687
7 Jason Bright 1649
8 Shane Van Gisbergen 1632
9 Garth Tander 1602
10 Scott McLaughlin 1318
11 Jonathon Webb 1282
12 David Reynolds 1222
13 James Moffat 1155
14 Rick Kelly 1101
15 Alex Davison 1080
16 Tony D’Alberto 1015
17 Alexandre Premat 899
18 Chaz Mostert 892
19 Russell Ingall 839
20 Tim Slade 821
21 Dean Fiore 820
22 Michael Caruso 809
23 David Wall 785
24 Tim Blanchard 703
25 Todd Kelly 689
26 Scott Pye 649
27 Lee Holdsworth 635
28 Maro Engel 576
29 Jonny Reid 149
– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/winterbottom-and-courtney-tighten-championship-at-winton/#sthash.0yCb1m7b.dpuf