Queensland Raceway

Tough Weekend for Hazelwood Bouncing Back in Race 2

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing
Todd Hazelwood charging his way from 23rd to tenth. Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

Todd Hazelwood charging his way from 23rd to tenth. Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

ROOKIE DRIVER Todd Hazelwood managed the best out of bad situation, finishing an astonishing tenth place starting from 23rd on the grid after not finishing yesterday’s Race 1 due to an alternator wire failure.

The Thomas Steel Racing/All Purpose Pest Control Falcon showed great pace, moving up thirteen positions in a strong field of the Dunlop Series during Round 5 of the championship.

“The Ipswich 400 was a tough weekend for us, we had good race pace and kept out of the carnage all weekend but we didn’t get the result that we deserved,” Hazelwood said.

“Race 1 was a huge disappointment for the team and myself. I had low voltage on the screen from lap two and I was trying to manage the issue the best I could, the radio, cool suit, fans and lights were all turned off and I was just trying to bring the car home to gain some valuable points.

“Knowing were I was placed was a big disappointment as I would have started pole position for Race 2 and moved towards the top four in the championship standings, but that’s racing and we moved on straight after it had happened.”

The South Australian said he enjoyed coming through the field, having some great battles with far more experienced drivers in the series.

“I battled tough with Chris Pither, Andrew Jones and Tim Blanchard throughout the whole race and personally it was great to show that I could race from 23rd to tenth with pressure from behind … the guys who I had behind me were fast and very experienced and it’s always good for me to learn from tough race situations like this.” Hazelwood continued.

“The car was fast the whole race and I felt we deserved to be inside the top five with the package we had … it was a great fight back and I really enjoyed it.

“The guys at Matt Stone Racing did a fantastic job with the car all weekend and we will work even harder in preparation for Round 6 at Bathurst.

“I can’t thank my sponsors and supporters enough for getting behind me and making all of this happen, I wouldn’t be racing without them!

The 18-year-old is currently leading the rookie standings and is now eleventh in the championship on 744 points, with the teenager looking to bounce back at Round 6 of the Dunlop Series held at Bathurst on October 9-12.

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Set-up changes the key for today’s Qualifying and Race 1

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing
Todd Hazelwood in Practice yesterday. Credit: Matthew Paul Photography

Todd Hazelwood in Practice yesterday. Credit: Matthew Paul Photography

 

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Todd Hazelwood is ready for his race debut at Queensland Raceway in the Dunlop Series, and believes after yesterday’s practice the car will be great for Qualifying and Race 1 for Round 5 of the championship.

Yesterday saw the teenager finish Practice 1 in fifth place, and in Practice 2 a respectable twelfth.

“In practice I was very happy with the amount of set-up combinations we tried throughout the two sessions yesterday,” Hazelwood said. 

“The key aspect we achieved was to understand what set-up to run in Qualifying and also in Race 1 today.

“It was good to go out in the first session and finish inside the top five … it is great for the team and myself to be on the front foot from the first session and to continue towards the right direction.”

The Thomas Steel Fabrication/All Purpose Pest Control Falcon currently leads the rookie standings in the series and is seventh in the championship on 666 points, with the 18-year-old looking to extend his rookie lead after today’s results.

“The field was separated by a small margin throughout practice yesterday, and it will be even closer in Qualifying,” Hazelwood continued.

“It’s going to be a crucial session … fingers crossed we can put it all together for today!”

The Matt Stone Racing driver will hit the Willowbank circuit at 10:35 (AEST) this morning for the first Qualifying session for Round 5 of the Dunlop Series. 

Round 5 V8 Supercars Dunlop Series – Queensland Raceway (AEST)
Saturday: Qualifying 1 – 10:35 (30 minutes), Race 1 – 15:25 (29 laps) live on Seven/7mate
Sunday: Race 2 – 13:55 (29 laps) live on Seven/7mate

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Hazelwood Eager for Round Two at Winton

Australian V8 Supercars, Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing
Todd Hazelwood testing at Queensland Raceway, preparing for Round 2

Todd Hazelwood testing at Queensland Raceway, preparing for Round 2

AFTER having a successful start to the Dunlop Series season at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide, Todd Hazelwood is ready to continue his championship at the second round of the series at Winton Raceway this weekend.

The 18-year-old had a successful test day last Saturday at Queensland Raceway with Matt Stone Racing, with the teenager making the most of the bad weather getting great wet practice.

“The test day was great for the team and myself, at first it didn’t look like we would get any dry running in, but after three sessions the sun was out and the track was in good condition to do some fast laps,” Hazelwood said.

“I learned a lot throughout the day, it was great to understand how the car handles in the damp conditions and to finesse my technique throughout the rest of the day.

“There is still a lot of room for improvement, I need to continue to learn as much as I can to give myself the best opportunity to succeed this year.”

The South Australian is currently sitting outside the top ten of the Dunlop Series Championship in 11th on 153 championship points.

The Dunlop Series will be running alongside the V8 Supercars this weekend at the Winton 400 as a support category, with the Dunlop Series set to hit the circuit for the first time Friday morning at 10:35am local time for Practice 1.

Winton 400
Friday (4 April)
10:35: Practice 1 (40 minutes)
12:35: Practice 2 (40 minutes)

Saturday (5 April)
9:30: Qualifying 1 Group 1 (15 minutes)
9:55: Qualifying 1 Group 2 (15 minutes)
15:15: Race 1 (25 laps) – telecasted live AEST (Channel 7/7Mate)

Sunday (6 April)
13:15: Race 2 (25 laps)

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Why Car of the Future is Good

Australian V8 Supercars, Spultured

event 02 of the 2013 Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series

I’m sure all us motorsport fans have thought it. V8 Supercars is built around the support of bogans and you’re either a Ford or Holden fan. So much speculation was built up across the 2012 season with Nissan and Mercedes-AMG barging their way through the series, but it’s been the best thing yet for the sport.

I have personally followed the V8 Supercar series my whole life. I remember watching the greats like Dick Johnson and Peter Brock battle it out for all of us Holden and Ford fans. I honestly was a sceptic a year ago and I thought this Car of the Future thing wouldn’t work – well, how wrong was I!

Unfortunately for Ford fans, the Falcon is dying in the series, with only six from the blue oval on the grid for this season. Although this hasn’t stopped the blue army from winning races – with three Ford drivers taking wins this season.

Championship wise, you could say it is the tightest battle in the history of the sport and heading into the Enduro season it will definitely be a race to the finish line for the championship at Sandown, Bathurst and on the Gold Coast.

Jame Whincup, who dominated the series last year with his teammate Craig Lowndes alongside him at Triple Eight has endured an interesting season, not winning nearly every race. In fact, Whincup hasn’t won that many at all, as there have been 12 different race winners to date this year (and it’s only just passed halfway through the season).

Not only are more people taking the cake on race wins, there are some top-notch rookies hitting the scene this year. For instance, Scott McLaughlin has won three races this season and also broke the record for being the youngest driver in V8 history to win a race at 19. Then came along young Chaz Mostert, who won Dick Johnson Racing’s first race in two years at Queensland Raceway a few weekends ago.

With more young rookies running in the Dunlop Development Series this year, who knows how next year’s season will go, especially now that two rookies to the series have taken race wins.

Volvo will also join the V8 category next year, so it will only spice up the category for what is to come. Rumours have circulated for what other manufacturers will join the category next year, but of course they won’t tell you until it unfolds!

At this stage of the competition, I definitely wouldn’t be placing bets on who wins the championship this season, so hold on race fans for what is to come!

Hazelwood Makes Race Debut at Queensland Raceway

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Todd Hazelwood Racing

 

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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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Todd Hazelwood Revved-Up for Round Five

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Todd Hazelwood Racing

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AFTER taking his maiden round win in the Forpark National Formula 3 class at Sydney three weeks ago, Todd Hazelwood is more than ready to jump back in the Formula 3 for the fifth round of the Australian Formula 3 Drivers Championship.

Despite never having raced at the Ipswich circuit, Hazelwood is confident he can once again produce strong results in the Forpark National class at Queensland Raceway this weekend.

“I’m hoping to add another strong result to my debut Formula 3 season this weekend at Queensland,” Hazelwood said.

“My rivals have past-experience at the track, but we have proven this year that we are fast straight out of the gate and can challenge for the win by the end of the weekend.

“The track looks fast and challenging and I am looking forward to racing around the technical circuit for the first time.”

Todd Hazelwood is currently second in the Forpark National class, hoping to close the gap on the championship leader.

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

Friday
09:55 Practice 1 (30 minutes)
13:25 Practice 2 (30 minutes)

Saturday
09:25 Qualifying (20 minutes)
15:35 Race 1 (10 laps)

Sunday
08:25 Race 2 (8 laps)
11:40 Race 3 (14 laps)

Round Four Win for Todd Hazelwood at Sydney

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Todd Hazelwood Racing
Todd Hazelwood wins the Forpark National class

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.