Successful Townsville Debut for Hazelwood Moving to Seventh in Series

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Todd Hazelwood in Townsville. Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

DUNLOP SERIES rookie Todd Hazelwood has moved to seventh in the championship, after a successful debut at the Reid Park circuit held on the streets of Townsville.

The 18-year-old had a challenging weekend, finishing Race 1 in eighth and Race 2 an impressive 13th, after being taken out on the final corner early in the race, recovering from a bad situation to finish towards the top ten.

The Thomas Steel Racing driver was also setting some of the fastest times in the race, despite being in traffic.

“Yesterday I was unfortunate to be turned around during the early stages of the race … it was a shame as the car was well balanced and we were one of the fastest cars on the track,” Hazelwood said.

“That’s racing though, when you’re racing hard unfortunately these things happen but we made the most out of a bad situation.

“I was pleased to finish 13th after falling back to 26th, it was fantastic to use sheer pace and determination to drive through the pack and pass cars left, right and centre.

“I was hoping the race was five laps longer, as I caught up to the tail end of the top ten.”

The South Australian managed to finish tenth for Round 4 of the Dunlop Series, and is looking to further his championship position at the next round in Ipswich.

“Overall, we must remain positive and use this to our advantage to bounce back stronger at Ipswich in a months’ time,” the teenager continued.

“We will have a test day in-between now and the next round, hoping to find more car speed.

“Ipswich will be a strong round as I have done plenty of testing laps around there, unlike every other circuit I’ve raced at this year.”

Hazelwood is currently seventh in the Dunlop Series on 666 points, and is currently leading the rookie standings in the championship.

The next round of the Dunlop Series will be held at Matt Stone Racing’s home circuit Queensland Raceway, on 1-3 August.

Hazelwood Moves to Fifth in Series After First Race at Townsville

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing

Todd Hazelwood. Image credit: Digital Realism

AFTER REMAINING consistent throughout the series this year, Todd Hazelwood has moved to fifth in the Dunlop Development Series after finishing an impressive eighth in Race 1 for Round 4 of the championship at Townsville.

The 18-year-old stayed out of trouble and climbed his way through the field, and the teenager is looking to further his way through the field again in today’s Race 2.

“After a disappointing qualifying, we were aiming to move into the top ten and gain crucial championship points,” the South Australian said.

“It was a crazy race filled with safety cars, making it tough to stay out of trouble, but we did well to keep moving through the pack and gaining positions.

“Throughout the race I really struggled to get the car balanced, we spent all night looking through the data after Race 1.”

The Thomas Steel Fabrication driver will be on-track today at 1:15 (AEST), starting from position eight after today’s qualifying session.

“Really pleased with the changes we made for qualifying today, which really suited the track’s conditions,” Hazelwood continued.

“It’s always nice to beat my personal best in qualifying, hopefully in today’s race we can get a good start and move closer to the front.”

Hazelwood has moved from ninth to fifth in the championship currently on 600 points, whilst leading the rookie standings in the Dunlop Series.

Round 4 Dunlop Development Series Townsville 500 (all times AEST)

Sunday:
Qualifying 2: 9:25
Race 2: 13:15 (Race 2 live on Seven/7mate)

Hazelwood Tops Rookie Standings in Practice

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN Todd Hazelwood has set the quickest time in the rookie standings in today’s two practice sessions, setting the eighth fastest time overall for Round 4 of the Dunlop Development Series at Townsville.

The 18-year-old was pleased with his practice result, considering the teenager has never set foot on the Reid Park street circuit before.

“Going into today we just wanted to gain great track knowledge and get a good feel for the car,” Hazelwood said.

“After our test day there were a few things we wanted to try which fortunately worked in our favour.

“Looking forward to a strong qualifying session tomorrow morning, hopefully we can produce fast laps and put us in a good starting position for Race 1.”

The Matt Stone Racing driver will be on track tomorrow morning for the first qualifying session, to then race later in the afternoon for the first race of the Townsville championship round.

“I’m pleased to be in the mix with some seasoned campaigners from the V8 Supercars field, and this puts me in a good position to battle with experienced drivers,” Hazelwood continued.

“We’re currently looking through data and hopefully we can unlock more speed for tomorrow’s race and qualifying.”

Hazelwood is currently ninth in the Dunlop Series sitting on 510 championship points, while leading the rookie standings in the series.

Round 4 Dunlop Development Series Townsville 500 (all times AEST)

Saturday: Qualifying 1: 8:45, Race 1: 15:30 (Race 1 live on Seven/7mate)

Sunday: Qualifying 2: 9:25, Race 2: 13:15 (Race 2 live on Seven/7mate)

Hazelwood Focused on Debut in North Queensland

Dunlop Development Series, Todd Hazelwood Racing

EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Todd Hazelwood has never raced up north of Queensland, and after Perth’s success he is ready for his debut at the Townsville street circuit for Round 4 of the Dunlop Development Series.

The South Australian also had a successful test day a week ago at Queensland Raceway, believing he has what it takes to consistently remain inside the top-ten.

“I cannot wait to get out on track and cut some laps around this tricky street circuit … there is some really cool aspects about the Townsville circuit that I believe will suit my driving style well,” Hazelwood said.

“We had a very successful test day last Wednesday and I’m feeling confident that we can keep moving up through the field.

“Perth was a dream weekend, everything went to plan and we were able to capitalise on every situation.

“If we can qualify strong again it will help set-up our weekend perfectly, and hopefully we can bank some good points and move forward in the championship.”

The teenager is currently inside the top-ten of the championship in ninth on 510 points, and is currently leading the rookie standing in the Dunlop Series.

Hazelwood has also picked up some great Queensland sponsors who will be supporting him throughout the round at Townsville.

“I’m really excited to start new partnerships with Thomas Steel Fabrication, ACS Engineering, City Generators and Protile for this weekend,” Hazelwood said.

“Without the support from these businesses we would be unable to race.

“With what we have installed for our sponsors this weekend they are sure to enjoy a great weekend and hopefully we can get some good results for them too. “

Hazelwood will hit the circuit today for practice; check the schedule below for television and racing times.

Round 4 Dunlop Development Series Townsville 500 (all times AEST)

Friday: Practice 1: 9:00, Practice 2: 13:25

Saturday: Qualifying 1: 8:45, Race 1: 15:30 (Race 1 live on Seven/7mate)

Sunday: Qualifying 2: 9:25, Race 2: 13:15 (Race 2 live on Seven/7mate)

1-2 Finish for Holden Racing at Townsville

Australian V8 Supercars, Fiasco Sports

Garth Tander wins in the streets of Townsville leading home his teammate James Courtney for a 1-2 Holden finish.

James Courtney. Photo source: Daniel Attema

Holden Racing’s Garth Tander has achieved his first win since Bathurst in 2011, with teammate James Courtney holding on in second place for a 1-2 finish.

A race full of strategy saw Holden pit its two VF Commodores, giving the drivers a soft-tyre advantage over most of the field.

Holden Racing decided to run a two-stint strategy, making its drivers pit for second-hand soft tyres.

Despite sustaining damage after kissing the wall at Turn 10 in making a move on Scott McLaughlin, Tander still managed to bring home the win.

The start saw Ford’s Mark Winterbottom get a great jump on the rest of the field, but later his decision not to pit under the Lap 9 safety car caused him to fall to fourth place.

Shane van Gisbergen took third place after running a similar pit-strategy to Holden Racing, making great progress starting closer to the rear of the field.

Russell Ingall and Tony D’Alberto made it a top six effort for Walkinshaw Performance built Commodores, with Craig Lowndes, Tim Slade, McLaughlin and Will Davison rounding out the top 10.

The race’s only retirement was Lee Holdsworth, who had engine dramas with his Erebus Motorsport Mercedes and stopped into the run of Turn 11.

After Race 21 of the championship at Townsville, the current championship standings see Jamie Whincup leading Lowndes by 111 points, with Ford’s Davison and Winterbottom closing in on the series lead.

1	Holden Racing Team	Garth Tander	Holden Commodore VF	01:30:04.1639	1:14.0127
2	Holden Racing Team	James Courtney	Holden Commodore VF	01:30:04.4830	1:13.9505
3	TEKNO Team VIP	Shane Van Gisbergen	Holden Commodore VF	01:30:13.5491	1:13.9319
4	Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford	Mark Winterbottom	Ford Falcon FG	01:30:25.7667	1:14.3657
5	Supercheap Auto Racing	Russell Ingall	Holden Commodore VF	01:30:31.6601	1:14.1909
6	Team HIFLEX	Tony D’Alberto	Holden Commodore VF	01:30:31.9113	1:14.0973
7	Red Bull Racing Australia	Craig Lowndes	Holden Commodore VF	01:30:32.5797	1:14.2647
8	Heavy Haulage Australia Racing	Tim Slade	Mercedes E63 AMG	01:30:34.2168	1:14.0378
9	Fujitsu Racing GRM	Scott McLaughlin	Holden Commodore VF	01:30:38.6971	1:14.4242
10	Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford	Will Davison	Ford Falcon FG	01:30:41.0017	1:14.3212
11	Red Bull Racing Australia	Jamie Whincup	Holden Commodore VF	01:30:41.1436	1:14.3661
12	Tekno Autosports	Jonathon Webb	Holden Commodore VF	01:30:41.7028	1:14.4280
13	Wilson Security Racing	Chaz Mostert	Ford Falcon FG	01:30:50.6356	1:14.3521
14	Norton 360 Racing	James Moffat	Nissan Altima	01:30:51.9295	1:14.4995
15	Jack Daniel’s Racing	Todd Kelly	Nissan Altima	01:30:53.7465	1:14.4089
16	Team BOC	Jason Bright	Holden Commodore VF	01:30:56.0802	1:14.3670
17	Lockwood Racing	Fabian Coulthard	Holden Commodore VF	01:30:56.7994	1:14.5728
18	Jeld-wen FPR Ford	Alex Davison	Ford Falcon FG	01:30:59.3225	1:14.2479
19	Fujitsu Racing GRM	Alexandre Premat	Holden Commodore VF	01:30:59.7491	1:14.4371
20	Jack Daniel’s Racing	Rick Kelly	Nissan Altima	01:31:03.8867	1:14.5206
21	ekol Racing	Scott Pye	Holden Commodore VF	01:31:04.1821	1:14.4103
22	Norton 360 Racing	Michael Caruso	Nissan Altima	01:31:12.7810	1:14.4376
23	Wilson Security Racing	Tim Blanchard	Ford Falcon FG	01:31:12.8491	1:14.3125
24	Dodo Insurance Racing	Dean Fiore	Holden Commodore VF	01:30:14.2590	1:14.6014
25	Wilson Security Racing	David Wall	Holden Commodore VF	01:30:41.8085	1:14.1332
26	The Bottle-O FPR Ford	David Reynolds	Ford Falcon FG	01:31:03.2834	1:15.4498
27	SP Tools Racing	Maro Engel	Mercedes E63 AMG	01:30:48.6833	1:16.2359
DNF	Irwin Racing	Lee Holdsworth	Mercedes E63 AMG	7:49.4783	1:15.960

Written by Loren Hazelwood @LorenHazelwood

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/1-2-finish-for-holden-racing-at-townsville/#sthash.ZVmWIWyF.dpuf

Media by Loren Hazelwood

Motor sport media, marketing and content specialist

Townsville

Successful Townsville Debut for Hazelwood Moving to Seventh in Series

Hazelwood Moves to Fifth in Series After First Race at Townsville

Hazelwood Tops Rookie Standings in Practice

Hazelwood Focused on Debut in North Queensland

1-2 Finish for Holden Racing at Townsville