V8 Supercar

Go Aussie Adam: Rising V8 Ute driver Adam Marjoram

Fiasco Sports, Sprint Karting, V8 Utes

Rising Australian motorsport star Adam Majoram recently caught up with Fiasco Sports to talk all things racing and V8 Utes. 

V8 Ute driver Adam Marjoram racing on the Gold Coast. Source: Adam Marjoram

V8 Ute driver Adam Marjoram racing on the Gold Coast. Source: Adam Marjoram

V8 Utes has a strong place in the heart of Australian motorsport and 20 year old Adam Marjoram is set to make his 2014 racing campaign stronger than ever.

While studying a double degree of Economics and Commerce and racing all over Australia, this year is set to be a challenging and exciting year for the Western Australian.

Marjoram was recently signed as part of V8 Supercar’s Erebus Motorsport Academy and Erebus Motorsport V8 Ute team, making his debut round at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500 look very strong.

The V8 Ute driver recently caught up with Fiasco Sports’ journalist Loren Hazelwood to talk about his exciting up-coming season.

Adam Marjoram confirms signing with Erebus Motorsport V8 Ute team. Source: Adam Marjoram

Adam Marjoram confirms signing with Erebus Motorsport V8 Ute team. Source: Adam Marjoram

Loren: You had a great debut season in the V8 Ute series last year, how will this help your 2014 campaign?

Adam: Yeah, it was a great year learning all the tracks and handle the V8 Utes – they’re very different to any other form of race car! For 2014, I have signed with the Erebus V8 Ute team and the Erebus Academy. With the resources and access to all areas with Erebus, it will help me to develop as a driver on and off the track and provide me with a really competitive car. Hopefully we can push the top 5 consistently!

Loren: Now you just mentioned that Erebus Motorsport have signed you as a ute driver, will their experience in V8 Supercars be beneficial for your second season in V8 Utes? 

Adam: For sure, Erebus are an extremely professional outfit and many of the things they have learned in V8 Supercars can be transferred to the V8 Ute team, whether it be technical or PR related.

Loren: You started out your racing career in sprint kart racing all over Australia, how has this helped in getting yourself to the level you are at today?

Adam: Karting is a great base for any young driver. It allows you to learn the fundamentals of racing and race craft. Transitioning into car racing is a hard process, however, the one thing you never lose is that race craft. Coming from Perth, you are very isolated; therefore you really have to travel abroad to race where the competition is. Because of this I was always learning new tracks; this really develops the adaptability of the driver so that when they are immersed into a new environment they can pick it up as quick as possible.

Loren: What has the V8 Ute experience been like? 

Adam: It has been amazing! To only be in the car racing scene for two years and getting the chance to race at places like Bathurst, Surfers Paradise and in front of my home crowd at Barbagallo [Perth], has been amazing. I have learned so much about racing over the 2013 season…the tracks, the cars, the media. It has just been a dream come true for me! When I go to the track I am honestly like a kid in a candy shop, there is nowhere else I’d rather be!

Adam Marjoram walking away from his horrific crash. Source: Adam Marjoram

Adam Marjoram walking away from his horrific crash. Source: Adam Marjoram

Loren: You unfortunately had a massive crash last year at the Gold Coast 500 and had to replace the car for the final round at Sydney, how did you take that challenge of overcoming a crash and coming to grips with a new car? 

Adam: Yeah, that was definitely the biggest crash I had been in. You race knowing that accidents like that happen, but you just never expect it to happen to you. I felt pretty sore after the crash as you’d expect, but went straight into exams so I couldn’t see anyone about it! I have since seen a physio, and all is well now. But I was very lucky to get another V8 Ute for the Sydney 500. Unfortunately we were plagued with problems from chronic understeer to overheating engines. That dropped us three positions in the Championship and down to third in the Rookie of the Year Championship which was not ideal.

Loren: You’ve been busy juggling university studies and racing, do you have anything else planned for 2014? 

Adam: Yeah, has been a busy, busy year! As part of the Erebus Academy I will be travelling to more V8 Supercar rounds outside of the V8 Ute calendar to learn and help the team. Otherwise, I am looking at getting back into a kart back here in Perth to keep my eye in a little more and keep up the training so that I am at my physical peak whenever I jump into a car! There also may be a couple of cool little things pop up during the year …you’ll have to keep posted.

Loren: The team here at Fiasco Sports will definitely be watching you this year! Is there anyone you would like to thank? 

Adam: Thanks! Look everyone that has been instrumental in forging my Motorsport Career has been amazing, namely the support from Auto One, Valvoline, Supercharge Batteries, Nova, my team last year – Williams Race Tech – and and my new team, Erebus Motorsport.

Loren: Thank you very much Adam, catch you on the track! 

Written by Loren Hazelwood. @LorenHazelwood

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/go-aussie-adam-rising-v8-ute-driver-adam-marjoram/#sthash.qNLeeJLp.dpuf

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Australian Racing’s Biggest Crashes Of 2013 Part II

Australian V8 Supercars, Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Spultured

Here’s the second half of our top 10 Aussie motorsport crashes of 2013. What’s your number one?

5. Scott Pye

V8 Supercar Championship
Symmons Plains, Tasmania

4. Steel Guiliana

Australian Formula 3 Drivers’ Championship
Hidden Valley Raceway, Darwin

3. Adam Marjoram

V8 Utes
Gold Coast

2. Brendon Tucker

Aussie Racing Cars
Homebush, Sydney

1. James Courtney

V8 Supercar Championship
Phillip Island, Victoria

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

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

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!

Young Guns Mostert and McLaughlin Take Race Wins at Ipswich

Australian V8 Supercars, Fiasco Sports

Chaz Mostert has taken his maiden win in the V8 Supercar series, with Scott McLaughlin taking his second this year after an eventful two races in Queensland. 

Scott McLaughlin leading in Race 2. Picture: Brendan Radke

The youngest drivers in the V8 Supercars category won both races at the Coates Hire Ipswich 360, with Scott McLaughlin taking Race 2 and Chaz Mostert taking his maiden victory winning Race 3. 

20-year-old McLaughlin took the first race by leading current series leader Jamie Whincup, making it a top-five finish for Holden.

Mostert then managed to qualify second for Race 3 to Ford Performance Racing’s Will Davison, giving Mostert the advantage at the start in the dry line.

The Dick Johnson Racing driver led the race from start to finish, as McLaughlin failed to challenge after he suffered from a flat front-left tyre.

The flat tyre drama also cost Whincup, James Courtney and Alex Davison crucial positions in the race.

Tim Blanchard also created some drama, causing an oil spill at the entry of Turn 3 under braking, forcing a few drivers to run wide and go off the circuit.

Race 3 also saw Ford take out the top four positions, with Dick Johnson Racing taking its first win since Jonathon Webb won three years ago.

The next round of the V8 Supercar Championship is held at Winton Raceway for the Winton 360, on the 23-25 August.

Written by Loren Hazelwood, @LorenHazelwood

– See more at: http://fiascosports.com/young-guns-mostert-and-mclaughlin-take-race-wins-at-ipswich/#sthash.CtfhDJrl.dpuf

Hazelwood Quickest in Practice

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Todd Hazelwood Racing
Todd Hazelwood in the Fujitsu Racing F304. Photo by Dirk Klynsmith

Todd Hazelwood in the Fujitsu Racing F304. Photo by Dirk Klynsmith

TODD Hazelwood has finally showed the pace he’s had all year and was quickest in today’s first practice, setting the pace for the Forpark National Formula 3 category.

This is the 17-year-old’s first time at the Hidden Valley circuit, with Hazelwood looking forward for what is to come in this weekend’s racing for the third round of the Australian Formula 3 championship.

“It’s good to finally show everyone that we are fast enough to win,” Hazelwood said.

“It will be super close this weekend in the Forpark National class, as neither of us drivers have raced at the Hidden Valley circuit.

“Hopefully we can continue our good form in qualifying and in the first race tomorrow.”

The South Australian has also picked up some local sponsors and supporters for this weekend’s event.

“Without the local support from Bosch Car Service and Hydrokleen, this weekend would not be possible,” Hazelwood stated.

“Hopefully we can re-pay them with some good results.”

The Formula 3 cars were also fastest category today to hit the Darwin circuit, setting the pace for the Australian V8 Supercars who are also racing at the Skycity Triple Crown event.

Todd Hazelwood will hit the Hidden Valley circuit tomorrow morning at 9:10 AM for qualifying and at 12:25 PM for the first race.

To keep track of Todd Hazelwood Racing’s progress at the Skyctiy Triple Crown, like his page on Facebook or follow Todd Hazelwood on Twitter.

Todd Hazelwood Ready for V8 Supercars Event in Darwin

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Todd Hazelwood Racing

SAM_0809

17-year-old Todd Hazelwood will head up north in two weeks time to race at the V8 Supercar event in Darwin, racing in the Australian National Formula 3 series.

The Adelaide-based driver recently raced at Bathurst and Tasmania this year and finished second at both rounds. Hazelwood is hoping he can continue his strong form in Darwin and go one better; take out the win for the National class.

Todd Hazelwood is yet to race around the Hidden Valley circuit, but is looking forward to the challenge ahead of him.

“I can’t wait to head up to Hidden Valley, as I have had great success previously throughout the Northern Territory claiming four state titles in my go-karting career, said Hazelwood.

“The team and myself have worked extra hard over the past six weeks and I am confident I can perform better with some key updates to the car.

“The first two rounds were a great success, finishing second in both rounds with only spending minimal time in the Formula 3 car due to budget constraints.

“Racing in front of the V8 Supercar teams, drivers and supporters is an exhilarating experience and hopefully we can continue our strong championship form in Darwin.”

Todd will hit the Hidden Valley circuit on Friday 14 June. To keep track of Todd Hazelwood Racing’s progress at the V8 Supercar round in Darwin, like his page on Facebook or follow Todd Hazelwood on Twitter.

PDF Document: Press Release- Hazelwood for V8 Event