WORLD MOTORSPORT NEWS

   

04 May 2012   
ARMOR ALL WITHDRAWS SUPPORT FOR BATHURST 12 HOUR

Armor All will withdraw its support for the Bathurst 12 Hour event effective immediately, citing a lack of forward growth in entry numbers as a key factor. At the same time, Armor All stressed this decision has no bearing on its commitment to motorsport in Australia and internationally.

General Manager of the Armored Auto Group - Paul Blair - says that while the company recognises the long term potential of the Bathurst 12 Hour, a lack of growth in participation has been a major determining factor.

“Whilst we recognise the support the event has received from international competitors and manufacturers - entry numbers haven’t matched pace with the investment required - so therefore we have elected to withdraw our support,” said Paul Blair.

Paul was quick to stress the decision had no effect on Armor All’s commitment to the car care product other motorsport properties:

“This decision bears no impact on the properties that we support in the Australian motorsport market - V8 Supercars, the V8 Utes and Speedcafe.com,” he added.

“We will continue to support those properties with the Armor All Pole Award in both V8 Supercars and V8 Utes; as a major supporter of the Armor All Gold Coast 600 and as a Platinum Partner of Speedcafe.com.

“We wish the Bathurst 12 Hour all the best for future success.”

Outside of its motorsport commitments in Australia, Armor All is continuing to develop a strategic base in emerging markets throughout Asia.

 

 

Mostert ‘ready to fire’ in Perth 

PREVIEW: Trading Post Perth Challenge, Barbagallo, WA

Dunlop V8 Supercar Development Series, Rnd#2 (May 4-6)

After more than two months, Ford Performance Racing’s Chaz Mostert finally returns to the wheel of his FPR/Team NAVY FG Falcon this weekend, for round two of the Dunlop Development Series at Perth’s Barbagallo Raceway, and for the championship points leader, opening practice can’t come soon enough..

 

“I can’t wait,” he grinned. “It has been so long since we’ve raced, so the first couple of sessions will just be dipping my toe back in the water, but I’m sure we’ll quickly be back up to speed for qualifying and racing. 

 

“In terms of the results, if we can come out in a good position overall and get a good haul of points I will be happy. We proved in Adelaide we will be strong this year and the chassis I am using is a huge improvement on what I’ve driven in the past, so I think even if we are not the fastest car we will be close to it.”

 

Despite a nine week break between rounds, the former Formula Ford Champion has kept busy in his role with FPR, traveling to events with the team to assist and gain greater knowledge of just what it takes to campaign a V8 Supercar at the highest level. He’s also been active behind the wheel, having just contested the recent Phillip Island 6-Hour production car event, where he was reunited with Nathan Morcom in the BMW 335i, the duo finishing third behind two much faster Mitsubishi EVOs.

 

“That was enjoyable. We were clearly out-performed by the EVOs, but we had the advantage with economy so we just needed to maintain consistentcy. The strategy paid off last time we raced, when we beat the EVOs at Eastern Creek in December to win the 6-Hour there, but third was the best we could do this time, although we had a great time regardless, and it’s always nice to turn laps at Phillip Island.” 

 

For now though the focus turns to the Dunlop Series and amassing more important points towards the championship. “The aim is to keep calm and steady, keep the car unscathed and amass good points, that’s the focus. They say that Barbagallo is a different kind of circuit to many of the others, but I fully expect that the guys [that were] at the front of the field at Clipsal, will still be the guys at the front of the field here.”

 

Whilst getting behind the wheel is a priority, Chaz’s first commitment in WA was a visit to HMAS Stirling at Garden Island where he was given a tour of HMAS Toowoomba, an Anzac Class Frigate, and HMAS Farncomb a Colins Class Submarine.

 

“That was amazing, they are incredible machines and I’m rapt that we were able to see them up close, it was a fantastic experience.”

 

Having started his career as a heavy vehicle mechanic working on trucks and diesel engines, Chaz admitted that he was very interested in the powerplants of the two vessels.

 

“The Submarine is powered by three V18 Hedemora diesels, whilst the Frigate had two twin-turbo V12 diesels and a General Electric turbine pumping out more than 33,000hp – now that’s serious horsepower!

 

“I was interested to note that all the mechanicals were exposed and accessible for easy maintenance, very much the opposite of a V8 Supercar where everything is tucked away.

 

“I have to thank the Navy for that experience, and I hope that I can give them plenty to cheer about at Barbagallo - surely all this extra maritime activity can only help, especially if it rains!”

 

Tim Edwards - FPR Team Principal:

“Chaz is itching to get back out and race as it has been two months since the first event. While he has been busy working with the team and learning a lot nothing beats seat time, so this weekend will be a good chance to pick up where he left off. Perth represents a new challenge for him and a unique one at that so I’m sure it will be another step in his development.”

 

2012 Dunlop Development Series

1. Chaz Mostert (Ford Performance Racing/Team NAVY) - 300 points

2. Scott McLaughlin (Ford) - 267

3. Nick Percat (Holden) - 267

4. Luke Youlden (Ford) - 222

5. Scott Pye (Holden) - 207

6. Ashley Walsh (Ford) - 231

7. Andrew Jones (Holden) - 165
8. Marcus Zukanovic (Holden) - 153
9. David Russell (Ford) - 147
10. Geoff Emery (Holden) - 147

 

2012 Dunlop Development Series Calendar

Event 01 - Clipsal 500, Adelaide (March 1-4) 

Event 02 - Trading Post Perth Challenge (May 4-6) 

Event 03 - Sucrogen Townsville 400 (July 6-8) 

Event 04 - Coates Hire Ipswich 300 (August 3-5) 

Event 05 - Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, NSW (October 4-7) 

Event 06 - Winton Motor Raceway, VIC (November 16-18) 

Event 07 - Sydney Telstra 500 (November 30-December 2)

 

2012 Trading Post Perth Challenge, Barbagallo - Race Schedule

The following times are Australian Western time
 

Friday May 4, 2012

Practice 1; 9:30 - 10:10am

Practice 2; 13:05 - 13:45pm
 

Saturday May 5, 2012

Qualifying; 9:00 - 9:30am

Race One; 11:30am - 18 laps*
(18-laps or one lap after 11:50am)

Race Two; 16:40pm - 18 laps
 

Sunday May 6, 2012

Race Three; 13:05pm - 50 laps*
(18-laps or one lap after 13:26pm)

 

Chaz Mostert is proudly supported by Ford Performance Racing, the Royal Australian Navy, Monster Energy, Factory Enterprises, Signature Series Group, Supercharge Batteries, MSA Safety Equipment and Manheim.