Hello All,

Well it’s been an interesting time in the V8 Supercar race series lately with less than ideal results at Bathurst but an improved result at Surfers. But as they say – that’s racing.

Bathurst
While I’m sure you would agree the racing at Bathurst was exciting a number of the top Holden teams suffered problems early on leaving a bunch of those other cars to battle out the lead. The sole Holden front runner late in the race was our great kiwi pairing of Greg and Jason. They battled on despite a lack of straight line speed, well done on your hard fought 4th place.

The Toll HSVDT retired both of its cars when the ongoing brake problems became insurmountable with about 25 laps to go. Rather than try to battle on and risk both the drivers and the cars, the team decided to regroup for the next round at Surfers Paradise in two weeks.

Running second early in the race, Mark Skaife was well on the pace until a faulty fuel hose lengthened his pit stop, sliding him down the order. Co-driver Todd Kelly fought back into front place, two thirds through the race, but a splash and dash’ pit stop would again force HRT’s #2 back down the order.  Skaife resumed the battle for the top ten late in the pace but found a wall and was beached in greasy conditions to record a non-finish.  The sister red car of Seton and Pretty ran solidly within reach of the top ten for most of the day to finish in 11th place at the race end.

Indy
A fighting victory by Toll HSV Dealer Team’s Garth Tander in an action-packed V8 Supercar Challenge at Surfers Paradise has guaranteed a championship cliff-hanger over the final three rounds. Tander picked up 58 points with two race wins and a eighth over the three races to close within just nine points of championship leader Jamie Whincup who failed to finish the final race after a collision.

Tander' s team-mate Rick Kelly also clawed his way back into the event and the championship, despite a crash in practice and a stuck throttle that sent him zooming up an escape road in Race 2.

Tasman Motorsport experienced its most successful V8 sprint round ever, with Jason Richards claiming a podium finish in third and Greg Murphy sixth overall in a day of drama in the V8 Supercar Challenge on the Gold Coast.

After strong performances Friday and Saturday, both Firepower Tasman Commodores were again on the pace in Sunday’s two races, with Murphy fourth and Richards sixth in the earlier 27 lap contest. The two cars were then running nose-to-tail early in Race 3, with Murphy on his way to a certain podium, but when an early Safety Car period was called he missed his pit bay when called to make his compulsory stop. Richards, preparing to queue up behind Murph and likely to lose track position in doing so, swooped, a quick stop effectively vaulting him two spots ahead in the pack.

Murphy recovered from a subsequent late stop to finish in the points in 13th, Richards battled his namesake, Steven Richards, over the closing laps to finish the race second and earn his podium for the overall round result.

Next Event – Desert 400 Bahrain – Nov 1st to 3rd

Drivers Championship Table after Indy

Teams Championship Table after Indy

Don’t forget to look out for Andy Booth racing the Tasman Commodore in the NZV8’s starting with their first round at Pukekohe Nov 3rd and 4th .

PS - Congratulations to Mark & Toni Skaife... proud parents of their new baby girl Tilly Joan who was born Oct 24th at 9.50pm at Cabrini Hospital weighing 7lb 10oz. The family is resting and doing well

Regards

Andrew Lamb
Holden Special Vehicles