LOCALS EAGER TO CHALLENGE LEADERS IN GTP & BRUTES SERIES FINALS AT MALLALA
Six South Australian drivers are planning to use their local knowledge to upset the usual order in a closely-fought finale for the Australian GT Performance touring car championship at Mallala Motorsport Park, near Adelaide, next weekend.
GT Performance (GTP) is one of six national motor racing categories lining up for the first visit to Mallala of the PROCAR Champ Series, presented by Coopers Pale Ale.
The intense competition between up to 15 different makes and models of production touring cars has been a season highlight and is certain to be continued at Mallala.
The championship is down to a two-way fight at the seventh and final round (presented by Bizmail Broadband) between Justin Hemmes, in a Subaru Impreza STi, and Paul Stokell, in a Volkswagen Golf R32, but the locals are relishing the chance to show who’s fastest in their own back yard.
Few other drivers in the 23-car field have any or much experience of Mallala, but the South Australians – Steve Knight, Ross Almond and Michael Brock (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8s), Steve Cramp and Craig Dontas (Holden GTS 300is) and Paul Mitolo (Mazda RX-7) – collectively have done thousands of laps.
“A few of the guys might underestimate how technical the track is and how hard it is on brakes,” said Steve Knight, a former South Australian Driver of the Year who steers Mitsubishi’s latest Lancer Evo 8 all-wheel drive sedan.
Knight has been close to winning several times this season in his Lancer, which runs with Mitsubishi’s official Ralliart team. An engineer at the manufacturer’s Adelaide factory, Knight hopes to have plenty of workmates’ support for his three 16-lap races on Sunday.
“We’ve had a bit of bad luck this season, but this is my chance,” he said.
“My aim is to try to get as many points as possible and finish one or maybe two places higher in the championship. At the moment I’m fifth.”
Racecar preparer Steve Cramp was among several drivers who tested at Mallala last week. He believes the results will give his 400 horsepower Holden HSV a strong chance.
“I’m going to give it a bloody good shot. We went out last Thursday and I did some very respectable times,” he said.
“Mallala may look simple, but it’s a technical circuit. It’s also the hardest circuit in the country on brakes, with three massive applications.
“There are three corners that are very technical and if you get them wrong it can cost you a second a lap. I believe I’ve worked out how to get out of those corners really well.
“I’m hoping that Steve Knight and I and the others are going to be up front, but this will be a completely open field.
“I think the Volkswagens will suffer under brakes with 16-lap races, the Subarus will get out of the corners quickly and our Holden V8 will have the top speed.
“Among the non-locals I rate Paul Stokell’s chances highly. He used to live in Adelaide when we were both racing Formula Holdens and he knows the track like the back of his hand; and I believe John Falk (Falcon GT) still holds the outright lap record for trucks.”
Adelaide Holden drivers Charlie Kovacs, Gary Baxter and Chris Smerdon expect a similar showdown with the visitors in the final round of the V8 BRutes Series.
“It might look pretty tame, but there are some really tricky parts to Mallalla and the newcomers are going to get caught out if they’re not paying attention,” Kovacs said.
“It is a technical course with off-camber and double apex corners, long straights and a combination of esses.”
Kovacs is full of praise for his home track.
“It’s great from a spectator point of view in that you can see almost the whole circuit, there are plenty of great garages for the teams, great facilities and of course there’s that great South Aussie hospitality from Clem Smith and the whole team. It’s just a brilliant place to race.
“It was a real bonus for all us South Aussies getting a home town round to round out the championship, so our team in particular is very determined to end the year on a high. We’ll be pulling out all the stops.”
GTP and the V8 BRutes will be part of a 15-race program on Sunday, also featuring the Australian Nations Cup Championship and Porsche Drivers Challenge, Australian Production Car Championship, Australian Formula 3 Championship and a local Formula Vee round.
Several championships are due to be decided.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (after round 6)
Nations Cup: GT class/Outright 509 Paul Stokell, 415 Nathan Pretty, 247 David Stevens, 160 James Brock, 156 Peter Brock, 141 Ian Palmer. Trophy class 291 Theo Koundouris, 266 James Koundouris, 240 John Teulan.
GT Performance: 379 Justin Hemmes, 304 Paul Stokell, 270 Ric Shaw, 237 Garry Holt, 217 Steve Knight, 216 Beric Lynton.
V8 BRutes: 439 Damien White, 353 Jack Elsegood, 262 Dave Griffin, 240 Gary Baxter, 221 Charlie Kovacs, 215 Kim Jane.
Production Cars: Outright, 304 Chris Alajajian, 222 Scott Loadsman, 219 David Russell, 203 Leanne Ferrier, 165 David Ratcliff, 158 Ian Luff. Class A 356 Chris Alajajian, Class B 263 Ian Luff, Class C 315 Leanne Ferrier, Class D 285 David Russell.
Speed Read, PROCAR Champ Series, Rd 7 (final)Mallala Motorsport Park (SA), 17-19 September
Races for Nations Cup & Porsche Challenge (GT sports cars), GT Performance (touring cars), Production Cars (touring cars), V8 BRutes, Formula 3 (open-wheelers) & Formula Vee. Other attractions – giant Ute Muster with trophies in four categories. Timetable – Friday from 9 am, practice; Saturday from 9am, qualifying & Formula Vee race; Sunday from 9 am, 15 races until 5pm.
Entry prices – Friday adult $10; Saturday adult $15; Sundayadult $25, grandstand $10. Children under 14 free, competitors’ paddock $10..Tickets at gate or book at BASS 131 246 or bass.net.au (pre-purchased tickets include free paddock entry).
Information – Mallala Motorsport Park (08) 8276 7744, mallala.comprocar.com.auv8brutes.com.
Television – (Check local guides for times)
Nations Cup – Sat. 25 Sept., Channel Nine; Thu. 30 Sept., Inside Speed, Fox Sports. GT Performance – Sat. 9 Oct., Channel Nine; Thu. 14 Oct., Inside Speed, Fox Sports.
V8BRutes – Sat. 16 Oct., Channel Nine; Thu. 21 Oct., Inside Speed, Fox Sports. Production Cars/F3 – Sat. 25 Sept., Speedweek, SBS; Thu. 30 Sept. Inside Speed, Fox Sports.
