Motorsport Downunder

The 2009 model KTM 530 EXC has proven to be a stand out in the Australian Safari with Motorex KTM team riders David Schwarz and Matt Fish, both winning their respective classes and finishing within the top ten outright.

David Schwarz won the production class by over one hour, where no engine changes were permitted throughout the entire 4400 kilometres of the race, while Matt Fish won the super production class by over two hours, where engine changes are permitted, yet the KTM 530 EXC easily stood its ground, with no engine changes required.

Motorsport Insurance today launched some major solutions for insurance in the motor sport industry.

Their new range of Personal Accident Cover recently went on sale and already both new and existing clients have commented on the outstanding ‘value for money’ on offer from the new policies.

General Manager, Andy Ticehurst commented, “Competitors, crews and officials wanted more cover than what’s been on offer prior. We went to work with our key underwriter for personal accident cover, ‘Accident and Health International Underwriting,’ and came up with the base cover of $1000 per week. Superior cover has been increased to $1500 per week and our Maxi cover (for the higher wage earners) topping an amazing $2100 per week with $120,000 death benefit. All of these are from as little as $99 per year.”

A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has moved A1GP Mugello, Italy from the opening round of the 2008/09 championship following a delay in the build schedule of the new chassis. The first time all the nations will be seen in action will now be on the 4 – 5 October at A1GP Zandvoort, Netherlands.

The series set itself a tight schedule with less than 11 months to design, build and test the new car and make sure all the teams received identical machinery. Any delays in the schedule were always going to impact on the ability to deliver to all the teams.

“It was always going to be an optimistic programme but we were confident we could achieve it. This in no way reflects on the work undertaken by the technical team and our partners, as it was due to circumstances beyond their control. I also want to thank all our technical partners for their support during our intensive testing programme, and especially Ferrari for the supply of engines,” said A1GP Chief Executive Officer, Pete da Silva.

Nearly 1300 Subarus will gather in the UK to celebrate the life of Colin McRae and create a convoy which will stretch nearly 20 miles.

Fans up and down the country will be able to watch the convoy as it travels more than 300 miles from Lanark, Scotland to the home of the Subaru World Rally Team in Banbury on Saturday 30 August.

The convoy of Subarus departs the McRae's hometown of Lanark at 1000hrs, led by Jimmy McRae in one of Colin’s original cars, before travelling south. By the time it reaches Birmingham, it will have grown to more than 700 cars and stretch for more than ten miles. Watching from a single point, it will take ten minutes for the memorable note of the flat four boxer engines to pass by.

Sixteen year old Jason Reed has a famous last name in the sport of dirt bike racing, that has seen him carry a desire to succeed and follow in the footsteps of his cousin - World Supercross Champion, Chad Reed.

Jason Reed’s dream has become more attainable now that he is at an age to enter senior racing, yet before he steps up to this level, his ambition is to finish his junior racing career on a high at the Australian Junior Motocross Championship, taking place at Wanneroo Junior Motocross Club, Pinjar Park in WA from 28 September to 3 October.

Ramachandran has enjoyed relaxing at home in the break between seasons, but is keen to be back racing again next month. Before the first race in Mugello, Italy, in September, the 33 year-old and his colleagues need to have everything ready.

Ramachandran will head to Bognor Regis in the South of England to start working alongside the other A1GP teams at the technical production facility there.

With a new car being introduced for this season Ramachandran and mechanics from other teams will receive comprehensive training on the unique features of the new car.

This induction will be followed with a series of seminars at the A1GP Technical Centre at Silverstone Circuit, with mechanics from each of the nation’s teams being given training in three aspects of the car; gearbox, electronics and parts maintenance, all of which are supplied by companies new to the Series and all of which have specific technical knowledge requirements.

With its stunning visual impact, exhilarating all-around dynamic performance, innovative chassis technology and high levels of luxury, packaging and convenience, the Evora heralds an exciting new era for Lotus.

* Lotus Evora in detail
* First 2+2 mid-engined sports car
* Performance, 21st century technology, practicality
* 206kW power and 7.8l/100km economy

The Australian Formula 3 Championship battle will shift up a gear in this weekend's sixth round of the Shannons Nationals at Phillip Island, with Nathan Caratti and Leanne Tander entering the weekend sharing the championship lead.

Phillip Island will host the penultimate Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship round of the year and the 150th race in the championship's history, which is the nation's fastest class with alumni including Indycar driver Will Power and impressive V8 Supercar rookie Michael Caruso.