SUNDAY, 30 JULY 2017

IPSWICH SUPERSPRINT SUNDAY WRAP

Ipswich SuperSprint Sunday Wrap

PICTURED: A tyre failure ruined JC’s afternoon.

A front left tyre failure ruined James Courtney’s afternoon. Another slight improvement in qualifying saw JC out of 14th for the 65-lap race, with Scott in 17th.

They both kept their noses clean early, before JC was one of the first cars to stop on lap 11, while Scott swung by pit lane on lap 18.The undercut worked beautifully, with car 22 just outside the top 10, and Scotty inside the 15 at the second round of stops on lap 34 and 35 respectively.

With 11 to go, sitting in position 12 and catching the cars in front, the front left tyre on JC’s car failed, forcing him to stop again and go a lap down, ruining his afternoon. As there were two other cars who had tyre issues leaving debris on the track a safety car was called.The guys decided to box Scott to swap tyres, but unfortunately on his way into pit lane, he was held up by a slow car with damage.

After going green with eight laps remaining, Scott climbed back to 16th, one stop up from where he started, with JC crossing in 23rd. It wasn’t the afternoon we were after, but the tyre failure was out of our control, and Scott was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

We take the positives from the weekend, with some gains being made in both qualifying and the race.Now we look forward to our first test day since the beginning of the year, before we head to Sydney Motorsport Park.

Thanks as always for your support.

JAMES COURTNEY“That tyre failure was deflating…“Things were looking okay for us today. The guys made a great call on strategy, and I was being conservative with the tyres in the final stint, setting myself up for a crack at the end.“Like Scott, I’m looking forward to the test day. I think the qualifying car was better today, so we are heading in the right direction.”

 

ANDREW WILES

Public Relations and Media Manager for MOBIL HSV RACING TEAM

AGP – Sunday Wrap Mobil 1 HSV Racing Team

Sunday at the Australian Grand Prix always has a special feel to it, there is a real buzz around the place, and for the Mobil 1 HSV Racing team, they capitalised for their best results of the weekend.After finally getting a clear run in the qualifying session on Friday, James was out of P8, and Scott P10 for the start of this one.The two boys went side by side into turn 1, with JC holding the advantage for the first lap.They both picked up a spot to sit seventh and ninth after the first tour of the circuit.Both cars were stuck in a six-car freight train in the middle of the race, meaning it was hard going to get out put a clean lap in without anyone in their way.Two cars in front had a delaminating tyre, which mean car #2 and car #22 were bumped up the order.JC held of a few lunges from behind in the closing laps to bring it home in P5, while Scott was lurking just behind in P7.After what was a tough start to the weekend, the way it finished off was extremely positive.Both showed great progress over the four races, and both were able dial a few different setups in over the weekend.Most importantly, both cars are straight, ready for Tasmania in a fortnight.Bring it on.

From the Cockpit

JAMES COURTNEY “Another reasonable qualifying session on Friday meant that we weren’t caught up in the mess.“The car was really racey again, especially early, we were just sandwiched between two Nissans and couldn’t get clear air.“We tried a lot of stuff this weekend, some worked, some didn’t, so we answered a lot of questions before next round.“I’m happy where we ended up this weekend.”

 

www.mobil1hsvracing.com.au

REVEAL OF LANDMARK TEAM’s NEW ERA

Synonymous with motorsport, long-term backers Mobil 1 and Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) have come together to share the naming rights of Supercars’ most prestigious race team.

The joining of these two iconic brands and Walkinshaw, form the powerhouse trio behind the new Mobil 1 HSV Racing team. This launch marks a new era in the team’s long and prestigious history in Australian motorsport, and Team Owner Ryan Walkinshaw says the team’s relentless passion for success is as fierce as ever.

“We have two of the most recognisable and longstanding partners in the sport – Mobil 1 and HSV, who have come together as the naming rights sponsors of our new team.“Together with the extensive expertise in the Walkinshaw garage, we believe we are in a perfect position to kick-start our new chapter.”

The new team will share the major branding positions of the car through a rotational partnership model that delivers a range of unique liveries throughout the season including the launch livery presented today. “Today I am proud to reveal our stunning launch livery which features Mobil 1 and HSV branding.”

Walkinshaw Racing has a proud 26-year history in Australian motorsport which includes eight Driver Championship wins, seven Team Championship wins, nine Bathurst 1000 wins and 212 race wins. Both Mobil 1 and HSV have shared in all those wins under the Walkinshaw banner.“For many years the iconic Mobil 1 brand has remained a technology partner of the Walkinshaw Racing team, and in conjunction with our authorised lubricant distributors in ANZ we are very excited to further enhance our relationship with the team for 2017” said Mobil Motorsport Manager Australia, Colin Smith.

Holden Special Vehicles CEO Tim Jackson says for HSV this partnership allows us to perform under one banner, as one team.

“HSV’s are performance vehicles bred from the race track, so aligning more closely with the race team provides a way for our passionate HSV fans to be a closer part of who we are, at all levels of performance,” said Jackson.

As announced in 2016, Mobil 1 HSV Racing also boasts a strong driver line-up including James Courtney and Scott Pye. Returning for the endurance season are Jack Perkins, who will team up with Courtney for a third consecutive year, and Warren Luff who will pair with Pye for the first time.Walkinshaw veteran and 2010 Supercars Championship winner James Courtney is entering his seventh year with the team and said the dedication and passion of the Walkinshaw fans is a significant part of why he loves the Walkinshaw team.

 “Our fans have such a strong connection with us that it doesn’t matter whether we carry a new name or wear different colours, they know our goal is to win races. “It’s their team, it’s their journey and I want to be bringing that team back to the glory days.

“This has been my home for so long and I can’t wait to give our loyal supporters who have stood by us something to cheer about this season,” said Courtney.New-recruit Scott Pye says it’s an exciting time to be joining the team and he is particularly excited about being part of their new direction. 

“It’s going to be a huge year for Mobil 1 HSV Racing. I have seen how deep the passion for this team runs in our supporters, our partners, and our crew, and it feels really good to be part of that environment,” said Pye.Mobil 1 HSV Racing will take to the track for the first time at the Supercars test day at Sydney Motorsport Park, 21 February 2017.

Mobil 1 HSV Racing, February 2, 2017 - : Mobil 1 HSV Racing 2017, Studio, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Credit: Lucas Wroe / Mobil 1 HSV Racing / Hotglue

Mobil 1 HSV Racing, February 2, 2017 – : Mobil 1 HSV Racing 2017, Studio, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Credit: Lucas Wroe / Mobil 1 HSV Racing / Hotglue

Article from team website: http://www.mobil1hsvracing.com.au

2016 HRT

The Holden Racing Team has released official renderings of its new livery that V8 Supercars champion drivers, Garth Tander and James Courtney will carry during the team’s 2016 V8 Supercars campaign.

HRT also launched its 2016 season by confirming its full driver line-up for the year, with Warren Luff and Jack Perkins returning to partner Tander and Courtney in the annual endurance races after successful campaigns last year.2016 will also be the sixth season for the Tander/Courtney partnership, becoming the longest serving driver line-up in HRT history.

The work of Holden designer Peter Hughes, HRT’s 2016 VF Commodore V8s feature refreshed graphics incorporating a more dynamic and assertive front-end design.

Hughes said he was proud to have delivered his 14th regular season livery for the official factory team, one that will quickly be identified as distinctly HRT.“We have focussed on adding fresh, simplistic detailing to the 2016 Holden Racing Team livery, while using the colour ways of last year’s commemorative ANZAC livery to inspire the new car for this season,” Hughes said.“We have also added a darker, more aggressive front-end appearance, and that delivers an unmistakeably strong message from the team.“Hopefully that translates to a strong, clean character for race fans at the track, and for those watching them race on the TV at home.”

Tander said he was looking forward to a new season, his 18th full-time year in V8 Supercars.“I’m extremely optimistic about the year ahead,” Tander said. “We ended 2015 with a lot of strengths – our race pace, strategy and tyre life were very good, but we were also well aware of our weaknesses.“The focus during the break has been on making improvements in certain areas – in our qualifying speed and our set-up for flowing circuits.“We’ll test those areas next week and then look to begin the year on a strong note at the Clipsal 500, then carry that through the season.”

Courtney said he was looking forward to a full season, having missed three events – Eastern Creek, Sandown and Bathurst – after being injured in a well-publicised freak accident.“I’ve been criticised for making rash claims, saying we intend to win races, but if you don’t have the intention to win then you’re in racing for the wrong reasons,” Courtney said.“Our goals are always to better ourselves as a team and overcome our flaws, and that’s what brings results.”Courtney said he was proud to be partnering Tander for a sixth season, a team record.“

Some people in the paddock were wishing we were going to be V8’s version of Senna and Prost, but it’s been nothing like that,” Courtney said.“Sure, we’ve had a couple of scraps, that happens when you’re competitive people racing hard at the front of a pack, but we like working together.”

Luff returns for this third straight enduro campaign alongside Tander, the pair taking out the prestigious Pirtek Endurance Cup last year with consistent performances in the Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 600.“I’m excited to be back for my third year with HRT; it was a childhood dream of mine to drive for the Holden Racing Team, so I’m excited to be back,” Luff said.“Driving with GT has been a lot of fun and we’ve enjoyed some good success together, standing on the podium last year at Bathurst and the Gold Coast and winning the Endurance Cup are highlights.“I’m hopeful we can enjoy even more success, and getting a Bathurst win is at the top of our list.”

After scoring his maiden V8 win with Courtney on the Gold Coast, and filling in for him in the #22 HRT Commodore when Courtney was injured, Perkins is excited to be back with the team.“It goes without saying that I am pumped to be back with the Holden Racing Team and back driving with James in the Enduro Cup,” said Perkins. “Hopefully I’ll actually get to do all the races with him this year.“Last year, in the two races we did do together we finished fifth and first, so I’m look forward to building on those great results.”

Long-time loyal sponsors, HSV, SP Tools, Morris Finance, NGK, MTAA Super and John Hart all return, as does lubricants partner Mobil 1 which enters its 24th year with HRT. Monster Energy Drinks’ famous green claws also adorn the HRT Commodores for a second straight year, with a Monster-themed HRT merchandise range having been designed to broaden the team’s audience even further. The Holden Racing Team is ready put the bite on its opposition – a SharkBite in fact.

Megan Crockford

Holden Racing Team

See www.hrt.com.au for more info

The Chequered Flag Falls on the 2015 V8 Supercars Season

Sunday 6th December 2015
The streets of Sydney Olympic Park proved how cruel they can be with the Holden Racing Team missing out on the fairly-tale ending it was hoping for at the final event of the 2015 V8 Supercars season, the Coates Hire Sydney 500.Today’s 20 minute qualifying session produced two different results for the HRT VF Commodores with Tander clocking the 15th fastest time.  Courtney was positioned provisionally in 7th with the chance to better his place on the starting grid in the top ten shootout.  The shootout was a nail biter and it was Courtney who proved his dominance on street circuits – he went on to take pole position with a time of 1.28.0667.

Enthusiasm in the team was high as the prospect of a winning, in what was a mixed season of fortunes, was realised.  Unfortunately it wasn’t to be.

As the cars rumbled through the concrete jungle on the opening lap, Courtney led the way with Van Gisbergen hot on his tail and Tander had moved to 11th.  Van Gisbergen was relentless in challenging for the lead and inevitably on the second lap pushed Courtney into the tyre wall at turn one.  Car #22 only lost two places but had suffered damage and while Courtney tried to push on he was forced to make a stop.

With no mechanical damage, only bodywork, he was sent back out and rejoined the race in 22nd.  Tander had trucked along since the green lights, kept out of trouble and had moved to 9th.

Just 11 laps into the race the safety car was called when stablemate Tim Slade discovered how brutal the circuit can be and proceeded into the wall.  Tander took advantage of the safety car and made his first top for rear tyres and fuel – it was a long stop and he took on more fuel than any of his competitors in hope this would help him at a later stage of the 74 lap finale – he rejoined the race in 14th.

At the restart Courtney was position in 6th and soon moved up one place when he passed Bright.  Garth had a big moment on lap 18, he was sandwiched between two cars and as they fired towards the chicane it was a game of chicken as to who would brake last without crashing.  Tander won this battle and moved into 13th.

Needing to make a third stop to see him to the end of the race, Courtney visited pit lane for the final time on lap 54. There was a second safety car deployed with just 7 laps to go but this had no bearing on the position of the HRT commodores.

In the dying stages of the race two cars went into the wall which saw Courtney move up two spots, and on the final lap he nudged past Moffat to come home in 12th. Tander finished just outside the top 10 in 11th.

In the final standings of the Driver’s Championship Tander finished 6th and Courtney 10th while the Holden Racing Team finished 3rd in the Team’s Championship.

That now concludes the 2015 V8 Supercars Championship.  The Holden Racing Team would like to say a special thank you to all our sponsors, members and fans for their ongoing support throughout the season.

Words by Megan Crockford

Holden Racing Team

To check out JCs RACE WRAP – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zSXYnAs0t4&feature=youtu.be

 

Sunday Race Wrap: Phillip Island

Sunday 22nd November 2015
Conditions were cool, dry and overcast as the Holden Racing Team hit the picturesque Phillip Island circuit for the final day of racing at the WD-40 Super Sprint.With Tander starting 15th and Courtney 17th for Race 33 is was going to be a tough 45-lap slog for the HRT boys to find their way to the front of the pack.  Tander did his best to make headway off the line and made up two places, while Courtney was tagged as Wood turned into the middle of the pack on the opening lap.

Suspecting damage to the right rear of his Holden Commodore, his engineer Alistair McVean called him in for his first stop.  He wasn’t the only car to pit with a third of the field opting to make a lap-1 stop.

No mechanical damage was found on car #22 and with fresh fuel and tyres Courtney was sent back out on track. Tander meanwhile pitted just three laps later also for fuel and tyres.  Once the field had completed their first roundof pit stops Tander was up to 9th and Courtney was sitting 13th.

The second series of stops for the Holden Racing Team took place on laps 21 and 22 with Courtney the first in for fuel and tyres.  There were plans to make adjustments to the ride height of his #22 car, however they were abandoned as the bonnet was too dented for the crew to make this change.

Tander and Courtney held their positions through the second stop and re-joined the race in 9th and 13th respectively.  This is where they remained until the chequered flag.

It was almost an incident free trek to the finish but with just four laps remaining car #2 had an engine misfire. Luckily this didn’t end Tander’s race and he was able to press on to the finish.

The final event of the 2015 V8 Supercars season will take place in just two weeks’ time, 4-6 December, at Sydney Olympic Park.

Adrian Burgess, Managing Director:
“It was another tough weekend for the team, we were trying a lot of new parts on the car this in preparation for 2016.  Unfortunately this year hasn’t gone the way we wanted so we have to have one eye on next year.”

“Although the results don’t show it, there are a few positives and we did learn a fair bit this weekend, but equally we aren’t happy about where we finished.”

“The structure of our team for next year is now identified and set so we can focus on getting the group together for next season and roll out with a car that is better than the one we currently have.”

“We are still going to Homebush to fight for the podiums and fight for the wins but we need to go home, do some work and make sure we have a better 2016 then we have this year.”

Holden Racing Team WIN Race 27 and PIRTEK Enduro Cup

It was a thrilling finish to the V8 Supercars endurance season on the Gold Coast with Garth Tander and Warren Luff not only winning the PIRTEK Enduro Cup but also claiming 3rd in the final race.  James Courtney made a stunning comeback to racing after injury taking the top step on the podium with Jack Perkins in Race 27.As if that wasn’t enough, Warren Luff today became the only driver to win the PIRTEK Enduro Cup twice and the Holden Racing Team has moved into 2nd place in the Team Championship.Qualifying was the first session of the day with Car #2 placing 7th and Car #22 11th for the 300 km endurance finale.  It was a race that again saw few safety cars, the first was called when two cars went into the wall on just lap 8.

The second safety car, which was called on lap 54, was a pivotal point in the race.  Both HRT cars pitted which meant Courtney was forced to double stack behind team mate Tander.  The two cars would again need to pit before the end of the race for fuel.

Alistair McVean, Head Engineer for Car #22 made a call that, if successful, would ultimately see Courtney and Perkins win the race.  He opted to pit for a second time while still under the safety car for a quick top of fuel.  If Courtney could conserve fuel and no other safety cars were called, they would be in a position to win the race as other cars ahead would have to stop.  The strategy couldn’t have been better scripted with Car #2 taking chequered flag honours.

Blake Smith, Head Engineer for Car #2 chose a different option and waited as long as possible before stopping for fuel. Tander stayed out, kept his head down and used the clear air to pull a gap that would ultimately see him emerge from his final stop in front of his main rivals.  It too paid off and Car #2 crossed the finish line in 3rd, and in doing so also secured the PIRTEK Enduro Cup.

The next V8 Supercars event is at Pukekohe Raceway, Auckland, New Zealand in just two weeks’ time.

Courtney cleared to return for Holden Racing Team, Tander & Luff chase Pirtek Endurance Cup win

V8 Supercars Champion James Courtney will make his return to driving with the Holden Racing Team at this weekend’s Castrol Gold Coast 600.Courtney has received medical clearance to resume racing after missing the past three V8 events due to serious injuries received in a freak pit lane incident at Sydney Motorsport Park in August.

He will re-join enduro co-driver Jack Perkins in the #22 HRT Commodore for the final event of the three-event Pirtek Endurance Cup after retired veteran Russell Ingall stood in for Courtney at Sandown and Bathurst – Ingall and Perkins finishing ninth at Sandown and 11th at Bathurst to sit tenth in enduro points.

“It’s a relief to finally receive medical clearance and be back for my hometown race on the Gold Coast – I’m raring to go,” Courtney said.

“Missing three events, especially Bathurst, was tough, but my doctors tell me I’m ok now and ready to race.

“The Gold Coast event is one of the season’s toughest races on one of the most challenging and unforgiving circuits we visit, but after nine weeks out of the car I’m up for it.”

HRT team-mate Garth Tander and his enduro co-driver, Warren Luff, sit second in the enduro cup standings following a fourth at Sandown last month and a fighting podium for third in Australia’s great race at Mount Panorama two weeks ago.

A seven-time race winner on the Gold Coast, Tander believes it is possible to snatch the Pirtek Endurance Cup.

“The goal is to always have a strong enduro campaign and to date Warren and I have had just that,” Tander said.

“We’ve always had a speedy car on the Gold Coast and I’ve been lucky enough to have won there a few times in the past.

“Street circuits are never easy. They’re tough and anything can happen, especially on the Gold Coast, but a win in the Pirtek Endurance Cup is possible.”

Currently sixth in series points, Tander is also just 200 points out of second place in the race for the title with four events remaining.

“Aside from [leader] Winterbottom, the points are close so a good result this weekend will go a long way towards securing a top three position in the championship come Homebush.”

The Gold Coast 600 kicks off with practice on Friday, with qualifying, a Top 10 Shootout and the weekend’s first of two 300km races Saturday. The event concludes with qualifying and Race 2 Sunday.

James Courtney ruled out of Bathurst 1000

Wednesday 7th October 2015
James Courtney ruled out of Bathurst 1000
Russell Ingall to co-drive #22 HRT Commodore with Jack Perkins
V8 Supercars Champion James Courtney has been ruled out of this year’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, beginning at Mt Panorama tomorrow.Courtney was seriously injured in a freak incident at Sydney Motorsport Park in August when he was hit by advertising walls sent flying by the downdraft of a helicopter. The Navy Seahawk helicopter had been hovering above pit lane performing a demonstration.

The medical team overseeing the 2010 V8 Supercar Champion’s recovery made the final decision on his fate late last night.

“James suffered serious injuries in August’s incident, with the architecture concerning his rib and lung area severely damaged. While there has been significant betterment in the healing, and his pain has been abated and controlled, James has not been cleared to race this weekend. We have made this decision in the interests of James’ health and recovery,” a medical spokesperson said.

As at Sandown, two-time Bathurst winner turned FOX SPORTS motorsport expert, Russell Ingall will again fill in for Courtney, sharing the #22 Holden Racing Team Star Wars: The Force Awakens light side Commodore. The pair finished ninth in last month’s Sandown 500.

– ENDS –

UPDATE ON JAMES COURTNEY’S RECOVERY

11th September, 2015

 

While James is disappointed he can’t be at the Sandown event this weekend, he is fully focussed on recovering so he can be back in the #22 Commodore for the Bathurst 1000 in October.This week James underwent a CT scan and 3D model of chest and upper body. It was found that he has five broken ribs (not three as initially thought), two under his arm and three on his back. Rib number seven is displaced which is causing soft tissue pain and because the bones are broken on both his side and back there is little support for movement.After the scans James went to see a thoracic surgeon and it was recommended he undergo further pain treatment to assist the recovery process. A nerve blocker has been injected into his spine to ease the pain and allow him to move and breathe more easily. This will also help reduce the risk of him developing pneumonia. James will again being seeing the thoracic specialist today to work on different recovery methods to ensure he is fighting fit for Bathurst.While the above sounds quite dramatic, the team is fully focussed on James’ recovery and is ensuring he receives the best medical care available. If all goes to plan the current medical advice suggests no reason why James won’t be taking his place on the grid at Bathurst.