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The Glenfords Racing Holden will be displaying a special livery this weekend in the Mothers Day Classic at Barbagallo in the V8 Supercar Championship in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

It is hoped the one-off paintjob will raise the profile of the Mothers Day Classic and also raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Ford Australia’s nominated charity.

The Mothers Day Classic is a walk/run event held on Sunday the 14th of May in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart. Over 24,000 people are expected to participate to make it the biggest Mothers Day Classic ever.

“There was an opportunity to help out a great cause and we were more than happy to do our little bit,” said Paul Cruickshank, Team Owner of Glenfords Racing. “V8 Supercars gets a lot of national exposure so if we can help raise the profile of the Mother’s Day Classic and raise some money in the process then it is certainly worth doing.

“A lot of people visit our major sponsors, Glenfords Tool Centres, on the weekends and we ask them to put their loose change in the donation tins in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation,” added Cruickshank.

All proceeds from the Mothers Day Classic are donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, a not for profit organisation that promotes and supports research into breast cancer prevention and treatment.

Dick Johnson will next week celebrate 25 years of racing in Western Australia (WA), when he takes the Dick Johnson Racing (DJR) team to Perth for Round 3 of the Supercar Championship Series.

1981 was Dick’s first year of racing in WA, and he has returned to the west every year since contesting a variety of motorsport categories.

“This will be my 25th year in Perth and I’m proud to say I haven’t missed an event here since my first,” said Dick Johnson.

“Whether racing myself or being part of a team I’ve always been here for the action and loved every minute of it.”

Now the owner of the high profile team DJR, Dick has seen the event grow year by year, and has also been a witness and contributor to the evolution of the motorsport industry as a whole.

“I’ve certainly seen a lot of change over the years,” said Dick.

“From the days where sponsorships were few and far between, as were crashes.

We’ve now got logos in every possible place, and come to events armed with spare panels and bumpers for repairs.”

The magnitude of this 25 year celebration can be emphasised by the fact that Dick has been visiting Perth on the race circuit, for more years than the age of his newly appointed driver, 23 year old Will Davison.

“Dick’s been around for a long time, he’s had massive amounts of success,” said Will Davison.

“With all the experience he has and his legendary status it’s a privilege to be driving for his team, plus he’s a really good bloke!”

“It’s great to still see the competitive streak in him and the fire in his belly to go and win races.”

Dick will look on as Davison and son Steven Johnson battle it out at Barbagallo Raceway in the highly competitive V8 Supercar field.

Davison has raced on the Barbagallo circuit just once in his days driving an open wheeler in the Formula Ford category, winning both races.

“I’ve got good memories of racing in Perth and I am loving driving V8’s,” said Will Davison.

“We’re continuing the learning process and we came out of our last event in New Zealand with a lot of new knowledge.”

“I really can’t get in the car soon enough!”

DJR has worked solidly on the #17 FirstRock Falcon and the #18 V8 Telecom car since New Zealand, capitalising on car speed achieved, and is set for success in WA to help celebrate Dick’s 25 years.

Current Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series points-leader, Adam Macrow, has joined Fujitsu Racing’s Britek Motorsport for the annual Sandown and Bathurst endurance races.

Macrow, the 1998 Formula Ford Champion and podium finisher at last year’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will join Fujitsu Racing’s Warren Luff, Jose Fernandez and Tony Ricciardello in what will be an extremely experienced driving line-up.

Macrow will take advantage of being classified as a V8 Supercar ‘rookie’ and will test the Britek Motorsport car in May and again in late August alongside Fernandez and Ricciardello.

Team General Manager Chris Jewell said, “In so many ways we are much better prepared than we were last year and signing Adam so early as the final driver for the endurance events is fantastic news for the team. He’s a class act and has always driven with great verve and race-craft and we’ll all be keeping an eye on his championship exploits in the Fujitsu Series.”

“I’m confident we have one of the best line-ups of the middle-order teams and when you consider we were on target for a top-eight finish at Bathurst last year we have every right to believe we can achieve a strong result come this October’s event.”

Team Betta Electrical stars Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup today spent some time with the world’s most recognised sportsman, Tiger Woods.

In Auckland for this weekend’s second round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, Lowndes and Whincup shared some brief driving tips with Woods. Woods will drive in a celebrity speedway challenge at the Huntly Speedway on Monday evening.

Woods has been asked to take part in the event by his golfing caddie Steve Williams. A native New Zealander, Williams is rumoured to be getting married this weekend outside Auckland. Williams has been a national Speedway champion in New Zealand and still races part-time.

Woods and Williams will drive stock sedans in an event aimed at raising money for young New Zealand sporting talent.

Woods had photos taken with the Ford stars as well as arriving and leaving in a Ford Explorer.

“He’s someone I’d always wanted to meet,” said Lowndes.

“Without doubt he’s the world’s most recognised athlete, and it was a big thrill to share some time with him.

“I’ve now had my time with the Tiger – now I need to concentrate on taming the Holden lion at the race track this weekend.”

“I understand that he might be having a look at the V8 Supercars at track this weekend. I’m sure he’ll get a far greater appreciation for what we do. I play a little golf, and I can tell you I certainly admire what he has achieved.”

Championship leader Jamie Whincup was thrilled to meet Woods.

“Hey I thought Craig Lowndes was popular, and then I meet Tiger Woods,” said Whincup.

“He’s very determined to do well in the celebrity race on Monday. Obviously he gives everything 100% whether it’s golf, driving or fishing.

“I’ve been on a high since winning last month in Adelaide, after this morning I’m even higher! I’ll get my feet back on the ground tomorrow when we have our opening practice session.”

The V8 Supercars will have three individual races this weekend at Pukekohe, including a reverse-grid race on Sunday morning.

A strong recovery from two disappointing rounds in Adelaide and Albert Park has seen reigning V8 Supercar series champion Russell Ingall peg his way back to the top of the championship ladder in Pukekohe.

After an emergency test session after the Australian Grand Prix to see how much the two Stone Brothers Racing Fords could be improved, Ingall claimed third outright this weekend behind Mark Winterbottom and round winner Mark Skaife, however on the back of his top ten finish in Adelaide – now leads the championship going into the third round at Barbagallo, Western Australia.

However the England-born, Adelaide-raised driver was concerned about a niggling lockup problem he experienced in the final race for the weekend.

“I can’t be disappointed with that final race – we are leading the championship,” said Ingall.

“It was good to bring the Caltex Falcon home today. We are not sure if we have a little drama with the car or if it was my fault but we had three major lock ups in race three.

“After the second major lock up happened we went into defence mode. I had third sewn up so we looked after the car and brought it home.

“It was a bit of a shame as we were travelling along and going with the front runners pretty well. It was a shame we couldn’t have a bit of a race at the end as it was a very fast pace by everyone, really impressive. But I really can’t complain at the moment.

“We had a problem in the pit stop with the right rear wheel nut which cost a few seconds but these guys are doing stops so quick. It’s unbelievable that they are doing it in sub-four seconds now. SBR been faultless with stops over the years has so we don’t worry about too much about one little hiccup.”

Stone Brothers Racing was further encouraged by the strong finish of protégé James Courtney, who this weekend was able to finish his first ever solo event in the V8 Supercar Championship, after double DNFing in Adelaide. Displaying positive speed in the Jeld Wen Motorsport Falcon, Courtney was impressive in his first round at Pukekohe Raceway.

“I’m pretty happy with eighth overall today,” said Courtney.

“I got a good start in the third race, but not quite as good as Morris behind me. That pushed me wide into the first corner and we lost a few places there.

“I think we lost about four places on the start which wasn’t flash but we managed to get back from there. The car was working really well and the guys put in a great stop.

“We were on the back of (Steven) Richards and we were catching Russell (Ingall) but then we lost the rear tyres so we just tried to press on. I had a big moment coming into the last turn and ended up on the grass and through a sign. I got it back on the track but the front was full of foam so I didn’t have the speed in the straight and the braking power to get past Rick (Kelly).

“All in all it’s not a bad weekend. I’ve got some experience racing with these guys now. We know what we have to work on and that we can mix it with them.”

With Courtney now scoring his maiden championship points, he now has been elevated from the bottom of the ladder to twenty-fifth position – a solid performance – however it will take some catching of his teammate Ingall who sits first in the standings. Stone Brothers’ Racing has climbed to fifth in the Teams’ Championship ahead of the next championship round in Western Australia – where SBR have previously recorded round wins.

Who would have thought 21 years ago, that today, John Bowe would be celebrating his 200th Australian Touring Car Championship race start? And for a man that now has Ford tattooed on his heart, it was, believe it or not, a Volvo that kick-started his career.

Bowe started from the front row in Round 4 of the Australian Touring Car Championship, back in 1986, at the wheel of the Factory backed Volvo Dealer Team 240T. The rest, as they say, is history. 199 rounds later, Bowe will line up for Team BOC this weekend in Pukekohe, New Zealand, at the PlaceMakers V8 Supercars.

In doing so, Bowe becomes the fourth driver to reach the 200 race start milestone. Only Peter Brock (212), Dick Johnson (202) and Glenn Seton (201) can boast achieving more championship starts, with Bowe, the only one of the four drivers to still be competing regularly in the V8 Supercar Championship Series.

Team mate Brad Jones helped the Tasmanian celebrate his 200th start today, by unveiling a commemorative bonnet, which Bowe will use during this weekend’s PlaceMakers V8 Supercars. They also showed off the new race number Bowe will run at this weekend’s event, the number 12 making way for 200. Once used, the bonnet, designed by famed motorsport cartoonist, John “Stonie” Stoneham, will be given away in an upcoming promotion.

“We had to do something special for him. It’s not everyday you turn 200,” smiled Brad Jones.

It’s a period of milestones for Bowe, who also celebrated his birthday last weekend. This is his 21st year driving an Australian Touring Car, and the 20th anniversary of one of his many national titles, the Australian Sports Car Championship.

Prior to joining the Touring Car scene, Bowe had made a name for himself in Australian Motorsport with an impressive list of national championships. He was the Australian Drivers Champion in 1984 and 1985 driving the very potent Ralt RT4, and in 1986, he became the Australian Sports Car Champion, driving the South Australian built Veskanda.

But it’s Touring Car results that set him apart from the rest. Australian Touring Car Champion in 1995, Bathurst 1000 winner in 1989 and 1994 and Sandown 500 winner in 1994, 1995 and 2001. He has also had 25 pole positions and 15 round wins in the 199 rounds he has contested.

“I’m amazed!” said a staggered Bowe.

“To think about where I started when I was a boy, to now, celebrating what is a pretty significant milestone by starting in my 200th Touring Car round, I’m just shocked,” Bowe said.

“When I think back, there have been so many highs and lows in my career, but that’ motor racing I suppose. I’m not the only one who’s had a few lows. As far as a highlight goes, would have to say my championship, but I guess now that I have reached 200 rounds, just starting each round is a highlight,” joked Bowe.

Team boss Brad Jones was full of praise for Bowe, who is now in his fifth year driving for Brad Jones Racing.

“He is such an icon of the sport, and it’ a privilege for me to work along side him,” commented Jones.

“When we were looking to expand our operation to a two car team several years ago, and we were thinking about who we wanted to put in the second car, we couldn’t have dreamed of getting someone who has brought as much to the team as John has,” Jones reflected.

“And to think he has racked up this achievement whilst driving for our team, I couldn’t be happier for him,” said Jones.

The Dick Johnson Racing (DJR) team is 100 percent focused and ready to tackle New Zealand’s second round of the V8 Supercar Championship
series, at Pukekohe (Auckland) next weekend.

The year’s first V8 Supercar event in Adelaide saw Steven Johnson claim 8th position in the Championship standings and newcomer Will Davison score an impressive 10th, indicating a promising 2006 season.

The non-championship Australian Grand Prix event then showed the #17 FirstRock and #18 V8 Telecom cars to have strong race pace, with Davison
crossing the line 6th in the final race of the weekend.

“We’re happy with what we’ve achieved so far this year,” Steven Johnson
said.

“Our cars certainly have competitive pace, we’re up there with the speed
of the frontrunners and that’s very encouraging.

“We’ll make a few small technical changes to the cars before New
Zealand, so I can’t wait to see what the event will bring.”

There are plenty of eyes on newcomer Davison, who will race at Pukekohe
for the first time.

“We’re heading to New Zealand with quite a bit of confidence,” Will
Davison said.

“I’ve had a couple of weeks to get back into some training and review
the first two races.

“The car felt great at the Grand Prix, so now I’m looking forward to getting another race under my belt and experiencing another new circuit.

“The reverse grid race is going to be interesting; I guess some people
won’t like it but I’ll try and use it to my advantage.”

Jason Bargwanna is set to take on Holden rival Paul Morris in a V8 Supercar duel around Mount Panorama after the engine for the Team Australia Champ Car failed to be shipped to the WPS Bathurst Motorsport Festival from the United States in time.

Stepping in to cover the now cancelled Champ Car demonstration laps, Morris will drive a V8 Superschool Holden against Bargwanna in a WPS Ford around the 6.213 kilometre circuit.

WPS Racing’s Director of Motorsport, Shane Gore, was disappointed with the engine no-show, however assured fans that the Team Australia car will tear around Bathurst in 2007.

“It’s with much disappointment that we have been forced to withdraw the Champ Car from completing the much anticipated demonstration this weekend,” said Gore.

“There was an issue with the engine which required it to be shipped back to America several weeks ago and it was planned for the engine to arrive back in Sydney this week before being fitted by the engineers yesterday.

“Unfortunately there has been a delay in the shipping and we haven’t been able to get it here in time.

“I personally apologise for the Champ Car not being in action this weekend but the Champ Car will be at the Festival next year with the aim of lowering the current lap record.”

The Festival Director James O’Brien promised fans a suitable replacement for the Team Australia demonstration with the substitute V8 Supercar showdown between Morris and Bargwanna.

“Until early yesterday there was still hope that the engine would arrive in Bathurst in the nick of time to be fitted but unfortunately it hasn’t,” said O’Brien.

“While it may be a little disappointing not to see the Champ Car race around Mount Panorama this weekend it has been replaced by a demonstration between two of the biggest names in V8 Supercar racing, which will be a great spectacle for the fans.”

Morris and Bargwanna will fight it out around the Mount Panorama track at 3:05pm – supporting the V8 Utes, Australian GT championship, Aussie Race Cars and Historic Tourers.

Nathan Pretty has shown himself to be a serious title contender for the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Championship with a solid fourth place finish at the opening round of the seven-round series held in conjunction with the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide on the weekend.

In his first drive of the Mack/Smiths Trucks Commodore, Pretty overcame a serious disadvantage in starting in 18th place - the poor grid position the result courtesy of a slight mechanical problem that restricted him to just three laps in qualifying – to finish the first, action-packed 24-lap race in sixth position.

The 33-year-old then produced another fine drive to come home fourth in Race 2, waiting patiently for the right opportunity to move past slower cars rather than risk contact.

“Aside from a little drama in qualifying which put us way down the grid, it was a good weekend and gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season,” Pretty said.

“Most important was to stay out of trouble and get through the weekend – it’s too easy around here to get hit, end up in the concrete and wreck the entire season. We did what was needed, got a good haul of points, and shown we’re a chance this year.”

Pretty’s team-mate, Geoff Emery had a mixed bag of results in his V8 Supercar debut in the second Smiths Trucks Commodore; not finishing Race 1 after he was struck in the rear wheel by another car avoiding an incident, but then finishing Race 2 in 14th after starting from rear of grid.

The four-time Commodore Cup Champion, who had just one day of testing prior to the weekend, was more than pleased with his V8 debut.

“I am very happy, it was a good weekend considering how much time I’d had in the car and that the circuit was new to me,” Emery said.

“I may not have ended up with much of a result, 25th overall, but the goal was to gain experience and finish the weekend with a straight car which is what we did. I didn’t put a wheel off the track all weekend and drove around at about eight-tenths.

“The next round is at Wakefield Park, which is a track I’m familiar with. We have a test scheduled before then, so I know we’ll go better.”

Team owner Robert Smith said he was delighted with the efforts of both drivers.

“A good weekend all around; I’m rapt for the boys and the entire team, it was a good effort,” Smith said.

“Nathan did a fantastic job and he’s proven that he’s got to be considered one of the favourites for the championship. Geoff was great and didn’t put a foot wrong all weekend. I think he’s going to surprise people with how good he is.”

“They both need more laps in the cars and we’ll test before Wakefield Park, so I’m pretty confident if things go to plan we’ll be even stronger next time out.”