Preview - Clipsal 500 Adelaide.

By Matthew Agius

The 2007 V8 Supercar Championship Series kicks off this weekend with brand new cars, brand new liveries and brand new ambitions as the biggest event on the calendar, the Clipsal 500 Adelaide, ignites what is set to be the longest championship in V8 Supercar history.

Based in Adelaide's east parklands, the Clipsal 500 is one of the toughest events in the championship for drivers. Not on par with long-distance races such as Bathurst and Sandown, Adelaide 'tough' status comes from the hot, early March weather that the city's Mediterranean climate produces. Coupled with the enclosed nature of the street circuit, the Clipsal 500 is one of the more entertaining races on the calendar.

V8 Supercar Championship News

This is the first year in a long time that an all new 'Project Blueprint' upgrade has been introduced to the V8 Supercar Championship. Not since the first parity project was introduced for the 2003 series has an all-new aerodynamic package been introduced to the series.

All due to Holden's new VE Commodore, making its V8 debut in 2007, Project Blueprint 'mark two' is undoubtedly going to be one of the most watched factors of this year's championship.

The VE has an extended front profile and the wheelbase is much wider when compared to the previous VY/VZ specifications.

Ford's BFII model, introduced this year as a slight facial enhancement on the old BA design, has essentially had its aerodynamics butchered when compared to its predecessor. The front splitter has very minimal protrusion and the side skirts are more flared with a wedge taken out near the front wheels.

This is the first ever fourteen-round V8 Supercar calendar, with Eastern Creek rejoining the season as a sprint round. A new points system will add some spice to the series, whilst a single qualifying session will also have punters watching who can make the best of an extended period with no chance of a top ten shootout to take pole.

Teams News

Toll HSV Dealer Team - Rick Kelly (#1), Garth Tander (#16)

Following an investigation into ownership of Holden's two front running teams by the Touringcar Entrants Group Australia (TEGA), the Toll HSV Dealer Team will feature on the Clipsal 500 grid after their audit was approved by the franchise watchdog of the V8 Supercar Championship.

The reigning champions are starting their first season ever with two brand new cars, and drivers Rick Kelly and Garth Tander are keen to hit the Adelaide streets.

Holden Racing Team - Mark Skaife (#2), Todd Kelly (#22)

In a similar situation to the sister Toll HSV operation, the Holden Racing Team has endured a TEGA enquiry in close proximity to the season start. However the team was cleared and will be on the grid come the opening race of the season.

Tasman GMC Motorsport - Jason Richards (#3), Greg Murphy (#51)

Tasman Motorsport begins another year of sponsorship rotation arrangements at the Clipsal 500, with GMC joining the team as their major backer in Adelaide. Encouraging results from testing at Winton Raceway will bolster this team as it goes into Adelaide.

"It is an extremely exciting time for Tasman Motorsport, and V8 Supercars in general, and I'm more than glad to be a part of it," said Richards.

"First time out of the box the VE Commodore was pretty impressive; quick times weren't the object of the day, it was more of a shakedown, but it was quite responsive to the changes we made. To be as good as it was is a real credit to the entire team, which has put in a huge effort to get us to Adelaide.

"We'd like to win the race, no questions, but our main focus is on making sure we come away with good results from both races and set up our season. We've had a strong package there in the past, as shown by our lap record last year, but we haven't had the 'real' results we were looking for and that puts the entire team on the back foot for the rest of the season - it's proved to be our Achilles heel"

"There are a lot of positive things going on at Tasman Motorsport and I am happy to be joining the team in what promises to be a most exciting chapter in its history."

"The team has been blazing away and putting in some strong performances over the last couple of years, and things will only improve with the strong team they have assembled."

Stone Brothers Racing - James Courtney (#4), Russell Ingall (#9)

Stone Brothers Racing are hoping to come out swinging this weekend after the two SBR Falcons punched out consistent laptimes at Queensland Raceway in testing. Despite some dramas for the #4 Jeld-Wen Falcon, Ingall proved a consistent lapper in his #9 machine.

"Testing was good on Tuesday; but I think we still need a bit more pace," said Ingall.

"I wouldn't say that we have come away from our first test thinking that we are going to get to Adelaide and win by half a lap.

"I do know that we are 100 per cent better off than we were the same time 12 months ago which is encouraging.

"The car is responsive to changes, which is a good indication and it's doing the right things. All in all it's looking okay."

Stone Brothers Racing are former race and round winners at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide.

Ford Performance Racing - Mark Winterbottom (#5), Steven Richards (#6)

FPR were probably the standout performers in pre-season testing, with laptimes from Mark Winterbottom and Steven Richards that outperformed the leading Holden teams with their new packages. FPR's two new major sponsors, Orrcon and Castrol, will debut this weekend, as will new signing Steven Richards.

"We worked hard on getting the car's platform right and making sure all was good for Adelaide," said Winterbottom.

"Having come here with a number of aero changes and a new brake package along with a number of changes developed over the off season, it is great for our confidence to walk away from this two day test having done the quickest lap that we have ever done here (Winton) by quite a margin."

"The team has developed two fast and reliable cars ahead of the start of the season and we couldn't be better prepared," said Richards.

Jack Daniel's Racing - Shane Price (#7), Jack Perkins (#11)

There was little news out of the JDR camp during pre-season testing, apart from Shane Price setting the fourth fastest time, with Jack Perkins down the pack in the older-spec VZ.

WPS Racing - Max Wilson (#8), Jason Bargwanna (#10)

WPS Racing will debut two new-look Falcons this weekend, especially noticeable with the WOW Sight and Sound car to be driven by Max Wilson. Sporting similar base designs, and different colour schemes to reflect respective major sponsors, the two Falcons are the same used by the team since their debut in 2004. These ex OO-Motorsport Falcons are now the oldest in the field, although totally different to their original state, with heavy modifications and the brand new BFII aero package.

"Adelaide is always one of the toughest events of the year, but the predicted weather forecasts would make the event one of the toughest in the category's history," said Bargwanna.

"We saw drivers fainting at the wheel last year and the heat was nothing like they are predicting for this weekend. Drivers will be getting their hands on every driver aid possible to help keep themselves cool, but we could see temperatures of up 70 degrees to inside the car."

"There is no doubt that the V8 Supercars are quite physical to drive and that fitness has to be a primary focus for a driver," said Wilson.
"You know Adelaide is going to be tough for so many reasons, but a 40-degree day makes it a whole different ball game. You might even see guys through the practice sessions coming in and having a bit of a break."

Team BOC - Andrew Jones (#12), Brad Jones (#14)

Team BOC will start the 2007 championship off with a new driver in Andrew Jones. In Winton testing, Andrew Jones was just over four tenths faster than the fastest lap set by Steven Richards, with uncle Brad Jones a further four tenths off the pace.

Jim Beam Racing - Steven Johnson (#17), Will Davison (#18)

The surprise packet of pre-season testing, Jim Beam Racing topped the timesheets at Willowbank against more fancied rivals TeamVodafone. Both Steven Johnson and Will Davison finished inside the top ten at last year's Clipsal 500, and should perform well, based on their testing form, this weekend.

Supercheap Auto Racing - Paul Dumbrell (#20), Cameron McConville (#50)

Word is that Supercheap Auto Racing is in a race against the clock to have at least one VE Commodore prepared for Adelaide. If so, the team will be one of the most disadvantaged at the season opener, being one of the few Holden teams to test the new product going into the 2007 championship.

Team Kiwi Racing - Adam Macrow (#021)

Paul Radisich will not race this weekend due to continuing difficulties sustained at last year's Bathurst 1000 crash. 2006 Fujitsu Series champion Adam Macrow will replace him in the All Black Falcon.

Britek Motorsport - Jason Bright (#25), Alan Gurr (#26)

Britek Motorsport will debut its new driving lineup this weekend when Team Owner Jason Bright and new recruit Alan Gurr take to the grid. It is highly unlikely that the pair will be up the front challenging for a round win.

"If I finish in the top half I would have achieved a better result than last year where I finished 21st overall," said Bright.

"It's not about comparing last year to this year. It's about building throughout 2007 with this team. This is a very tough competition and Adelaide is the toughest challenge we have in the season. Concrete walls line the track and I know from experience that those walls are unforgiving.

"Everything might be new to me, but with the experience of the guys behind the IRWIN Racing team, I feel relaxed going into the Clipsal 500," said Gurr.

"There's been plenty to learn and people to meet, but it's all gone very smoothly in the lead-up Adelaide. I didn't have much seat time last year, but I did race at Adelaide and I'm fully aware of what to expect."

"It will be hot and being a street race, there's plenty of concrete to hit. I have that experience from the Fujitsu Series a couple of years back. Importantly I know that finishing this race is critical if we are to progress in 2007. We must stay on the lead lap and if we can do that, we should be in the top-half of the field."

Valvoline Cummins Race Team - Lee Holdsworth (#33), Dean Canto (#34)

Garry Rogers Motorsport has lost the sponsorship of Repco for this year's V8 Supercar Championship, so the Valvoline Cummins Race Team will debut an all new black, red and silver livery this weekend. Dean Canto and Lee Holdsworth lapped consistently in testing at Winton, so a promising weekend for GRM lies ahead.

Team Sirromet Wines - Fabian Coulthard (#39), Paul Morris (#67)

One of the championship's mainstay's Team Sirromet Wines will be instantly recognisable as the only two predominantly white cars in the field. Satisfying testing times will hopefully see the Paul Morris Motorsports operation perform well at this weekend's event.

Autobarn Race Team - TBA

Will the Autobarn Race Team be on the grid? A huge question mark hangs over this team's future, after recent court action between franchise owner Tony Longhurst and the previous licences Team Dynamik revealed false paperwork and other dealings had seen TEGA given the run around. Unfotunately, it is unknown what the team's plans will be if the franchise is lost back to Team Dynamik, or absorbed by TEGA.

TeamVodafone - Jamie Whincup (#88), Craig Lowndes (#888)

Last year's Clipsal 500 winner, Jamie Whincup, heads with his fellow 2006 Bathurst champion Craig Lowndes to this weekend's race hoping to emulate his performance last year. A consistent run complemented with good car speed helped Whincup to his round win, although Lowndes did win the opening race. Encouraging times in testing will hopefully help this team get to the front of the grid.

"I am really looking forward to Adelaide and what I regard as being the toughest race of the year," said Lowndes.

"I love the whole build up the Clipsal 500 - the atmosphere is just fantastic and you go through some varied emotions while completing the 500 kilometres which make up the event. Adelaide is a critical race in terms of the V8 Supercar Championship. If you can have a great weekend in Adelaide it generally sets you up for the rest of the year.

"Our performance last year was fantastic and the new car specification is very similar to what we competed with throughout 2006, which is extremely positive.

"Aerodynamics will play a big part through the notorious Turn Eight but there is not a huge amount of difference with the new aero package so we should be able to get on top of car balance pretty quickly."

Glenfords Racing - John Bowe (#111)

Glenfords Racing will utilise John Bowe this week as the driver of this improving single car team. A revised livery and one year experience in the series will help this team, however very few are expecting a result inside the top fifteen.

Fujitsu series

This weekend also plays host to the first round of the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Championship Series. The Fujitsu Series boasts one of its most talented fields in recent history with thirty four cars officially entered for the grid in the Adelaide.

The Track

The Clipsal 500 Adelaide sports a challenging mix of straights, sweepers, ninety degree turns and hairpins. Coupled with the prospect of searing Adelaide heat, enclosed concrete barriers and a two hundred and fifty kilometre race double, the circuit is one beauty of a race.

Tyre wear is fairly minimal here, but at the high braking areas into the turn nine and Mistral hairpins, it is easy to flatspot rubber

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has forecast top temperatures between thirty-five and forty degrees Celsius over the four days. Two compulsory pit stops for fuel and tyres will provide momentary grace for drivers, but all in all, it's a scorcher.

The Winner

Pre season testing indicates that the likes of the Toll HSV Dealer Team and the Holden Racing Team will do well, however they were each beaten by the two FPR Falcons at Winton testing.

Former championship frontrunners Stone Brothers Racing had times that indicate they are perhaps equal to the speed of TeamVodafone, whilst Dick Johnson Racing/Jim Beam Racing appear to have improved well this year.

Clearly, as with any new racecar, the team that wins will have a significant advantage going into the following few rounds of the championship.

Last Season

1.Jamie Whincup BA Falcon Team Betta Electrical
2.Rick Kelly VZ Commodore Toll HSV Dealer Team
3.Todd Kelly VZ Commodore Holden Racing Team
4.Garth Tander VZ Commodore Toll HSV Dealer Team
5.Steven Richards VZ Commodore Jack Daniel's Racing
6.Russell Ingall BA Falcon Caltex Racing
7.Paul Dumbrell VZ Commodore Jack Daniel's Racing
8.Steven Johnson BA Falcon Dick Johnson Racing
9.Max Wilson BA Falcon WPS Racing
10.Will Davison BA Falcon Dick Johnson Racing