The Northern Territory news Fri 10 Oct 2014
NT news
The Northern Territory news; NewspaperNT
2014-10-10
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Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin; Australian newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin
News Corp Australia
Darwin
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News Corp Australia
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/253510
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/537623
FRIDAY OCTOBER 10 2014 SPORT 35 V1 - NTNE01Z01MA Bathurst 1000Bathurst 1000 The favourites Odds-on favourites for this years Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, with 10 wins so far this year, including the last round at the Sandown 500, is Red Bull Racing Australias Jamie Whincup and Paul Dumbrell. The partnership, now in its third year, dominated proceedings at Sandown and will be hungry to improve upon their second at last years Bathurst 1000. However, you can never count out five-time Bathurst winner Craig Lowndes, freshly paired with Steven Richards, who has the same classleading Red Bull as Whincup and Dumbrell and will be keen to get back on the top step of the podium at Mt Panorama. Impressive corners As a challenge to the worlds best drivers, Bathurst is unrivalled: 23 incredible corners, massive elevation changes and a top speed of 300km/h down Conrod Straight. Its an epic roller coaster of a lap. However, Skyline is famous as the dramatic corner that leads off the top of the mountain. It almost feels like youre dropping off the edge of the world. I find its one of the most challenging parts of the track, Supercheap Auto Racings Tim Slade said. Look out for the TV helicopter, which has followed the cars over the top of the mountain, peeling off in the background to continue its journey down the mountain. Pit stops All cars competing in Australias Great Race must make seven compulsory stops including driver changes. To ensure that no one attempts the 1000km distance solo, done for the final time by Peter Brock in 1972, the rules now stipulate that all entrants must run a co-driver, and that each driver must not exceed three and a half hours on track, or two-thirds race distance. The teams use a driver change assistant to help the drivers enter and exit the vehicle. The assistant also helps with changing the drivers harness, cool suit, drink bottle, radio and window net. Once the stop is complete, the car controller gives the go signal. The manufacturers Automotive manufacturers have flocked to V8 Supercars, which is considered the most competitive touring car series in the world. Holden is the undisputed champion at Bathurst, with 29 victories scored at Mt Panorama since its first year of competition in 1963 and will be on the hunt for a milestone 30th win, having already secured the 2014 manufacturers title. However, the competition up front is fierce. Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford won the race last year; while Volvo are back at the mountain for the first time since 1998. Nissan, fielding four cars, will be looking to move forward, while Mercedes will be hoping for better luck for Lee Holdsworth and Craig Baird, given their huge crash at Sandown. Lion to roar The Holden Racing Team should be another hot contender for victory, with gun-pairings James Courtney and Greg Murphy, and Garth Tander and Warren Luff coming home two-three at Sandown, the traditional curtain-raiser to Bathurst. 2010 V8 champion Courtney would love to secure his maiden win at Mt Panorama, and he and four-time Bathurst winner Murphy are keen to step-up after crashing out of the race last year. In the #2 HRT Commodore, three-time Bathurst winner Garth Tander and reigning Pirtek Endurance Cup champion Warren Luff hold between them a formidable Bathurst pedigree and are a potent force on the mountain. Ten years on the mountain Supercheap Auto celebrates 10 years on the mountain this year as title sponsor of the iconic race and the festivities will continue throughout the event. Look out for Tim Slade and Tony DAlbertos Supercheap Auto Commodore, which features a commemorative livery and new race number #10. Special 1:18 scale replicas of the freshly liveried Supercheap Auto VF Commodore will also be on sale at the mountain. The celebrations began with a Big Break competition, where fans submitted their own ad to win $20,000 and $150,000 worth of airtime during the telecast; and a special Bathurst hot lap competition. The trophy Holden legend Peter Brocks legacy at Mt Panorama will never be forgotten, with his name adorning the trophy after his tragic passing in 2006. Brocky was third on debut at Bathurst in 1969, but went on to win the Great Race a record nine times, all in Holdens. Brockys first win came in 1972, driving his giant-killing Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1 to victory from fifth on the grid. However, his greatest win on the mountain came in 1979 when he and co-driver Jim Richards won by six laps in their HDT Torana A9X, with Peter Perfect setting the then-lap record on the final lap. Seven things to look for at Bathurst Ones to beat: Paul Dumbrell (left) and Jamie Whincup hold the Peter Brock trophy after taking out the Bathurst 1000 in 2012. Picture: AAP Back on the mountain: Scott McLaughlin will be behind the wheel of a Volvo, which is returning to Bathurst for the first time since 1998. Picture: Edge Photographics Giant-killer: James Brock at the wheel of his father Peters LJ Torana, which took out the 1972 Bathurst 1000. Picture: AAP RED BULL RACING AUSTRALIA (Car No.1, Holden Commodore) JAMIE WHINCUP Age: 31 Bathurst starts: 12 Best result: First (2006, 07, 08, 12) PAUL DUMBRELL Age: 32 Bathurst starts: 13 Best result: First (2012) Last years runners-up will be the team to beat. They eased their way to second straight win at the traditional pre-Bathurst race at Sandown last month. Whincup is running hot after a mid-season slump and is on track for a record sixth championship. RED BULL RACING AUSTRALIA (Car No.888, Holden Commodore) CRAIG LOWNDES Age: 40 Bathurst starts: 20 Best result: First (96, 06, 07, 08, 10) STEVEN RICHARDS Age: 42 Bathurst starts: 21 Best result: First wins (98, 99, 13) A dream new pairing that looms as a major threat. Between them, theyve conquered the Mountain eight times including Richards win with Fords Mark Winterbottom last year. Fourth at Sandown, but a podium at Bathurst is likely. HOLDEN RACING TEAM (Car No.22, Holden Commodore) JAMES COURTNEY Age: 34 Bathurst starts: 9 Best result: Second (2007) GREG MURPHY Age: 42 Bathurst starts: 20 Best result: First (96, 99, 03, 04) This high-profile duo will be out to make amends after last years enduro disaster. The pair crashed out of both the Bathurst and Gold Coast events but Murphy retained his co-driving gig and fired back with a secondplace at Sandown. HOLDEN RACING TEAM (Car No.2, Holden Commodore) GARTH TANDER Age: 37 Bathurst starts: 16 Best result: First (2000, 09, 11) WARREN LUFF Age: 38 Bathurst starts: 13 Best result: Third (2012, 13) A new partnership that could go either way. Tander scored his first podium at Sandown last month, but will his inconsistency stand in the way of a fourth Bathurst crown? The plus: Luff helped Lowndes to podium finishes in all three enduros last year. PEPSI MAX CREW FPR (Car No.5, Ford Falcon) MARK WINTERBOTTOM Age: 33 Bathurst starts: 10 Best result: First (13) STEVE OWEN Age: 39 Bathurst starts: 15 Best result: Second (2010) If form is anything to go by, Winterbottoms Bathurst defence is on shaky ground. The one-time series leader has been without a top-five result the past 10 races and has lost his 2013-winning partner Richards. The new duo finished 10th at Sandown. VALVOLINE RACING GRM (Car No.33, Volvo S60) SCOTT McLAUGHLIN Age: 21 Bathurst starts: 2 Best result: Sixth (2012) ALEXANDRE PREMAT Age: 32 Bathurst starts: 2 Best result: 16th (2012) Volvo have got the pace, but have they got the distance? McLaughlin guided the S60 to two wins this year but the blue beast remains untested over 1000km. An early pit stop incident cost them time and positions at Sandown. TEKNO AUTOSPORTS (Car No.97, Holden Commodore) SHANE VAN GISBERGEN Age: 25 Bathurst starts: 7 Best result: Sixth (11) JONATHON WEBB Age: 30 Bathurst starts: 8 Best result: Sixth (2012) A strong new pairing despite lessthan-impressive results around Mount Panorama. Van Gisbergens had 10 podiums including three wins this season and is joined by Webb who only stopped driving full-time last year. Finished sixth at Sandown. LOCKWOOD RACING (Car No.14, Holden Commodore) FABIAN COULTHARD Age: 32 Bathurst starts: 10 Best result: 10th (2008) LUKE YOULDEN Age: 36 Bathurst starts: 14 Best result: Third (2003) After years of trying, Brad Jones Racing is still without a Bathurst win. Coulthard and Youlden are an outside chance of breaking that duck in their second season together, although victory might be a step too far given their 11th at Sandown. PEPSI MAX CREW FPR (Car No.6, Ford Falcon) CHAZ MOSTERT Age: 22 Bathurst starts: 1 Best result: 21st (2013) PAUL MORRIS Age: 46 Bathurst starts: 21 Best result: Third (1999) The master and apprentice. Mostert wasnt even born when Morris made his mountain debut in 1991, but has been FPRs form driver of late. Morris guided rookie Scott Pye to a careerbest sixth at Bathurst last year but has the potential to do better this time. TEAM BOC (Car No.8, Holden Commodore) JASON BRIGHT Age: 41 Bathurst starts: 17 Best result: First (1998) ANDREW JONES (AUS) Age: 34 Bathurst starts: 12 Best result: Fourth (2005) No doubt these two are hoping Lady Luck is on their side in season No.4 together. Bright was unlucky to miss a podium last year after being passed with three laps to go for fifth place. A lost door panel ended their Sandown campaign early last month. Who Will Be croWned king? Arriving soon Only 1500 made Australia wide | Taking orders NOW! Hidden valley Ford | 674-676 stuart Highway, Berrimah www.hiddenval leyford.com.au 8947 7777 | LMvD417 XLT rAnger DuAL CAB From $52,990 Drive Away FoCus sT FiesTA sporTs From $39,990 Drive Away From $20,990 Drive Away Xr8 Xr6 Purchase this Friday or Saturday, mention Bathurst and receive a Ford Merchandise pack valued at $300