Richard Craill9 Random things we’re following in 2021
LET’S GET ONE thing straight before we delve into this particular piece – we’re not counting our 2021 chickens before they hatch. 2020 may have ended, however the recent COVID-19 outbreaks in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and Chad Neylon’s seemingly endless periods of mandatory self-isolation prove that we’re still going to be stuffed around by this screwy virus for some time yet. Having said that, it could be worse. Given most of our audience comes from Australia and New Zealand, we can afford to be pleased that we’re living in a part of the world has, on the whole, done
Continue readingWelcome to TRT 2.0
WELCOME to the all-new The Race Torque. As we enter our fifth full year of operations, we’ve given the site a major birthday with a brand-new look and feel and some upgraded tech behind the scenes to keep things operating nicely. It’s been a big job – hence a week or two of radio silence from us – but ultimately, we hope you find it worthwhile. Thanks for sticking with us while the site was in a pit stop. Fortunately, we’ve had the full service and fed back into the race in clean air and with new rubber so things
Continue readingA TRT CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
IT'S BEEN a rough year, but the support and interest we've seen in our humble little website has been a standout and, argues TRT's editor, a shining light amidst a sea of challenges. WORDS: Richard Craill I AM not overstating or over dramatizing the fact when I say that without The Race Torque this year would have been much, much worse. When the motor racing world, much like the rest of reality, imploded when the Australian Grand Prix came to an abrupt halt just before 10AM on Friday, March 13 (the irony of that still grates), the potential was
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Mark WalkerTHE DROPPED SUPERCARS RACE TRACKS
THERE is nothing more devastating for race fans than their local championship round being dropped from the schedule. Here, we analyse the tracks that have been in and out of the Australian Touring Car Championship/ Supercars calendars over the years – and see what the chances are of your local round re-emerging. WORDS & IMAGES: Mark Walker In 2021, the Supercars Championship is set to visit 11 venues for 12 rounds, with Mount Panorama Bathurst set for a double-up of points-paying events for the first time in its history. Interestingly, six of the circuits slated for the 2021 season have
Continue readingJLB: MY BEST YEARS OF RACING
IN our look back at the 2012 Australian Formula Ford Championship, we charted the career progress of a highly competitive, and talented, group of racers. WORDS: Mark Walker IMAGES: Richard Craill & Mark Walker Jack Le Brocq’s story post-Formula Ford is well documented, placing on top of a staunch rookie class from his Supercars main game debut season in 2018, to taking over the Chaz Mostert's seat at Tickford Racing, to being victorious at Sydney Motorsport Park earlier this year. But the wheels were put in motion for his career progression by his formative years in Formula Ford, which saw
Continue readingPODCAST: TIM BLANCHARD IS ON THE GRID
SUPERCARS' newest Team Owner joins the show this week to discuss the formation of the Blanchard Racing Team: Tim Blanchard. The former open-wheel ace and Super2 race winner chats about the long process of evolution that saw the family set up their own shop, sign Tim Slade, secure an ex-Tickford Mustang and go racing. It's a fascinating chat; some of the challenges have been tough but the outcome looks promising so far! It's a great chat with one of the more underrated members of the Supercars driving fraternity - and now part of the team owner group as well. Listen
Continue readingGEN3 SUPERCARS COSTS: LOOK AT NASCAR
COSTS are a hot topic with Supercars currently formulating their Gen3 rules package, but are there lessons that can be learned from elsewhere in the motorsporting world? WORDS & IMAGES: Mark Walker In North America, NASCAR poses an interesting proposition when it comes to the cost of going racing. It is truly a big business, and the numbers are dizzying. Taking a look at the sport’s biggest team, Hendrick Motorsports, the organisation is valued at a remarkable AU$423-468 million. Best guestimates see the team having annual revenue of AU$230 million to run their four-car outfit, which with winnings of close
Continue readingSCHNITZER BTCC CHAMP FINDS AUSTRALIAN HOME
IN the week in which it was announced that BMW had split with the famed Schnitzer squad, The Race Torque can reveal that one of their most significant cars now calls Australia home, with the Super Tourer which took Joachim Winkelhock to the 1993 BTCC title joining a local collection. WORDS & IMAGE: Mark Walker Starring in an incredible line up of machinery in the Jones Motorsport stable, the BMW 318i E36 now sits alongside a McLaren M8E CanAm car (watch Harri Jones in action here), and an Allan Moffat Eggenberger Ford Sierra, amongst others. Acquired from a collector in
Continue readingPORSCHE RETURNS TO RACING AT SANDOWN
A motorsport story 270 days in the making will see competitors from Australia’s two top one-make categories return to the circuit this weekend in the inaugural Porsche PAYCE and Michelin Cup. Nearly nine months to the day that the 2020 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne was cancelled due to the escalating COVID-19 pandemic, a combined grid of drivers from the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia will this weekend go head-to-head at the historic Sandown International Raceway in Melbourne, Victoria. The field includes the best and brightest from both classes, as well as several rookies
Continue readingPODCAST: MARK SKAIFE IS ON THE GRID
TOURING CAR legend Mark Skaife is our special guest on this week's On the Grid. The five-time Supercars champion discusses his new Autobiography and recounts some of his favourite motorsport memories - plus gives his thoughts on the season just gone, Gen III Supercars and much more. Then Craillsy and Walker join Schibeci to break down the 2021 Supercars calendar and see what works / what doesn't - and the impact of the Gold Coast finale' clashing with Schoolies week! There's that and all the usual bits and pieces, so grab the ep now and enjoy! Listen live now via
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