Australian Motor Racing Series Production Touring Car Latest News

11 January 2008

Category Calendar Available for Download

Click the icon to the right to view the 2008 AASA Production Car Championship calendar. Right click and select "save as" to download a copy of the file.

Stay tuned for the launch of the brand new Production Car Championship website that will be at the address: www.productiontouring.net.au - update your bookmarks now!

3 December 2007

Christmas Comes Early for Fitzpatrick

Popular Production Touring Car Championship driver Bryan Fitzpatrick has enjoyed a triple whammy over the past week. First off he was round winner of Class B at the final round of the 2007 Series at Oran Park last Sunday, that in turn was enough to confirm him as the PTCC Class B Champion for 2007. And on top of all that, Fitzpatrick was then awarded a V8 Supercar test drive by Garry Willmington in recognition of Bryan's development and skill as a driver.

The test took place during the week, and Fitzpatrick set some impressive laptimes during the session, impressing Willmington with his car control and pace.

The V8 Supercar was the first rear-wheel-drive car Fitzpatrick had driven in over 10 years, and to get to grips (well, we won't mention the single harmless spin during the session) with the 600 horsepower V8 proved how well Fitzpatrick was able to adapt to the car.

"I was amazed by the turn in, the rear grip, the brakes!!! The outright thrust and the noise. I was also amazed by the different turn-in lines that such a powerful, well tyred car could acheive."

"As I eased the beast out of the pits and around turns 1 and 2, the brakes and clutch were both lighter and more communicative than I had imagined, and the gearbox was fairly precise with a positive, if not slightly clunky action."

For now, Fitzpatrick's immediate plans are to defend his Class B PTCC title in 2008. The first round of the 2008 Australian Motor Racing Series is scheduled for 1-2 March at Goulburn's Wakefield Park. Which rounds the PTCC will be attending will be announced shortly.

25 October 2007

Willmington Returns to her Roots for AMRS Enduro

Natalie Willmington will be racing this weekend at Wakefield Park as she trails Luke Searle by only nine points with only two rounds remaining in the Production Touring Car Championship.

Natalie will be trying to step up the pace this weekend, even though the Wakefield Park layout doesn't suit her big XR8 Falcon - arch rival, Luke Searle's nimble BMW 130 is very quick on the Wakefield Park circuit. Natalie will be out there doing it for the girls, and will have her grid guys there at the circuit. Natalie says it would be great for the girls to come out and give her their support as it is a very male dominated profession. Natalie is trying to change all that.

Natalie will also be returning to the Magna she raced last year to take on the AMRS Endurance Championship on Sunday afternoon. It will be a very busy weekend for Natalie, driving both cars.

Come along to Wakefield Park and show your support for Natalie and check out the Grid Guys while you're there. It should be a great weekend as there are several categories fighting for the championship.

If you want to see motor racing at it's best, come out Saturday and Sunday to Wakefield Park.

16 October 2007

Willmington Returns to her Roots for AMRS Enduro

Natalie Willmington enjoyed a stellar debut season on board her front wheel drive Mitsubishi Magna in the 2006 Production Touring Car Championship. For 2007, she stepped up to the rear wheel drive BA XR8 Falcon, trading outright fastest times with the 2006 Championship winning BMW 130s of Luke Searle and Peter Kelly.

In two weeks time, Natalie will be doing double duty, and driving both cars! Not at the same time though - she'll be driving the XR8 Falcon in the PTCC races, and she'll make her return to the Magna for the 300km Endurance race.

Natalie's last competitive outing in the Magna was at the same event 12 months ago, in the AMRS 500. The Magna suffered some minor issues that time out, and has since been in a major bingle at Winton Raceway (earlier this year). The car has undergone major surgery, and all the damage has been repaired, and the reliability issues from last year's enduro have been eradicated.

Natalie will be teaming up with Kevin Gilkinson - the Toyo man - and they should be a formidable team around their home circuit.

The AMRS Endurance Championship heads to Wakefield Park, 27-28 October.

The AMRS Endurance Championship has been officially announced, and will take place at Goulburn's Wakefield Park, 27-28 October.

The event will be a gruelling 300km around the technical Wakefield Park circuit, and will feature cars from a variety of AMRS categories, including:

Each car will have at least one driver change during the event, and may be driven by up to three drivers over the course of the 300km. Subclasses within the event will be established for cars based on the refuelling method used, with classes for timed fuel stops (where cars must pit for a fixed period of time) and classes for churned fuel stops (where cars pit for as long as it takes to fuel the car).

Further details will be announced soon. To find out now if your car is eligible, contact the AMRS: rod@amrs.net.au or garry@amrs.net.au

George Miedecke returned to the Australian Motor Racing Series and the Production Touring Car Championship with three class wins from three starts at the weekend.

“The V8 Ute Championship is on a bit of a break at the moment, and it was really great to get back to my racing roots and compete in the championship that launched my driving career. The fields are growing and the talent is really starting to show in some of these drivers - they didn’t make my victories easy!”

The weekend began with a strong qualifying performance with the Miedecke Motorsport Class B Hyundai Tiburon occupying 4th position, ahead of Rick Otten’s Class A Alfa-Romeo GTA. And that was how it stayed in the first race, with George briefly gaining 3rd before Natalie Willmington squeezed past in her Class A V8 Ford Falcon XR8.

“It was a bit of a lonely race, but I’m ecstatic to come away with a class win!”

George’s drive of the weekend however was in Sundays reverse grid race two, from where he started in 11th position. After a great start, George set to work carving through the field, and was in 1st position by the second lap!

“I really nailed the start - I think I gained about four positions - and from there I just put my head down and went for it. My competitive experience in the V8 Ute Championship this year has done wonders for my race craft, and that’s why I was able to drive so aggressively and confidently in that second race.”

The Class A cars were always going to catch up, however, and a mysterious brake problem sent George careering off the track, from where he was only able to recover to fourth. A further fourth place in race three cemented his performance and earned the round win.

“It’s getting more and more difficult to win these rounds - the guys are really starting to make me fight for it and that’s just great” George said “and the level of camaraderie is great - unlike any other series I’ve been involved in. Everyone is just there because they love the sport, and even your fiercest competitors are excited to see you turn up, because they all love a challenge. That’s what racing’s all about in my opinion - and the Production Touring Car Championship has it in spades.”

George heads to Queensland’s Surfers Paradise next in the V8 Ute series support race for the Indy 300, and plans to again return to the Australian Motor Racing Series for their final round of the year at Oran Park in November.

Since January 2007, the Australian Motor Racing Series website has had over 4 million hits. 226,000 pages on the AMRS site have been viewed in that period. Over 40 gigabytes of data have been downloaded from the site in that time.

There is a new and improved look planned for the site in the near future, but the thing that keeps visitors coming back is content. And largely, www.amrs.net.au relies on you for that content.

Results, championship standings, event details and entry forms are taken care of internally, we upload photos when they are available, but with just under 200 competitors having taken part in the AMRS so far in 2007, it is simply not possible for www.amrs.net.au to write stories on each and every competitor.

For the competitors, it means that we're relying on you to provide press releases or content you would like included on the site. To get your message across to the plentiful visitors to the site, you need to supply information and photos to the site - you have the opportunity to get additional exposure for your sponsors, and potentially catch the eye of new sponsors who might be visiting the site.

For the fans, if you have a story you'd like to share about your experience at an Australian Motor Racing Series round, send it in, and we'll include suitable stories on the site. If you have photos you'd like to see on the site, send them too, and if you have your own online photo album you'd like us to link to we can add it to the links page.

For everyone, if you have suggestions for the site, or something new you would like to see included, send it through. Now is the time for innovations to be incorporated into the next generation of www.amrs.net.au

To all those competitors who have been supplying content for the site, we thank you, and look forward to receiving more. To those planning to submit more content to the site, thank you.

All the teams were rugged up in their best winter fleecy gear, bracing themselves against the bitter cold at Wakefield Park.

The cold track did not have masses of grip to offer, and yet the laptimes of most of the field fell dramatically.

Luke Searle took out pole position in his BMW 130i, with Natalie Willmington lining up alongside - just a whisker behind in qualifying time in her XR8 BA Falcon.

Searle managed to get away to a fast start, just ahead of Willmington, but the start from Rick Otten in the Alfa was blinding and from position four jumped ahead of Peter Kelly in the BMW 130i to chase Searle and Wilmington.

After missing a round at Queensland Raceway, Searle was back, smooth and clinical as he assumed once again his control over the field. Natalie was still strong and taking the race to Searle but after holding onto the tail of the BMW for 4 laps starts to fall away ever so slowly as Luke’s rolled out 1m10s lap after lap.

Kelly was able to get past Otten who in turn was having some trouble holding the Mitsubishi Magna of Kangaroo Kid Matt Coulter at bay. Bryan Fitzpatrick was not far behind and was keeping the boot into the Renault Clio pressuring Coulter. Fitzpatrick also had to worry about the pace of Daniel Flanagan in the Goodyear Auto Care Hyundai who was continuing to impress.

Across the line 1st was Searle BMW 130, Willmington Falcon XR8, Kelly BMW 130, Otten Alfa Romeo 156, Coulter Mitsubishi Magna, Fitzpatrick Renault Clio, Flanagan Hyundai Sonata, Mork Honda Integra R, Byers Mitsubishi 380, Harris Proton Satria, Erler Proton Satria, Riehs Peugeot 206 GTI.

The second race of the day brought mixed fortunes for many. Willmington's supporters were out in force, all with pink signs urging the lady in pink on. Birthday boy Bryan Fitzpatrick had his fair share of supporters, as did the Flanagan team.

With this being a reverse grid race the pressure is on the faster cars starting from the back to find their way through the field.

Early in the race Kelly, then Wilmington, Byers and Coulter run off the track after all having achieved a good position.

While all the trouble was happening Searle was slowly working his way past the field to again take control of race two. Wilmington and Kelly were both desperately trying to make up lost ground. Kelly misjudged and ran into the back of Byers, while Natalie suffered another spin.

Behind Searle, Fitzpatrick was safe in second, while Otten, driving a very steady race in the Alfa Romeo Australia 156, came under immense pressure from Matt Coulter in the Wakefield Park Speed Off Street sponsored Mitsubishi Magna Sports.

The final result saw Searle lead home Fitzpatrick, Otten, Coulter, Willmington, Mork, Flanagan, Riehs, Harris, Kelly and Erler, while Byers failed to finish after the coming together with Peter Kelly.

Luke Searle was out to make it a perfect return in race three, and took an early lead from Peter Kelly and Natalie Wilmington. The red Alfa driven by Rick Otten took up fourth position, followed by Coulter, Fitzpatrick.

After starting rear of the grid couresty of the Peter Kelly bump Neil Byers made steady ground on the field.

At the end of 12 laps Luke Searle took the chequered flag in the SAE BMW130 to 1st place and three from three. Peter Kelly took a sound second from the fast finishing and well supported Natalie Willmington in the Toyo Tyres / Speedy Wheels XR8 Ford. Another steady drive rewarded Rick Otten and the Alfa with 4th from Coulter, Fitzpatrick. Richard Mork in the V8 Racing Entry Honda in 7th place ahead of a fast finishing Neil Byers.

The first place Class C car was the Goodyear Auto Care Hyundai of Flanagan from Erler in the Mulgo Quarries / Metro Tyres Proton and DJ Embroidery / Lubrimaxx Proton of Darrin Harris.

After another difficult day Hans Rieh brought the red Peugeot home in 12th position and was rewarded with a Class B podium .

Video from Queensland Round - Exciting, Affordable, Accessible Racing at it's best

As the only female ever to lead the Production Touring Car Championship, current series front-runner Natalie Willmington is determined to continue her strong run of recent success as the latest round gets underway this weekend (July 14-15) in front of a home crowd at Goulburn’s Wakefield Park Raceway.

Coming off the back of her first round victory in the category at Queensland Raceway last month, Willmington has stamped her own mark on the championship with the win that has verified her position as a strong championship contender in only her second season in the category.

Having finished last year’s season strongly in third overall for class B, Willmington’s skill on the track has strengthened this year in the premier class, impressively finishing on the podium at every round of the 2007 Australian Motor Racing Series calendar so far.

Willmington will be one of the hot favourites in her Ford Falcon XR8 and says she’s purely focussed on backing up her recent victory with another.

“After winning in Queensland, we’ve put the rest of the field on notice that we are hungry to get another victory,” said Willmington.

“It’s our home track and we came away with third place at the series opener here in February but this time we’re focussed on doing better than that and come out on top.

“To be leading the series is something pretty special because there’s no doubt that gives us an edge over the rest of the field. The BMWs [of Luke Searle and Peter Kelly] have been strong all year but that doesn’t discourage us from putting up a strong fight on race day. We’re here to win and we’ve proven we can do that.

“To start out so strong this year is a reflection of all the hard work and effort the team has put in. We know the car is capable of taking out the championship, and continuing our consistent run is going to be instrumental in putting us in the right position come the end of the year. We’ve come this far and are leading and we’ll be doing everything we can to keep it that way right until the final chequered flag.”

For all the girls out there, Natalie’s grid guys will be there on the weekend supporting her.

“KANGAROO KID” BOUND FOR PRODUCTION TOURING CAR ACTION AT WAKEFIELD PARK:

After winning at his circuit racing debut last month, Matt “The Kangaroo Kid” Coulter will return as a strong contender for the latest of the Production Touring Car Championship at Wakefield Park Raceway this weekend (July 14-15), as part of the Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS).

Initially a renowned multiple quad bike champion around the world, Coulter took out class B honours at his first stint of the year in the category at the Queensland Raceway round last month, impressing many of the series regulars. Planning to strap back into the V6 powered Mitsubishi Magna formerly driven by Natalie Willmington, Coulter will be one of the hot favourites to watch among all AMRS competitors when the series returns to the 2.2km Goulburn circuit.

Coulter’s racing experience began at age three when he took to riding motorbikes. Stepping up to the four wheel variety at 16-years-old, his rise to racing fame happened when he first clinched the Australian Quad Racing Championship title in 1987. Having subsequently won titles in the UK and Europe, his extreme stunt rider antics have made him a regular face in the industry with his talent being shown on numerous entertainment television shows globally.

A world record holder, The Kangaroo Kid's extended experience has enabled his incredible skill and agility to easily transfer into circuit racing. While he also owns a 2002 ex-Eddie Cheever Dallara IndyCar – which he plans to race in the Oz Boss Championship in the near future – Coulter is eager to back up his strong debut with another credible result.

“I had such a great time in the V6 powered Mitsubishi Magna and obviously taking out the class win was the best start anyone could want,” said Coulter.

“To try and back that up with another class win at a totally different circuit is the aim and we’re confident the car will be able to take us there.

“I’m still performing my stunt riding because that’s my first passion. But once you’re a competitor, you’re always looking for the next challenge, and the Production Touring Cars is the best way for me to reacquaint myself with competing on four wheels but of the sedan kind!”

Natalie Willmington has taken her first ever pole position at Round 3 of the Production Touring Car Championship at Queensland Raceway.

Willmington will start from the front row of the grid for the first race, and using the full power of her V8-powered BA Falcon XR8, she plans to stay at the front. Challenging her for the position will be Malcolm Rea, who did a fantastic job to qualify second in his Class A Toyota Celica, and close behind is Matt "Kangaroo Kid" Coulter in his debut drive of the ex-Willmington Class B Mitsubishi Magna. Neil Byers also put in a stellar effort to qualify just (2 tenths) behind Coulter. The top runner in Class C is next up - Daniel Flanagan running his recently rebuilt (and repainted) Hyundai Sonata.

The weather is predicted to be fine for Sunday's racing, and the action is expected to be intense - look out for a good battle between Coulter and Byers, between Hans Riehs and Daniel Flanagan, and just a little further back, between Bryan Fitzpatrick and Darrin Harris. Jo Rea and Peter Erler are also expected to improve on their qualifying performances.

Head to Queensland Raceway, just outside Ipswich to catch all the action. Race One kicks off at 9.10am, and the second race is scheduled for just before lunch and the final race just after 3pm.

DO NOT attempt, under any circumstances, to recreate anything you see the Kangaroo Kid do, as this could lead to injury or possible death...

Search for the Kangaroo Kid on Google, and these are the first words you will find.

It's fair to say the Kangaroo Kid likes it extreme - he started out racing motorcross, then won the Australian Quad Racing Championship title in 1987, he then went on to win Quad Racing championships around the world, and started doing stunts on Quads - jumping over cars, 4WDs, buses, paddle steamers, you name it, he has probably jumped it. Matt Coulter (as his family and friends know him) also owns a 2002 Dallara IndyCar, previously driven by Eddie Cheever in the IRL. He plans to race that car in the Oz BOSS Championship at some time in the near future, but as a warm up will be driving the Mitsubishi Magna Production Car, campaigned in 2006 by Natalie Willmington. Coulter is no stranger to competition, and is expected to mount a strong challenge in the Magna when he hits the track at Queensland Raceway this weekend, 16-17 June.

For all the latest news and information on the Australian Motor Racing Series, check out the official website: www.amrs.net.au

Round Two of the Production Touring Car Championship looks set to bring the largest grid ever for the category to Winton Raceway.

The BMW 130s of Luke Searle and Peter Kelly have been the cars to beat in terms of outright placings. In 2006, the only time they were bettered was at Winton Raceway. And they were bettered by George Miedecke in his Hyundai Tiburon. George missed the first round of the 2007 Championship, but he is back for Winton, and keen to show the BMWs his rear bumper.

Another driver very keen to get the better of the BMWs is Natalie Willmington, onboard her V8-powered Ford Falcon BA XR8. New to rear-wheel drive racing, Natalie was still finding her feet at Round One, but is expected to put the pressure on at Winton. Another driver in Class A, who will be looking for outright honours is Rick Otten in the Alfa Romeo 156. Kosi Kalaitzidis will also be putting on a good show in his VW Golf GTi.

In Class B, Neil Byers Mitsubishi 380 was top of the tree at Wakefield Park. Others keen to challenge him include Hans Riehs (Peugeot 206GTi), Bryan Fitzpatrick (Renault Clio Sport), Kevin Gilkinson (Mitsubishi Magna) and Malcolm Rea (Toyota Celica).

And Class c, for parts of 2006, the sole domain of young Tony "Fangio" Saliba, is brimming with competitors - Daniel Flanagan (Hyundai Sonata), Peter Erler (Proton Satria), Darren Harris (Proton Satria), Steve Lambrick (Proton Satria) and Shane Turner (Proton Satria).

The action starts Friday 27 April with unofficial practice, with qualifying and racing 28-29 April at Benalla's Winton Raceway.

George Miedecke is a young driver on the move. He made his circuit racing debut in 2006, in the Production Touring Car Championship, driving a Hyundai Tiburon. Miedecke was on the pace right from the start, and despite missing a round, managed to clinch the Class B title at the final round at Wakefield Park. Pleased with his initial performance, Miedecke set about finding backing for 2007, eventually landing support from Lubrimaxx to compete in the 2007 V8 Utes Championship. George's year has gotten off to a mixed start, with mechanical maladies at the opening round at the Clipsal 500, followed by a great run at the non-championship event at the Australian Grand Prix, where he finished 11th, 9th and 12th across the three races.

Shortly after he won the PTCC Class B Championship for 2006, Miedecke was judged by AMRS Director Garry Willmington to be the most promising young driver in the 2006 PTCC, and was awarded a test drive in Garry's V8 Supercar (at the time, an EL Falcon V8 Supercar). Since the announcement was made, George has been busy preparing for the 2007 V8 Utes Championship and despite being VERY eager to sample the V8 Supercar, he hadn't been able to find the time until today. In the meantime Garry has been busy too - busy acquiring a later model car, and converting it to V8 Giants spec. Garry's new car is an ex-V8 Supercar AU Falcon, and in the hands of Brad Lowe at Round 1 of the 2007 AMRS took out the win in the Australian Touring Car Challenge and V8 Giants. And this is the car George test drove today. The test was a big success - so successful in fact, that Garry has decided to step aside for Round 2 of the AMRS this weekend at Calder Park, and hand the drive over to George.

Round Two of the Australian Motor Racing Series will be held at Calder Park this weekend, 24-25 March, and will be Miedecke's first appearance in the V8 Giants sub-category of the Australian Touring Car Challenge, proving how successful the AMRS Driver Development Program - just another reason to get involved in the AMRS.

Hot on the heels of this announcement, Garry Willmington has confirmed that the V8 Giants test will be repeated at the end of the 2007 Production Touring Car Championship. The test drive is awarded to the driver who demonstrates the most promise during the year. The award is judged solely by Garry Willmington, and takes into account car control, speed, race discipline, enthusiasm, and many other characteristics. For more information on how to get involved in the AMRS, visit the official website: www.amrs.net.au

Natalie Willmington will have a new steed for the 2007 Production Touring Car Championship, in the form of a BA Falcon XR8.

Natalie campaigned a Mitsubishi Magna in the 2006 Championship - the Magna is a front-wheel drive, V6-powered, Class B car, and provided Willmington with an excellent introduction to circuit racing. Such a good introduction in fact that she placed 3rd outright in the Championship, and 3rd in the Class B Championship. Always ambitious, Natalie is keen to improve her position in the 2007 Championship, and the change in PTCC rules for 2007 which allows more cars, including V8s, has meant she can swap to the V8 powered BA Falcon XR8 and hopefully take the challenge right up to the reigning champion, Luke Searle, in his BMW 130.

Willmington's new car has a racing pedigree, it's former owner, John Houlder, campaigned the car in the Australian Production Car Championship. The Falcon is powered by a 5.4 litre V8 Boss engine, delivering this power through a 5-speed gearbox, and ultimately 18 inch wheels. Natalie has already had husband, and Touring Car legend, Garry Willmington, test the car, and there are some suspension tuning improvements planned before the first round. The car has also undergone a livery change and will appear in the colours shown in the artists impression.

It is understood the Magna vacated by Natalie will continue to race in the PTCC, but the name of the driver has not yet been revealed.

The first round of the 2007 Production Touring Car Championship will be held as part of Round One of the 2007 Australian Motor Racing Series, 24-25 February at Goulburn's Wakefield Park circuit. For all the news and information, visit the official AMRS website: www.amrs.net.au

The Australian Motor Racing Series is all about making racing exciting, affordable and accessible. To simplify the paperwork and documentation procedures associated with racing the AMRS introduced the Season Booklet for the 2006 season. Now the new and improved Season Booklet for the 2007 season has left the printers and is on it's way to competitors.

Look out for your copy in the post this week. If you have not received a copy by the end of the week, or if you have not been in touch with the AMRS previously to supply your postal details, request a copy by contacting AMRS management via email by clicking here.

If you'd like an electronic version of the booklet, you can download it by clicking here. (It is 60 pages, and an 8mb download so recommended only for high speed internet connections.) The electronic version will remain available via the brand new "Downloads" page accessible via the main menu on the left of the screen.

Entries open tomorrow (15 January) for Round One of the 2007 Australian Motor Racing Series to be held at Wakefield Park, 24-25 February.

As the start of the 2007 Australian Motor Racing Series approaches, the AMRS management have delivered some great New Years news to competitors - Entry and Series registration fees have been lowered by 6% for 2007.

Competitors who register for the entire 2007 series, or for the total number of rounds they wish to compete at in 2007 will be eligible for the discounted rate.

AMRS directors Garry Willmington and Rod Dale say it is all a part of their ongoing plan to reduce costs to competitors and encourage exciting, accessible and AFFORDABLE racing.

In addition to the discounted fees, registered competitors receive product discounts from a number of suppliers, guaranteed entry and are eligible for points and other incentives in their respective category.

The AMRS is set for a big year in 2007, with 11 categories competing at up to 9 rounds at 6 different venues. To read more about the 2007 Australian Motor Racing Series, visit www.amrs.net.au - Australian Motor Racing Series. Racing the way it's meant to be. Exciting. Affordable. Accessible.

Coming hot on the heels of the AMRS Expo is the announcement of the Category Calendars for the 2007 Australian Motor Racing Series. The 2007 AMRS Calendar was finalised some months ago, but the distribution of rounds to the various categories has just recently been completed, and with the announcement of several new categories for the 2007 AMRS comes the calendar for each category.

The 2006 Australian Motor Racing Series Expo is set to provide an excellent introduction to the Motorsport scene for new competitors in the lead up to the 2007 season.

A Future in Motorsport: The Expo, to be held at the Wakefield Park circuit 17 December, will provide a wealth of information and displays to interested visitors. There are over 30 confirmed displays, with more to be finalised over the next two weeks. Amongst the displays, visitors to the AMRS Expo will find drivers, teams and category representatives, who will all be extremely approachable, and eager to pass on information. This is the perfect opportunity for anyone considering competing or participating in motorsport to have an up close look at the cars involved and to get the inside information on participating. The presentations will also offer experienced competitors the chance to expand their racing knowledge in the lead up to 2007.

Something for Everyone: Everybody is welcome, and those who prefer to remain spectators will be catered for too, with Speed Off the Streets open practice sessions where they can get a taste of racing by taking their road car around Wakefield Park, there will also be Hot Laps where visitors can take a ride in a race car with an experienced driver. The displays will also give spectators a chance to see race cars in all their detail.

The Australian Motor Racing Series Expo - Wakefield Park, 17 December. Admission is free. A $5 lunch special (sausage sandwich and cold drink) will be available at the track. Fees apply for Open Practice sessions (see www.wakefieldpark.com.au), Driver Instruction sessions ($200 in your car, $300 otherwise) and Hot Laps ($300 for 5 laps).

There are still limited slots available for displays, so if you are part of a team or business interested in showing your wares, get in touch today: rod@amrs.net.au

If you are a driver keen to join the list of those offering Hot Laps, you will need to contact the AMRS for conditions: rod@amrs.net.au

Australian Motor Racing Series. Racing the way it's meant to be. Exciting. Affordable. Accessible.

Ozspeed and Garry Wilmington are pleased to announced that George Miedecke has been awarded the test drive in one of Garry's V8 Supercars. The test drive is awarded at the conclusion of each season of the Production Touring Car Championship to the rookie judged most promising throughout the championship. The judging criteria include car control, speed, race discipline and racecraft.

The test date is still to be finalised, and the event will be a great reward for George after such a sensational debut this year.

Ozspeed would like to thank Garry Wilmington and Wakefield Park Speed off the Streets for making this opportunity available.

Wakefield Park will welcome the largest field yet for round 8 of the Production Touring Car Championship of 2006.

In a thrilling finish to the inaugural year for the Production Touring Car Championship, Luke Searle has been crowned Class A and Outright champion, George Miedecke has grabbed the Class B trophy and Tony Saliba took out Class C.

With a growing field of cars for the final round, and heatwave conditions at Goulburn's Wakefield Park, the racing was action packed, and the Class B championship went right down to the very last race.

Hans Riehs is pleased to announce that WOODS & WILSON RADIATORS of WEST GOSFORD will be supporting the Hansinsure Teams Peugeot 206 for the final Round of the PTCC being held at Wakefield Park.

For all your cooling needs on the Central Coast why not call Kevin Knott at WOODS & WILSON WEST GOSFORD Phone 02 4325 7908.

Best Racing to compete in final round of the Production Touring Car Championship

Darren Best Benalla based driver, in the Ford Focus will make an appearance in the final round of the Production Touring Car Championship at Wakefield Raceway 26 / 27 November 2006.

The team have just finished a successful year competing in the Shannons Australian Production Car Championship, CAMS National Series and was recently crowned the Class C Champion for 2006.

Darren Best commented ;This year was our first time competing at Wakefield Raceway, we loved the track and thought running the final round with Production Touring Car Championship would be a great opportunity to get some additional track time and data under race conditions. We are looking forward to competing against some different competitors in another National series.

Darren Best is supported trackside by chief mechanic Frank Presser, pit crew Peter Heaney, Darren Sparey, Gene OHiggins, wife Treena Best and children Ellexandra and Zakkary. Sponsors Merridan Motorsport, Euroford Club and Bridgestone Benalla.

Red cars are faster they say, Queenslander Mal Rae and his daughter Jo will team up in 2007 in a pair of red Toyotas. Mal has been building a Sportiva for Jo to drive in 2007 in class C, while Mal will continue to campaign his Red Celica. Both cars will have matching TRD livery. Whist not yet confirmed Mal is working hard on securing funding to run the new Toyota Aurion at sometime during 2007 as a replacement for the Celica, which is currently for sale.

25 year-old Jo a qualified hairdresser from he Sunshine Coast is full of confidence having shared with Mal the experience of the Championship all year. Jo will bring poise, beauty and plenty of competition to the Production Touring Car Championship in 2007.

Jo tested the Celica last week at Wakefield Park on the way home from Calder Park under Mals watchful eyes. Completed many laps around Queensland raceway in Mal's ex factory prepared Toyota Super Tourer the cars Mal campaigned during that fabulous TOCA supported period of Super Touring racing in Australia.

Joining the field is PCCA competitor Darren Best in his number 76 Ford Focus ST170 Darren and the Ford will run in Class B and will make life just that much more interesting as Roland McIntosh and the Peugeot 206 try to protect their championship lead from the challenges of Natalie Wilmington and George Miedecke.

Also returning will be the Proton Team of Graham Roylett and Peter Erler the plumber from Penrith who was so successful at Winton in his first ever race.

Can Kelly turn the tables on teammate Searle? Can McIntosh take the class B Championship after a year long battle with Miedecke or will Natalie Wilmington take it for the ladies.What effect will the Best Focus have on the outcome.

In class C Tony Saliba already has his first Australian Championship but he will get serious challenges from the Protons of Roylett, Erler and the Flanagan Hyundai.

A great final round to the inaugural Production Touring Car Championship of Australia. Be There November 25 and 26 for all the answers.

With Calder Park's Round Seven fast approaching, amrs.net.au is proud to present a video preview for the penultimate round of the 2006 Australian Motor Racing Series. The video features highlights from the 2006 Series so far, and is recommended for broadband users due to the file size (15mb). To watch the video, click here, or visit the brand new AMRS Videos page by clicking here. The video will only be available for a limited time, so if you want to keep a copy, make sure you download it to your computer.

If any competitors have video they would like to see included on the AMRS Videos page, please contact the webmaster via email. Due to storage constraints, videos cannot be hosted by amrs.net.au, but we can link directly to videos stored on your own website, or stored free at YouTube.

Round Seven of the 2006 Australian Motor Racing Series heads to Calder Park 28-29 October. Click here for more details.

A reminder that all the action from the fifth round of the 2006 Australian Motor Racing Series will air over the next two weekends. This Sunday (6 August), tune into SBS Speedweek at 12 noon for all the Citilink Touring Car Challenge and Production Touring Car Championship action. Next Sunday (13 August), tune in to catch all the Formula 4000, Thunder Sports and 3.3 Litre Holden action.

The coverage will also be shown on Fox Sports Inside Speed, the Wednesday night following each Speedweek episode.

And for the next instalment of on-track action, it's a little under four weeks to wait, as Round Six hits Winton Raceway, August 26 and 27.

Daniel Flanagan: A Man on the Move
Written by Michael Carscadden, Capital MotorSport News

Daniel Flanagan belongs to that rarest breed of all motor sport competitors. He has a partner, Melissa, who has given him the green light to pursue his passion for motor racing. You lucky, lucky man.

Daniel told me he had always hankered to get into racing when he was a kid. The sad fact of the matter was that growing up as one of four children, there was no way motor sport would be on the agenda while ever his folks were paying the bills. The closest Daniel got to racing was pounding around in hire karts out at Hume, in the ACT.

Being the sensible type, Daniel finished school, got a trade as a cabinet joiner behind him, bought a house, and then looked into following up his racing ambitions.

Now twenty five, Daniel started racing an older Hutless chassis in the Clubman Light category in 2003, with the Canberra Kart Racing Club. He served a two year apprenticeship in this category, before stepping up into the more powerful Rotax Light division at the start of 2005.

Driving an Italian PCR chassis, Daniel had ten wins during the 2005 season, giving him second in the ACT Championship. Daniel also won the Henry Lawson Cup, and the Grenfell round of the Southern Zone series; so obviously the move into the Rotax category was a good one.

But Daniel always had in mind the desire to move into circuit racing, and with the cost-effective Australian Motor Racing Series kicking off in 2006, Daniel seized the opportunity. He has entered a Hyundai Sonata in the Production Touring Car Championship at Winton on the 26th & 27th of August; and this will be Daniel's debut into sedan car racing.

Daniel and Melissa are also planning a move to Victoria, for Daniel to enrol in the Diploma of Motor Sport and Engineering at Wodonga TAFE. Fifty new applicants are selected each year, to commence a course that boasts 90% placement within the motor sport industry. Teams such as Perkins Engineering and Ford Performance Racing regularly employ graduates from the course.

The course involves two years of full-time study, but also includes practical components, such as crewing at major race meetings for two V8 Brute Utes, a Formula Ford, as well as a Subaru WRX that currently runs in the Victorian Rally Championship. Higher education never seemed so appealing.

So keep an eye out for Daniel and his Hyundai Sonata at Winton in August, and at the remaining Australian Motor Racing Series meetings this year.

For more information on the Production Touring Car Championship, visit their website at www.ptcc.net.au

Central Coast businessman Hans Riehs has recently purchased a Peugeot 206 GTI 180 and will enter the car in the remaining rounds of the 2006 Production Touring Car Championship. While it is hoped that the car can be prepared in time for Round Six at Winton, a previous commitment might delay his plans until Round Seven at Calder Park.

With a background in hillclimbing and CSCA Supersprints Hans is looking forward to the coming PTCC rounds.

A Life insurance broker from Erina, Hans has a love of cars particularly Peugeot and he has a number in the family. Watch out for the Red Pug as he takes up the challenge in Class B.

Luke Searle has remained solid at Adelaide International Raceway for Round Five, despite a very strong challenge from Natalie Willmington. In the first circuit racing event held at the challenging circuit in over 18 years, Searle held on to take three race wins and the round, while Willmington was second outright for the round, with youngster George Miedecke taking out third.

Wet and wild Winton

Peter Kelly posted his maiden Production Touring Car Championship victory in a mixed grill of weather conditions at Winton Motor Raceway in north east Victoria today.

Kelly grabbed round three of the PTCC as part of the AMRS series posting a pair of second places and taking a win in the second of the three-race program.

"I enjoyed it. It’s a lot of fun racing these things. I didn’t have a lot confidence to be honest as far as getting on top of Luke (Searle)," Kelly said.

The Kellbi Developments Beemer now sits second in the overall series standings.

George Miedecke scored an outright victory in atrocious weather in the opening race in conditions ideally suited to his Class B Hyundai Tiburon.

It was left up to Miedecke to prevent another BMW cakewalk and when the skies opened up before race 1, he was in his element.

"It was definitely the weather working in our favour but all the hard work has paid off."

In a category for street legal racing cars, Miedecke had an unusual description of just how his giant killing performance left him feeling:

"I’m having so much fun it should be illegal," he said.

Race 2 threw up a different set of challenges and Miedecke found himself unable to pass the BMW pair as Peter Kelly clocked up his first Production Touring Car Championship win ahead of teammate Luke Searle on a greasy track.

With Miedecke clearly wrapping Class B, Roland McIntosh lead home the rest in his Peugeot.

Neil Byers took giant strides towards sorting out the handling of the all Aussie Mitsubishi 380 with the help of Wakefield Park promoter Garry Willmington.

"I went for this car because it’s all Australian built. The new suspension is all Australian and rumour has it that Garry is Australian made," Byers said of his improved performance.

Tony Saliba’s Nissan Pulsar S went through a hasty rebuild after a solid coming together with the wall on the first lap of the opening Saturday practice session.

The car survived major surgery and Saliba went on to be the only Class C survivor when the Proton Satria GTi of Graham Roylett did not appear for race 3.

Roylett plans to have a new car ready for round 4 of the PTCC at Queensland Raceway on June 3 and 4.

Round 4 will also see the return of the other PTCC giant slayer in David Capraro in his stunning Alfa Romeo.

After a promising start at Calder Park's Round One, the Production Touring Car ranks are set to grow even further, with the addition of two more manufacturers to the category. Anyone who attended Calder Park, or caught the Round One action on Speedweek, can attest that the Round One action was quite frenetic, and the Street-Legal Championship Racing philosophy of the PTCC is an excellent recipe for good racing.

And Round Two at Goulburn's Wakefield Park will see some extra ingredients added to that recipe. Two additional manufacturers have come on board, in the form of Alfa Romeo and Proton.

Alfa Romeo will be represented by two different models - the 156 GTA, and the 147 GTA.

Jason Sinai Motor Sports will campaign a red 2004-model 147 GTA. The 147 GTA features a 3.2 litre V6, and boasts around 184kw of power. With a 6-speed gearbox, the 147 GTA is sure to suit the Wakefield Park layout very well. Driver, Jason Sinai has a background in Production cars in South Africa and more recently has been Club racing in NSW. In the finest traditions of the fledgling championship, the 147 GTA will be driven by Jason to the track, with his wife following behind in their 4-wheel drive.

The other Alfa Romeo is a 156 GTA that will be campaigned by David Capraro, and as is befitting the Alfa Romeo marque, the 156 GTA also features red paintwork. These two Alfa Romeos should definitely have BMW drivers, Searle and Kelly, nervous.

Fielding a Proton Satria will be Lenlock Racing from Young. The Proton 21 car will be driven by Graham Roylett and will be a strong contender in class C.

Graham brings plenty of experience to the series having competed in the Internation Healy race of 1999 at Bathurst, the Bathurst 2 Hour Production race of 2002 where he finished 10th outright and third in class. With outings in Historics and the Combined Touring Car Championship at Oran Park where in 2005 he finished third outright.

The excitement gets underway in one week at Wakefield Park, April 22-23. Along with the new competitors above will be the other outstanding entries from Mitsubishi, Nissan, BMW, Peugeot and more. For more information on Round Two, click here.

Nine days before round one of the Production Touring Car Championship at Calder Park, Neil Byers acquired a brand new Mitsubishi 380. In the days leading up to the round, a roll cage was fitted to the car, and then, at the circuit, the Mumbo Racing team turned the award winning 380 from a showroom street car into a Production Touring race car in one day. For the full story on how it happened, click here.

To see the racing from Round One at Calder Park, tune in to SBS Speedweek this Sunday, 9 April at 12 noon. The Mitsubishi 380 will see action again in two weeks time at Goulburn's Wakefield Park for Round Two of the Production Touring Car Championship - April 22-23. For all the info on the round, click here.

A final reminder that the TV coverage from Round One of the AMRS will commence this weekend, on SBS Speedweek 12 noon, Sunday 2 April, with the Yokohama Australian Formula 4000 Drivers Championship and Citilink Construction Group Touring Car Challenge featuring.

The following weekend, Sunday 9 April, all the action from Fantastic Furniture Kingswood Racing, Thunder Sports and Production Touring Car Championship, will screen at 12 noon.

In a new timeslot for 2006, the repeat of the coverage on FoxSports Inside Speed will now be shown the Wednesday following the Speedweek episode, at 8.30pm. For Round One, part one, watch FoxSports 5 April. For Round One, part two, watch FoxSports 12 April.

The TV coverage from Round 1 is expected to air on SBS Speedweek 12 noon, Sunday 2 April and Sunday 9 April.

The 2 April program will feature the Yokohama Australian Formula 4000 Drivers Championship, and the Citilink Construction Group Touring Car Challenge. This program will also be shown on FoxSports InsideSpeed, Thursday 6 April.

The 9 April program will feature the Production Touring Car Championship, the Thunder Sports and the Fantastic Furniture Kingswoods. The coverage will also be shown on FoxSports InsideSpeed, Thursday 13 April.

The Port Macquarie based car features outstanding livery, and the stunning appeal was matched by young George after some instructions from dad, Andrew.

After some sighting laps Geoge was down into the the low 1 minute 16 second bracket. George and the team were very careful with the car and the test went without too many incidents. One at the top part of the circuit, near the hillclimb section made George pay attention. Some minor overheating of the oil in the power steering was also soon sorted out.

Andrew Miedecke was soon behind the wheel and George stated that Dad was just plain brutal with the car riding the kerbs while wringing its little neck until down in the low 1 minute 15 second bracket. The car being returned with the comment: "Thats how you do it son."

The laps in the car will help Andrew as he is to run this car in the 2006 Targa Tasmania. Following Targa, George will be back in the the car for Round Three of the PTCC to continue his championship quest.

After a very successful day the team boarded Andrew's Cirrus SR22 aircraft and returned to the Mid Coast where Andrew runs a very successful multi franchise motor dealership: www.miedecke.com.au

Round One of the inaugural Production Touring Car Championship will set Calder Park alight in one weeks time - 18-19 March. Check out the Round One information page for all the details.

With just one week until the opening round of the Production Touring Car Championship, an award winning car has been added to the racing line up. A deal has been completed between Southern Mitsubishi Moorabbin and Neil Byers that will have a new white Mitsubishi 380 competing in all 8 rounds of the Production Touring Car Championship of Australia.

Byers' other Magna - the V8 powered Future Tourer of the Touring Car Challenge

The car will carry the race number 380, and with 175kw and 1625kg, it will be a strong contender in class B. Neil is a complusive collector of front wheel drive race cars, in the form of a number for Super Tourers, he also has another Mitsubishi in his stable, in the form of a V8 powered Magna Future Tourer (pictured left). He had the following to say about his decision to race the 380: "Just love front wheel drive cars and the Mitsubishi is a great road car, perfectly suited to the Street Legal Cars Champions Mitsubishi 380 - Artists Impression

hip Racing concept of the PTCC, can't wait to get it on the track!"

Neil would like to thank Southern Mitsubishi Moorabbin, and in particular Abe Jahlko for fast tracking the purchase and delivery. Neil would also like to thank Adam from Mitsubishi Australia for his help.

Both Neil and Southern Mitsubishi will be hoping that old slogan of Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday come true at Calder Park next week end.

If you are looking for a great family car with Intelligent Technology then give Abe Jahlko a call at Southern Mitsubishi on 03 9524 9211 or 0425 777 111 for a better deal on the award winning Mitsubishi 380.

Like to talk to Neil Byers about the 380 or interested in Air Conditioning or Refrigeration then he'd be happy to hear from you. Phone Neil at Advanced Refrigeration Systems on 0404 479 294.

Round one of the 2006 Production Touring Car Championship bursts into action at Calder Park, March 18-19. Check out the round preview for all the info by clicking here.

Peugeot has joined the exciting list of marques for the 2006 Production Touring Car Championship. Roland McIntosh, former Australian Marque Sports Champion, will line up at Calder in two weeks at the wheel of his blue Peugeot 206 GTi 180. The Peugeot will be vying for Class B as well as outright honours.

Peugeot now joins Hyundai, BMW, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Honda along with the countless other makes eligible for the Production Touring Car Championship - a class designed to bring new competitors into Motor Racing, with street legal cars in a national, televised championship, and also offering drivers the opportunity to compete for a V8 Supercar test.

Round one of the PTCC takes place in just under two weeks, at Calder Park, Victoria. To keep up to date with all the news on all the classes competing, check out the official AMRS website: www.amrs.net.au

For all the info on the Production Touring Car Championship, visit the official website: www.ptcc.net.au

Australian Motor Racing fans will be familiar with the name, and they're soon to become familiar with this new face. George Miedecke, son of accomplished racer, Andrew Miedecke, is set to join the Production Touring Car Championship in 2006.

Andrew Miedecke is well known for his exploits in V8 Supercars, Group A (possibly best know for the OXO Ford Sierra), and before that Formula Pacific. Andrew also successfully competed in the V8 Stockcar (the forerunner to the Stockcar Australia Road Series), driving for the Whiteline Racing Team. Andrew has a well established racing pedigree, and is now Driving Standards Officer for the V8 Utes series. Andrew also owns and operates a number of car dealerships on the Mid-North Coast of NSW and is a keen aviator. For more information on Andrew Miedecke, visit his website: www.miedecke.com.au

George Miedecke is 20 years old, and has previously raced Go Karts. Following in his father's footsteps, George works in Sydney as a car salesman. Following the footsteps further, George plans to enter the Production Touring Car Championship in 2006, behind the wheel of a Hyundai Tiburon. Despite his previous racing experience being limited to Go Karts, Miedecke sees the Production Touring Car Championship, and the Australian Motor Racing Series in general, as the perfect way to get into the Australian Motor Racing scene. Make no mistake, Miedecke intends to be competitive too. He has previously tested the Hyundai Tiburon at Goulburn's Wakefield Park circuit, and he intends to enlist the assistance of his father in an advisory role. Miedecke is currently in sponsorship negotiations, and hopes to be able to run the Tiburon in it's current Factory Hyundai livery.

Round one of the Production Touring Car Championship will be held at Calder Park, Victoria, 18-19 March. For more information on how to see Miedecke and all the Production Touring Cars in action, click here.

For more information on the Production Touring Car Championship, including how to get involved and compete for a V8 Supercar test, visit the official PTCC website: www.ptcc.net.au

Australian Motor Racing Series competitors have only five weeks to wait until Round One at Calder Park in Victoria, so it's understandable that they are excited. Round One entries are now open, and available for download here.

The 2006 Production Touring Car Championship has taken another step forward today, with several new competitors taking to the Wakefield Park circuit in a demonstration run. Natalie Willmington led the charge in her silver Mitsubishi Magna. Having had

the benefit of numerous laps of the Wakefield Park layout, Natalie was on the pace quickly.

Willmington was joined by 2004 Australian Touring Car Challenge champion, Luke Searle. Searle debuted his stunning black BMW 130, fresh from the dealership. The BMW is liveried similar to the SAE Racing BMW 318i Super Tourer that Searle campaigns in the Australian Touring Car Challenge. For round one of the PTCC, Searle will be joined by his TCC teammate Peter Kelly in a second PTCC BM

W 130.

Several other PTCC cars took to the track, with an unnamed driver behind the wheel of a very recently acquired Nissan Pulsar.

So recently acquired in fact, the car was still running on it's original rubber. The driver was straight into the action however, and despite not having competed at a National level before, he clearly indicated his intention to make his mark on the 2006 Production Touring Car Championship. Check back soon to learn the identity of this and many other new drivers in the PTCC.

Round one of the 2006 Production Touring Car Championship will be held at Calder Park Raceway, 18-19 March. Check back soon for more updates in the lead up to round one.

The Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS) has formed a cost effective Motorsport category that will allow people to compete in their road cars as part of the Production Touring Car Championship (PTCC) that is set to hit the track this year.

Setup with low budgets in mind, the PTCC allows people to compete in their series with some minor modifications to their road car and turn it into a race car. These modifications include roll over protection bars, a racing seat belt and a fire extinguisher.

“The PTCC was formed to give almost anyone with late model car a chance to race, all cars must be street legal at all times,” stated AMRS director Garry Willmington. “For years and years people have always wanted the chance to go racing but haven’t been able to afford to. With the PTCC it gives you an opportunity and now you don’t need to go out and spends thousands upon thousands of dollars just to get out on the track.”

Classes for the PTCC will be A, B and C that will include cars such as BMW’s, Ford’s, Holden’s, Honda’s, Alfa Romeo, Audi’s, KIA, Lexus, Peugeot, Mazda and that is just scratching in terms of the cars that are permitted to compete.

“I cannot begin to explain how exciting the PTCC is going to be as the racing will be very close for the outright and class honours,” Willmington enthused. “The variety of cars is going to make the racing quite a spectacle and gives almost anyone the chance to race on a budget.”

One of the first to join the PTCC is Garry Willmington’s wife Natalie, who will campaign the # 6 V6 powered Mitsubishi Magna in Class B. Natalie is set to make her maiden foray into circuit racing after coming from a drag racing background.

“The formation of the PTCC is very exciting and I’m thrilled that I am going to be a part of it,” expressed Natalie. “I have no prior circuit racing experience, but up until the opening round I will be doing as many laps as I can in order to build up my confidence and speed.”

Natalie loves the fact that the car she races on the weekend can be used to run down the street to pick up groceries.

“I find it quite weird being able to drive my race car on the road and do my day to day duties, then take it out on the race track for the weekend,” explained Natalie. “At least one thing is for sure, I will get plenty of miles both on and off the track in my Magna.”

For further information on the PTCC visit their official website: www.ptcc.net.au

For all of you guys and girls who thought you couldn’t afford to race, now you can! The arrival of a new competition in the Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS) called the Production Touring Car Championship (PTCC) is set to revolutionise participation in Australian Motorsport.

Creation of the new AMRS category means you don’t have to fork out big cash for a race car - you can drive your own street registered car with just a few modifications - including roll-over protection, a racing harness and a fire extinguisher.

“For those who wished they could go motor racing but thought they could never afford it, this is for you”, saysAMRS Director, Rod Dale. Dale predicts the new category will attract women motor sport enthusiasts as well as plenty of blokes.

Fellow AMRS Director, Garry Willmington, sees the new category as a perfect progression for drivers who have been making regular use of the Wakefield Park circuit to drive their street cars on open ‘Speed off the Streets’ days.

The field is wide open with just a few sensible restrictions. Cars must be street legal and under 4 litres engine capacity. Turbos and 4 wheel drivers are ‘verbotten.’ Eligible models must have a build date of 2000 onwards, which means if you have a Magna, Camry, BMW, Renault, Peugeot, Corolla, XR6, Commodore V6 just to mention a few – you can have a lot fun.

“All you need is a roll bar, fire extinguisher, harness, better quality brake pads and you’re then eligible to race” Willmington says.

Cars must be street legal at all times which means you don’t need a transporter or tow car. You can drive to the track and drive back home in your race car.

The AMRS will run an 8-round championship in 2006. For more details of this exciting series go to www.amrs.net.au

Wakefield Park on Sunday saw the first outing of the Natalie Willmington Magna Sports that she will campaign in the 2006 Production Touring Car Championship.

The car performed faultlessly all week end and created plenty of interest during the Gulf Western Oil Christmas Party drive day. Natalie put down some very impressive laps and the Street-Legal Championship Racing Magna looked every bit the race car. The class B car has set a high standard and the low cost concept of the PTCC is proving to be an outstanding success.

The Willmington car will be joined in February by the Newcastle based SAE BMW 130 of Luke Searle. Click here to view the photos of Willmington's Magna.

The David Searle Newcastle based BMW team announced today that they have started negotations for the purchase of 2 BMW 130s to run in the new PTCC category with the Australian Motor Racing Series in 2006.

Ozspeed can also announce that Natalie Willmington, wife of Wakefield Track Manager Garry, will also contest the PTCC possibly in a V6 Magna.

Interest from competitors at Eastern Creek was strong and entries are expected from at least three current Production Cars entrants.

Come and join Ozspeed at Eastern Creek on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December at the final round of the 2005 AMRS. We will show you how easy it is to be part of the new and exciting Production Touring Car Championship for 2006 that will be a major part of the 2006 AMRS. Look out for our static display.

2006 will see the Production Touring Car Championship hit Australian Race tracks, The series is open to all street legal cars built within the last 5 Years, have an engine capacity under 4 Litres, are normally aspirated and 2 wheel drive.

The Production Touring Car Championship is for anybody who has wished they could race cars, but thought they couldn’t afford it. The Production Touring Car Championship is designed with low costs in mind.

Don't have a Race Car? Don't have 100s of thousands of dollars to buy one?

Well with some minor modifications you can race your street car! That's right all cars competing in this series must be Street Legal at all times.

All you need to add* to your street car is, Roll over Protection, a Racing Seat Belt and a Fire Extinguisher.

The 2006 Production Touring Car Championship is part of the 2006 Australian Motor Racing Series.

* Please read the technical and sporting regulations which are availible online here.

The 2006 Australian Motor Racing Series calendar has been announced, and sees some exciting new inclusions on the AMRS schedule. An eight round series, travelling to four different states, the 2006 Australian Motor Racing Series looks set to be better than ever!

Round	Circuit	Date
1	Wakefield Park, NSW	February 24 - 25
2	Queensland Raceway, QLD	June 16 - 17
3	Adelaide International, SA	July 14 - 15
4	Winton Raceway, VIC	August 25 - 26
5	Calder Park, VIC	September 29 - 30
6	Wakefield Park, NSW	October 27 - 28
7	Oran Park, NSW	November 24 - 25

ROUND	DATE	CIRCUIT
1	18 - 19 March 2006	Calder Park
2	22 - 23 April 2006	Wakefield Park
3	6 - 7 May 2006	Winton Raceway
4	3 - 4 June 2006	Queensland Raceway
5	8 - 9 July 2006	Adelaide International Raceway
6	26 - 27 August 2006	Winton Raceway
7	28-29 October 2006	Calder Park
8	25 - 26 November 2006	Wakefield Park

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