Improved Production Touring Cars

[DAVID PATERSON]

Wakefield Confirmed Entry!

2002 Improved Production Nationals- Queensland Raceway
Incorporating Round 3 of the 2002 Tri-State Series
Queensland Raceway 2-3 November

For the first time since 1999, Wayne Wakefield will campaign his Mazda 808 Wagon on a Queensland circuit, with confirmation today of his entry for the 2002 Improved Production Nationals.

So far this season, Wakefield has been competing in V8 Supercars for Paul Morris Motorsport and Imrie Motorsport, with a highlight being 2nd place in the Bathurst Konica race.

Wakefield and his Wagon grew a small army of supporters with his sideways antics in his formative years, and he will be on the money to pick up his first national crown on November 3 at Queensland Raceway.

The car will be prepared by Graphic Skills Racing team leader Phil Laird, who will be busy as ever, as his team will field a total of five Mazdas.

With thanks to support from Yokohama tyres, a total of 32 cars will be making the trek to the meeting from south of the border.

Impressively, New South Wales will be represented by 23 cars on the grid, with their charge being led by former V8 Supercar and Production Car racer, Ric Shaw, and Stephen Flemming, who has been on the pace during his most recent visits to Queensland.

Mark Short and Ian Stratham will represent South Australia, while Tasmania will have four cars on the grid, being led by the Ford EB GT Falcon of Ray Hislop, who has Bathurst 1000 experience.

Victoria, although it will only have five cars on the grid, Rohan Ambrose and Ken Douglas will both be in contention for the podium in their incredibly quick Mazda RX7s.

The bulk of the field will come from the Sunshine State, and they will be out to end their streak of outs, since nobody from Queensland has ever won the event.

Another interesting facet of the Improved Production class is that 11 different manufacturers will be represented on the grid, with cars coming from Suzuki, Mazda, Holden, Honda, Toyota, Datsun, Ford, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Volvo and Chrysler.

However, no matter which make of car, all cars will compete on the Yokohama control tyre, as they have for some time.

Support classes have also been finalised, with the Racing Cars joined with Formula Fords, Sports Sedans, and a combined field of Geminis, HQ Holdens and Saloon Cars.

Fast Facts

Practice Starts- 8:30am Saturday November 2.
Racing Starts- 1pm on Saturday, and 8:30am Sunday November 3.
Admission costs
Weekend- $15
Saturday- $10
Sunday- $10, Children 12 & under Free.
Pit Entry- Free all weekend

[DAVID PATERSON]

Well the Improved Production National Titles have been run and won for another year. After an eventful weekend with plenty of breakdiwns and a couple of crashes in the heats, the repecharge was cancelled and the remaining 46 cars started the final.

Local driver Steve Thompson was black flagged while running second when his Mazda Rx-7 exceeded the nise limit, due to a broken exhaust. Reigning State Champion Tom Horton also retired his immaculate Mazda Rx-3 at half distance. After colliding with Colin Giblett's V8 Commodore in the early stages, local hero Wayne Wakefield in the Mazda 808 Station wagon collided heavily with South Australian Mark Short's Datsun 120Y turbo, while battling for third place, putting both cars out.

Hard luck story of the race was Victorian Rohan Ambrose in his Mazda Rx-7, after leading comfortably for 13 of 15 laps, the car suffered fuel surge on the left hand corners, allowing fellow Victorian Ken Douglas through to the win in his Rx-7. Ambrose managed to make it home in second. State chamion elect, Adam Uebergang of Toowoomba, stayed out of trouble and cruised home in third position, getting on the podium at his first run at the Nationals.

Hero of the hill crowd was the Bonzer Automotive team. Sports Sedan competitor, David Waldon, guest driving Tony Dunn's Rx-7 ran out of fuel 100m from the finish line. He initially tried to push the car across the line and when team mate Matthew Clift was doing his cool down lap in the Rx-2, Matt saw his plight and came around again and pushed the other car across the line bumper to bumper, speedway style. The crowd, who had stayed to the end, lapped it up.

[Crash Test]

Fantastic stuff!

[team drinkalot]

Did you know that all of the Bonza Automotive serviced cars finished the 15 lap final, and a great effort by Matt Clift to finish considering he rolled his car in the first qualifying session.