Commodore Cup, Daewoo Challenge Calder Park preview

Power Tour Preview - Commodore Cup and Daewoo Challenge
Calder Park Raceway
November 23-25

Commodores rule in Victoria
Whenever Commodore Cup cars race in Victoria, the numbers are up and so is the intensity. The series started in the Garden state and most of the teams reside there.

Over the past couple of years, the top competitors have been very close and it wasn't uncommon to see a multitude of winners by seasons' end. Several have gone on to bigger and better thinks whilst still eager to compete in this unique category for early model Holden Commodores with 4.2 litre V8 engines and specific engine and handling package.

Winton's round was the exception rather than the rule. Geoff Emery won both the races in the opening laps. His initial circuits on cold tyres were far quicker than his rivals where he was able to establish a race-winning gap and hold it to the end.

Neville Haley was expected to offer the stiffest resistance but he lost his first-race front-row spot and was relegated to be back of the grid. But Haley, along with Craig Domaschenz, Brett Holdsworth, Daniel Richert, Marcus Zukanovic and the other front runners will have a plan to counter Emery this time around.

One make's great for entry level
The one-make Daewoo series is designed to bring out the best in upcoming race drivers using identical equipment with skill levels determining the result. In order ensure the 2001 Kumho Tyres Daewoo Challenge provides close, safe and entertaining racing, each car undergoes a transition from a humble Daewoo Lanos SE to a Silhouette 600R race car.

All cars are prepared by DVe Motorsport to CAMS Group 3E series production car regulations, and meet CAMS strict safety standards. All cars are prepared to an identical weight, inclusive of drivers, to allow for a common weight. The cars of smaller, lighter drivers receive lead ballast to ensure that the larger, heavier drivers are not disadvantaged.

This season Ian Kegg and Chris Oxley have been the predominant winners, both recording a win each at the last round. Each will be out to gain the advantage over the other, this being the penultimate round of the Daewoo Challenge but they will also have to deal with Richard Buttrose, John Pagonas, Warren Rush, Yanis Derums and host of other aspirants out to make a name for themselves in motor racing.

-CAMS-