ASTC: Round two Mallala Raceway preview

Australian Super Tourer Series Rd 2 - Mallala Raceway - April 19-21

Hoping to follow in the foot steps of international Australian motor racing talents Mark Webber, James Courtney and Ryan Briscoe is this country's youngest rising star Andre Morgan.

With a host karting achievements already notched up, Morgan "came of age" with his debut in the 2002 Power Tour's Super Tourers at Oran Park in March, finishing third overall in round one, driving Dave Auger's Alfa Romeo 155.

At just 16 years of age, Morgan is too young to hold a road-going driver's licence but it hasn't stop him scorching up the rack tracks of Australia.

This weekend Morgan contests the second round of the Super Tourers series at Mallala Raceway in South Australia and is out to better his round one third placing.

Morgan is using the series this year to learn the tracks with a series win firmly in his sights for 2003. After that the youngster is eager to pursue an open wheeler career starting in Formula 3, then Formula Renault in Europe and ultimately, Formula One.

But in the meantime he will have several other aspiring Super Tourer race teams to contend with. Heading the list is Alan Gurr in a BMW, the fastest combination at Oran Park but unluckily stopped by a minor oil leak from taking the round.

Peter Hills and Grant Johnson are wanting to atone from a disastrous opening round where their Ford Mondeos both lost engines due to faulty fuel. There is no such likely reoccurrence in South Australia and the pair will be quick.

Australian Super Tourer Series Schedule:
Friday April 19: 2 x Practice
Saturday April 20: 1 x Practice, 2 x Qualifying
Sunday April 21: 1 x Warm Up, 3 x Races

Free paddock passes with all pre-purchased tickets through BASS or the Sporting Car Club of SA.

Prices - $10 Friday, $15 Saturday, $25 Sunday. Grandstand - Free Friday and Saturday, $10 Sunday.

Upcoming rounds:
Queensland Raceway June 21-13, Calder Park July 19-21, Barbagello August 23-25,
Wakefield Park September 27-29, Winton October 25-27, Oran Park November 23-24.

-pt.au-