Victorian Motor Racing Championships preview

After a long mid season break the Victorian Motor Racing Championships head to Phillip Island to start the series second half on the Queen's Birthday long weekend (June 7--8). The mid-term break has clearly energised the teams with big fields in most categories.

The Porsche 944 Challenge continues its phenomenal growth with 31 entries. Big fields, close affordable racing and regular TV exposure are all attracting new cars, drivers and sponsors. Two drivers clearly taking advantage of the categories high profile are defending champion Brendan Morter and Rod Smith who will debut new colour schemes for new sponsor Binzel. They join Formula Vee driver Damian Harris and Porsche 930 pilot Harry Witham in the state based superteam.

Leanne Ferrier, fresh from her latest victory at the NSW championships will be back for another attack on the local Improved Production field.

Driving her Father's Mazda RX7, Ferrier will find the local competition, led by National title holder Ken Douglas a lot tougher, but as she showed in her days in Formula Ford, the wide open expanses of the Island Grand Prix circuit hold no fears for Leanne and anyone who underestimates her could find themselves eating exhaust fumes.

In Formula Vee, last round winner Tony Bocquet will start favourite at the Island, but Winton winner Nick Jones is having a great year and will be determined to avenge his defeat at Sandown after leading much of the main race. Sandown runner-up Damian Harris is also having a great year and will be another to watch in a wide open race for points.

The success of Glen Hastings, Tony Puglaise, Tony D'Alberto, Mark Winterbottom and British F3 racer Will Davison, underlines the strength of Formula Ford at the state level. D'Alberto won last time out at Sandown and then moved straight into Holden's Young Gun Konica team.

Last round runners up Matthew Tate and Adrian McCurdy will be no doubt hoping for a similar career boost.

After his stunning performance at Sandown Steven Vines will be keen to continue his great form in the V8 Cortina in the Outright Sports Sedans but series leader Rod Smith will be back in the Chev/Falcon along with the 6 litre Commodores of Woods and Robinson. add Catchlove and Gilliland in the Rotaries to the mix and we're in for another Island classic . Under Two-Litre Sports Sedans, HQ's, and Sportscars also feature in another packed two day programme. Also on display wil be a selection of GT40's. Racing kicks off on Saturday afternoon with a full day of competition Sunday.

-www.pitlanepr.com/inpitlane