Calder Rally Masters

[Aaron34]

RE-OPENING OF CALDER PARK'S GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT

January 20, 2006

The Nissan Skyline that won the Thunderdome Super Speedway's first feature race in 1987 returned to the scene of that victory this week to celebrate the re-opening of Calder Park's Grand Prix circuit.

Though built for NASCAR and AUSCAR stock car racing, the Thunderdome's inaugural meeting, held on August 10, 1987 featured a 300km event for Group A Touring Cars after Calder Park created the Grand Prix circuit; a combination of the iconic venue's National road racing track and Thunderdome.

V8 Supercar ace John Bowe and Terry Shiel drove the Nissan Motorsport Skyline (now owned by Melbourne Nissan enthusiasts Gavin and Mandy Strongman), to victory in that event and the win remains the only Thunderdome success by a Japanese-made vehicle. It was also Bowe's first touring car win.

And fittingly, the car's original pilot, George Fury, won the first touring car race held on the extended National circuit in the same machine a year earlier.

Unused for several years, the daunting combined track will be the highlight of this new, action packed event, which also includes drag racing, go-to-whoas, motorkhanas and other demanding auto tests.

Staged entirely within the grounds of Calder Park rather all over the State as happens with touring tarmac rallies, Rally Masters will uniquely allow spectators to take in all of the action as high-performance cars power-slide their way around the various courses.

Multiple Bathurst 1000 winner, NASCAR champion and tarmac rally superstar Jim Richards has been tempted by the Grand Prix circuit sprint, and says he will be doing his best to make the event on the Sunday even though sponsorship commitments prevent him from competing on day one.

Strongman meanwhile will park the ex-works Skyline and compete in his beautifully presented and highly-modified Datsun 260Z.

While the competition is expected to be fierce, Rally Masters aims to recreated all the run, friendship and camaraderie of the days when motor racing was a family-orientated sport, not a hard-nosed business.

I hate to say it, but you guys are soft c&cks doing this. You should be at the Island with us. It's the only place that scares the drivers to hell.

[Snowman]

Haha - and you've taken your car on the Thunderdome how many times before Aaron?? LOL

I really wish the dates didn't clash as I'd love to do the Island. My suspensions done finally so I'm ready to keep you honest.

But if you try and tell me that doing the Thunderdome at well over 200km/hr with walls all around isn't going to be scary then you're an idiot.

But we'll find a PIARC day later in the year to go down there together.

[Aaron34]

Haha - and you've taken your car on the Thunderdome how many times before Aaron?? LOL

I really wish the dates didn't clash as I'd love to do the Island. My suspensions done finally so I'm ready to keep you honest.

But if you try and tell me that doing the Thunderdome at well over 200km/hr with walls all around isn't going to be scary then you're an idiot.

But we'll find a PIARC day later in the year to go down there together.

you're calling me the idiot ?????? teee hee hee

[Snowman]

Are you doubting the speeds????

The main straight at Calder isn't that much longer than the length of the Dome straight and considering we start that in 2nd gear and reach a top speed of about 245km/hr on the main straight then given that Jeff tells me the end corners are taken at 180km/hr+ from when he went on the Dome I expect most of the lap to be over 200km/hr!

[West]

Anyone need help with anything at all, i'll be spectating so i might as well help out.

Anyone need help with anything let me know.

[JL]

How much is it to spectate????

[Snowman]

As far as I know it's free.

It's being advertised pretty heavily on NOVA and I haven't heard anything about an entry fee for spectators.

[JL]

Ok thanks Snowman look foward to seeing you guys run

Cheers

Jamie

[Scotsman]

I don't think it will be free.

Haven't seen any pricing, but it's Calder. They don't do anything for free.

[Downforce]

^^ lol true. Probably be $20 like the off street drag spectator entry fee..

[Snowman]

Well there is still no word on an entry price for spectators.

Although we have been allocated 2 wrist bands each for people to enter so it does suugest maybe there will be an entry fee.

As a side note - apparently the Police have entered a BF Falcon in the competition. Hope that doesn't lead to defects! LOL

[Bec]

I rang Calder - anyone over the age of 14 has to pay $25 entry.

[tom_g]

I rang Calder - anyone over the age of 14 has to pay $25 entry.

Is that $25 each day or for the whole weekend?

I don't know if i'll be able to get there on Saturday, but ill be there on Sunday.

[Bec]

Per day - it sucks

[INASNT]

Its $20 per day or $30 for weekend pass as advertised in todays paper.

[Bec]

Yep - $$$ are what Denham said.

I just rang back to confirm the above and they said the prices changed from when they advised me earlier.

Good for us I spose as its now cheaper

[Scotsman]

Yep - $$$ are what Denham said.

I just rang back to confirm the above and they said the prices changed from when they advised me earlier.

Good for us I spose as its now cheaper

Thats cause they only got 40 entries. It's going to be less successful than an SAU DECA day.

PS. Me and Snowballs are gonna win!

[West]

Thats cause they only got 40 entries. It's going to be less successful than an SAU DECA day.

PS. Me and Snowballs are gonna win!

That's the attitude we'd like to see . Good luck guy!

[Roy]

Good luck fellas. Remember if you cant win...then your goign slow enough to have time to think of some good excuses

[phunky_monkey]

good luck boys, might make it down on sunday to have a look see