Race Rap: Monday, January 13
Perth is a (big) step closer: Plans have finally been revealed for the promised Supercars street race in Perth – with a catch.
The race was originally set for 2026 but the date has been moved back to 2027 as the racing circuit will be part of a much bigger entertainment precinct in the Western Australian capital.
The circuit layout will be a combination of existing roads with new bitumen and a pitlane in the Burswood Park area as the WA government promises to spend more than $200 million on the project.
The extra good news for motorsport includes support for a range of grass-root programs in the state but there is nothing for any improvements at Wanneroo Park, even though it is likely to continue hosting Supercars for the next two years.
A shiny start for the champ: Reigning Supercars champion Will Brown scored three Top 10 finishes, with a best of second, as he returned to his single-seater racing roots at Taupo in New Zealand.
Brown is competing at three meetings in the Toyota Formula Regional Oceania series, building up to a start in the NZ Grand Prix – a race previously won by Shane van Gisbergen, the driver he replaced in the Red Bull Supercars squad.
He managed second in first of three races at Taupo, followed by ninth in the reverse-grid second event and a recovery run to eighth after a tangle in the third.
Briscoe back to business: Former IndyCar, Le Mans and part-time Supercars racer Ryan Briscoe has returned to his racing roots - with a twist.
The former Sydneysider, who has lived in the USA for more than 15 years, has joined the highly-rated Prema team as it moves into IndyCar racing for season 2025.
He is the Sporting Director for Prema.
Briscoe is a graduate of the Prema junior ranks, having moved to the Italian outfit after starring in karts in Europe on the way to eventually becoming a Formula One test driver with Toyota, then switching to IndyCar and sports car racing in the USA.
"Exciting day with the launch of @prema_team IndyCar program and drivers! Full circle for myself as I return to the team where it all started many years ago!," Briscoe reported on his socials.
Ingall still on it: Former Supercars champion Russell Ingall was reunited with his title winning Ford Falcon during a series of historic demonstration laps at Taupo in New Zealand.
"Massive thanks to all the organisers of the event and especially to Ross and Jimmy Stone for all their efforts in getting this beautifully restored car together in time for the event," Ingall said on his socials.
"It felt as good 20 years later as the day I jumped out of it at Phillip Island in 2005. And by the way, even with rock hard Dunlops on it, still put up a pretty competitive time compared to a certain Supercars race here last year.
"Real men drive H-Pattern!"
Bates back to Japan: Australian Rally champion Harry Bates caught up with two of the sport's legends, Juha Kankkunen and Jari-Matti Latvala, during a quick trip to Japan.
His visit included a visit to the Toyota stand at the Tokyo Motor Salon, as well as the chance to drive a number of fast cars from the T brand at its new Shimoyama proving ground.
But he was also on the look-out for overseas opportunities, following a second-place run in a round of the Japanese rally championship in 2024.
"Part of the trip is to try and see if we can organise another event in Japan this year. It went well last year, but we'd like to go one better and win," Bates told Race.news.
Play time for Quinn: Among the classic cars running at Taupo for the first New Zealand meeting of the season, one stood out.
It's a six-wheeled Tyrrell P34, the only modern-ish car to race in Formula One with six wheels.
The original was raced by the Tyrrell team in 1976 and 1977 and Quinn's car is a replica built from parts and plans for the original project.
