RACE RAP: Monday, January 20
Spinner not a winner: A third place was the best Will Brown could do as he completed his build-up to the New Zealand grand prix with more solid performances in the Toyota FR Oceania championship at Hampton Downs.
Brown bagged the second podium of his single-seater comeback in the first of three races and backed it with fifth in the reverse-grid second start, but could only manage eighth in the closing race. It followed finishes of second, 8th and 9th at Taupo.
"Spun out all by myself today," Brown confessed. "Was looking like a strong race running third position until I made the mistake."
But he is already looking forward.
"Keen to get back to Australia tonight and get ready for the Bathurst 12 Hour," he said.
Sanders gets it done: Daniel 'Chucky' Sanders became the second Australian to take top sport on a motorcycle at the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabian.
Sanders led from start to finish on his KTM and was never seriously challenged.
"This is a very special moment for myself, my family, my friends and my fans," he said on socials.
"Winning this race feels massive. When I came over the last dune and saw the bivouac I got instant chills through the whole body. All the emotions just started coming through.
"It has taken a lot of hard work, dedication and struggle over the years, but I am so glad I have pushed myself to where I am now. I cannot thank everyone enough for all the support.
"It’s been a long journey and we have smashed the Dakar Dream. Time to kick back and enjoy some rest."
"Look harder": It's the cryptic caption that came with this official social posting from Scuderia Ferrari HP.
Zoom in. Have a look. Have a big think.
In case you want to cheat, the hidden clue is a pair of dog bowls on the right-hand side of the picture – a clear pointer to the arrival of Lewis Hamilton's canine companions, Roscoe and Coco, at Maranello.
Le Mans look for the 12-Hour: Twin wins at Le Mans are reflected in the Arise Racing colours for the upcoming GT3 classic at Mount Panorama.
The two Ferrari 296 contenders for the Bathurst 12-Hour are painted with a livery much like the successful colours used by the Italian company's winning prototypes at Le Mans in 2023 and 2024.
A Ferrari factory driver, Alessio Rovera, also joins the Western Australian outfield as it fields two cars in the Bathurst classic.
Rovera will drive the second car alongside Jaxon Evans, Elliott Schutte and experienced GT World Challenge Australia ace Brad Schumacher.
The crew for the lead Ferrari in the Pro class is Chaz Mostert, Will Brown and Daniel Serra.
Top Fuel returns: The postponed New Year Nitro meeting at Willowbank Raceway will go ahead next weekend.
The first attempt at the meeting was postponed because of forecast rain, which arrived to drench the Brisbane track.
Now the action will run on January 25 and 26, Saturday and Sunday, with the headline act – the Top Fuel dragsters – scheduled to run 4pm, 6.30pm and 9pm.
Reversing the racing: The newly re-opened and re-named One Raceway his taken a new direction.
The circuit was flipped for its latest meeting, with anti-clockwise racing on what is now known as the Shelley Circuit, named after the man who got the circuit back on track.
The original clockwise layout at One Raceway is now called the Wakefield Circuit, reflecting the original name for the track on the outskirts of Goulburn in NSW.
Mustangs for the 24: There will be no sign of GT3 Ford Mustangs at the Bathurst 12-Hour, but will be plenty at the traditional sports car season opener in the USA.
Factory and privateer 'stangs will take the start in the classic Rolex 24-Hour as Ford begins a giant sports car drive that will also include Le Mans in June.
The Mustang is expected to make its first race start at Bathurst in 2024 when it is likely to be up against the Chevrolet Corvette for the first time in modern racing at Mount Panorama.