Pitstop: Dixon needs point boost

Scott Dixon hasn't had the best start to the defence of his 2008 IndyCar title. He finished 16th at St Petersburgh and 15th at Longbeach to sit 17th on the table, 55 points behind championship leader Dario Franchitti. The Kiwi will want to emulate last year's third place at the Kansas Speedway this weekend to get back in touch with the lead.

Van der Drift starts well

Kiwi driver Chris van der Drift made a good debut in the Renault World Series championship in front of a crowd of 90,000 when he finished on the podium in race two. The 2008 International Formula Master champion now heads to the third and fourth rounds, at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, third on the leader board.

Halliday campaign begins

New Zealand racing driver, and former A1GP pilot, Matt Halliday starts his 2009 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup campaign this weekend at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain. The California-based Aucklander, who has raced Porsches here and in Australia, is expecting the opening rounds to be a tough exercise.

McIntyre tests FG Falcon

Two-time NZ V8 champion John McIntyre will join Stone Brothers Racing in this year's V8 Supercar endurance races at the L&H Phillip Island 500 and the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. McIntyre will drive in a practice session at Winton Raceway early next month, one of four sessions designed to give the Kiwi time to adjust to the new FG Falcon.

Stoner back on track

Former MotoGP champion Casey Stoner is determined to wrestle the world title back from Valentino Rossi. Stoner, despite his previously injured wrist, was nigh on unstoppable at one of his favourite circuits - Losail, Qatar - and heads to round two at Motegi, Japan.

Wolfing down mail

It's good to see the war of words continues between Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One Teams Association. Asked if he'd seen the latest missive from the team's association he replied he hadn't because his dog always eats FOTA letters before he could shred them.