KEY POINTS:
Nascar drivers are masters of the art of turning left at high speed on big ovals, but you might not want to hitch a lift with them in the off-season. For the past two years the newly crowned Nextel Cup champion has celebrated his victory by breaking a wrist in another form of sport. Last year Tony Stewart crashed when competing in a qualifying heat for a midget car race. Now Jimmie Johnson has fallen off a golf cart. Johnson was apparently clinging to the roof of the cart at a celebrity tournament in Lecanto, Florida, when the driver turned sharply, dislodging Johnson, who fell awkwardly. He doesn't expect the injury to affect his preparation for the new season.
Lowndes leads way
Craig Lowndes may have lost the Australian V8 Supercar title to Rick Kelly in controversial - but very Australian - circumstances but the Ford driver won the coveted Barry Sheene Medal for the second successive year for his outstanding leadership, personality, fan appeal and sportsmanship.
No surprise then that he has decided to accept the stewards' decision on the championship as final.
The edge with Ford
New Zealand V8 champion Kayne Scott, who started the season in a Holden, may race a Ford from the Manfeild round in February. Team owner Mark Petch believes the Fords have a technical edge. Meanwhile, another Holden driver, Paul Manuell, will have a new car for the Taupo round next month.
Murphy joins Richards
It's official. What everybody had known for the past few months was confirmed with an announcement that Greg Murphy will join Jason Richards in the Tasman Motorsport team next season. Paul Dumbrell will take his seat at the Super Cheap team.
Another proud Kiwi
When Craig Baird wrapped up the Australian Carrera Cup championship after a fourth placing in the final round of the Porsche series at Phillip Island, he became the third Kiwi in the four years of the category to take top prize. Jim Richards won in 2003 and Fabian Coulthard last year, with only Alex Davison in 2004 breaking the New Zealand monopoly.
Bigger Bourne rally
The second annual Possum Bourne Memorial Rally, run by the Pukekohe Car Club, will be incorporated into next year's Rally New Zealand, giving club competitors the chance to join the world championship contenders for five stages on the second day at Port Waikato, Te Akau and North Waikato.
Al-Attiyah's day
Nasser Al-Attiyah clinched the world production car championship at Rally New Zealand despite dropping out with engine trouble on the final day. He had less luck when he returned home to Qatar for the Asian Games, where he finished ninth in the skeet shooting.
Bregman revved up
Maramarua's Scott Bregman surely gets the most out of his motorcycle. The 34-year-old instant lawn-maker rode his Kawasaki KX250 to victory in the first round of the Bel Ray cross-country series at Huntly four weeks ago. He won the North Island veterans' motocross title a fortnight ago near New Plymouth and then a two-hour endurance race at Whangarei last Sunday.
Pither finishes 11th
Palmerston North driver Chris Pither has finished 11th in the standings of the second-level V8 Supercar championship in his first season at this level. He filled in successfully in the main championship at Bahrain for Team Kiwi.
