KEY POINTS:
With one hand already on the North Island Trials Championship trophy, national champion Warren Laugesen will be helping one of his rivals at rounds seven and eight of the series in the Waikato this weekend. Laugesen is helping rival Jake Whitaker before he leaves to compete at the Polish, Czech Republic and English rounds of the World Junior Trials championships. Today's round will be staged among limestone rocks and grassy banks on McDonalds Mine Rd, Huntly. Round eight is along a rocky creek bed on John Arthurs Rd, Te Pahu.
DIXON KEEN TO IMPROVE IN INDY STANDINGS
Scott Dixongoes into this weekend's inaugural Iowa Indy 250 hoping to move up from third on the championship table. Dixon is only 19 points behind leader Dario Franchitti and seven behind Tony Kanaan. Dixon's teammate, Dan Weldon, is just one point behind, and Dixon is keen to open the gap. The Iowa Speedway is a brand new track co-designed by Rusty Wallace, making it the first driver-designed track on the circuit.
McANDREW TOP SEED FOR WAITOMO RALLY
Around 65 cars will start the Rally of Waitomo in Te Kuiti today. Top seed for the tarmac, 180km, 11-stage event is Joe McAndrew in a Nissan GTR Turbo. Surprise late entrant, Emma Gilmour and co-driver Glenn MacNeall, will use the event to test one of the new 2007 (1600cc) Suzuki Swift Sport Cup cars. Gilmour sees the event as yet another step back to full rallying after a big crash in the Whangarei Rally last month. The rally starts at 6.15am and is also round three of North Island Rally Series.
TASMAN MOTORSPORT EXPANDS SERVICE
Holden V8 Supercar team Tasman Motorsport is expanding its operations in New Zealand with the opening of an Auckland office and the appointment of two-time NZV8 champion Andy Booth as general manager. Tasman Motorsport runs two Commodores in the V8 Supercar Championship for Kiwis Greg Murphy and Jason Richards. Booth also drives a Tasman Motorsport Commodore in the NZV8 series. Managing director Kevin Murphy said the expansion was in response to the overwhelming support the team had received from Kiwi V8 fans.
TWO WILD CARDS FOR WORLD TITLE ROUND
Two New Zealand rally drivers will have the opportunity to take on the world's best in New Zealand's round of the FIA World Rally in and around Hamilton from August 30 to September 2. Rally organisers have been granted two wild card entries to start in the Production Car World Rally Championship class which will be contesting round five of their eight-round world championship in New Zealand.
RIDER STABLE BUT CRITICALLY INJURED
New Zealander Shaun Harris, a two-time winner on the Isle of Man, remains critically ill in Nobles Hospital, Isle of Man, after a high-speed crash at Union Mills. Harris' injuries include broken legs, arms, pelvis and a compressed fracture to his vertebrae and internal bleeding. But he is described as being in a stable condition. His wife has left New Zealand to be with him and a number of friends and Motorcycling New Zealand have offered their support. Donations can be sent to MNZ, or deposits made to the Rider Welfare Fund (details at www.mnz.co.nz).
TEAM KIWI GIVEN TIME TO GET RACING AGAIN
Team Kiwi Racing will not have to pay a fine of A$150,000 ($166,000) for missing the Eastern Creek round of the Supercar V8s. The Touring Car Entrants Group has allowed TKR to miss the Darwin round, and an option to miss Ipswich, to enable the team to get the car properly prepared. David John is in negotiations with a number of Kiwi drivers for a long-term contract to drive the black car.
