Pitstop: Motor racing live on TV3

The MotorSport New Zealand premier championship series headlined by the BNT V8s will screen live on TV3 Sport this summer. All six rounds will be shown on Sunday 2-6pm the same way as the Australian V8 Supercars and A1GP. The racing programme has been changed for the coming season with all three V8s sprint races being held on Sunday.

Hamilton 400 dates set

New Zealand's sole round of the Australian V8 Supercar championship, the Hamilton 400, has been confirmed for April 16-18 next year. The early notice of the date will help race organisers get the event up and running. It's a better date as it falls right at the end of the school holidays and clear of other public holidays like Easter.

Rally Wairarapa under way

The fourth and penultimate round of the Vantage Aluminium Joinery New Zealand Rally Championship, Rally Wairarapa, kicks up some dust this weekend over 249km of gravel split into 15 special stages over two days. Defending champion Hayden Paddon will start first car on the road followed by Richard Mason and Emma Gilmour. There are a total of 28 championship cars entered from a current field of 59 teams scheduled to start the event.

German Grand Prix at risk

Next year's German Grand Prix is in doubt after the Nurburgring announced it wouldn't put its hand up if Hockenheim couldn't host the event. The two circuits have a deal to host the Formula One race on alternate years to keep costs down but still provide the German race fans with a race to watch live each year. However, Hockenheim is struggling to find the money to hold the 2010 race and local officials have pulled the pin on financing the event anymore.

Mosley still kidding himself

Continuing in the F1 theme, FIA president Max Mosley has reiterated he will not stand again and has endorsed Jean Todt as his preferred candidate. Still clinging to his disillusionment, Mosley released a letter stating FIA member clubs were still begging him to stand again but he'd decided not to.

Stoner's illness identified

Former MotoGP champion Casey Stoner's concern over his unknown illness has been alleviated, as he's been diagnosed with a slight gastritis and mild anaemia. The mystery bug has affected Stoner since the Catalunya Grand Prix and after the Laguna Seca race, he underwent further tests and was finally given a verdict.

Rossi nears podium record

Valentino Rossi's second place finish at Laguna Seca was the 158th podium of his grand prix career, in all classes. Just one less than all-time record holder Giacomo Agostini.