Pitstop: Big changes coincide with Chandler's elevation

Morrie Chandler's confirmation as boss of world rallying seems to be reflected in the raft of changes to the world championship that have coincided with his elevation. Chandler has waged a long battle against the concept of single service parks for all events - now the rules will permit "remote" servicing. The Aucklander is a traditionalist in valuing endurance in the sport. Next season, instead of cars that have failed to finish a leg still having the chance to feature in the finishing order, bonus points will be available for the top finishers each day. This should keep interest alive to the finish while rewarding those who stay the course. Eligibility for world championship points has been widened and the Aussies, who couldn't decide where they wanted to stage their event, have been left out. Mousse-filling tyres that minimise the effects of punctures will be banned and cars will not be allowed to limp back to service on fewer than four wheels.

Money troubles force Hamilton out of Indy

New Zealand Toyota series star Matthew Hamilton has had to withdraw from the 2006 Indy Pro Series in the United States because of a lack of funds. The 23-year-old started and finished the first five rounds of the series with a best result of seventh place at the third round on the St Petersburg street circuit.

Baird stretches lead in Carrera Cup

Happiest Kiwi at the Supercar round in Darwin last weekend was Craig Baird, who wasn't even driving a V8. Baird, who lost his Supercar drive this season and moved to the Carrera Cup Porsche series, won two of the three races. The round win enabled him to stretch his lead in the championship after three of eight rounds to 108 points from fellow Kiwi Jim Richards. Alex Davison is 35 points further back. Of the Kiwis in V8s, Jason Richards offered a rare ray of light by taking fourth place for the round. He finished sixth in Saturday's opener, drove superbly from 26th to 14th in the reverse grid race and then pushed his way up to finish second behind Craig Lowndes in the final.

Van der Drift hangs on to 3-point margin

Chris Van der Drift retained his lead in the Northern European Formula Renault championship after the latest round at Motopark Oschersleben in Germany. He was fifth in the first race and runner-up in the second to retain a three-point lead over Felipe Albuquerque.

Ex-V8 champ shows form in truck series

Former Aussie V8 Supercar championship winner Marcos Ambrose has finally shown some form in the Nascar truck series, finishing third at Kansas Speedway in the ninth start of his rookie season in what can be a stepping stone to the premier Nascar champs. It was the first time a non-US driver had finished in the top five of a truck series event since Canadian Ron Fellows won in 1999.

Dixon keeps third spot after 4th at Kansas

Scott Dixon remains third in the IRL standings after his fourth placing in the last round at Kansas Speedway. Sam Hornish leads by 20 points from teammate Helio Castroneves with Dixon 19 points back. Bob Pearce