"Psst"....V8 Gossip
3/2/2000 14:38 (Jason Whittaker) - Ozemail to sponsor a V8 driver? Supercars returning to Lakeside? A full-time drive for McConville? A Kiwi V8 Supercar round? Our spies from deep within the V8 Supercar bunker reveal to us all of this week's scuttlebutt and gossip.
**Speaking on Melbourne's local Channel 31 Motorsport show, In Pit Lane, Motorsport Journalist Aaron Noonan has exclusively revealed that Brad Jones is set to enter into a deal with Aussie Internet giant Ozemail to sponsor his car, this year. Former Super Touring Champion Jones, who will campaign an AU Falcon from his Victorian workshops this year, is expected to announce the signing of Ozemail as principal sponsor, next week. The company joins a long line of IT-related businesses becoming involved in motorsport worldwide.
**Former Audi Super Touring driver, and last year part of HRT's endurance squad, Cameron McConville, will step-up his commitment to the class and compete in the full Shell Series, this year. McConville joins the NSW-based Rod Nash Racing team, who have expanded their operation to a two-car outfit. Auto parts retail chain Auto Pro will remain principal sponsor of the team.
**Our spy from inside the Lakeside Raceway bunker has revealed to us today that Lakeside could be set to welcome back the country's top touring car series, this year. It now appears Lakeside will host both Round 7 of the Shell Series on July 1-2, and play host to Round 4 of the V8 Lites Series on August 19-20. It is believed the Northern-Brisbane circuit was the only one in South East Queensland to come up with the $250,000 asking fee by AVESCO to hold a V8 round, after the troubled Queensland Raceway management refused to support a second V8 Supercar race. Lakeside could have some troubles of their own however, with possible legal action against the circuit brewing....
**Speaking of Queensland Raceway, Chief Executive of the circuit, Dennis Brown, has been told his services are no longer needed, with liquidators forcing him to walk away from a ten-year contract, last week. While the Queensland 500 now appears to be safe, at least for this year, the future of the circuit remains in jeopardy after administrators were called in late last year following the early demise of the outer-Ipswich race track. While the future of the complex is heavily debated in Queensland Parliament, we can reveal a mystery buyer is set to purchase the circuit for a bargain-basement price, and return it to it's former, yet all too-brief, glory.
**The Auckland City Council has begun a feasibility study into the possibility of holding a round of the Shell Championship Series, next year. Should the study prove successful, then the V8's will head to the land of the long white cloud in October of 2001, The race will be held on a purpose-built street circuit, taking in much of Auckland's waterfront district.
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