Who Can Beat The BMWs?

report by Rod Eime

The opposition are throwing everything at Morris and Brabham, but the
BMW stranglehold on the 1995 Australian Manufacturers' Championship only
tightens.

After the running of Rounds 3 and 4 at Symmons Plains and Calder, new
and eager contenders are emerging, but currently lack the reliability
and consistency of Frank Gardner's "Bimmer Boys."

A promising and aggressive challenge by the ORIX Audi Sport Team at the
start of the season seems to have stalled. Team chief and brother of
Brad, Kym Jones, concedes that the 210 kW 16 valve 4WD Audis lack the
straight line speed of the BMWs and have to rely on the tighter circuits
to capitalise on their superior braking and traction. Kym takes full
responsibility for the blunder in tyre choice at the inclement Calder
round, where he banked on a dry line emerging after a few laps, and sent
the cars out on slicks. Bad call! Jones is promising a renewed effort
at the more favourable Mallala circuit on June 4. He also believes the
Audis will be the goods at the tight, twisty Winton Raceway on August 13.

Pommie import, Jeff Allam, has revived the chances of Ross Palmer's Ford
Mondeo outfit after their huge set-back in round one. With new sponsors,
Poz Hype Sportswear, and a few (undisclosed) trick bits from the UK, the
V6 FWD Mondeo is now up with the BMWs in pace. After a valiant thrust at
the Diet Coke pair during the wet Calder night meeting. Allam finished
third overall on the night.

"I needed either of the BMWs to make a mistake before I could get past.
That just didn't happen and I wasn't about to tap anybody." said a frank
Jeff at a packed RPM sponsors' function after the event. Team boss, Ross
Palmer, and the many patrons were clearly impressed by the Briton's
gutsy drive in the damp Melbourne evening.

Another team to have come to the fore has been that of Steven Richards'
Valvoline Alfa Romeo 155TS. The Garry Rogers prepared, factory supported
ex-Stefano Modena development car has come with full back-up and Richo
Jnr has been keen to demonstrate the potential of the vehicle. It
certainly has the straight line speed, as so obviously exhibited at the
long-straighted Symmons Plains track in May. A niggling gearbox problem
and (rear!) panel damage prevented better results. Many "Alfisti" around
the country are hoping that this Alfa racing revival is a prelude to a
return to retail level in Australia by the marque.

The "wild child" Volvo 850 estate looks to have settled into an upper
mid-field niche - something that I'm sure is not pleasing the very
capable team leader, George Shepheard. Driver, Tony Scott, brings a
wealth of real cut-and-thrust racing to the team and will not give over
to anybody, but the Volvo seems to have some shortage of brakes as
races progress, evidenced by Tony's spectacular exits at Oran Park and
Symmons.

Privateers Steven Ellery (BMW 318i) and Graham Moore (Opel) have each
sounded their intentions to make serious challenges. Ellery, who has
enlisted the vastly experienced Campbell Little into the team as engine
man, has shown the healthy dividends of that investment with a very
quick and solid performance at Symmons Plains. Calder, on the other
hand, was somewhat of a disappointment. Moore has managed to get the
Indonesian supported Opel Vectra (aka Vauxhall Cavalier) going pretty
well "straight out of the box". His Oran Park debut showed much promise
after a quick and reliable curtain-raiser for the new car. Symmons and
Calder only cemented that consistent performance and the little German
rocket has only improved, scoring points in every heat it has started.

Queenslander, Charlie O'Brien, has missed the last two rounds with his
NZ-backed BMW 318i which performed so well at Indy, and has lost the
benefit of that healthy result from Oran Park. Inspired Racing's Melinda
Price has needed to be just that. Her ex-Colin Bond Toyota Seca burst
into flames on the grid at Calder, but managed to make it back for heat
two - and even registered 8 privateer points.

Steve Hardman's Hyundai assault is not turning out to be a totally happy
one. Steve believes he has all the horsepower he can currently get, and
now with the new aero kit fitted, all efforts are focussed on suspension
and chassis tuning. He has only a bare sprinkle of points to his credit
so far.

The Phoenix Motorsport Peugeot 405 is back with Mark Adderton at the
wheel - and scoring points - after its round one horror. Newcomer
Adderton was still recovering from his substantial Phillip Island
injuries when Warwick Rooklyn stepped in for him at Oran Park. Team
boss, the very experienced Mike Quinn, still believes there is still
more to come from both the car and Mark.

Colourful Mercedes runner, Phil Ward, has had the pin pulled by major
sponsor Nokia and has turned his attention to the "cheaper" Commodore V8
he runs occasionally in V8 touring cars. Ward was beginning to show form
in the ex-German factory 190E with a spectacular performance at Oran
Park. I, for one, will miss Phil's unmistakable style.

Former privateer leader, Justin Matthews, has lost his early season
advantage, after the well sorted, but slower ex-Doulman BMW M3 yielded
to the stronger Opel. Rob Tweedie (Sierra) is suffering a shortage of
engines, while Paul Pickett (BMW 318i) still needs more experience all
around to make inroads. Matthews' teammate in the second ex-Doulman
BMW M3, Paul Nelson, also began well but has faltered under the new
pressure. Mark Seymour's ASV Spares BMW M3 has also proven he can be
fast, but erratic results has kept him too behind the eight ball. Ian
Spurle and the Daryl Dixon-owned Peugeot 405 has kept low since a big
shunt at Oran Park, as has Peter Hills (Sierra), who has not been
sighted since retiring with engine strife during round one.

My own prediction for the balance of the season is that we will see Audi
topple BMW at either Mallala or Winton (August 13), while at least one
more stand-out performance can be expected from Steven Richards, Steve
Ellery and Jeff Allam, although I doubt any will win a heat this year.


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**             RODERICK EIME             **
*        Motorsport Photojournalist       *
**    CAMS Canon Kodak MEAA Accredited   **
*       PO Box 301 RIVERWOOD NSW 2210     *
**               Australia               **
*         Phone/Fax +612 740 6199         *
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