Bathurst 12 Hour Winner To Tackle

image: Vern Norrgard - Random Pics

Dual and defending Bathurst 12 Hour winner Rod Salmon will contest the 2009 Australian Manufacturers Championship, joining a strong field of production cars doing battle during Round Two of the Shannons Nationals at Wakefield Park on 25-26 April.

Salmon will drive his WPS Bathurst 12 Hour-winning Mitsubishi Evo X Lancer in the 2009 championship, which kicks off at the Goulburn circuit next weekend with seven manufacturers represented in an expected 20-car field.

He will spearhead a two-car campaign for Team Mitsubishi Ralliart - overseen by vastly experienced engineer and team boss Alan Heaphy - joined by West Australian Glyn Crimp in the Evo X he took to second in February’s 12 Hour endurance race.

“We’re looking forward to giving the championship a good shake,” Salmon, who won the 2009 Bathurst 12 Hour with Tony Longhurst and Damien White, said.

“Having Team Mitsubishi Ralliart and Alan involved was a big attraction in putting the program together, our success in the last two 12 Hour races has shown they put together an exceptional package.

“Since this year’s 12 Hour, we’ve made a few little changes to the Lancer to make it even better.

“Wakefield Park should suit the car and I’ve done plenty of laps of the circuit, I’m excited about getting out there and going racing.”

Wakefield Park falls in the middle of a busy period for Salmon, who is currently in Tasmania doing reconnaissance for Targa Tasmania tarmac rally, which starts the day after the Manufacturers Championship season opener.

“It’s a big undertaking for everyone involved, doing two events in different locations with two different cars and crews,” he said.

“After the last race at Wakefield, we’re going straight to the airport to fly to Launceston; then I’m in my ‘Targa’ Lancer at Symmons Plains by 10am Monday morning.

“With events like the 12 Hour and Targa, I’ve done 12 days and about 7,000km in an Evo 10 [X] so far this year - it’s an awesome car, it feels like an extension of me.”

The two Team Mitsubishi Ralliart entries are among six cars in Class A All Wheel Drive, which consists of four Lancers and Subaru WRXs for 2008 front-runner Lee Castle and Jim Hunter.

2007 Bathurst 12 Hour winner Garry Holt returns to the series in his BMW 335i and will challenge for Class A Rear Wheel Drive honours, the odd one out in a class dominated by Aussie V8s.

Class B’s Jake Camilleri will be out to continue his giant-killing run of 2008 in a Mazda 3 MPS, while reigning national champion Colin Osborne is back to defend his title aboard his trusty Toyota Celica in Class C.

The Australian Manufacturers Championship will be joined by the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, Commodore Cup, Kerrick Sports Sedans and the V8 Touring Car Series in the Shannons Nationals’ first visit to Wakefield Park since 2006.

On-track action starts at 9am on Saturday 25 April, with two races on Saturday afternoon before a full program of racing from 9:30am on Sunday.

Tickets for the bumper ANZAC weekend of racing are just $15 on Saturday and $25 on Sunday, while a weekend pass is available for $35 and kids under 15 are free.

For more information about the 2009 Shannons Nationals Motor Racing Championships, visit www.thenationals.com.au.

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