OzRacingWrap

THE V8 COMMODORE CUP will return to its sprint racing roots next weekend and one long-term competitor is ready for results.

Round five of Australia’s one-make V8 championship – presented by Southern Star windows – will take to Melbourne’s Sandown Raceway and local driver Jeff Watters says his Automobility VS Commodore has the goods to challenge at a circuit requiring high horsepower and good brakes.

Watters missed all of last season due to work commitments with his business (that fits out vehicles requiring access for the disabled), however he returned in the two-driver races held earlier this season.

Development work on his car and the experience of enduro co-driver Simon Evans (multiple Australian Rally Champion) has put the experienced Commodore Cup racer in a good frame of mind ahead of the sprint races at Sandown, on September 10 to 11.

“Simon has been invaluable in assisting with setup, his knowledge and feedback has helped the team tweak the car each time it hits the track – he’s just got to stop breaking the thing,” Watters joked.

“The breakages aren’t due to him but I have a huge amount of fun poking fun at him about it! But in all seriousness we have made good progress with the car and now we have Aerial Motors Racing helping with car preparation we have taken a big step forward.

“I need to get more seat time because I’m surprised at how ‘out of touch’ I have been this year after missing a full season.”

Watters confirmed that Sandown is all about brakes and power – and says his car has been strong in one area in particular this year.

“We lost ground when we had a brand-new engine fail at Bathurst earlier this year but we think we have good horsepower. We have been chasing a braking issue for several rounds now and we glazed the rotors up at Winton and it was costing us two-seconds a lap. But we think we have that sorted.

“We’ve got good power so if the brakes are sorted then we should have a strong result.”

Sandown’s 15-car field shows positive growth with several returning faces set to start at a round that, in the past, has provided thrilling action. And to make things more interesting, the battle for the overall series victory is incredibly tight.

Adam Beechey (Donut King Commodore) holds a narrow lead in the series with two rounds remaining; however Matthew Hayes, Marcus Zukanovic, Ross McGregor and Tony Bates all remain well in title contention and less than 100 points behind Beechey.

Sixth-placed Geoff Emery, Seventh-placed Chris Stevenson and eighth’s Matt Chick also only trail the leader by less than 130 points with 300 still up for grabs across the remaining two rounds and six races.

Hayes won his first race at Eastern Creek in July and is the closest to stopping Beechey from achieving back-to-back titles, whilst Zukanovic is on record in suggesting that sprint racing will see his Action Racing team continue to make up lost ground on the series leaders.

The series will contest three races as part of the Shannons Nationals round at Sandown and will be broadcast live on www.itvlive.com.au on Sunday.

For more information head to www.commodorecup.com.au

ENTRY LIST – COMMODORE CUP (Round 5 – Presented by Southern Star Windows)

1. (Donut King) Adam Beechey

6. (San Marco Italian Restaurant) Matthew Hayes

7. (Renaissance Homes) Matthew Chick

21. (Aquacity Pools and Spa Centre) Graeme Meer

24. (Sports Alive / Alternative Freight Services) Tony Bates

34. (Australian Motive Power Systems) Stephen Yates

40. (Top Shelf Fruits) Michael Tancredi

41. (Top Shelf Fruits) Anthony Tancredi

48. (NDD) Geoff Emery

58. (Beeps Auto Parts Bendigo) Jordan Symes

66. (Western General Body Works) Danny Buzadzic

71. (Action Racing) Marcus Zukanovic

88. (Aerial Motors Racing / Automobility) Chris Stevenson

96. (Automobility / Aerial Motors Racing) Jeff Watters

99. (Southern Star Windows) Ross McGregor

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS – after 4 of 6 rounds

1. Adam Beechey 520

2. Matt Hayes 487

3. Marcus Zukanovic 477

4. Ross McGregor 469

5. Tony Bates 436

6. Geoff Emery 396

7. Chris Stevenson 393

8. Matt Chick 391

9. Danny Buzadzic 357

10. Dean Croswell 262