Island Magic 25th-26th November

[Evan Bottcher]

Got this press release via CAMS today which I thought might interest people:

PHILLIP ISLAND AUTO RACING CLUB

Wednesday, April 5th, 2006 - For immediate release

http://www.piarc.com.au

ISLAND MAGIC – STOP EVERYTHING

Over the last 54 years, the Phillip Island Auto Racing Club (PIARC) has been proudly providing Access to Motorsport for Competitors, Officials and Spectators predominantly at one of the best known circuits around the world; the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

Along with a great relationship with the owners and managers of this fabulous circuit, PIARC has always looked to promote Motor Racing in a professional and pleasurable manner.

Along the way, PIARC created a unique race meeting that to this day, remains a fantastic finale to State level Motor Racing in Victoria. Over the last 15 years the Island Magic's popularity has grown with Competitors with excellent fields of over 230 cars that all enjoy a tight and exciting scheduled of races.

The Island Magic atmosphere is always relaxed and inviting which has led to good spectator numbers over the last five years and with that consistency it has also brought interest from corporate Australia.

NEW SPONSOR:
In 2006, PIARC is proud to announce that respected Brake and Rotor supplier RDA Rotors & EBC Brakes will be the naming rights sponsor of the 16th Island Magic to be held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on the 25th and 26th of November. With a pedigree born out of Motorsport involvement, both Rotors and Drums Australia (RDA) and EBC Brakes have now formed a dedicated Motorsport division to handle all enquiries for those directly involved, either as a competitor or at the club level.

The Motorsport division of RDA Rotors & EBC Brakes can assist with advice and guidance in many areas of a vehicle's braking requirements by drawing on current experience and many levels of current and past Motorsport involvement.

Ongoing product development is the cornerstone of RDA Rotors & EBC Brakes product base and Motorsport has become an important part of their research and development and RDA Rotors & EBC Brakes see an excellent tie in with the Island Magic and the State level competitor.

Les Smith, Managing Director of RDA Rotors & EBC Brakes had this to say about his involvement with PIARC as naming rights sponsor of the Island Magic; "The Island Magic was put together for Club and State based competitors who wanted all the trappings of a National level event but who might not have the budget or time to race nationally".

"When we were approached to be the naming rights sponsor of the Island Magic we saw this as a perfect opportunity to promote our exciting new EBC Motorsport division and our complete range of Disc Brake Rotors, Brake Drums and Kevlar brake pads and parts, which has made us the largest supplier in Australia and New Zealand", Les went on to add. "The Motorsport division can assist with advice and guidance in many areas of a vehicle's braking requirements and we intend to use the RDA Rotors & EBC Brakes Island Magic to fully promote our range of products and expertise".

Peter Nelson, President of PIARC was also on hand to discuss the signing of RDA Rotors & EBC Brakes and was delighted with the connection; "Over the last few years PIARC has worked successfully with sponsors such as Repco and Image Racing in promoting the Island Magic meetings, and today's signing of RDA Rotors & EBC Brakes brings together an association we hope to continue with well into the future. Les Smith from RDA Rotors & EBC Brakes has been a long time supporter of Motorsport and we are extremely proud to have him on board".

Another well publicised bonus for the Island Magic is it's inclusion as the final round of the Victorian State Circuit Racing Championships (VSCRC) that has been running continuously since 1975. So the traditional end of year meeting will now hold extra significance, both in statue, promotion and calibre.

CATEGORY OVERVIEWS:

SPORTS SEDANS

In usually the battle of the weekend, the Sports Sedans always provide plenty of colour and excitement and over the last three years the winners list reads from the who's who of Champions: Dean Randle - 2005 winner, Darren Hossack – 2004 National Champion and the PIARC man himself Chris Muscat, two time winner in 2002 and 2003. Fighting for the 50K Plate will be as competitive as ever.

IMPROVED PRODUCTION

The Matthew Flinders Plate for Improved Production will see many competitive cars and equally determined drivers looking to take the honours at the RDA Rotors & EBC Brakes Island Magic in November. Mario Caligari was victorious in 2005, but others such as Cameron vanden Dungen, Kelvin Twist, William Schoots, Gary McKay, Tony Skinner, Steve Lloyd and Tony Floreani won't make his job any easier in 2006.

FORMULA VEE

Close drafting and a determination to win sums up Formula Vee as they line up for the 2006 Mauri Fordham Trophy. On many occasions only 0.01 of a second can separate them at the line, so 2005 winner Taylor Gore better watch out for the competition.

FORMULA FORD

2004 winner Shane Price enjoyed a spiritual connection with the Phillip Island Circuit that year to take line honours, but 2005 winner Mark McNally will be looking to add another Phillip Island Formula Ford Trophy to the cabinet and with the new Kent engined Formula Fords underway for 2006, look for lap times to drop.

MG'S

In 2006 the MG's return to Phillip Island as part of the VSCRC 2006 Grand Finale.

SPORTS CARS

Another One Hour race is planned for 2006 and I am sure we will see another huge contingent of Sports Cars line up for the Victorian Tourist Trophy with John Kaias lining up for seconds after last years fantastic win. This category truly provides a multi million dollar grid

HISTORIC TOURING CARS

The sheer grunt and magic of the Historic Touring Cars prove that even cars can grow old gracefully and in 2006 will a Torana XU1 again muscle out the Ford Mustangs or will the Mini Cooper S of Ted Brewster master the conditions? Find out on November 26th

HQ HOLDENS

For three years the name Glen McDonald had dominated the Cowes Cup for HQ Holden's but nobody told Rodney Earsman who claimed the 2005 trophy. We have watched both rain clouds roll over the circuit, and extremely hot weather greet the HQ Holden competitor on the grid at Island Magic's past (usually on the same day) so what impact will the weather have for 2006? Bring on the sideways movement!

PORSCHE 944

The last few years we have seen Sam Abay and the Rose boys dominated the front rows of the grid and Brent and Kane taking the 2005 and 2004 honours respectively, but who will step up for 2006 to take home the Endeavour Cup Trophy for Porsche 944?

2006 PIARC SCHEDULED
In 2006 PIARC will be promoting four major events at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, so be sure not to miss any of them:

May 20-21                            CAMS National Racing Championships

June 10-11                           Victorian State Circuit Racing Championships

August 19-20                       CAMS National Racing Championships

November 25-26                RDA Rotors & EBC Brakes Island Magic


To keep up to date with all the latest developments of the RDA Rotors & EBC Brakes Island Magic and all of our exciting events jump online at www.piarc.com.au to find out more or contact Richard McLean on rich.mac@bigpond.net.au or 0438 590 994.



COMPANY PROFILE

RDA-EBC Company Profile... Rotors & Drums Australia has joined forces with EBC Brakes Australia to offer customers an extended range of brake replacement parts.  Rotors & Drums Australia commenced operations in Melbourne as a trade and retail parts supplier in 1987. 

Today RDA is the largest supplier of Disc Brake Rotors and Brake Drums in Australia and New Zealand, with a range of parts to suit over 1530 vehicle applications.  EBC Brakes is the worlds leading brand of Kevlar brake pads and parts.  EBC Brakes offer parts for race and high performance street machines and were introduced into Australia in 2000.

For more information go to www.rdabrakes.com.au or www.ebcbrakes.com.au

Till next time, enjoy your Motorsport!

PHILLIP ISLAND AUTO RACING CLUB

For Phillip Island Auto Racing Club information contact
Promotions Director, Richard McLean on: +61 (0)438 590 994
Email: rich.mac@bigpond.net.au