UMBF NEWS
Cameron Hill signs contract extension with MSR
Cameron Hill has extended his contract with Matt Stone Racing (MSR) until at least 2025, securing his future in the competitive world of Australian motorsport, with MSR yet to announce a replacement for departing driver Jack Le Brocq.
Nicolo Bulega replaces Michael Ruben Rinaldi at Ducati in WSBK for 2024
Nicolo Bulega, the current leader of the World Supersport Championship, is set to make his debut in the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship alongside reigning champion Alvaro Bautista, racing for Aruba.it Racing – Ducati; Bulega, who has consistently impressed in WorldSSP, will replace Michael Ruben Rinaldi, concluding Rinaldi's three-season tenure with Ducati after securing three wins and 16 podiums during his time with the team.
Speed series returns to Sandown
The Supercheap Auto TCR Australia field is gearing up for an exciting Sandown round, with HMO Customer Racing Hyundai teammates Josh Buchan and Bailey Sweeny separated by just one point in the standings. Australian Formula Open will also feature 13 entries, including seven F3 and six F4 drivers, with Trent Grubel leading the series and an intense battle for third place. Production Cars and Monochrome GT4 Australia Series will showcase 22 cars in total, with seven GT4 entries and 16 competitors in the Australian Production Cars field. National Trans Am Series will join the action at Sandown, with James Moffat leading the championship and Super2 pilot Elly Morrow making her debut in the series.
Jonathan Rea moves to Yamaha till 2025
Six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea has signed a two-year contract with Yamaha starting in 2024, following his departure from Kawasaki, as both parties mutually agreed on an early exit due to declining results; Yamaha aims to leverage Rea's experience and success to pursue championship glory.
Jonathan Rea to leave Kawasaki in 2023
Six-time World Superbike champion Jonathan Rea is set to leave Kawasaki at the end of the 2023 season, with a potential move to Yamaha for the 2024 season, following mutual agreement to release him from his contract, marking the end of an era with Kawasaki where he achieved unprecedented success and broke numerous records. Rea's expected transition to Yamaha could bring fresh dynamics and heightened competition to the World Superbike championship.
Aaron Cameron making super two debut at the Sandown 500
Promising Australian motorsport talent Aaron Cameron is set to debut in the Dunlop Super2 Series at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500, representing SCHRAMM Group Racing, with impressive achievements in the S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship and TCR Australia, and support from SCHRAMM Group and EFS 4x4 Accessories, all while contributing to the Ronald McDonald House Charities through his sponsorship deal, marking a significant step in his racing career.
Max Verstappen makes history with 10 wins in a row
Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing secured victory at the Italian Grand Prix, extending Verstappen's winning streak to 10 races and Red Bull's consecutive race wins to 15, with Verstappen's audacious pass on Carlos Sainz setting the stage for another dominant performance, while Mercedes faced penalties but achieved a solid double points finish.
BRT expanding to a two car outfit for 2024
The Blanchard Racing Team (BRT) is set to expand to a two-car team in the 2024 Supercars Championship after acquiring a second Teams Racing Charter (TRC), a significant move in their five-year plan to strengthen their presence in the series, with their expansion efforts already visible this year as they field a wildcard entry and join the Super2 series, indicating their commitment to growth in Australian motorsport.
Dani Pedrosa to continue with KTM as test rider for 2024
MotoGP legend Dani Pedrosa extends his testing contract with KTM for the 2024 season, maintaining his pivotal role in KTM's MotoGP development despite speculation about the team's rider lineup, highlighting their commitment to continued success.
Ryan Wood to make supercars debut for WAU for 2024
Kiwi racing talent Ryan Wood is making a significant career stride, graduating to the 2024 Supercars Championship with Walkinshaw Andretti United, taking the wheel of the #2 Ford Mustang Supercar, following standout achievements in motorsports and a multi-year deal with the team's main program, marking a promising addition to New Zealand's motorsport landscape.
Mercedes retain driver line up till 2025
Mercedes f1 team have have decided to retain Lewis Hamilton and George Russell with contract extensions, securing their positions with the team until 2025 season.
Next generation F2 car revealed
The FIA Formula 2 Championship has unveiled the highly anticipated F2 2024 car at Monza's Formula 1 paddock, intended for use in the 2024-2026 seasons; designed to closely resemble an F1 car in terms of safety, aesthetics, performance, and sustainability, the new car prioritizes wheel-to-wheel racing through elements like the nose, wings, and floor, all while incorporating the latest safety innovations and a 3.4-liter turbocharged Mecachrome engine powered by Aramco synthetic sustainable fuel.
Marco Bezzecchi to stay at VR46 for 2024
Marco Bezzecchi is set to continue racing with the Mooney VR46 Racing Team in 2024, riding a Ducati Desmosedici GP, building upon his impressive career with a consistent record of podium finishes and victories, marking his fifth year with the Tavullia Team and further solidifying his MotoGP™ legacy with multiple accolades and contributions to the team's successes.
ARC gippsland rally round up
Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia's Harry Bates and Coral Taylor have secured consecutive victories in the Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) by triumphing at The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally, with their strong Sunday performance granting them an overall win by one minute and 17 seconds over championship leaders Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin, while Nathan Quinn and Ray Winwood-Smith showcased resilience by overcoming a broken rear differential on Saturday to clinch a top-five finish and third place in the EROAD Power Stage, marking the first endurance round of the season and combining Saturday and Sunday legs of the rally to determine the winner.
David Reynolds to drive for Team 18 in 2024
David Reynolds is set to join Team 18 for the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship, replacing Scott Pye, with the move bringing a reunion with former teammate Mark Winterbottom and familiar faces from Erebus Motorsport, as Reynolds aims to rejuvenate his career and contribute to Team 18's aspirations for a strong performance in the upcoming championship.
Riccardo out with injury Liam Lawson to debut at the Dutch grand prix
Liam Lawson replaces Daniel Ricciardo for the Dutch Grand Prix after Ricciardo's hand injury in a crash, where he had to evade a crashed McLaren, leading to a metacarpal break and Lawson, a Red Bull junior driver, will make his F1 debut in the race.
MARC cars to make debut sandown speedseries
MARC Cars Australia is set to debut at Sandown International Raceway with the Shannons SpeedSeries event, introducing its unique category to the prestigious race lineup, offering a diverse racing experience across three classes, including MARC I, MARC II, and MARC GT cars, while Category Manager Matt Baragwanath expresses excitement for the event and highlights the added appeal of the GT component's debut and the dynamic battles witnessed in the recent Sydney Motorsport Park round.
Scott Pye to leave team 18 at the end of the season
Team 18 has officially confirmed Scott Pye's departure at the end of the 2023 Repco Supercars Championship after a four-year collaboration, with Pye's three podiums in his first campaign and his current 13th position in the championship standings alongside teammate Mark Winterbottom's 11th position highlighting their balanced rivalry within the team.
Jake Dixon stays at Gas Gas for 2024 in moto two
GASGAS is primed to leave its mark on the 2024 Moto2™ season as contracts are renewed for standout riders Jake Dixon and Izan Guevara, solidifying a formidable lineup for the GASGAS Aspar Team's upcoming campaign, with Dixon's impressive 2023 season, featuring four podium finishes and his inaugural Grand Prix win, propelling him into championship contention and promising an exciting future, while Guevara, the reigning Moto3™ World Champion, navigates his transition to the Moto2™ class after overcoming an off-season wrist injury and earning his first Moto2™ points, as the dynamic duo prepares to lead GASGAS Aspar Team's Moto2™ World Championship bid in the electrifying 2024 season.
ARC heads to gippsland
As ARC competitors gear up for The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally, the stage is set for another exhilarating chapter in the championship's journey, promising high stakes and thrilling action for participants and fans alike.