Pitstop: Tapper takes step up

Mark Tapper, the 28-year-old from Brookby in South Auckland, is about to play with the big boys in the PWRC class as part of the fourth round of the WRC championships in Portugal this weekend. As the Asia Pacific winner of the first Pirelli Star Driver competition last year, Tapper will drive a Ralliart Italy-prepared Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X car in the production class of six WRC events this year. The production cars run behind the main WRC field.

Loeb looking for win 51

In the main game of world rallying, five-time world champion Sebastien Loeb, who had his 50th WRC win at the previous round in Cyprus, is looking to remain unbeaten in 2009. The French rally maestro has claimed victory in the first three rounds this year.

A1GP heading to Mexico

The eighth and final round of the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport has been given FIA approval to be held in Mexico City on the weekend of May 22-24. This event has been included on the A1GP calendar since the second season. The approval is subject to the completion of FIA stipulated track changes that will allow the granting of the necessary licence. This work is due to start soon.

Monster purse for midgets

The inaugural 40-lap Barry Butterworth Classic Midget Car Feature, tonight at Waikaraka Park, will be a keenly fought battle notwithstanding the $10,000 purse for the winner. There's an additional $5000 for the top points qualifier for the main event - if he chooses to start the race from the rear of the field and wins it. If the top qualifier chooses not to do so, it will be left to the second-top points scorer to decide if he'll risk it.

Stoner faster than Rossi

Former MotoGP champion Casey Stoner looks in good nick to grab his title back from reigning world title holder Valentino Rossi in the run up to the 2009 series starting in Qatar, April 12. In the final pre-season test at Jerez, Spain, Stoner was 0.72s faster than Rossi.

Safety issues for V8 drivers

Australian V8 Supercar drivers have begun discussions around various track safety issues and other concerns about rule changes, with a view to organising a drivers' association. Although nothing concrete has been set in motion, there are rumblings among the more senior drivers that a move towards a drivers' group could be beneficial. Russell Ingall and Kiwi drivers Greg Murphy and Steven Richards are leading the charge for a forum for drivers.