After success in the Philip Island 500, Holden Racing Team duo Garth Tander and Mark Skaife were hoping to see success at the 48th running of the Bathurst 1000. The showcase event of the V8 Supercar Championship again saw regular drivers mixed up amongst returning drivers, and many newcomers. The variety of experience in the field, the nature of the circuit and the sheer duration of the race all added to the excitement that could only be created at Mount Panorama.

Yvan Muller went to the second of the Italian races with a 12-point lead over SEAT teammate Gabriele Tarquini. A strong performance from either driver would push them towards the overall title this season, and end Andy Priaulx’s domination of the World Touring Car Championship.

With the end of the 2008 season in sight, Sebastien Loeb moved onto the first of three asphalt events, knowing full well that he is firmly in control of the Drivers Championship. Francois Duval had been handed a drive in the main Ford team, in a last ditch attempt to close the Manufacturers title lead which Citroen currently have.

The third round of the inaugural Superleague Formula season saw the famous Belgian track of Zolder play host. With the first season of the championship only featuring some 6 meetings with 12 races, collecting wins is vitally important for success, and the championship leaders were vying for top spot again.

Brands Hatch hosted the final round of the BTCC season, just as it had the opener. With the driver’s title and the independents title still to be settled, it was sure to be an exciting weekend of racing action. Fabrizio Giovanardi was the clear favourite over rival Jason Plato, but as with any form of motor racing, nothing is certain until the chequered flag is waved.

After a successful first outing for the Superleague Formula at Donington Park, it was time to head south to the Nürburgring for round two. Again much uncertainty would surround the event, with the cars having never run competitively on the German circuit. To further add to the racing, the races now feature a Compulsory Pit Stop window, meaning that race order could be completely mixed up by a slower stop.

In the first of an Italian double header for the WTCC, racing was expected to be tough with the championship still wide open. N Technology fancied their chances as the dark horse of the weekend, especially with their preference for running with little drag, on what is a high-speed circuit at Imola.

Italian Fabrizio Giovanardi has won the 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship for the second consecutive year. In what was the first race of the season where Giovanardi had failed to collect a single point, as he suffered an off early on. His title rival Jason Plato failed to finish any higher than fifth, and so lost the title race.

All eyes were on Phillip Island for the first of the two endurance rounds in 2008. Team Vodafone pair Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup have monopolised these events of late, meaning a barren spell for the Holden teams. The whole carnival aspect of the endurance races was added to by the influx of drivers from around the world to take up race seats alongside seasoned regulars.

The World Rally Championship title was in danger of slipping out of Mikko Hirvonen’s grasp, after he suffered successive defeats in Finland and Germany to rival Sebastien Loeb. Defeat in New Zealand would not mean an end to his championship assault, but it would certainly hamper him with only four rallies remaining. Two Loeb-favouring asphalt events and two gravel events where Loeb is noxiously strong are all waiting, in the form of Spain, Corsica, Japan and Wales.