Northern Queensland hosted the inaugural Townsville 400 V8 Supercar meeting in what can only be described as a carnival event much alike the Clipsal in Adelaide. The Intercontinental Rally Challenge headed to Russia without Championship leader Kris Meeke. The entire Kronos team had elected not to attend the Vyborg based event.

Jamie Whincup produced a stellar drive in the first race as he charged from 9th on the grid to take victory in the first ever race on the Townsville street circuit. It was a drive of great skill with some luck thrown in. As always with luck, there is someone taking the bad luck when others are taking the good luck. Whincup profited from an engine pressure problem for Lee Holdsworth who was looking set for his second ever race victory, and what would have been Garry Rogers Motorsport's second victory in as many races,. This left Whincup to seize the lead and the chequered flag ahead of Holden Racing Team's Will Davison and Garth Tander. The second race went Ford's way again, but this time for Jim Beam Racing. Two safety car periods were needed to attend issues with the new circuit, but neither would stop the event being a complete success. Whincup claimed second place to continue his charge towards defending his driver's title, and he was again followed by a HRT double team. This time Tander led home Will Davison.

The Skoda team were feeling confident heading into the Russian IRC event, with both Jan Kopecky and Juho Hanninen targeting good finishes. The targets set out were exceeded by scenes of wild joy as Skoda claimed a one-two finish. Juho Hanninen seized the rally from the start, and dominated throughout on roads that are similar to those of his native Finland. To add to the victory, Jan Kopecky took a solid second place, ahead of Abarth driver Giandomenico. Basso. Britain's highest placed driver was Guy Wilks in the Proton Satria Neo.

Away from the Russian gravel, Red Bull's driver Mark Webber enjoyed his first victory in Formula 1 at the Nurburgring. He had claimed a fantastic pole position in changeable conditions on the Saturday, and proceeded to drive a stunning race to take the chequered flag. The start wasn't the best, as Rubens Barrichello jumped past into the first corner. Webber mistakenly lurched across the track and made contact with Barrichello. Both drivers continued, but Webber was hit with a drive through penalty. Nevertheless, a combination of stunning driving and excellent tactics meant that Webber would take the top step of the podium. Very few people could ever wish for a more deserved race winner in Webber, and many also hope that this is the first of many.

The World Touring Car Championship heads to Brands Hatch next weekend, where the fan focus will be on Andy Priaulx and Rob Huff, as both drivers seek to resurrect their championship challenges.

Results

  Touring Cars

    V8 Supercar Championship

      Race 1 Final Positions
        1. Jamie Whincup
        2. Will Davison
        3. Garth Tander
        4. Craig Lowndes
        5. Michael Caruso
        6. Russell Ingall
        7. Rick Kelly
        8. Mark Winterbottom
        9. Cameron McConville
       10. Todd Kelly

      Race 2 Final Positions
        1. James Courtney
        2. Jamie Whincup
        3. Garth Tander
        4. Will Davison
        5. Steven Johnson
        6. Mark Winterbottom
        7. Lee Holdsworth
        8. Paul Dumbrell
        9. Craig Lowndes
       10. Michael Caruso

  Rallying

    IRC

      Final Positions
        1. J. Hänninen
        2. J. Kopecky
        3. G. Basso
        4. P. Flodin
        5. G. Wilks
        6. F. Wittmann
        7. A. Alen
        8. B. Zimin
       10. K. Koitla