The 2009 Independent Race Series is set to take off, with an exciting launch day to be held at the brand new Marulan Driver Training Centre 18 January 2009.

The Independent Race Series is racing for racers. Costs are kept as low as possible, and in the prevailing economic climate, it's expected that this will prove even more important heading into 2009. The Independent Race Series is set for at least five rounds in 2009, Morgan Park 20-22 March, Oran Park (South) 15-16 May, Morgan Park 19-21 June, Oran Park (GP) 14-15 August and Oran Park (South) 13-15 November. More details on the 2009 series will be announced at the Launch Day.

In keeping with the affordable theme for iRace, the Launch Day will be an affordable event, with no racing, but plenty of opportunity for drivers to hone their skills ahead of an exciting season. The day will be an opportunity for competitors, prospective competitors, supporters and suppliers to get together, socialise and network without the pressure of a normal race weekend. Those keen to blow away the holiday cobwebs will have the chance to do some laps too, with the driver training facility open to road or production cars (at a fee of $50 per head for driver or passenger). Driver education will also be available to those who are keen to improve their skills. The day will also be a great opportunity to take some hard-working crewmembers or loyal supporters out for a few laps. There will be kids ride sessions, and iRace licence evaluations for new competitors.

Entry to the Launch Day is free. For those taking part in laps of the facility, the cost is $50 per head, and includes a free BBQ lunch (with soft drink). BBQ lunch is available to everyone else for $5. Soft drinks, tea and coffee will also be available. A 90db noise limit applies to all vehicles at the event.

The Marulan Driver Training Centre is a brand new, state-of-the-art facility, located less than an hour from Sydney. It features a 1km training loop, a short dirt oval, and a skidpan, as well as excellent classrooms and administration buildings. The facility was constructed by Garry and Natalie Willmington, and opened in late 2008.

So, for your chance to be a part of the Launch Day, and get behind the 2009 Independent Race Series, make sure you keep January 18th free, and head to the Marulan Driver Training Centre for a fantastic day. To secure your place now, contact Garry Willmington on 02 4841 1422 or Fax 02 4841 1017 or click here to email.

UPDATE to the Launch Day available here.

Directions to Marulan Driver Training Centre available here.

Thanks to iRacer Anthony Soole for letting us know about this video!

It is with regret that the Independent Race Series announces the postponement of the Morgan Park round of the series scheduled for this weekend. The round has been postponed due to circumstances beyond our control.

It will now take place in early 2009, as the first part of a five event schedule which is as follows:

R1 - Morgan Park - 20-22 March
R2 - Oran Park (South) - 15-16 May
R3 - Morgan Park - 19-21 June
R4 - Oran Park (GP) - 14-15 August
R5 - Oran Park (South) - 13-15 November

The debut round of the Independent Race Series was held at Oran Park 11 October, and was a big hit with all the competitors. 2009 is expected to be even better.

The Independent Race Series - racing for racers.

The second round of the brand-new Independent Race Series is rapidly approaching, and it looks set to be another ground breaking round for the series.

With less than two weeks until the action happens, entries are due to close shortly, and competitors are reminded to get their entries in as soon as possible.

For anyone from the southern states considering going, but baulking at the distance, you may be interested to know that to reach Warwick from Sydney is actually just under 2 hours quicker than the trip to Queensland Raceway!

The secret to a quick trip to Morgan Park is to avoid the Pacific Highway, and head inland via the New England Highway. For a quick look at some Google Maps directions (from Sydney to Warwick), click here.

Once you reach Warwick, you're in for a treat. In the words of queenslandholidays.com.au Warwick is: "An idyllic country destination, Warwick's cityscape is characterised by lovingly maintained sandstone buildings, countless pubs, restaurants, cafes, B&Bs, and a real sense of country hospitality." Click here for the full rundown on the town and surrounds.

The Morgan Park circuit shares many of the same values that are the hallmark of the Independent Race Series - fun, value-for-money racing, with esprit-de-corps high among those who've made it all happen. The layout is challenging and features racing in a clockwise direction over 2.1km of what is reportedly some of the smoothest bitumen around. Laptimes are around the 1min mark, and speeds are similar to Wakefield Park. For all the details on the circuit, visit the official website here.

There is accommodation in the area to suit a range of budgets, with the Shire of Warwick Tourism offering a full rundown (click here). Remember the circuit is on the southern side of town, about 5km from the Post Office.

So: a great town, full of excellent places to eat, plenty of accommodation, and a terrific race track, and to top it all off the fantastic iRace atmosphere. Where else would you rather be?

For more information on the second round of the Independent Race Series, please contact us via this page.

We've been having a little trouble with our fax machine at iRace HQ, so if you've faxed your entry and you're not sure it got through, please contact Rod: 0412 785 486 (or click here) and double check.

See you all at Morgan Park: 15-16 November 2008.

The photo gallery from Round One of the Independent Race Series has now been uploaded, with additional photos to be added shortly.

There are some great shots in the gallery, and photos have been divided into the separate categories that ran at the event. Click here, or the image on the right to view the gallery, or use the individual category links below. The pages are also accessible from the "Multimedia" section of the site, accessible by clicking the appropriate button on the menu to the left.

Formula Tasman & Le Mans Sports

Touring Car Challenge

Production Racing Cars

Muscle Division & Invited Sports

The next round of the Independent Race Series will be held at Queensland's Morgan Park 15-16 November 2008.

We have more photos coming soon from Round One of the Independent Race Series, but can whet your appetite with this series taken during Qualifying for the Production Racing Cars on Saturday.

Hans Riehs had been setting the track alight in his Class B Mini Cooper S, setting fastest time in the morning practice session (51.48s), and setting a time good enough for second on the grid before running wide heading towards Suttons. Unfortunately the car dug in as it entered the sand trap and suffered a slow roll onto, coming to a rest on its side.

Hans was uninjured, but took no further part in proceedings. The car suffered fairly minor (mostly cosmetic) damage, and is expected to return to the front of the Production Racing Cars pack in the near future.

The first ever round of the Independent Race Series was held at Sydney's Oran Park over the weekend, with a successful meeting and some very exciting on-track action.

Unofficial practice took place on Friday 10 October, and many of the competitors took the opportunity to get familiar with the flowing Oran Park "South Circuit" layout.

Saturday morning brought the official practice sessions for four separate groups: Touring Car Challenge, Formula Tasman/LeMans Sports (combined), Production Racing Cars and Muscle Division. Drivers had little time to relax, with qualifying held mid-morning.

In the Touring Car Challenge field it was Darren Saillard on pole in his BA Falcon V8 Supercar. In the Formula Tasman ranks, Sam Dale dominated in his Reynard 94D, Mark Laucke was quickest of the LeMans Sports in his WEST. Quickest of the Production Racing Cars was Clark Stott in his Mazda 3 MPS. Muscle Division saw Chris Clearihan take pole in his Future Racer.

Racing got underway just after midday, and the first ever race in the Independent Race Series was Production Racing Car driver Clark Stott, putting in a stunning performance in his Mazda 3 MPS. Racing continued into the afternoon, finishing just before 5pm with a sudden downpour drenching the final race.

Over the course of the day the category results were as follows:

Production Racing Cars was taken out by an envigorated Neil Byers. Byers took his Mitsubishi 380 to two race wins (out of four races), ahead of Anthony Soole (Toyota Celica) and Bryan Fitzpatrick (Renault Clio). Class wins went to Clark Stott (Class A), Neil Byers (Class B) and John Willmington (Class C). As part of a bet made with his team, Neil Byers walked the pitlane (after the circuit was closed of course!) in his checkered boxer shorts to celebrate his wins.

Formula Tasman was won by Sam Dale in his Reynard 94D. Dale won all three races, setting the fastest laptimes in each. It didn't go all his way though - a sticking throttle cable on Dale's car saw Bob Muir take the lead in the final race, but some confusion over the safety car saw Muir excluded from the race. Formula Robertson honours went to Glenn Lynch.

In the LeMans Sports stakes, the overall result went to Aaron Steer in his WEST. Mark Laucke looked strong early on (taking two race wins), but was unable to complete the final race, handing the victory to steer, and relegating Laucke to second. Class honours went to Laucke (Oxygen Class), Scott Bingham (Radon Class) and Rick Otten (Neon Class).

The Touring Car Challenge honours went to Darren Saillard in his BF Falcon V8 Supercar. Saillard beat Mark Telfer (VZ Commodore) and Phil Groeneveld (VS Commodore) for outright honours. The ex-V8 Supercar honours went to Saillard, and the V8 Giants to Telfer.

Muscle Division was taken out by Canberran Chris Clearihan in his Future Racer. Second place went to Glen Austin in his EB Falcon, and third was taken by Steve Wild in another Future Racer.

To access the full results from Round One, please click here.

Round Two of the Independent Race Series will be held at Morgan Park (Queensland) 15-16 November. Keep track of all the latest news and information on www.irace.net.au

The event schedule for Round One of the Independent Race Series is now available to download. The schedule (as well as a range of other administrative documents) is available from the "Admin" page of the site. Or you can access the schedule directly by clicking here.

Round One of the 2008 Independent Race Series will be held at Sydney's Oran Park, Saturday 11 October 2008.

Young rising Australian driver, Tom Drewer has won the 2008 IMSA Lites L2 Championship with a clean sweep at Petit Le Mans, Road Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Click here for the full story.

Due to a relocation of the iRace HQ, the Entry Form submission fax number will be inactive for a few days. Please do not attempt to fax your entry forms between now and 26 September.

Post or email is still fine.

Round One of the Independent Race Series will take place at Sydney's Oran Park 11 October 2008.