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Reigning Australian GT Champion Allan Simonsen is
a big fan of actor Bill Murray.
That became clearly evident to everyone at the opening
round of the Australian V8 Supercar Championship,
on the streets of Adelaide last weekend, with the
Dane mirroring his perfect A1GP performance in the
second round of the Australian GT Championship - fastest
in all practice session, pole, three wins from three
starts and a new lap record. It was straight out Groundhog
Day, Aussie/Danish style.
 Usually
held in March, the Clipsal 500 Adelaide is a highlight
in everyone diary with exciting racing only a stones
throw from the centre of the South Australian capital.
However dominant his efforts had been, a sombre had
mood descended on the event when popular Fujitsu V8
Supercar driver Ashley Cooper was confirmed dead after
his massive accident at the notorious turn eight bend.
Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this
most difficult time.
Several Rieter Lamborghini Gallardo's had bolstered
the field since A1GP (Bryce Washington had abandoned
the category in search of the 2008 Carrera Cup crown),
along with the Aston Martin DBR-9, a revamped Dodge
Viper and a pint-size lotus Elise with a supercharged
Honda powerplant, that certainly put on a surprise
performance.
"I think we did everything that could be expected
of us at Clipsal, said Simonsen.
"Coming into Clipsal we knew how to approach it after
winning the event last year, but not with the 430.
In 2007 I drove the 360GT (another whitewash) but
the guys at Maranello Motorsport had pre-empted the
situation and had the car well sorted. And I had expected
it to be a scorcher, weatherwise, after last year
but it was the complete reverse.
"Now I will miss the next round which is held at
the Melbourne F1 GP in a few weeks time because of
my deal with Tafel Racing to drive at the 12 Hours
of Sebring, so having maximum points in the bank early
may allow me to attack the championship later in the
year."
Simonsen is now on his way to the Paul Ricard High
Tech Test Track, near Nice (France) to participate
in the two day annual Aston Martin testing event.
"I've done the test the last year, but it was simply
that. This year it's very exciting because I know
I'm bound for the FIA GT Championship. There are some
great drivers in there so I'm going to have my work
cut out big time and I fully intend to deliver on
the opportunity that Gigawave Motorsport have offered
me.
Allan's schedule of Australian and British GT (his
BGT teammate Hector Lester was also present in Adelaide
for OZGT), Le Mans Series, FIA GT and Sebring ALMS
has his diary filled completely without a weekend
free until June.
Whilst a return 2008 Le Mans 24 Hour GT2 assult was
always on the cards it was a matter of waiting to
see what entries the ACO offered - and yes, Allan
is in with Tafel and their Ferrari 430 GT2, teaming
with Dirk Müller and Dominik Farnbacher.
"Those two guys are mega quick. They are definitely
going to keep me on my toes and I can't wait to drive
with them. It's a true outright GT2 pairing. Wow,
what a year!"
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