<i>Pitstop</i>: Stars to light up Taupo weekend

Ten-time world motocross champion Stefan Everts heads a star-studded lineup for the international meeting at Taupo next weekend. The Belgian, who retires this year, will be joined by two other former world champions, Joel Smets and Kiwi Shayne King, and New Zealand heroes Josh Coppins, Ben Townley, Darryll King and Cody Cooper. Townley will be competing on the Digger McEwen track, where he first learned to ride as a youngster. On Sunday the internationals will compete in MX1 and MX2 races that will also include Oceania Cup challenge competitors. Some of those involved will remain in Taupo to contest the international six-day enduro, which starts on November 14.

Two race aces could give NZ race boost

Rally New Zealand officials will be taking a keen interest in two motorsport events thousands of kilometres apart this weekend. In Perth they would like Marcus Gronholm to win the Australian round of the world rally championship so that the title could be decided here next month, and in Valencia they would like Valentino Rossi to win the Spanish MotoGP race so he could come to Rally NZ as world motorcycle champion.

Kiwi Bamber wins BMW title in China

Wanganui teen Earl Bamber won all three races at the final meeting in Zhuhai, China, last weekend to clinch the Asian Formula BMW title. Aucklander Dominic Storey in his first season in a single-seater had two podium finishes and finished sixth for the season.

Rare trio of awards for Massey's Randall

Sara Randall, co-driver in Richard Mason's winning Subaru in the National rally championship, has been awarded her third consecutive Massey University blue for outstanding sporting achievement.

Radisich deputy has eyes on prize

Craig Baird, deputy to Paul Radisich in the Team Kiwi V8 Supercar at Phillip Island in December, could clinch the Porsche Carrera Cup championship in which he holds a 113-point lead over Alex Davison.

Youlden sets lap record at Taupo

Australian Luke Youlden set a lap record at the Super Sedan series at Taupo last weekend in the Derin Greenslade's Ford Mustang. In the North Island Osca races, Tony Oliver's Subaru WRX had two wins and a third.

Familiar face to tackle Nascar test

Champ Car driver A.J. Allmendinger, who is moving from open-wheelers to compete in the Nascar series next season for Toyota, competed successfully in our Formula Ford championship a few years ago.

Alonso confident for McLaren

Formula One double world champion Fernando Alonso is confident his new team McLaren can produce a competitive car despite a disappointing year. Alonso became Formula One's youngest double world champion when he wrapped up the title for Renault.