Top 10 biggest stories of 2023

With new champions and massive moments on and off the track, 2023 has been another motorsport year to remember, but what were the most clicked stories on AUTO ACTION?

1: VAN GISBERGEN WINS ON NASCAR DEBUT

Shane Van Gisbergen celebrates becoming the first driver to win on NASCAR Cup Series debut since Johnny Rutherford at Daytona in 1963. Photo by Lesley Ann Miller / LAT Images

It is no surprise the biggest story of 2023 was Shane van Gisbergen’s unforgettable NASCAR Cup Series debut on the streets of Chicago.

The Kiwi’s maiden drive for Trackhouse Racing was always going to attract plenty of attention no matter the result, but as he charged through the field and snatched the lead from Justin Haley in a thrilling overtime finish, the motorsport world lost its mind.

Within a week Van Gisbergen went from never driving a NASCAR to being the first in six decades to win on Cup Series debut having used all of his Supercars skills to beat the stars in the stock car category’s maiden street race.

The rest is history with famous win paving the way for SVG to follow in the footsteps of Marcos Ambrose and launch a full-scale NASCAR career in America.

“This is what you dream of, hopefully we can do more,” van Gisbergen said after the race.

“I had some full sends on some people, the racing was really good, everyone was respectful, it was tough but it was really fun.

“I can’t believe it, it’s a dream come true…I’m doing one more year in OZ, then I’d love to come over here!”

Van Gisbergen’s win attracted almost 3000 more likes than any other story on AUTO ACTION in 2023.

2: VAN GISBERGEN AND KOSTECKI SET FOR NASCAR ‘BRICKYARD’ BATTLE

Brodie Kostecki made his NASCAR Cup Series debut with Richard Childress Racing at Indianapolis in August. image: RCR

Following Shane van Gisbergen’s Chicago heroics, the news both he and Erebus emerging star Brodie Kostecki were both racing NASCAR at Indianapolis also caused a significant stir.

Van Gisbergen returned to the Project 91 Trackhouse Racing Camaro, while Kostecki was making his Cup Series debut for Richard Childress Racing.

The Supercars pair both showed plenty of pace with SVG with a top 10 finish, while Kostecki went from last on the grid all the way up to 22nd.

“Just getting to race in NASCAR is an opportunity I never thought I would get, but then to win and get another chance this year is beyond anything I imagined,” SVG said after the return announcement.

“I can’t thank (Trackhouse founder and owner) Justin Marks, everyone at Trackhouse Racing and NASCAR for this opportunity.”

“I am thrilled to be making my NASCAR Cup debut at the Brickyard,” Kostecki said.

“It’s an honour to compete at such an iconic venue and against some of the biggest names in motorsport.”

3: EMOTIONAL KLIMENKO ON BEING A SUPERCARS CHAMPION

Betty Klimenko struggles to comprehend what she just witnessed after Brodie Kostecki crossed the line to become Supercars champion. Image: Mark Horsburgh

Being a privateer and an underdog, Erebus Motorsport was a popular Supercars champion and there was a lot of love for the lady who led the team from a “squashed bug” to the very top, Betty Klimenko.

Klimenko started Erebus and took over Stone Brothers Racing in 2013 and a decade on and a manufacturer change, she was on top of the Supercars world and could not believe it.

“Being a privateer we didn’t think a championship was ever obtainable,” she said as she held back the tears post race.

“But now we have done it and it just shows all the others that you can do it and you don’t need to be factory backed and can do it on your own.

“They said I could not do it and I was stupid to go into V8s and I would be squashed like a bug.

“I hope that my father, mother and brother are all watching from up there and we are proud of you too.

“I look at all these faces in the garage and think ‘well done Betty’.”

4: GODZILLA SMASHES BATHURST SPEED RECORD

Bradley Sherriff clocked 327kph going down Conrod Straight at Bathurst last weekend.Image: Riccardo Benvenuti

Reminiscent of the domination of the Nissan Skyline in 1992, Brad Sherriff stunned observers with his Nissan Skyline GTS-T R32’s speed on Conrod Straight in the Combined Sedans support races at the Bathurst 12 Hour.

With 1170 horsepower (872.5 kilowatts) at the rear wheels the 2WD chassis sports sedan with its Bullet Billet RB26 engine, clocked 327 km/h through the timing loop which isn’t at the fastest point on the straight.

Previous registered speeds include 313 from Angus Fogg’s NZ Central Muscle Car Ford Mustang, 300 plus from the 12 Hour Dodge Viper and Daytona while Glenn Seton hit 304 km/h in his Ford Credit EL Falcon.

“It is basically a very rapid shopping trolley and not so much a race car,” Sherriff told AUTO ACTION. 

“When the car can go down the main straight at 330kph you can eat a sandwich and looking to sip a latte. Surprisingly the car at that speed was amazingly good in that area.”

5: CALDER PARK ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL

Extensive work all around the Calder Park precinct has brought motorsport back to the Melbourne circuit.

One of the most feel-good stories of 2023 was the return of state and national racing to Calder Park.

After 15 years in the wilderness, countless hours of hard work from Rowan Harman and his team put the iconic Calder Park back on the map as an operating motor racing facility.

The big moment came in August when the Victorian Motor Racing Championships came to town, which marked the first race meeting since 2008, while the Victorian State Race Series and TA2 Muscle Car Series have also held high level rounds at the home of the Thunderdome.

“Calder Park is an icon of motorsport in Australia. It is where a lot of people would have started their racing journey,” Harman said ahead of the notable return.

“It has a huge history with the Thunderdome. The amount of people that would have used that track over the years is huge with huge crowds.

“It is the Australian home of motorsport coming back to life.”

6: DJR REVEALS WILDCARD

Kai Allen and Simona De Silvestro show off DJR’s impressive new wildcard war paint.

The arrival of an all yellow DJR wildcard driven by rising star Kai Allen and the returning Simona De Silvestro was a big hit with Ford fans in particular.

The striking #98 Mustang was DJR’s first ever wildcard and was raced by the pair at the 60th anniversary Bathurst 1000.

Allen made the most of the opportunity, finishing an impressive fourth in the first co-drivers only practice session and qualifying the car.

The pair eventually managed to finish the 161-lap race 20th, a lap down as DJR CEO David Noble was particularly impressed with Allen’s professionalism.

“Kai has been really impressive all the way through from the first time we rolled the car out at practice. He was just a real pro,” Noble told AUTO ACTION.

“His preparation was excellent and from an engineering perspective his feedback was terrific.

“I think what is really impressive is the ability to deliver it at such a young age.”

7: MCLAUGHLIN SAYS SVG CAN WIN IN CHICAGO

Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin during their Supercars days prior to the 2020 season. Photo by Dirk Klynsmith / LAT Images

Before Shane Van Gisbergen did it, one man knew he could and that was former arch rival Scott McLaughlin.

As Van Gisbergen descended into the unknown, many wondered just what the Supercars star could achieve driving an unfamiliar car on an unfamiliar track.

But IndyCar star McLaughlin, who knows SVG well having raced door to door against him in Supercars believed the three-time champion had the tools to take on NASCAR’s best and was ultimately proved right.

“It’s really cool. I’m really excited for him at this opportunity in NASCAR,” McLaughlin told AUTO ACTION from the Bristol Room at Team Penske.

“I think he’s going to kill it. Honestly, I think he’s going to turn a few heads. I think he could potentially win the race.

“I hope he just kills it because he’s one of the best drivers in the world, one of the best guys I’ve ever raced against, and to now call him a friend is really cool.”

8: THE BEND DRAGWAY SELLS OUT IN GRAND OPENING

Strong crowds enjoyed their first glimpse of the new Dragway at The Bend.

It was a particularly big year for drag racing with the arrival of the National Drag Racing Championship, which started with a bang at the grand opening of the new Bend Dragway.

It was a success on all measures with a sellout crowd of 20,532 stacking the new stands for the opening day of the Spring Nationals event.

The track itself has been brought to life with the help of general manager Steve Bettes, who told AUTO ACTION  the significance of the facility to the sport.

“I call (The Bend) the keystone of the sport,” he said.

“Adelaide has had problems there for a while, but this now provides a keystone back into drag racing in Australia.

“It will do a lot to rebuild it all again and make Australian drag racing great again, without a doubt.”

9: WAKEFIELD PARK TO BE RENAMED AND REOPENED IN 2024

The One Raceway (formerly Wakefield Park) has had extensive upgrades in the lead up to its 2024 return

Following last year’s closure, the news of Wakefield Park being on track reopen in 2024 with a new name and revamped circuit was warmly received.

The much-loved circuit located in Goulburn, New South Wales, which closed unexpectedly in 2022 is now known as One Raceway and will be the first in Australia to run in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.

The exciting news was revealed by the circuit’s new owner Steve Shelley, who has steered the ship to getting the track race ready once again.

“Our new brand name, One Raceway, will encapsulate our revolutionary ability to have two circuits – one clockwise and one anti-clockwise – in the same raceway, while also symbolising the unity woven throughout our journey with the community,” Shelley said.

10: WHINCUP LABELS “BEST LOOKING CAR WE’VE HAD” AS SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO TEAM’S DEDICATION

Shane van Gisbergen and Broc Feeney with their Camaro at the livery announcement.

It may not be the biggest news, but Triple Eight’s first Gen3 livery generated plenty of discussion.

Whincup believed Triple Eight’s new look was its “best” after completing the team’s “greatest achievement” to make Gen3 happen as the Chevrolet homologation team.

“The cars look great. I might be biased, but I think it’s the best-looking livery we’ve had,” he said.

“The hours, dedication, blood, sweat and tears that have gone into getting those cars on track and giving the drivers the opportunity to showcase that work, it’s without doubt Triple Eights biggest achievement – second to none.”

Whilst some were surprised by Whincup’s comments at the time, the red and blue livery ultimately won the fan voted best presented team award come season’s end.

AUTO ACTION’s final issue of the year #1876 is out now in its digital form downloadable right here, and available in all good newsagents and stockists near you on Thursday, continuing on as Australia’s most trusted independent voice in motorsport. If you can’t get a copy locally, you can also subscribe to the latest issue of Auto Action print or digital edition of the magazine here.

Head here for more of the latest motorsport news.

The team at AUTO ACTION wishes all readers and race fans a merry Christmas and happy new year!

 On the latest podcast, Bruce, PG and Andrew talk about their three motor racing highlights of 2023, and to balance it out… The three lowlights as well, not lowlifes Bruce!