Michael Kirsch claims the 2009 Australian Hill Climb Championship - Formula Vee 1600cc category. Oct 2009

Michael Kirsch drove TeamPana's Irwin to win the 2009 Australian Hill Climb Championships. Michael had competed at the new circuit throughout the year and was delighted to take home the national trophy. His new trophy sits beside his 1999 Australian Hill Climb Championship trophy. Michael has "retired" (again).

TeamPana sponsored the Formula Vee 1200cc category at the national event, where Max Bonney claimed first place.

Michael Kirsch claims the 2009 1600cc Formula Victorian State Hillclimb Championship. Oct 2009

Michael Kirsch competed at 5 Victorian Hill Climb rounds in TeamPana's Irwin to secure the Victorian Hill Climb championship.

Phillip Island, round 5, forecast... Showers, then some more.

Bill Fifis was all excited about racing at Phillip Island for the first time. He was welcomed by rain, showers and storms for the entire 3 days of the event. In the unforgiving conditions, Bill did extremely well to crack the top 4. TeamPana driver Kleo Mandikos was granted a leave of absence to baptise his daughter that weekend, giving Frank Haire, multiple national winning competitor, an opportunity to race in the TeamPana Jacer. Although Frank hadn't competed for 2 years, he did well to keep the car on the track in almost impossible rain affected conditions and also cracked the top 6.

TeamPana welcomes another 2004 Jacer into the team. September

TeamPana has purchased Cameron Waters' 2004 Jacer. A very competitive car that has recently won races in South Australia, NSW and Queensland. The car will be prepared for the 2010 pre season testing.

TeamPana attends the 4th round of the Vic Championships with 2 cars. August 2009

The TeamPana crew worked overtime preparing new driver Kleo Mandikos in the Jacer, and rookie driver Bill Fifis in the Irwin. This event was Kleo's second ever Formula Vee event. He did well to finish all the races and eventually into the top 10. Bill had an outstanding event, cracking the top 5.

Mike O'Donald's 2007 Championship winning car is now part of TeamPana. July 2009.

After viewing several vehicles, TeamPana has purchased a 2004 Jacer and will form part of TeamPana's fleet.

Bill Fifis competes at the Shannon's National Round. June 2009

For his second Formula Vee event, Bill entered into the Shannon's National event, where the best drivers from around the country compete for the prize of the "National Series Champion".

Given the tough competition, and limited experience, Bill drove very well and learnt alot over the weekend. Bill worked his way back into the top 10 of an experienced field.

Bill Fifis steps into a Formula Vee. May2009

Bill Bifis stepped into the Irwin at the second round of the 2009 Vic State championships. Bill was amazed at the close racing throughout the weekend, and progressed well to finish inside the top 10. Bill's main aim for 2009 is to regain is national competition license. Bill has previously raced Formula Ford and many sports cars in his role as a high performance driving instructor. We hope to see Bill within the Formula Vee ranks in the near future.

Previous TeamPana driver promoted to Formula Ford. March 2009

Paul Sharman, who raced with TeamPana in 2008 has a Formula Ford drive in the 2009 season. We wish Paul all the best.

Michael Kirsch takes on the 2009 Victorian Hill Climb Championship. Feb 2009

Previous Australian Hill Climb title holder, Michael Kirsch, will be contesting the 2009 Victorian Hill Climb Championship with TeamPana. It will be the first time Michael has driven the 1600 spec car having previously dominated in the 1200 spec car.

The 2009 Team Pana Driver has been working hard on lightening the car and himself, in order to meet the minimum weight specifications. Keep an eye on this site for his race updates.

The Team Pana car is still available for the Victorian Circuit Racing Series.

Paul Sharman tries it on at Phillip Island. Nov 2008.

2008 1200 State and National Champion, Paul Sharman, stepped into the TeamPana car at the annual Island Magic event. Having driven the car for the first time on Friday practice, Paul pumped out fast and consistent times.

Paul qualified well and finished mid-field on the weekend. He learnt alot about 1600 racecraft, and mixed it up with the front running guys. We hope to see him in the 1600 field in 2009.

2008

A was a year of 'firsts' for Team Pana, unfortunately, it wasn't related to the podium. The team missed their first round in 5 years, due to engine issues. A lack of track time meant less than average driver performance. George hang the boots midway though 2008. He achieved all that wanted, and decided it was time to step into an instructor's role.

Contrary to some rumors, George did not retire because of his Stig commitments.

2007

TeamPana's most challenging year, finishing 2nd in the championship. The championship was 'in the bag' until George crashed heavily at Phillip Island, missing his chance to score any points for that round. TeamPana's car dominated the year and passed countless scrutiny checks and 3 engine strip downs within a 12 month period.

TeamPana also competed on a National level, attending the national round held at Phillip Island. TeamPana beat Australia's "best of the best" that weekend, a highlight for TeamPana.

2006

At the end of 2005, there weren't many 1600 Formula Vees for sale. At the time, it was better to convert your own 1200 spec vehicle, rather than buy a ready made 1600 spec car. So TeamPana spent an extraordinary amount of hours in the workshop completely rebuilding the car to comply with the new 1600 specs. It was completed 'just in time', on the Thursday night before the first round of Friday practice.

The existing 1600s had a 12 month head start, however, by the end of the year, Team Pana was dominating the races, finally finishing 5th in the championship.

2005

With the introduction of the 1600cc option, all of the front running competitors converted their race cars over the summer break. TeamPana, together with several other long standing competitors, decided to contest the 1200 championship. TeamPana dominated the year with many pole positions, race and round wins. TeamPana won the 2005 1200 Club Championship and was the first 1200 in the CAMS open pointscore. See archive for race reports.

TeamPana will not defend the 1200 championship in 2006, rather, they will compete for the 1600 championship. The Irwin race car will be known as one of the most successful 1200 format 1200 Formula Vees.

2004

The year began without a top 10 finish within the first 3 rounds. However, Team Pana competed in 2 separate series, competing in 11 events throughout the year, more than any other Victorian Formula Vee team. Team Pana was soon recognised as the team with the most track time and quickly turned track time into results. Team Pana won the 2004 AASA Victorian Motor Race Series made up of 7 race wins, and 1 pole.

Team Pana finished 6th in the CAMS pointscore, 8th in the Open Club pointscore, 4th in the Club poinstcore and voted most Improved Driver for 2004.

2003

2003 proved to be a steep learning curve for the team. The team was new to Formula Vee and racing. Many long ours and hard work paid off towards the end of the year with a top 10 qualifying position and several top 15 finishes. However, the year also consisted of 3 broken nose cones, 1 bent front suspension, 1 rear suspension failure and the cause of 2 safety cars. (apologies to fellow competitors)

Previous to Team Pana

The Team Pana Formula Vee is an "Irwin". The car was built by Dean Irwin and was completed in late 1992. In its first year of competition, Dean Irwin won the Victorian State Championships. Since then, the car also won the Tasmanian State Championship. After several years of remaining dormant, Team Pana acquired the car for the commencement of the 2003 Victorian Championships.