What’s the Buzz: Saint, Sinner, Shoosh

WHAT’S THE BUZZ 3: A touching gesture from DJR/Team Penske, same old story from Wayne Bennett and why Wade Graham owes us a beer or two.

A TOUCHING gesture from DJR/Team Penske, same old story from Wayne Bennett and why Wade Graham owes us a beer or two.

SAINT

DJR/Team Penske helped ease the heartbreak of this columnist and his family on Saturday with their tribute to Kerry Phelps on Fabian Coulthard‘s Supercar at the Auckland SuperSprint.

The team contacted me just hours after my mother lost her battle with cancer on Friday to tell me they were taking her on a 280km/h ride in a stunning farewell.

My thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the horrible disease.

This column was touched by this gesture from DJR/Team Penske.

SINNER

WAYNE Bennett made no friends when he played his tired old games with the media.

The England coach has been hired to not only win football games but also to attract the hearts and minds of the sporting public in the soccer-mad UK.

It is fair to say he did no one any favours by refusing to promote the game he says he loves.

NO MORE: Graham to step down as Dogs skipper

WHAT’S THE BUZZ: Sims creates history

SHOOSH

WHO is the Sydney sporting identity alleged to have loaned a Manly-based criminal $99,000 in cash?

An alleged drug dealer last week claimed the man gave him the money after he was arrested and charged with being in possession of criminal proceeds.

To be fair, the allegation — made in the NSW Supreme Court — could have been a convenient cop-out with his lawyer saying he had received “recent media coverage”.

We can expect a case sent over at some point this week, right Wade?

SPOTTED

WE reckon Wade Graham owes this column a case of beer after the Sharks star was spotted in the TAB marquee at Flemington on Tuesday.

He scored the VIP invite after we revealed he was pestering club sponsors for a Melbourne Cup start.

“After your article, the TAB got in contact and offered to host Wade and his guests (including James Segeyaro),” a TAB spokesman said.

“They spent the day in the Manifold Room on the winning post. From all reports, there could have been more winners but a great day was had by all.”

SPOTTED II

EELS legend Eric Grothe Sr at the Eels’ annual reunion on the Gold Coast last weekend. The club’s greatest winger was expected to be a no-show due to his long-running feud with ex-chairman Steve Sharp. Maybe Sharp’s absence would explain Grothe’s appearance with the under-fire former club boss knocking back an invite.

KLEMMER: Blame us, not Des

LEADER: Inglis wants to captain Australia

SUPERCAR TEAMS LIVING IN FEAR

SEVERAL Supercars team owners are fearing a recent spate of engineer signings could start a trend that will send them broke.

DJR/Team Penske last week spent a rumoured $1m to lure Ludo Lacroix from Red Bull Racing Australia (RBRA) while RBRA forked out a similar amount for his replacement.

There are concerns that other engineers will now demand huge pay rises that will see them be paid more than the drivers.

Current Supercross Champion, Dan Reardon digging sand for Aus-X open at Qudos Bank Areana.

SUPERCROSS WILL GET SANDY

QUDOS Bank Arena will be filled with “Sydney beach sand’’ next weekend when some of the world’s biggest names return to Homebush to compete in the AUS-X open. The 4000m2 floor at the indoor concert and sporting venue will be covered with more than 4000 tonnes of dirt to be carted to Olympic Park in 120 trucks.

“I really think Qudos Bank Arena is perfect for Australian Supercross and the epic show that is the AUS-X Open,” Aussie supercross legend Chad Reed said. “There is no stadium in the world that gives spectators the same closeness that this arena does. They’re sitting right on top of us and can see every move, every pass and every mistake. I’m pumped to head Down Under and get amongst it.”

There are limited tickets left to see Reed take on fellow legend Ryan Villopto and reigning champion Levi Sherwood, the later warming up by also helping to shovel sand earlier this week.

Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Saint, Sinner, Shoosh