Race 1 Tony Ricciardello stamped his authority with a decisive win, over the Tiffany Blue Ford piloted by the hard charger Grant Doulman, with the current champ Steven Tamasi picking up solid points in third. Were some great battles through the field, Robbo charged from last to 11th in his silver Bell, Lacey and Cetin battled hard the entire race, and Woodman got it over the Transam crew of Reed, Inwood and Bradford. Young Audi pilot Caruso, had contact on turn two of the opening lap as his lane closed quicker than anticipated. Brown tussled with Duggan in the Aston for a 14th, think about that for a moment, the strength of the field was that Browny n Duggan were mid pack!
Race 2 Ricciardello kicked it hard again, after Tamasi took an early lead. The red alfa just couldn't be contained and threw down the fastest lap and got the win, Tamasi was second followed by Lacey in third. The young Caruso came from last to stomp in a 4th place. Doulman was fairing well until what looks like front right damaged sidelined the Ford. The ever luckless Boschert had more dramas in the corvette. Robbo snagged a 6th after battling hard all race, Woodman 9th, with Browny up to 12th, slowly making progress through the field.
Race 3 We witnessed some lively exchanges through the field. Ricciardello made it three wins from three starts, with Tamasi hanging tough in second after a mid race attack by Caruso. Who cooked it a little into turn 2 after a valiant effort, resulting in a DNF. He was last seen running after the Audi…. I kid you not. A definite baptism by fire for the young Victorian who was informed today that the throttle had jammed at high rev’s causing his off!. Third was the fiery Lacey. Bradford found some form with a fourth ahead of Woodman and Cetin. With Doulman nursing a smoking Ford across the line for seventh. Robbo was making an impressive showing until a clutch issue put him out on lap 5. Browny held on for 12th.
It was a great combined NSW/ National round, and the field looked very impressive on the Blendline TV live stream. The Victorians had it stacked against them, but Tamasi held fast and started his title defence in style with super clean racing. Woodman, just keeps improving, and for a bloke that makes stickers, I think it fair to say he is honing his race craft more and more and is sitting 5th in overall points. Browny in his awesome Camaro finished all the races, and I’m guessing that was his first goal, on a track he rarely visits his consistent laps gave him a strong showing, that I’m sure he will build on over the season. Robbo, I’m guessing already has his car apart, and planning an attack for round 2, the silver really suits the Monaro shape and I think we will see him up the pointy end at the Bend. Jordan Caruso showed he has the speed, and while its a steep learning curve, and remember he has come from Excel racing, I do believe we are seeing a future champ in the making. Words - Ran Maclurkin
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