GARRY’S SYDNEY SHANNONS NATIONALS WRAP – FRIDAY
The Sherrin brothers set the pace in Australian Production Car Series at Sydney Motorsport Park – Photo: Nathan Wong
WHILST SUPERCARS and their supports hurried around the streets of Townsville, practice sessions were completed for the five categories taking part in round four of the Shannons Nationals at Sydney Motorsport Park.
In the Australian Production Car Series, the Sherrin brothers, Grant and Iain, showed none of the gremlins that plagued the Class A1 BMW M4 at Winton by being fastest over the three sessions.
Just behind it in times were Bob Pearson (Mitsubishi EVO X RS), Mark Eddy (Audi TT RS), Rod Salmon (Mercedes A45) and the Dimitri Agathos/Lachlan Gibbons Subaru Impreza WRX STi.
The other classes were headed by Michael James (Holden HSV GTS, A2), Scott Gore and Peter Galang (BMW 135i, B1), Jonathan Bloxsom (Holden Ute, I) and Colin Osborne (Renault Megane RS265, C).
David Bailey and Matt Thewlis will take no further part in the weekend after crashing out
The David Bailey/Matt Thewlis was the best of the Class D runners but will be a non-starter due to crashing in the last session while Brianna Wilson and Nathan Stephens lead Class E in their Nissan Pulsar.
Mark Laucke was fastest in Australian Prototype Series – Photo: Nathan Wong
MARK LAUCKE has put his engine and gearbox dramas from the previous round well behind him as he headed up the practice time sheets for round three of the Australian Prototype Series.
In his West WX10, the South Aussie lapped at a best of 1 minute 28.6929 second to lead a 16-strong Friday roll-up over the three sessions. Second best was local Peter Paddon in his Radical SR3 which was 0.9s slower while third fastest was NSW’s Michael Shaw in a newer Radical SR3RS.
Fourth fastest overall was the second of the West WX10s driven by John-Paul Drake ahead of Kim Burke (SR3RX), series leader Phil Hughes (SR3), Chris Sutton (SR3), round two winner Jason Makris (WX10), Terry Peovitis (F1K) and Gerrit Ruff (West WR1000),
While the third place Shaw was 1.4s off the fastest time, the next seven are covered by seven tenths of a second.
Anthony Gilbertson beat out the pro’s in Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge – Photo: Nathan Wong
ELITE CLASS driver Anthony Gilbertson looked likely to be the fastest over the two Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australian by Pirelli practice session until pipped in the final moments of their later outing by Professional Class’ Brenton Grove.
The gap was meagre to say the least, just 0.0075s while the previous round winner Jordan Love was third overall. Next came Sam Shahin ahead of John Morriss, Brett Boulton, John Steffensen, Shane Barwood, Phil Morris and Ross McGregor. In Class B, there is little between David Greig and Brendan Cook.
The Alfa’s joined the Shannons Nationals in Sydney – Photo: Nathan Wong
PRACTICING FOR round three of the Alfa Sprint Series has seen Doug Selwood go fastest in his GTV6 ahead of a similar car driven by Danny Gatto. Behind the two 3.0-litre Italian thoroughbreds was the 2.6-litre version piloted by Frank Garigliano.
Fourth quickest for the session was Touring Car Masters regular Tony Karanfilovski (Alfetta Guillia) from Urs Muller (GTV), Matt Magraith (Alfa 105), Andrew Palumbo (Alfa 156), Robert Panetta (Alfa 75), Alfio Musumeci (2.0-litre turbo) and Darren Harris (GTV).
A SMALL number of Radicals took park in the non-mandatory pair of practice sessions where Michael Shaw’s effort in the first outing held sway throughout the day. Second fastest and quickest of the later session was James Winslow in Kim Burke’s car while third overall was Peter Paddon ahead of Bart Mawer in the Brad and Mitch Neilson entry.
We’ll have a full wrap of the Shannons National action from Sydney Motorsport Park in the next issue of Auto Action, on sale Thursday. In the meantime, follow us on social media, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest updates across the weekend.
