THE BEND BECKONS FOR AMRS

The Bend beckons for AMRS – Photo: InSyde Media

The Australian Motor Racing Series (AMRS) will make its first visit to the newest race track in Australia, when it ventures to The Bend Motorsport Park this weekend, for the third round of 2019.

The series has attracted 137 entries, with many competitors travelling from interstate to experience the state-of-the-art facility.

A 22-car field will line up for the GT-1 Australia races with a contingent of Australian-built MARC Cars set to do battle with the imported GT3 machines.

Driving a MARC II car, Keith Kassulke leads the standings after scoring maximum points in the opening round, but will face opposition from fellow MARC II racer Adam Hargraves, along with reigning champion Jake Camilleri (MARC I car) and Matt Stoupas (Audi R8).

GT-1 Australia also attracted some local entries, with brothers Sam and Yasser Shahin teaming up in a Lamborghini, and Kevin Weeks making his first circuit racing appearance since 2015, behind the wheel of his beautiful Ford GT.

TA2 will also feature on the program at The Bend – Photo: InSyde Media

With its V8-powered Camaros, Mustangs and Dodge Challengers, The TA2 Muscle Car Series produced a fine show in the previous round at Morgan Park and has drawn a grid of 27 cars – its biggest field yet. Aaron Seton – son of touring car legend Glenn – leads the points after wins in the first two rounds, while experienced racer George Miedecke and young gun Nathan Herne have scored race victories.

The outright circuit record for The Bend will be under threat when the Formula 3 cars hit the track; John Magro set the outright fastest lap time at Winton in March, and will be looking to add another benchmark to his credit this weekend, as well as extending his six-race winning streak and points lead over rivals Richard Peasey and Josh Buchan.

RX8 Cup heads to The Bend for the first time – Photo: InSyde Media

The Mazda RX8 Cup racing has been close and competitive all season; Stephen McLaine leads the points, but in the previous round at Morgan Park it was Aaron Prosser who stole the show by winning all four races. A talented addition to the field for The Bend will be Jason Miller, who will be looking to convert his front-running production and sports car form into RX8 success.

The new-for-2019 Thunder Sports category proved popular with enthusiasts in its inaugural round at Winton, and no less than 30 cars will line up at The Bend, including Super2 drivers Joel Heinrich (racing an ex-Steven Ellery AU Falcon V8 Supercar) and Matt Chahda (Mitsubishi Magna), who will battle against title contenders such as Cory Gillett (Nissan Silvia) and Mark Tracey (BMW 3 Series).

Formula Ford return to The Bend – Photo: InSyde Media

Young stars of the future will showcase their talents in Round 4 of the Australian Formula Ford Championship. Now in its 50th year, national Formula Ford is recognised as the primary breeding ground for aspiring professional drivers, and this year’s title is being fought out between teenagers Angelo Mouzouris, Callum Hedge and Tom Sargent.

The AMRS Round 3 program will be completed by a combined field of BMW E30s, IROC Challenge Porsches and Aussie Racing Utes.

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