GARRY’S SHANNONS NATIONALS SANDOWN WRAP – FRIDAY

Rick Bates took the first race win of the weekend at Sandown – Photo: InSyde Media

THE BUSY Shannons Nationals round six program of racing started with the first of four one-hour races in the Australian Production Car Series.

AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTION CARS

The dramatic APSC round four opener was won by Rick Bates (Class A2 Mitsubishi EVO X) from Coleby Cowham (A2 Ford Mustang GT) and Iain Sherrin (A1 BMW M4).

The race didn’t get underway for 20 minutes as Alf Senese fenced his Class C Hyundai i30N on the out-lap. Sherrin led until his compulsory pitstop which many took immediately after the only safety car period. The SC was brought about by James Goldsborough (Class C BMW 130i) and class rival Jake Camilleri (Mazda 3 MPS) stopped on the circuit.

Once the pit cycles were completed, Bates led and was able to hold off the closing pursuers in Cowhan and Sherrin. The latter’s stop was longer due to his regulation changing of two tyres to everyone else’s one.

Just 2.4 seconds covered the top three at the end with Nathan Callaghan (AM1 HSV Clubsport) finishing fourth and clear of the Kyle Eckhardt/David Ayres B1 BMW 135i and Brad Carr (BMW M3) who incurred a 10s penalty for a restart infringement.

PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE AUSTRALIA SERIES

Harri Jones will start the opening GT3 Cup Challenge pole – Photo: InSyde Media

AFTER BEING the pacesetter in the preceding practice sessions, Max Vidau was pipped for pole position by Harri Jones in the twilight qualifying outing. The session was abbreviated with an early red flag when Class B’s Andrew Goldie speared off at turn 1.

Jones headed the session for the most part and set his fastest lap on his last. Pro drivers dominated the top of timing with Ryan Suhle third ahead of Aaron Love, Christian Pancione and Tom Taplin. Best of the AMs was Sam Shahin in seventh ahead of Danny Stutterd and Brett Boulton. Class B honours went to David Greig.

KUMHO TYRES SUPER 3 SERIES

Broc Fenney set the pace in Super3 – Photo: InSyde Media

THE PACESETTER through practice, Broc Fenney followed through to be the pole-sitter for the opening race of the final round tomorrow.

However, the Paul Morris Motorsport Ford Falcon FG driver was not the quickest in the qualifying session. Josh Fife (Brad Jones Racing Holden Commodore VE) posted the fastest time but speared off at turn 1 immediately after and brought about a red flag.

His time was deleted and Fenney picked up pole ahead of Hamish Ribarits (Matt White Motorsport FG), Zak Best (MWM FG) and Jayden Ojeda (Anderson Motorsport FG). Fastest of the Kumho Cup privateers was Jason Gomersall (Matt Stone Racing FG) ahead of Stephen Page (VE) and Brad Neill (FG).

AUSTRALIAN GTs

Ryan Simpson went fastest in Australian GT’s opening session – Photo: InSyde Media

CARS OF Endurance Championship were on track only once in the lead-up to their three-part three-hour race. Fastest of the four GT3 Championship entries was the McLaren 720S piloted by Fraser Ross and Ryan Simpson.

Second quickest was Peter Hackett Mercedes AMG ahead of points leaders Geoff Emery and Garth Tander in their Audi R8 LMS. Fourth in the session belonged to Invitational Class’ Dale Paterson (Chev Camaro) in front of class rival Ben Schoots (Sin R1 GT). Best of the GT4’s were Justin McMillan and Glen Wood in the KTM X-Bow. The sister car of David Crampton/Troy Harrison was an early casualty with an incident at turn 3 due to a kingpin failure.

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