GARRY’S RACE TASMANIA WRAP – SYMMONS PLAINS – DAY 1

Garry’s Race Tasmania Wrap – Symmons Plains – Day 1 – Images: InSyde Media

The 2021 motor racing season kicked off today ahead of qualifying and racing at the Australian Racing Group’s Boost Mobile Race Tasmania around Symmons Plains International Raceway.

Besides the ARG categories several local classes are on the bill, but it was only the Gulf Western Touring Car Masters that had a qualifying session. All the others had practice sessions ahead of qualifying tomorrow.

TOURING CARS MASTERS

Holden Torana’s in the hands of John Bowe and Ryan Hansford were the fastest in the grid decider for race one where they will share the front row. Prior to that they will start down the back in the Trophy race.

Hansford pipped Bowe in practice before the born and bred Tasmanian reversed the result when it mattered. Another Tasmanian in Adam Garwood was third quickest in the Whiteline Racing Chev Camaro ahead of Cameron Tilley (Valiant Pacer) and the Steve Johnson (Ford Falcon XD).

Then it was Jim Pollicina (Torana) from Marcus Zukanovic (Falcon XD), Gerard McLeod (Holden Commodore VB), Tony Karanfilovski (Ford Mustang), Mark King (Camaro), Andrew Fisher (Falcon XY) Greg Garwood (Ford Capri Perana) and Peter Burnitt (Torana).

NATIONAL TRANS AM SERIES

After two practice sessions, there is little between the major players in the National Trans Am Series where Brett Holdsworth (Camaro) improved by more than half a second in the second session to be fastest overall.

He finished 0.09s ahead of session one pacesetter Aaron Seton (Mustang) while Owen Kelly (Mustang) was third best, ahead of Nathan Herne (Challenger). With 19 making the trek across the Tasman Sea, fifth fastest was Tim Brook (Mustang) from Tim Shaw (Camaro), Kyle Gurton and fellow Mustang steerers Hugh McAlister, Edan Thornburrow and Matt MacKelden.

HYUNDAI EXCELS

Queenslander Zac Hudson headed up the Hyundai Excels. The state champ outpointed Victorian Jay Hanson by 0.35s with Ben Grice third ahead of local two-time titleholder Josh Webster. Next best was Charlie Parker from Ryan Phillips, Callum Mitchell, Peter Kingston, Adrian Jones, and Jeremy Bennett.

HQ HOLDENS

Despite an influx from the Sunshine State, it was the locals that were at the pointy end of the HQ Holden practice outings. Phil Ashlin, Andrew Toth and Otis Cordwell finished first, second and third in the abbreviated 2020 Tasmanian state championships and that is how they completed this day. With the fourth spot, Brandon Madden was the best of the visitors ahead of Jake Madden, Joe Rattray, Joe Andriske, Andrew Bird, Scott Cordwell and Zac Bennett.

IMPROVED PRODUCTIONS

Only eight Improved Production cars took in the available practice opportunities where Andrew Ferguson set the pace in his Holden Commodore VS, 0.28s ahead of Adm Williams (Holden Torana LX). Third and Fourth went to Glenn Kennedan and Rye Dunsmuir in a pair of BMW E30s ahead of Steve Gangell (Commodore VX), Leon Dugan and Greg Hayes in Ford Escorts, and the Nissan Skyline R33 piloted by Pete Dasdson.

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