Moffat survives Trans Am chaos to sweep Symmons Plains

James Moffat has kicked off his 2023 Trans Am campaign in fine style, by sweeping Symmons Plains in a dramatic weekend.

Although Moffat took the trophies, the biggest talking point will be the scary crash between Ben Grice and James Simpson, which brought race 2 to an early finish.

Polesitter Grice was leading on Lap 12, but suddenly encountered a problem at the final corner and slowed.

Although the #3 Ford Mustang was off the racing line, Grice was in the path of Simpson, who was trying to go around the outside of Jett Johnson.

Simpson hit the right rear of the Grice and was instantly thrown in the air and flipped onto its roof before landing on all four wheels alongside the pit wall.

The smash instantly ruled both cars out of action for the remainder of the weekend, but more importantly both drivers emerged unscathed from the crash, which evoked memories of Jason Plato and John Creland’s famous flip at the 2004 Bathurst 1000.

“Jett and I were having a bit of a battle – it’s not Jett’s fault at all – he put his own up the inside, I was just coming around the corner and gave him room,” Simpson said on TV.

“Obviously Gricey was just parked – I don’t know if he had damage or – but I just had nowhere to go.

“I didn’t see anything put up or anything, I wasn’t notified of it. I just came around the corner and collected him. 

“Bit of a sad or devastating moment, but hopefully we’ll be back for the next round.

“I seem to be fine, just a bit shocked – I’m just glad these cars are built strong.” 

One man who avoided the chaos was Moffat, who started his perfect weekend in ominous fashion by collecting a lights to flag win in race 1.

The current Tickford Supercars co-driver was able to get the jump on poleman Grice and swoop around the outside to steal the lead.

From there the Garry Rogers Motorsport driver was never headed, cruising to a two-second win over Grice.

Despite the calm win, the action was heated in the battle for the final step on the podium. Current PremiAir Racing Supercars star Tim Slade driving for The Racing Academy received the applause and took the trophy after finishing third on the road.

However, Slade was stripped of third and had to settle for 13th post race after being dealt with a five-second penalty after contact with Owen Kelly, who inherited the podium place.

The second race was cut short to a 12-lap affair due to the Grice and Simpson incident, but Moffat still had enough time to go back to back.

Grice initially sprung a surprise by snatching the lead after receiving a touch up at the Hairpin.

The son of two-time Bathurst 1000 winner Allan Grice, retained the lead after a safety car caused by Slade and Tom Hayman getting tangled up at the Hairpin.

But Grice’s charge was interrupted by a problem slowing at the final corner before being taken out by Simpson.

Although the incident brought the race to an early end, Moffat had retook the lead in the meantime to seal a GRM 1-2-3 alongside Kelly and Lochie Dalton.

Moffat completed his clean sweep with a dominant drive in the Sunday afternoon finale.

The heat was on behind with Kelly spinning at the final corner, Tyler Everingham went off with a suspension problem and Cody Gillis and Edan Thornburrow got tangled up.

But the most defining moment was between Kelly and Brett Holdsworth. Kelly was on the charge through the field and took fourth from Holdsworth on the last lap.

However, Kelly received a five-second penalty for the final-lap incident which meant he dropped from second to fourth in the round results, elevating Dalton and Jaylyn Robotham onto the overall podium.

But the man to catch was Moffat, who has taken over the mantle from Nathan Herne as the dominant GRM driver at the front of the field.

Round 2 of the 2023 Trans Am season is at Phillip Island on May 12-14.

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