Winton wrap: Johnson takes TCM pole as Cameron shows pace

SpeedSeries action commenced at Winton with Steven Johnson continuing his Touring Car Masters dominance by taking pole.

Johnson was in a league of his own in Touring Car Masters qualifying, with his 1:27.9858 two tenths better than the rest of the field.

The closest to come to the #33 Ford Mustang was another former Supercars star in John Bowe.

Bowe was two tenths off the pace in second and just held off fellow Torana runner Ryan Hansford in the battle for the front row.

The next best was Adam Garwood in a VB Commodore almost a second off Johnson’s pole time and seven tenths away from Hansford.

Johnson admitted he was initially searching for straight line speed and was stunned to see his name in P1.

“We were struggling a little bit in the speed traps but we were able to make the time up which is good, we have got the car in a really good window,” Johnson said.

“The first run was really good in P2 behind JB. I almost didn’t go out for a second run and it didn’t feel great.

“I even almost backed out of it half way through so I was surprised to see the time we put in.

“We don’t know who has a stronger car in the race, but all in all you can overtake here, it’s possible but if I get the start as long as I don’t make any mistakes and position the car where it needs to be I don’t think I’ll be passed.”

Touring Car Masters conduct their Trophy Race at 11.20am on Saturday before three championship races.

The stage is set for a competitive Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series with little separating those near the top of the timesheets in Winton.

Michael Clemente has a wild moment in his Cupra Leon Comp at Winton. Image: Daniel Kalisz Photographer

Although Aaron Cameron holds the high ground having set the fastest time from Friday’s double dose of practice, he will be looking over his shoulder.

Garry Rogers Motorsport Peugeot pilot Cameron recorded a 1:26.2111 to top the day.

However, he finished just 0.0745s faster than defending champion Tony D’Alberto in the Honda Civic.

The likes of Bailey Sweeny, Ben Bargwanna and Practice 1 leader Michael Clemente were also all within three tenths from the top.

On debut was Clay Richards, but he was forced to wait longer than he would have anticipated after a power steering issue meant he missed the entire first session.

He was able to get some much needed track time in the Melbourne Performance Centre Audi in the second session where he finished ninth.

TCR qualifying takes place at 11.50 before the first race is held at 16.10 on Saturday.

Aaron Cameron is the man to beat after dominating an eventful day of S5000 practice at Winton.

Nic Carroll and Mark Rosser come together during S5000 Winton practice. Image: Daniel Kalisz Photography

The Garry Rogers Motorsport driver was well clear of the rest, topping both sessions with the fastest arriving in the afternoon.

Cameron’s 1:17.5720 was three tenths too much for Joey Mawson, who was in a GRM sandwich with James Golding in third.

Jordan Boys and Cooper Webster rounded out the top five in the fastest combined times.

There was also high drama with Nic Carroll and Mark Rosser getting tangled up at a right hander early in the opening practice session.

Carroll and Rosser made front to rear contact which sent the latter’s #2 BRM airborne, while Carroll was taken to hospital with a hand injury.

There is a hot pace in Trans Am with less than three tenths of a second splitting the top five from Friday’s Winton running.

The fastest time of the day was notched up by championship leader James Moffat with a 1:24.6501.

Moffat was just over a tenth clear of Brett Holdsworth and Lochie Dalton, who also set their fastest laps in second practice.

It was Ben Grice who took P1 in the first session with a 1:24.8578 and this time remained competitive for the rest of the day as the fourth best.

Trans Am goes qualifying at 10.50 before racing at 15.25.

The Australian Formula Ford Series championship picture could be turned on its head after Matt Hillyer edged out Jake Santalucia to take an important Winton pole.

Hillyer is in the box seat to snatch the championship lead on Saturday when he starts from P1 after topping qualifying with a 1:25.2180.

Just 0.0902s behind was Santalucia as the pair of Sonic drivers were in a two-horse race.

The next best was another Team Sonic driver, Conor Somers, who was three tenths away ahead of Eddy Beswick and Xavier Kokai.

In contrast, championship leader Zak Lobko will start on the back foot from sixth position after losing out in a competitive session.

Lobko only possesses a three-point lead over Hillyer and will have his work cut out in defending it when racing gets underway at 9.25am Saturday.

Main Image: Daniel Kalisz Photographer

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Andrew Clarke and Auto Action’s Bruce Williams and ARG’s Barry Rogers sat down for a candid chat ahead of the SpeedSeries trip to Winton.

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