Cox edges out Richards in tense TCR battle

The fast starting Jordan Cox fended off Clay Richards to win a tense second TCR Australia race at Sandown.

Cox started fifth, but shot like a tracer bullet when the lights went out to take the lead by the time the field charged through turn 1.

Slotting in behind was Clay Richards which set up a race-long fight for the win only interrupted by a first-lap Safety Car.

The six-lap sprint to the flag was all about Cox v Richards and despite the Cupra applying maximum pressure, Cox kept cool to claim his first win since the 2022 opener at Symmons Plains.

Another youngster that impressed was GRM rookie Ryan Casha, who kept a six-car train at bay to get a first podium in just his second race.

Having waited two years and 39 races for victory, Cox was in a celebratory mood in victory lane wearing special sunnies and a hat to also mark his honeymoon.

Cox enjoyed a lightning start to fly into the lead from fifth with Richards and Casha going into his slipstream to slot in behind.

Whilst there were the big winners, poleman Martin fell to fifth while the man alongside him on the front row also dropped five spots to seventh.

But the field had no time to settle into the race due to an immediate safety car.

Marcus LaDelle driving in 99motorsport’s first TCR race suffered the misfortune of being spun by Indonesian rookie Glenn Nirwan on the exit of the tight left-handed turn 4.

HMO’s Tom Oliphant was also caught in the crossfire on the entry to the back straight.

Due to the clean up required racing did not resume until lap 6 where Cox made the most of his track position and shot clear from the pack.

He immediately gained a car length on Richards as the top eight held position and Buchan displaced D’Alberto for eighth.

The reigning champion then set his sights on Dylan O’Keeffe and Bargwanna to approach the top five.

Up front with 10 laps left Richards was able to keep up with Cox to set up a two-horse race.

The Cupra was all over the back of the Peugeot and even had a look at the fast left-handed sweeper at the end of the back straight.

Cox was not the only Peugeot driver under immense pressure with rookie Casha forced to keep a six-car train led by Soutar on his tail to keep grip of a maiden podium finish.

Despite losing some ground by getting high on the turn 1 exit kerb, Richards was back on maximum attack on lap 11.

With Richards going for it, the Curpa was bouncing over each kerb and on the final lap he had a third look at the fast turn 6 but could not quite get up far enough.

Both were on the limit when they arrived at Dandenong Road and somehow avoided the gravel despite locking up.

Richards did not quite get close enough as Cox held on by eight tenths of a second, while Casha also kept Soutar and co at bay.

The third and final TCR Australia race is at 15.20 AEDT.

TCR Australia round 1 race 2 results

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