Ingram claims Sports Sedans opener

Peter Ingram jumped Steve Tamasi to win an interrupted but entertaining 2024 Precision National Sports Sedan Series opener at Symmons Plains.

Although Tamasi led from pole, Ingram’s Mazda RX7 took control on lap 2 but the Holden Calibra was mounting a fightback only for the pursuit to be interrupted by a late Safety Car.

This created a tense one-lap sprint to the chequered flag and Ingram nailed the restart to ensure he started 2024 perfectly as Ben Purtell joined them on the podium.

It was the first time in 32 years since 1992 the Precision National Sports Sedan Series flew around Symmons Plains and fans savoured it as the fire-breathing monsters roared up the straights at rapid pace.

Tamasi and Ingram went head to head off the start and the Calibra won the battle on the inside of turn 2.

In a flash the Holden charged ahead down the back straight but Ingram hit back to be on his tail by the end of the first lap.

This opened the door for an assault on lap 2 and the lightning straight line speed of Ingram proved overwhelming as the #32 Mazda flew around the outside of Tamasi and into the lead in the run up to the hairpin.

The big move arrived moments before the first Safety Car arrived on lap 3 due to Steve Lacey going off at the end of the back straight.

When racing resumed Ingram shot clear leaving Tamasi to fight with the other Mazda of Purtell for second.

They swapped spots twice but Tamasi won the battle and was able to charge almost 10s clear as he took aim at Ingram.

Across the second half of the race Tamasi was able to chop down Ingram’s advantage from more than 3s to 1.1s.

On lap 13 Tamasi was within a second of Ingram and a fascinating fight to the finish was brewing, only for the Safety Car to arrive due to Ashley Jarvis being awkwardly parked on the inside of turn 2.

Just prior to that there was also some jostling for third and despite a number of moves being made, Purtell was able to return third in the Nissan, but Taunton was able to jump Kim Barwick for fourth.

Thankfully the fascinating battle was able to be resolved through a one-lap dash.

Ingram went late and the RX7 was able to put the power down to deny any late challenge from Tamasi, while Purtell also held onto third as Barwick stole fourth from Taunton.

Race 2 of the Precision National Sports Sedan Series is at 10.55 AEDT Sunday morning.

Image: David McIntee

Precision National Sports Sedans race 1 results

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