Heinrich wins titanic TCM battle

The Touring Car Masters once again put on a show at Wanneroo as Joel Heinrich overcame Adam Garwood and Ryan Hansford in a thrilling display of racing.

The trio diced for the lead throughout the 17-lap affair and after finishing second best on Saturday, Heinrich’s Camaro prevailed this time.

But he had to fight for it with Hansford appearing set for back to back wins after a stunning move around the outside of Kolb Corner.

Garwood could not be discounted either with his VB Commodore, the fastest car on track.

But in the end Heinrich’s power down pit straight proved decisive as he returned to victory lane, while Garwood snatched second from Hansford in the dying moments. 

Jamie Tilley and Danny Buzadzic also made some late moves to complete the top five. 

After surfing local car clubs for parts, Steven Johnson was back in action and made up four spots to finish eighth.

The field went door to door through the first turn and it was not until the exit of the hairpin when Heinrich was able to put the power down and take the lead from Hansford, who bounced on the inside kerb.

But he could not stop the Torana from sneaking down the inside at the final corner to cross the line at the end of lap 1 in front.

Fisher and Garwood were also in an arm wrestle for third with the Torana also emerging on top.

But once again at the end of the lap there was a change in position with Garwood’s VB Commodore sneaking by at the final right-hander.

Jim Pollicina was the only early victim, pitting on Lap 3.

After five laps the top three of Hansford, Heinrich and Garwood had pulled 2s on Fisher and staged a thrilling nose-to-tail fight for victory.

Hansford had to get his elbows out, but he did an impressive job to starve off the threat from Heinrich and opened around half a second of breathing space.

Heinrich had also pulled away from Garwood, who had set the fastest lap of the race, but lost some of his face and drifted a second behind the Camaro.

The closest battle was now for fourth between Fisher’s Torana and Jamie Tilley’s Mustang.

Tilley had been one of the biggest movers in the field rising up three spots to fifth, but could not find a way past the Jesus Racing machine.

By Lap 12 Heinrich resumed his attack on Hansford and put the Torana driver on the defensive at the final corner.

This allowed the Camaro to perform the switchback up pit straight and snatch the lead by the time they arrived at Turn 1.

The battle carried on to Kolb Corner where Hansford responded in outstanding fashion.

The #6 forced Heinrich to go defensive into the basin which allowed the 2022 champion to have a look on the outside.

Hansford then defied the expectations of even Craig Lowndes and flew around the outside of the Camaro around the long right hander.

Despite the special move, it was far from over however as Heinrich powered past on the pit straight at the start of Lap 15.

This left Hansford exposed to Garwood and a mistake losing the rear end at the final corner allowed the VB Commodore to pounce at the start of the final lap.

Hansford lost too much momentum and could not respond.

Whilst the titanic battle for the lead captured everyone’s attention, Tilley took fourth from Fisher, who also lost out to Buzadzic.

The final TCM race will be at 13.40AWST/15.40AEST

Image: Ross Gibb Photography

Touring Car Masters Wanneroo Race 2 results

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