Randle, Image Racing join strong Sandown Sports Sedan field
It will be a competitive weekend of action for the Precision National Sports Sedan Series at Sandown this weekend, with the likes of Thomas Randle and Image Racing entering.
A solid 16-car field has entered the penultimate round of the season at the “Home of Horsepower” where three races will be held this weekend.
Tickford Supercars star Randle returns in his 2009 SAAB 93 and hopes to maintain his perfect record after sweeping The Bend.
But it will be no guarantee with National Sports Sedan championship leader Peter Ingram determined to further cement his strong position in the chase for the crown with a 50-point advantage over Steve Tamasi.
The Holden Calibra of Steve Tamasi and the MARCs of Geoff Taunton and Steven Lacey can never be discounted either.
The familiar shape of Project Blueprint Supercars will further add to the rich variety of Sports Sedans this weekend.
Leading Dunlop Series squad Image Racing has entered the field, giving young Victorian Antonio Molluso a crack in a 2012 Ford FG Falcon.
It is the car Tim Slade steered to three podiums and a career-best fifth in the championship for Stone Brothers Racing in 2012.
The likes of Ray Hislop (2011 FG) and Tony Auddino (2005 BF) will also bring more Ford Falcon Supercars to the grid.
In addition to Tamasi, the “General” is well represented with David Hender driving a 1977 Holden LX Torana, while a pair of Monaro’s will be raced by Michael Robinson and Ashley Jarvis.
Steve Tamasi’s father Daniel is also racing in a freshly rebuilt Nissan 300ZX ready for its Sports Sedans debut.
Mark Duggan’s Aston Martin DB9 has made it across Bass Strait for another race with three Mazdas on the grid spearheaded by Ingram.
Many will be thrilled to see Ryan Humfrey roll out of the pits on Friday morning, having completed a big rebuild of his 1984 Ford XE Falcon following a heavy shunt at Sydney.
Precision National Sports Sedan Series manager Michael Robinson was delighted Humfrey will be racing in a strong field.
“It is a good, quality field that are full of good, strong national cars,” Robinson told AUTO ACTION.
“Thomas Randle is the headline, being back in the SAAB and keen to go well, but he will be well tested by Peter Ingram, who has never been to Sandown.
“Tamasi will be fast and his father will drive a Nissan, ex Kerry Bailey car from the past that has been rebuilt.
“Ryan (Humfrey) has done a massive effort rebuilding his car, which is excellent.
“They had to straighten the chassis with the full strip down so it was a big job and had a lot of help.
“It was an incredible effort when you think that he not only did that, but drove home to WA and drove back again now to race. Incredible commitment.
“It is also nice to have Terry Wyhoon and Image Racing run a young kid in Antonio Molluso.
“We 100% want to encourage that and they approached us which is great.”
Lap records are expected to fall, so watchout.
The Precision National Sports Sedan Series will be racing alongside the Victorian State Motor Racing Series at Sandown, which will be broadcast on Blendline TV.
Precision National Sports Sedan Series Sandown schedule
Practice 1: Fri 10.05
Practice 2: Fri 12.40
Practice 3: 15.35
Qualifying: Sat 10.35
Race 1: Sat 14.35
Race 2: Sun 10.55
Race 3: Sun 14.50
Precision National Sports Sedan Series Sandown entry list
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