Fisher Torana Swamps Camaro in TCM opener

Another great Duggan Family Hotels Touring Car Masters race on the Saturday of the Sydney 500 saw the pole sitting Andrew Fisher guide his Jesus Racing Torana to his first series win since 2023.

After Joel Heinrich’s Camaro got the better of the rolling start, the Chevy couldn’t hold the lead through the cornering, as the lighter Torana found a way past.

In his first official TCM race, Jude Bargwanna took third in the DFH VB Commodore with a solid drive, whilst there was plenty of action down the field, as the TCM’s roared into 2025. Here’s how Race 1 unfolded…

The first big green light of the season began with the Jesus Racing Torana of Fisher on pole, but had entered the race with an iffy clutch, whilst the Heinrich Camaro also headed an all DFH Racing second row of Bargwanna and Cameron.

The roaring V8 rolling start saw the Camaro with the jump, with Fisher settling into second over Cameron and Bargwanna.

The front two tightly galloped off to begin with a two second break on the DFH machines, with J.Tilley’s Mustang held close in fifth.

Bargwanna made his move into third which also opened the door for the Mustang, while the Commodore had plenty of time to work at the gap to the leaders.

Cannon’s Falcon took a flat on the front right and tried to hustle to the pits to avoid a yellow, but stopped between Turn five and six, but racing continued.

Fisher took Heinrich with eight minutes to run, taking advantage of the heavier Camaro through the corners, whilst Bargwanna kept searching for the tenths.

Tilley, Zukanovic, Cameron, Buzadzic, C.Tilley and Hansford formed a squabbling train from fourth to ninth, whilst with only three minutes to race, the leaders held the gap to Bargwanna.

Contact at the back of the field between Tony K and Hassle caused a flag scare but it thankfully stayed green for a flag free race.

Come the last lap, Fisher built the split to avoid dealing with the Camaro on the straights, with the top three holding for the opener, and Fisher taking first blood.

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