Heinrich takes TCM round with double-victory day

A second Sydney 500 victory for Joel Heinrich in the Whiteline Camaro has seen him take the Duggan Family Hotels Touring Car Masters round win, whilst a former champion also tangled with Andrew Fisher in a round defining Torana bust up, with a Valiant fan-favourite also making the podium.

Heinrich completed the Sunday sweep by over three seconds from Ryan Hansford and Cameron Tilley, with Hansford having crafted his podium on a neat Turn 2 move that brought Fisher unstuck, ending his chances for a round win.

The winning Camaro and Fisher Torana traded the lead early, but once again, the big power of the Chevrolet really hauled the weight on the SMP straights.

For the young debutante, a big lock up for Jude Bargwanna ended his promising debut weekend, which also denied him a podium sweep in the DFH VB Commodore.

In a Supercar heavy season, the opening round of the TCM season with DFH as the round sponsor provided a sensational start with attractive racing and largely green flag running. 

It leaves a tantalising prospect for what’s to come for the classic muscle car, fan favourite category as the year wears on.

Here’s how the Sydney 500 TCM finale played out…

Race 3 saw Heinrich and Bargwanna face off down Brabham Straight, with Fisher and C.Tilley in pursuit.

It was another big start for the Whiteline Camaro, with Fisher also moving into second as also pursued the round win.

Hansford had also got a good jump into fourth behind Bargwanna, but issues seemed apparent in the DFH VB Commodore, with the Torana going third.

Buzadzic, Bargwanna and Hender then all became unstuck at the same time at different points of the track, as Fisher also took the lead in a wild minute of action.

The race stayed green however, but the order was shaken, with the lead changing again with eight minutes to run, as Heinrich turned on the power down the main straight.

Johnson had moved into fourth in the Brut Mustang over the Valiant of Tilley, whilst Hansford was close on the front two chargers making a tight trio.

As Hansford pushed for the inside on Turn 2, contact with Fisher sent the Jesus Torana spinning, placing Tilley into third after taking Johnson, whilst the leading Camaro was looking on for the round win.

That front three would hold the Dias spots, with Heinrich taking his second win for the day and the  round win, as Hansford and Tilley both managed to leave SMP with some podiums.

Image: DMAC Photography

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