Heinrich wins, Johnson takes round

Joel Heinrich has taken another victory, but Steven Johnson did enough to take his first Touring Car Masters round win in a year and a half at Hidden Valley.

Despite Heinrich completing back-to-back victories, the Whiteline Racing driver was forced to lament a Trophy Race DNF in his bid for four straight round wins.

Consistency worked in Johnson’s favour as the Hancock Racing Mustang never left the top two after winning the opener to return to the top step of the podium.

His last round win was Bathurst 2024, and the multiple TCM champion has been through a lot on and off the track since then.

Heinrich held off Johnson following an even launch in the rolling start, but it was on behind them.

Cam Tilley, Andrew Fisher, Jude Bargwanna and Danny Buzadzic went at it four wide for second before the latter backed out in the braking zone.

Bargwanna prevailed on the inside line, while Hansford was determined to regain the ground he lost yesterday and made up five spots to ninth in the opening lap alone.

Unlike Race 2, Heinrich was unable to skip away from Johnson with the Mustang keeping up with the Camaro on fresher tyres.

It was a two-horse race with the leading pair 2s clear of Bargwanna in just two laps.

The Toranas of David Hender and Peter Burnitt tangled at Turn 1 and somehow stopped themselves from spinning.

Cameron was looking solid in fifth, but sacrificed it by spearing off at Turn 1 and rejoined in ninth.

This helped Hansford complete his charge to the top five after passing Buzadzic despite a wild moment coming out of the final corner.

A lock-up left Hender beached in the Turn 10 gravel, which brought out the Safety Car with six minutes left.

When racing resumed, only 90 seconds were left on the clock, and Heinrich resumed control and pulled away as Johnson suffered a leakage.

Hansford applied the pressure on Fisher, and the Toranas were dancing across the pit straight as they started the final lap.

The next Touring Car Masters round is at The Bend in September.

1: Joel Heinrich 17 laps

2: Steven Johnson +2.3758

3: Jude Bargwanna +3.4414

4: Andrew Fisher +4.7854

5: Ryan Hansford +4.9032

Image: TCM

Supercars Darwin Triple Crown (times AEST)

Practice 1: Fri 13.20

Practice 2: Fri 15.25

Qualifying R17: Sat 9.05

Qualifying R18: Sat 9.55

Race 17 (42 laps): Sat 12.15

Race 18 (42 laps): Sat 15.40

Qualifying R19: Sun 9.35

Top 10 Shootout: Sun 12.05

Race 19 (70 laps): Sun 15.10

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