Garwood gets back to the top

Reigning Touring Car Masters champion Adam Garwood is back in P1, pushing his Ford Capri to a convincing Trophy Race success at The Bend.

In his first drive in two rounds, Garwood was peerless and claimed a comfortable 1s win, having risen up 11 spots.

Next best was the man looking likely who will take his crown, Joel Heinrich, who put in a similar charge to second best.

Andrew Fisher had to get his elbows out, fending off Scott Cameron to secure a podium place.

It was a clean, but busy eight-lap sprint to open the weekend of TCM racing.

Jamie Tilley led from pole in the green Falcon as it was three wide for second with Hassell sneaking ahead of Buzadzic, but the latter picked him off by the end of the lap.

Further back, the Toranas of Hender and Burnitt clashed coming out of Turn 3.

This saw Hender slide across the field, and he somehow managed to keep the #18 straight after saving three wild spins.

Another driver that was caught in the middle of the action was Hansford, who lost significant ground after taking evasive action in the paddock.

These moments fanned out the field and ensured the big names were going to fight harder to claw back to the front.

Jamie Tilley built a 1.5s advantage over Buzadzic, who found himself in an arm wrestle with Garwood at the end of Lap 2.

It took the reigning champion three attempts before he finally pushed the Capri past the Torana.

The move also opened the door for Fisher, who pounced at the Turn 6 hairpin despite a lock up, while Buzadzic was also swamped by the Whiteline Racing teammates.

It took Garwood a lap to hunt down Jamie Tilley and snatch the lead after a great run down the main straight.

He only needed half a lap to pull 2s into the distance as Fisher pulled off the same move.

In a heartbreak, Jamie Tilley had dropped out of the top five, being easy meat for Heinrich, Cameron and Hansford.

Attention turned to the Fisher as he had the Whiteline Racing teammates close for company.

Despite the Jesus Racing Torana offering a small fight, the pace of Heinrich proved too strong, dancing past up the hill.

Fisher made Cameron work for the position a lot harder with the Duggan Family Hotals Camaro getting crossed up going through the fast Turn 5.

Cameron fancied his chances, but ultimately could not get by as Fisher held on to the final podium place.

Touring Car Masters return for Race 1 at 16.15 ACST.

Image: TCM

1: A. Garwood

2: J. Heinrich +1.1130

3: A. Fisher +4.3066

4: S. Cameron +4.9160

5: R. Hansford +5.6843

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