Teki “Batmobile” draws first blood for NZ

Tristan Teki and his fire-breathing “Batmobile” Camaro held off Danny Buzadzic in a classic Duggan Family Hotels Touring Car Masters Trophy Race at Bathurst.

The wet weather failed to deter the massive 32-car field as many drivers produced some stunning comebacks in an action-packed seven-lap affair.

Teki made up 14 spots to take the win, while just half a second back and often touching the “Batmobile’s” flames was Buzadzic, who passed 17 cars.

However, the remaining members of the top four, Adam Garwood and Angus Fogg both passed well over 20 cars as they soared from the rear of the grid ahead of Garnet Patterson, who finished his debut race in the VB Commodore in the top five.

In an impressive display of car control in high-powered classics, there was only one incident of note between the Toranas of Andrew Fisher and Ryan Hansford.

There was no Tony Quinn on the front row due to a shortage of wet tyres, allowing Hassell to enjoy a clean run through Hell Corner.

The #78 Torana led the huge field down Mountain Straight, where Burnitt made some moves to emerge in second ahead of Galbraith.

Within half a lap Cameron, Garwood and Fogg had all remarkably made up more than 10 spots.

By the end of the lap Teki and Buzadzic joined that list to surge into the top five.

Hassell led the first two laps until he was overwhelmed by Burnitt, who launched an aggressive move down the inside at Griffins.

Behind them Cannon sat third until he could only watch on as Teki and Buzadzic sailed past him at Cutting and Skyline, respectively.

Teki’s move around the outside of The Cutting especially stood out.

Fogg was flying from the back as one of many drivers charging through the huge field he had a close call with Tony Karanfilovski at The Esses.

With so many nervous moments, it felt a matter of time until something snapped and it happened to a pair of familiar Toranas.

Fisher and Hansford clashed at Murrays Corner and it ended in disaster.

Fisher appeared to move across and block a run by Hansford and contact was made, sending the Multispares Torana off over the crest.

Hansford with possible steering damage after striking the wall and was left stranded in the run off.

Meanwhile, Fisher had also spun across the track and found himself caught on the inside kerb, but carried on.

Teki completed his charge to the lead on Lap 5 when he surged past Burnitt, who could also only watch on as Buzadzic picked him off at The Cutting.

This left the Kiwi Batmobile leading the Allan Grice tribute Torana for the win.

It all amounted to a final-lap thriller as Buzadzic found himself almost touching the flames of Teki’s Batmobile.

He held him off and had enough legs down Conrod Straight to hold on as a slide on entry for Buzadzic left him vulnerable to Garwood.

The champion had a look at The Chase, but could not get close enough, while Buzadzic made a Hail Mary lunge at Murrays in vein.

It was a stunning end to a stunning race and the fun resumes with the first championship race at 7.55 AEDT on Saturday.

Touring Car Masters Trophy Race results

Image: Tristan Teki Racing

Read the new issue of Auto Action Digital HERE

Buy the new issue of Auto Action Premium HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here or you can purchase a copy of the latest issue from one of our outlets here.