John Bowe has continued his dominance of Touring Car Masters with victory in Race 1 at Sandown Raceway today.
Starting from second on the grid, Bowe got off to a great start to beat pole-sitter Jim Richards into Turn 1.
Greg Keene was not so fortunate, he failed to get his Porsche 911 RS off the line and was forced to retire without getting to Turn 1 on the opening lap.
Series front-runner Andrew Miedecke slowed on Lap 6 and was forced to retire because of a broken steering arm in his Chevrolet Camaro SS.
Turn 1 was the hot spot for drama with Chris Coleman and Greg Crick both spinning off the circuit.
While upfront Bowe was not having it all his own way, going side by side with Jim Richards on Lap 8 as the two battled for lead.
Sandown’s two long straights looked to be suiting the horsepower of the AMC Javelin of Richards, but Bowe was too strong and pulled away to record his 10th consecutive victory.
Nigel Benson won Class B in his Holden HQ Monaro after a trouble free run.
Bowe was pleased with his win given the circumstances that his successful season has dealt him.
“Being that we’re running 6800rpm and 1670kgs, meaning we’re heavier and have less revs than everyone else, it really shows up the pedigree of the car.
“I got a ripper start, thought Jim (Richards) had me a couple of times there and we were really close in speed. Jim is awesome to race against, and that’s the hardest I’ve ever driven that car and I drove it hard for every single lap.
“I like this track, but it is different with the weight and rev penalties in the car, but she’s a great car regardless, has developed a personality of her own and always makes for a great drive.”
In Group C and A David Holc picked up from where he left off yesterday, clean sweeping qualifying, Race 1 and Race 2.
Aboard his Holden Commodore VL Holc was in a class of his own, dealing the first blow by qualifying on pole position from Luke Ellery and Troy Stapleton.
The status quo remained for the top three positions in Race 1 with Holc leading home Ellery by 4.7s.
While in Race 2 Holc beat home the bright pink Holden Commodore VL of Stapleton by 6.5s, with Ellery in his Peter Jackson inspired Nissan Skyline DR30 rounding out the top three.
Group C and A Race 3 will be held tomorrow at 1105 AEST with Touring Car Masters Race 3 straight after at 1135 AEST.
