Kyle Clews and Peter Carr have shared the spoils in the opening two races of the FW1 Aussie Racing Car action at Sydney Motorsport Park today.
Series points leader Clews took out a shortened Race 1 from pole position, leading every lap, before encountering suspension problems in Race 2.
“On the second lap I came into the second last corner and the rose joint in the front suspension snapped,” Clews told Speedcafe.com.
“The car understeered from that point and I had to go through the gravel trap.”
Clews’ championship adversary Carr fared a lot better, taking a second placing in Race 1 and a victory in Race 2.
Race 1 provided an entertaining encounter. On Lap 1, Glen Stewart and John Reynolds came off second best when attempting to avoid a stationary Maurice Masini at the Turn 2 hairpin.
Stewart was able to continue on, while Reynolds – the father of Bottle-O Racing’s David Reynolds – was not so lucky, clouting into Masini head-on.
In Race 2, Carr enjoyed a comfortable win in his Toyota Aurion, with the action coming from the tight battle between Tyler Owen, Travis Edwards and Darren Chamberlain for second place.
Clews finished in 23rd position in Race 2 but remained upbeat ahead of the two races tomorrow.
“I’m not sure how the rest of the weekend will pan out now. The last race (Race 4) is double points so that’s the one we need to finish well in,” he said.
“I’m a little bit nervous for Race 3 now because I’ll be starting from the back of the grid.”
Former AFL player Jason Akermanis had a safe and steady Aussie Racing Cars debut, finishing 18th and 17th in the 25 car field.
Tomorrow’s Aussie Racing Car action kicks off at 1000 (AEST) with the first of two 10 lap races.
In other support classes the very different support categories on offer at SMP, which consisted of National Formula Vee, Improved Production and Production Sports Car has concluded for the day.
In Formula Vee, it was Victorian Matt Stubbs who qualified on pole position.
Stubbs backed up his strong qualifying performance with a win in the opening race of the weekend. Ben Porter and Stephen Butcher rounded out the podium placings.
Improved Production was dominated by Tasmanian Ray Hislop, who claimed pole position and the win in Race 1 behind the wheel of his Ford Falcon BF.
While in Production Sports Cars the day started well for Tim Mackie who qualified fastest in his Lotus Elise.
Mackie couldn’t continue on from his efforts in Race 1, where Scott Bargwanna claimed victory from Ben Porter and Mackie.
