Team Mitsubishi Ralliart duo Stuart Kostera and Inky Tulloch have dominated the opening race of the 2012 Australian Manufacturers Championship at Eastern Creek.
The day’s action at the Shannons Nationals presented by Hi-Tec Oils meeting concluded with a one-hour AMC encounter, which the Kostera/Tulloch Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X won by in excess of 15s.
Jim Pollicina drove the race solo in his Evo X to finish second, having briefly led during the pitstop cycle.
David and Dylan Thomas completed the Lancer 1-2-3 in third, while Grant Sherrin (BMW 135i) and Des Wall (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) rounded out the top five.
“I think we had speed up our sleeve today,” said Kostera.
“The car is a lot friendlier on its tyres on the long circuit than on the short which makes life a lot easier.
“It’s been a really positive start and once again the TMR boys have done an outstand job.”
In the Radical Australia Cup presented by MPA Projects, Neale Muston (Excalibur Racing) put in an emphatic display to win both nine lap races.
Tony Palmer (Radical Events) finished second in both encounters having led the opening corners of Race 1, while Glyn Edis (Interior Developments) took a pair of thirds.
Simon Haggerty fought with Palmer and Edis over a podium place in Race 2 before a wild spin at the exit of Turn 4 resigned the Haggarty Racing Team driver to a ninth place result.
A 50 minute pitstop race will conclude the racing program for the Radicals at Eastern Creek tomorrow.
In the opening race of the 2012 Hi-Tec Oils Australian Swift Racing Series, Allan Jarvis (Achilles Tyres) held off country music singer Adam Brand (Hi-Tec Oils) by less than 1s to take the victory.
Rob Jarvis (BVC Racing), Fernando Wiehrl (Project D Drift School) and Reece Murphy (GMG Glass) rounded out the top five.
The V8 Commodore Cup competitors were also on track today for three practice sessions, with Adam Beechey (Donut King) emerging fastest on combined times from Michael Tancredi (Top Shelf Fruits), Matthew Hayes (San Marco Italian Restraunt), Chris Stevenson (Aerial Motors) and Ross McGregor (Southern Star Windows).
Tomorrow’s race one grid will be determined by a ‘chook lotto’ draw to be held later tonight.
CLICK HERE for today’s report on the Kumho Tyres Australian V8 Touring Car Series action
Sunday’s Shannons Nationals presented by Hi-Tec Oils action at Eastern Creek will be streamed via ITV Live.
