A fifth place finish in an action packed Race 1 for the GT3 Cup Challenge at Queensland Raceway has proven enough for Kane Rose to take out the 2012 Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
The 40 minute twilight affair saw South Australian youngster Michael Almond take his first race win in the class – beating Victorian rival Brent Odgers to the chequered flag by less than a second after a Safety Car period set-up a five-lap dash to the finish.
Jeff Bobik was a further five seconds adrift in third, while John Modystach – who entered the race just four points behind Rose in the three-race JRET standings – headed home Rose in fourth.
Completing the top 10 were Adam Marjoram, Rob Knight, John Goodacre, John Morriss and Brendon Cook, who finished two laps down after causing the Safety Car with a spin at Turn 6.
The race had been a case of missed opportunity for Modystach, who dropped from the lead down to a low of fifth by spinning twice within the space of four laps midrace.
There was frustration also for Phillip Woodbury, who led the pack at the halfway mark before pulling off the circuit with electrical problems.
Rose meanwhile was rapt with his JRET success, which came despite a Friday incident that cost significant practice running.
“It’s fantastic to get the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy – that was definitely the goal heading into that race,” said Rose.
“We lost a day yesterday (after crashing in practice) so I was still trying to learn the track, and when it gets dark it’s not that easy.”
Almond meanwhile credited his appearance in the Touring Car Masters event at Queensland Raceway last weekend as a significant step towards his maiden GT3 win.
“I definitely think it was great to come and learn the track,” he said post-race. “I ironed out and a lot of things and applied a few things to this car that really worked out.
“It was fantastic racing here under lights. It’s harder than racing in daylight because it’s difficult to see your reference markers but all-in-all it was a great experience.”
A further two races will complete the weekend’s GT3 Cup action at Round 6 of the Shannons Nationals presented by Hi-Tec Oils tomorrow.
