Dylan Thomas has taken his second race win of the 2012 Australian Manufacturers Championship, narrowly defeating the fancied Stuart Kostera/Inky Tulloch Team Mitsubishi Ralliart entry in a close finish.
Thomas drove the 40 lap race solo after his father and co-driver David withdrew with illness following the morning’s practice session.
Taking the lead from Kostera with just two laps to go, Thomas held his fellow Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X pilot at bay to bring home the victory.
“Stuart made a mistake out of Turn 4 and that’s where I was able to get passed,” said Thomas afterward.
“Then I missed a gear on the final lap and I thought he would get passed, but he didn’t. It’s a sensational result to win it with two laps to go like that.”
Beric Lynton was the best of the rest with third in his BMW 1M, while early leaders Ryan Simpson and Jim Pollicina came home fourth after an early unscheduled pitstop courtesy of a delaminating tyre.
Also in action today amid 35 degree heat at the Shannons Nationals Sandown event were the Touring Car Masters, V8 Touring Cars, Saloon Cars, Suzuki Swifts and Commodore Cup.
CLICK HERE for Speedcafe.com’s separate Touring Car Masters report
CLICK HERE for Speedcafe.com’s separate Kumho V8 Touring Cars Series report
The first of three Dial Before You Dig Australian Saloon Car Series races for the weekend saw Simon Tabinor seal the title with a race win.
Tabinor led home pole-sitter Gavin Ross by just 0.3s after leading all 10 laps. Local Ford driver Andrew Nowland finished third with Travis Lindorff and Josh Kean completing the top five.
Damien Ward and Callan Sayers locked out the front row in the Hi-Tec Oils Australian Swift Racing Series, while title rivals Reece Murphy and Allan Jarvis will line-up on row two.
Already crowned series winner Adam Beechey took pole by just 0.2s over Tony Bates for the final ever Commodore Cup round, which features an eight car field.