Walsh wins Race 1 as Owen and Stoner tangle

Ash Walsh has officially taken the lead of the Dunlop Series by recording an authoritative victory in Race 1 of Round 2 at Barbagallo.

Walsh led every one of the 18 laps, pulling a two second margin on the pursuing Dale Wood before a late Safety Car closed down his advantage.

The race restarted with three laps to go, with Walsh able to put a full second on Wood over the restart lap before holding that advantage to the flag.

Walsh’s only real scare had come at the first corner, where the right-rear of his Matt Stone Racing Ford made contact with the left-front of Steve Owen’s entry as the pair disputed the top spot.

Owen slowed immediately after the contact and was soon clipped by the passing Casey Stoner on the run to Turn 4.

Stoner rejoined at the rear of the field, eventually finishing 21st, while Owen would take no further part in proceedings.

Kristian Lindbom started from fifth after a two-place grid penalty for a practice indiscretion, and proved the biggest mover in the early part of the race, passing first Cameron Waters and then Taz Douglas to eventually finish third behind Wood.

Douglas held on for fourth ahead of Daniel Gaunt and a struggling Waters, while Paul Morris, Andrew Jones, Jack Perkins and George Miedecke completed the top 10.

The late Safety Car was called to retrieve Andre Heimgartner’s Finance Ezi Ford from the Turn 1 gravel trap. The Kiwi had made contact with fellow Ford driver Nick McBride prior to leaving the circuit.

Miedecke will start Race 2 from pole tomorrow under the reverse top 10 format.

Team-mate Walsh, meanwhile, will attempt to soldier through from 10th with a reduced bank of rubber after damaging two tyres in qualifying.

See below for the full Race 1 result