Terry Wyhoon’s Kumho Tyres V8 Touring Car Series title aspirations were boosted today with a win in Race 1 at Eastern Creek.
The former V8 Supercars Development Series driver led for the entire 10 lap journey after beating a slow-starting pole-sitter Justin Garioch (Valley Longwall International Falcon BA) off the line.
Jim Pollicina (Poll Performance Commodore VY) finished one second adrift of Wyhoon in second place, ahead of Chris Smerdon (Smerdon Racing Falcon BA), Garioch and Matthew Hansen (Australian Custom Moulders Commodore VY).
Nathan Garioch (Valley Longwall International Falcon BA), John Vergotis (JCV Automotive Falcon AU), Aaron Tebb (Voight Contracting Commodore VY), Michael Bartsch (Cavalier Homes Falcon AU) and Michael Hector (Carrington Equipment Falcon BA) rounded out the top 10.
The Safety Car had been called early in the race when points leader Scott Loadsman (Beautiful Tiles Commodore VY) and Nathan Garioch made contact in Turn 9 – leaving the Holden driver stuck in the gravel trap.
Loadsman would eventually finish 14th and last, one position behind Chris Delfsma (Century 21 Falcon AU), who endured a large off at Turn 2 on the opening lap due to a binding front brake.
Mark Shepherd (Warby Lodge/CEG Rental BA Falcon) took third from Justin Garioch after the restart, but would fail to finish thanks to a tyre failure on the final lap.
Earlier in the day, Loadsman took the biggest points from the one-at-a-time ‘Time Attack’ session. Loadsman’s 1:44.48s effort put him 0.8s clear of Wyhoon, with Hansen, Smerdon and Justin Garioch following.
Races 2 and 3 for the Kumho V8 Touring Cars at the Shannons Nationals presented by Hi-Tec Oils event will be held tomorrow, streamed live via itvlive.com.au.
