Velocidade Online

Mundial - TCR

MUNDIAL - TCR AUSTRÁLIA

Quinta, 18 Julho 2019 13:22 | Actualizado em Domingo, 24 Março 2024 22:54

Hyundai and Honda share the TCR Australia spoils at The Bend


Hyundai star Will Brown and Honda ace John Martin have shared the spoils during Races 2 and 3 of the carsales TCR Australia Series at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia today.

Brown extended his series lead with a commanding performance in a crash-marred Race 2, before Martin raced to a classy win in Race 3 – the first victory for Honda in the new under 2 litre touring car series.

Brown launched his Hyundai i30 N into the race lead at the start of Race 2 and was never threatened, as his race rivals managed to turn the race into a crash-fest.

Chris Pither punted himself out of second place when he failed to re-trim his braking balance on a re-start and his Renault Megane turned sharply into a concrete wall at Turn 1.

Jimmy Vernon lost control of his Alfa Romeo and torpedoed into the side of Alex Rullo’s Holden Astra. Vernon’s Alfa was too badly damaged to contest Race 3.

Veteran Audi star Garth Tander, who won yesterday’s first race, drove well for second while James Moffat finished a happy third in his Renault.

In Race 3, Martin became the third different winner from three starts, and scored the first success for Honda, as the TCR Australia Series.

Martin started from fourth and moved forward in the opening laps in his Civic Type R before pouncing on early leader Tander at the halfway point, eventually taking a solid win ahead of Tander and Moffat.

TCR debutant Jordan Cox finished an outstanding fourth, while series leader Brown consolidated his strong title position with a fifth place finish. 

Brown has a sizeable lead in the title race, with Alfa Romeo racer Dylan O’Keefe in second and Tony D’Alberto third overall.

The next round of the carsales TCR Australia Series will be held at Queensland Raceway on August 3-5.

John Martin has taken his first win in the carsales TCR Australia Series. Click on image for high-resolution image options.

QUOTES

John Martin
Driver, Wall Racing Honda


“To get the win here is a massive relief," said John Martin. 

"It has been a long time coming. We were quick at Sydney and Phillip Island, but through incidents that were no fault of our own, we haven't really touched the score sheet. It has been frustrating.

“But to finally get it done here at The Bend, it is amazing. It’s great to prove that we can do it, and it’s great to repay the Wall Racing crew and Honda with a top result.”

Garth Tander
Driver, Melbourne Performance Centre Audi

"It was a fantastic weekend. To get Audi’s first win in Australia yesterday was great and to back that up with two second place finishes today was an excellent result for the team," said Garth Tander.

“We’re still learning what the car needs, and we really improved the car over the weekend.

“I've really enjoyed the two races I’ve done at Phillip Island and The Bend, and if the opportunities arise again, I’d certainly like to look at doing more.

"I might not be racing another category full-time anymore, but I still love racing and enjoying it. If I can dovetail it into other commitments that I have, then I’d love to do more racing in TCR.”

James Moffat 
Driver, Garry Rogers Motorsport Renault

“I guess it goes to show that you should never give up,” said James Moffat.

“On Friday, it looked like things were going to be up against us after the incident in practice, and we didn’t even know if we were going to fix the car.

“To come out and grab pole position was a great thrill – the first one for Renault in TCR globally – and then being punted out of the lead ... It was just one of those up and down days.

“Today was a little more sensible. A double podium, really good points for our championship and we have a straight car and we can move onto the next round.”


Facebook
Facebook
Visitas
Visitantes em linha
contador gratuito de visitas Total de visitas
Contacte-nos