Joel Heinrich sustains pressure to win Townsville opener
Reigning Battery World Aussie Racing Cars Super Series winner Joel Heinrich has converted pole to victory in the opener at Townsville.
MTA NSW’s Kody Garland and impressive Corish Motorsport rookie Mason Harvey put the pressure on throughout, but Heinrich was able to hold on to secure his first victory at the venue.
Heinrich won the start as Garland snatched second off leading Rookie Cup contender Harvey as the top three started to built a margin back to the Koan Solutions entry of Adrian DiMauro.
After losing position in the cut and thrust of the opening few corners, Western Sydney Motorsport’s Cody Brewczynski was setting and resetting the lap record back in fourth after demoting DiMauro.
Another victim of the opening lap was Masters Cup leader Kent Quinn after he made contact with Brewczynski at Turn 3 resulting in the front clip popping up requiring a trip to pit lane.
Title contender Reece Chapman’s tough weekend went from bad to worse as he stopped the Guardian Interlock Services/Motorsport 25 entry on the front straight.
A spin for Jeff Watters for Fight MND nearly caught out Safe Direction’s Shane Mann, but contact was avoided and both recovered.
Heating up at the front, Garland attempted a pass at Turn 2 for the lead, but ran wide allowing Heinrich to complete the switchback.
The battling duo in front allowed Harvey to catch back up setting up a thrilling final lap.
Heinrich was able to hold on from Garland, Harvey a fast closing Brewczynski and DiMauro completed the top five.
Gold Cup winner Scott Dornan in the Action Line Marking entry was sixth ahead of series returnee Peter Carr for Skin First Skin Cancer Clinics, Riskie Racing’s Brandon Madden, the Competition Coatings Mustang of Nathan Williams and Courtney Prince rounded out the top 10 driving the Black Diamond Building and Construction Euro GT.
Harvey led the Rookie Cup standings from Corish Motorsports teammate Jordan Freestone and Riskie Racing’s Joseph Andriske.
Behind Dornan in Gold Cup was Property Compliance Australia’s Matt Gooding and Paul Morris in the sole Nissan Altima in the field.
Cody Mckay took the Masters Cup victory ahead of Western Sydney Motorsport’s Craig Thompson and Brett Osborn for Osborn’s Transport.
Race 2 for the Battery World Aussie Racing Cars Super Series at Townsville will commence at 11:30am AEST tomorrow live on Kayo/Fox Sports 506.