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Supertrucks and Superstars shine at Oran Park |
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Sunday, 27 April 2008 |
Round two of the 2008 Shannons Nationals at Oran Park Raceway on 26-27 April had it all, with V8 Supercar drivers and Supertrucks stealing the show.
Sydney's fortnight of rain cleared in time for the event, with a healthy crowd treated to an exciting weekend of racing, which included the popular Tankworld Supertrucks and cameos from a pair of V8 Supercar aces.  Returning to the Tankworld Australian Supertruck Nationals, new series sponsor John Falk recovered from early problems to win two of the four races, including the 15-lap Superprix. "I've had a great time, it's good to be back," Falk said. "We only picked up the truck six weeks ago, so to not only get everything ready to race this weekend but to pick up a couple of wins is a credit to our crew." Three-time defending series champion Bob Middleton and Colin Lovett also took a race win each, with Middleton taking the series lead. Falk's son Ben made it a great day for the family by winning the co-drivers class, while Oran Park local Steve Coulter was second outright in the Superprix and took the Light Truck honours. Making a one-off returning to the category where he cut his teeth, Supercar rising star Lee Holdsworth won all three Holden Commodore Cup races. The wins were Holdsworth's first in Commodore Cup, and continues his run of success at the Western-Sydney circuit, having won his maiden V8 round in his previous visit.
"I had a sensational time here this weekend, running with the family team again," Holdsworth said. "It was a great weekend of racing, and it was a lot of fun to come back to Commodore Cup and go racing in a more relaxed environment." Michael Tancredi was second for the weekend, with Adam Lloyd third.
Gavin Bullas took a clean sweep of the Biante Touring Car Masters action in his Ford Mustang, holding out a challenge from Brad Tilley (Ford XY GT) in the final race. A late inclusion to the field, Jim Richards was third in a Ford Mustang, with V8 Supercar ace Steve Richards sixth, having come from the rear of grid.  Driving a 1600cc Ford Escort against significantly more-powerful opposition, Steve Richards was a crowd favourite. He was involved in a four-car battle for third in the opening race, eventually finishing sixth, before striking gearbox troubles in race two. British driver James Winslow finished first and second in the two Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship races, and moves into the lead of the Gold Star battle. "This is a win for everyone who has supported me in the past and made this weekend happen," Winslow, who changed teams between rounds and was driving a new Mercedes-powered Dallara F307, said.
"I'm now leading the championship so hopefully we can get some new backers on the car to continue the year and the championship assault."
Leanne Tander took out race one, while Sydneysider Neil McFadyen started each race from pole position but had to fight back into the top-five after slow starts. In Saloon Car competition, Kris Walton and Matt Lovell split the wins, with Lovell claiming the round win and moving into second in the series standings behind Steve Kwiatkowski, who had a consistent weekend. This weekend's racing from Oran Park will be broadcast on Speedweek, SBS, on Sunday 18 May from 1:30pm, check local guides for times. Round three of the 2008 Shannons Nationals will be held at Mallala Motorsport Park, north of Adelaide, on 17-18 May.
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