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Perfect Weekend Vaults Russell To Top Of Privateer Standings |
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Sunday, 09 July 2006 |
A perfect weekend in Round 3 of the 2006 STS Turbo Australian Performance Car Championship at Eastern Creek Raceway has seen Drew Russell vault to the top of the Ferntree Gully Holden Privateers Cup standings.
Russell’s debut in the class at Wakefield Park in May aboard the Go Karts Go Mazda RX7 was hampered by engine problems. When it became apparent the car wouldn’t be ready to race this weekend at the Sydney circuit, the decision was made to switch to the Go Karts Go Honda S2000 in an attempt to race and salvage points from the weekend.
The car, driven by Russell to success in the Australian Production Car Championship, was recently made eligible for the STS Australian Turbo Australian Performance Car Championship.
Despite modest expectations, the car was in its element. In qualifying, the Newcastle youngster set a time of 1:48.1714 on his first flying lap of the 3.93km circuit. It was the fastest time in the Privateers Cup class, and eventually good enough for 10th on the outright grid for Race 1.
“When I did that lap, I said to the guys on the radio that there was no
way we could better that time in the session,” Russell said.
“I reckon it was one of the best laps I’ve ever done around Eastern
Creek, and it’s the fastest the car has ever been around here by over
two seconds, so we brought it in and watched the rest of the session
from the pits.”
With that boost of confidence under his belt, the 18 year-old took to
Sunday’s races. With outright results of ninth, ninth and seventh in
the three 12-lap hit-outs, Russell took a clean sweep of wins and the
maximum 93 points in the Ferntree Gully Holden Privateers Cup.
“It’s been a great weekend,” he enthused. “When we found out the Mazda
wasn’t going to be available for the weekend, we weren’t sure how
competitive the Honda would be, but it’s turned out really well.
“The guys gave me a great car which hasn’t missed a beat all weekend,
so big thanks to them. In the races, we had a bit of work to do early
on to move up to the top of the Privateers Cup cars, but once I did
that, it was good to be able to push hard, get into a rhythm and
eventually take the wins.”
Russell’s successful weekend sees him move to the top of the Ferntree
Gully Holden Privateers Cup standings. Having entered the weekend 42
points in arrears of HSV GTS driver Mark Cohen, Russell leaves with a
three point advantage.
Next up, the STS Turbo Australian Performance Car Championship heads to
Phillip Island Raceway in Victoria, for Round 4 on August 19-20.
“To leave this weekend with the class points lead isn’t something we
expected, especially after the troubles with the Mazda,” said Russell.
“But we stuck at it and have come away with an excellent result.
“The Mazda has a new engine coming, so we’ll get back in that for
Phillip Island and hopefully have another good weekend down there.”
Global Racing Industries thanks the support of Go Karts Go, Ric Shaw
Performance, Oran Park Raceway, The Kloster Group, Koala Glass and
Bells Radiators.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 January 2007 )
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