News
Macrow claims incident-filled Tasman Series opener
TIM Macrow duelled Luis Leeds for the opening race in the Shannons S5000 Tasman Series, winning an incident-filled opener at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Starting from the front row of the grid, Macrow and Leeds were equal on the run to the flat-out opening corner at Sydney Motorsport Park and raced wheel to wheel through the turn and all the way to turn two.
RESULTS: Race 1
Macrow grabbing a decisive advantage on the exit of the corner was key to his victory – a lap one Safety Car slowing proceedings following a high-speed off for Nathan Herne at turn one.
The young Victorian speared off the road at high speed, spinning several times across the runoff before making contact with the barriers.
The incident came via a broken ball joint in the rear suspension – caused by earlier running wide on the exit of turn seven, where the circuit verge drops significantly following three weeks of continuous racing.
Herne was unscathed in the incident, with the Valvoline GRM team expected to have the car repaired in time for race two.
The race restarted with Macrow and Leeds again duelling through turn one – however it would be a short-lived battle as Joey Mawson was next to be claimed by Sydney’s opening corner.
The Gold Star champion’s Team BRM Alabar / Form 700 entry snapped on entry and fired the Sydneysider off the road, meaning he was another to find the barriers in the runoff but to emerge unscathed.
With time constraints in play, the race was called after nine laps were completed; Macrow beating Leeds and James Golding to the line.
Aaron Cameron gained two spots from the start to finish fourth in his first S5000 start, while Roberto Merhi finished where he started in fifth.
The second race of the weekend will feature a reverse top nine order and will start at 5:25pm local time.
The race will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 506, Kayo Sport and Channel 7.