The long-standing outright lap record at Winton Motor Raceway has been broken today, a determined Chris Anthony becoming the fastest-ever driver around the nation’s action track during the final Formula 3 race, which was held as part of the weekend’s Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals.
Driving his Gilmour Racing Dallara F311, Anthony recorded a 1:14.3401 on lap 14 of this afternoon’s 18-lap F3 final, 0.2s underneath the previous record which had been held by Christian Murchison (Formula Holden) since July, 2000.
Anthony achieved the lap record during a spirited, but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to chase down runaway race leader Tim Macrow. The two-time national F3 Champion won all three races over the weekend to extend his points lead.
Anthony’s Gilmour Racing team-mate Cameron Shields finished third overall, improving throughout the weekend.
Driving a V8-powered MARC Mazda 3, Jake Camilleri claimed overall honours in the Australian GT Trophy Series round, benefiting from some misfortune for his rivals.
Camilleri finished the first of two 50-minute races in third place behind Greg Taylor (Audi R8) and Nick Rowe (MARC Mazda 3). Taylor again looked to be in control in Race 2, but scored a drive-through penalty for a pit stop infringement, while Rowe retired with a gearbox problem, enabling Camilleri to take the race and round victories. Taylor still finished second overall while Jack Smith (MARC Ford Focus) was third.
Holden Racing Team Supercar endurance driver Jack Perkins entered the weekend with 12 consecutive race wins in the Kerrick Sports Sedan Series, aboard the John Gourlay-owned Audi A4, and Perkins extended the streak to 13 wins in Race 1. However, mechanical problems ruled Perkins out of Races 2 and 3, allowing nine-time champ Tony Ricciardello (Alfa GTV) to win the round from Michael Robinson (Holden Monaro) and Stuart Inwood (Chevrolet Corvette Trans-Am).
Hamish Hardeman seized the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge lead with a clean-sweep of victories, including Saturday afternoon’s 35 lap Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race. Hardeman’s main opponent, Jaxon Evans, was second in Race 1 but was eliminated from Race 2 in a second corner collision which also involved Ross McGregor, Brian Finn, Sam Shahin and Anthony Gilbertson.
Porsche Junior driver Jake Klarich capitalised to take the runner-up spot ahead of Jim Campbell.
Roger I’Anson won all three Sports Racer races in his West WR1000 with Aaron Steer finishing second overall in his brand-new West LMP4.
Peter Johnson (Radical SR3) finished third overall, just edging out Benalla Auto Club committee member John Morriss (Radical SR3 RSX) for the final spot on the podium.
