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Vaughan takes dramatic Super3 opener in Townsville
In a safety car-tainted first race of the Dunlop Super3 Series in Townsville, it was a thrilling fight for victory where Brad Vaughan edged out Kai Allen by two tenths of a second.
Allen (Eggleston Motorsport Holden Commodore VE) had led at the start with Vaughan (Anderson Motorsport Ford Falcon FG) third initially until he passed Blake Fardell (Muscle Car warehouse VE) before the end of the first lap.
RESULTS: Dunlop Super3 Race 1
Vaughan was then able to grab the lead with a measure move on lap two. He had a better exit from the corner and slipped down the inside of Allen at turn three – just able to manage the move before the safety car boards came out.
Once the race went green Vaughan was able to hold off Allen, despite the fact the the pair were embroiled in a heady Super2 battle. They ultimately finished 13th and 14th outright, with Fardell two spots further back as he a grabbed a Super3 third.
The safety car was brought about when Super2’s Angelo Mouzouris went head-on into a tyre barrier. Garry Hills (AC Electrical VE) was stopped on circuit after he had a brush with a wall.
At the race resumption Steven Page (Page Brothers VE) who was fourth, ploughed into the tyres at turn 11 which brought out the second safety car.
Behind the Championship trio, Jim Pollicina (Mocomm VE) finished fourth and first in Super3 Cup ahead of class rivals Chris Smerdon (Matt Stone Racing FG), Jarred Danaher (Turbo Brisbane FG), Ray Hislop (Nulon FG), Layton Barker (NPH VE) and Jason Gomersall (MSR/Unit FG).
James Masterton (VE) and Tony Auddino (Crusher Parts Falcon BF) were the next two to finish after both incurred the wrath of stewards for restart infringements while Shane Beikoff was a non-starter after damage from an incident in qualifying.
The Dunlop Super3 Series field returns for a second qualifying session and race tomorrow at the NTI Townsville 500.