Press Release Courtesy of Super Sedans Tasmania.
Hobart’s Steve Latham has taken out the opening round of the Tazz Auto Shots Tasmanian Super Sedan Series at Cranes Combined Carrick Speedway this past Saturday night.
Robbie Bird made his return to the track after a year off with a Sweet Chassis, and marked his return with a heat race victory in the opening heat of the night. Bird led home Callum Harper in second, and Corey Jetson in third who both started from the back of the pack.
Latham kicked his night off in perfect fashion with a commanding victory in heat two. Wayne Dillon crossed the line in second, ahead of Nathan Howells in third who completed the all southern podium.
Harper dominated the action in heat three, crossing the line more than five seconds clear of his nearest competitor. Latham was next across the line in second, and Gil Aylett rounded out the podium in third.
Marcus Alexander was too good in the final heat of the night. Dillon crossed the line second, for his second runner up finish of the night, ahead of South Australian Kym Jury in third.
Harper and Latham were tied on points heading into the twenty five lap feature race. Harper secured pole position through having the fastest lap in the heat races.
Drama struck for Harper the pole sitter before the race could get going. Harper suffered a battery issue and would be forced to watch the main event from the infield.
Harper’s demise would promote Dillon to the front row for the main event.
Latham got the best of the start and powered out of turn two into the lead.
Latham led lap one from Dillon in second, Bird in third, Alexander in fourth and Jetson in fifth, with the first caution coming out for a spinning Josh Piscioneri in turn three.
A complete restart was ordered and Latham again got the best of the start from Dillon, Bird, Alexander and Brad McMaster entering the top five.
McMaster went deep on the brakes into turn one and powered around the outside of Alexander into fourth position. Jetson capitalised as well to take fifth place from Alexander, before a slip up from McMaster allowed the rookie Jetson through to fourth position to start lap four.
The battle for the minor placings raged on, as Bird sailed around the outside to take the runner up spot on lap four, before the caution light was back out with twenty laps remaining.
From the restart Bird and Dillon made contact with both cars spinning in front of the field. A massive melee ensued with ten cars involved in the pile up.
Bird was deemed as the primary cause of the stoppage by the stewards and was sent to the rear for the restart.
Latham led at the resumption from Dillon, McMaster, Jetson and Jury who entered the top five for the first time.
Jetson fought back to reclaim third position and go after his first Super Sedan podium.
Dillon got a bit untidy in turns one and two, putting a clamp on his and Jetson’s momentum, leaving the top side open for McMaster to blast around the outside into second position with seventeen laps to run.
McMaster would have to do it all over again, as the red light was out after Kaylum Eiszele rolled on the back straight, ending his debut in disappointment.
Latham again led at the resumption from Dillon, Jetson, McMaster and Jury with eighteen laps to run.
Dillon found himself under all sorts of pressure from Jetson in third, who was trying every line in a bid to take second position.
It all came unstuck for Jetson on lap thirteen as he went into turn one too deep and had to spin to avoid running through the back of Dillon. McMaster had nowhere to go and made contact with Jetson, whose race would end with right front steering damage.
Latham led the field to the green flag with twelve laps remaining. Dillon ran second, from McMaster, Jury and Dwaine Sonners in the top five.
Howells ran seventh, but found a nice line around the bottom of the track and quickly moved into fifth relegating first Bird and then Sonners in consecutive laps.
Howells continued to be the fastest car on the track and quickly reeled Jury in and blasted around the outside and into fourth position with three laps remaining.
Out front Latham streaked away to claim the opening round victory. Dillon was next across the line in second, from McMaster in third who recorded his first ever Super Sedan podium.
Jury fought back in his battle with Howells to claim fourth, as Howells rounded out the top five.
Sonners was next across the line in sixth, from Bird in seventh, and the lead rookie of the race Justin Goss rounding out the finishers in eight position.
The Tazz Auto Shots Tasmanian Super Sedan Series will be back on track this weekend for round two at Autoklene Hobart Raceway.
Tazz Auto Shots Media Tasmanian Super Sedan Series Round One
A Main – 25 laps
1. T8 Steve Latham, 2. T48 Wayne Dillon, 3. T52 Brad McMaster, 4. S93 Kym Jury, 5. T7 Nathan Howells, 6. T18 Dwaine Sonners, 7. T71 Robbie Bird, 8. T43 Justin Goss, DNF T6 Corey Jetson (13), T10 Andrew Poke (13), T45 Kaylum Eiszele (7), T4 Marcus Alexander (4), T11 Gil Aylett (4), T73 Grant Hopkins (4), T55 Josh Piscioneri (4), DNS T22 Callum Harper, T75 Brendan Flynn, T88 Paul Howard.
Super Sedans Tasmania are proudly supported by;
Tazz Auto Shots Media
Speedway Sedans Tasmania
Richmond Speedway Inc
Nets Tasmania
Walsh Roofing
Australian Racing Products
Jury’s Earthworks
Roberts Don Mac
Document Management Tasmania
EB Graphics
Tas Plant & Supervision Hire
Masters Roofing
Total Automotive & 4WD
Gunn Fabrication
