Brilliant opening day at Wakefield Park for round #1 of the 2011 Shannons Nationals, and 19 Kumho Tyres V8 Touring Cars was a sight to behold, to quote former GRM engine supremo Mike Exell, it was.. "just like the good old days.."
We started with 20 cars, but Melbourne's Shaun Fennell was out early with a leaking front engine seal, frustrating for him after a major engine refresh prior to the event.
Apart from that, everyone lined up for qualifying and a tremendous effort from Scott Loadsman in the final moments of qualifying saw him take pole position with a best of 60.3524, after Terry Wyhoon held P1 for the bulk of the session.
Wyhhon recovered to take the point for Time Attack after Loadsman ran wide on his hot lap, dropping him to seventh.
Aaron Tebb had been putting in some steady laps in the ex-Garth Tander VY, but was unable to start the Time Attack session with an engine leak, the team resolving it as the field formed up for the opening race.
Qualifying results saw;
1. Scott Loadsman - Commodore VY
2. Terry Wyhoon - Ford Falcon BA
3. Justin Garioch - Falcon BA
4. Jim Pollicina - Commodore VY
5. Tony Evangelou - Falcon BA
6. Chris Smerdon - Falcon BA
7. Mark Shepherd - Falcon BA
8. John Vergotis - Falcon AU
9. Steven Voight - Commodore VY
10. Aaron Tebb - Commodore VY
Time Attack results;
1. Terry Wyhoon - Ford Falcon BA
2. Jim Pollicina - Commodore VY
3. Tony Evangelou - Falcon BA
4. Justin Garioch - Falcon BA
5. Steven Voight - Commodore VY
6. Chris Smerdon - Falcon BA
7. Scott Loadsman - Commodore VY
8. Mark Shepherd - Falcon BA
9. John Vergotis - Falcon AU
Wyhoon led the field away from reigning champion Tony Evangelou who mounted an assault on the run up the hill, but almost came to a stop on the exit of the right-hander, dropping to rear of field in the process. Almost as quickly as he came to a stop he was going again, but had lost almost a lap to race leader Wyhoon, who was on a mission.
Behind him a terrific battle was unfolding between impressive series debutantes Pollicina and Justin Garioch, and Sydney Star Racing’s Steven Voight.
At the flag though it was all Wyhoon, the seasoned touring car campaigner crossing the line 12 seconds clear of Loadsman, with Justin Garioch leading home Chris Smerdon, Pollicina, Voight, John Vergotis and Nathan Garioch.
Race one (15 laps) results;
1. Terry Wyhoon - Ford Falcon BA
2. Scott Loadsman - Commodore VY
3. Justin Garioch - Falcon BA
4. Chris Smerdon - Falcon BA
5. Jim Pollicina - Commodore VY
6. Steven Voight - Commodore VY
7. Nathan Garioch - Falcon BA
8. John Vergotis - Falcon AU
9. Matthew Hansen - VY Commodore
10. Mark Shepherd - Falcon BA
Sunday will see races two (11:15am AEST) and three (3:30pm AEST), both 15 lappers, and both will stream live on
www.itvlive.com.au