RICCIARDELLO CLEANS UP AT MALLALA ROUND
Tony Ricciardello has triumphed at Mallala Motorsport Park to clean-sweep the opening round of the 2014 Kerrick Sports Sedan Series whilst resetting the track record and claiming not one, but two ‘marquee’ trophies.
After claiming victory in the morning’s race aboard his #5 B&M Ricciardello Motors Chevrolet-powered Alfa Romeo GTV, the seven-time champion set a new lap record on his way to victory and a record fourth Clem Smith Trophy at midday before going on to secure the Des Wall Trophy in the final race of the weekend.
In the first outing for the Kerrick Sports Sedans – part of the second round of the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals - Ricciardello’s victory came after a tight early battle with sparring partner Darren Hossack, with the driver of the #4 Auto Union Deutche Audi A4 holding out Ricciardello for a number of laps with plenty of dicing afoot. The defending champion Bruce Banks crossed the line in third, while Colin Smith and Steve Tamasi rounded out the top five. Tamasi enjoyed his national series debut this weekend and had earlier looked set to secure third before going off the track coming on to the straight late in the race.
In the Clem Smith Cup, Hossack and Ricciardello again put on a great show with Hossack leading for the first nine laps before Ricciardello was able to take the lead soon after setting a new lap record. Hossack crossed the line second, with Tamasi in third with Banks and Smith closing up the top five.
In both races Tamasi and Bradford put on a tousle for the fans for third position, with Bradford even charging from the rear of the grid in race two to be in second position before a locked gearbox saw the Aston Air Chev Camaro driver spin out of the race and the rest of his weekend. The Queenslander had started on the rear of the grid after an oil line issue in race one saw him out of the race after earlier running third.
In the battle for the Des Wall Trophy, Ricciardello was never headed, leading the race from start to finish from Darren Hossack who lost his second position to Steve Tamasi on the final corner of the race courtesy of a deflated tyre. Banks and Smith again closed out the top five.
By virtue of his performance, Ricciardello is now sitting atop the title points table ahead of Darren Hossack and Steven Tamasi. The Kerrick Sports Sedan Series will now head to Winton Motor Raceway for round two across 13-15 June. For full information, go to www.sportssedans.com.au.
RESULTS: ROUND ONE: KERRICK SPORTS SEDAN SERIES AT MALLALA MOTORSPORT PARK
Race one – top five
Tony Ricciardello - #5 B&M Ricciardello Motors Alfa Romeo GTV
Darren Hossack - #4 Auto Union Deutche Audi A4
Bruce Banks - #1 BJ Banks Electrical Mazda RX7
Colin Smith - #44 MR Automotive Holden Monaro
Steven Tamasi - #9 Domain Prestige Homes Holden Calibra
Race two/Clem Smith Cup – top five
Tony Ricciardello - #5 B&M Ricciardello Motors Alfa Romeo GTV
Darren Hossack - #4 Auto Union Deutche Audi A4
Steven Tamasi - #9 Domain Prestige Homes Holden Calibra
Bruce Banks - #1 BJ Banks Electrical Mazda RX7
Colin Smith - #44 MR Automotive Holden Monaro
Race three – top five
Tony Ricciardello - #5 B&M Ricciardello Motors Alfa Romeo GTV
Steven Tamasi - #9 Domain Prestige Homes Holden Calibra
Darren Hossack - #4 Auto Union Deutche Audi A4
Bruce Banks - #1 BJ Banks Electrical Mazda RX7
Colin Smith - #44 MR Automotive Holden Monaro
Meeting points – top three
Tony Ricciardello - #5 B&M Ricciardello Motors Alfa Romeo GTV – 135 points
Darren Hossack - #4 Auto Union Deutche Audi A4 – 122 points
Steven Tamasi - #9 Domain Prestige Homes Holden Calibra – 117 points
Bruce Banks - #1 BJ Banks Electrical Mazda RX7 – 110 points
Colin Smith - #44 MR Automotive Holden Monaro - 101 points
To get the full story and more details on the racing visit: http://www.sportssedans.com.au
