Gartner wins Round 5 at Winton

Hi-Tec Oils Camaro driver Brad Gartner has won Round 5 of the TFH Hire TA2 Muscle Car Series Framed by Hytek Steel Framing after a Sunday sweep of Races 2, 3 and 4 at Winton Motor Raceway.

Gartner took home all three races on Sunday ahead of Race 1 victor Josh Haynes to take the round win ahead of Haynes and Mark Bailey with a maiden round podium in the JAX Tyres & Auto Camaro.

Haynes lead the field away in Race 2 as Gartner challenged for the lead at Turn 3 on the opening lap but couldn’t make it stick. Gartner closed in again and made a decisive move into Turn 1 on Lap 3 and was never headed from there.

Wet weather master Hayden Jackson stormed his way through to the podium from 17th in a stunning drive through the pack.

It was a tough race for the TFH Racing crew as Des Collier had a spin at Turn 7 on Lap 1 while Josh Thomas spun at Turn 11 on Lap 5. West Aussie Brett Niall had a wild ride backwards through Turn 1 on Lap 6.

On Lap 7 John Holinger made contact with Graham Cheney which sent the PHD machine around at Turn 11 on Lap 7, with Holinger receiving a drive-through penalty as a result.

Gartner took the lead off the start in Race 3 as Haynes had to yield through Turns 1 & 2. Haynes regained the lead on Lap 2, holding on around the outside of Turn 10 to take the lead into the final two right handers at Turn 11.

Race 2 podium finisher Jackson suffered a puncture after contact with Jason Pryde and dropped to the back of the field, as Bailey moved up to third. Aaron Prosser got by Mark Crutcher through Turn 1 for fourth on Lap 2. 

The safety car was called on Lap 3 when Domain Ramsay blew an oil line after passing Robbie Farr at Turn 1. Ramsay spun into the tyres on the infield as Farr spun on Ramsay’s oil.

A lengthy clean up saw a five lap dash to the chequered flag. Gartner and Haynes continued to trade the lead before Gartner ultimately got in front at Turn 3 on the penultimate lap, with Mark Bailey scoring his maiden TA2 podium in third place.

Pryde ran wide at Turn 1 off the start of Race 4 but fortunately wasn’t collected on the rejoin.

Mark Crutcher spun at Turn 7 on lap 1 after contact with John Holinger. Holinger then spun off at Turn 5 on Lap 5, as Thomas did the same a lap later.

Cheney was on the comeback drive, sliding down the inside of Mark Bailey for fourth at Turn 3.

Haynes challenged Gartner early but Gartner managed the gap and held on for a 1.5 second win over Haynes and Aaron Prosser, who scored a maiden podium finish in only his second event.

A win yesterday and a trio of seconds for Haynes today has seen him extend his lead at the top of the championship to 82 points over Graham Cheney, with Gartner a further 25 points back.

With Cheney set to miss the final round with clashing commitments at the Gold Coast 500, the stage is set for a championship battle between Haynes and Gartner at the final round of the season at One Raceway on 25-27 October, headlining the final round of the Hi-Tec Super Series.

QUOTES

Brad Gartner, #22 Hi-Tec Oils Chevrolet Camaro

“I said to Tim Brook on the radio that we earned that one. 

“Yesterday we probably weren't that good and we knew we had to go to work and the wet gave me some good confidence and then the win this morning, it couldn't have gone better.

“I can't thank all my local sponsors enough. MED Electrical, T & S Tippers, Castec Rural Supplies, MP Auto and Air Conditioning, Southern Auto Body, Palm Family, Merrett Logging, everyone that helps me out, and George Gambino from Hi-Tec Oils for giving me this opportunity and I'm just glad we put it all together.”

Josh Haynes, #37 Herzog Steel Ford Mustang

“We had a really quick car at the start of the weekend, but come to the end of the weekend, Brad had that advantage. Well done to Brad. They had a quick car. We were pushing pretty hard at the end there. It was a great race and a great battle.

“I can't do it without any of my sponsors, so it means the world to me and the car wouldn't get out on track without my team at Waltec Motorsport. 

“We've still got a good lead and next one's the home round, so looking forward to it.” 

Mark Bailey, #12 JAX Tyres & Auto Chevrolet Camaro

“It was brilliant racing. So many tricky conditions over the weekend with all the wet weather. I couldn't keep up with the front two, but managed to get it back for a podium.

“Big thanks to JAX Tyres & Auto, The Stable and Broken Hearts Burger Club and especially Ash Seward Motorsport for giving me a great car.”