FIGHT IN THE NIGHT DELIVERS AT QUEENSLAND RACEWAY

12 Aug FIGHT IN THE NIGHT DELIVERS AT QUEENSLAND RACEWAY

Posted at 21:56h in Motor, racing by

The Fight in the Night has always been an action-packed part of Mobil 1 Australian Production Cars history and the 2023 instalment was no different.

Taking the outright and Class X victory was Iain Sherrin (#72 Sherrin Rentals BMW M4), with a successful last lap manoeuvre allowing Iain to cross the line ahead of outright runner-up and A2 winner Lindsay Kearns (#25 TyrePlus Burleigh Ford Mustang). Making the win even more impressive is the fact that the #72 started the race from the rear of the grid alongside his team-mate Grant Sherrin (#27 Sherrin Rentals BMW M4) after both entries failed to finish race one due to fuel pump issues.

Third for APC and 2nd in Class X was Tim Leahey in the #22 Leahey Auto Group/Bruce Lynton Service BMW M80 M3.

Next across the line was the B2 class winner, Ben Gersekowski (#38 KCK Lubricants/Vic’s Timber BMW M3), while Beric Lynton rounded out the top five while claiming 3rd for Class X in the #23 Bruce Lynton Service BMW F80 M3.

For Grant Sherrin it was a case of what could have been this evening, with his #72 forced to the pits for a second stop while leading the APC and Class X standings with 23 minutes to go, due to his first stop having been declared as having been taken outside of the CPS window. Even so, he would put in a great effort to recover to 6th outright for APC and 4th in Class X.

Rob Gooley (7th outright/5th for Class X) in the #60 Speedcafe/Ultimate Diesel Tuning BMW F82 M4 and Class A1 winner Cameron Crick (#118 DA Campbell Transport Mitsubishi X) were next across the line, with Andrew Miedecke (#95 Andrew Miedecke Ford-backed Ford Mustang) and the Class C winning Jake Camilleri (#36 Grand Prix Mazda Caboolture Mazda 3 MPS) rounding out the top ten.

Also taking out class victories were Rob Rubis (#29 Fierce Racing BMW 135i – B1 winner, 13th outright), Phil Alexander (#35 RaceAway Track Time Nissan Pulsar – D winner, 19th outright) and Shane Fowler (#31 SpeedSales.com.au Mazda 3 SP23 – E winner, 20th outright).

Also claiming podium placings in their classes were Hadrian Morrall (2nd for A1, 11th outright – #9 Parramatta Vehicle Services Mitsubishi Evo), Tom Needham (2nd for C, 12th outright – #34 All Carbitz Mazda 3 MPS), Cem Yucel (3rd for A1, 14th outright – #222 Harding Performance VW Golf), Karlie Buccini/Michael Von Rappard (2nd for B1, 15th outright – #999 Brisbane Motor Works BMW 135i), Mitch Randall/Chris Gunther (3rd for C, 17th outright – #15 Wahlstrom Financial Services BMW E87 130i) and Ettore Vosolo (2nd for B2, 18th outright – #119 Axis Surveys BMW E92 M3).

While Wade Scott might not have secured a podium finish, taking out fourth in A1 from 16th outright, it was a solid effort nonetheless after starting rear of grid after missing yesterday’s race one following a lost wheel in qualifying.

A total of six competitors were unable to finish the Fight in the Night, with Liam Moyse (#97 GenFit/Butlers Vehicles Toyota 86 – blown head gasket), Garry Beggs (#41 RED Holden Commodore – suspension damage), Anthony Levitt (#16 AMG Spares Mercedes C63 AMG – threw a power steering belt), Allan Jarvis (#70 TOA57D Motorsport VW Polo GTi – exploded brake rotor), Chris Holdt (#51 Lithostone Surfaces Holden Commodore VZ) and Michael Rowell (#3 Rowell Logistics Ford Mustang GT) all falling foul of lady luck today, with Beggs and Rowell each bringing out a safety car when they became stranded on track in separate incidents with 60 minutes and 8 minutes remaining respectively.

The Fight in the Night ran over a shortened race distance of 70 minutes instead of its scheduled two hours this evening, with the original 5.55pm race start delayed significantly following a late race on-track incident in the preceding event. At 6.45pm the race was declared open for a shortened running time of 70 minutes, concluding one lap after 7.53pm.

Round three of the 2023 Mobil 1 Australian Production Cars season will conclude at Queensland Raceway on Sunday August 13, with a hour-long race at 10.05am.

For further information about Mobil 1 Australian Production Cars and Monochrome GT4 Australia, please contact admin@ausprodcars.com.au or visit www.ausprodcars.com.au