BIANTE Touring Car Masters in Action Oran Park
The BIANTE Touring Car Masters bounce back into action this weekend at Sydney’s Oran Park Raceway.
After a two month break since the opening round at the Clipsal 500 and nearly four years since the BIANTE Series last visit to Oran Park, the BIANTE boys will be all fired up to have a red hot go at the historic circuit now in its final year of operation. With a change in structure, now Division 1 & 2, the series puts equal emphasis on 2 separate Divisions that are on track together. The winner of Division 2 is equal to the winner in Division 1.
2007 BIANTE champion Steve Mason (1969 Camaro) commenced his defence in fine style by winning the Round for Division 1 with 174 points, at Clipsal which also included his maiden victory at the street circuit in race three. Mason believes his team is well prepared for another successful season.
“Ned from Hercules Competition has provided another fantastic engine and the great Ronnie Missen has got the suspension set up right on the money. The biggest difference this year is the tyres (Hoosier radial approved for 2008 season) – they’re fantastic. We only used one set for the whole meeting in Adelaide and they are great to race on” said Mason.
Mason thinks two time BIANTE Series winner Brad Tilley (1971 XY Falcon) will be a major threat on his home track. Tilley has won numerous races in the Group N category at Oran Park and also has the impressive record of taking victories every year the BIANTE Series has visited the circuit.
Garry Treloar (Charger) will be very strong in Division 2, having shared the Division win with Tony Hunter, who is not running this weekend, with 168 points each, along with team mate Mick Wilson (Charger) as they try to keep the rapid Torana XU-1 of Chris Wilson and the sweet handling Porsches of Rory O`Neill and John Nelson at bay. This will also be the first outing for Greg East’s new White Holden HQ, with Gary O’Brien taking over the driving duties of the Black car #18 HQ.
The real dark horse could be Bathurst winner and current V8 Supercar star Steven Richards. The Ford Performance Racing driver will slot into the ex Michael Stillwell Escort that Glenn Seton drove so spectacularly at Clipsal. Fresh from three straight second place finishes at the most recent V8 Supercar round in New Zealand, Richards is in great form and is no stranger to flinging an Escort around. Steven owns a fully race prepared Mark I Escort himself that he utilizes on Tarmac Rallies when his busy Supercar schedule allows.
This allows for a head to head race between Steven and father Jim, as although the Falcon Sprint of Jim’s isn’t quite ready, Chris Stillwell has gallantly stepped aside from his Mustang, to allow Jim to drive this weekend. We now have both Richards’ driving in both Stillwell Fords for what will be a ripper head to head battle!
Another Ford worth watching will be the Divivion 1 Boss Mustang of Gavin Bullas. The Victorian bagged numerous pole positions and wins last year and his spectacular driving style makes him a real treat to watch, this may well be the last race for the Boss power of the Mustang, as it was scheduled to be replaced by a 351 for this round, but that engine still isn’t ready, so the old Boss had to be slotted back in. Fired up to grab some big points after missing the opening round will be fellow Boss Mustang pilot and last season’s runner up Eddie Abelnica. The former Thunderdome ace won all three races at the similarly undulating Barbagallo circuit last year and should be right in the mix.
Round Two of the 2008 BIANTE Touring Car Masters commences on Saturday 26/04 with practice at 0900, qualifying at 1130 and 1425 with Race One at 1600. Race Two will be early Sunday 27/04 at 0920 and the final 14 lapper at 1220.
Technorati Tags: BIANTE Touring Car Masters, Oran Park, Australia, Motorsports
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