Asian Motor Sports

Adam Gowans has dominated the final round of the Aussie Racing Cars Super Series at Phillip Island to take an emphatic series victory.

Gowans won three of the four races this weekend, only missing out in the wet race 2, in what was a fitting finale’ to the popular series.

“It was great racing this weekend,” Gowans Said.

“I qualified third, and won a really intense race 1. Race 2 was wet and I played it safe finishing 5th.

“Today I was lucky that I got a break in race 3 but I really wanted to win the final race this afternoon.

“There was a big freight train in race 4 and I had a real battle with James Ward. I won the race and the series and it feels great.

“Coming into this round I just wanted to do my best to win the round and the rest would look after itself. It was really up to Lawrence to give up the series as I had been behind all year.

“We came into this year with a lot of momentum from 2008 where I finished off with 5 front row starts.

“At Clipsal we arrived with a new car and crashed it twice in the first two rounds but I was able to keep collecting points.

“I feel like I have become a better driver over the year, getting faster and keeping cool under pressure. Coming from behind was tough.

“I will be back in 2010 to defend the title, we have good momentum now. A great car and a couple of goo engines are going to help.

“Next year will be exciting becuase at the start of this year it was just Lawrence, Clews and myself up the front but we now have some young guys improving fast, Jacobson, Owen and Cotrell should be right up there.

“I have to thank all my crew for their dedication and the Aussie Racing Cars for running such a great series.”

Gowans was joined in the top three for the round by James Ward and Maurice Masini respectively.

Leading the series heading into the final round was David Lawrence who had a meeting to forget. He was fighting for the lead in race 1 when a last lap tangle cost him a top position. Repairs to the car pushed Lawrence for time and he was left stranded on the out grid and unable to compete in race 2.

He fought back today for some stronger results but it was not enough to hold onto the series lead, he finished second with Clews third in the series points.

Gowans joined the series in 2007 and was immediately on the improve with strong results from the beginning. He won his home round at Symmons Plains Tasmania last year and took two victories this year in his brand new Toyota Aurion car.

Visiting the Phillip Island circuit for the first time, the Aussie Racing Cars put on a magnificent display of racing and four-wide action that had many experienced viewers left in awe.

In the Masters Cup it was Mark Duckworth who won the round with Darrin Masini and Michael hover equal on points for second and third.

Shane Wolki won the Masters Cup Series, his third win in the category’s history. Brendon Tucker was second with Grant Ludbey finishing third.

Race 1 of the Aussie Racing Cars at Phillip Island yesterday has been branded as the ‘best ever’. The combination of the fast, flowing circuit, and the ’Bathurst’ aero kits provided racing that left the drivers, crew and officials in awe.

Here’s what some of them had to say:

Ian Mayberry – CAMS Race Director, “Everyone in the tower thought Race 1 was the best they had ever seen.”

David Catchpole – PI Circuit Manager, “Race 1 is what action is all about, four cars into Siberia is something I have never seen at Phillip Island before.”

Andrew Simmons – Father of Nick Simmons FW1 Racing, “Nick is very excited to be back in the Aussie Racing Cars after racing Formula Ford this year. He is thrilled about how close and clean the racing is. We have had a couple of gremlins in the car today but the boys have sorted them out and we expect to be up the front tomorrow.”

Adam Gowans – Gowans Toyota Aurion, “The track is just amazing and the Aurion is sensational on the fast corners, I love it.”

Kyle Clews – Australec Commodore, “I think that Race 1 was the best I have ever been in, I was first one lap and then eighth the next and had to fight back to the front again – it was awesome.”

Maurice Masini - M&M Civil Racing, “The track is just unbelievable and my car is incredible to drive around here. It is great to have Darrin (brother) in his 40 Ford up the front as well.”

Garry Jacobson – CAMS Young Gun, “Winning a race in the highlight of my year and doing it at Phillip Island is the highlight of my life!” Michael Hovey – QK Technologies Aurion

“Racing and sponsoring the round at this track has been a wonderful experience. This is the best circuit in Australia and I can’t believe the grip generated by the Bathurst wings. Approaching turn 1 at 230km/h is just mind blowing.”

Phil Ward – Category Manager, “It’s been 15 years since I have been to Phillip Island and I can’t begin to explain how impressed I am with the presentation of the facility. The pits are F1 standard and the track is incredibly thrilling to race on. We can’t wait to return.”