FHOLDEN: Winton race results

2001 Holden Australian Drivers Championship
Round 8 Race 2 - Winton, 9th September 2001

Stokell's Triumphant Return, Peters' Silver Star

Paul Stokell returned to the Formula Holden category in the best possible way when he took outright honours after a day of frantic action at Winton Raceway, near Benalla today. Stokell claimed victory in today's second race after winning the re-started event and romping to the line ahead of Alan Gurr, who finished third overall after his horrible start to the weekend. Second overall was Rick Kelly, the already crowned Gold Star champ suffering a spin while chasing Stokell on lap 2, before charging back through the field to fifth at the flag, setting the fastest lap of the race in the process.

American Emerson Newton-John drove to an excellent third place, withstanding the advances of last year's Winton winner Tim Leahey in the process. Kelly recovered from another spin to come home behind Leahey after spearing off while running close behind Leahey's car in the 180km/h sweeper. Peter Hill claimed sixth after a lonely drive, he too having an opening lap moment that saw him drop down the order. Silver Star honours went to Roger Oakeshott, who drove well from the rear of the grid, taking advantage of Terry Clearihan crashing at the first turn on the opening lap. Clearihan and Akihiro Asai came together before the formers Ralt slammed into the concrete wall in a sickening manner. Clearihan was initially knocked out, but was released from the medical centre after examination.

Clearihan's accident robbed the race of the Silver Star title battle between himself and Ian Peters resulting in Peters claiming the Silver Star championship after three years of trying. Peters win is a deserved one as he has led the majority of the season, benefiting from a 100% finish rate, and despite a down on power engine was ecstatic to finally claim the coveted Silver Star crown. <pre> Race 2 Results

Pos Car Entrant Driver Laps Race.Time Fastest...Lap

1 6 Birrana Racing Paul Stokell 14 18:01.3048 8 1:16.0408 2 11 Ralt Australia/Challenge Alan Gurr 14 18:18.5351 5 1:17.0736 3 76 Hocking Motorsport Emerson Newton-John 14 18:20.6890 10 1:16.8550 4 22 Murphy Motorsport Tim Leahey 14 18:23.0061 9 1:17.1749 5 2 Holden Young Lions Rick Kelly 14 18:25.1264 6 1:14.9949* 6 66 Murphy Motorsport Peter Hill 14 18:50.2101 11 1:19.1152 7 9 Birrana Racing Brenton Ramsay 14 19:03.0579 9 1:16.8213 8 28 Murphy Motorsport Roger Oakeshott 14 19:20.3962 9 1:20.2990 9 24 Ian Peters Ian Peters 13 18:33.6950 13 1:23.4067 DNF 75 Hocking Motorsport Christian Murchison 8 10:19.4376 7 1:15.7221 DNF 12 Ralt Australia Chris Staff 5 7:05.4510 5 1:18.8469

Fastest Lap Av.Speed Is 144kph, Race Av.Speed Is 140kph Current Race Lap Record Is 1:14.6435 Set On 01/07/2000 By C. Murchison In A Reynard R=under lap record by greatest margin, r=under lap record, *=fastest lap time

2001 Holden Australian Drivers Championship 1. Rick Kelly 293pts 2. Christian Murchison 142pts 3. Alan Gurr 130pts 4. Peter Hill 111pts 5. Emerson Newton-John 75pts 6. Stewart McColl 74pts 7. Terry Clearihan 69pts 8. Ian Peters 65pts 9. Simon Wills 60pts 10. Roger Oakeshott 38pts

2001 Formula Holden Silver Star 1. Ian Peters 224pts 2. Terry Clearihan 202pts 3. Roger Oakeshott 137pts 4. Rohan Carrig 94pts 5. Chris Hocking 75pts 6. Mark Ellis 74pts

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