Eastern Creek Race Two Report

CENTURY BATTERIES AUSTRALIAN GT PRODUCTION CAR CHAMPIONSHIP

28th MARCH 1999 EASTERN CREEK RACE TWO

TWO FROM TWO FOR BARNSTORMING BENINCA

Current champion Domenic Beninca stamped his authority on the 1999 title assault with a clean sweep at Eastern Creek in the opening round of the Century Batteries Australian GT Production Car Championship.

Starting the second race from pole, Beninca (Porsche 911 RSCS) took his second flag-to-flag victory of the day ahead of Peter Fitzgerald and Jim Richards -- also armed with the ace German production car.

"To get a start in the championship like this is just fantastic -- I really couldn't have asked for more," Beninca said.

"I am confident it is going to be a strong year. The car has what it takes and I think I have what it takes, so we are in good shape."

Terry Bosnjak again pulled out a consistent performance to finish fourth in his Mazda RX7 SP while Darren Palmer's debut Ferrari F355 Challenge title attack ended when the rear of the Italian stallion was engulfed in flames after four laps.

Fast work from the trackside emergency crews prevented a very expensive BBQ.

Despite major dramas in traffic, Geoff Full also took a clean sweep in Class B - pushing his Subaru Impreza WRX to his second victory of the day.

Wayne Vincx showed he will be a force to be reckoned with in the class by finishing 2nd to Full.

David Ratcliff's run of success ended when he suffered a front wheel bearing failure in the Class C Toyota Camry CSi. Mark Cohen (Holden Commodore VS SS) had a lucky escape when he lost a wheel entering turn one while Peter Phelan's VT spun off the circuit.

Ryan McLeod kept out of trouble in his Ford Falcon EL XR8 to take the Class C victory.

After taking the first race Class S victory, Ric Shaw suffered engine failure in the second race aboard his Toyota MR2 Bathurst. V8 Supercar driver and GTP newcomer Wayne Russell took the victory in his BMW 323i

GTP LIGHTS

Nathan Thomas again showed he is going to be the pacesetter for Class E in 1999, taking his second win of the day aboard his Suzuki Swift GTi.

Peter McKay again took second in the new Peugeot 306 Style ahead of Darren Best in the Hyundai Excel Sprint. Megan Kirkham had an improved run, completing her second race as the sole Class D entrant.

RESULTS RACE TWO 14 laps 1. Domenic Beninca, Porsche 911 RSCS (A) 23:40.537 2. Peter Fitzgerald, Porsche 911 RSCS (A) 23:43.766 3. Jim Richards, Porsche 911 RSCS (A) 23:48.240 4. Terry Bosnjak, Mazda RX7 SP (A) 23:50.440 5. Geoff Morgan, Porsche 911 RSCS (A) 24:04.588 Class B Geoff Full, Subaru Impreza WRX 13 laps Class C Ryan McLeod, Ford Falcon EL XR8 13 laps Class D Megan Kirkham, Mazda 626 12 laps Class E Nathan Thomas, Suzuki Swift GTi 13 laps Class S Wayne Russell, BMW 323i 13 laps

POINTS OUTRIGHT: Beninca 31, Fitzgerald 25, Bosnjak 18, Richards 18, Aitken 10, Spiridis 10.

CLASS A: Beninca 30; CLASS B: Full 30; CLASS C: McLeod 23; CLASS D: Kirkham 30; CLASS E: Thomas 30; CLASS S: Osborne 24.