Tim Edgell dominated the first two races of the Racer Products V8 Allcomers at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon yesterday.
The series’ first event under its new naming sponsor Racer Products had two sprint races, each with a marble draw determining the starting order.
The day’s first race was held over eight laps with Edgell comfortably taking a 3.7s win over Sam Collins in the MARC II V8.
Edgell was the only driver capable of lapping in the 1.07s, setting a blistering 1.07.831s on lap two to open up a steady margin over the field.
Collins found himself starting last courtesy of the marble grid draw, but had quickly worked himself into podium contention by the end of the opening lap.
The MARC car took the chequered flag three seconds clear of Brady Wild who is steering the ex-Simon Evans Wet and Forget Holden SuperTourer.
Robert Wallace got the better of Nick Ross to lay claim to fourth while Rod Gimblett was the race’s only retirement, completing only two tours.
The day’s second race had Edgell again clinch victory – this time from the rear of the grid – albeit after suffering a mid-race mechanical scare.
A daring move around the outside of turn one had Edgell surge from sixth to second, while Collins seized his front-row start to hold an early lead.
Getting to the front by the end of lap one, the ITM Commodore then dropped a cylinder, hurting his pace.
Behind, Wild had executed a cunning move to slide up the inside of Collins at turn seven, and was quickly reeling in Edgell.
However, Wild could only close to within 2.7s of the leader before the chequered flag, with Collins just a further two-seconds adrift.
A back-and-forth scrimmage between Ross and Wallace was the centre of attention for much of the race. Both traded overtakes and even bits of bodywork, though at the end of the eight-lapper it was Wallace who came out on top.
Gimblett was the victim of a lap one spin and finished sixth, four laps down on the leaders.
Today’s 40-minute feature race will include a compulsory balance of performance pitstop and will award the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy.
Main Image: Tayler Burke
