Frazer confirmed as race winner after Payne picks up penalty

Billy Frazer has won his maiden Castrol Toyota Racing Series race after race officials deemed Matthew Payne was guilty of safety car infringement and penalised five-seconds.

Payne had crossed the line in race three of the weekend at Manfeild 9.6s clear of Frazer, having led all 22 laps.

However, he was penalised at the end of lap three five-seconds due to taking the start outside his grid box.

Payne pushed on and set fastest lap after fastest lap while Frazer slowly slipped back. Payne claimed the provisional win, though it quickly became apparent that another penalty was to be discussed concerning an infraction behind the safety car.

With no news for over two hours after the end of the race, series officials finally confirmed this afternoon that Payne had indeed picked up a second time penalty and consequently loses the win.

Frazer has found a new level of confidence with himself and the car this weekend. Coming off a challenging Grand Prix event, the reigning national Formula Ford rediscovered his fire in round two and picked up a debut podium.

Starting alongside Payne on the front row for this morning’s sprint race, Frazer boldly hung it around the outside of his rival at turn one. He almost took the lead, only to be shuffled back to second when he ran out of road.

His consistent pace over the full race ensured he remained within a window of Payne that would suffice if the champion-elect was to encounter another penalty.

Frazer will now start this afternoon’s Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy feature race from third, while Payne will head the field from pole.

That race is scheduled to begin at 4.10 pm.