Race 1 of the Toyota 86’s at Pukekohe saw an intense battle for the lead, with Brock Gilchrist holding on to take race honours over pole-starter Callum Hedge by just .2 of a second. Clay Osborne rounded out the podium places, with a clear gap back to Zac Stichbury in fourth.
Hedge got the better of Gilschrist from the front row, creating an enthralling Lap 1 battle for the lead. Gilchrist got his man on for the lead on the second lap, with Vodanovich keeping up in third, where he started.
Going wide at Turn 4 on Lap 4 cost the 2019-20 champion Vodanovich, allowing Clay Osborne to make a pass to take third. He quickly went about joining the leaders, the following three-car battle for the lead lasting several laps.
Midpack, going three-wide into the Turn 5 chicane was never going to end well, with Fynn Osborne the unlucky spinner after contact with John Penny and Mark Mallard.
He spun through the slick infield, from light drizzle at the event, and rejoined at the exit of Turn 6, miraculously avoiding contact from the field coming through.
Vodanovich’s difficult race saw another moment mid-event, heading sideways and going wide allowing Stichbury and Christina Orr-West through.
Up front, Hedge and Gilchrist pulled away from Clay Osborne, the two locked in an enthralling duel which saw Gilchrist superbly hold off 18-year-old Hedge to claim race victory by .2s.
Whilst not a championship weekend for the 86’s, a big prize-pool is creating fierce competition through the 20-car field. With two more races to come, Gilchrist and Hedge will be aiming to continue their form to take over-all round honours.
Race 2 begins at 1.25.
Banner Image: Brock Gilchrist (Facebook)
