Toyota 86 championship leader Brock Gilchrist has continued to hunt down his maiden title with a comprehensive Race 1 victory at Hampton Downs this afternoon.
Gilchrist, starting off pole after qualifying top this morning, led from lights-to-flag, his lead building throughout the race as he displayed just how comfortable he has become with these cars.
The nearly-5 second gap to second-placed Clay Osborne showed his dominance, allowed to be built upon in the closing stages with Osborne forced to hold off a charging Justin Allen for second.
Allen held off an equally-impressive John Penny for his third, whilst Tom Bewley continues to pressure the leaders with another strong showing for fifth.
The race, however, belonged to Gilchrist who took the lead immediately into Turn 1, Clay Osborne going with him over the first lap to take second off Allen.
Having quickly come to terms with their machinery the field were quick to fall into rhythm, a drama-free opening few laps seeing the field fall into file.
Clear air allowed the championship-leader continued to pull away at the front, Osborne some 2 seconds back at the race mid-point.
Back in sixth place, impressive youngster Bewley was locked in a tight battle with Hunter Robb, working his way through to a comfortable fifth with only Penny, Allen, Clay Osborne and Gilchrist ahead.
An excellent run by William Exton was ended on Lap 4, a slight nudge from behind at the exit of The Dipper sending him spinning onto the infield, damaging his rear bumper and requiring a stop for repairs.
From here it became the Gilchrist show for the victory, the series’ veteran comprehensively claiming the flag by nearly 5 seconds.
Clay Osborne was pressured late by Allen but held his nerve for second, the latter left to maintain third off a fast-finishing John Penny in fourth. Bewley ran cleanly for fifth with Robb breaking away from Fynn Osborne for sixth.
Rylan Gray, Dion Pitt and Tayler Bryant rounded out the top 10.
For Pitt, ninth was a great result following a disappointing 12th from qualifying, limiting his damage of point loss to the championship leader.
Toyota 86 return for two races tomorrow, the first at 11.02am and the second at 2.28pm.
Racing is live on Sky Sport 5 (055). You can view everything you need to know about this weekend’s event here.
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