Hunter Robb has announced himself as a genuine Tooyota 86 Championship contender by winning Round 2 on a wet Manfeild circuit after emerging on top in Race 3.
Robb held on for the victory following a race-long battle with championship leader Tom Bewley, taking the lead on Lap 3 moments before a Safety Car was called.
Bewley had gotten the better of the starts from the front row and led over the first laps but was under immense pressure from the Australian throughout. Robb got the move done, entering Turn 1 on Lap 3, with Bewley cutting underneath and running alongside for several corners.
Robb had the inside line at Turn 5 and had his nose ahead when a Safety Car was called following a heavy collision with the wall for Summer Rintoule.
Bewley initially took the front of the queue but redressed for Robb to take the lead.
Prior to this, John Penny, who won Saturday’s race, had spun out of contention on Lap 2, while Tayler Bryant was forced to the grass to avoid his car.
Jackson Rooney ran third off the restart and pulled a small gap over Race 2 winner Justin Allen over the following laps. William Exton, Cormac Murphy, Alice Buckley and Lockie Bloxsom trailed behind.
Robb continued to control the race over the proceeding laps, with Bewley maintaining contact and pulling clear of the field.
Bryant suffered a spin of his own on Lap 12, with Alex Hawley taking to the grass and spinning rear-first into the wall at speed in avoidance, suffering significant damage. He would return to pit lane under his own power to retire.
A late last-lap challenge from Bewley came up just short, and Robb took the chequered flag to win the round and claim trophies for the top rookie and overall honours.
An impressive late charge from Allen saw him pip Rooney for the final podium spot, crossing the line 4.2 seconds behind Bewley.
Exton finished fifth, 4.7 seconds ahead of Murphy, who kept Buckley at bay to cross the line sixth, 0.322 seconds ahead of the Australian.
Bloxsom and Townshend were eighth and ninth, while Brooklyn Horan drove well to complete the top ten.
Penny recovered to come home 16th and claim Masters honours for the round.
Toyota 86 Championship Race 3 Results- Manfeild
| First | Hunter Robb |
| 2nd | Tom Bewley |
| 3rd | Justin Allen |
| 4th | Jackson Rooney |
| 5th | William Exton |
| 6th | Cormac Murphy |
| 7th | Alice Buckley |
| 8th | Lockie Bloxsom |
| 9th | Harry Townshend |
| 10th | Brooklyn Horan |
| 11th | Christina Orr-West |
| 12th | Thomas Mallard |
| 13th | Hayden Bakkerus |
| 14th | Saxon Sheehan |
| 15th | Tim Leach |
| 16th | John Penny |
| 17th | Will Morton |
| 18th | Tayler Bryant |
| 19th | Breanna Morris |
| 20th | Noel Simpson |
| 21st | Ryan Denize |
| DNF | Alex Hawley |
| DNF | Summer Rintoule |
Header Image: Toyota Gazoo Racing (Bruce Jenkins)
