Sandown race one notes/results

Thriller race to Ricciardello, series win for Baily

Darren Hossack led a thrilling race-long dice over Tony Ricciardello until just inches from the finish where the latter's Alfa/Chev eclipsed Hossack's Saab/Chev for victory.

In the meantime Kerry Baily (Nissan/Chev) adopted a conservative role in his bid for title number five. Starting from position four, in no time he allowed the New Zealand Tranzam Chev Corvette of Shane Drake through to third before drifting back to finish seventh.

For fellow Kiwi Kayne Scott, the race was a disaster. From third on the grid, the Chev Corvette had a driveline failure at the start, coasting down the front straight to retirement as the 30-plus field streamed by.

Hossack withstood several strong challengers from Ricciardello and when the latter overcooked slightly at turn one midway through the 12-lap, first heat of round five of the Rewards Insurance Australian Sports Sedan Championship, Hossack's win appeared secure. But Ricciardello fought back, bridging the three-second disadvantage for a final, and successful, assault.

Drake was third throughout but had to withstand a late challenge from Dean Randle in his Saab/Chev. In fifth was Bernie Gillon, his Ford Mustang the second NZ Tranzam car across the line while South Australian Mick Monterosso filled sixth spot.

Just behind Baily was the Holden Calibra/Chev of Mark Stinson while Robert Smith improved from practice to complete the top ten. Graham Smith (Calibra/Fiat Turbo) and Milton Seferis (Commodore) were the next two ahead of Ray Ayton's Calibra/Chev which started at the back of the grid. David Krause was another with starting problems, stalling his Commodore, then stormed back into the top 15 before failing to finish.

In the Future Tourer class the Andrew Gillespie Ford Falcon gained the jump on fastest qualifier Ray Sidebottom and held off the Holden Commodore for the duration. Next were the Holdens of Steve Williams and Geoff Parker.

<pre> ROUND FIVE RACE ONE (12 laps) Result 1 Tony Ricciardello (WA) Alfa Romeo GTV/Chev V8 14:16.1286 2 Darren Hossack (VIC) Saab 9-3 Aero/Chev V8 14:16.1548 3 Shane Drake (NZ) Chev Corvette Tranzam 14:31.4075 4 Dean Randle (VIC) Saab 9-3 Aero/Chev V8 14:31.8004 5 Bernie Gillon (NZ) Ford Mustang Tranzam 14:41.7341 6 Mick Monterosso (SA) Ford Escort RS2000/Chev V8 14:49.6752 7 Kerry Baily (QLD) Nissan 300ZX/Chev V8 14:55.3210 8 Mark Stinson (NSW) Holden Calibra/Chev V8 14:56.1317 9 Rodney Woods (VIC) Holden Commodore VS/Chev V8 15:33.3380 10 Robert Smith (VIC) Holden Commodore VS V8 11 laps 11 Graham Smith (NSW) Opel Calibra/Fiat Turbo 11 laps 12 Milton Seferis (VIC) Holden Commodore VS V8 11 laps 13 Ray Ayton (VIC) Holden Calibra/Chev V8 11 laps 14 Luke McPherson (VIC) Mazda RX7 Rotary 11 laps 15 Michael Robinson (VIC) Holden Commodore VN/Chev V8 11 laps 16 Richard Catchlove (VIC) Mazda RX7 Rotary 11 laps 17 Andrew Gillespie (VIC) Ford Falcon XR8 11 laps 18 Ray Sidebottom (VIC) Holden Commodore VX 11 laps 19 Stephen Williams (NSW) Holden Commodore VX 11 laps 20 Geoff Parker (VIC) Holden Commodore VY 10 laps 21 Amin Chahda (NSW) Ford Falcon XR8 10 laps 22 Shannan Sidebottom Holden Commodore VX 10 laps 23 Marcus Zukanovic (VIC) Holden Commodore VS V8 10 laps DNF Stephen Vines (VIC) Ford Cortina V8 10 laps axle DNF David Krause (NSW) Holden Commodore VS V8 7 laps oil pressure DNF Keith Linnell (VIC) Ford Cortina V8 2 laps wheel studs DNF Dean Camm (VIC) Honda Prelude 1 laps missfire DNF Kayne Scott (NZ) Chev Corvette Tranzam 0 laps clutch DNF Mark Sutherland (VIC) Holden Commodore 0 laps Fastest lap: Ricciardello 1:09.4648

ROUND FIVE SCHEDULE Sunday September 14: Race Two 8:45.

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (after race one, round five) Kerry Baily 162 Tony Ricciardello 130 Dean Randle 125 Darren Hossack 119 Graham Smith 76 Mark Stinson 65 Rodney Woods 58 Des Wall 42 Phil Crompton 41 Mark Duggan 37

TRANS TASMAN CHALLENGE POINTS (after race one, round three) Darren Hossack 44 Dean Randle 27 Jonny McIntyre 26 Tony Ricciardello 31 Bernie Gillon 22 Kerry Baily 19 Kayne Scott 11 Mark Stinson 11 Monterosso 5

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