CHAMPCAR/CART: Young Guns Gold Coast race one report

Queensland's Will Power took out Race one of the Gillette Young Guns Series at the Honda Indy 300, holding out fast finishing Dean Canto in the five lap race in the Honda Integra Type R race.

Toowoomba-based Power, who finished runner up in the National Formula Ford championship, started from pole and got away to a good start, leaving Canto four lengths behind after the first lap.

"It was a good race," said Power. "I got away cleanly into the first chicane and got a bit of a break on Dean. It was really close the whole way and he put a lot of pressure on me. He was ready to pounce if I made a mistake," he said. "Fortunately I didn't and I finished first."

"I'm sure we'll be in for a really tight race tomorrow," Power said. "There will be a lot of pressure from the guys behind me on points - some of them might take a few more risks to try to get past and get the points."

Canto paid due credit to Power for the win but still has eyes for the main prize. "Will had a good race," he said. "I was putting the pressure on but he didn't falter. Every time I thought I might get a chance, he'd match me. We were both getting the power on at the same time and driving a similar line.

"Tomorrow should be good and I'm looking forward to it. The cars are excellent and great to drive," he said. "I'll be putting the heat on Will and I'm sure the guys behind me will be on my hammer."

Despite finishing second, Canto was able to get the best out of his Honda Integra Type R and recorded the fastest time of the race, a 2:20.94 on his last lap.

Formula 3 star Peter Hackett, who will drive in Macau on November 18 in the F3 World Cup, finished third, ahead of Formula Ford Rookie of the Year Jamie Whincup.

The big mover in the field was V8 part-timer Luke Youlden, who finished fifth after starting from ninth place on the grid. Youlden got consistently quicker as the race progressed and finished with a 2:21.98 last lap.

Adam Macrow's chances of taking out the title were effectively ended by officials after he was controversially black flagged for kerb-hopping. The ensuing stop-go penalty saw him at the tail of the field, where he finished ninth, after being among the fastest four drivers in every previous session.

Honda Australia Technical Manager Timothy Beatie praised the drivers for their professionalism. "The driving and communication with the support team has been extremely mature," he said. "All of the cars are in exceptional condition and the drivers have been a real pleasure to work with. Two of the cars - driven by Peter Hackett and Adam Macrow - do not have a single mark on them at the moment. They could be returned to a showroom this afternoon and we wouldn't even need to wash them," he said. <pre> POINT SCORE:

20      Will Power
16      Dean Canto
12      Peter Hackett
10      Jamie Whincup
8       Luke Youlden
6       James Manderson
4       Mark Winterbottom
3       Troy Hunt
2       Adam Macrow
1       Owen Kelly

The same points will be awarded in Race 2. In the event of a tie, the result will be determined by the finishing position in Race 2. Grid positions for Race 2 will be based on finishing positions from Race 1.

Race 2 (also 5 laps) will be held at 11.20am Sunday.

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