AUSCAR: V8 Stock Car Mallala race report

2002 Power Tour
Race Report - Australian V8 Stock Car Series Rd 2 - Mallala Raceway - April 19-21

Two out of three for Miedecke in V8 Stock Car second round.

Driving the Whiteline Transport Chev Monte Carlo, Andrew Miedecke has already laid claim to a second V8 Stock Car title follow a second round win at Mallala Raceway on April 21. Only team mate Chris Templer in the second race spoilt a perfect three from three win result.

Chev dominated the podium placings with Mark Harrison and Tony Southwell, both sporting new sponsorship on the weekend, finishing equal second.

Race One

While Miedecke, Wanless and Southwell negotiated the first series of turns in race one successfully, those behind were not so lucky. Duncan Cain slid into Chris Templer and together with Mark Harrison, all three spun. Martin Burrows avoided the lot by going into pit lane.

Bain was immediately out while the others were able to continue where at the head of the field Miedecke was under threat from Wanless until the latter overshot at Goodyear Corner on lap three. Southwell then took up the challenge, gradually closing on the race leader before taking the lead on lap eight.

Almost immediately after taking the lead, Southwell lost it when he overshot at turn seven. Miedecke was back in front and took the win from Southwell. Wanless had another lose at Goodyear which cost him third place as Harrison had regained much of the earlier lost time.

Race One (10 laps) Top Five
1- Andrew Miedecke SA (Chev Monte Carlo) 13:01.4875,
2- Tony Southwell ACT (Chev Monte Carlo) 13:03.6732,
3- Mark Harrison NSW (Pontiac Grand Prix) 13:04.6676.
4- Dean Wanless QLD (Ford Thunderbird) 13:13.7759,
5- Martin Borrows QLD (Ford Thunderbird) 13:54.1049,

Race Two (Reverse Grid)

Bain led them into turn one while Southwell was well out in the dirt and paid the penalty, dropping many places. As Bain showed the way for the first lap, Templer came through to be a close second ahead of Wanless, Harrison, Miedecke, Southwell and Burrows.

On the second lap Templer moved to the lead and shortly after Miedecke was in seconds but somewhat adrift of the race leader. In the ensuing laps he negated the distance but the end came too soon and he was a car length away from victory.

Harrison passed Wanless mid-distance to be third while Bain was out after being black flagged and Burrow's race came to an end with a lose at the Northern Hairpin.

Race Two (8 laps) Top Five
1- Chris Templer SA (Chev Monte Carlo) 10:11.6144,
2- Andrew Miedecke SA (Chev Monte Carlo) 10:11.6900,
3- Mark Harrison NSW (Pontiac Grand Prix) 10:22.0531.
4- Dean Wanless QLD (Ford Thunderbird) 10:27.0285,
5- Tony Southwell ACT (Chev Monte Carlo) 10:32.8269,

Race Three (Reverse Grid)

Southwell made a gun start to head them around the first time with Harrison second but only until Wanless found a way past. Harrison then had Miedecke to fend off but overshot turn seven by enough to allow him through.

Miedecke's next target was Wanless who made got onto the dirt towards the end of the back straight and out of control, almost taking out Southwell and Miedecke as he slid across the Northern Hairpin and into the dirt on the outside of the corner.

Southwell led the third time around but after that Miedecke was in front and in control for the remainder. Southwell was able to hold out Harrison for the remainder while Bain was next, in front of Wanless.

Race Three (8 laps) Top Five
1- Andrew Miedecke SA (Chev Monte Carlo) ,
2- Tony Southwell ACT (Chev Monte Carlo) ,
3- Mark Harrison NSW (Pontiac Grand Prix) ,
4- Duncan Bain ACT (Chev Monte Carlo) ,
5- Dean Wanless QLD (Ford Thunderbird) ,

Upcoming rounds:
Queensland Raceway June 21-13, Calder Park July 19-21, Barbagello August 23-25,
Wakefield Park September 27-29, Winton October 25-27, Oran Park November 23-24.

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