Oran Park: Garry Holt race summary

Century 21 Racing wins at Oran Park

Sydney driver Garry Holt claimed his first round win of 2004 in the PROCAR Australian GT Performance Championship at Oran Park in New South Wales yesterday.

After suffering several set backs in the opening practice Holt and the Century 21/Eastern Creek karts/2UE team overcame the problems that cost them valuable track time during practice.

Not letting the lack of track time bother him Holt used all of his vast experience to place his Century 21 Mitsubishi Evo 8 on second position during qualifying on Saturday. .

During the opening turn Holt dropped to third spot in his Century 21 EVO 8 but was quick to regain his spot inside the top two. Holt and race leader, Ric Shaw pulled clear of the pack with Shaw taking a narrow victory over Holt with Mark King almost a further 10 seconds behind in third.

Holt grabbed the lead at the start of the second race after starting from position two opening a handy buffer over the second place runner. Even with the success weight ballast of 70kg were still able to outpace rivals in the second race again opening a commanding lead to take the win.

Second behind Holt was team Subaru, and team Mitsubishi.

The third and final race of the day was marred by several incidents and consequential safety car periods including one involving Justin Hemmes and Stokell where the later made contact with the wall coming on to the main straight.

Holt went on to take the race win ahead of Hemmes and Bob Hughes who was followed Gary Young.

Holt's great results in his Century 21 Mitsubishi earned him the round victory ahead of Hemmes and elevated him into second in the Championship on 110 points, a mere 30 behind Championship leader Hemmes and well clear of Ross Almond on 89 in third who is closely followed by Young on 87.

-ecikr-