08.08.2004 Paul Stokell tightened his grip on a second straight Australian Nations Cup Championship after taking two wins out of three races at Wakefield Park in his Lamborghini Diablo GTR

Lamborghini driver Paul Stokell tightened his grip on a second straight Australian Nations Cup Championship after wrapping up round six in his Lamborghini Diablo at Wakefield Park circuit today.

Stokell won two of three hard-fought races and pole position this weekend, building his advantage over key rival, Holden’s Nathan Pretty, to 94 points with just two rounds remaining.

Barring a disaster, Stokell now appears uncatchable in the Nations Cup series, which will head to Mallala, in South Australia, for the next round on 17-19 September.

He led the first and third races from the start, but spoiled the chance of a clean sweep by running wide into the dirt at turn two on the opening lap of the second race.

Pretty punched his 7.0 litre Holden Monaro into the lead while Stokell had to recover from fourth.

The Lamborghini quickly passed Allan Simonsen in a Ferrari 360 and David Stevens in a Porsche GT2, but Pretty comfortably held Stokell at bay for the final laps. Meanwhile, James Brock made an extended visit to the pits to replace a power steering pump in his Monaro.

Pretty led the opening lap of race three before surrendering to the 12-cylinder Lamborghini and then had to fight for second place. James Brock surged past on the sixth of 16 laps, but Pretty got back the position with three laps to go and held on to the flag.

“The Lamborghini felt great all weekend and well suited to this track,” Stokell said. “We’re down to the pointy end of the season and I was glad to come away today with another good haul of points.”

Race 1 Result: 1 Paul Stokell Lamborghini Diablo GTR 15 laps, 2 Nathan Pretty Holden Monaco CV8 +0.999, 3 James Brock Holden Monaro CV8 +17.69, 4 David Stevens Porsche 911 GT2 +18.629, 5 Allan Simonsen Ferrari 360 Challenge +32.450, 6th Ian Palmer Honda NSX +2 laps

Race 2 Result: 1 Nathan Pretty Holden Monaro CV8 16 laps, 2 Paul Stokell Lamborghini Diablo GTR +0.825, 3 David Stevens Porsche 911 GT2 +20.669, 4 Allan Simonsen Ferrari 360 Challenge +42.978, 5 Anthony Skinner Porsche 911 GT2 +1 lap, 6 Ian Palmer Honda NSX +1 lap

Race 3 Result: 1 Paul Stokell Lamborghini Diablo GTR 16 laps, 2 James Brock Holden Monaro CV8 +6.523, 3 Nathan Pretty Holden Monaro CV8 +6.717, 4 David Stevens Porsche 911 GT2 +16.504, 5 Ian Palmer Porsche 911 GT2 +52.301, 6 Allan Simonsen Ferrari 360 Challenge +1 lap