Darcy Russell’s breakthrough win, yet another ferocious battle between Peter Hackett and Bryce Washington and starring performances from a number of key contenders were just some of the highlights of Sunday’s fourth - and penultimate - round of the 2005 Speed Energy Drink Australian GT Championship and Porsche Drivers’ Challenge at Phillip Island.

In the end though, the Team Lamborghini Australia Lamborghini Diablo of New South Welshman Hackett once again prevailed after a tough weekend of competition in blisteringly cold - but dry - conditions at the 4.6 km Victorian circuit, taking the final two races after once again going head-to-head with season long rival Bryce Washington.

QUALIFYING

Bryce Washington took a storming pole position for Sunday’s at a cool Phillip Island raceway in Victoria. The ADRAD Radiators Porsche 911 GT3 driver took just four laps to secure the top slot in today’s sole 20 minute qualifying session, a best lap of 1m36.4407 over a full second quicker than he managed when the series conducted it’s opening round of the year at the 4.6km Victorian Circuit in may this year. Washington led a competitive 21 car GT and Porsche Drivers Challenge field at Phillip Island, fronting the weekend for their penultimate round of a series’ which has featured some of the most intensely competitive GT racing seen in Australia for some time. “I’m actually quite surprised at the time I managed to do in the session,” Washington said after scoring his second pole for the season, tying the ledger with rival Peter Hackett. “The lap is much faster than what we have been able to do around here before, so it’s been a great day. “Hopefully we can go out there tomorrow and get a good start, because I think that’s where we are going to struggle the most against the more powerful cars around us.” He said.

A strong second position went to the returning D’arcy Russell, who took his monstering V10 Chrysler Viper to a brilliant 1m36.8537 – just four-tenths behind pole sitter Washington. The weekend marked the season debut for the Viper, forced to the sidelines before the opening round this year thanks to an untimely engine failure on the Dyno. Armed with a fresh engine and renewed confidence, Russell said that he was delighted with the day’s work. “I’m pleased, really pleased,” he enthused. “That was an all out lap, I probably don’t have much more in me without risking the car. It’s going really well – we’ve had to make some changes because we are running a different diameter front tyre on the car this weekend, and to be honest I didn’t expect it to be this good. “Its great to be back on track,” he added. “There is a huge amount of enthusiasm around the series at the moment, and the racing has been fantastic to date, so I can’t wait to be a part of it tomorrow.”

GT point’s leader Peter Hackett struggled during qualifying, a 200rpm-parity adjustment between rounds seemingly affecting the Lamborghini more than the team anticipated at the fast and flowing Island GP track, where horsepower is a key component to quick times. Despite posting his worst qualifying effort of the season, the affable New South Welshman was looking to consolidate his series lead with just two hitouts remaining this season.
 

RACES

In an almost instant replay of their now famous Eastern Creek battles of one month ago, Hackett and Washington staged yet another massive dogfight in the third and final race, the result decided at the second-last corner when the ADRAD Radiators Porsche 911 GT3 Cup attempted a last ditch lunge up the inside of the Lamborghini – only resulting in Washington clipping a kerb and spinning to the outfield. It was a relived Hackett – having run this weekend with 200 less revs from the Lamborghini V12 thanks to recent parity adjustments – who accepted victory at the end of the day. “This car has one big ass!” he joked after stepping out of the car. “Seriously though, this is an unexpected result because we didn’t expect to be competitive here with the recent parity adjustments made to the car. “Two wins were completely unexpected.” He said. “I’m very happy with the result and hopefully we can get the car to Wakefield Park in November to wrap this thing (the championship) up.”


Washington continued his superb season form, a trio of second place finishes coming despite a drive through penalty in the second race after being judged to have jumped the start. “I threw everything at the Lambo, but it’s just so wide,” the 21 year old South Australian mused. “We’re leading the Porsche Driver’s Challenge points well, though, and we’re still in the hunt for the GT championship so it’s not all bad.”

The surprise result of the weekend came in this mornings opening eight lap race, returning Chrysler Viper pilot D’arcy Russell taking a storming win after executing a bold pass for the lead on Washington on the second lap. Russell became just the third different driver to take an outright win this season, adding Chrysler to the list of Lamborghini and Porches of 2005 race winners in the battle of the Marque’s. “Fantastic result, just brilliant,” grinned Russell after taking his first ever race win in a National GT-style series. “The car was fantastic and very strong and we were able to get out in front and hold of the Porsche to take the race win. “I’m pushing pretty hard this weekend, but it’s great to get another car at the top of the standings and grab a win.” He said. Unfortunately for the Team Viper Racing operation, the remainder of the weekend was less than successful, a broken drive shaft before the start of the second race halting the charge, and a similar problem (this time with the opposite drive shaft) sidelined the car in the midst of a race three comeback.

Queenslander Ian Palmer (Rentco / Instant Foundations Brabham Honda NSX) continued his strong of strong overall finishes, 3rd overall in GT yet another strong result despite an hair-raising incident in the third race. “I was getting bored, so I decided to spin on the opening lap in front of the entire field,” Palmer joked. “It’s a good result though, the car got better as the weekend continued and things are going really well. It’s been a great weekend and I’m looking forward to the next one.”