Miedecke Takes TCM Race One Honours

Touring Car Masters veteran Andrew Miedecke has added to his bank of series victories, taking honours in the opening race of Round Six at the Wilson Security Sandown 500.

He came home under record time, with more than 10 on 2010 Champion Jim Richards, who brought home a new race lap record in the action packed 12 laps at Sandown Raceway.

"It’s nice to get a decent start – I don't always get them – and it does make it easy,” Miedecke said post-race.

“The car has been very good all weekend, and Mark (Peacock, engineer) has done a lot of work, so I was pretty confident going into the race and I thought we'd have it, but winning the start made it a bit more comfortable.

"I think we have been held back a little to date. We have had a few things this year that haven't gone our way and we have been a little bit down in power in some of the races, so now we have a good engine and are pretty confident we can keep on going with it.

The whole team deserve these good times… this team and this series is a great way to be finishing and prolonging my career."

Lining up on the front row alongside Keith Kassulke, Miedecke’s Lubrimaxx/Whiteline Transport Racing Camaro had been on a mission in the practice sessions, topping the time sheets in two of three sessions.

Coming off of a race winning feeling at Round Five, Miedecke was on a charge from the start, a blinder seeing the Camaro move into the lead for the opening turn and the Lubrimaxx driver simply never looked back.

There was plenty of action, four wide on the run to the opening corner.

Out front, the top three looked comfortable, Miedecke leading Kassulke and Richards, as Eddie Abelnica fell back to the three-way battle for fourth.

Later Kassulke spun from contention, Paul Freestone took third and the hunt was on for Richards ahead, Miedecke now well out from the field.

Miedecke brought home the victory, a 13 second buffer to title challenger Richards, with Freestone shining in third, Karanfilovski holding out against fellow Mustang racer White who crossed the line in fifth, regaining the position just inches in front of the Abelnica XB.

With John Bowe’s exclusion from the race weekend, Richards and Miedecke are now back in the Championship battle.

The Touring Car Masters will be on track for more action with Races Two and Three tomorrow as part of race day Sunday at the Wilson Security Sandown 500.