Conrod Claims Seton and Miedecke as Abelnica Takes Victory
Eddie Abelnica has won Race Two of the Touring Car Masters under the safety car at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, while Glenn Seton and Andrew Miedecke crashed out on Conrod Stright.
The top 50 per cent of the field was reversed from the opening race results, placing Greg Keene and Jason Gomersall on the front row.
Keene got off to a flying start to lead into turn one while King and Gomersall went in side by side. A tap on the rear for Amanda Sparks saw the #32 car go off the track, then sideways onto the tarmac. John Bowe had to take evasive action to avoid the Porsche.
The safety car was called when Seton and Miedecke made contact on Conrod Straight which sent them into the wall at 280kph.
“That certainly wasn’t any fun,” said Miedeke.
“I made a good start, then was carefully picking way through traffic, mindful to finish ahead of Jim (Richards) for series title points.
“I knew that Glenn (Seton) was there, and coming onto Conrod, I checked my mirror to see Glenn around five car-lengths back, then slip streamed Jason (Gomersall) and pulled out to pass.
“But I hadn’t realised Glenn’s power and in that short time he had pulled in the gap; I didn’t see him. I didn’t expect Glenn’s performance acceleration to be so strong. With the large wings on the seats and all the safety gear we have, I just couldn’t see.
“Having said that, if I’d been going to overtake two cars, there’s always a possibility of a side by side pass, so you need to leave racing room, but Glenn has great power and may have been looking to get past before I came around.”
With drivers safely out of the stranded classics, the track was cleared and the Masters field passed the chequered flag behind the Safety Car. Ablenica had done enough during the two green laps to move into the lead and take the race win.
Adam Bressington, Gomersall, Brett Youlden, Jim Richards, John Bowe, Keith Kassulke, Brad Tilley, Cameron Tilley and Tony Karanfilovski rounded out the top 10.
The Masters will race one final time this afternoon at 4.25pm AEDT.
