It’s the half-way point of season 2012 and it’s time for the Masters to return to Queensland Raceway, the ‘paper clip’ being a place they have only ventured once before and that was back in 2009. Over the last three years a lot has changed in the series, with new regulations, an extended vehicle production year window, drivers changing vehicles, retirements and new faces, and category development that has certainly stepped up more than one gear.
Round four signals the debut for yet another face sure to add to the colour of the Touring Car Masters, as we welcome Michael Wedge from the Queensland V8 Series where he had been sitting in fourth in the championship, piloting the Speed FX Racing HQ Monaro as the Jim Morton-led team rejoin the popular series.
Looking at the regular Masters, Westwood will be back on the track with his ironically named Falcon Fire Protection GTHO Falcon, that has been in repairs since a fiery exit at the year’s opening round. Mark King will be looking to follow up an impressive drive at Hidden Valley where he charged from rear of grid to top ten after early engine dramas, now on board his new ride, the Whiteline Transport Racing Camaro previously campaigned by team owner Bob Middleton. Les Walmsley has been seen in the paddock over the years, and will head for the Queensland circuit for his first drive of the Kassulke HQ Monaro now that Kassulke is in the full swing of his XB Coupe program.
Leading the way for the series and dominating the last round in Class A is reigning series title holder Bowe, with an 11 point buffer over 2010 series champion Richards, with Youlden, Miedecke and Kassulke rounding out the top five which is covered by 94 points. In Class B, Stillwell sits atop the points table, with Benson 26 points adrift in second, while Keene, Sparks and Hunter (who will drop off as Monaro now with new owner) close out the top five standings.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Round 4 Ipswich 300 – TCM Schedule
Friday 3rd
0955 Practice 1
1340 Practice 2
Saturday 4th
0850 Qualifying
1245 Rare Spares driver signing session, TCM merch truck
1150 Race 1 (12 laps)
Sunday 5th
0830 Race 2 (12 laps)
1120 Race 3 (12 laps)
1215 Shannons Insurance driver signing session, TCM merch truck
The Touring Car Masters is proudly supported by Shannons Insurance, Rare Spares, Unique Cars Magazine and the 2012 Australian Muscle Car Masters, with official suppliers Hoosier Tires and Australian Sports Marketing.
