Greg Bayliss # 12
‘Boom
Boom’ Bayliss Causes Major Boil-over in Street Stock Season Opener:
On a rough PCR track that demanded respect from even the most experienced and well-equipped drivers, the 12-lap feature race start saw pole sitter Foyle jump to an immediate lead before quickly building a handsome gap over his rivals. On the eighth lap, whilst comfortably out in front, a mistake exiting turn four saw Foyle surrender the lead to Bayliss, the very opportunity he needed.
Greg Bayliss # 12
For the remaining three laps Foyle did everything in his power to retrieve his lead, but Bayliss drove with a cool head to record his maiden Street Stock feature race victory in front of Foyle and Swain, who completed the podium. The trio were closely followed by Shane Carlson (EF Falcon), Andrew Espener (VN Commodore), 13th starter Nigel O’Neill (EB Falcon), Brett Mitchell (EF Falcon), John Smith (VN Commodore), Glen Hoogewaerks (VN Commodore) and Bruce Clark (EA Falcon) in 10th.
One driver to suffer misfortunate heartache was current Australia # 2 Glenn Mitchell (EF Falcon) who started from the rear of the field, diligently working his way up, only to suffer a flat right rear tyre on lap eight that ended his top ten chances as he slowed to finish in 13th.
A jubilant feature race winner, Bayliss admitted that this was his first win at PCR since the early 1980s in his Fender Bender days, and that it wasn’t possible without a little luck after the crucial mistake made by Foyle allowed him to take the position of front runner.
John Smith # 91
“I’m absolutely rapt with the win and it’s been a while between drinks since my last win here [at PCR],” Bayliss expressed.
“When Bryan [Foyle] made the mistake I was able to take advantage and from held the lead by making minimal mistakes, which was what I did throughout the whole race, and that set up my win.”
“It’s a great to start the season off with a win and to be honest, I wasn’t expecting too much in the first meeting so this is certainly a wonderful surprise.”
Heat winners earlier in the night were Espener, Smith, Foyle and Glenn Mitchell.
Newcomers Tim Baker (VN Commodore), Troy Dean (VS Commodore) and Brett Mitchell all made steady transitions into the Street Stock ranks as well. The best performer of the three was certainly Mitchell, who ran an impressive feature race to place seventh.
The spectacular night was made more exciting as five different winners emerged from the weekend’s five races.
Latest
Sydney Street Stock club Championship point standings:
1 John Smith – 124
2 Greg Bayliss – 118
3 Shane Carlson – 118
4 Glenn Mitchell – 116
5 Andrew Espener – 114
6 Nigel O’Neill – 112
7 Robert Swain – 110
8 Brett Mitchell – 106
9 Glen Hoogewaerks – 98
10 Bryan Foyle - 97
The next round of the club championship for the Sydney Street Stock club is Saturday, October 7 at PCR.
All pictures supplied by Gary Reid
-Ends
Media Release-
Sydney
Street Stock media enquiries Daniel Powell – Redline Media
Phone: 0246 832464
Mobile: 0439 639 992
Email: Daniel@redlinemedia.com.au
Brett Mitchell # 69