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After a strong run at the opening round of the Australian Manufacturers Championship at Wakefield Park, Lee Castle will be looking for more success this weekend at Eastern Creek Raceway aboard Wilson Brothers Racing’s Subaru WRX Sti.
With a pair of second places and a third from the first round, Castle currently leads Class A1 for High Performance All Wheel Drive vehicles under $125,000 from Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 driver Rod Salmon
The Evo 10 challenge for round two however has grown, with Salmon joined by Bob Pearson, Mark King, and rally ace Steve Glenney.
The 4WD cars will have to watch their backs, with a strong field of rear wheel drive V8s ready to stretch their legs on the kilometre long front straight, as well as the BMW of local hope Garry Holt.
Although this weekend will be Castle’s first look at the facility, he has shown in the past 18 months to be a quick learner of new circuits.
“I’m really looking forward to Eastern Creek and getting stuck into it during Friday practice, and I’m certain that come Saturday we will be right on the pace,” said Castle.
“Wilson Brothers Racing has been busy working on the car in the break since the first round, and it should be on the pace with the Evo 10s again.
“I have a feeling that Eastern Creek might be a bit like Phillip Island, and we learned a few lessons there last year, so we’ll be able to put them to good use.”
The gap since the opening round in April has been a hive of activity at Wilson Brothers Racing’s Gold Coast base, with the Subaru receiving a full overhaul.
For the crew however, this will be their third meeting in as many weeks, after racing at Lakeside Park in Brisbane, and then Townsville with the V8 Utes last weekend before heading south of the border.
“We’ve been doing a lot of development and testing of the WRX in an effort to keep up with the new Evo 10s, which have really raised the bar since last season,” said team principal Cameron Wilson.
“Lee won’t have a problem coming to grips with the circuit, and I think if we can have a good result this weekend, it will really set up the championship.”
After Eastern Creek, the series moves north to the team’s home circuit, Morgan Park Raceway in Warwick, before visiting familiar territory at Oran Park and Sandown.
“We know Morgan Park very well, we had a strong run at Oran Park last year, and we had a win at Sandown in 2008,” said Castle.
“Eastern Creek may be a home track for many competitors, but very few get a chance to test there, so it is a bit of a level playing field.”
The weekend’s racing will follow a similar format to the opening round, with three 20 minute races.
Australian Manufacturers Championship
Round 2- Eastern Creek Raceway 17-19 July
Weekend Timetable
Friday
10:00am Practice 15 minutes
12:25pm Practice 20 minutes
3:05pm Practice 20 minutes
Saturday
9:50am Practice 20 minutes
12:35pm Qualifying 20 minutes
3:40pm Race 1- 9 laps
Sunday
11:30am Race 2- 9 laps
2:15pm Race 3- 9 laps
For more information on Lee Castle Racing, visit www.wilsonbrothersracing.com.
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