CAMS Offices (Sports House) Cnr. Caxton & Castlemaine Streets, Milton Q 4064. Meeting Start - 7.45pm approx. Pre Meeting Drinkies and Feed up at the Paddo Tavern as usual.
Podium Celebrations Continue for Camilleri & Mazda
Added : 31/08/2009 By : Mark Walker
JAKE CAMILLERI made it two outright podiums in as many race meetings with a strong display aboard the Grand Prix Mazda 3 MPS at Oran Park Raceway over the weekend for the fourth round of the Australian Manufacturers Championship.
Camilleri mixed it with the outright cars all weekend long, scoring a trio of sixth place finishes, along the way taking three wins in the battle for Class B honours.
The weekend’s result was set up brilliantly by a daring outside move on main Class B rival Jeremy Gray (Ford XR6 Turbo) at turn four on the final lap of the first race, concluding a thrilling race long battle.
The second race was a relatively straight forward affair, however Camilleri had to race hard in the weekend ending handicap event, with the Class A cars only given a token handicap.
Camilleri resisted a late charge from BMW driver Garry Holt, with the result giving the Grand Prix Mazda team enough points to finish the weekend third overall on the podium.
For Camilleri, the result proves the genuine outright pace of the Mazda 3 MPS, and that second overall at the previous championship round at Morgan Park was no fluke.
“The team has made massive improvements to the car since we won outright here last year, and I think we are really punching above our weight,” said Camilleri.
“Top marks to pit crew for putting together a reliable and strong car over the whole weekend, I think the result puts us in a good position in the class and outright championships.
“We’ve still got more work to do, the pace shown by some of the outright cars was just incredible, but now we’re focused on finishing the season on a strong note at Sandown.”
Team manager Joseph Camilleri was again proud of his troops, as well as his brother’s performance behind the wheel.
“It’s awesome to be on the podium for the last ever national round here at Oran Park, and being on the podium for two consecutive rounds is very pleasing,” said Joseph.
“I’m really, really happy with Jake’s driving this weekend, he was very consistent and fast, especially in race two when he reeled off five 1:19.7 second lap times in a row.
“The handicap system really didn’t work in our favour this time, but still we managed to get a good solid championship points haul for the weekend.
“I’m very proud of the team, we didn’t have the best run in qualifying, but everyone chipped in and made the weekend a success.”
The Grand Prix Mazda team now takes a well earned break before the season finale at Sandown Park on November 28-29.
Grand Prix Mazda Racing would like to thank Castrol, Esanda, Allianz and All Star Tuning Systems for their continued support.
