Michael Patrizi has taken victory in both of Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia’s Saturday races at Bathurst, including his maiden win, while Max Twigg topped the Elite Class in both races.
Patrizi led from the start of the opening race, gaining the lead ahead of pole-sitter Craig Baird, before charging to a lengthy lead and eventual maiden Carrera Cup win over Steven Richards, Ben Barker and Baird, who crossed the line in third position but later received a five second penalty for jumping the start, demoting him to fourth.
Daniel Gaunt finished in fifth ahead of Matthew Coleman, Tim Leahey and Elite Class race winner Max Twigg.
Patrizi’s dominance continued in the second race, which was started behind the safety car after Jeremy Gray spun on the formation lap. Gray didn’t contest the race, while the remainder of the field started in variable track conditions after a brief rain shower passed over the Mount Panorama circuit.
The West Australian Patrizi then remained in control of the race until the chequered flag, finishing ahead of Barker, Richards, Baird, Gaunt, Reid, Leahey and Coleman in eighth, with the ninth-placed Twigg holding off Damien Flack for his second Elite Class win for the day.
In his debut season in the category, Patrizi was pleased with his dominant form at the iconic circuit.
“I’m very satisfied with the wins. Every driver is only as good as the equipment underneath him and it has shown this weekend. We’re doing a super job,” said Patrizi.
“At the start of the weekend I set a goal for six wins in the remaining nine races for the year. I’m not racing for a podium anymore; I’m racing for the win.”
Twigg, who also claimed a clean sweep of Elite Class wins, was happy with the results after struggling for pace early in the event.
“That’s two from two for us, which is good. I’d rather be a bit further up the field, though,” said Twigg.
“I’m happy enough. From where I was in practice and qualifying to where I am now, it’s a far better result.”
Baird now leads the outright standings on 650 points ahead of Gaunt (647), Reid (639) and Richards (619).
Meanwhile Richards and his Ford Performance Racing teammate Mark Winterbottom will start the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 in 10th after rain dampened the track as Winterbottom started his Top 10 Shootout lap, while most other qualifiers were graced with dry conditions.
In Friday’s V8 Supercars qualifying session, Gaunt and Tim Slade (Lucky 7 Racing) qualified 15th, Baird and Fabian Coulthard (Bundaberg Racing) qualified 20th, and Patrizi and Dean Fiore (Triple F Racing) qualified 28th for the 1000 km race.
