Tim Macrow will lead the Formula 3 Australian Driver's championship into the 2009 finale' at Sandown - one way or another - after coming out on top after a competitive and controversial pair of races at Oran Park.

It was a spectacular send-off to top level, wings and slicks racing at the Narellan circuit, the final race drawing to a close an important chapter in Australia's premier open wheel formula.

Oran Park has played a critical role in the successes of Australia's top open wheel drivers, and it will be Macrow who forever holds the distinction of being the last ever Gold Star race winner at the circuit.

Macrow won race two but both 14-lap races held today were dramatic, competitive and, in some instances, highly controversial.

The race one results will remain provisional following an appeal that will be held prior to the final round of the championship in November.

From pole, Macrow got the best start in race one and led Joey Foster and Mathew Sofi into turn one, where all hell promptly broke loose.

A collision between Roger I'Anson, Ben Crighton and Tom Tweedie left the latter two out of the race within 500 meters of the start. Chris Gilmour was also involved but lived to fight another day and eventually recovered to fourth outright and first of the National Class cars.

After a brief safety car period, Foster got a run on Macrow and passed him into turn two for the race lead on the restart.

On lap seven Sofi got a run on Macrow out of turn three, drawing nearly alongside at the following corner before the two made contact, sending Macrow into a spin – though he was able to recover quickly with little time lost.

Sofi then set out after leader Foster and, on the eleventh lap, closed on him over the dogleg.

Attempting a passing manoeuvre into the final corner, the two cars made contact with Foster spinning to the outside of the circuit – though avoiding contact with the wall – with Sofi continuing to eventually take the chequered flag first.

Foster finished second and Macrow third however, following a stewards hearing after the race, Sofi was penalised by race officials 33 seconds (the equivalent of a drive through penalty) for the contact with Foster in the final corner, relegating him to fourth outright and third of the championship class runners.