by Matthew Agius
Garth Tander has won for the first time in Tasmania by powering to a dominant race one win at Symmons Plains Raceway in the Australian V8 Supercar Series for the Ferodo Triple Challenge.
Tander started alongside Steven Richards on the front row of the grid, the latter getting a solid jump off the line to lead the field to the first corner. However it was Tander who had superior car speed – eventually deciding to peel into pitlane for his compulsory tyre stop in an effort to get clean air upon exit.
The decision paid off – Tander leading the race after Richards was unable to match the West Australian’s pace. The HSV Dealer Team frontman was able to push hard for the remainder of the 100-kilometre race and secured a well-earned victory. It would be unfair though to give full credit to Tander – the HSV Dealer Team pitcrew assisting their leader’s charge with an efficient pit stop.
"It really couldn’t have been easier, the guys did a fantastic pitstop and it was really up to me to make sure I did a couple of quick out laps and didn’t make a mistake till the end of the race," Tander told
Crash.net Radio after the victory.
"Our car was very good yesterday, we only missed pole in the shootout by a hundredth of a second from Richo. I knew our car was very good and it turned out to be a fantastic racecar – probably better than we had expected – and slightly better than Richo’s as a race package.
"We’ll have a look at the car overnight to see if we can make it better and try and come out a little bit stronger again tomorrow, but I’m very, very satisfied with the work we’ve done so far."
Steven Richards was quick in the race, however was unable to match the blistering pace of Tander’s car. Richards started well and was able to stay ahead of Tander for the opening stint, but soon conceded the lead after the sole round of pitstops.
