04/04/2024
๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ข๐ญ๐๐ก๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ | ๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ ๐จ!
๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ: ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฑ๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐.
After coming on board to sponsor the qualifying pole awards, at the 2024 Pitcher Partners , Lendrive Finance has increased its investment in the signature event of the Motor Racing Australia season, by sponsoring the division that will set the pace and tempo on May 18, Division A.
Division A entries have taken outright honours in three of the four races here at Sydney Motorsport Park thus far, including Benny Tranโs historic triumph here last July, and Todd Herringโs infamous win in 2019, where he snatched the lead off the Division B Mitsubishi Evo, of Stephen Thompson and Ed Kreamer, in the final 300 metres of the race.
The heavyweights of Division A represent three different manufacturers, Mazda, BMW, and Honda, and theyโve all got (at least) one pole position to their name.
Benny Tran (BYP Racing) and Matt Longhurst (Honda Integra) set the one-lap pace in 2019, Todd Herring Racing (Mazda MX5) in 2021, Lloyd Godfrey and Josh Buchan (Honda Integra) in 2022, and in 2023 as well, when they teamed up with Adrian Wilson (BMW M4), set the fastest lap in qualifying, which gave them the honour of bringing the 48-car field to green.
Todd Herringโs record is among some of the very best in the history of this format of racing. In Sydney alone, outright victories in 2019 and 2021, which doubled as division wins, before driving from 43rd to 3rd in 2022, to again be the first Division A car home.
Last year, it just wasnโt meant to be for the Herring Racing stable, but Todd persevered through mechanical issues, to still make it to the chequered flag, to finish third in Division A, and keep the podium run alive.
In 2022, his drive from 43rd to 3rd came after he was unable to take to the track for qualifying, as the team was replacing a blown head gasket, which let go during the morning practice sessions. It remains the record for most positions gained in a Pitcher Partners Sydney 300.
He was originally scheduled to start in 44th, until the Nissan Pulsar of Travis Annabel and Daniel Beckinsale (BLEND LINE TV) was a late withdrawal.
Benny Tran (BYP Racing) got the monkey off the back last year, winning his second 300, but his first in Sydney, and his first in a Division A entry.
After starting from pole position, before failing to finish here in 2019, and limping home 11 laps down, 4th in class, 26th outright in 2021, Tran cracked a top five finish, with Jimmy, in 2022, and that was despite a late race skirmish through Corporate Hill.
The result doubled as 2nd in class โ Bennyโs first division podium finish in Sydney.
Last year, a tyre delamination resulted in an unscheduled pit-stop in the early stages, before several factors fell into his favour, including two well-timed safety car deployments, and mechanical issues for Todd Herring.
Tranโs Honda ran faultlessly for the balance of the evening, and he went onto notch up the biggest winning margin in the short history of the Sydney 300.
Adrian Wilson has two Division A podium finishes to his name, but just like Adam Burgess and Anthony Soole, the 2022 race was the one that got away from him.
Former TCR Australia regular, Lachlan Mineeff Motorsport drove a magnificent opening stint in the BMW M4, in rather dicey conditions, controlling the race, leading the field for much of the night, but their undoing was a late race safety car, and their decision to pit the lap after it was deployed, rather than immediately.
They went on to finish third in Division A, 7th outright, but it couldโve been a completely different story.
In saying that, Wilson has taken that BMW M4 to three division podium finishes in as many attempts, and has done so with a different driver line-up each year.
Lendrive Finance specialises in Car and Asset Finance, as well as Business and Personal Loans, along with secured and unsecured car loans, chattel mortgage, finance leases, Truck, Van, Boat, Jetski, RV and Caravan loans, plus business equipment loans.
They have offices right across the metropolitan area, including in Parramatta, Brookvale, Hornsby, Penrith, Hurstville, Liverpool, Kellyville, Chatswood and Burwood.
For more info, visit their website: http://www.lendrive.com.au/
As per other division, $๐ญ๐ณ๐ฑ๐ฌ in prizemoney will be shared amongst the Division A podium finishers; $1000 for first, $500 for second, and $250 for third.
The 2024 Pitcher Partners Sydney 300 is proudly sponsored by: Pitcher Partners, Lendrive Finance, MJS Electrical Products & Supplies, and Live & Learn Group.
EVENT INFO: https://motorrace.com.au/event/2024-round-2/
Motor Racing Australia events are sanctioned by the Australian Autosport Alliance (AASA), and proudly supported by Pitcher Partners, Live & Learn Group, ClubRacer Engineering, Liquid Clothing Co. & Track Day Club.
Image: Design - Terry Denovan | Background ๐ทScott's Shots. .
