Joey Mawson claims hard-fought S5000 round victory at Phillip Island
Defending champion Joey Mawson has won the second round of the S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship at Phillip Island in a hard-fought battle with polesitter James Golding.
Joey Mawson celebrates on the podium after claiming the S5000 round victory. (Stan Sport)
Golding was first off the line but Mawson committed to a move around the outside through the high-speed first corner.
Golding held on to Mawson and the battle was on, until the field was brought under the control of the safety car due to an incident in turn four.
Blake Purdie made contact with the rear of Zane Goddard's Alabar/Form 700 Team BRM #3, breaking his front-left suspension and sending him barreling into the side of Shae Davies' Versa Motorsport entry.
With both cars out of the race, the track was clear by lap six, with Joey Mawson holding firm despite pressure from Golding.
A tight battle ensued until the flag, with Mawson even receiving a black and white warning flag for his blocking attempts, but the defending champion held on to claim his fifth victory in the short history of S5000.
Golding finished second, just under 0.15 seconds behind Mawson, with Cooper Webster in third.
Mawson and Golding cross the line at Phillip Island. (Stan Sport)
The mixed running at Phillip Island means Tim Macrow holds on to the lead of the championship standings by just one point over Mawson.
James Golding and Cooper Webster are tied for third place, just three points behind Macrow.
The S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship returns 7-10 April at the Australian Grand Prix.
