Two-from-two for Mawson to start S5000 season
Joey Mawson led from pole to take back-to-back victories with race two of the S5000 season in Tasmania.
Joey Mawson celebrates his second S5000 victory at Race Tasmania. (Daniel Kalisz / ARG)
Mawson started alongside rival Aaron Cameron who stalled off the line, dropping to seventh by the end of the opening lap.
It was advantage Mawson off the start line for the second day in a row, after second and third-place starters James Golding and Roberto Merhi both began race one from pit lane.
Golding’s remarkable recovery continued through race two, passing Cooper Webster for second on the opening lap.
Mawson romped away to the chequered flag, only briefly interrupted during the one safety car period for the stricken Zane Goddard.
There was passing action throughout the field, with Roberto Merhi also working his way through the pack.
The Spaniard started seventh and picked off his competition in the opening laps, catching the rear of Cooper Webster in third by lap nine.
Cooper Webster holds off Roberto Merhi across the line. (Daniel Kalisz / ARG)
Merhi bided his time and launched an attack around the outside of the final complex in the final two laps of the shortened race, but the Versa driver was able to hold him off throughout the lap of wheel-to-wheel racing and claim the final step of the podium to the applause of his team gathered on the outside of turn one.
Further back, Blake Purdie passed the S5000 machine of Jordan Boys early in the session but fell off the pace as the race progressed, falling behind the GRM pairing of Boys and Cameron, as well as newcomer Nic Carroll.
Mawson will take pole position for the weekend finale at 2.20pm Sunday afternoon, live and ad-free on Stan Sport.
2023 S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship - Race Tasmania Race Two
- Joey Mawson
- James Golding
- Cooper Webster
- Roberto Merhi
- Jordan Boys
- Aaron Cameron
- Nic Carroll
- Blake Purdie
- Mark Rosser
- Zane Goddard
