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D’Alberto Goes Lights to Flag in Race 1 at QR
Tony D’Alberto has broken through for his first points-paying win of the 2024 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series.
Click here for the full results.
D’Alberto went lights-to-flag in the opening TCR encounter at EVENTelec Race Queensland, converting pole position on a day where second on the grid has tended to be favourable.
D’Alberto ironically would have started second if not for a five-place grid penalty for a pre-round engine change demoting Tom Oliphant from pole.
The 2022 TCR Australia champion took full toll, getting a good launch while fellow front-row starter Zac Soutar lost ground.
While Soutar at least was able to settle into third behind a fast-starting Aaron Cameron, it was disaster for Dylan O’Keeffe who failed to get off the line at all.
The Ashley Seward Motorsport Lynk & Co was swiftly towed to pit exit, allowing the race to continue without a Safety Car intervention, but O’Keeffe’s day was done.
With clear air ahead, D’Alberto got into a groove, holding Cameron at bay as that duo checked out.
Hungry to make the most of his #15 Hyundai’s pace, Oliphant reeled in Brad Harris to grab fourth and set after series leader Soutar.
The Englishman did just that but ultimately fell just four tenths of a second short, as out in front D’Alberto led home Cameron with 0.8126s in hand.
Harris held off Buchan for fifth, ahead of Ben Bargwanna, a fast-starting Jordan Cox and Will Harris.
Ryan Casha had a mid-race off-track excursion at Turn 3 but brought his Garry Rogers Motorsport Peugeot home in 10th, meaning he’ll be on pole for Race 2 which runs to a reverse top 10 grid format.
Glenn Nirwan and Ben Stewart rounded out the field, with O’Keeffe the sole non-finisher.
For D’Alberto, it’s a welcome result after his Tassie triumph in March was belatedly declared a non-race due to insufficient laps being completed. D’Alberto ended up refusing to race in the Symmons finale the following day, somewhat handcuffing any potential title aspirations.
Putting 2024 Race Tasmania aside, it’s D’Alberto’s first TCR race win since Sandown last September.
Soutar remains on top of the standings, having slightly widened his advantage over Buchan.
Race 2 will start tomorrow at 1:45pm, with coverage via 7plus.