While not achieving the results they were after, Erebus Academy’s Jay Robotham and Reef McCarthy put on an impressive display making significant gains throughout Race 1.

Starting on the fourth row of the grid in P8, Jay was looking to maximise one of his highest qualifying positions of the year. Meanwhile, after missing out on a green lap during qualifying, Reef started at the back of the grid in P12.

At lights out the boys were quick off the line, with Jay and Reef making up two and five positions respectively. The duo were unstoppable in the initial laps with Reef gaining nine positions and Jay maintaining his position in P6 until a safety car was deployed on lap three. 

The drivers had a one lap dash before another safety car was deployed on lap five. As the racing resumed, Reef pushed for P2 while Jay moved up to P5. Both drivers were looking to achieve the highest results of their careers until the final few laps saw their gains lost. 

Lap 9 saw Jay pushed into the wall by Matt Payne, resulting in him dropping to P13. Meanwhile, an engine failure beginning on lap 11 saw Reef’s speed dramatically decline before his #61 Falcon completely shut off on lap 14 resulting in a DNF for the young driver.

Although the results were not what the Image Racing duo were looking for, both drivers showed incredible speed and race craft. Race 2 kicks off tomorrow at 3.55PM local time.