Touring Car Masters to return to Barbagallo with added grunt

April 5, 2011 - PRLog -- It’s been more than three years since the Touring Car Masters series last raced at the Barbagallo circuit and round two this year will certainly be a welcome return for this Australian muscle.

The last time in the west saw a clean sweep by Eddie Abelnica to take the round win in his 1969 Ford Boss Mustang, and after he too took a three year absence from the west and the series, will return in a 1974 Ford XB Coupe looking to repeat the success of the last visit.

Two-time Australian Touring Car Champion Glenn Seton may have been delayed with his Ford XB Coupe entry, but the category is set to light up the tarmac with the introduction of a 1971 Ford Falcon XY GTHO under the control of Tony Karanfilovski who upgrades from his Class A Alfa Romeo to the new, and hopefully more front of pack competitive Class C machine.

Terry Lawlor is set to begin his Touring Car Masters racing career in a 1973 Porsche 911 RS, taking the number of Porsches to five, while Cameron Tilley had expected to make the move from his Valiant Pacer to the ex-Abelnica 1969 Ford Boss Mustang that won last time in the west, but engine part delays will see this vehicle out later in the season.

Returning to the series for their first 2011 races will be Chris Stillwell, Bill Pye, Garry Treloar, Ross Almond and Trevor Talbot, with Bernie Stack swapping his usual Porsche in the aim to run with the lead group in Bob Middleton’s 1970 Chevrolet Camaro RS.

Tony Edwards attempted his 2011 series debut at the recent Clipsal 500 event, but with endless mechanical setbacks including a blown diff and power steering rack failure, is now aiming to complete the first races of the year and re-start his season with some reliability and success in the series’ first Holden Torana SLR/5000.

The Touring Car Masters will hit the track once again with what should prove to be another epic three race weekend showing exactly why this classic category is known for the grunt and the passion.

Eddie Abelnica
“We were pretty proud of what we’d achieved in Adelaide, learning the new car and coming home with a better than expected result. Realistically we’ll aim for a similar result in Perth.

“If things come our way it’d be great to get up another position or two back at the place I won my last round. Either way I’m really looking forward to going racing again.”

Terry Lawlor
“We were very disappointed not to make the opening round at Clipsal due to engine failure, but we’re now finishing the rebuild and going to be a definite starter at Barbagallo.

“From what I hear, it’s an interesting circuit for the driver. I haven’t driven there myself yet, but I’m certainly looking forward to it.”

The Touring Car Masters is proudly presented by Autobarn, and supported by Shannons Insurance, Rare Spares, Unique Cars Magazine and official suppliers Hoosier Tires and Australian Sports Marketing.

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Since 2007, the Touring Car Masters has rapidly grown to become one of Australia's premier racing categories, and the most spectacular V8 Supercar support class

The series showcases a selection of immaculately prepared touring cars of the pre-1977 era