LAKESIDE QLD. MAY 12...
LOWNDES ON TOP AT LAKESIDE:
Holden factory driver Craig Lowndes looks headed for a championship in his
rookie year following a clean sweep of round 7 of the Shell Australian
Touring Car Championships 
The 21 year old took a perfect three from three in his new Commodore
supercar to take overall points from the steadily improving Alan Jones in
his Pack Leader Racing Ford Falcon and Lownde's arch rival for the title
Tasmanian John Bowe.
In race one pole sitter and local legend Dick Johnson blew the start and
was swamped by fellow veteran Peter Brock and Lowndes. Jones and Bowe
battled it out for fourth while Wayne Gardner lost an engine was forced
out. Lowndes moved past Brock to set up a factory formation one two.
Johnson was third just holding out Glen Seton while Bowe beat of Jones for
fifth.
Lowndes won the start in the second heat from Brock and Seton and was
never headed. Tony Longhurst and Mark Skaife diced mid field before Skaife
put his Commodore in to the kitty litter. While Dick Johnson's day got
even worse when he slowed after his pit crew miscounted the laps sending
there unamused boss back to ninth. Lowndes set a new lap record.
Race 3 was Peter Brock's chance to shine as he won the start from Lowndes.
Glen Seton had a bumping duel with former team mate Alan Jones causing the
former to pit with overheating problems caused by a crushed front grille.
Back in the pack a fierce battle developed between Russell Ingall, Mark
Skaife, Wayne Gardner, and Steven Richards.  Tony Longhurst pulled a great
overtaking manoeuvre on John Bowe only to lose it later in the loop. Brock
looked set for a much needed victory when his Commodore pulled of with a
front end problem leaving Lowndes to take his third chequer of the day
from Alan Jones, John Bowe, Dick Johnson, Russell Ingall, and Steven
Richards.
With only three rounds to go Lowndes looks almost certain to become the
youngest winner of the title with only defending champ John Bowe any
chance of unseating the young Melbourne racer from top spot. The series
now makes long cross continent journey to Barbagello raceway in Perth for
round 8 on May 26.

HEAT ONE
DRIVER   TEAM  CAR TYRE
CRAIG LOWNDES  MOBIL/HOLDEN RACING TEAM   HOLDEN COMMODORE  BS
CRAIG LOWNDES  MOBIL/HOLDEN RACING TEAM   HOLDEN COMMODORE  BS
DICK JOHNSON   SHELL/FAI/DICK JOHNSON RACING FORD FALCON D
GLEN SETON  FORD CREDIT RACING      FORD FALCON BS
JOHN BOWE   SHELL/FAI/DICK JOHNSON RACING FORD FALCON D
ALAN JONES  PACK LEADER RACING   FORD FALCON BS

HEAT TWO
CRAIG LOWNDES  MOBIL/HOLDEN RACING TEAM   HOLDEN COMMODORE  BS
PETER BROCK    MOBIL/HOLDEN RACING TEAM   HOLDEN COMMODORE  BS
GLEN SETON  FORD CREDIT RACING   FORD FALCON BS
ALAN JONES  PACK LEADER RACING   FORD FALCON BS
JOHN BOWE   SHELL/FAI/DICK JOHNSON RACING FORD FALCON D
LARRY PERKINS  TEAM CASTROL   HOLDEN COMMODORE  D
TONY LONGHURST TEAM CASTROL   FORD FALCON Y

HEAT THREE
CRAIG LOWNDES  MOBIL/HOLDEN RACING TEAM   HOLDEN COMMODORE  BS
ALAN JONES  PACK LEADER RACING   FORD FALCON BS
JOHN BOWE   SHELL/FAI/DICK JOHNSON RACING FORD FALCON D
DICK JOHNSON   SHELL/FAI/DICK JOHNSON RACING FORD FALCON D
RUSSELL INGALL TEAM CASTROL   HOLDEN COMMODORE  D
STEVEN RICHARDS   VALVOLINE/CUMMINS HOLDEN COMMODORE  BS

OVERALL
CRAIG LOWNDES
ALAN JONES
JOHN BOWE

POINTS
CRAIG LOWNDES  281
JOHN BOWE   258
GLEN SETON  218
PETER BROCK 172
LARRY PERKINS  151

NEXT ROUND BARBAGELLO RACEWAY, WANNAROO, WESTERN AUSTRALIA MAY 26

-- 
Brett Ramsey