Even mother nature couldn’t avoid the Paddon-express from continuing this winning streak in Sandown for round a couple of the Radical Australia Drink, the two-time champion unbeatable despite Melbourne’s wildly unforeseen autumn weather.
Despite any intermittent heavy precipitation and challenges from your new Radical SR3RSX which in fact had already proven during Bathurst to be a faster potential customer in a straight collection – a prospect individuals teams were awaiting on Sandown’s two long drag-strip straights – Paddon overcame the odds to incorporate two more benefits to his 2017 total, making the reigning champion undefeated this year not one but two rounds into the 5 various round season.
Kim Burke in the upgraded 2017 RSX set the pace in the opening rehearsal, the Sydney-sider followed by Bob Crampton in his brand-new 2017 RSX and Oliver Smith (2017 RSX), in fact the top 6 suggested that Paddon would have his work cut down on for him, together with Tony Haggarty and Rowan Ross which makes it five new 2017 long-stroke powered SR3s in the top 6-8.
Sharing the car once again with Michael Whiting, Radical Questionnaire driver coach David Winslow set a stunning speed in P2 with Burke maintaining to lead for the series regulars, his time striking considering another Major driver coach throughout part-time V8 Supercar driver Karl Reindler was next!
In final practice Reindler went better again to top the program in Greg Smith’s SR3RS – the sequence veteran sadly pressured out due to ailment – whilst Kim Burke extended to impress, as would series rookie Andrew d Clare who claimed lastly behind Oliver Smith.
By beginning qualifying Peter Paddon visit the circuit following being delayed in Friday in Questionnaire, his best time having him second, yet he – like the rest of the field – could simply watch in amazing as part-time prototype super star James Winslow smashed this standing lap file for an SR3 at Sandown, which has a best of 1:Eleven.8149.
Kim Burke and Oliver Smith made row two regarding Paddon and Winslow, whilst Donald Crampton and Simon Haggarty completed strip three.
For qualifying not one but two [which sets the power company for the second with the 50-minute races] Kim Burke deservedly got the top spot, 8 tenths faster than details leader Paddon suggesting which the new car would present the ruling champion with plenty of complications.. Paddon’s nearest title competing Oliver Smith was next ahead of Crampton who was continuing to improve in the brand-new car, with Rowan Ross and also the impressive Peter Clare near behind.
