Gilmourlives on the edge in race one thriller

CHAMPIONSHIPLEADER Chris Gilmour has lived up to his promise of not just cruising aroundcollecting points to seal his career first F3 Australian Drivers Championship,by winning a thriller at Symmons Plains Raceway today.

From his customary brilliant start, Gilmour rocketed into an early lead beforehaving to defend serious advances throughout the 15 lap duration from firstJames Winslow, then Tim Macrow and finally John Magro on the final lap.

Gilmour lead all the way but three different drivers held second throughout therace in a now-traditional display of slipstreaming and wheel-to-wheel battlingthat is customary for F3 racing at Symmons Plains.

He held on by two-tenths to take his 11th career victory and jump to a 23 pointlead in the championship with two races remaining tomorrow.

In perfect conditions and in front of a strong Saturday crowd at the 2.4kmcircuit south of Launceston, Gilmour labelled the victory as his ‘finest ever’after feeling the pressure of a championship weighing down on him before therace.

“I was feeling it last night, I was very nervous,” Gilmour admitted.

“But that was my best ever race. To do it in front of a big crowd, at the V8’sand under pressure all the way was really, really satisfying.

“I got the start and had to drive reasonably defensively at the end. I waspretty aggressive with Johnny (Magro) at the end – and apologised to himafterwards for it, but he was fine. He knows I want to win this thing bywinning races and that I would fight for it.

“It was a satisfying race. We can play it smart tomorrow, drive my usual racesand hopefully bring it home. A great day.”

Magro was also a star, setting the quickest lap as he charged from fourth tosecond at the finish – a feat matched by former champion Tim Macrow whoflew from fifth to third at the end of lap one, and second a few laps later ashe hustled his way past Winslow at the hairpin.

The two ‘M’s’ swapped position with two laps remaining, Magro then chasingGilmour hard in the final lap and attempting a pass into the final turn –forcing Gilmour to drive defensively to hold out for the victory.

Two further races – one 18 laps and one 15 – will be contestedtomorrow to conclude the F3 Australian Drivers Championship and the winner ofthe CAMS Gold Star award.