Tony Bates has taken his 10th straight race win at the Clipsal 500, with a commanding performance in Race 1 of the Australian GT Championship today.
After starting ninth on the grid in his Moveitnet/C-Tech Laser/Transtex/Bryant & Bryant Mercedes-AMG GT3, Bates progressed to sixth in the first few laps before a Safety Car intervention.
At the restart, Bates maintained a consistent pace until his compulsory pit stop on lap 12, and once the pit stop cycle was complete, he held a slender lead over Roger Lago.
By skilfully negotiating his way through lapped traffic, Bates opened up his advantage to Lago over the closing laps, eventually taking the chequered flag almost eight seconds clear of his rival.
Combined with his dominant performances in Carrera Challenge, Bates’ undefeated run at the Adelaide street circuit – which stretches back to 2014 – has continued.
“Today was a magnificent day, and I am stoked – there’s no other way to describe it,” Bates said.
“I’ve always loved this circuit and after qualifying yesterday I thought we had a chance of a good result, but with such high-level opposition I also knew I had to be on top of my game,” Bates said.
“Fortunately, the Eggleston Motorsport team gave me a car that was fast and consistent, our pit strategy was perfect and I was able to get the job done for my supporters C-Tech Laser, Transtex and Bryant & Bryant.
“I’m not getting ahead of myself though; there are still two races to go and with the way the compulsory pit stop times are determined, I will have to stop for 12 seconds longer in tomorrow’s race, so I know it will be a big task to repeat the result – but I’ll be giving it my best shot,” Bates concluded.
Race 2 of the Australian GT Championship commences at 9:10am tomorrow and will again be shown live on Fox Sports 5 (Channel 506).
