MEDIA RELEASE - For immediate Release - Monday August 23rd, 2010
	GOLD STAR FIGHT BEGINS NOW FOR TOM TWEEDIE
	Photo: Tom in action at Morgan Park. Image: Richard Craill Photo - Click to download hi-res for media use         Photo: Tom racing in close quarters with Chris Gilmour. Image: Richard Craill Photo - Click to download hi-res for media use     TOM TWEEDIE has vowed to continue pushing as hard as possible for the 2010 Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship crown after a mostly successful yet partially frustrating weekend at Morgan Park Raceway a week ago. In electrifying form, Tweedie raced to his third win of the season as he held off title rivals Ben Barker and Mitch Evans to take the flag in the second sprint race on the newly extended Queensland circuit. That result came after a second-placed finish in race one and third place in Meguiar’s pole qualifying – though only 0.05s from pole position in the closest qualifying session in series history. Tweedie’s mighty weekend came undone prior to the longer feature race when his #19 Team Tom Supporters Club Dallara failed to fire its Renault engine moments before the start of the formation lap. Though the engine eventually turned over – after some ‘encouragement’ from team mechanic Thomas – Tweedie was left to start the main race from last as the entire field had passed the #19 machine before it fired into life. In a stirring drive, Tweedie charged his way through the field, engaging in a wheel-banging battle with Zhang Shan Qi for fifth place at over 200km/hr. A late-braking move up the inside of Chris Gilmour for third place went awry when Tom had a half-spin - before safely finishing fourth to secure valuable points. Though he lost the title lead for the first time since round two in April, Tweedie’s 159 points place him second – two behind leader Ben Barker and two in front of Mitch Evans. “All things considered, we have to be pleased with the weekend at Morgan Park,” Tweedie said. “The team has been hugely competitive all weekend and it was great to win another race, right when we needed it. Once again we’ve shown that our F304 Dallara can mix it with the new cars and beat them as well and that’s hugely satisfying. “We came here with the objective of competing for race wins and we achieved that so – despite the frustration of the final race – we’re still in the title fight. “Team Tom has done an outstanding job. Thomas and Nathan have got this car going as well as it ever will.” Sydney-based Tweedie said he charge through the field in the final race was a case of damage limitation. “We had to get to the front as quickly as we could,” he said. “It was very frustrating to have the car stop on the grid when we were in a good position to at least score another podium, if not win, and keep our championship lead. It was just one of those things that happens and I had to get over it and push on. “There were some exciting moments, especially banging wheels with Zhang at 200 km/hr – that was a bit close for comfort. “In the end fourth place was a good recovery and to leave here only two points behind the leader is a result we’ll take.” The next round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship will be held at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway on September 11-12 – home turf for Team Tom. Eastern Creek’s 3.9 kilometres of flowing corners will suit the later-model Dallara’s with their better downforce and grip, but Tweedie has been buoyed by a recent test at the circuit. “We tested a week before Morgan Park and went quicker than we’ve ever been there,” he said. “It’s going to be very hard to beat the ‘07s there but we need to keep in the back of our minds that Sandown, the final round, is a track where we can compete and that’s where the title will be decided.” Action from Morgan Park Raceway’s fifth round of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship – including plenty of action as Tom charges his way through the field in some exciting racing – can be seen this Sunday at 12:30PM on SBS ONE. For more information heads to www.tomtweedie.com ENDS
For more information, contact Richard Craill - Tom Tweedie Media & PR Manager - on 0408 813 141 or by replying to this email.