MEDIA RELEASE - For immediate Release - Tuesday, September 14th, 2010.
	TWEEDIE TO FIGHT FOR GOLD STAR AT SANDOWN
	Photo: Ton in action in wet Friday practice at Eastern Creek. Image: Richard Craill Photo - Click to download hi-res for media use         Photo: Tom will fight for the Australian Drivers Championship at Eastern Creek. Image: Richard Craill Photo - Click to download hi-res for media use     PERHAPS THE BEST EVER DRIVE in his Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship career has enabled Tom Tweedie to head into the final round of the championship a title contender. Tweedie took his Team Tom Supporters Club Dallara F304 to second place at the 3.9km Eastern Creek layout, a result that was beyond expectations at one of the toughest circuits of the year for the older-model Dallara. Tweedie’s F304 lacks the aero downforce and grip of the cars driven by his direct title rivals, however a stirring drive to second in the feature race was proof that both team and driver are at the peak of their respective games ahead of the all important season finale’. Starting from third, Tom made perhaps the best start of his F3 career and rocketed forwards, engaging in a massive battle with Mitch Evans through the opening few corners before eventually asserting himself into second place. From there he faced 14 laps of severe pressure but was good enough to hold on to take a critical second place. That result, coupled with a pair of third-place finishes in the two sprint races, gives Tweedie 190 championship points, 4 behind Evans and 12 behind leader Ben Barker. 48 points are up for grabs in the season finale. “It feels like a win to finish how we did at Eastern Creek,” said Tom Tweedie. “Chris Gilmour has been ‘Gun Start Gilmour’ for a while, but now I think its ‘Gun Start Tweedie’ after that one. I got a great start and it was very tight into turn one – I got squeezed in towards the pit wall by Evans but was able to hold him out as we battled through turns one, two and three. “From there I just had to hold on to the position and we had a slight straight-line speed advantage which ensured he couldn’t quite get the tow he needed to pass into turn two. “I drove as hard as I could. I knew where I was strong and where he was strong so it was a good battle and I’m so pleased we held on to second place – it feels like a race win.” Team Tom now heads into the season finale’ at Sandown Raceway, in Melbourne, a circuit that will offer up a level playing field for the championship decider. Whilst Tom heads to the round in third place, 12 behind the leader, he says the title race is still wide open. “It’s theirs to lose and ours to win,” he said of his Team BRM rivals Ben Barker and Mitch Evans. “They are fighting each other and fighting us as well – we just need to focus on doing our own thing and winning at Sandown. “We have this 04 car cranking along harder than ever and we went better than expected here (Eastern Creek) so Sandown could be good to us. We went well there last year and actually beat Mitch in one of the races. “It’s going to be a huge fight and I’m going there to do everything I can to win the championship.” The final round will be held at Sandown between October 23-24. For more information head to www.tomtweedie.com or www.formula3.com.au Action from Eastern Creek can be seen on SBS Speedweek from 12:30pm this Sunday, September 19th. ENDS
For more information, contact Richard Craill - Tom Tweedie Media & PR Manager - on 0408 813 141 or by replying to this email.