Andrew Thompson wins opening Fujitsu race

Andrew Thompson has continued Triple Eight Race Engineering’s dream run at Barbagallo Raceway, winning the opening race of the Fujitsu V8 Series in Perth.

After his team-mate Jamie Whincup won the opening race of the V8 Supercars at the Wanneroo circuit earlier today, Thompson dominated the race, despite some resistance from Jack Perkins.

Scott McLaughlin finished third ahead of David Russell, Rodney Jane, Daniel Jilesen, Marcus Zukanovic, Chaz Mostert, Robert Cregan and Ash Walsh.

The race saw two Safety Car periods – one for newcomer Brett Stewart in an ex-Paul Morris Motorsport Commodore who went off at Turn 1, and Paul Morris himself who was caught up in a clash with Nick Percat.

Morris executed some of his own payback in the latter stages of the race with some blocking on Percat, who eventually retired with a smoking Coates Hire Commodore.

Jayco Racing’s Tim Blanchard made contact with Taz Douglas and was forced to serve a drive through penalty. Blanchard eventually finished 14th.

The final Fujitsu V8 race will be held tomorrow at 3.25pm.