Garry Holt and Ryan McLeod have done the double in Round 4 of the 2012 Australian Manufacturers’ Championship at Queensland Raceway, taking out both legs of the Hydraulink 400.
Having held on to win Saturday night’s race by a scant 1.4s, the duo charged to a convincing 49.5s victory in the twilight of Sunday evening.
Fellow Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X pilots Jim Pollicina and Ryan Simpson took the fight to Holt and McLeod for much of the race before a slow second pitstop cost valuable time.
Although unable to repeat his Safety Car-assisted one-stop strategy from Race 1, Holt was a resounding winner.
“We knew we would be competitive because we won at Phillip Island, but we didn’t come here expecting to win both races,” he said.
“It was a tough race and it went to plan, the car was good and even though there were some close calls earlier on (Holt and Colin Osborne made contact) we were able to get through.
“It’s a testament to the team and how hard they have worked. Ryan did a great job and brought it home so we’re really pleased.”
The Lancers of Dylan Thomas/Dale Thomas and Stuart Kostera/Inky Tulloch completed the lead-lap runners at the chequered flag, while Beric Lynton was two laps adrift in fifth driving his rapid but still unsorted BMW 1M.
Grant Sherrin took Class B with sixth outright in his BMW 135i, with Class C winner Jake Camilleri (Mazda 3 MPS) recovering from his Race 1 issues to finish one place further back in seventh.
The remaining classes were taken by Richard Gartner (Renault Clio) in 13th outright and Andrew Turpie/Grant Philips (Proton Satria) in 15th.
The race results ensured the father and son Thomas team would take second for the round behind Holt and McLeod, while Kostera and Tulloch rounded out the podium.
Kostera continues to lead the drivers’ standings with just one round remaining at Sandown Raceway, Victoria, in November.