2023-03-12 12:00:00
It’s Johnson’s fourth straight round win, the first time that has occurred in TCM history.
Johnson, John Bowe and former champion Gavin Bullas had each scored a trifecta of repeat wins however this is the first time anyone was able to convert a fourth since the category was founded in 2007.
His Newcastle win follows success in Tasmania last time out, plus victories in the final two rounds of the 2022 championship at Bathurst and Adelaide.
Johnson, in the Russell Hancock-owned Ford Mustang supported by a host of local, Newcastle-based businesses, claimed a shortened final race over Ryan Hansford and Andrew Fisher in their respective Holden Torana’s.
Fisher edged Adam Bressington for third overall, with the half-points awarded for the final race giving the Camaro driver the final step on the podium.
Lengthy delays in the program proceeding TCM ensured the race was a short dash from go to woah with Johnson out to an early lead.
Hansford had to work his way to second position while Fisher and Bressington battled for third.
The latter did enough to secure third position overall, bumping Hansford off the podium.
In three TCM visits to Newcastle, Bressington has now finished third, second and third overall for Whiteline Racing.
Marcus Zukanovic and John Bowe battled over fifth and sixth position, while Cameron Tilley was next.
Geoff Fane and John Adams completed the 10, while Ian Price failed to finish in his Ford Escort.
Unfortunately, an off-track injury ruled Tony Karanfilovski out of the three Newcastle races with the medical team not clearing him to race following an injury to his hand.
Steven Johnson now leads the Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters series following a hectic start to the year, with Round 3 set for the Shannons SpeedSeries event at Winton Motor Raceway in June.
Joel Heinrich’s successful debut weekend in the Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters has ended with another victory in race three, while consistency paved the way to an overall round victory for Ryan Hansford.
Saturday honours were shared in the Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters at The Bend, with Ryan Hansford claiming the race one victory, while debutant Joel Heinrich backed up his Trophy Race win with a dominant
THE Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters will make their debut at The Bend Motorsport Park later this month for the August 18-20 OTR SuperSprint.
JOHN BOWE’S now iconic Holden Torana SL/R 5000 is on the market and looking for a new owner.
Fans of the Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters Series have been treated to quite the show so far in 2023, with the category featuring as part of both the Shannons SpeedSeries and Repco Supercars Championship.