Season Kicks Off With Photo Finish at Phillip Island

The inaugural Motorcraft Mustang Cup Australia season kicked off last weekend at Phillip Island, with Aaron Cameron becoming the series’ first-ever race winner in a thrilling photo finish during Saturday’s opening race.

Cameron came out on top in a nailbiting battle against GRM teammate James Golding that went all the way to the checkered flag, prevailing by a wafer-thin margin of just six thousandths of a second at the end of the 40-minute encounter.

Golding had initially slipped behind another GRM entry, that of James Moffatt, but took second place back before halfway before setting about challenging early leader Cameron on what was a drying track after earlier rain at the Victoria circuit.

A move at the tight MG right-hander that gave Golding the advantage was the opening salvo of a battle that ran all the way to the finish, with the lead changing hands twice on the final lap alone before Cameron edged ahead exiting the long final corner.

Behind their exciting duel, Moffatt finished third to complete an all-GRM podium, ahead of Ford Racing Driver Development Team member Cameron McLeod and Joe Fawcett.

Sunday’s second race was held in dry conditions, and was won by RM Racing Cars driver McLeod by a margin of just over two seconds after he passed poleman Cameron on the first lap with a move at the challenging Lukey Heights left-hander.

Cameron conceded second to Golding but retook second when the latter was forced into the pits, while the final spot on the podium was taken by McLeod’s teammate Tyler Everingham, who had finished eighth in Saturday’s opener.

Completing the top five were Moffatt and Josh Anderson.

In the Dark Horse Legends class, Keith Kassulke took a clean sweep of wins, finishing ahead of Ben Dunn on both occasions.

The second round of the Mustang Cup Australia season will take place at The Bend Motorsport Park on May 8-10.