• by APS MEDIA
• August 06, 2022

Drake takes epic race one win

John Paul Drake has won the opening race of the GC Marine Australian Prototype Series in a close fought battle that went down to the wire.

Drake edged Ricky Capo on the final lap, taking the chequered flag by the narrowest of margins – just 0.2s separating the pair.

It looked like an upset was in the making at Queensland Raceway, with Phil Hughes leading the field for the majority of the race.

Nobody could pass the Radical SR8 pilot for the vast majority of the 14-lap affair, who took the lead off pole-sitter Ryan Godfrey off the line.

But a spin on the penultimate lap saw Hughes fall down the field, losing the lead he’d held and the potential surprise victory.

Capo and Drake, who enjoyed a battle throughout, as well as with Hughes, then took their dual to the dying stages.

The elbows were out throughout the race, with plenty of scraps. 

Drake’s victory was made even more impressive, with the South Australian mishearing a radio message which resulted in him thinking the race was over when there were in fact seven laps to run.

Drake had backed off slightly to fall as low as fifth, before again charging through the field and ultimately, to victory.

In the Radical Class, Peter Clare enjoyed the class win ahead of Bill Medland.

Race two takes place on Sunday morning at 10.25am, before the weekend’s final race at 1.30pm – the latter which will again be streamed live on Stan Sport as part of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships coverage.

Photos: Speed Shots Photography