Beechey and Crosswell Claim 2012 Commodore Cup Enduro
Donut King / Achilles Tyres Commodore Cup drivers Adam Beechey and Dean Crosswell have taken out the 2012 Commodore Cup Endurance Challenge for the Ashley Cooper Memorial Trophy at Winton Raceway, making it their third consecutive victory in the prestigious event.
Beechey and Crosswell qualified on pole, with the unique format where the times for both drivers (who competed in one qualifying session each) were added together to determine the grid positions for Race 1. Beechey started Race 1 and battled with Matt Hayes in the early laps of the race, on a damp but drying track. Hayes led initially, but Beechey closed in as the track dried out and took the option of pitting on Lap 9 for the compulsory driver change to gain clear track.
The strategy worked, and Crosswell emerged with the race lead once all the other cars had completed their compulsory pit stops. Crosswell continued Beechey’s good work, and crossed the line 15 seconds clear of the Matt Hayes / Nick Parker entry, with Ross McGregor and Geoff Emery in third.
Adam Beechey again started Race 2, and slotted behind Nick Parker on the first lap before working his way into the lead on Lap 2. He handed over to Crosswell on Lap 12, with Crosswell rejoining the race just ahead of Geoff Emery. Emery hunted down and eventually overtook Crosswell, but second place for Beechey and Crosswell was enough for them to secure the round win.
“It’s great to win the most prestigious event on the Commodore Cup calendar for the third year in a row,” Beechey said. “The car was strong and Kenton Ferguson and the crew did a great job with the pit stops and strategy. Dean was really fast and his lap times were very close to mine, which gave us a lot of flexibility as to when we could take our pit stop in each race.
“Thanks also to Donut King and Achilles Tyres, it’s great to generate some more valuable coverage for them by winning the biggest event of the year.”
Beechey has extended his series lead as the 2012 Commodore Cup reaches its half way point. The next round is scheduled for Phillip Island in September.
Round Results Summary, Commodore Cup Round 3, Winton Qualifying: 1st
Race 1: 1st
Race 2: 2nd
Overall: 1st (143 points)
