The privateer Falcon runner was on the right tyre at the right time when rain came in race two, sweeping past Jack Smith to take the victory in a dramatic mixed-conditions race.
He was then in the right place at the right time in the final race when Tyler Greenbury had a tyre come off the rim at high speed, clipping Jack Smith’s car as he speared across the circuit at Turn 4; eliminating both drivers instantly.
A remarkable weekend saw the three main title contenders prior to the round fail to finish the final race, three winners from three races, two first-time race winners and a debut round victory for McCorkindale featuring amongst other notable events.
“We got it all together and got the car hooked up,” McCorkindale said.
“We were P7 in the wet in practice so I was hoping for a dry run but when it rained come race day we came away with the win – so obviously it agrees with us!
“It (Race 2) was a gamble for us because obviously if it dried up anyone on slicks was going to go away with it. Luckily, we made the right call and it paid off.”
The round victory was a major milestone for a little team from country New South Wales.
“We’re really happy… we’re just a small family team but with Dean Canto helping us out we’re slowly plotting away with a good setup.”
McCorkindale powered to victory in race two when he elected to start the race on wet tyres – banking on more rain during the race on an otherwise drying circuit.
The gamble paid off as early leader Greenbury and then Jack Smith fell through the pack as they struggled for traction on an increasingly damp surface.
A stout five car fight for the lead saw Michael Caine also power his way into second place, while Smith managed to preserve and finish third to score valuable series points.
Chris Smerdon was the big mover – starting on the fourth row of the grid but rocketing into the top three thanks to a brilliant start. The former champion ran at the front for most of the race and still finished fourth – despite a brief spin at MG.
Tyler Greenbury slipped to fifth place with Jim Pollicina sixth.
Race 3 was a wild affair and teed off when Greenbury’s left-front came off the rim at turn three after just five laps of racing.
The Commodore speared off at high speed and spun across the road at the turn four Haprin, a glancing blow to the back of leader Smith’s Commodore ending his day as an innocent party to the accident.
After a lengthy safety car period, McCorkindale assumed the race lead but was instantly under threat from Michael Anderson’s FG Falcon – ultimately ceding the position in the closing laps after an entertaining battle for the lead.
Anderson streaked home to win his first race ahead of McCorkindale and Michael Caine.
McCorkindale won the round overall, with Anderson and Caine completing the podium. All three drivers recorded their best ever Kumho series round and race results this weekend. Brad Neil won the heritage trophy, while McCorkindale also won the Kumho Cup.
The dramatic weekend has remarkably enhanced Jack Smith’s series position, despite his non-finish in the final race.
The Brad Jones Racing Commodore can now clinch the series in the first race at the Sydney Motorsport Park season finale thanks to a 106-point lead.
Michael Anderson has jumped to second place with Tyler Greenbury 14 points further back in third.
Jon McCorkindale has climbed to fourth place while a tough weekend for Jordan Boys has seen him slip to fifth in the standings with a round to go.
