HMO Customer Racingβs Bailey Sweeny stepped up in a big way at Sandown Raceway, charging to a pole position and two race wins to claim his third outright round victory of the year.
The 20-year-old was rapid from the get-go at the popular Victorian circuit, where he was also able to retain the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series lead at the expense of Hyundai teammate, Josh Buchan.
With only one point separating the duo heading into the fifth round of the season, Sweeny made the first emphatic statement with an impressive maiden pole position on Saturday morning in one of the most entertaining sessions of the year.
A last-gasp time of 1:14.1547 around the 3.1km circuit was enough to edge out Lachlan Mineeff in the Audi RS3, giving Sweeny the ultimate advantage heading into the opening race.
While the first race of the weekend didnβt go his way, Sweeny was able to bounce back and take victory in both races two and three respectively β sealing round honours ahead of Aaron Cameron and race one winner, Tony DβAlberto.
Sweeny was pleased to take his third round win of the season after having a little bit of uncertainty heading into the weekend.
βLeading up to the weekend, we didnβt really know how we were going pace wise – but after Friday, we were really happy with where we were sitting,β Sweeny said.
βIt was pretty cool to get my first pole position with a lap after the chequered flag on Saturday, it was an awesome session.
βWe have come close a few times, we have been second multiple times, so it was pretty cool to finally get that position.
βUnfortunately race one didnβt quite go to plan, we had a bad start and an issue with the car, but we were able to rectify that for Sunday’s races, where we were obviously able to win both.β
On a broader note, Sweeny was thrilled to retake the series lead and move ever so close to what would be such a big accomplishment in his young career.
βWe went out to get the series lead back and we were able to get that done,β Sweeny added.
βIt’s tight up the top, but your teammate is the best person to go up against and it’s been a great, clean battle so far.
βWinning the title would mean the absolute world to me, it’s something we have been looking at all year and it would go a long way for my racing career.
βIt is the best possible way to end the weekend and head into the world rounds.β
Sweeny now holds a 30-point advantage over teammate, Buchan heading into the Kumho TCR World Tour rounds in November β while Sandown outright podium finisher, Aaron Cameron sits only a further nine points back.
The next round of Supercheap Auto TCR Australia will be the first of two Kumho TCR World Tour rounds at Sydney Motorsport Park on 3-4 November.
Tickets for the event are available for purchase at motorsporttickets.com.au.
