Michael Patrizi - Photo Credit: Porsche Cars Australia
Michael Patrizi won both of the Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia races on Saturday at Bathurst.
In the first race, Patrizi took the lead from polesitter Craig Baird at the start and then opened up a strong lead on his way to a maiden win in the series.
Steven Richards finished in second place, while Baird crossed the line in third. However, the Kiwi was handed a five second penalty for jumping the start which dropped him to fourth behind Briton Ben Barker.
Daniel Gaunt finished fifth, ahead of Matthew Coleman and Tim Leahey. Max Twigg won the Elite Class in eighth.
The second race began under the safety car after Jeremy Gray spun on the formation lap. Once it got underway, Patrizi remained in control until taking the checkered flag. Barker was second, ahead of Richards, Baird and Gaunt and Jonny Reid.
Leahey and Coleman were seventh and eighth, with Twigg keeping Damien Flack at bay for another Elite Class win.
“I'm very satisfied with the wins,” said Patrizi. “Every driver is only as good as the equipment underneath him and it has shown this weekend. We're doing a super job.
“At the start of the weekend I set a goal for six wins in the remaining nine races for the year. I'm not racing for a podium anymore; I'm racing for the win.”
Richards will start the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 from 10th as teammate to Mark Winterbottom at Ford Performance Racing. Gaunt and Tim Slade qualified 15th for Lucky 7 Racing, with Baird and Fabian Coulthard (Bundaberg Racing) 20th and Patrizi and Dean Fiore (Triple F) 28th.
