Karl Beckenbauer took a brilliant victory in a dramatic Australian Grand Prix. Will Hoskins and Enrique Ruiz also impressed taking 2nd and 3rd place for defending champions Franklin. A rain shower just before the Formation lap ensured that the race started in dramatic fashion. The front 6 all got away well and remained in the places they started in, however the drama was to be found further down the grid. Force Australia's Gerard Alinaz got a great launch but was far too late on the brakes. He smashed into Jonah Phipps who spun and collided with the barriers, James Harding, Felix Bayer and Diego Campos couldn't avoid the Lucas GP driver and also had to pit for repairs.
During the early stages pole sitter Simon looked strong and built a small gap over his team mate, who was being followed closely by Hoskins and Giodano. Carson Davenport was running in the midfield on heavy fuel, and a large train was beginning to form behind him detaching the group from the back of the points scoring positions. Soon the track had dried and most of the drivers pitted for dry tyres, however Regi Abbot stayed out and so the Peugeot man took the lead! Those who decided to stay out were losing a lot of time to their rivals and soon pitted. Abbot rejoined the race just behind team mate Ellington. Things worked out well for Ruiz, he had jumped Ellington and was now right on the tail of Giodano. The leaders had traffic! the top 5 had bunched right up and at this point Liverpool Grand Prix, who had dominated the race up until now, were surely feeling nervous. Alinaz, who had already been in trouble earlier on in the race was proving problematic to pass. Beckenbauer then pulled alongside his team mate and just got passed. An infuriated Simon tried to pass up the inside but Alinaz turned in and Simon went straight into the back of his fellow Frenchman! The Liverpool man lost his front wing and had to limp back to the pits but for Alinaz it was race over and probably a trip to the stewards. However the drama was not over. Hoskins misread the gap to Simon who was breaking much earlier due to his damage and nearly smashed into the back of him! Giodano however was not so lucky, he touched the back of the Liverpool car forcing him into a spin and losing his front wing. The drivers close behind did well not to hit the Italian. Futher down the points, Mattson was driving well in the under-preforming Team 23 car, he was 7th. Domenicalli was a disappointing 8th considering the pace of his car, and Kinnumen and Milkovich were going well in 9th and 10th for Westwood and Ingram. Dwyer continued to pressure 13th place Kubat and finally found his way through, only because Kubat made a mistake though, Boston also managed to sneak though. Defending world champion Nathaniel Powers was finding life difficult towards the back, and was battling hard with Force Austrlia driver Felix Bayer. Carson Davenport took advantage of Milkovich being held up by his team mate and found his way through to take 10th place from the rookie. Beckenbauer continued his dominance out front but Powers was under more pressure further down the field he had now been passed by Agostino and Bayer. Without warning though, Agostino's suspension failed and he came to a hault in the middle of the track. Powers was the first on the scene and couldn't avoid the stranded Westwood car, Simon endured yet more bad luck and the pre race favorite smashed into the back of Powers removing the Downton car's rear wing. Puccio Giodano narrowly avoided the carnage. Kubat continued to slide down the field, this time Wagner was the man making the move. Abbot finally passed Ellington and those behind were eager to battle for 5th place. Ruiz was also lapping well and was beginning to catch Hoskins. However time was against them as the race was drawing to a close. Just a few laps later and Abbot had a disaster! His Peugeot came to a hault, it had run out of fuel! such a shame for the young Belgian who had drove so well. In the final laps Thunder tried his best to pass Ellington but in the end he couldn't quite manage it. Howver all the congratulations belonged to Karl Beckenbauer and to Robert Mathershaw, they had won the Australian Grand Prix! The question now is can Liverpool continue their imperious form? one thing we do know is that Franklin are right there with them though!
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