Three Podiums in Eseries Opener

Published: 09 April 2020
Three podiums from three races in the opening Eseries Round.
Three podiums from three races in the opening Eseries Round.

Pictured: Three podiums from three races in the opening Eseries Round.

We returned to TV screens and online steams around the world last night, as the Supercars All Stars Eseries began.

Three races, podiums, action everywhere you looked, and spectacular crashes, the night had it all.

Race 1: Phillip Island (9 Laps)

Chaz 9th, Bryce 12th

After Bryce qualified in fourth, and Chaz fifth, turn 1 at Phillip Island was the deciding factor, with both drivers pushed into the grass and down the field.

They showed great consistency and pace to work their way back through the field, but the shortened race didn’t give them enough laps to go to work.

Race 2: Phillip Island (16 Laps)

Chaz 2nd, Bryce 3rd

A reverse grid start based on finishing positions of race 1 had both in the midfield off the line.

Both pitted relatively early, trying for the undercut, re-joining in third and fourth once the remainder of the field stopped.

For the last few laps, Chaz set off after the top 2, while Bryce drove superbly to hold off a fast finishing Scott McLaughlin, a highlight of the night.

A late race penalty to Anton De Pasquale moved both drivers up a spot, earning their first respective podiums of the season.

Race 3: Monza (16 Laps)

Chaz 3rd, Bryce 10th

Where do you start on this one, you’d need a 100-page book to document everything that happened!

Both boys qualified strongly again, with Chaz starting from fourth, and Bryce sixth.

Lap 1, however, included two of the biggest crashes you will see, with nearly the entire field involved. It turned Bryce’s Mobil 1 Middy’s Racing No. 2 into an airplane looking to take off at one stage.

Both cars were repaired under safety car, with Bryce down the back of the field, but Chaz in the top three.

Contact on the restart sent the No. 25 pirouetting through the opening chicane once again, dropping him down to 10th.

Chaz worked his way through the field lap by lap, eventually moving up to third at the flag, while Bryce carved his way from 22nd to 10th.

Chaz Mostert

“Man that was tougher than driving a real car on the race track. There is so much stuff to control, you’re trying to look in digital mirrors, everything on the screen, and I’ve never been turned around so many times in my life.

“I’m just rapt to be here and being able to race, at the pointy end, putting some moves on, and hopefully everyone at home enjoyed it. Overall, we got two podiums from the three races, but it was mentally tough. It was a long time sitting here.

“A big thanks to all our sponsors for getting us the right gear to compete at the top level, thanks so much for supporting us during this time, and I’m looking forward to round 2 next week!”

Bryce Fullwood

“That was a lot of fun! Absolutely crazy, but a lot of fun!

“There was stuff happening everywhere you looked, I nearly went to the moon at one stage it felt like, but overall we had good pace across the three races, if we can avoid the carnage I think we will be right.

“It’s hard work out there, the driving aspect is one thing, but you’ve got to be alert to everything happening as well.

“Hopefully we put a good show on for the fans, and allowed them to have a little fun in a tough time for everyone.

“Thanks a lot to all our partners for making this happen as well, and for their continued support. Hopefully the Mobil 1 Middy’s Racing No. 2 looked pretty good out there, especially up the front.

“To everyone, we are thinking of you during this time. Stay safe.”