Bittersweet Phillip Island GT Round for Sheargold and Walden

Mike Sheargold and Garth Walden endured all the highs and lows of motorsport in Round 3 of GT World Challenge Australia at Phillip Island on the weekend.

After taking an impressive Am class win in Race 1 – their first of the year – Sheargold and Walden came crashing back to earth in Race 2 when a holed radiator eliminated them from proceedings on the opening lap.

In Race 1, a great opening stint from Mike, a couple of Safety Cars that worked to the team’s advantage and spot-on strategy from the GWR Australia team set Walden up for a big charge in the final stint and he delivered in style, pulling off a last-lap overtaking move to bring home the victory.

Starting Race 2 from seventh on the grid, Walden was involved in a nose-to-tail concertina at MG corner with some other cars and the contact, while light, was enough to cause the race-ending radiator damage.

While it was a disappointing end to the weekend, Sheargold was encouraged by his personal performance.

“I said at the start of the weekend that I wanted to get up to speed more quickly and I feel I took a step forward in that department, especially in qualifying where I set my personal-best time,” Sheargold said.

“In Race 1, my race pace was decent and Garth drove superbly during his stint.

“The most disappointing aspect of Race 2 was that I didn’t get to complete any laps – I could definitely have done with the seat time.”

The RAM Motorsport team is planning to test ahead of the next GT round at the Sydney SuperNight, which will be held on 28-30 July.