V8 Supercar crowds continue to be waffle-bellied by Toyo Tires Stadium Super Trucks.
In the second race round of the SST’s at the Clipsal 500 17-year old teen heart throb Sheldon Creed out leapt, out slid and out did his veteran opposition to declare victory.
In a race that changed leads more frequently than a professional dog walker, second place getter Robby Gordon pursued Creed over the line less than half a second behind.
The orange #7 truck was followed in four seconds later by ‘Mayor of air’ Matt Mingay. The aggressive bronze finish is the Gold Coast local’s second podium in two races.
Yesterdays podium topper EJ Viso claimed fourth following two uncharacteristic wall rides. Fifth place went to Nathan Pretty, losing an early lead.
In his first SST outing Billy Geddes subbed in for Toby Price to claim sixth. Price, in true Geddes Finke Ironman spirit flew to Sydney yesterday afternoon to contest Arenacross on his KTM. He will return for the final race tomorrow.
Creed insists that his age is not a factor when challenging the likes of Gordon.
“At first when I started three seasons ago, every time I saw Robby I though ‘oh my god there is Robby Gordon’” he said. “I quickly learned that at heart, he is just as big of a kid as I am.”
Earlier in the day Gordon, Mingay and Brad Gallard scaled down their racing technique to 1/16th. In an ongoing showdown for fastest time, the trio battled the clock and each other in the Toyo Tires Attack The Dirt R/C Arena.
The series continues to make a serious impression on motorsport and non-motorsport fans alike. Talk about the expansion of a local Stadium Super truck series proliferated discussions in and around the race paddock.
Gordon was coy and gave little away regarding what seem like inevitable further Australian SST appearances. A post-race Gordon reiterated his love of creating ‘waffle bellies’, from fans.
“A waffle-belly is when sitting fans are jumping out of their seats, pressing themselves up against the chain link fence and putting a griddle pattern across their stomach”.
The final race will run tomorrow, with the battle of the locals versus the Americans to be settled in high flying fashion.
- Sheldon Creed #74 (USA) – 15.36.1670
- Robby Gordon #7 (USA) - +00:00.4887
- Matt Mingay #4 (AUS) - +00:04.3728
- EJ Viso #5 (USA) - +00:05.3649
- Nathan Pretty #56 (AUS) - +00:14.2740
- Billy Geddes #87 (AUS) - +00:24.3589
- Charles Dorrance #3 (USA) +00:38.5177
- Bill Hynes #57 (USA) - +1 lap; 00:02.9730
- Keegan Kincaid #47 – DNF
- Brad Gallard #454 – DNF
Toyo Tires off the shelf Open Country A/T II is the control tyre for the Stadium Super Trucks series. Selected for its unique ability to grip on-road and grapple off-road, the all terrain tyre is renowned by motorsport and SUV drivers alike for its tough-as construction and aggressive looks.
The Open Country A/T II is available from Toyo retailers nationwide.
