Hughes walks on water

Kiwi Lance Hughes blew the field and the water away to take one of the biggest Duggan Family Hotels Touring Car Masters wins in the Sandown Trophy Race.

After leaving the field by turn 1, Hughes was never seen again and the Torana won by the massive 27s.

With the winner untouchable, all eyes were on a thrilling fight for second that was won by Marcus Zukanovic.

Thanks to a stunning move at Turn 1, Scott Cameron was third on the road, but dropped to fourth due to a 5s penalty for a jump start, promoting Tony Karanfilovski to the podium places.

All 18 drivers did an impressive job in challenging conditions with minimal off track moments or incidents, while the only DNF was Allan Argento due to mechanical dramas.

Off the rolling start Jim Pollicina and Hughes formed an all Torana front row and Hughes shot clear and enjoyed a clear path through turn 1.

Meanwhile, Craig Tilley snuck to third as the field tiptoed through the opening corners.

Karanfilovski won a drag race with Pollicina for third down the back straight.

Hughes and Tilley were so fast in the wet they were 6s clear of the pack after the first lap Garwood made up seven spots to ninth in the early laps and eventually stormed to seventh from the back.

Cameron was hit with a 5s penalty for a jump start in the Whiteline Racing Camaro early, but this did not stop him from scrapping hard against Zukanovic for fourth on track.

By lap 3 Garwood charged to sixth whilst Hughes’ lead was already over 10s.

It then doubled three laps later as a tight battle formed for second, Tilley led a train of Karanfilovski, Zukanovic and Cameron.

Having finally got past Cameron, Zukanovic applied the pressure on Karanfilovski and got by with two laps to go.

The Falcon also used its straight line speed to fly past the Valiant to snatch second.

In the blink of an eye Tilley found himself falling from second to fifth as Cameron and Karanfilovski also slipped by at Turn 1.

The big winner was Cameron, who claimed third on the road with a stunning dive at the opening left hander.

A lap later Tilley could not also stop Buzadzic from storming to the top five.

However, there was no one in the same postcode of Hughes, who flew to one of the biggest wins ever.

The next Touring Car Masters race is at 13.05 AEST.

Image: James Smith Photography

Duggan Family Hotels Touring Car Masters Trophy Race results

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