August 10 2019
An 18 car field started the Herald Sun 200 at the Calder Park Thunderdome.
This race was Round 2 of the 1996/97 Australian Stock Car Championship season and a highlights package was put on Channel Ten though understanding the action was difficult as the action jumped laps.
Kim Jane was leading early before John Faulkner got past him and soon established a comfortable lead.
Jim Richards started at the back of the field and was then penalized for jumping the start forcing him to the pits for a penalty under green and was then penalized four laps.
Terry Wyhoon got the lead in his Ford Thunderbird but by Lap 28, Kim Jane was back in front.
Kevin Schwantz cut a tyre in the #34 and had to make a pit stop costing him a lap.
Les Kenniwell ended up in the wall bringing out the first caution of the day, Kevin Schwantz got around Kim Jane to get his lap back on the restart.
Jim Richards tagged Terry Wyhoon and got the #25 Ford Thunderbird spinning towards the wall, Kevin Schwantz ran into the back of Jim Richards and then he was unable to avoid the #25 and the former 500cc champion was out of the race having been in 9th position.
Gene Cook was in the lead by Lap 65 with John Faulkner on his tail before he dropped through the field, John Faulkner then taken the lead and held it for some time.
Kim Jane dropped back after a pit stop but he quickly charged through the pack on four fresh tyres and soon made his way back to the lead.
John Faulkner suffered a setback as his left rear tyre blew and Ken James moved up to third position with Dean Wanless in second.
Bryan Sala lost control of the #00 coming off Turn 4 and nudged the wall on the tri-oval bringing out another caution.
Dean Wanless charged towards the lead of the race but couldn’t get close enough to the #27.
Gene Cook had a nasty crash with one lap remaining and that brought out the red flag and brought the race to an end.
Kim Jane was declared the winner with Dean Wanless second and Ken James in third followed by Ian Thomas and Neville Lance.
Readers can catch the action for themselves on YouTube thanks to RacingVolt.
Aussie Stock Car News 