Round 1 - Toddring (Super Stocks)

Emotional Fochesato Upset at Driving Following Sprint 2 @ Toddring
27 February 2016

Dash Cup Pirelli Stock Series driver Vincenzo Fochesato will not begin the 2016 season on a high note.

After a quiet start and while running at the rear of the lead pack on lap 13, he cut down the track as Kwik Fit driver Harriet Wallace attempted to pass him, turning himself into the car of Justin Keith and sending Keith spinning into the outside wall. While Fochesato kept his own car under control, he would hit the wall, as well, inflicting damage that would cause him to fall off of the pace for the remainder of the event. Over the radio, he claimed that he was "trying to follow the #33 car" (of driver Stasya Filipov) and had completely lost focus of his mirrors. He would eventually be lapped three times under green flag conditions, but displayed little courtesy to other cars whenever being lapped, holding up several leaders and very nearly causing another crash when he forced Jennifer Goodwin onto the apron in turn 1 at full speed.

After the race, Fochesato reportedly made his was straight to a team hauler before an interview could be conducted, which is rather uncharacteristic of him. Soon afterwards, however, he emerged and spoke with reporters.

"I don't really... I don't have any excuses" he said with slight difficulty. "I broke one of the biggest rules in racing; never let your emotions drive the car. I was looking forward to racing again so much after a year off of stock cars and ovals, but then we crashed in the All-Star and then I took myself out of the running in Sprint 2 and essentially eliminated myself from the Feature in the process and both of my teammates were out and I was really upset at myself. And to be honest the offseason for me was difficult for multiple personal reasons."

Upon the change of subject, he paused in an apparent loss for words before continuing.

"Some things in my life are very different now that I'm still trying to learn how to accept, but I need to focus on driving when I'm in the car. I let whatever went wrong on track this weekend compound my feelings. I'm lucky that I didn't wreck more cars."

Fochesato then walked away, reporting back to the garage and appearing visibly upset.

Neither of Fochesato's FIAM Engineering teammates were able to successfully qualify for the Feature race, with Franco Giovanardi crashing in Sprint 1 and Mireille Allain experiencing an engine failure in Race 2.

Matilda Dillinger robbed of first win in last corner

It looked like smooth sailing for 17 year old Matilda Dillinger in the final few laps of the Toddring feature, as it seemed like her car was the car to beat at the superspeedway oval, but after leading the most laps, it was only the lap car of Ross Carter that could seem to make moves on Dillinger, and for whatever reason, he did in the final turn, enabling Miko Rantanen to pounce on the opportunity to take his second win of his career. Dillinger had to settle for 2nd best.

This was Dillinger's career best finish in the Super Stocks series, formerly known as the Super Touring series, however it didn't sweeten the deal any for Dillinger, who was simply left dissapointed, and slightly irate after the race.

"It sucks. It really does." said Dillinger, "I just can't figure out why Ross [Carter] thought it would be a good idea to pass me in the last turn. He was two laps down, he could have let off and let us race. Incredibly poor sportsmanship from him, but we'll keep our head up high, and if we keep this pace up all season, we'll be winning races in no time!"

This was not the end of the matter, however, at just after Dillinger's interview, STS ATK Racing partial owner Ben Atkins, who was at the track for the All-Star race, stormed into the #31 garage, confronting Ross Carter. There was no physical altercation between the two, and the confrontation ended with Gabriel Macena, the team owner of Ross Carter's car, coming over and talking to Atkins, before the two were seen laughing and sharing a handshake; a very rare sight between the two fierce rivals.

"Anyone would have thought me and Gabe [Macena] would have been the first to fight, but really he was very reasonable about it. He was pretty much angry with me about it." said Atkins, "I think it won't be long before we see a #28 car roll into victory lane. What Tillie [Dillinger] did out there today was exceptional. Awesome driving. If she keeps her head up high, and drives as confidently as she did today, she could very well be a championship contender."

Dillinger left the weekend third in points, 9 behind All-Star race winner Harriet Wallace and 4 behind feature winner Miko Rantanen.

PENALTIES FOR TODDRING WEEKEND

#02 - HARRIET WALLACE: Warning for aggressive driving during Sprint #2.

#11 - JUSTIN KEITH: Warning for ignoring blue flags during Feature.

#31 - ROSS CARTER: 15 point penalty for ignoring blue flags, affecting result of race during Feature.

#360 - REUBEN VOGT: 50 point penalty, one race suspended ban until end of UK Tour for ignoring blue flags, unnecessary incidents with cars #47 and #84 during Feature.