Only two points split the leaders at the top of the table as the stage is set for the season finale to the 2017 Queensland Saloon Car Series this weekend at Morgan Park Raceway on December 2-3.

Three-time Queensland Saloon Car champion Lindsay Kearns currently leads the standings (184 points) ahead of Warwick local Jamie Furness (182 points) leading into the Morgan Park decider, and the AU Falcon compatriots are set for a thrilling conclusion to what has been a closely fought series until this point.

With two race wins to Kearns’ four, series debutant Furness has taken the fight up to the series regulars and has failed to finish off the podium so far this season. Meanwhile, Kearns, the most successful driver in Queensland Saloon Car history aims for a record fourth title.

Third in the series standings remains another tight contest between Falcon drivers John Carter (142 points), Shayne Hine (128 points) and Brock Mitchell (113 points).

A former HQ Holden racer, Mitchell is quickly coming to terms with the Saloon Car driving style and has shown strong pace of late. While Carter has already claimed one race win this season, he will be aiming for more to consolidate his position in the standings ahead of the consistently quick Shayne Hine.

The Queensland Saloon Car Series welcomes back 2014 champion and fellow Warwick local Gary Beggs to the fold this weekend in a VT Commodore, and is set to spice up the action at the front of the field.

Beggs heads to Morgan Park off the back of competing in the final of the Aussie Driver Search at Sydney Motorsport Park, and claiming pole position and third outright in the Aussie Shades Solutions 200 Excel Cup race at Queensland Raceway alongside Frank Mammarella.

Brad Carr, Gerard Miscamble, Martin Deckert and series debutant Cameron Klee round out the field set to contest the 2017 series finale.

Also up for grabs is the 2017 CAMS Queensland Saloon Car Championship, incorporating only rounds two and three contested at Morgan Park.

The Morgan Park layout promotes thrilling racing at close quarters and the Saloon Cars never fail to deliver exciting on-track action. Be there to witness a dramatic conclusion to the 2017 Queensland Saloon Car Series.

Series Standings (Rounds 2 of 3)

Lindsay Kearns – 184
Jamie Furness – 182
John Carter – 142
Shane Hine – 128
Brock Mitchell – 113
Bradley Carr – 99
John McCleverty – 93
Martin Deckert – 88
James Kielly – 60
Tony Shanks – 51
Luke Andersen – 46
Gerard Miscible – 44
Dion Jarvis – 35
Cameron Klee – 34
Paul Jarvis – 24

Three-time Queensland Saloon Car champion Lindsay Kearns won an enthralling second round of the 2017 Queensland Saloon Car Series at Morgan Park Raceway.

With two wins and a second, Kearns closed the gap to series leader Jamie Furness to two points with one round remaining, holding off a challenge from Furness, John Carter and Shayne Hine in three closely-fought races.

Warwick local Furness took pole position before Kearns gained the lead early in race one. Kearns withstood a ferocious charge from Furness, Carter and Hine to take the opening race win, all crossing the chequered flag within 1.5 seconds. A fifth place for Brock Mitchell sealed an all-Ford front five lockout.

The intense fight up-front recommenced in race two, as Furness and Kearns battled door-to-door for the entire duration. Kearns got the best of Furness by three-tenths of a second at the chequered.

A close battle for third throughout the race saw Hine overtake Carter at the T-Junction on lap three as the pair ran in close quarters until the finish.

Contact between Kearns and Furness on lap two of the final race saw Furness drop back to fifth place, recovering to third by the finish. Kearns was pushed hard by Hine in the closing laps before a late race charge from third to first by Carter saw him take the win in third outright for the round.

With a string of fifth placings Mitchell secured fifth place for the round, while Luke Andersen, Brad Carr, Martin Deckert, series debutant Cameron Klee and Gerard Miscamble wrapped up the top ten.

Kearns was relieved to take the round win, and to close the points margin to Furness in the process.

“It ended up that we snuck through with some good points and topped the weekend, but not through anything else except good luck I think,” said Kearns.

“That was the hardest racing i’ve been involved with for a while. It wasn’t easy, but it was great fun.

“Thanks to Scott and Elliott at Scott’s Rods, Andy and Adrian back at the shed and Warwick for the late brake change before the last race.”

The Queensland Saloon Car Series returns to Morgan Park Raceway for the final round at the CAMS State Championships on December 2-3.

The Queensland Saloon Car Series returns to Morgan Park for round two of the 2017 series on September 2-3, with a host of new and returning names set to hit the track.

With two wins and a second, Saloon Car debutant Jamie Furness won the opening round at Queensland Raceway, and the Warwick local will be looking for more of the same this time out.

“I’m looking forward to it, being my home track, but it’s going to be a tough weekend,” said Furness.

“Lindsay [Kearns] had good speed at the last round and I was fortunate to win the last race after his drama.”

The former HQ Holden Series champion will be kept busy with double duties across the weekend, with racing planned in both the Saloon Cars and the HQ Holdens.

“It’s going to be hard jumping out of one into the other but i’m really looking forward to it.”

“The power in the HQ is nowhere near as much as the Saloon Car, but the characteristics of how to move the car around and to carry the momentum through the corners i’ve found so far to be very similar.”

A new name to the grid will see Gympie driver Cameron Klee make his Saloon Car debut in the ex-Craig Campbell Holden Commodore.

“Saloon Cars is something I can race occasionally and enjoy it. It’s a good, controlled category which keeps all the cars at an even pace,” said Klee.

“I’ve crewed for many teams and categories before, but as a driver I haven’t done much myself.

“My main goal is to complete the weekend with no damage or mechanical problems, and to put it back on the trailer in one piece.”

After suffering major damage to his Falcon following an incident at the Australian Production Cars round at Queensland Raceway, Gold Coaster Brad Carr returns to Saloon Cars competition in an ex-Jarvis Family AU Falcon. He will be joined by fellow Falcon racers Shane O’Brien and Luke Andersen who return to the category this weekend.

They will be joined on the grid by previous Morgan Park round winner John Carter, HQ Holden Series convert Brock Mitchell, Shayne Hine, Martin Deckert and Gerard Miscamble.

11 cars are set to do battle, as the Queensland Saloon Car Series hits the track at Morgan Park Raceway with practice on Friday, and racing to follow on Saturday and Sunday at the CAMS Queensland State Championships.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW 2017 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

On his Saloon Car debut, two-time Queensland HQ Holden Series champion Jamie Furness claimed the spoils at the first round of the 2017 Queensland Saloon Car Series at the 2 Days of Thunder at Queensland Raceway.

The Warwick driver secured two wins alongside a second and a third to cap off a stellar debut in the ex-Jarvis Family AU Falcon.

John McCleverty (Falcon) secured the first pole position for the 2017 series, topping the qualifying session by five tenths of a second ahead of John Carter (Falcon) and Furness. 2015 Queensland HQ Holden champion Brock Mitchell (Falcon) qualified in fifth for his Saloon Cars debut.

Starting from sixth, three-time Queensland Saloon Car champion Lindsay Kearns (Falcon) won the first race of the weekend after a thrilling battle with McCleverty, Furness and Shayne Hine (Falcon) in the closing stages. Martin Deckert (Commodore) finished sixth on his series return after a race-long battle with Brad Carr (Falcon) and Dion Jarvis (Falcon).

Kearns, Furness and Carter lead from the outset in race two as the trio couldn’t be separated for the entire 12 lap encounter. Kearns fended off Furness until a brake lock-up at turn six on the penultimate lap as Furness took the lead into turn one and was never headed from there. Jamie Kielly (Falcon) meanwhile stormed from the rear of the grid to fifth place after he failed to finish in the first race.

Kearns and Furness reinvigorated their battle in race three as Furness held Kearns off until the final lap. Kearns stayed on the outside of Furness through turns four and five, and with the preferred line into turn six he took the lead heading to the chequered flag. Kearns took the win ahead of Furness and McCleverty followed by an intense five-way battle between Hine, Kielly, Mitchell, Tony Shanks (Falcon) and Jarvis.

The twenty-lap final race was paused at the halfway mark after Deckert spun into the turn three gravel trap. Kearns lead the race as the field was called in to pit lane until Deckert’s Commodore was recovered, however an alternator failure meant he could not rejoin the race leaving Furness to take the race and round win ahead of McCleverty and Jarvis.

Furness was overjoyed to come away with the round win on his Saloon Cars debut.

“I didn’t expect to go as well as I did,” said Furness.

“There was a little bit of luck involved in the last race with Lindsay having his drama but i’m absolutely wrapped and glad I made the move into Saloon Cars.

“Thanks to Zooma Signs, Mal Wood Automotive, my family as well as Lighthouse Electrical and the Jarvis Family for assisting me with the car across the weekend.”

The Queensland Saloon Car Series returns to Morgan Park Raceway for round two at the CAMS State Championships on September 2-3.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW 2017 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS 

The 12-car grid will see the debut of two former Queensland HQ Holden series champions, in two-time winner Jamie Furness and 2015 champion Brock Mitchell.

With five years of experience in HQ Holdens, Mitchell is making the step up into Saloon Cars with the intention of progressing his racing career. He will be driving the reigning back-to-back championship winning Ford AU Falcon, previously driven by Coleby Cowham.

“I have wanted to move forward in my racing career to the next step-up in classes to something quicker and more like a real race car, and saloon cars looked the way to go from watching them race,” Mitchell said.

“My main goal for this weekend is to just go around and around to get some time in the driver’s seat and see the way that the saloon cars run a race meeting.

“In saying that, I would also like to see myself to have a top five finish for the weekend, that would be great as well.”

This event will also see the return of Martin Deckert and Gerard Miscamble to the Saloon Cars grid, following a five and six-year hiatus respectively.

Saloon Car regulars John McLeverty, Brad Carr, Paul Jarvis, Lindsay Kearns, John Carter Jamie Kielly, Shayne Hine and Tony Shanks make up the rest of the grid, with McLeverty, Carr, Jarvis and Kearns heading into the first round of the series after running at the Bathurst 6 Hour race over the Easter weekend.

Adding to a packed grid will be the growing Tradie Utes Series, with both classes sharing the track at what is one of the headline events on the Queensland club racing calendar.

Cowham (237 points) was forced to fend off former series champion Gary Beggs (225 points) to the crown in a battle that came down to the final lap of the final race. Three-time champion Lindsay Kearns (166 points) was also in the mix at the fast and flowing circuit on the Southern Downs where the trio recorded milestone race starts (100th – Cowham and Beggs, 200th – Kearns).

Heading into the final round, the title fight was well and truly alive with 94 points on offer and the top six drivers remaining in contention for the title in a grid which included Australian Trans-Am veteran and father of defending series champion, Shane Cowham and returned Queensland Saloon Car Association President John Townsend.

Cowham set a 1:29.2 to claim pole position in the Escape Energy AU Falcon ahead of Shayne Hine (1:29.5) and Beggs (1:29.7), who marked his 100th race start with a win, taking the chequered flag ahead of Beggs and Ashley Jarvis in an incident-marred race.

Beggs in the Coates Hire VT Commodore overcame Cowham and Kearns, who stepped onto the final step of the podium, in the penultimate race for the year setting up an enthralling finale.

An eight-point difference between Cowham (207 points) and Beggs (199 points) meant the final race of the year would decide the title with a maximum of 31 points on offer with Cowham needing to finish no less than second to seal the title providing Beggs took the win.

Cowham hung on for the lead ahead of an angry pack heading into turn one, with a hard-charging Kearns leaping into second off the line and threatening the lead for the opening laps. Kearns diced with Beggs for second for the duration of the eight lap encounter, before finishing third, with Shayne Hine hot on his tail in fourth to secure third in the championship on 170 points, four ahead of Kearns on 166.

Reflecting on the competitiveness of the category, Cowham said it was the toughest racing he had ever been a part of.

“The final race of the year with Gary (Beggs) and Lindsay (Kearns) was one of the best races I have ever been involved in. It was good to come away with another championship, just over Gary there. It was pretty close, the racing in the category has been so competitive over the past year and it was great to battle for the championship all the way to the very end,” said Cowham.

The 2017 Queensland Saloon Cars Series calendar has yet to be confirmed at the time of press.

Defending series champion Coleby Cowham and former series champion Gary Beggs will record their 100th career race start, while three time champion Lindsay Kearns will record his 200th career race start at the fast and flowing three-kilometre-long circuit on the Southern Downs.

Heading into the final round, the title fight is well and truly alive with 94 points on offer, 30 points for a win and one each for pole position and fastest laps in each race, with the top six drivers remaining in contention for the title. The 12-car grid for the finale will include Australian Trans-Am veteran and father of defending series champion, Shane Cowham, who will sit behind the wheel of the #27 Autorite AU Falcon of series regular Matt Shanks.

Cowham (151 points) in the Escape Energy AU Falcon leads the CAMS State Championship ahead of Beggs (142 points) in the Coates Hire VT Commodore and round one winner John Carter (132 points) who leads a trio of AU Falcons driven by Shayne Hine (121 points), Kearns (106 points) and Tony Shanks (100 points).

Beggs rocketed back into championship contention with two race wins and a second at the penultimate round of the series in September and is eager to become a two-time champion.

“I am looking forward to hunting Coleby (Cowham) down and if he makes any mistakes I will be ready to strike, I can go hard with nothing to lose and all to gain,” said Beggs.

Cowham strengthened his claim to secure a second consecutive CAMS State Championship, with a race win and two second placings at the Morgan Park round in September.

“I’m really looking forward to the final round. Its a top quality field of guys and there are probably six guys who could take out the weekend,” said Cowham.

“I’ll be trying my best to keep in front and hopefully keep Gary and his quick Commodore behind.

“I’m also really looking forward to being on the same grid with Dad, which will be pretty special.”

Carter, who stepped onto the podium in the final race at the previous Morgan Park meeting, said his current championship position is ample motivation to try and perform well.

“There are still plenty of championship points still on offer to make up a place or ideally two places,” said Carter.

“Consistency will be the key to success this weekend so my goal is to finish and more over finish as well as I can.”

Heading into the round a number of drivers in the 10-car-grid remaining in contention for the CAMS State Championship title, including the Ford Falcon AU trio of defending series champion Coleby Cowham, round one winner John Carter and Shayne Hine.

An incredibly competitive qualifying session was held in drying conditions on Saturday morning with less than a tenth between the top three. Cowham set a personal best time of 1:28.28 to claim pole position in his Ford Falcon AU, ahead of championship contenders Gary Beggs (1:28.33), in a Holden Commodore VT, and Lindsay Kearns (1:28.36) in his Ford Falcon AU. Despite missing the previous round at Queensland Raceway, CAMS State Championship leader John Carter maintained his pace from his previous outing to record a 1:28.69 in his Ford Falcon AU, while Leon Fletcher also recorded a personal best time of 1:29.65 in his Ford Falcon AU.

Championship contenders Beggs and Cowham had an enthralling Ford versus Holden battle in race one with the Warwick local finishing ahead of the defending champion with Hine coming home third in his Ford Falcon AU. Kearns, who started third on the grid, failed to finish after having his oil cooler line come off.

Beggs, who went close to breaking the lap record with a 1.27.66, went back-to-back with a win in race three, overtaking Cowham, who led the race for seven out of the eight laps, on the final lap after the T Junction. Kearns completed the podium, ahead of Hine and Carter, who entertained the crowd with their closely fought dice. Tony Shanks held off Brody Jarvis, with Brad Carr coming home ahead of Leon Fletcher and Paul Jarvis.

Cowham picked up a win in an action-packed race three, besting Gary Beggs and John Carter to the chequered flag. In a battle for the lead, Beggs cut it a little fine under the bridge, with his side mirror making contact with the wall and smashing into the passenger-side window of his VT Commodore. Tony Shanks impressed with his fourth place finish, finishing ahead of Lindsay Kearns and Brad Carr, who recorded his best finish to date, in sixth. Shayne Hine and Brody Jarvis also experienced off-track excursions, but managed to avoid causing damage to their vehicles.

Reflecting on his performance, Beggs said it was good to have a strong showing, after a horror outing at the first round of the CAMS State Championship, in May.

“There was a lot of very fast, close racing and I was glad to pick up two wins to remain in the hunt for the title at the final round,” said Beggs.

Cowham (123 points) leads the CAMS Saloon Cars State Championship ahead of Beggs (113 points) and Carter (108 points) heading into the final round of the series at Morgan Park Raceway on November 19 and 20.

Defending series champion Coleby Cowham strengthened his claim to secure a second consecutive club championship with a clean sweep at the previous round of the series at Queensland Raceway’s Shannons 2 Days of Thunder in June.

Following rounds at Lakeside Park, Morgan Park and Queensland Raceway, the series returns to Warwick after Queensland HQ Holden convert John Carter secured a round victory on his series debut at the opening CAMS event.

After missing the previous round at Queensland Raceway, Carter is eager to get back behind the wheel of the Carter Automotive Ford Falcon AU.

“After a long hiatus I am looking forward to stepping out and having some fun at Morgan Park, it is one of my favourite tracks and I always enjoy coming to Warwick,” said Carter.

“My goal for this round is to put in a solid performance and build on the success from my first round.”

While several drivers in the 11-car grid remain in contention for the CAMS State Championship, fans will enjoy plenty of wheel-to-wheel action around the fast and flowing Southern Downs circuit.

Carter (72 points), leads the CAMS Saloon Cars State Championship ahead of Cowham (70 points) and Shayne Hine (67 points) heading into the round, with qualifying and three races scheduled across the two days of action.

For all the latest series news and updates, visit the ‘Queensland Saloon Car Series’ Facebook page, @QLDSaloonCars on Twitter or the official Queensland Saloon Cars website http://salooncarsqld.com.au/

A 13-car-grid took to the 3.12 kilometres Ipswich circuit, the first time since a contingent of Queensland-based drivers joined the Australian Super Six Touring Car Series for round five of their series at the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals meeting last year.

The Blue Oval contingent reigned supreme in qualifying, with the top three pace setters driving Ford Falcon AUs. Cowham in the Escape Energy Falcon qualified on pole (1:24.32), ahead of Shayne Hine (1:24.43), who continued his impressive run from the start of the year in the Spraytech Falcon and three-time champion Lindsay Kearns in third (1:28.44) in the Scott’s Rods Performance Exhausts Falcon.

Cowham drove away from pole to take the first race nine seconds ahead of his nearest rivals Kearns and 2014 series champion Gary Beggs (Holden Commodore VT) . After dicing for the best part of the last lap Kearns bested Beggs for second after a drag to the finish line. Hine, Matt Sharks (Ford Falcon AU) diced with each other with John McCleverty (Ford Falcon AU) keeping the pair on their wheels.

The top three remain unchanged in race two, with Shanks and Hine exchanging positions and James Kielly (Ford Falcon AU) overcoming McCleverty in the mid pack. New South Welshman Sam Lee (Ford Falcon AU), Leon Fletcher (Ford Falcon AU) and Brad Carr (Ford Falcon AU) brought up the rear of the field.

The reigning champion made it a hat-trick in a race three that went down to the final lap. Beggs passed and held the lead for the majority of the 10 lap race before Cowham nudged Beggs of the racing line to take the lead at turn three on the final lap. Shanks recorded his second consecutive podium finish with Kielly, driving the Ford Falcon AU previously raced by Dunlop Series driver Bryce Fullwood, moving two places forward on the grid. Hine, McCleverty, Lee, Fletcher and Carr brought fans to the pit wall on Dick Johnson Straight in a race that featured battles all the way down the grid.

Cowham completed his flawless weekend, taking the chequered flag in race four with Beggs repeating the dose with another second place finish and Kielly stepping onto the podium for the first time this year. Hine, continuing his consistent start to the club championship, capped off his weekend with a fourth place, followed by McCleverty, Lee, Fletcher and Carr in the finale with Shanks recording a DNF.

Cowham said besides the incident in race three, he was wrapped with his performance on the weekend.

“Good weekend, pole and four wins, I ad a bit of a dice with Gary (Beggs) in the third race there, gave him a bit of a punting unfortunately but we had a leaking brake caliper so that didn’t help either, but four wins is pretty good,” said Cowham.

The fourth round of the 2016 Queensland Saloon Cars Series will be held at Morgan Park Raceway, as part of the CAMS State Championship, on September 3 and 4.