Clipsal 500 Stadium Super Truck Wrap


Despite the Adelaide heat, the crowd turned out in force when the Stadium Super Trucks hit the track.
Sporting fresh R&J Batteries livery on the #410 SST, Greg Gartner was joined by Travis Milburn, Paul Morris, Craig Dontas, Toby Price & Matt Brabham on the Aussie side of the card
Sporting fresh R&J Batteries livery on the #410 SST, Greg Gartner was joined by Travis Milburn, Paul Morris, Craig Dontas, Toby Price & Matt Brabham on the Aussie side of the card

It was the SST’s third appearance in Adelaide and the crowd that turned out in force to watch the high flying on track action were not disappointed. Joining the line up at the last minute alongside US Stars Robby Gordon, Sheldon Creed and locals Toby Price, Paul Morris and Greg Gartner was South Australia’s Travis Milburn, who filled the void left by Matty Mingay was unable to get clearance to race by CAMS at the last minute.

DC7_3097

The Stadium Super Trucks once again raced the same 14-turn, 3.219 km street circuit built for their much different counterparts from SuperCars, however, unlike the SuperCars the trucks navigated over five 30-inch-tall specially designed ramps around the circuit.

Matt Brabham was the early pacesetter in the Safecraft SST. However a roll into the fence after two wheeling it ended his charge in race two.
Matt Brabham was the early pacesetter in the Safecraft SST. However a roll into the fence after two wheeling it ended his charge in race two.

The starting lineup for Friday’s Race 1 was determined from each driver’s fastest lap time in Thursday afternoons qualifying session. Which due to the SST’s reverse good format saw the quickest driver, Matt Brabham start rear of grid.

In just his second drive of a SST, Craig Dontas stood on top of the podium with the race 1 win in the Shannons / Milwaukee Truck
In just his second drive of a SST, Craig Dontas stood on top of the podium with the race 1 win in the Shannons / Milwaukee Truck

Bill Hynes led the field away in race 1, but Craig Dontas soon took the lead and checked out on the rest of the field. Taking the win under a red flag after Harlein crashed during the closing stages of the race. Morris would be credited with the second position, while Brabham would round out the podium.

Harlein's crash in race 1 had the SST crew working overtime in the garage.
Harlein’s crash in race 1 had the SST crew working overtime in the garage.

Creed would capture his first victory of the 2017 season in race two, after a great duel with the second placed Price. Gordon would work his way back from his early spin to round out the podium.

Price did his best to fend off a hard charging Creed in Race 2
Price did his best to fend off a hard charging Creed in Race 2

Veteran Australian racer Paul Morris locked in his first ever SPEED Energy Stadium Super Trucks win on Sunday in the shortened finale of the Adelaide Casino Stadium SUPER Trucks portion of the Clipsal 500. Shortly after the green flag was waved Friday’s Round 1 winner Craig Dontas would bicycle his truck around turn 7 tipping it upside down. The accident would bring out the red flag, and would require an extensive amount of time for the removal and clean up of the vehicle forcing a shortened race. On the restart Paul Morris worked his way to the front to take the win, ahead of Matt Brabham and Jeff Hoffman.

Paul Morris took the honours in the Supercheap Auto SST on Sundays grande finale at Clipsal
Paul Morris took the honours in the Supercheap Auto SST on Sundays grande finale at Clipsal

The overall standings over the three races would see Sheldon Creed first, with Paul Morris claming second, and Matt Brabham rounding out the top three.