From P14 to P1 in Hampton Downs: Roman Bilinski continues to impress
Roman Bilinski’s outstanding season in the 2024 Castrol Toyota FR Oceania continued at Hampton Downs as he converted a P14 in the first qualifying session to a dominant race win, defying the rain as well as his on track competition.
Qualifying 2 went much more satisfactory as he clinched clinch his third pole in the third championship round. Piloting for M2 Competition, Bilinski’s impressive lap, seven tenths faster than the previous race lap record, positioned him first for the Dorothy Smith Memorial Trophy race.
In a dry and settled Sunday morning qualifying session, Bilinski faced tough competition from fellow drivers, including his teammate Gerrard Xie. The session saw constant changes in the fastest lap time, with Bilinski ultimately stealing pole position by three hundredths of a second.
Reflecting on his last-minute pole, Bilinski said, “I pushed hard on the out lap and gave it everything on the last lap. It was really tricky, but the car was great.”
The session had its share of drama, with a red flag caused by Landan Matriano-Lim’s spin and stall. Despite the interruption, Bilinski’s skill and determination shone through as he secured the pole position for the second feature race of the day.
The second qualifying session of the day left him in P14 in less than ideal starting conditions after his earlier display of dominance. Taking a gamble in the afternoon rains of Hampton Downs paid off and Bilinski converted the P14 into an impressive race win.
Fuelled by his victory in Race 1, he went on to cap off Round 3 with a second and third place – a remarkable performance all weekend round that extended his lead in the championship standings.
As the championship progresses, Roman Bilinski remains a formidable force, showcasing consistent excellence and increasing his title prospects. The upcoming races at Euromarque Motorsport Park in Christchurch will undoubtedly provide more thrilling moments as Bilinski continues his pursuit of the 2024 Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Championship.