Anthony Martin (right) with his 3rd spot trophy.
Camera IconAnthony Martin (right) with his 3rd spot trophy. Credit: Supplied/LLC Photography. Below left: Luke Gabin sails his USF2000 car around the wet street track. Below right: Luke Gabin’s turn on the wet podium.

Young Perth Racing Drivers Impress Canadian Judges

Bill BuysWanneroo Times

Anthony Martin, of Banksia Grove, and Luke Gabin, of Kwinana, both 20, each scored a third place in separate races in the Mazda-powered USF2000 class.

The demanding 2.8km, 11-turn street circuit was made more difficult by heavy rain and a series of incidents badly affected one driver and benefited the other.

Martin, driving for John Cummiskey Racing, qualified fourthfor the day one race, and after a fierce tussle, managed to secure third place for his third podium of the season. It also extended his streak of top-five finishes in five consecutive races.

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Next, in fourth spot, came Gabin, 16 seconds astern in his Team Pelfrey car.

The positions were reversed in race two when Gabin finished third and Martin fourth, after an error by the race director.

Martin was running strongly in third place and challenging for second when he was instructed to drop back into fourth place.

Post-race video footage showed that the race director was wrong and it cost Martin a second place.

“Race one was exciting with some close wheel-to-wheel racing at 220km/h with US driver Aaron Telitz, but race two was extremely disappointing,” Martin said.

“I knew the car was fast in the wet, in fact I was fastest track, then came that decision forcing me to give up my position.”

Race two was Gabin’s first trip to the podium and his third top-five finish in the last four races.

He also won the Tilton Hard Charger award, rising from sixth on the grid to third. “I’m extremely happy to end my weekend on a high note,” he said.