Yasser Shahin has won the 2021 The Bend Classic after producing a lightning quick lap during the popular event’s top 10 shootout. 
  
With plenty of spectators flocking to The Bend Motorsport Park, there was lots of entertainment both on and off the circuit for motorsport fans of all ages to enjoy. 
  
On track, more than 140 competitors spread across seven categories were in the thick of the action as they battled it out to post the fastest lap time in their respective classes, as well as the quickest outright lap. 
  
There were some big names competing throughout the weekend including three-time Supercars champion Craig Lowndes, reigning Classic champion Sam Shahin and South Australian speedster Dan Day. 


On Saturday, heavy rainfall delayed official proceedings from getting underway, however a change of weather late in the day and hard work from volunteer officials allowed competitors a 30-minute session at the end of the day.  
  
Despite less track time than planned, Yasser managed to produce a decent time of one minute and 10.723 seconds in his Formula Renault 3.5 V8, setting the benchmark for what would be a busy Sunday. 
  
On Sunday, the drama unfolded early with Lowndes breaking his Dallara F189 Cosworth gearbox during the morning sessions – putting one of the favourites out of the running. 
  
As the day went on, Yasser continued to improve and eventually topped the time sheets as he went into the top 10 shootout a clear favourite ahead of anyone else. 
  
With Lowndes out, and Sam Shahin unable to get anything out of his Benneton B198 from Saturday, Yasser had essentially already taken out the win, but looked set on claiming the track’s all-time lap record set by former Supercars racer, Josh Kean set last year. 
  
Unfortunately, Yasser fell just short of the record, his final time of one minute and 10.540 seconds coming to within just four tenths of the record.  
  
“It was pretty hairy coming onto the straight and I had another moment at Turn three. I was really pushing,” Yasser said post-event. 
  
“It was a great lap, great fun, but just not quite enough so the record will have to wait for another year. 
  
“We’ve got big plans to come back and give it a shake again. This is a great format, we love it and it has been a sensational weekend.” 


Although he was unable to claim the record, he still came away with the outright victory, beating teenager Seb Amadio in the Team BRM S5000 by almost five seconds. 
  
GC Marine Australian Prototype Series star JP Drake, who was behind the wheel of his Wolf F1 Mistral, rounded out the podium a further one second off the 17-year-old, while Chris Slusarsrki in the Formula Toyota FT-50 edged out Tim Cook by three tenths to secure fourth place. 
  
Despite missing out on fourth place, Cook didn’t go home empty handed as the Wolf Thunder picked up the Classic Open Wheel & F1 class win. 
  
In sixth place, just one tenth off Cook was Mark Rosser in his Audi R8 LMS, while Day steered his Subaru Impreza STi to seventh place and the Modern Sports class win. 


Other class winners included Open Sports & Racing winner Jim Doig in his Motorlab ASP 340, Philip Carter guiding his MG MGB Roadster to Vintage, Datsun 510 driver Mark Haig in the Historic Sports Sedans and Peter Kruger who won the Classic Production in a Datsun 510. 
  
Outside of the track entertainment, fans could enjoy plenty of activations including Classic Car and Father's Day Cruise, the Rock N Roll Revival, multiple displays of classic machinery and a host of exhibit feature stalls. 
  
Click here for more information on the event.