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Kelly wins first ever Shanghai V8 round
(smh.com.au)
Updated: 2005-06-12 19:41

Holden's Todd Kelly has won the first-ever V8 Supercar championship round at the Shanghai International Circuit on Sunday June 12, 2005.


Australia's Todd Kelly of the Holden Racing team, celebrates his overall victory in the V8 Supercar race at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China June 12, 2005.[Xinhua]
Kelly took the chequered flag in the third and final race on Sunday to secure the weekend points victory after a race one victory on Saturday and a third in the second race on Sunday.

It was a history-making win for Kelly in more ways than one.

Australia's Steven Richards of Team Perkins Racing leads Australia's Todd Kelly of the Holden Racing Team during Race 3 of the V8 Supercar race, at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China June 12, 2005. Kelly won the race and Richards finished the event in second place. REUTERS
Australia's Steven Richards of Team Perkins Racing leads Australia's Todd Kelly of the Holden Racing Team during Race 3 of the V8 Supercar race, at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China June 12, 2005. Kelly won the race and Richards finished the event in second place.[Reuters]
Not only is he the first winner outside Australasia but it is the first time in V8 history that five different winners have won the first five rounds of the series with Marcos Ambrose winning at Adelaide, Greg Murphy at Pukekohe, Steven Richards at Barbagallo and Craig Lowndes at Eastern Creek.

Kelly was joined on the podium by Holden's Steven Richards, who finished second in each of the three races over the weekend.

Ambrose continues to hold the championship lead from fellow Ford driver Russell Ingall, with Richards third.

Australia's Todd Kelly (R) of the Holden Racing team, celebrates his overall victory in the V8 Supercar race, with second-placed driver Australia's Steven Richards (L) from Team Perkins, at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China June 12, 2005. Kelly won 2 of the 3 races at the event to become the overall winner of the Shanghai round. REUTERS
Australia's Todd Kelly (R) of the Holden Racing team, celebrates his overall victory in the V8 Supercar race, with second-placed driver Australia's Steven Richards (L) from Team Perkins, at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China June 12, 2005. Kelly won 2 of the 3 races at the event to become the overall winner of the Shanghai round.[Reuters]
Mark Skaife won Sunday's earlier race but had his hopes for a first round win of the season dashed when he locked up his brakes coming into turn 10 on the 14th lap of the final race and drove off the circuit.

He then pitted to change a tyre with a flat spot and the whole incident cost him a chance at the round victory, falling from third to 24th.

Ambrose was in line for a podium finish also but was handed a drive through penalty for bumping into Richards as three cars tussled to come out of pit lane together.

It was a dour day all round for the Ford teams with Lowndes, the best-placed driver after a race one fourth, blowing the clutch in the second race and then crashing out in the final race.



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