Geoff Emery remains four points ahead of Daniel Richert in the 2007 Commodore Cup standings after winning round four at Eastern Creek this month.By Marc McGowan
NARRE Warren speedster Geoff Emery continues to hold sway in the Commodore Cup title race after claiming round four honours at Eastern Creek this month.
The 36-year-old racecar veteran is hanging onto a slender four-point advantage over fellow Victorian Daniel Richert.
Emery, a four-time Commodore Cup champion, recorded two second-place finishes before claiming race three.
“The rivalry (with Richert) is pretty good,” he said.
“He’s a young bloke trying to make a name for himself and I’ve got a bit of age on my side in comparison to these guys, and that experience is getting me through.”
The two-man war of attrition is one that has its roots back in 2001, when Richert made the switch from a successful go-kart career.
But this is the first year in which Richert has really challenged Emery’s supremacy in the category.
“Daniel is looking to move onto Supercars in a short period and I’m tipping he’ll have to win the lower categories to go onto the next ones,” Emery said.
“We all have our bumps and rubs, which is all part of good, close racing, and at the end of the day we respect each other.
“Off-track we put that aside and there are no real issues.”
Emery’s high-powered vehicle struggled to match Richert for speed in the first few races, but a few alterations – and some of Emery’s trademark guile – made up for it in the final trip to the track.
“We made a fairly big move around turn one, which is the highest speed corner (at Eastern Creek), for a good passing manoeuvre and that gave us the round win,” Emery said.
Emery will now head to Phillip Island for round five on 11 and 12 August, and has high expectations.
“Phillip Island is a very high-speed track, and, again, you need to use the same sort of techniques and need to be on the money every single corner,” he said.
“I am very confident of taking out the next round.”
