They were unable to beat Queensland racing pair Tony Ross and Paul Chapman in the Main B race of the Valvoline Wakefield 300, but it was special none the less.

“I’m alright now, but I was pretty exhausted when I got out of the car,” father Russell said as they prepared for a television interview.

“I had a big off at turn two in the first three or four laps, that put us virtually last, but I picked up a few spots, handed the car to Andy and luckily he’s real quick in the car so he took the car and managed to get second.”

The father and son from Bowral had entered the 127 lap race with no expectations, and qualified for the Main B event, the first of the two main endurance races.

They had told the Post last week their Mazda Mx5 was a simple stock engine racer.

First place winners Ross and Chapman, who also raced in a modified MX5, had won comfortably in the Main B.

“We were holding the lead when we came into the pits, the team did a great job here with the refuelling and we were bang on out of there and were able to end up back in the lead and cruise home after that,” Chapman said after victory.

“Tony did a fantastic stint. He’s only been racing for 18 months so we’ve sort of been coaching him a bit. But he did a great job of hanging in there with the leaders.”

Husband and wife combination Peter and Robin Lacey from Queensland finished in third place.

Event promoter Lachlan Mansell said the race was one of the finest driving displays he’s seen.

He had been excitedly commentating over the loud speakers as the race came to a close.

“The B race was very entertaining and there were no safety cars so the quality of driving was very, very good,” he said.

“I think it’s the first time we’ve had a major endurance race here at Wakefield Park without a safety car. The driving standard was exemplarity which was good to see.”

The Valvoline Wakefield 300 main race concluded late yesterday afternoon. For results, see Wednesday’s edition of the Post.