Taree’s Damian Cudlin has claimed his first major International title in Europe, securing the 2010 IDM Supersport Championship in Hockenheim on the weekend.
After more than 6 years of racing in Europe, and most of the world, the long awaited title finally fell to the Aussie who held onto his championship lead against fiercest rival Michi Ranseder at the final round. However it didn’t come easy and as the anticipated showdown enthralled all who witnessed it, no one could have predicted the drama that played out in front of them.
Heading into the event with a 16 point advantage over Ranseder, Cudlin was determined not to settle for minimum requirements in Saturday’s opening race, favouring to wrap up the title early if the situation proved possible. Blasting to an early lead thanks to a blinding start, Ranseder lead proceedings for the opening half of the 19 lap race as Cudlin moved from 3rd to 2nd ahead of local hero Kevin Wahr. Soon Cudlin set his sights on Ranseder and began to close the gap, increasing the pace with a controlling accuracy. With 3 laps to go, Cudlin was right on Ranseder’s tail and it became obvious that a last lap showdown was imminent. As Ranseder entered the hairpin defensively for the final time, Cudlin swooped from the outside and made a text book pass into the following left hander, taking the Austrian by complete surprise. As he stretched his advantage on his strongest part of the race track, Cudlin headed into the stadium section clearly in front and just 3 corners from certain victory.
Continue reading ‘Damian Cudlin is the 2010 IDM Supersport Champion!’
