TODD Hazelwood’s perfect weekend in the Trico Trans Am series has continued at Hi-Tec Oils Race Tasmania from Symmons Plains Raceway, with the reigning champion claiming his third straight victory in a race that was marred by a spectacular first-lap pile-up.

Initially, James Golding (CTE Mustang) and Nash Morris (Norwell Motorplex Mustang) became entangled going under the bridge on the opening circuit, with the field scrambling in reaction.

Ultimately, 14 cars were involved or delayed by the accident, with the track becoming blocked.

Fortunately, all drivers were able to walk away.

Included in the car park were Mark Bailey (Jax Tyres Camaro), Cameron Laws (Castle Railing Mustang), Elliot Barbour (Pioneer DJ Camaro), Domain Ramsey (C&H Trucking Camaro), Des Collier (TFH Racing Mustang), John Holinger (Holinger Racing Mustang), Jason Pryde (JPM Camaro), Michael Coulter (Turps Tippers Mustang), Graham Cheney (IES Motorsport Camaro), Robbie Farr (Hi-Tec Oils Camaro), Joshua Webster (Auto Fix Mustang), and Mark Crutcher (Crutcher Developments Mustang), who started from pit lane.

The race was red-flagged, and the officials swung into action to clean up the mess.

Remarkably, the only cars missing from the restart were Coulter, Bailey and Laws.

With the race lengthened by 15 minutes, Todd Hazelwood (TFH Racing Mustang) led the field to the restart ahead of Ben Grice (All American Drivelines Mustang) and Tom Davies (GRM Mustang).

On lap ten, Elliot spun on the entry to the Hairpin, while Blake Tracey (Auto Openers Mustang) stopped on the circuit with a mechanical issue, which saw the safety car called back onto the track.

The race restarted on lap 15 with a two-lap sprint to the finish.

Hazelwood was pushed hard to the chequered flag by Grice, with Tom Davies (GRM Mustang) continuing his breakthrough weekend in the class in third.

Fourth from tenth on the grid was James Moffat (LMCT+ Mustang), then Nathan Herne (BlueGold Industries Mustang), Lachlan Evennett (CAMM Racing Mustang), Jack Smith (LCT Logistics Mustang), Jarrod Hughes (IES Motorsport Camaro), Ben Bargwanna (Hangcha Racing Mustang), with Adam Garwood (Garwood Motorsport Mustang) tenth.

After claiming Pro-Am honours in the opening two races, Mark Bailey was a non-finisher, allowing Robbie Farr to claim the top spot in the class.

Missing in action from the race were Charlie Nash (Tickford Autosport Mustang) and Ben Gomersall (Unit Racing Mustang), who missed the start with ongoing mechanical repairs following this morning’s second race for the weekend.

Next up for the Trico Trans Am Series at Buckby Motors Symmons Plains Raceway is the fourth and final race of the weekend, which is set for 4:20pm. For those trackside, a free grid walk will be held at 4:00pm, while fans at home can follow the action via SBS onDEMAND and Kayo.