SUMMONING every ounce of his now-considerable experience, Sydney driver Mat Sofi made an inch-perfect start in race one of round five of the 2009 Formula 3 Australian drivers Championship for the CAMS Gold Star award, at Eastern Creek Raceway.

That start put him into a lead of the 13-lap race that he would never give up.

After a fast yet frustrating and sometimes challenging start to his 2009 campaign, Mat Sofi broke though for his first ever National-level championship race victory at Eastern Creek at the weekend in the most stunning way possible.

His brilliant start from second on the grid rocketed him past pole sitter Tim Macrow well before turn one and, after seeing off a challenge from championship leader Joey Foster in the first few corners, he set about building an imposing lead.

By the end of lap one the bright orange and white AmPro Tools / Errea / Transwest Racing Dallara F307 – Mugen Honda led the field by nearly a second and it was nearly double that just a few laps later.

With stunning consistency and with the others squabbling for the minor podium positions, Sofi maintained his lead and eventually won by just under three seconds in the most comprehensive and decisive victory of his racing career.

Backed up with a third-placed effort in race two – again making his car as wide as possible to keep Foster behind – Sofi rocketed back into third place in the championship, still in title contention with three rounds and six races remaining.

The weekend’s success came in front of 100 corporate guests from team sponsor AmPro Tools, as well a host of friends and family out at their local circuit to back their driver. Responding in kind with the premier performance of his career, Sofi said that the emotions ran thick and fast as the car rolled into Parc ferme’ after taking the flag.

“I think that the family were even more emotional than I was!” he grinned.

“They have put a lot into this and have been amazing supporters of my career, so this is for them. All I can say is that it’s about time, about time for sure. We have just put so much effort into this over the last eighteen months to make this work and it’s amazing it’s all come together like this.

“It’s a great reward for Sam (Astuti), who puts his heart and soul into his team and it shows. Thanks also have to go to our sponsors this season who have all been fantastic. To be able to do this in front of a hundred or so people from AmPro Tools here this weekend, as well as my mates, supporters and family, is just magic.”

History shows that once drivers have broken though for their race win, more successes generally flow. Naturally, the 23-year-old driver is particularly keen for that piece motorsport superstition to definitely come true.

“It took a long time to get that first win out the way,” he admitted. “But now it’s done, I know we can keep doing it.

“The car is sensational, the team is working well and we’re building momentum at the right time of the season. I can’t wait to get back out in the car at Queensland and win another one of these – It’s a good feeling so I’d like it some more!”

The action from round five of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, including Mat’s sensational race one win, will be broadcast on SBS SPEEDWEEK, on SBS ONE, at 1:00PM Sunday, July 26th.

The next round of the championship will be the Queensland Raceway V8 Supercar round, held between August 21-23.