Christchurch racing driver Andy Knight has dominated Race 1 of the final round of the Toyota Racing Series by leading from start to finish. Knight streaked a way from his front row grid position to control the race after fending off early challenges from pole position qualifier, Shane Van Gisbergen (Manukau City) who suffered the cruelest of luck to leave Knight a comfortable winning margin over the final laps of the 12 lap race.

Van Gisbergen was the hard luck story of the race after he lead away from his third pole position this season but was overhauled by a daring outside overtaking maneuver by Knight on the first corner. The race leader was shadowed by the hard charging rookie but after closing the gap to within striking distance, a rear air deflector on Van Gisbergen’s car began rubbing on the rear right tyre which necessitated a pit stop and ruled him out of a top 3 placing.

Van Gisbergen’s demise was the Aucklander Daniel Gaunt’s gain as he secured a safe 2nd place ahead of Ben Harford (Wellington) who made a couple of stunning overtaking moves on the opening lap. Wanganui’s Earl Bamber drove a sensible but lonely race for 4th while Daynom Templeman (Auckland) came home 5th ahead of Mark Russ (Auckland) 6th. Christina Orr (Whakatane), Nelson Hartley (Palmerston North), Tim Slade (Melbourne) and Andrew Higgins (Auckland) rounded out the top ten.

Drivers to encounter problems included Ben Crighton with gearbox problems and 2005 Series Champion Brent Collins who slipped off the track at Turn 4, glancing off the outside wall causing minor suspension damage. Matthew Hamilton was engaged in a frantic duel with Mark Russ for 6th place but eventually backed off to set a faster lap time to assist his Race 2 grid position.

A jubilant Knight was philosophical about his dominant win:

“Whoever came out of that first lap leading was going to be in control. It was important to make Shane try to pass around the outside of the hairpin and from there on there is nothing he could do to get past. I was driving quite hard but when in the lead I never go at full pace but just try and control the race” he explained after his victory.

Australian visitor Tim Slade was impressed with the circuit and the Toyota Racing Series formula:

“The track is a bit bumpy but really fast and I didn’t get a great start so lost a position off the line. I then dropped back to get a better lap time to improve my starting grid position for tomorrow. I think I could get competitive if running regularly in these cars but it is difficult to get into the groove straight off” he declared.

The starting grid for Race 2 of the weekend is formed according to fastest lap times for Race 1 so we will again see Shane Van Gisbergen on pole position with Andy Knight alongside. They will be followed by Daniel Gaunt, Ben Harford, Earl Bamber and Matthew Hamilton.

Race 2 of the weekend will be run over 16 laps and will take place at 9:10 am tomorrow (Sunday) morning with the prestigious New Zealand Motor Cup at stake for drivers.

Kevin Lancaster
HH Media