Manukau City’s Shane Van Gisbergen has driven brilliantly to win the final race of the 2007 Toyota Racing Series and with it the historic New Zealand Motor Cup. The 17 year old St Kentigen’s College student drove one of the most calculated races ever in the Toyota formula which included an outstanding overtaking maneuver on eventual race runner up Andy Knight (Christchurch).

However, although beaten in the final series race by the young rookie, nothing can be taken away from Knight as he produced a strong weekend to guide his Karcher liveried car to the overall round win with a 1st and 2nd placing. 3rd in today’s race went to Series Champion Daniel Gaunt (Auckland) while Earl Bamber (Wanganui) had another strong showing to take 4th ahead of Matthew Hamilton (Christchurch) and Mark Russ (Auckland). Christina Orr (Whakatane), Nelson Hartley (Palmerston North), Ken Smith (Manukau City) and Daynom Templeman (Auckland) completed the top ten place getters.

Knight made a superb start from his front row grid position to outgun pole sitter Van Gisbergen into the first turn but a brave and beautifully calculated maneuver saw the rookie reclaim the lead as he outbraked Knight into the Hairpin to establish a lead he was not to relinquish. Several battles ensued throughout the field including Christina Orr and Nelson Hartley while Daynom Templeman fought off several challenges from Aussie driver Tim Slade.

Championship front runner Ben Harford (Wellington) suffered a major disappointment when the rear left air deflector worked loose while lying a comfortable 4th. As a result his rear tyre was severely damaged thus ending his race although his 3rd outright placing in the Championship remained intact. Ben Crighton (Auckland) found his car refused to start for the warm up lap and therefore ended his tough season on a highly disappointing note.

Van Gisbergen was delighted to win the New Zealand Motor Cup and explained his classic overtaking move on Knight:

“Andy is good off the starts and got me off the line but I managed to get a good run on him as we headed onto the back straight. I think he was taking it a bit easy on cold tyres so I just put my foot down and went for it. I went into the hairpin deep on braking but just locked up the front tyres and had to go down a gear to get round. Its hard taking a tight line like that but I did it so it felt really awesome to pull off the move” he declared after the podium ceremony.

So it was Andy Knight taking out the round win ahead of Daniel Gaunt with Earl Bamber completing the podium positions. Gaunt had already won the Championship before the final round but Van Gisbergen maintained his place ahead of Ben Harford in 3rd. The remaining top six Championship positions were filled by Andy Knight, Christina Orr and Daynom Templeman.

Final Championship Points:

Daniel Gaunt (1448); Shane Van Gisbergen (1120); Ben Harford (1025); Andy Knight (1015); Christina Orr (750); Daynom Templeman (717); Earl Bamber (600); Nelson Hartley (566); Ben Clucas (554); Nic Jordan (541).

Kevin Lancaster
HH Media