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Porsche's Compliment Racing At Manfeild

Courtesy of Car.co.nz Motorsport News

By: Lance Hastie www.car.co.nz

Picking perfect weather for the final round of the Bridgestone Porsche Cup - part of the 9 race programme at Manfeild over the weekend.

One of the many events basking in the glorious weather over the weekend, Manfeild was witness to another meeting of action-a-plenty racing. The warm weather proved challenging for the drivers, as the track heated up during the day the tyres were struggling to provide ultimate grip.

Included in the programme of SS2000's, Formula First's, Pre 65's, Pro-7's, HQ Holdens, Kiwi Sports Sedans, Mini Sevens, and the Commodore Cup - was the final round of Porsche racing for the season.

A well-represented field of 911's, 924's, 944's, the occasional 930 and 964 were the GT3 Cup Cars.

Making an appearance was the Lighting Direct Porsche of Owen Evans as well as the debut of Ashley Stichbury to the class. Unfortunately both drivers never made it to the final classification; the only consolation was such that the weather provided ideal spectating. While it was the GT3 Cup Cars that stole the show, there was no touching Rick Armstrong in the #90 Porsche.

While the weekend was void of any major incidents, there was still plenty of action for the crowd to come to relax and enjoy the spectacular.

Again, and in fine style, Hastings youngster cleaned up the Formula First racing with convincing wins.

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Mazda RX7's dominated the SS2000's with Brian Gray and Peter Henry taking a win-a-piece, while Justin Haworth was the consistent performer in the Pre 65's taking a second and third driving the immaculate Cortina GT.

While the RX7's had a class of their own, the strengthening series of Pro-7's handed Dean McMillan a first and second.

The nostalgic HQ Holdens provided plenty of pack racing, but no-one came close to the pace set by Shane Wigston.

Commodore Cup contestants provided a two-tier result as they mixed with the HQ's. In a repeat it was Bruce Kennedy, Graham Moffatt and Murray Crooks..and then everyone else. All three drivers showed a clean pair of heels and respective order for the weekend's racing.

The popular Kiwi Sports Sedans again gave the Mazda RX7 the title of supremacy with Bob Hyslop taking a one-two.

Another from the nostalgia quarter is the action turned on by the Mini Challengers. Close and consistent racing throughout the field had Frank Hamlin and Lex Wallace proving the results of careful preparation.

While the crowd may have been awed at the finesse the Porsche Cup cars, there is no doubt that it was a combined effort to maintain the interest of the spectators.

The next major race meet for Manfeild and its supporters comes with the final round of the 2L Touring Cars - a full race weekend set down for the 13-14th of April.


© Scoop Media

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