Formula Ford Newcomer Set For Series Win

Auckland, New Zealand, February 7, 2001 – Formula Ford driver Daniel Gaunt is set to clinch victory in the South Island Championship title after a successful weekend at Teretonga Raceway in Invercargill.

Gaunt’s leading position has him 19 points ahead of his closest rival. He now needs to place first in just one of three races in April’s series final to win the Championship title.

“I’m stoked with this weekend’s results. I was pretty nervous to begin with, but luckily that disappeared as soon as the lights went green. It has been another awesome weekend, and I’ve learnt a lot,” says Gaunt.

Although the 16-year-old from Auckland’s North Shore only began driving Formula Fords in September, his impressive progress has attracted the attention of several racing aficionados.

“Daniel’s name is already known about the place. People realise he’s got the qualities needed to do well long term,” says Canterbury Racing School head, John Crawford.

“Daniel has worked hard, on the track and in the workshop. He deserves these wins and the attention they bring. One of the reasons I enjoy working with Daniel is his understanding of the mechanics of racing and his ability to communicate strengths and weaknesses of any given configuration. That understanding will pay off more and more for him.”

Sponsored by Gateway, Gaunt is without the financial constraints facing many young drivers. Gaunt’s car is covered in the black and white cow spots the company is famous for, and a similarly decorated full length suit and eighteen wheel transportation truck will be complete in time for the series final. Gateway assists Gaunt with the costs of his daily racing and training requirements, and will provide support for a number of forthcoming activities.

“I’m very lucky to have Gateway helping me out, it means I can concentrate on racing rather than money problems. I’m still studying so it’s hard to fund myself, but I know at this stage I need to do some other things. I can’t wait to race full time though – that will be awesome,” says Gaunt.

“The great thing about our relationship with Daniel is its mutuality – we get to expose our brand to a whole lot of people, while following a sport we love. And Daniel’s life is made a bit easier – he is able to pursue his dream without worrying too much about the financial side of things. It’s a pleasure to support someone so obviously talented,” says Gateway’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand, Paul Heath.

ENDS

About Gateway
Since beginning life as a two-man start-up in 1985, Gateway has grown to be one of America's 250 largest corporations, with sales last year in excess of US$7.5 billion and 3.5 million PCs. The company has 19,000 employees worldwide, including 1,600 in the Asia/Pacific region, where the company operates in New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, as well as Australia where the company has 300 staff. Purchases in the region are processed and delivered directly from Gateway's state-of-the-art ISO9002 manufacturing facility in Malacca, Malaysia.
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