Productive A1GP Experiment for Young Guns

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Photo Credit Lee Howell – Kaptured Photography – www.kaptured.com

Veloci-Media
Media Release
For immediate release

25-01-08

Productive A1GP Experiment for Miles Toyota Young Guns

The Miles Toyota Toyota Racing Series team had an impressive Taupo debut at the A1GP event over the last weekend, with both Michael Burdett and Nic Jordan displaying some of the true qualities needed to make inroads in the world of professional motorsport.

17-year old Burdett was undoubtedly the pace setter around the tricky 3.5km Taupo Motorsport Park, but it was ‘team leader’Nic Jordan who chipped away over the weekend in an event where ironically the two separate approaches by the two fierce competitors wielded an identical number of points – 121.

The weather – though stifling hot – was windy enough to blow the lid off a jar of salsa and subsequently the dust storms that engulfed the facility were less than desirable. Even so, with that ‘it’s the same for everyone’ attitude deeply imprinted in their minds, Burdett and Jordan quickly set to work, struggling in the initial qualifying session but coming good in the second with third and sixth respectively.

“It’s an absolute dustbowl out there,”Burdett said. “To find that crucial quick lap in qualifying is important and it was made that much harder with such a changeable track, but we got there in the end.”

Burdett performed outstandingly in the opening two races, improving from his grid position in both to finish in fourth and second places, however a potential round win slipped from his grasp early in the third race after contact with another competitor left his stricken car hobbling off the track and into the grasp of a dreaded DNF (did not finish).

The former Formula Ford ace confirmed just as he had at Manfeild; his speed and promise clearly evident with a fine podium and fastest race two lap time to boot, however bad luck hampered his progress once again. Still, there’s a strong platform to build on before the return to Manfeild for the start of leg two of the 2007/08 season.

19-year old Nic Jordan had a tougher time of it in his opening race, struggling with the slippery and ever-changing track conditions to eventually finish up in eleventh. Race two was far more pleasing for the Cambridge-based ex-Formula 3 pilot, following the same suit as his younger team mate in improving his grid position to fourth place and confirming not only that he was on track for a strong finish to the weekend, but also that despite even the blatantly obvious speed differences throughout the field, the lack of passing opportunities around the Taupo circuit meant that patience was at its peak for many of the usual front runners.

Knowing that his championship position remained crucial in the minds of both himself and his team, Nic drove a smart race to seventh place in the 20-lap final to, as mentioned earlier; finish the weekend in sixth-equal with his team mate.

The Miles Toyota young guns now have the luxury of a four week break in preparation for the second of two Manfeild events in round five of the championship on February 16/17. After three consecutive weekends behind the wheel, they sure do deserve it, but by no means will they be slacking off in the build up. In fact, they’re probably at the gym as we speak.

ENDS

TOYOTA RACING SERIES - Points after Round Four of Seven
Pos Car No. Name Hometown Total
Points
1 5 Andy Knight Christchurch 699
2 7 Ben Harford Wellington 641
3 1 Earl Bamber Wanganui 618
4 9 Nic Jordan Cambridge 499
5 10 Dominic Storey Auckland 451
6 28 Nelson Hartley Palmerston North 438
7 74 Michael Burdett Auckland 437
7 3 Matt Halliday USA 417
9 6 Hamish Cross Christchurch 411
10 2 Mitch Cunningham Auckland 384

2007/08 Toyota Racing Series Calendar
Round 1 Nov 02-04, 2007 Pukekohe Park Raceway, Pukekohe
Round 2 Jan 04-06, 2008 Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Ruapuna, Christchurch - Lady Wigram Trophy
Round 3 Jan 11-13, 2008 Manfeild Autocourse, Feilding – New Zealand Grand Prix
Round 4 Jan 17-20, 2008 Taupo Motorsport Park, Taupo – A1GP
Round 5 Feb 15-17, 2008 Manfeild Autocourse, Feilding
Round 6 Feb 29-Mar 02, 2008 Timaru International Motor Raceway (Levels), Timaru
Round 7 (Final) Mar 07-09, 2008 Teretonga Park Raceway, Invercargill
Trophy Round: April 18-20, 2008 Hamilton 400 – V8 Supercar meeting

Nic Jordan and Michael Burdett are proudly supported by Miles Toyota, ENZED Hoses &Fittings and Altherm Aluminum Joinery.

ENDS

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