Junior Burner Continues Hot Taupo Form

Junior Burner Continues Hot Taupo Form

The good form that Simon 'Junior Burner' Beirne enjoys at the Taupo Motorsport Park continued today when the opening stages of Round 6 of the ENZED V8 Ute Challenge took place.

Beirne of Christchurch has been a round winner at the circuit in the past and a previous lap record holder. Today he continued that great form as he set the second fastest time in qualifying before racing to second place in the first of three races scheduled for the weekend.

Simon and his Team McDonald's Falcon arrived at this, the penultimate round of the series, third in the point standings and today's results put him closer to the championship leader, Caine Lobb who finished behind Simon in both qualifying and the race.

After setting the second quickest time in qualifying behind the defending champion Chris Pither, Simon drew marble number three to put himself on the second row of the grid for the 8 lap race late this afternoon. 'Junior' got underway in third place when the lights went out to start the race. The first lap was frantic with plenty of incidents throughout the field. "Chris Pither didn't make a good start and it got so busy through the esses," he said later.

Once underway 'Junior' learned that he had incurred a five second penalty for jumping the start. Satellite coverage was not available for data in the Team McDonald's Falcon so Simon would have to rely on the team for information throughout the race. From third place Simon dispensed with the ute of Turangi driver David Kernohan on the second lap and settled into a good pace behind Pither while the team urged him on over the radio. He ran a great race greeting the chequered flag in second place but most importantly managed to cross the line more than 5 seconds ahead of Lobb to overcome the penalty and keep the position.

"We banked the points on Caine in qualifying and the race. We have made a great start just like we did at Manfeild last month. I just hope it finishes better than it did on that occasion," he said referring to the fact that his second race at that round was ruined by a flat tyre.

Meanwhile Graham 'Snr Burner' Beirne made a good start to the weekend when he qualified eighth fastest in this mornings qualifying session. 'Senior' suffered badly in the messy first lap of the race however and emerged at the rear of the field. He climbed back to eleventh place at the finish. ""I can't complain about the John Jones Steel Falcon," said Graham after the race. "I haven't driven well since Teretonga!"

A major shunt at Teretonga saw him in a borrowed ute for the next round of the series and once back in his usual John Jones Steel Falcon at Manfeild he discovered the vehicle was still not right. However more work since that round has transformed the ute back to it's best.

The 'Burners' line up for two more races tomorrow. The first at 10.24am will be raced over 8 laps. Graham will start from the midfield while Simon will be near the back of the grid in a reverse of todays start order. The third and final race over 12 laps is timed to start at 2.12pm tomorrow afternoon.

In addition to the support of major partners McDonald's and John Jones Steel in conjunction with Simon Beirne Limited, “Integrity in Vehicle Brokering,” the team also has support from Bruce Raxworthy Panel & Paint, Chevron Quality Cars - Driving Excellence, Business IT Software Management Systems, Mag & Turbo Warehouse, NZVD Transport, Lets Get Graphic, DJ Hewitt Builders Ltd and Vehicle Safety Systems {VSS} And Compliance.

2010/2011 ENZED V8 UTE CHALLENGE
Round 1: 5-7 November 2010 - Pukekohe Park Raceway, Auckland
Round 2: 26-28 November 2010 - Powerbuilt Tools Raceway, Ruapuna Christchurch
Round 3: 14-16 January 2011 - Teretonga Park, Invercagill
Round 4: 21-23 January 2011 - Timaru International Motor Raceway, Levels Timaru
Round 5: 11-13 February 2011 - Manfeild Park, Feilding
Round 6: 11-13 March 2011 - Taupo MotorsportPark, Taupo
Round 7: 15-17 April 2011 - Hamilton 400, Hamilton

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