Tough V8 Ute Debut For Cross

MEDIA RELEASE
17 FEBRUARY 2012

Tough V8 Ute Debut For Cross

It was a tough debut into the UDC V8 Ute class for Hamish 'The Hustler' Cross of Christchurch at Hampton Downs this weekend.

'The Hustler' always knew it would be a steep learning curve as he made his first appearance in the V8 Utes at the Waikato circuit, one which he had never raced at before.

However his difficulties were compunded when he lost all his testing time after his BNT/Fuchs Falcon would not fire up for the test session on Friday. The problem was eventually traced to a fuel pump fuse which shorted when the on board camera was wired into the Falcon.

Without any testing behind him Cross managed to qualify ninth for the opening race on Saturday and demonstrated his speed as he charged his way up to fourth before a puncture dropped him to the back of the field. In the second race that afternoon Cross, 'The Hustler' was turned around by Mike 'Buzz' Lightfoot which again dropped him down the order.

After such a tough beginning a conservative approach was called for in Sundays two races and Cross did what was required in both, staying clear of trouble and bringing the BNT/Fuchs Falcon home for a fifth place in the morning before a seventh later in the day.

While disappointed luck did not go his way Cross was blunt in his assessment of the round. "It was tough but that is the way it goes sometimes. I am looking forward to the next round already." That round is at Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Ruapuna in Christchurch over the weekend of 9/10 March.

Hamish 'The Hustler' Cross at work in the BNT/Fuchs Falcon at Hampton Downs this weekend - Credit Euan Cameron

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