Aussie Bargwanna to fore in NZ V8s

Media release from MotorSport New Zealand
Saturday 10 March

Aussie Bargwanna to fore in NZ V8s

Australian V8 Supercar ace Jason Bargwanna has won his first pole position in New Zealand as he tries to wrest the BNT New Zealand V8s title from Angus Fogg at Taupo’s Dunlop Grand Finals meeting.

Aucklander Fogg leads the Aussie by 126 points heading into tomorrow’s final three races, but he will start the first race from fifth on the grid after striking brake problems on his top-10 shootout lap.

“That’s the first pole for the team and I’m very happy for the team,” Bargwanna, who races a Ford Falcon for Christchurch-based Tulloch Motorsport, said.

“Now let’s try and win the first championship for them.”

Bargwanna’s pole was especially meritorious because the car had suffered from a broken front anti-roll bar through the two practice sessions, stopping the team from developing a good setup before qualifying.

“We made significant changes to the rear suspension between the last round and this round, and it’s made a big difference,” Bargwanna said.

Fogg was unfazed by his setback. While it will be harder for him to win the first race, he is still on track to win his first V8 title so long as his Ford finishes all three races.

“We’re still relaxed,” he said.

Rising young Hamilton driver Martin Short qualified second and Aucklander Tim Edgell, winner of the previous round at Manfeild, third, these two also in Fords.

Kevin Williams from Pukekohe has been out of racing for a few years but made a great return as he qualified his Holden Commodore fourth.

Andrew Waite clinched the UDC V8 Utes championship – in his rookie year – by winning today’s race. The 22-year-old Aucklander has an unbeatable points lead with two races to go.

He started 10th on the gird – which was decided by a marble draw – but emerged fifth from the first-corner melee.

“I just found a gap,” he said. “I don’t really know how it happened—everybody moved out of my way.”

Waite, a professional DJ, had his Falcon in front by half-distance and carried on to a clear victory from James Urquhart. It was his first national title in car racing, though he had won NZ and North Island championships in kart racing.

Geoff Short from Hamilton won the Sports GT race, and a long Suzuki Swift race went to AJ Lauder from Turua.

MOTOR RACING
New Zealand championships final, Taupo, day one.
BNT NZ V8s top-10 shootout: Jason Bargwanna (Australia) Ford 1; Martin Short (Hamilton) Ford 2; Tim Edgell (Auckland) Ford 3; Kevin Williams (Pukekohe) Holden 4; Angus Fogg (Auckland) Ford 5; Nick Ross (Cambridge) Holden 6; Simon Richards (Hamilton) Ford 7; Bronson Porter (Hamilton) Holden 8.
UDC V8 Utes race: Andrew Waite (Auckland) Ford 1; James Urquhart (Karaka) Holden 2; Chris Hanley (Auckland) Holden 3.
Sports GT: Geoff Short (Hamilton) Juno-Honda 1; Cameron Jones (Palmerston North) Camaro-Mazda 2; Glenn Smith (Hawera) Porsche 3.
Suzuki Swifts: AJ Lauder (Turua) 1; Andrew Vincent (Karaka) 2; Brad Lauder (Turua) 3.

© Scoop Media