Stunning Start To V8 Challenge Cup By Mark Gibson

MEDIA RELEASE
19 FEBRUARY 2013

Stunning Start To V8 Challenge Cup By Mark Gibson

Taupo driver Mark Gibson made a stunning start to the V8 Challenge Cup at Hampton Downs at the weekend.

The 21-year-old Taupo driver was in red hot form in his CB Norwood Distributors Falcon and lies second in the point standings after the opening round.

After testing the water by contesting two rounds in the series last year Gibson made his intentions clear as he took his initial steps in his first full tilt at the title.

On the pace throughout testing on Friday Gibson qualified third fastest just .363 of a second off pole position in Saturdays qualifying session. He followed that impressive effort with second place, just .690 of a second behind the highly experienced Kevin Williams in the opening race over 8 laps later in the day.

The following morning, in a 10 lap race with a grid order that saw the top five reversed, Gibson again finished second behind Williams. Again the margin was less than one second, this time Mark crossing the line .456 of a second behind his rival.

In the final race over 12 laps Gibson had a great battle with Glenn Inkster before going on to claim yet another second place, setting the fastest lap of the race in the process.

"It was close racing and pretty exciting," said Gibson as he looked back on an outstanding start to his campaign. "The CB Norwood Distributors Falcon was a dream to drive and the team was fantastic!"

Team Gibson Motorsport and JMR have joined forces this season with JMR doing all the preparation work on the Team Gibson Motorsport Falcon as well as running the car. The Team Gibson brothers, Mark and Rob, have competed in the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup together in the past but this year Mark competes in the V8 Challenge Cup while Rob contests the UDC V8 Ute Series.

While Mark has seven years of moto-cross experience he spent just two seasons in the highly competitive Suzuki Swift Sport Cup Series before his two outings last year in the V8 Challenge Cup.

The next round of the V8 Challenge Cup is at Pukekohe Park Raceway, south of Auckland, over the weekend of 25/26 May.

The Team Gibson Motorsport Falcon is supported by CB Norwood Distributors, Westerman Property Solutions, Supercrete Taupo, The Bay Bar and Brasserie, Taupo Times, Taupo Motorsport Park, Trev Terry Marine and the Mole & Chicken Taupo.

--

Photograph - Mark Gibson and the CB Norwood Distributors Falcon on the way to second place overall at Hampton Downs - Credit Euan Cameron

CALENDAR -- 2013 V8 CHALLENGE CUP
Round 1: 16/17 February 2013 - Hampton Downs, North Waikato
Round 2: 25/26 May 2013 - Pukekohe Park Raceway, South Auckland
Round 3: 31 August/1 September 2013 - Taupo Motorsport Park, Taupo
Round 4: 19/20 October 2013 - Hampton Downs, North Waikato
Round 5: 9/10 November 2013 - TBA, South Island
Round 6: 7/8 December 2013 - Pukekohe Park Raceway, South Auckland

ENDS

© Scoop Media