Drysdale wins weekend, Lawrence extends Suzuki title lead

Media release: Winger Suzuki Swift Sport Cup - review of round five (19-20 October
2013).
For immediate release: Wednesday 23 October

Drysdale wins weekend, Lawrence extends Suzuki title lead

A tumultuous weekend of racing at Hampton Downs for the Winger Suzuki Swift Sport Cup series has seen Palmerston North teen Josh Drysdale take his second round win – consecutively, while Hamilton’s Shaun Lawrence extended his overall title lead.

Contesting three races at the northern Waikato location of Hampton Downs it was expected to be a game changer for the 1600cc small car series. Following Lawrence’s opening race win on the Saturday the Sunday morning 25-lap reverse grid feature included a compulsory pit stop and double points for the winner.

Emerging from the melee of that race that included an opening lap skirmish with title contender Andrew Vincent of Karaka, Drysdale’s fourth place finish set him up for the round win.

Starting mid-pack for the final, Drysdale took charge of the field as they jostled for position on the fourth lap and got himself clear and on the hunt for victory. Taking the chequered flag first the 17-year-old claimed his second round win. In second, Hamilton’s Glen Collinson benefited from consistency – missing out on the weekend win by a solitary point.
Third was Lawrence who’s points from the first race and bonus points in qualifying helped further extend his lead for the overall driver’s title.

“I’m stoked to have the round win,” said Drysdale of topping the weekend points in the series fifth of six rounds. “It was a tough weekend although the car had extraordinary pace. So it was all up to me and I just had to put my head down and drive round my rivals.

“I had some great battles which made getting the round win that much more special – especially since it was my second in a row!”

For Lawrence he was glad to put the bruising weekend behind him – despite extending his advantage over nearest rival Andrew Vincent (Karaka).

“Ultimately it was successful as we achieved our goal of maintaining or extending our championship lead. Although it didn’t all go according to plan in the second and double-points race we ended up coming out okay,” said Lawrence.

“Now I’m looking forward to Pukekohe and trying to wrap the title up early. We won there last time so have a good base to work from to end the season with the ultimate reward.”

While the gloves came off in the weekend’s long race it was Takapau’s Sam Barry who made the greatest spectacle. Running wide past the exit of the first turn he speared the little car across the grass verge in a quest to keep control. Blocking his path back to the track was a pair of large trackside polystyrene signs. Having no option he hit each square on – obliterating them in spectacular style. Unfortunately the speed at which he hit and the vacuum through the engine bay meant a large section became sucked in to the front of the car’s grill – blocking air flow. Able to pit a couple of laps later the piece safely slid away as the car slowed.

Ironically the afternoon’s race was almost a carbon copy – as he collected an identical sign in another part of the track while trying to avoid a racing incident.

Still third for the overall title, the gap to Lawrence has widened while Drysdale, the leading series rookie, edged closer to the podium position.

The series returns to Pukekohe for the final round – starting on 30 November. The weekend will again include a long race with the pit stop and lure of double points.

ENDS

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