Mike ‘Buzz’ Lightfoot has left the opening round of the 2016-2017 Toyota 86 Championship frustrated after a needless incident heavily damaged his car in the opening race, leaving him to struggle through the weekend.
Lightfoot headed to the event keen to get a good start to his season and some strong points in the masters class. After being unable to contest the pre-season test day, Lightfoot worked his way in to the opening session, adjusting to the modified brake system introduced across the category, but by the time qualifying rolled around, had broken into the top ten.
A strong start saw Lightfoot move the SEW Eurodrive Toyota forward, however a battle with Tom Stokes on lap four would see the pair both end up in the wall on the long back straight.
To add to the extensive damage to the back of his car, Stewards felt the need to fine Lightfoot $500, a move that surprised many of his peers.
With no rear window or rear spoiler, Lightfoot elected to run off the back of the field and struggled in the second race, but turned his fortunes around in the final race and he placed the wounded Toyota 12th in the 17-car field.
“It’s a pretty disappointing way to start the season, I was really looking forward to it and was pretty happy with qualifying and the start of race one, but now the team certainly have a bit of work to do before the next round,” said Lightfoot.
The Lightfoot Motorsport team now start the repair job before round two at Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in Taupo on December 10-11.
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