The Nexen Tyres Mazda Racing Series (South Island) got underway on Saturday at Levels in Timaru with three different race winners, two of which were maiden victories and the difference between the fastest and slowest car in the RX 8 class was a mere 7/10th of a second over the three races.
The day dawned with clear skies and from the get go in qualifying, it was apartment it was going to be a hard closely fought day. Young Ben Stewart from Wellington, on debut, put his RX 8 on pole with a 1.11.3 with the next two cars, Simon Baker and Matt Dodd being within 3/10ths of that time.
The Historic Class was headed by Hamish Collins with a 1.15.6.
Race 1 saw Stewart fag to flag win, his first ever in an RX 8 let alone in a saloon car but the initial battle royal was between Brent “Bones” Colins and Matt Dodd who race hard until Dodd had a tank slapper around the back of the track and slid off onto the outfield, only to recover and come home 6th
Simon Baker’s weekend finished within the first lap when electrical problems that he and the team had been chasing all weekend reared its head again and finished his day, and possibly his title defence.
Again, the historic class was headed by Hamish Collins, with the others in the class battling hard for their final positions.
Race two was a flag-to-flag victory for Dodd who kept out a fast-charging Steward for the last three laps, to take his maiden victory on the track. Matt Horne came home a strong third.
The real entertainment was in the Historic class, where at one stage four of the cars, James Askew, Ken Thompson , Spaz Bastiaanse and Wayne Elliot were all in a tangle together and exited the top track together. All managed to get going again, but Hamish Collins had a substantial lead and not challenged for the win in that class.
The gird, done on points for the weekend, was tight for podium positions. Horne prevailed as the winner from a very fast Bones Collins and third went to Ben Stewart.
Hamish Collins and Askew headed home the Historic class.
Stewart takes the overall win for the weekend while Hamish Collins the Historic class.
At the conclusion of the racing there was a lot of chatter about how close the times are in the RX8/ Batman class. It is incredible that a mere 710ths of a second covered the whole class during each race. One foot wrong can be costly.
In the Historic class the atmosphere was electric with drivers having an enjoyable day and like everyone else associated with the series, looking forward to the next round at Highlands in January.
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