Nexen Tyre Mazda Racing Series national titles decided

The past weekend saw the final round of the national , also doubling as the third round of the the North Island Nexen Tyre Mazda Racing Series take place at the Taupo International Motorsport Park in Taupo. Congratulations go to Ben Stewart for winning the national title. Ben showed superb skills and a level head right throughout the season, taking some clean sweeps along the way. Rex Edwards put up a gallant fight to earn himself second in the championship with Andrew Jackson coming home third in his first season back in the Nexen Tyre Mazda Racing Series after a long hiatus.

After a damp Friday morning practice session the weather cleared and stayed that way for the whole weekend. Qualifying saw Ben Stewart come out on top, taking home the Premier Insulation Pole Position prize, followed by Rex Edwards second and Simon Baker in third. First-time driver to the Nexen Tyre Mazda Racing, Warren Crowther, qualified in sixth place much to the disappointment of his 2K Cup mate Karl Gaines who’s quoted as saying “I’ll think twice about inviting him back now”.

Race 1 and Ben Stewart led from start to finish. Coming home in second was Rex Edwards with Terry Edwards, starting off seventh on the grid, driving through for a credible third.

Simon Baker suffered some ABS issues and after exiting the track drove back to take 12th place. Matt Horne suffered engine failure while Scott Davies shredded a fan belt and Sam Dashfield went into limp mode. Nigel Edger did a great job nursing his car home for eighth place but ultimately had to withdraw with engine issues also.

Reverse top 10 grid for Race 2 got underway nice and early on a cool Sunday morning. Going into turn 5 saw a coming together of Rex Edwards, Warren Crowther and Karl Gaines with the latter two ending up in the gravel. Gaines was able to re-join but Crowther needed to be towed which put him a lap down. Ben Stewart, starting from 10th came through the field to take 1st place and set a new lap record of 1:42.958, beating Brett Killip’s previous record by just 0.039 of a second. Terry Edwards took 2nd place and Andrew Jackson home in 3rd.

Race 3 and a depleted field with mechanical issues now forcing out Nigel Edger, Scott Davies and David Atkins. Simon Baker gave up his car in Race 2 up for Matt Horne to continue his championship charge. The race started well with Ben Stewart jumping out from pole position to take the lead. On lap 3 he found himself in the gravel with ABS issues but was fortunate enough to get back on to the track. Not so for Matt Horne who similarly had ABS issues in Bakers car and exited turn one into the wall. This triggered the safety car and the remainder of the race was run under yellow with Rex Edwards taking first, Terry Edwards 2nd and Andrew Jackson third.

Overall the round went to Terry Edwards in first with brother Rex close behind in second and Ben Stewart bringing it home for third.

The Nexen Tyre Mazda Racing Series now heads to Manfeild this weekend for Round 4 of the North Island series where Rex Edwards holds a lead of 77-points over Ben Stewart with Leo Bult in third.