Tayler Burke
Christchurch’s James Penrose led home a Kiwi 1-2-3 in the feature race of the weekend’s Formula Regional Oceania Championship at Manfeild.
Christchurch’s James Penrose led home a Kiwi 1-2-3 at Manfeild in the feature race of the weekend’s Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship round of the Super Sprint MotorSport New Zealand Championship.
In a thrilling race to close the third of five consecutive weekends of Super Sprint action it was the weather that kept all eyes on the sky in Feilding at the weekend.
Starting in balmy humid and fine conditions on Sunday, the lightning flashes in the background warned of change.
Leading from pole position, Austrian and series leader Charlie Wurz got another good start to head the field for the opening laps.
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A closing Louis Foster took a dive on lap 18 of 27 after closing the gap to Wurz.
A deemed collision sent the two briefly from the track at the hairpin. That let the Kiwi trio of Penrose, Hedge and Liam Sceats slip by as they headed for the chequered flag.
“It’s amazing, this has to be one of the highlights of my racing career,” said Penrose. “This track has a lot of heritage and heading for the Grand Prix it is a massive confidence boost.
“There was a little bit of luck on my side but got I got a good start and had good pace.”
Finishing sixth, Wurz continues to top the season standings with Hedge now six points behind.
BRUCE JENKINS
Brit Louis Foster won Saturday’s first race.
“I knew I had to consolidate and get the points,” Hedge said of his strategy in the afternoon race.
“It’s been a very difficult weekend for us, so I’m very happy for Tom and James and see them get the win today.”
Predictions from the drivers of Manfeild’s overtaking opportunities created plenty of interesting moments.
Brit Josh Mason won the earlier 22-lap race from a hard-chasing Louis Foster.
Starting from second position, Mason got the lead at the first turn, to head off pole-sitter Ryan Shehan (United States).
In the support class, three saloon categories concluded their race weekend under sweltering summer skies.
In the Chocolate Fish Saloons, Palmerston North’s Jamie Potts took the weekend honours with two wins.
David Thomsen (Wellington) finished second and Zach Thompson finished third. Former NZV8 champion John McIntyre finished fourth in his dad’s MK1 Ford Escort.
In the Hankook MX5 class of 17 cars, Hasting’s Nick Cummings took the overall win after two races. Justin Allen (Feilding) was second and Dean Evans (Hamilton) third.
Winning the final race was enough to hand Papamoa’s John Pope the HVRA Historic Saloon weekend win. Auckland’s Elliott Frame was second with Tony Durham in third.
The jewel in the crown of the season is this weekend’s 67th running of the New Zealand Grand Prix at Waikato’s Hampton Downs.
Super Sprint MotorSport New Zealand Championship:
R1 Highlands Motorsport Park, January 13-15.
R2 Teretonga Park Raceway, January 20-22.
R3 Manfeild, Feilding, January 27-29.
R4 Hampton Downs – 67th New Zealand Grand Prix, February 3-5.
R5 Taupō International Motorsport Park, February 10-12.
R6 Taupō International Motorsport Park, March 17-19.
R7 Manfeild, Feilding, April 14-16.
R8 Hampton Downs, May 5-7.
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