Fast Paced Lobb Heads For Taupo

The Mark Cromie Holden Racing Team and driver Caine Lobb head for the Taupo Motor Racing Circuit this weekend confident to close the deficit between them and the top of the points table in the ENZED V8 Ute Series.

With Lobb showing good pace on this circuit previously at the two A1GP events in open wheelers, he expects to make a good showing this weekend and pull back some ground in the championship as it reaches the halfway point at Round Three.

After the two rounds held last month in the South Island Lobb has failed to score points from two out of six races which has left him down the ladder in the series besides being one of the quickest drivers in the field.

At Teretonga Lobb in the Holden Commodore NZV8RU rolled to a halt in the final race with an electrical fire and a smoke filled cockpit. He was later taken to hospital to be checked for any adverse effects from smoke inhalation but soon released. The week before at Round One at Timaru, Lobb left the circuit in wet conditions while qualifying and was forced to miss the opening race that afternoon due to damage to the car.

With the electrical issue rectified for this weekend's round and the MCHRT Commodore fitted with new upgraded racing suspension, all is looking good for the team and Lobb is confident of a strong weekend for himself and the Whangarei based Holden team.

The current series leader, Palmerston North's Matthew Lockwood has been very consistently at the front of the pack and has won three races to date. Lobb will be targetting Lockwood to claw back some much needed points.

"Matt has done a few miles around the likes of Taupo and Manfeild so we will be looking to aim above them and beat them. We have a few points to make up after the South Island rounds so I will just have to keep my head down and stay out of trouble this weekend." said lobb.

The ENZED V8 Utes will have Friday to practice with qualification on Saturday morning and first race in the afternoon. Then following on the Sunday there will be the final two races. Full points are awarded for qualification as well as the races with the maximum of 39 for the fastest time and race wins giving drivers the opportunity for 156 points for a perfect weekend.

Caine Lobb will have to race well and be consistent while chasing first place driver in the championship Matthew Lockwood who on 282 points is 87 ahead of the Northland driver. With 156 points up for grabs for the weekend that gap could possibly close very quickly for the fast paced Lobb.

Mark Cromie, Caine Lobb and the team will take extra pleasure over the weekend with this being their first race meeting using the brand new car transporter.

The new MCHRT transporter is a luxury unit with room for up to four cars and ability to acommodate the team. It has an attachable hospitality facility and a food preparation area along with living/dining space.

Four time Power Jetboat World Champion Mark Cromie and the team will no doubt be looking forward to running the new unit through it's paces over the weekend between the hard work of competing in the evidently tough ENZED V8 Ute series and earning valuable points.

"Mark seems to be enjoying himself a great deal in the ute racing. It's a new thing for him and a bit different from powerboat racing with all new people." said Lobb regarding Mark Cromie.

The on-track action so far has mostly been between quick paced drivers Matt Lockwood, Simon Beirne, Mack Peach and Caine Lobb with the first three claiming the top three places on the championship table respectively.

With Lobb looking for a very strong round at Taupo there will certainly be no lack of action on the circuit over the weekend.

CALENDAR 2008 ENZED V8 UTE RACING SERIES (note: Pukekohe date has changed)

Round 3 9-11 May 2008:Taupo Motorsport Centre, Taupo
Round 4 30 May -1 June 2008:Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway, Ruapuna, Christchurch
Round 5 13-15 June 2008:Manfeild Park, Feilding
Round 6 27-29 June 2008:Pukekohe Park Raceway, Auckland