Smooth Driving Paid Off says Orr

Whakatane driver Christina Orr not only enjoyed her weekend of racing at the ITM400 in Hamilton over the weekend but came away with her best result for the season and a car with less damage than usual.

On a street circuit which ate many a race car over the weekend, Orr's smooth driving style kept the Holden Commodore off the walls and on-track to earning her some creditable results and 14th overall in the BNTV8s at the weekend.

"The weekend was great, we had lots of fun, we came away with a straight car and the best result this season, the only damage we had was from where I hit the tyre at the chicane with my spoiler and that was two laps before the end of the last race." she said.

Her debut at the ITM400 in the ever aggressive feild of BNTV8s saw a difficult start however where after only three completed laps in the single practice session she struggled to achieve 22nd place in qualification.

Brake and differential issues kept the 22 year old off the circuit for a number of laps in the two sessions leaving her no option but to give it her all in the first race to make up some places.

"I'm glad that after our dramas in practice and quallifying we came away with that good result but it's not much fun when your brakes lock on and there's a concrete wall in front of you and your car isn't turning." she said.

In the opening race on Saturday morning she did make up some places. Her start from 22nd on the grid was translated into 17th place by the time she crossed the finish line and that was where she would be for the start of race 2 on Sunday morning.

Sunday morning and another smooth run from Orr saw her complete the second race cleanly avoiding the carnage typical of the BNTV8s and further exaggerated by the concrete-walled street circuit and enthusiasm from the drivers as they competed in front of the huge ITM 400 crowd.

Orr held her ground finishing in 17th, not making up any places but a creditable mid-pack finish again to start from that position for the remaining race three that afternoon.

The final BNTV8s race for the weekend was always going to be spectacular. Several months between it and the start of the new season in November there was plenty of time for the teams to repair any damages. Chances were high that there were going to be some major carnage.

It began almost immediately when on the first corner of the opening lap Dale Williams, unable to avoid a collision ahead of him, put his car out of action after ploughing into a spun car. The incident brought out the safety car which led the V8 tourers around for three laps before the green flags signalled the restart.

Orr once again kept her racing clean as others fell by the wayside and from the outset she drove her own race to make up some ground while all around her there was extensive damage. She was one of the few drivers, if not the only one, who headed back home without the premonition of a huge panel beating bill able to put the car back into the workshop until the new season rolls into play.

She brought the car home in 13th place moving her into 14th overall over the three races of the weekend.

"At the first corner I dodged all that and just kept the car off the walls. I passed a car or two but it was all about being consistent, driving your own race and staying away from those walls. My smooth driving finally paid off."

"We were pretty happy with 13th in the last race. We kept out of trouble and didn't push the issue going into the first corner like everybody else was. There is no championship it's was just a race, a bit of fun and a learning experience there was no need for being silly." she said.

There were some incidents for Orr over the weekend however although she maintains the most exciting section of the street circuit, the chicane, was just something to take into her stride and no sweat.

"The chicane didn't phase me much but it was a lot different from when I drove here in the Toyota Series. The V8s are much heavier and sort of roll through it rather than just pointing the Toyota through it and avoiding the curbs. And I knew if I hit the wall it wouldn't be too hard of a hit."

"But I went into the blind sweeper after the chicane a bit too hot on one lap and had to throw the car sideways and came round in a full drift - the media gave me the slide of the day!" she laughed.

"The weekend was great with no stress and we just had a good time, I managed to watch some racing and it was all good."

"Thanks to all the team for an awesome year and all their hard work it was great. And thanks to Haddock Spray Painters for lending us their vehicle so we could get the car up to Hamilton for the weekend." said Orr.