Multiple re-starts as rain causes chaos

Christchurch driver Andy Knight saw his Toyota Racing Series lead slashed to just five points in a rain-affected race at Timaru this afternoon.


Knight had pole for the race, but was in the wet part of the track and unable to gain traction off the start. Earl Bamber swept by, with Knight slotting in behind and desperately trying to regain the lead.


The race was started as a “dry” event though light drizzle was falling as the cars left the start line. Within a lap the standing water on the track was causing traction and grip problems for the whole field. Hamish Cross went off at the long left hand corner leading onto the back straight, rejoining the track with no damage. When Mitch Cunningham spun out of fourth place on the fast left hand corner leading onto the start-finish straight, the race was stopped and declared wet.


Cunningham’s spin included a wild ride down the grass on the infield, grazing the wall with the rear of the car then knocking the front wing loose as the car came to a stop. He was able to regain the track and drove around to the pits for repairs as the field made a mandatory pit stop to change to wet tyres.


The single-file re-start saw Bamber sprint into the lead, Knight behind him and Aucklander Dominic Storey quickly tagging onto the front two.


Australian Nathan Antunes then spun at the end of the start-finish straight, bringing out the red flag once more, but was quickly able to rejoin the track.


Once the field was sorted out the race was re-started in single file behind the safety car, which is the regulation start system for wet races.


Bamber and Knight once more took the lead, sending up curtains of spray. They chased each other to the chequered flag, Storey close behind Knight but likewise unable to pass.


There are two further races for the Toyota Racing Series this weekend at Timaru, another 16 lap sprint and the feature race, the Timaru Herald Trophy, held over 20 laps on Sunday.


With his points lead now substantially eroded, Knight must aim to win these next two races to regain an advantage going into the final round. Earl Bamber has pole for the next two races – though today’s racing shows the pole line is not the fastest way to the first corner in the wet.


Knight now has a 908 point tally, ahead of Bamber on 903 and Ben Harford on 824. Harford’s Toyota Racing Series title pursuit may have come to an abrupt end this morning in a qualifying session crash. As the cars headed out for the first of two qualifying sessions, Harford slipped off the track on a fast left hand corner.


“The tyres were cold, the grip wasn’t there. I thought I had it under control but as I put the power back on, the rear slipped onto the grass and I hit the wall.”


Damage to the Brother Toyota single seater was extensive. The front suspension was torn completely off the car; the front wing was completely ripped off the car and smashed; the side pod that holds and protects the car’s radiators was dislodged and the rear suspension badly bent.


As a result, Harford sat out both qualifying sessions and will start from the rear of all the TRS races this weekend. Though he is currently third on points for the series he is unlikely to score enough points to remain a threat for the overall title.



Toyota Racing Series Round 6

Race weekend programme


Sunday 2 March

11:15 am Race 1 (16 Laps)

3:40 pm Race 2 Timaru Herald Trophy (20 laps)



Toyota Racing Series 2008 Race Calendar | Round 1 3-4 Nov 07 Pukekohe Park Raceway, Auckland, New Zealand Motorcup | Round 2 5-6 Jan 08 Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway, Ruapuna, Lady Wigram Trophy | Round 3 12-13 Jan 08 Manfeild Park, Feilding, New Zealand Grand Prix | Round 4 18-20 Jan 08 Taupo Motor Racing Circuit, Taupo, Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy | Round 5 16-17 Feb 08 Manfeild Park, Feilding, Dan Higgins Trophy | Round 6 1- 2 Mar 08 Timaru International Raceway, Timaru, Timaru Herald Trophy | Round 7 8-9 Mar 08 Teretonga Park, Invercargill, Spirit of a Nation | Round 8 18-20 Apr 08 Hamilton Street Race, Hamilton