Bamber takes double win in Toyota's

Wanganui’s Earl Bamber has won today’s two Toyota Racing Series Races, taking overall victory for the second round of the 2010 championship season at Timaru’s Levels raceway.

Driving the Triple X Motorsport run Toyota FT40, Bamber made a huge come-back from Saturday’s qualifying and race result, displaying masterful driving around the 2.4 kilometre circuit to head an international field.

“It’s a fantastic day for the Triple X Motorsport Toyota team and I have to thank the Mad Butcher and VnC Cocktails for helping out in getting the car out there and allowing me to do my best,” said Gaunt.

“I don’t think the team could have expected that when we started from eighth this morning in the 20-lap feature race. The guys did a fantastic job with the car setup so we had a blindingly quick car for the wet conditions.”

“Then this afternoon we started sixth and got another fantastic start to be up to third by the first turn. Then by the end of the first lap we were actually leading. Although it was hard to judge how fast to go on the slick tyres with the light rain and then on the last couple of laps Mitch Evans really came charging and it was unfortunate he went off at the end of the straight.”

Following in Bamber’s tyre-tracks, 21-year-old Stefan Webling from New Plymouth jostled for position in the morning Timaru Herald feature race to finish third. Driving the #41 Horizon Energy Services Miles Toyota car, he was on track to repeat the performance in the afternoon sprint race. However mid-race he dropped from fourth position when a group of cars touched. Losing his momentum he was unable to climb back, finishing eighth.

Following the two-in-two race weekends in the South Island, the Toyota Racing Series resumes 5-7 February at the brand new Hampton Downs circuit mid-way between Auckland and Hamilton.