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Bamber misses Toyota title in last-lap battle

Monday 22 March 2010, 8:21AM

By Triple X Motorsport

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Wanganui's Earl Bamber in the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota won the illustrious Denny Hulme memorial trophy after 20 laps of the Taupo 3.5 kilometre circuit - part of the final round of the Toyota Racing Series.
Wanganui's Earl Bamber in the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota won the illustrious Denny Hulme memorial trophy after 20 laps of the Taupo 3.5 kilometre circuit - part of the final round of the Toyota Racing Series. Credit: SportProMedia
Increasing his winning streak with three wins for the final round of the 2010 Toyota Racing Series, Triple X Motorsport driver Earl Bamber just missed out on the title crown by three points.
Increasing his winning streak with three wins for the final round of the 2010 Toyota Racing Series, Triple X Motorsport driver Earl Bamber just missed out on the title crown by three points. Credit: Lance Hastie
Triple X Motorsport driver Stefan Webling (New Plymouth) finished his rookie season in the Toyota Racing Series with a second overall in the final race of the 2010 Toyota Racing Series at Taupo in the weekend.
Triple X Motorsport driver Stefan Webling (New Plymouth) finished his rookie season in the Toyota Racing Series with a second overall in the final race of the 2010 Toyota Racing Series at Taupo in the weekend. Credit: SportProMedia

TAUPO

Wanganui’s Earl Bamber had a nail-biting clincher to the 2010 Toyota Racing Series – losing his race grip on the title crown after a last-lap gain by rival Mitch Evans.

Winning this morning’s 20-lap Denny Hulme trophy race in the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota FT40, Bamber started the afternoon 12-lap race from sixth in the top-six reverse grid finale. Making a careful start he worked his way to the front for what resulted in a three-peat victory for the weekend. However the overall title came down to the finishing position of 15-year-old Evans, who needed to finish third or better.

Triple X Motorsport team-mate Stefan Webling moved the Horizon Energy Services Miles Toyota to second behind Bamber with Palmerston North’s Sam McNeill following through to hold third position – ousting Evans from the top tier. However the positions reversed in the dying laps, with McNeill suffering front wing damage to let Evans back to third in the race and the series lead.

Bamber said he could see the frantic duelling unfolding in his mirrors – only able to help his own cause by finishing first.

“It came close, but full credit to Mitch, such a young guy and he held on without making any mistakes. The race was a hard one to judge and I think he deserves the credit of the title,” said the 19-year-old.

“The car was brilliant – it had so much grip, drive and turn-in – it was full credit to the Triple X Motorsport team to allow me to win the race.”

With the most race wins for the season, Bamber was only three points from title contention at the final chequered flag around the 3.5 kilometre Taupo circuit.

Following Bamber to the chequered flag, 21-year-old Webling was elated with his finish to the season – paying tribute to the team behind his #41 Toyota car.

“For the first time this season we started from the front row and we had a good car. We put Earl’s setup on it for the last race, changed my style a bit and I was able to get along to get my best result of the series,” said Webling.

“I’ve learned so much from Earl and really enjoyed racing hard together and working with Triple X Motorsport – they’ve got a good team and are all experienced at the top level.”

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Toyota Racing Series points after round five (of five) – top seven

1, Mitch Evans, Auckland, 915
2, Earl Bamber, Triple X, Wanganui, 912
3, Andrew Waite, Auckland, 717
4, Sten Pentus, Estonia, 660
5, Daniel Jileson, Taumaruni, 589
6, Alastair Wootten, Auckland, 584
7, Stefan Webling, Triple X, New Plymouth, 606