NZTC Championship 2000/01

PRESS RELEASE #4
26th November 2000

CROWD PLEASING START TO 2000/2001 NEW ZEALAND TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP

The New Zealand Touring Car Championship got off to a tremendous at Manfield Park Raceway on 25th and 26th November 2000 with some of the most spectacular and crowd pleasing motor racing seen in recent years. A reverse grid second race and a compulsory pit stop third race all added interest and drama to the first round of the series.

There was a sense of urgency about the pits and total commitment both on and off the track. So much so that track officials called a meeting to calm the teams after several on track incidents. The most spectaculor of which were Kevin Bells spin after making contact with current NZTC Champion Jason Richards and the cross country excusion of Angus Fogg and Jody Vincent at the hairpin during the reverse grid race.

The outstanding performance of the weekend was Brett Riley's return to the International Motorsport BMW Team. He made a clean sweep of both qualifying and race to achieve a maximum points score. It was a controlled, but noticeably more aggressive Riley that stamped his dominance on the class, leaving no one in doubt that he is very serious about regaining his 2.0 litre Touring Car crown.

Amassing enough points to place him second in the championship, Barrie Thomlinson was unlucky not to take a win for the Sport Motorsport Lexus 200 IS in the reverse grid race. He drove a clean sensible race, leading most of the way only to lose the lead after sustaining gearbox problems. The cars potent power plant and contemporary design should make it a serious threat to BMWs dominance.

Team Kiwi's polished professional appearance is a tremendous asset to the 2.0 litre class. The team has been under a tremendous amount of pressure this season, establishing the team, building the 2.0 litre cars and competing in demanding endurance races both here and in Australia. Suffering exhaustion and flu the team made a credible effort at Manfield. The cars are fast, but suffer from reliability and a lack of development time. Both Nissan Primeras threatened the BMWs over the weekend, but Richards's clutch and engine problems, along with Foggs loose air duct put paid to their challenges. Despite this Fogg was consistent enough to place him third in the championship. Some sleep and a chance to catch their breath will see Team Kiwi mount a determined challenge on the championship in the New Year.

Rhys McKay in the beautifully prepared and speedy Total Air Supply Toyota Corona put in a superb performance to secure a third place and set his sights on more points at Pukekohe where the horsepower of the car should give him an advantage.

The next round of the New Zealand Touring Car Championship with be held at Pukekohe Park Raceway, Auckland on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December 2000.

For more information contact:
Tony Bunyan
New Zealand Touring Car Website

Email editor@nztouringcars.co.nz
Website www.nztouringcars.co.nz