Championship Rivals At The Front In Sport Saloons

Neville Stowell opened proceedings at the penultimate round of the 2009/2010 Kumho Sport Saloon Series with another win at the Timaru International Motor Raceway at Levels near Timaru today.

Stowell and fellow Timaru driver Chris Small are locked in a tight battle for championship honours and once again today they were at the front of the field. In qualifying Stowell grabbed pole by .121 of a second from his championship rival and then led him home by 4.181 seconds in drizzly conditions in the opening race over 8 laps.

Another Timaru driver Ivan McAuley finished third today, good reward after a season in which he has suffered more than his share of mechancial issues. Christchurch driver Nick Smart was fourth on the road in his Nissan Skyline GTR but was disqualified when his boost light activated promoting Raymond Hart in another Skyline to the position. Michael Gallagher of Ashburton in a Mazda RX7 was fifth while Gary Duncan of Temuka rounded out the top six.

Gary Ridden of Christchurch qualified third this morning in his EVO but lost 4th gear during the race, bringing about his retirement while Todd Mudie of Timaru in another EVO also retired with electrical issues. Motueka driver Noel Parish was a non-starter due to a lack of suitable tyres in the conditions .

QUALIFYING

1st - Neville Stowell (Timaru) Nissan Skyline GTR - 1 minute 11.993 seconds
2nd - Chris Small (Timaru) Mitsubishi EVO - 1.12.114
3rd - Gary Ridden (Christchurch) Mitsubishi EVO - 1.12.179
4th - Stan Moore (Timaru) Mitsubishi EVO 1 - 1.13.421
5th - Ivan McAuley (Timaru) Mitsubishi EVO 3 - 1.13.795
6th - Nick Smart (Christchurch) Nissan Skyline GTR - 1.14.729
7th - Mark Elliott (Christchurch) Mazda RX7 - 1.15.614
8th - Michael Gallagher (Ashburton) Mazda RX7 - 1.16.153
9th - Hamish Coillins (Timaru) Mazda RX7 - 1.17.594
10th - Murray Beeby (Timaru) Nissan Sentra - 1.18.141
11th - Grant McKissock (Timaru) Mitsubishi EVO - 1.18.468
12th - Garreth MacKenzie (Christchurch) Toyota Corolla - 1.19.954
13th - Gary Duncan (Temuka) - Mitsubishi EVO - 1.22.422
14th - Jason West (Dunedin) - Suzuki Swift - 1.25.294
15th - Shane Crosbie (Invercargill) Toyota Starlet - 1.26.263
16th - Noel Parish (Motueka) Nissan Fairlady - 1.29.509
17th - Todd Mudie (Timaru) Mitsubishi EVO - 1.35.402
No Time - Raymond Hart (Timaru) Nissan Skyline GTR
No Time - Grant Waters (Timaru) Mitsubishi GSR

RACE 1 (8 LAPS - ROLLING START)

1st - Neville Stowell
2nd - Chris Small
3rd - Ivan McAuley
4th - Raymond Hart
5th - Michael Gallagher
6th - Gary Duncan
7th - Murray Beeby
8th - Stan Moore
9th - Grant McKissock
10th - Garreth MacKenzie
11th - Mark Elliott
12th - Hamish Collins
13th - Grant Waters
14th - Jason West
15th - Shane Crosbie
DNF - Todd Mudie, Gary Ridden
DSQ - Nick Smart
DNS - Noel Parish

CALENDAR 2009/2010 KUMHO SPORT SALOON SERIES

Round 1: 17/18 October 2009 - Timaru International Motor Raceway, Levels, Timaru
Round 2: 5/6 December 2009 - Teretonga Park, Invercargill
Round 3: 8-10 January 2010 - Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway, Ruapuna, Christchurch
Round 4: 20/21 March 2010 - Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway, Ruapuna, Christchurch

Round 5: 27/28 March 2010 - Timaru International Motor Raceway, Levels, Timaru
Round 6: 24 April 2010 - Timaru International Motor Raceway, Levels, Timaru

ENDS

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