Southern Sojourn For Suzuki Battle

Media release: Winger Suzuki Swift Sport Cup
For immediate release: Thursday 7 March 2013.
Southern Sojourn For Suzuki Battle

Two race wins and a second placing has given Hamilton’s Shaun Lawrence an early and comfortable lead in the 2013 Winger Suzuki Swift Sport Cup held at the Hampton Downs V8 SuperTourer weekend 16-17 February.

Taking an early lead after winning Saturday’s opening race of the six round season, Lawrence maintained his early advantage with a stellar performance in this morning’s reverse grid race.
Second after finishing runner-up in the weekend finale, Karaka’s Andrew Vincent trails by 18 points with Lower Hutt’s Grant Ryan a mere one point behind.

“It was the perfect weekend. We didn’t expect to do so well in this morning’s reverse grid race. We picked our spots and it was a fantastic race where we also had to work hard. There are some fantastically quick young guys in there and they’re only going to get more consistent as the season goes on,” said Lawrence.

“Probably in the first couple of laps I was over-pushing the car before I got in to a rhythm – thanks to the cool calm and collected calls from dad on the radio. So after all that I’m rapt to come away with the series lead and a second race win. The Hankook tyre was also a big part of that and I’ve enjoyed driving on them as they are very consistent in terms of performance and grip.

It was in this morning’s reverse grid ten lap race that changed the fortunes for many with a number of the field tangling in the opening turn to open the door for last placed Lawrence to slip past. As the remainder of the field continued to bear down on rookie and pole sitter Campbell Christie Andrew Vincent squeezed past to take the lead.
As hard as Lawrence tried, Vincent had enough of an overall advantage to take the chequered flag for his first win of the season.

From pole for the twelve-lap final, Lawrence again headed the field in to the first turn as he repeated Saturday’s opening race strategy to put enough of a gap between his Liquorland Suzuki and the rest of the field. As the remaining nine tried chasing him down the remaining laps illustrated a desire for first finishing. A point series co-ordinator Paul Burborough says brought relief as they now focus on the series second round in three weeks time:
“It was a great start to the series and everyone worked together like a big family both on and off the track. All cars made it to the start of each race and put on the show we expected. There are a few with rub marks and an entire crew who return home with cars that are ready to run for the second round in the South Island.

“Thanks to the support of our crew, Castrol, Hankook, Suzuki and the mums and dads who’re here helping everyone perform to their best. We’ve also got a group putting together team prizes – to help encourage and reward the group competing.”

Leading rookie and driver of the Castrol Scholarship Suzuki, Palmerston North’s Josh Drysdale finished fourth in the final race, after taking a hit in the morning race to dint more than just his points haul. The first car race weekend for the successful karting graduate the 16-year-old sits fifth overall in the standings – also as the leading rookie.

Preparations now focus on the V8 SuperTourer event being held at Christchurch’s Powerbuilt Tools Raceway 9-10 March. The Winger Suzuki Swift Sport Cup series will grow to 12 cars as they venture to the South Island for the only time this season.
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2013 Winger Suzuki Swift Sport Cup - points after round one (of six)

For further information: www.swiftcup.co.nz

Full results can be found on the Mylaps page http://www.mylaps.com/results/showrun.jsp?id=2567745

Calendar: 2013 Winger Suzuki Swift Sport Cup
ROUND ONE: 16/17 February Hampton Downs Motorsport Park North Waikato
ROUND TWO: 9/10 March Powerbuilt Raceway, Christchurch
ROUND THREE: 25/26 May Pukekohe Park Raceway
ROUND FOUR: 1 September “Fathers Day 400”, Taupo Motorsport Park
ROUND FIVE: 19/20 October “Ice Breaker”, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park
ROUND SEVEN: 7/8 December “Pukekohe 500”, Pukekohe Park Raceway

ENDS

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