Bargwanna and Williams Both Take Clean Sweeps at Pukekohe

Bargwanna and Williams Both Take Clean Sweeps at Pukekohe

There was action aplenty in the NZV8 Touring Cars TLX and TL Championship this weekend at Pukekohe Park Raceway but for two drivers the weekend was sweetened when both Jason Bargwanna and Kevin WIlliams took clean sweeps in their respective race classes.

Australian driver Bargwanna took his Toyota Camry TLX through the weekend with faultless precision holding out defending champion Nick Ross in all three races.

"Last time we were here at the end of last year's championship we lost two engines so to come here this weekend, get pole and three race wins is very exciting for the guys." said Bargwanna.

Ross, from Cambridge, as usual was never too far away and in hot pursuit but was closest to getting around the Aussie in the final race with a very quick pitstop only to stall the car when dropped back off the jacks leaving him once more to chase the Camry to the chequered flag.

Hamilton driver Ian Booth in his Holden TLX placed third for the weekend behind Ross with two third places after some exciting races between himself and Lance Hughes also in a Holden TLX and also from Hamilton.

Hughes remains third on the points table ahead of Booth.

In the TL category Kevin Williams did not have it his way all weekend and fought hard for his three race wins.

"A pole position and three wins it was a fantastic weekend... and we got the fastest lap in that last race!" said Williams.

"That last race was full-on pressure with Bairdo behind us and after six or seven laps I thought 'hang on, I could actually do this', I just wished I didn't have a mirror! But it was an absolutely fantastic weekend." he said.

In the opening race leader Craig Baird in the TKR Holden was deemed to have made a false start costing him a 10 second penalty which left Williams to ensure he kept close enough to the Australian based Kiwi in order to ensure the race win.

In race two a hard charging Steve Taylor from Hamilton looked as though he may claim the second race win of the round but after losing some momentum letting a TLX car by and then being caught behind it eventually lost the place to Williams who managed his second win of the weekend.

Baird was given a drive through penalty after some contact with the Ford of Auckland driver Brad Lathrope and top contender James McLaughlin suffered further difficulties and a second DNF for the round.

In the third and final race of the weekend WIlliams was tested and pushed to his limits as he led Craig Baird through the longer 20 lapper.

Managing to weather the unrelenting intimidation of Baird in the menacing black TKR Holden, Williams held on to the bitter end to claim his third race win of the weekend and also move into the lead of the NZV8 Touring Cars TLX Championship.

Baird slips down into second place in the standings and after a strong weekend Hamilton's Steve Taylor moves into third place on the points table.

Over the race weekend Jason Bargwanna paid tribute to late cricketer and fellow Australian Phillip Hughes with a small black banner placed on the Toyota Camry headlight.

"We are a cricket family at home, my son plays Premiere League Cricket and to have someone so young have that happen to them is very sad. Cricket is a big part of Australia and New Zealand and that is why we showed a bit of recognition for him this weekend. So there is a bit of a dedication to Phil, I always loved the way he played and he was a fantastic batsman." said Bargwanna.

Results
Race One
1. 02 - Jason Bargwanna, Toyota TLX
2. 1 - Nick Ross, Nissan TLX
3. 7 - Ian Booth, Holden TLX
4. 84 - Lance Hughes, Holden TLX
5. 8 - Kevin Williams, Holden TL
6. 22 - Scott Taylor, Toyota TLX
7. 021 - Craig Baird, Holden TL
8. 111 - Brock Cooley, Ford TL
9. 73 - Brad Lathrope, Ford TL
10. 33 - Steve Taylor, Ford TL
11. 23 - Brendan Murphy, Holden TL
12. 55 - Nathan Pilcher, Holden TL

Race Two
1. 02 - Jason Bargwanna Toyota TLX
2. 1 - Nick Ross, Nissan TLX
3. 84 - Lance Hughes, Holden TLX
4. 7 - Ian Booth, Holden TLX
5. 8 - Kevin Williams, Holden TL
6. 22 - Scott Taylor, Toyota TLX
7. 33 - Steve Taylo,r Ford TL
8. 111 - Brock Cooley, Ford TL
9. 73 - Brad Lathrope, Ford TL
10. 23 - Brendan Murphy, Holden TL
11. 55 - Nathan Pilcher, Holden TL
12. 21 - Craig Baird, Holden TL
DNF: 2 - James McLaughlin, Holden TL
(car #21 (Baird) drive through penalty)

Race Three (inc TLX mandatory pitstop)
1. 02 - Jason Bargwanna, Toyota TLX
2. 1 - Nick Ross, Nissan TLX
3. 8 - Kevin Williams, Holden TL
4. 21 - Craig Baird, Holden TL
5. 7 - Ian Booth, Holden TLX
6. 73 - Brad Lathrope, Ford TL
7. 84 - Lance Hughes, Holden TLX
8. 33 - Steve Taylor, Ford TL
9. 55 - Nathan Pilcher, Holden TL
10. 23 - Brendan Murphy, Holden TL
11. 22 - Scott Taylor, Toyota TLX
12. 111 - Brock Cooley, Ford TL
DNF: 2 - James McLaughlin Holden TL

Championship Standings (after Round Two - unofficial)
TLX
Jason Bargwanna: Toyota Camry TLX, 442
Nick Ross: Nissan Altima TLX, 410
Lance Hughes: Holden Commodore TLX, 342
Ian Booth: Holden Commodore TLX, 288
Scott Taylor: Toyota Camry TLX, 147
TL
Kevin WIlliams: Holden Commodore TL, 434
Craig Baird: Holden Commodore TL, 393
Steve Taylor: Ford Falcon TL, 313
Brad Lathrope Ford Falcon TL, 306
Nathan Pilcher Holden Commodore TL, 265
Brendan Murphy: Holden Commodore TL, 256
Brock Cooley: Ford Falcon TL, 252
James McLaughlin: Holden Commodore TL, 174
Andrew Anderson: Holden Commodore TL, 114

NZV8 Touring Cars Schedule
November 1-2: Hampton Downs (completed)
November 29-30: Pukekohe Park Raceway (completed)
January 17-18: Ruapuna Raceway
January 24-25: Teretonga Park
February 14-15: Manfeild Park
April (tba) : Pukekohe Park Raceway

www.nzv8touringcars.co.nz

ENDS

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