Angus Fogg is laying down the pace as the Napa Central Muscle Car season started this weekend at Pukekohe, winning Race 1 and charging through the field in Race 2. Unfortunate incidents hampered both races, with a multi-car crash from the start of the first event bringing out the red flag instantly.
A stall on the start for Peter Ward saw the field parting way behind, with Tony Galbraith being the unfortunate driver to make contact with the rear of Ward’s Torana at speed.
The impact seriously damaged both cars, with a number of other drivers also making contact and being forced to withdraw. The red flag to clear the track saw racing resume with only two laps to be completed.
This worked in favour of the pole-sitter Angus Fogg, who claimed victory ahead of the Torana of Matt Spratt and the Mustang of Andrew Porter.
Race 2 began with a reverse-grid, handicapped start, with the field staggered with the aim being the faster cars catching the slower on the final laps, making an interesting finish.
This race also saw late drama after stopped vehicles brought out a safety car with one lap remaining, the event finishing under these conditions.
This meant a lot of the front-runners were unable to charge through the field following the handicapped start, giving the Class 2 Commodore of Greig Running take the flag ahead of Steve Noyer, and the Class 1A Camaro of Steve Scoles who had worked his way through the field from 26th.
Fogg was unlucky and caught out by the safety car, only managing to come home 23rd.
It was Running again in Race 3, the reverse-grid handicapped start proving no challenge for Holden, taking the lead on Lap 6 and not looking back.
As was the trend in the previous races, the safety car was again required on Lap 2 after the 35 of Brendan Mason went into the wall, disabling the Camaro.
Once racing resumed it was Robbo Robinson who took second place, Noyer impressing again for third.
In the 1A Class it was again Scoles appearing at the front, a fourth placed finish after a back of the grid start showcasing the raw power of the Camaro.
Several of the cars involved in the Race 1 incident have been withdrawn from the event, including those of Dean Hansen, Galbreith and Ward.
Impressively, the number 87 Camaro of Steve Doughty was able to return in the second and third races despite severe bodywork damage from the first, a great showing from the Doughty Transport team.
Banner Image: NAPA Central Muscle Cars (Facebook)
