Tim Edgell has taken out the feature race in the NZV8 series today at Hampton Downs on the longer 4km International circuit.
Edgell in his Holden Commodore V8 SuperTourer finished the shortened 40-minute race 15.8 seconds ahead of the Holden of Rob Wallace, with the MARC Ford Mustang of Sam Collins a further 3.2 seconds back in third.
Starting from pole, alongside the Holden Commodore of Brady Wild, Edgell lead from the start before the McLaren of Glenn Smith worked its way through to the front of the field and into the lead ahead of Edgell.
Unfortunately for Peter Beguely, his race ended on lap two when his BMW stopped at the back part of the circuit. With the car clear of the circuit, the race was able to carry on under green, Beguely forced to watch from the sidelines for the remainder of the 40-minute race.
Further back, there was a fierce mid-pack battle between the Nissan Altima of Nick Ross and Holden Commodore of Rob Wallace, the pair trading fastest lap times.
With ten laps complete, light rain started to sprinkle the circuit. With the rain falling, most drivers opted to pit on lap 15 when the pitstop window opened, the field undertaking their mandatory pit stops one by one.
One of the first to pit was the Holden Commodore of Brady Wild pitted to hand over to former BNT V8 Champion, Simon Evans who would eventually bring the car home in fifth place.
Smith, driving his McLaren pitted on lap 14, undertaken his 3min and 35-second pit stop, the longest in the field.
With pit stops complete, Edgell found himself in the lead with Smith re-joining midfield, chasing the cars ahead.
After 40 minutes of running, Edgell took the chequered flag having completed 20 laps, followed by Wallace and Collins. The Nissan Altima of Nick Ross was fourth, with the Commodore of Wild and Evans in fifth.
The Glenn Smith McLaren finished in sixth place, with the Ford Falcon of Karl Rastrick in seventh, followed by the Holdens of Paul Bertram and Eric Hennephof in eighth and ninth respectively.
For Edgell, it was a pleasing weekend to come out on top, and extend his series points lead.
“It’s pretty challenging here mentally, as it’s such a long lap. With the handicap format in play, you’ve got to keep to your own path all weekend. We did that, we were consistent,” said Edgell.
“When the rain started to fall in the race, we managed to not lose too much time to the other cars.”
The Hampton Downs infamous ‘Double B’ corner had been a talking point across many of the classes competing over the weekend, Edgell however saying the long and challenging corner, suited his Holden.
“To be honest, that corner has been really good in my car, I haven’t had any issues with it. I can see how some drivers might struggle, the vision is tricky and the camber falls away. My car was hooked up for the whole weekend.”
“I love this ‘all-comers’ format, at least you know what you’re up against and what you’ve got to play with. The handicapping works well, and it’ll be great to see some more cars come out and add to the field.”
The next round of the NZV8 Series will now head to Manfeild, February 12-14.