Giddy again at Taupo – Townshend holds off the rest

Ajay Giddy bagged his second race win of the weekend at the opening round of the Bridgestone GR86 Championship at Taupo, winning the round and taking an early points lead into the Christmas break.

A fine drive by Harry Townshend in second saw him on the podium once again after his best ever weekend while Cam Hill, another having a strong opening round, took third for Mackenzie Motorsport. With Nieko Scoles fourth and top rookie, It was the team’s first 1-2-3-4 result in Toyota 86 racing.

Giddy, who started in the championship at just 12, was delighted with his results.  “It’s definitely a round to remember and a great start,” he said on the podium. “I had an average start but managed to get ahead and get the job done. The team have done a great job and are the reason I am here today.

“Nothing is guaranteed in this championship and we have to keep the consistency going. That’s the most important thing.”

Saturday’s opening qualifying had produced a few surprises after a red flag during a shorter session caught a few napping given the race three grid for this season is defined by second fastest times recorded in qualifying.   Several didn’t get the second laps they wanted but that was all good news for Saturday race winner Ajay Giddy who would start from pole, and surprise Taupo package Harry Townshend who would join him on the front row.

Sunday morning winner Nieko Scoles was third on the grid and Lucas McGill – hunting redemption after a frustrating Sunday morning – next up in fourth for the 12 lap feature race.

The forecast rain stayed away and at the lights, Townshend made a great getaway and went around turn one alongside  Giddy, but it was Ajay who prevailed and Lucas McGill who initially gained a place ahead of Scoles. A few corners later Lucas endured more Sunday dramas as his car slowed, fell to the back and headed to the pits for another retirement.

At the end of the opening lap, Giddy looked comfortable ahead of Townshend – under pressure from Cam Hill who had put in another great opening lap – Scoles, Romeo Nasr, Justin Allen, a fast starting Blake Dowdall, Taylor Mitchell, Marcel Bartley, Mac Templeton and the rest.

As the lap counter clicked on, Townshend came under increasing pressure in second from Hill and the rest while further back Templeton was making excellent progress from a back of the grid starting position. By the end of lap four he was up to ninth and looking like he had plenty more in him.

By the halfway point Giddy had pushed out to a two second advantage over Townshend, who with Hill and Scoles were a further couple of seconds ahead of Nasr, Allen and Dowdall – the GT4 driver enjoying his best showing of his first weekend in the championship.

Giddy, however, had the race well under control, lapping around three tenths of a second quicker per lap than the rest. Templeton was moving well further back, passing Mitchell on lap seven and getting stuck into the three second gap to Dowdall.

Townshend in second had gained a couple of car lengths on Hill by lap eight, but it was too close to call, particularly as Scoles behind was keeping Cam honest with some robust challenges for the third place spot. Hill and Scoles got close with two to go but Harry held firm, stayed calm and focussed on the road ahead rather than the chasers behind.

At the flag it was Giddy who won his second race of the round capping a fine opening weekend. Townshend, who wasn’t racing in the championship in the Bayswater car until last Monday, enjoyed his best weekend in five seasons racing in Toyota 86s with a remarkable second place finish. Hill was another to enjoy a great start with another podium finish while Scoles was happy enough with his fighting fourth place and rookie honours after a really positive start to his season.

Romeo Nasr had a lonely race in fifth, behind the lead group but ahead of the Allen and Dowdall battle. They would finish sixth and seventh. Templeton’s great charge ended with eighth. Mitchell and Miles Baker enjoyed a fine tussle in the final few laps,  but it was Taylor who held on for ninth, while Miles lost out late on in the race to Nathan Grammer for the final place in the top ten.

Giddy heads the points with 204 points while Hill and Townshend sit joint second on 174 with the summer break now before the teams and drivers gather for round two at Hampton Downs in January.

Bridgestone GR86 Championship – Round 1 Taupo – R3 Race result