Rhys Gould’s Signature Homes (Hyundai i30N TCR) has overcome a rear-of-the-grid start to storm to a commanding race victory in Class 4 & 5 South Island Endurance Series 1-Hour at Ruapuna.
Having failed to set a time in qualifying with a gear selection issue, Gould quickly worked his way through the pack to take the lead when the pit window closed, cruising to a comfortable 27-second victory over second-placed Barry Moore (Volkswagen Golf TCR), who qualified on pole earlier in the day but had run off and into the tyres at one point.
Pel Arnott (Hyundai i30N TCR), who comfortably led through the mid-stages having not come in for his stop under caution, pulled a gap large enough to fall back into third when he did come in for a hard-fought podium.
Stopping under caution worked in favour of Gould and Moore, with Gould having already moved through the field to sit within the top ten before the second one was called 18 minutes in.
Scott O’Donnell (Hyundai i30N TCR) and Warren Black (Audi RS3 LMS TCR) rounded out the top five, respectively, with the duo remaining near the front for the entire race.
Denzil Travers (Audi RS3 LMS TCR), Russell McKenzie (BMW M3), Cole and Grant Askew (Volkswagen Golf TCR), Mark Meadows (Lotus Elise) and Class 4 & 5 North Island Endurance Series 1-Hour Champions Ayrton Hodson and Brett Sullivan (BMW Z4) rounded out the overall top ten.
Meadows was the first of the Class 5 runners home. Chris Wall was second in class, having charged to eleventh overall in the closing stages and falling just short of Sullivan and Hodson, who stopped on track immediately following the chequered flag. David McLean (Honda Integra) rounded out the Class 5 podium.
The first of the Mazda RX8 contingent home was that of the Pykes, with 12th overall a fitting birthday present for Jared. Cory Stewart was the second RX8, while Ash McConchie was third.
Steve Parker and Mark Leonard topped the Toyota 86 contingent in 19th overall, ahead of Cormac Murphy and Tayler Murphy, respectively.
Well done Mr gould