Another discipline, another strong field of kiwi talent and it was yet another commanding victory for Shane Van Gisbergen in the penultimate round of the Racing Local charity Eseries.
Contested on the Wild West Motorsport Park in specialised off-road machine, Van Gisbergen was untouchable once he gained control of the lead in the 14-lap feature race.
His job was made easier when Will Bamber rolled at turn one. The Porsche Carrera Cup star had qualified on the front row and was one of the favourites for victory.
Pole sitter Arron Humble thus maintained his lead out of the opening turn with Van Gisbergen and Lawson in tandem.
However, the 2016 Supercars Champion was eager to get ahead of Humble, searching in vain for several laps before finally executing a wily move for the lead at the turn Two hairpin.
Further back, Mad Mike Whiddett set the timing screens alight down in fourth, eating into Lawson’s advantage.
Unfortunately, a rare error allowed Earl Bamber to slip by the drifting ace and the duo ultimately found themselves five-seconds adrift of Humble who had been demoted to third as Lawson moved ahead with eight laps in hand.
It was three-abreast along the main straight in the battle for ninth between Reid Harker, Daniel Stevens and Chrsitian Hermansen which ultimately ended in Will Bamber, who was scything his back through the field after his lap one accident, finding the concrete fence.
Whiddett’s wild antics across the myriad of jumps and ditches meant the Red Bull man was flirting with danger all race, ultimately coming unglued on the penultimate lap where he rolled his vehicle several times in a spectacular crash.
The incident allowed kiwi Rally ace Hayden Paddon to find himself inside the top-ten, eventually crossing the line in seventh.
Van Gisbergen’s advantage up front was unchallenged once he stole the lead, cruising to a commanding 5.2s victory over Lawson.
Pole sitter Humble would round out the podium placings, ahead of Earl Bamber and Hermansen.
After their separate accidents, Whiddett and Will Bamber would finish in eighth and tenth respectively.
Next up sees the field of 43 head to Michigan Raceway for a 45-lap Oval race in the Dallara DW12 IndyCar.
