Hampton Downs Motorpark, New Zealand’s newest motorsport venue plays host to the fourth weekend of the 2013 TRS Championship, rounds 10/11/12 of the 15 race Series.
The ETEC competitors faced a stiffer challenge than usual as they were now joined on the grid by Kiwi hotshot Mitch Evans a former Winner of the Championship and now GP2 driver, who would surely draw a good crowd from nearby Auckland to see this years series which has gained momentum and stature as the weeks have gone by.
Qualifying
A genuine excitement befell the ETEC garage as after promising free practice Jann Mardenborough looked like he could challenge for the front rows.
As the cars rolled out Mardenborough stayed stationary, waiting until 6 minutes of the 15 minute session had passed before joining the fray, meanwhile his team mates who have found proceedings more difficult through practice dug deep to keep on the pace.
A red flag curtailed the session, this could have spelt disaster for the team and Jann as he was yet to set a time and as the session resumed 4 minutes remained. The returning Evans had set the benchmark and Jann crossed the line .058 second behind to take a tremendous 2nd and a place on the front row.
The second session, and more of the same. Mardenborough held back, this time for 8 minutes into the session, but this time the result was not as hoped and 8th place was the best the Welshman could muster.
Behind, Tang did an amazing job to secure his best starting position for race two in 12th, the remaining drivers lining up towards the rear in what was proving to be a challenging weekend for Nandy, Calderon and Tanart.
Race 1
Where to start! This was to be an epic by any standards, Jann starting on the front row braved it out with Evans into T1, holding the outside line an edging into a slim lead, Evans experience and local knowledge showed as he retook the place as the pack bunched into the hairpin.
Janns afternoon took its first turn as Bonifacio completely missed his braking and used the rear of Jann’s car as a stopping point climbing the rear and ripping off the rear wing, the carnage behind ensued with Bonifacio spinning into the tyres and a hapless Nandy collecting the carnage and losing a nose in the process.
The red flag was thrown and the cars reformed on the grid, an army of ETEC mechanics went to work on the back of Mardborough’s car as a second army worked in the pitlane on the front of Nandy’s. Time was running as quickly as the mechanics to and from the garage for parts and tools and eventually time got the better of the team and Jann was pushed into the pit exit to have his repairs completed. As the race restarted Nandy was fortunate to retake his original grid slot whilst Mardenborough had to follow the pack into turn 1 from the pit lane.
Was that going to stop the pair? Was it ever! Nandy, flying made 5 places on the opening lap of the restart, then jumped Latifi to run 12th. Mardenbourgh was close behind carving through the field and running behind Nandy who was clearing a path for the Britain.
Behind Calderon was fired up and dispatched her teammates, Tanart and Tang as well as the debutant D’Agusto.
Then another safety car incident, this time for the unfortunate Malaysian. Running into the hairpin, the surface now degrading from the weekends earlier trackwork , the car speared straight instead of negotiating the tight turn and careered into the tyres at high speed. After a period Akash climbed from the cockpit unaided. Later inspection would show that the brake cylinder had been damaged in the first collision and the 16 year old was without brakes as he approached the corner.
One mans loss was another gain and Jann took advantage of the bunched field to attack hard again at the restart, climbing past Leitch and moving into an amazing 6th place.
The three other remaining ETEC’s runners were also in the mix battling each other and the track surface in an incredible show.
At the flag Mardenbough crossed the line 6th, Tang another great top ten finish and Calderon,
Whilst Mardenborough was mobbed by the media wanting to know about his epic drive Tang said “ All I had to do was stay on the track… nobody else did and I got a great result”… he was definitely right!
Tomorrow’s races are anticipated with extra enthusiasm although the team face a late night with a catalogue of repairs to make.
Rounds 11 and 12 of the 2013 TRS take place at Hampton Downs Motorpark tomorrow 3rd February.