Armstrong wins Hulme Trophy

Christchurch driver Marcus Armstrong has moved up to fourth in the Toyota Racing Series, after taking out the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy in Taupo yesterday.

Getting the best start from the outside of the front row of the grid at Bruce Mclaren Motorsport Park, he got to the first corner ahead of the polesitter, India’s Jehan Daruvala, and was never passed.

‘‘I led yesterday [Saturday afternoon’s first race] and then made a mistake,’’ said Armstrong. ’’At least I learned from that and proved I could win from the front.’’

Daruvala initially let Armstrong establish a two second lead, but then fought back and was narrowing the advantage.

‘‘I was taking a lot of risks hunting him down,’’ said Daruvala, who had one hairy moment too many and ended up off the track.

‘‘I was lucky not to get beached on the scoria,’’ he said. ’’After that the fight was over.’’

Armstrong is now fourth in the championship, one point ahead of Daruvala, but despite having gained more points than anybody else over the three races at Taupo, he is still just focused on winning races.

Daruvala was able to hold onto second as third-placed Ferdinand Habsburg had drifted back, holding up a train of six cars. The Austrian drove a great defensive race to hold

the position from championship leader Thomas Randle, who moved ahead of Dutch teenager Richard Verschoor over the course of the weekend.

Habsburg wasn’t as fast and had the Australian alongside him on numerous occasions, but he held his nerve to stay in front.

‘‘When I saw him right in my mirrors I realised it was going to be a long race,’’ said Habsburg.

‘‘I just focused on my exit speed from the corners to try and hold him off.’’

Randle now has a 27-point lead over Verschoor, who was fighting a similar rear guard action against yesterday’s winner Brendon Leitch, who also had the obviously faster car.

The Invercargill driver was alongside and even in the dirt in the infield ‘‘S’’ corners, but could not press home his advantage. They finished seventh and eighth.

The final three races will be held next weekend at the Chris Amon circuit in Feilding, culminating in the New Zealand Grand Prix.