Stewards to decide Super Truck title
ALEX LITTLE HAS BEEN provisionally crowned New Zealand Super Truck champion following the Manfeild finale over the April 2-3 weekend.
But as NZ Truck & Driver went to press a Stewards hearing was pending before the championship results could be declared official.
Motorsport New Zealand said in a statement: “A protest was made by a competitor to the Stewards regarding the technical eligibility of one of the vehicles at the final round of the NZ Super Truck Championship. A technical investigation after the event has now taken place. Subsequently a Stewards hearing is now needed to discuss the findings of the investigation and issue a decision. A further update will be issued when it is appropriate to do so.”
Little (Lower Hutt) had set the pace in the first two rounds of the championship at Timaru (in January) and at Teretonga earlier in March with his Freightliner. At the halfway point of the series, Little led with 114 points from Wheeler (Papakura) on 96 and Dave West (Pukekohe) with 89.
Round three at Ruapuna saw Wheeler qualify second and race his way back into contention with three wins – narrowing Little’s advantage to 10 points and setting up a tense Manfeild finale.
Wheeler reduced the gap to seven points by pipping Little to pole position at Manfeild. But racing saw Wheeler handed time penalties in both the first and second races and Little had built an unassailable lead before the final race began on Sunday afternoon.
The pace-setter at Manfeild was inaugural (2005) Toyota Racing Series champion Brent Collins from South Canterbury driving the Freightliner Century usually campaigned by Malcolm Little. Collins won both of the Sunday races.
The provisional standings show Alex Little with 222 points from Wheeler on 196. Dave West completed the podium with 172 points with his Freightliner Argosy while Shane Gray (Wellington) in his new Kenworth finished fourth with 144 points.
T&D