Aussie wins NZ Motor Cup
The New Zealand Motor Cup has gone to an Australian, for the first time in 42 years.
Thomas Randle delivered on the promise he had been showing in the Toyota Racing Series, winning the contest for New Zealand’s most prestigious motor racing trophy at Hampton Downs on Sunday afternoon.
The last successful driver from across the Tasman was Warwick Brown, who won the New Zealand Grand Prix at Pukekohe in 1975.
The most famous Australian name on the solid silver trophy is former triple World Champion, Sir Jack Brabham, who won it three times at Ardmore in 1958, ‘60 and ‘61.
‘‘It’s unreal. I’ve dreamed about this,’’ said Randle.
’’And it’s a relief. I’ve been fast for the last two weekends.’’
Randle lost a race win at Teretonga last weekend when he was relegated for jumping the start and then spun away the lead in the main race.
He had pole position for Saturday’s preliminary race, but fell foul of the slippery track conditions on the opening lap and had to settle for third.
‘‘It’s awesome. The Victory Team has given me a great car. Now we’ll have to see what we can do at Taupo.’’
Randle had to cope with the pressure of two safety car periods, the second when series leader
Richard Verschoor clipped the back of Marcus Armstrong’s car.
The Christchurch driver was forced out with damaged rear suspension, while the Dutch teenager restarted 18th from the pit lane after changing a damaged front wing.
He fought his way back to 12th place, but was penalised 30 seconds for the collision with Armstrong, which put him back in 16th place. Verschoor still leads the series, although Randle’s victory means the margin has been reduced from 80 to 23 points.
Austrian Ferdinand Habsburg turned in his best drive of the series to finish second after starting seventh, while India’s Jehan Daruvala claimed third after Pedro Piquet had a brief off track excursion and lost two places on the last lap.
The best Kiwi was local lad Taylor Cockerton, who finished seventh after starting tenth.