Fairhurst happy at New Zealand run

Former world and British BRISCA F1 champion Lee Fairhurst says he is satisfied with the progress made in New Zealand after his first event, despite ending up with a non-finish in the three-race 248 Global Challenge at the Arena Manawatu in Palmerston North.

He started 16th in the 33-car first heat but got caught up in a first bend pile-up, which put his car on its side. He was able to take the restart and finished 21st. Fairhurst lined-up 33rd for the second heat but forced his way through to 10th. Fairhurst led the early laps of the final heat, before dropping to second after a number of yellow flag stoppages. His race ended with a flat tyre.

“The car got quicker every race, with a few changes and some valuable track time,” said Fairhurst. “I only had four laps of practice before the event, so it was always going to be difficult.”

The 26-year-old arrived a week earlier than the rest of Team GB Racing, prior to the Superstock Teams Championships on February 4/5. The remainder of the British team members will be Frankie Wainman Jr, John Dowson, Bobby Griffin and Ben Hurdman.