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< BACK | Round Three: Taupo (19-20 January, 2008)
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Hi everyone and welcome back to the 2008 race season. We started back on the weekend with round 3 of the suzuki Swift Sport Cup at Taupo alongside the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.
What a great event it was - with 11 Suzukis fronting the starter it was always going to be tough weekend.
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We arrived on Wednesday and not ever being to this track I got my first look at it by doing a couple of laps on the scooter.
It all started on Thursday with my first session in the morning being a 20 minute test session. I got dialed in ok but was only good enough for P5 on the time sheets 1.7sec off P1. I wasnt too concerned as this was my first time on the circuit and I knew I had a lot of time in both the car and myself.
The Thursday afternoon qualifying session was a great success as we finished 3rd fastest on the time sheets only 0.2sec off pole.
Friday: Race 1:
Starting from P3 I had a good start holding my position into turn 1. Going into turn 5 I went up the inside of Dane Fisher to move into P2. I held onto P2 until on lap 3 going into turn 12 I was unfortunate enough to be hit in the side of my car which knocked me off the track. My car received extensive damage to the left side but I was lucky enough to finish the race, in 4th position.
Saturday: Race 2:
I started this race from P4 and moved into 3rd during turn 1. In about lap 3 I dived up the inside of the leading cars being Mark Whyte and another car. From here I held on to the lead to the finish line having to drive very defensively to hold out Whyte. I won by .136sec
Saturday: Race 3 and Final Race: (reverse grid)
I started from P10 and I had to beat Brock Barrie(P11), Mark Whyte(P8) and Dane Fisher(P9) to win the round. I knew this would be a very hard race but I knew what I had to do.
I had a great start coming out of turn 1 in 4th position. Turn 4 saw me up the inside of Greg Brink and I then went up the inside of AJ Lauder at turn 7 to be in 2nd. By turn 9 I was already in striking distance of race leader, Mike Crossan. I passed Crossan into turn 11 and from here I led the Suzuki class to the finish. Being in 1st position before the end of lap 1 was an incredible feeling and I could not believe it. It was great! Being on the podium for the round win was also great as this was such a high profile meeting.
Unfortunately due to an inquiry being lodged against me by another competitor I recieved a 5 second penalty for jumping the start. This was a decision made by officials after close observation of many cameras. This relegated me to 2nd in race 3 which also meant the round win went to Mark Whyte.
Although we finished 2nd for the round we were very happy to take back the championship lead. We now lead by 23 points from Brock Barrie with Mark Whyte close 30 points behind Barrie in 3rd place. We are looking to increase our lead at Manfeild for round 4 on 15th-17th February.
My team did an awesome job over the weekend and I really appreciate all the hard work they all put in.
I would also like to thank Hollands Suzuki cars, Mag and Turbo Warehouse, Suzuki NZ, Winger Suzuki, GE money and Taupo round sponsor "Pub and Grub" for all their support.
Regards
Cody McMaster |
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