Daniel Gaunt Suffers Major Set Back

Andy Knight Wins While Daniel Gaunt Suffers Major Set Back

The first race of Round 6 of the 2007 Toyota Racing Series, being held at Timaru International Motor Raceway this weekend, has been won by Christchurch driver Andy Knight. Knight's dominating win came at the expense of Series points leader Daniel Gaunt who started from pole position but was outgunned by Knight at the start. Gaunt's troubles were intensified when he punctured a front right tyre as a result of a first lap coming together with Ben Harford who had started the weekend 3rd on the Series points ladder.

The morning qualifying session was uneventful as Gaunt set the fastest time ahead of Knight, Harford, Shane Van Gisbergen, Daynom Templeman and Nic Jordan. They were followed by Christina Orr, Mark Russ, Nelson Hartley and Mark Munro. However, despite the lack of drama, indications were that an exciting race was in store as seven drivers qualified under the existing lap record.

The race was dramatic to say the least as Daynom Templeman's car failed to start the warm up lap when a driveshaft broke effectively ending his chances of a good race result. On the race start, Knight made a flyer to leave Gaunt in his wake while Harford also found his way past. However, it was all to end in tears as Gaunt attempted to retake 2nd position only for the two cars to touch thus ending Harford's race and championship aspirations as well. Earl Bamber and Nelson Hartley also came together on the opening lap with both cars careering off the circuit but eventually aided by red flags bringing the race to a halt and allowing them a pitlane restart.

On the restart, Andy Knight made no race of it as he rocketed ahead to open a large gap to the 2nd place getter, Shane Van Gisbergen while an elated Nic Jordan came home 3rd for his best result yet after a superb drive. Drivers to capitalise on the action up front were Christina Orr and Mark Russ who were embroiled in a race long battle which fell in Orr's favour to take 4th with Russ being relegated to 7th for making a false start. This allowed Mark Munro to take an exceptional 5th place with Gaunt working his way back to 6th having restarted the race from the pitlane.

Andy Knight was pleased to take his second race win in two weeks:

"For sure it was a help making a good start then having Daniel and Ben getting caught up together. The guys have done a great job preparing my car as we saw at Manfield and again here today. Hopefully we're now looking at a good finish to the season" he explained after the race.

Nic Jordan was brief and to the point but thrilled to finally record a podium finish in the Series:

"Yeah, I'm really happy to take it as it's good for the team and really good for my spirit as well" he declared.

With fastest race lap times determining the grid positions for tomorrow's Race 2, Daniel Gaunt will again line up in pole position alongside Andy Knight followed by Shane Van Gisbergen, Nic Jordan, Nelson Hartley, Mark Russ, Ken Smith, Mark Munro, Christina Orr and Leanne Tander

Race 2 of the weekend will be run over 12 laps and will take place at 10:45 am tomorrow (Sunday) morning with Race 3 scheduled to start at 3:15 pm and run over 20 laps

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