Frustration for Lightfoot at Timaru
The saying ‘that’s motorsport’ is about the only way to describe Mike ‘Buzz’ Lightfoot’s weekend at Timaru, which
started with so much promise but ended up with just disappointment.
In the Friday test sessions, Lightfoot set sixth and then fourth fastest time, continuing his form at the Levels track
from last year where he stood on the podium for the round. After bolting on new tyres for the qualifying session,
Lightfoot was again fourth fastest.
With grids for race one determined by marble draw, Lightfoot continued his uncanny run of luck by drawing pole position,
his fourth front row start in as many meetings. Despite an issue with the set up of the car which caused understeer
early in the race, Lightfoot held on to the second position quite comfortably until lap five of eight when, for no
apparent reason, the computer went into limp mode. After going down a lap, a complete master system re-start put the car
back up to full speed but the damage was done and the best result he could achieve was 11th.
Race two was a reverse of the marble draw which meant Lightfoot would start from the very back on the most tight and
technical track in the series and having moved forward two places repeated his race one result of 11th.
The two race results meant Lightfoot would start the third and final race of the weekend in 12th place, however a
lightning start in amongst some chaos that the V8 Utes are renowned for meant he shot to fifth early on, still dogged by
the early race understeer that has troubled him all season. This caught up with him heading onto the main straight,
where he sledged into the kerb and causing him to spin right off the track, causing him to fall far behind the rest of
the pack.
Finally some luck went his way when a one-lap safety car period on lap 8 meant he was able to catch up to the back of
the field and in the remaining laps move the BSL Racing #96 Falcon from 12th to 8th place, giving Lightfoot 10th place
for the round.
With just three rounds remaining, Lightfoot has now moved into fourth position in the championship, despite his tough
weekend. The team now prepares for Manfield on February 11-13.
ends