Tim Edgell in Chesters Ford Falcon. Photo: SportProMedia.
It was a tough weekend for all the competitors in the BNT V8s Championship at Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Ruapuna in Christchurch last weekend, Tim Edgell included.
Changeable weather conditions provided plenty of challenges for the drivers and Aucklander Edgell and the Chesters Falcon did not escape unscathed. However once again he showed plenty of pace, emerging from the round in good shape, fifth overall for the round and sixth in the championship point standings.
The weather made things extremely difficult. After testing early on Saturday in the wet, the track dried for qualifying. Once again Edgell was to the fore, setting the second fastest time to advance to the top ten shootout. A big brake lock up going into the first turn of the shootout lap cost him time however and he was credited with the ninth fastest time.
Sunday dawned cool but dry and Edgell was quickly into his stride in the opening race over 10 laps. From ninth on the grid he quickly advanced to 4th place and remained there until the chequered flag to begin his race weekend with an excellent result, one that Tim said made amends for the qualifying position.
A short time later as the second race got underway Edgell was caught wide at the opening corner and got trapped behind the Holden Commodore of former champion Andy Booth for the duration of the race, eventually crossing the line in fifth place.
“Chaotic” was how Tim described the last contest, the 22-lap reverse grid race. Rain began to fall just prior to the race and from the rear of the grid Edgell had his work cut out. In the treacherous conditions it wasn’t long until the safety car made an appearance. While in the train of cars behind the safety car the Chesters Falcon was hit and spun around. Tim recovered and went back to his position in the queue. However the car was damaged and back under racing conditions it was not handling well. To add insult to injury a time penalty was then applied to the Chesters Falcon after the incident, dropping Tim to 15th position at the finish. Edgell has appealed the decision.
“It was a tough weekend weather wise, it was ever-changing,” said Tim. “We managed fifth for the round and we’ll move on. We had good speed in the dry.”
Tim’s 2009/2010 BNT V8s Championship campaign is supported by Chesters Plumbing and Bathroom, BNT, Marley NZ Ltd, Laufen Bathrooms, Fuchs Oils, Wurth NZ, Element 82 and Hansen Products.
The next round of the series takes place at Teretonga Park in Invercargill over the weekend of 16/17 January.
ends
Photograph – Tim Edgell of Auckland and the Chesters Ford Falcon deals with the conditions during the BNT V8s Championship round at Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at the weekend – please credit – SportProMedia.com
CALENDAR 2009/2010 BNT V8s CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 1 – 6-8 November 2009: Pukekohe Park Raceway, Auckland
Round 2 – 27-29 November 2009: Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway, Ruapuna, Christchurch
Round 3 – 15-17 January 2010: Teretonga Park, Invercargill
Round 4 – 22-24 January 2010: Timaru International Motor Raceway, Timaru
Round 5 – 12-14 February 2010: Manfeild Park, Feilding
Round 6 – 19-21 March 2010: Taupo Motorsport Park, Taupo
Non-Championship Trophy Race – 16-18 April 2010: Hamilton 400, Hamilton
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Last 5 posts in BNT V8s
- Richards Strong Enough To Reclaim Top 10 Standing - February 12th, 2010
- Andy Knight Returns To Happy Hunting Ground - February 12th, 2010
- Eddie Bell Maintains BNT V8s Championship Challenge - December 9th, 2009
- Magic Qualifying Performance For Henderson - December 3rd, 2009
- Target Achieved, Richards Remains in BNT V8s Top 10 - December 1st, 2009
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