JANUARY 2015

P O Box 27063, Mt Roskill, Auckland, New Zealand 1440 Phone: (09) 620-9797 Facsimile: (09) 620-5247

Auckland Car Club’s Monthly Magazine, Race, Rally, Clubsport and More… AUCKLAND CAR CLUB CONTACT LIST AUCKLAND CAR CLUB CLUB INFORMATION President Ted Jarvis 021-635-031 [email protected] 579- [email protected] Mark Sheehan 021-112-9175 6611 z Vice President Steve 477- [email protected] 021-635-439 Melhuish 2156 z 486- Secretary/Treasurer Craig Holmes 021-889-488 [email protected] 1970 Membership John (Larry) 846- [email protected] Secretary Lawton 1746 Clubsport [email protected] Race [email protected] Club Captain Aaron Clarke 021-485-272 [email protected] 579- Chief Scrutineer Mark Sheehan 021-112-9175 [email protected] 6611 835- Club Rooms Hire Steve Morris 021-278-9373 [email protected] 9515 Kirsty or 021-0252- Club News [email protected] Martyn 8531 416- Mike Dias 027-483-5550 [email protected] 6765 Ross 815- 021-487-205 [email protected] Henderson 5089 Committee Members 834- Brett Davy 027-250-1505 [email protected] 9300 Martyn Wells 021-0252-8513 [email protected] Natalie Waite 021-319-900 [email protected] 834- Brett Davy 027-250-1505 [email protected] 9300 MotorSport New 835- Aaron Clarke 021-485-272 [email protected] Zealand Licence 4794 Examiners 837- Peter Borman 021-442-700 0488 Web: www.aucklandcarclub.org.nz Facebook: www.facebook.com/race.rally.clubsport Note: All calls to the above numbers are to be BEFORE 9:00pm The Club thanks the Club News Advertizing Rates following for their Single Issue 12 Issues Paid 12 Issues Paid in support: Monthly Advance Quarter Page $50.00 $37.50 $371.25 Half Page $100.00 $75.00 $742.50 Full Page $200.00 $150.00 $1,485.00 Rates include display on the club’s website. Contact: Kirsty or Martyn at [email protected]

Clubrooms 44 Stoddard Road, Mt Roskill, Auckland Licensed Bar, Lounge, Large Screen TV Regular Club Night The club rooms are open every Thursday night from 7:30pm until 10:30pm. License examiners are usually available to assist new Members with license exams. Several members of the Executive Committee are usually available to discuss any issues or provide assistance. Club Rooms Hire Rates The Members’ Lounge and the larger hall upstairs are available for hire for special events such as birthday or anniversary parties, meetings, bingo/housie, quiz nights, training courses, etc. The Members’ Lounge has a fully equipped bar and the upstairs hall has a complete kitchen available for both venues. Special hire rates are available for Club Members. Commercial organisations and community groups receive discounts for multiple events or long-term commitments. Please direct enquiries to Steve Morris [email protected]

AMB TRANSPONDERS

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JONO LESTER BLOG

The close of 2014 has been an exciting one with a busy hive of activity in at our new TFM HQ in Penrose, after the first outing for our Ferrari 458 GT3 at the Highlands 101.

The Official team launch in early December saw a mix of family, friends, partners, Ferrari owners and media get their first look at the car as myself and the other team members shared the vision of our project moving forward.

It was also the opportunity for us to announce our exciting start to 2015 with the Bathurst 12 Hour, where I will be partnered by John McIntyre and Graeme Smyth.

We will be the first ever all-Kiwi challenge to take on Class A for outright victory in a field of 55+ cars, with 30 GT3 cars in our class, a dozen factory entries and illustrious names from all over the world up against us.

Following Bathurst I will compete in the full 2015 Australian GT Championship with a yet-to-be-named co- driver, as well as the South Island, North Island and NZ Endurance series’ here in NZ in one of a pair of Ferrari F430 GT3 cars incoming from Brazil over Christmas time.

These cars won the Brazilian Championship at the hands of ex-F1 pilot Antonio Pizzonia, and will be a great addition to the growing interest and profle of both GT and endurance racing here in NZ.

In just six short months since the Hampton Downs 12 Hour, this team has come a long way and it’s a really exciting environment to be a part of.

More exciting still is the fact that we showed fantastic pace down South, making us a real and genuine championship challenger in AGT, while Bathurst has us quietly confident of a strong result also.

Of course with Bathurst, baby steps are necessary. But we have the ingredients.

So, the year is shaping up well and that’s just the start, with other one-offs and races further afield in the pipeline.

Christmas is looming but the work hasn’t stopped with nine part- and full-time personnel in at TFM getting our machine ready for a pre-Bathurst shakedown at Hampton Downs on January 8th. Please do call out for a look and listen if you’re in the area.

In my New Year blog I will cover off this and a full preview of the big race at Mount Panorama. For those who can’t be there, a Kiwi documentary crew will be getting all the behind the scenes action during race week for an historic Kiwi challenge.

Remember to follow the progress on website, www.jonolester.com and associated social media on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

Have a safe and relaxing Christmas and stay safe out there,

Jono Lester

2015 CALENDAR

5/8 Feb 2015 - MSNZ Round 5 Taupo TRS 6/8 Feb - Leadfoot Festival, Hahei Details www.leadfootfestival.com 14/15 Feb 2015 - MSNZ Championship Round 5 (NZ Grand Prix) - Manfeild TRS, , F5000 14 Feb 2015 Summer Series Round 4 - Hampton Downs - Auckland Car Club Classic Japanese, Northern Muscle, Production Muscle Cars, Standard Production, Racing Saloons, Clubman Sports Cars. 21/22 Feb 2015 - Tasman Revival Pukekohe - HRC BMW E30, BMW Open , Historic Saloon Cars, Historic Formula Ford, Formula Libre, Historic Sports sedans, ERC/Arrows, Alfa Trofeo, PPG Classic Trial, . 21/22 Feb 2015 - IRC Round 4 - Manfeild - IRC Porsche, GT1 & GT2, Super GT, Mini Star cars, Super Six, MX5, Pro Seven, Formula First, Pre 65, SS2000. 28Feb /1 Mar 2015 - Super Kart Nationals & Rotary Cup -Taupo - NZRDL Honda Cup, 2K Cup, NZ Super Laps, Sports Cars, Rotary enthusiasts, Super Karts 28Feb /1 Mar 2015 - Toyota Fest - Hampton Downs Toyota TR86 7/8 Mar 2015 - MSNZ Championship Round 6 - Taupo 7/8 March 2015 - Club Sport Championship Pukekohe ACC 14/15 Mar 2015 - Roycroft Meeting Hampton Downs - Waitemata Vintage Car Club. Classes; Vintage cars Pre 60, Formula Junior, Pre 61 Saloons 15 March 2015 - Auckland Car Club Round 5 - Pukekohe Classic Japanese, Northern Muscle, Production Muscle Cars, Standard Production, Racing Saloons, Clubman Sports Cars. 21/22 Mar 2015 - Mid-Summer Thunder. IRC Round 5 - Hampton Downs - NZIGP/ACC/NSCC Porsche, GT1 & GT2, Super GT, Mini Star cars, Super Six, MX5, Pro Seven, Formula First, Pre 65, SS2000, Formula Ford National Championship 28/29 Mar 2015 - Legends of Speed - Hampton Downs - HRC BMW E30, BMW Open, Historic Muscle Car/ Historic Saloon Cars, Historic Formula Ford, Formula Libre, Historic Sports sedans, ERC/Arrows, Trofeo, PPG Classic Trial, Formula Junior. 4/5 Apr 2015 - IRC Round 6 - Taupo - IRC Porsche, GT1 GT2, Super GT, Mini Star cars, Super Six, MX5, Pro Seven, Formula First, Pre 65, SS2000 5 April 2015 - Sports Car Club of NZ Easter Sprint Pukekohe. 12 April 2015 - Auckland Car Club - Round 6 Hampton Downs Classic Japanese, Northern Muscle, Production Muscle Cars, Standard Production, Racing Saloons, Clubman Sports Cars. 5/8 Feb 2015 - MSNZ Round 5 Taupo 6/8 Feb - Leadfoot Festival, Hahei 14/15 Feb 2015 - MSNZ Championship Round 5 (NZ Grand Prix) – Manfeild 14 Feb 2015 Summer Series Round 4 - Hampton Downs - Auckland Car Club 21/22 Feb 2015 - Tasman Revival Pukekohe – HRC 21/22 Feb 2015 - IRC Round 4 - Manfeild - IRC 28Feb /1 Mar 2015 - Super Kart Nationals & Rotary Cup -Taupo – NZRDL 28Feb /1 Mar 2015 - Toyota Fest - Hampton Downs 7/8 Mar 2015 - MSNZ Championship Round 6 – Taupo 7/8 March 2015 - Club Sport Championship Pukekohe ACC 14/15 Mar 2015 - Roycroft Meeting Hampton Downs - Waitemata Vintage Car Club. 15 March 2015 - Auckland Car Club Round 5 - Pukekohe 21/22 Mar 2015 - Mid-Summer Thunder. IRC Round 5 - Hampton Downs - NZIGP/ACC/NSCC 28/29 Mar 2015 - Legends of Speed - Hampton Downs – HRC 4/5 Apr 2015 - IRC Round 6 - Taupo – IRC 5 April 2015 - Sports Car Club of NZ Easter Sprint Pukekohe. 18th 19th Apr 2015 Great Lake Taupo - NZRDL Honda Cup, Rotary Enthusiasts , 2K Cup, Super Kart, NZ Super Lap, Alfa Trofeo 2/3 May 2015 - 2 K Cup Master - Hampton Downs - NZRDL 2K Cup, Honda Cup, Rotary Enthusiasts, Super Lap, Sports cars , Super Karts. 30 May 2015 - North Island Endurance Series - Round 1 Taupo NZIGP, NSCC, HRC 27 June 2015 - North Island Endurance Series - Round 2 Hampton Downs NZIGP, NSCC, HRC 12 July 2015 - Brass Monkey - Hampton Downs Time groups, Single Seaters, Classic Trial. 24/25 July 2015 - North Island Endurance Series - Round 3 Pukekohe NZIGP, NSCC, HRC 6/8 Nov 2015 - V8 Supercars - Pukekohe - NZIGP V8 Supercars, V8 SuperTourers, NZV8 Touring Cars, UDC V8 Utes, Central Muscle Cars 21 Nov 2015 2K Cup Hampton Downs NZRDL 27/28 November 2015 V8 Festival Hampton Downs – HRC

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PMC POINTS NAME CAR TOTAL POINTS CRAIG HORN TORANA 251 STEVE NIXON CHARGER 244 ANDREW ROSS MUSTANG 227 RUSSELL THOMAS MUSTANG 214 JON JAIMESON CV8 92 ROSS GOLDING COMMODORE VH 58 LANCE HUMPHRIES MONZA 40 GEORGE SHEWEIRY JR FALCON SVO 2 FRIENDS OF PRODUCTION / INVITATION CLASS NATHAN WOOD FAIRMOUNT XF 254 DAVE CAMPBELL MUSTANG 44 PRODUCTION CLASS 0-2000CC NAME CAR TOTAL POINTS PAUL WARRENER INTEGRA TYPE R 73 STEVE ELLIOTT ELISE 70 PAUL BRADLEY 320i 58 TONY RICHARDSON 320i 18 WYATT SALMON INTEGRA TYPE R 17 STEVE KHAN 320i 11 PRODUCTION CLASS 2001CC+ MARCUS HEKE IMPREZA WRX 58 NICK MILINA IMPREZA WRX 46 ELLIOT OSBORNE SILVIA 42 STEVE COWEY ALFA GT 28 MIKE AUSTIN RX8 24 NEVILLE FINDLAY Z3 M COUPE 10

ACJS Clint Harvey Civic 254 Bob Morten Civic 216 Adam Hood CRX 177 Kurt Pearce Civic 175 Tim Allen Civic 113 Ron Findlay Datsun 260 60 Nick Milina Lancer 39 Paul Crispe Civic 38 Mark Collier Mazda MX5 1 ACJS Bryce Richards Mazda MX5 222.5 Holley Boyd Civic 205 Rod Pratt Toyota Starlet 194 Grant Richards Mazda MX5 188 Joh Harvey Civic 188 Alec Newald Corolla 187.5 James Fenwick Corolla 144 Renno Paul Corolla 110 Kevin Renal Civic 75 Rochelle Boyce Toyota Starlet 71 Shaun Midgen Sentra 66 Dave Midgen Sentra 3 ACJS INVITATION Glen Gordon Datsun 1200 Coupe 256.5 Brian Wood Civic 235.5 Alaric Nicholls Charade 162 Oliver McChessney Civic 125.5 Shaun Van Beers Civic 62 Ken McKeown CRX 46.5

Sebastien Loeb not planning to return to rally in 2015 THE FRENCHMAN SPOKE UP ABOUT HIS CURRENT PLANS TO RUN ANOTHER RALLY OR TWO IN 2015.

In a very brief comment with WRC.com after his first rally in 400 plus days, leading early and still very talented behind the wheel of a Citroen WRC car, Loeb talked about his rally plans for 2015. Loeb ended this weekend’s Rally Monte Carlo in 8th spot more than eight minutes off the lead after breaking his suspension of day two of the rally. "It was great. Okay, disappointed because of the mistake, but I had some pleasure,” Loeb told WRC.com “I enjoyed the rally, a great atmosphere and great to be here." He was then immediately asked if he planned to be back in a rally in 2015 and Loeb replied, “no plans for now." Loeb will likely put much of his focus on his Citroen World Touring Car effort, aiming for a championship with Citroen and continuing the LMP3 preparations.

Toyota confirms World comeback

AKIO TOYODA CONFIRMS MASSIVE BOOST FOR RALLYING IN KEYNOTE ADDRESS IN JAPAN.

Toyota will return to the World Rally Championship for the first time since 1999 in 2017 with the Yaris WRC. Toyota chief Akio Toyoda confirmed the news during a press conference to confirm its motorsport plans for the future. “In the WRC, all rallies have their own character, it’s a perfect setting for us,” he said. “When I was visiting events last year, many fans asked me when Toyota would come back to WRC, and they talked about the history. “I was filled with surprising gratitude for those people that remembered. So I felt strongly that we must return. “We’ve decided to return for the first time since 1999. We are not announcing a return, but perhaps a start. We must begin again from scratch and carefully prepare our team and cars.” Toyoda himself has already tested a Yaris WRC, and said the experience has confirmed his belief that a return to the series was the right decision. “Over the 18 years it was like a girlfriend I have missed,” he said. “The car is very developed and I’m looking forward to 2017, the car will be much more competitive than we are right now.” No further details about the programme were revealed.

Alan Johnson Racing for Winternational win There’s some good news for lovers of 10,000 horsepower NHRA Mello Yello Series cars. After learning that their six-year relationship with Al-Anabi Racing was done at the end of 2014, it wasn’t known whether Alan Johnson Racing (which ran the team for Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani) would make the bell for this year’s 55th annual Circle K Winternationals on the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona drag strip. That question was answered by Alan Johnson Racing (AJR), which stated that the team, together with 2013 Top Fuel champion Shawn Langdon intend to open their season the weekend of February 6-8. Former teammate Khalid alBalooshi has separated from the team.

Dream team

With two championship tuners on hand to work magic together, AJR looks to have a potent crew available to work with Langdon. Longtime AJR championship-winning crew chiefs Brian Husen and Jason McCulloch will serve as co-crew chiefs on Langdon’s rail. “We enjoyed our six years with Al-Anabi Racing and experienced great success,” said Alan Johnson, team owner. “We appreciated the opportunity to compete for Al-Anabi Racing and thank Sheikh Khalid for everything he did for us. We had a great run, but now we must move on and focus on the future. “We are going to Pomona with every intention of winning the Winternationals; we are in discussions with multiple entities about sponsoring our race team and part of that process is showing the level of excellence at which our team competes,” Johnson stated. “We won the Winternationals last year (with alBalooshi) and our goal is to repeat as Winternationals champions next weekend.” Alan Johnson Racing won Top Fuel world championships in 1997-8 and 2000. AJR, together with Al-Anabi Racing took home the Top Fuel titles in 2010 (Larry Dixon), 2011 with Del Worsham and in Langdon’s title season two years ago. During the Al-Anabi era, AJR won 42 races with Dixon, Worsham, Langdon and alBalooshi. Personally, Alan Johnson has secured 11 Top Fuel titles with five different drivers: Gary Scelzi, Tony Schumacher, Dixon, Worsham and Langdon; he is a 15-time NHRA national champion.

Solid top fuel roster With this announcement the field of Top Fuel dragsters is looking better than it had at the start of the calendar year. The loss of alBalooshi, who won four races over his NHRA career with AJR and appeared in NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship the past two seasons with ever-improving results in his four-year stay with the Al-Anabi Racing Top Fuel team, will be felt but it’s conceivable that the team may add another driver should financial backing be secured. Langdon and alBalooshi joined Al-Anabi Racing in 2012 following the two Top Fuel championships earned by Dixon (his third) and Worsham, who had been a standout driver and remains so today. Dixon is now driving for Bob Vandergriff Racing alongside Dave Connolly, who has moved from to the nitro ranks and Worsham is back in Funny Car with Kalitta Motorsports.

Jeff Gordon looks to go out on top The four-time NASCAR champion is ready for his next challenge

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jeff Gordon has led a charmed life. Unlike a long list of former champions across a broad range of sports, Gordon, 43, has made the decision to climb out of his ride while still at the top of his game. But before Gordon could vacate the No. 24 Chevrolet, the stars had to align. And the biggest star, was a rising one – Chase Elliott. “To watch him, how he’s evolved the last couple of years and even seeing how well he’s done has made me want to look into the things that I haven’t seen,” Gordon said. “Very, very impressed with not only his talents and the way he handles himself but the steps that Bill and Cindy took to how they started him in racing and the things that were important, that gave him experience and led him to where he is at such a young age and handle the pressure, handle the car and be as successful as he’s been and handle the sponsors and handle the fans. “I can’t think of a better driver to get behind the wheel of the 24 car and make all those 24 fans proud of who’s taking over the reins. I spoke to Chase the other day on the phone and I think it’s pretty obvious that he knows that I am genuinely am looking forward to not only seeing him in there but working with him as well from the Hendrick Motorsports side.”

Generation next

Sure, team owner Rick Hendrick felt pressure to find a place for Elliott. The 19-year-old phenom dominated the Xfinity Series as a rookie against teams and drivers that were far more established. Not only did Elliott win in just his sixth career NXS start, he backed up his performance with a win at Darlington Raceway the following week. “Jeff made the decision easy for me – he wasn’t going to drive for me anymore,” Hendrick said. “He was going to retire. So who’s going to drive it? Then you have the ‘who’s out there that is available?’ “To me, when you guys (the media) started asking me, ‘How are you going to hold Chase back? What are you going to do with Chase? Someone is going to want to move him up? If you don’t do it, someone is going to want to do it.’ Then it just fell into place.”

Changing tide

Gordon began contemplating retirement after the 2013 season. If there was any doubt Gordon could be persuaded otherwise, the inability to continue practice for the Coca Cola 600 in May due to ongoing back problems reinforced his choice. Other factors including a desire to spend more time with his family and the opportunity to pursue other challenges also weighed in on Gordon’s decision. As did his need not to leave Hendrick “hanging like that.” “I’d been talking about it for years with Rick,” Gordon said. “We had conversations like in 2012 and he said, ‘I need you one more year, one more year.’ Then I saw the team building and my back was doing ok. I was starting to enjoy myself a little more – not just feeling all frustrated in the car because I saw the potential in the team. I think we won Homestead that year. “Then it was like alright, ‘where are we with our sponsors?’ There’s so many factors that play a role in the timing of it. I’m a team guy. I’m a partner in Hendrick Motorsports. That’s not a decision you take lightly. “And I wanted to make sure the decision I make next is also in place. And those things just weren’t lined up at that time. I feel like I’ve accomplished everything I set out to do and more. Would I like to win another Daytona 500? Would I like to win another championship, of course? But I don’t have to, to be able to walk away and still be completely content.”

Got game

With the thousands of drivers that have passed through the sport, Gordon is in an elite fraternity with four championships, 92 wins and seven poles. Since the Chase for the Sprint Cup format was introduced in 2004, Gordon transferred to the playoffs every season except 2005. But he has yet to win a title under the new system. Last season, however, Gordon was in championship form. With four wins and three pole positions, it was his best season since 2007 when he battled teammate Jimmie Johnson for the title and finished second. While Gordon didn’t feel a sense of urgency knowing his retirement from competition was imminent, his position in life certainly played a factor in his performance. If Gordon seemed a bit chippy at times, such as his row with Brad Keselowski at Texas, he was fighting as much for his family as he was for himself or his team. “The championship means more to me than ever right now because of (wife) Ingrid and the kids,” Gordon said. “I’ve been married before but it’s a lot different when you have children. You see the world a different way because of looking at it through their eyes and the pride in what you do means so much more as a father. “Ingrid’s never experienced it. When she kissed the bricks last year – I heard her say before for weeks leading up to the Brickyard, ‘I so want to kiss those bricks.’ So to be able to do that last year was such an amazing experience and moment for all of us. “So the ultimate would be the championship. There was definitely some urgency, knowing this decision was coming, that made what happened at Texas, that much more… and, yeah, what happened at Texas was Texas, but then knowing after Phoenix that we didn’t make it in was very disappointing because I knew this could possibly be my last opportunity.” However, Gordon added without hesitation, “I think we’re going to have another one. I think this year is an opportunity for us. But yeah, that made it tougher to handle.” Staying the course

In the last four years together, crew chief Alan Gustafson says he’s never seen Gordon’s drive or demeanor waver. “He never changed,” Gustafson said. “There was never a change in him. But ’13 going into ’14 as a team, we got into a real productive place where we were syncing very well, communicating very well, producing very well, the shop was integrated very well and with that came a lot of performance and with that came a lot of confidence. The more performance that you saw, the more energy it created. “I can’t attribute that to him and his urgency – does it play a factor? Who knows? I don’t know. But everybody on the team found the ability to hit their stride and when we’ve been doing that, you’ve seen the performance that comes with it. That’s been a lot of fun.” Under Gustafson’s direction, Gordon has posted 10 wins, 46 top fives, 76 top 10s and finished 10th or higher in the point standings. Although Gordon has kept Gustafson abreast of his decision to retire from the No. 24 Chevy, he insists timing had nothing to do with the team hitting its stride as the driver’s career was coming to an end. “He’s been very honest with me,” Gustafson said. “He’s kept me up to speed with his plans so I’ve known his considerations for a long time. But he hasn’t changed. He never changed. “He’s a consummate professional. I think it’s more the confidence of performing well and not the urgency. Big players, big time.”

The next challenge

Gordon humbly acknowledged that maintaining that level of intensity over a 38-race schedule is not a priority for him anymore. That doesn’t mean he won’t find other activities to keep his adrenaline pumping – but the Daytona 500 won’t be on that list. Gordon said, “Without a shadow of a doubt that this will be my last Daytona 500.” But he’s keeping the door open to other forms of racing – including sports cars, open wheel or even the Xfinity Series – which earned two thumbs up from Dale Earnhardt Jr. “I’ve got to admit, I love seeing those Corvettes at the 24 hour race at Daytona,” Gordon said. “I think that was pretty cool. I’d love to be a part of that. Chevrolet has been a huge part of my career. "Not just because my wife is from Belgium, but I think racing something at Spa in Belgium would be amazing. “I love the dirt, I love Eldora, I haven’t said no…I can do quarter-midgets…I hate to throw things out there because I know what’s going to happen. It’s really going to be more things that I create and see if it’s possible. But anything I do, I want to be competitive. I don’t just want to ride around out there. And the back plays a part in that, the team and the preparation, the amount of time, the laps I need to be in the car all of those things.” Forever a champion

No one questions whether Gordon will continue to bring his “A” game in his final Sprint Cup season. But two goals remain at the top of his NASCAR bucket list. In 22 full seasons, Gordon has won at 24 of the 25 tracks on the tour but not Kentucky. And he still wants to win a title under the Chase format. “I’d like to win at Kentucky, I haven’t won at Kentucky and I’ve never won a Sprint Cup,” Gordon said. “I know I’ve been labeled as a four-time Sprint Cup champion but I haven’t actually won one of those. I don’t have that trophy sitting at home. “I can’t think of anything cooler than to walk out of this sport than to do it on top. That’s probably the only thing I haven’t I’ve wanted that I haven’t accomplished. I feel like I accomplished everything I set out to do.” And if Gordon can start every race between now and Chicagoland Speedway – the 27th race of the season – he will tie Ricky Rudd’s Ironman record of 787 starts. Gordon’s 788th start – and the NASCAR record – would be set the following week at New Hamsphire. Gustafson is on board to offer his friend a proper send off. “He deserves to go out on top,” Gustafson said. “We want to win for us. We want to win for each other, but there’s that significance there that Jeff’s career needs to end on a high note.” FEARLESS: HARD CHARGER MACLEOD WINS NZ MOTOR CUP He has led races, scored pole positions, proven a tough rival at every turn of a race, recorded fastest laps and attacked in bold overtaking moves across the opening three rounds of the 2015 .

Now BRDC Rising Stars programme driver Sam MacLeod inscribes his name on the oldest trophy in New Zealand motor racing. He joins Graham Hill, Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren - giants of the sport who have won the NZ Motor Cup in its 83 year history.

Scottish-born racer MacLeod won the 20-lap TRS feature race today at Hampton Downs, sprinting away from the field in a dominant performance on a wet but drying track. In the closing laps of the feature race he even lapped slower cars.

Though the race began on a track with as many wet areas as dry, all but four drivers started on slick tyres, choosing to gamble that no rain would fall. Their decision, taken in consultation with their teams, would prove correct, leaving the drivers who started on wet tyres struggling to grip and pace.

Pole man Brandon Maisano was unable to hold off MacLeod, who has a knack of attacking from the green flag and has been fearless in the first and second corners at Hampton Downs.

MacLeod took the early lead as behind him drivers found their slicks unable to hold a line on the wet areas of turn one. Jamie Conroy and Stefan Riener were among those who found themselves on the grass, but were able to regain the track and continue.

The lead order settled with MacLeod ahead of Irish driver Charlie Eastwood with John Simonyan third.

Eastwood slid wide at turn one and Simonyan was up to second place, Artem Markelov third.

Championship leader Lance Stroll had come through to hold fourth place ahead of Santino Ferrucci and Arjun Maini. Simonyan had cut Macleod’s lead from five seconds back to 3.5, but then slid wide in a brush with another car. Markelov too slipped back, and Stroll was up to second place, his team-mate Maisano third.

As the track dried MacLeod was able to control the race from a lead that eventually stretched back out to five seconds.

With three laps to run, Arjun Maini had overtaken made sure of fourth place, ready to pounce if the leading three made a mistake.

But the race belonged to MacLeod, who had put in a dominant flag to flag performance and become the sixth different race winner of the series, the third different feature race winner.

Leading New Zealand was James Munro, ninth.

The championship top three are now Lance Stroll (515 points), Arjun Maini (460) and Brandon Maisano (429). Top New Zealand driver is Munro, who is sixth on 325 points

AUCKLAND CAR CLUB Inc. P O Box 27063, Mt Roskill, Auckland 1440 Phone (09) 620-9797 Fax (09) 620-5247 www.aucklandcarclub.org.nz

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