Winning two races at Pukekohe today has broken the five-driver challenge for the 2013
Winger Suzuki Swift Sport Cup title with Hamilton’s Shaun Lawrence taking an
insurmountable lead for the season victory.

The sixth and final round for 2013 started with an element of uncertainty for the 1600cc
small car race class where five drivers all had a mathematical chance of securing the drivers
title. Tackling the high-speed recently redeveloped Pukekohe circuit started early with
qualifying on the Friday rewarding Hamilton’s Glen Collinson with pole position and a further
five points.

Starting alongside for the Saturday morning 25 minute pit stop race, Lawrence benefited
from tactical moves – assisted by a slick tyre-change stop to win the double points feature.
While that gave the new car salesman an extended points lead he well and truly secured the
title with a win in the short afternoon eight lap race.

“It’s absolutely fantastic – I’m rapt. After four years and a long season I’m fizzing. I’ve never
been so close to winning the title so to have done it makes it the biggest weekend of my
life. Words can’t describe it – tomorrow night we’ll celebrate,” said Lawrence.

Describing the steps to securing his maiden title he says the key was this morning’s race:
“We wanted to get as many points as we could in that double point’s race and winning that
set our weekend up. This afternoon the headwind down the front straight was immense so it
was a definite disadvantage for anyone in front of you so it was about picking the moments
to pass – and make them count. Then to win – I’m absolutely over the moon.”

Moving to second following a second placed finish in the morning’s double points race was
series rookie and Castrol scholarship winner Josh Drysdale. Previously tied with Hawke’s Bay
driver Sam Barry, a third in the afternoon’s race further elevated the 17-year-old from
Palmerston North.

Missing from the afternoon grid was Karaka’s Andrew Vincent, who provisionally lost points
following a technical infringement. Final finisher was Auckland’s Ben Macdonald, who had to
pit after tangling with Drysdale early in the afternoon reverse-grid race.

Series co-ordinator Paul Burborough was relieved to see the all cars return after each race.
“Pukekohe has been hard on the cars previously – we usually get one roll somewhere. Even
so they didn’t take it easy out there and despite the lack of cars for this afternoon’s race it
was still pretty fierce. Seeing Shaun (Lawrence) work his way through the field proved the
benefit of experience at this track in these windy conditions – and he used that knowledge
to his advantage to really seal a great win,” he said.

The season concludes with a final 10 lap race on Sunday morning – to decide the second
and third podium spots and secure the remainder of the points table. They will be
recognised at the season prize giving – being held at the track later in the day.