This weekend’s opening round of the 2013 Winger Suzuki Swift Sport Cup series at Hampton Downs will be a string of firsts as it joins the V8 SuperTourer car race programme from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 February.
Also the first time the small-car racing category of identical 1600cc Suzuki Swift Sport cars will compete at the Waikato race circuit facility, the elevations and change of scenery will level the playing field between the returning drivers and series rookies.
Starting with ten cars for the first race of the season series coordinator Paul Burborough says he is eager to see to see how they all handle the first turn, a downhill right-hander.
“It’s long known the Suzuki cars put on exciting racing and can run two to three wide through some turns. Heading down in to turn one is going to be one of the highlights of the six round season and will sort the men from the boys – it’s for the brave,” says Burborough.
The Dealer Principal of Winger Suzuki in Hamilton, Burborough says the shift to the V8 SuperTourer programme brings the little cars back in to the limelight with a television package that broadcasts the race action to fans unable to be track side.
“Sharing the accolades as New Zealand’s top selling small car for the past couple of years, marketing the Suzuki Swift demands we go where the people are. Last year proved the popularity of the V8 SuperTourers so we were glad to have a deal where we can run our race series as a support to their programme.
With two of the line-up unable to make the first round the remaining ten are an even mix of rookies and returning drivers. Burborough predicts there will be some tough lessons the seasoned campaigners will be issuing to the first-timers, in an attempt to keep them from the front.
Of the five rookies, Castrol Scholarship winner Josh Drysdale has plenty at stake. Awarded the $35,000 car and package to compete in this year’s series the 16-year-old says his plans for the opening race weekend are pretty simple. Pre-season preparations and the unveiling of Castrol’s EDGE livery have filled the teen’s holiday season and with a test session last Monday its set his frame of mind for the coming weekend.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” says Drysdale. “While I’m excited about racing a proper car there is a lot of learning to do. I want to make the most of the practise sessions and learn more about the car and track so I can go out in qualifying with new tyres and get the best time I can. From there it’s a case of making sure I finish every race.
“I’ve been following Nick Cassidy this year, who won his championship with only a couple of race wins. He just finished well – consistently. So that’s my plan too. It’s a big ask but it’s a goal and I think it’s realistic.”
Other rookies include Campbell Christie (Auckland), Thomas Joyce (Hamilton), Blair Robertson (Christchurch) and Ben Mcdonald (Auckland).
Returnees include Sam Barry (Takapau), Glen Collinson (Hamilton), Shaun Lawrence (Hamilton) and Grant Ryan (Lower Hutt).
The cars get two practise sessions on the Friday before the pre-race qualifying early Saturday morning. The season then begins with a 10 lap race early in the afternoon. Sunday morning’s 10-lap race is a reverse grid based on the opening race result. The final, being held early Sunday afternoon is a 12 lap race. The grid is determined by a points combination of the two prior results.
Tickets for the Hampton Downs event can be purchased at the gate or online at www.ticketpros.co.nz . Friday is free entry.
