Simon Evans has clinched the round victory at a rain soaked Pukekohe today for the final round of the BNT NZ Touring Cars.
Evans won Saturday’s opening race, and won race two of the weekend held this morning in wet conditions.
Race three held in the afternoon only managed to complete two laps in treacherous and wet conditions before a safety car was called.
The race was eventually red flagged, and with the cars sitting on the grid waiting for racing to recommence the race and rest of the event was eventually called off by organisers.
Evans said the conditions were incredibly treacherous in the days later encounter.
“There was a lot of water on the track, I had backed right off and I was still finding it hard to keep it on the track. But the only way to get the water off the track was to have cars circulating, it was a marginal call,” said Evans
“Overall I’m really pleased with the weekend. We had won the championship with a round to go, and we came here wanting to put on a good performance, make the car better and win races.”
“It was a good way to finish off the year, really happy for and thankful to all the guys in the team for their hard work.”
Tim Edgell held off Mitchell Cunningham to clinch second place in the championship after a hard fought battle with his rival, which resulted in a coming together in race one.
The class two championship had already been won by Wellington’s Brock Cooley, also winning the weekend overall.
But the star of the weekend for class two was Brad Lathrope who claimed his first win in V8’s.
Lathrope was ecstatic with his win having come close on a number of occasions throughout the season.
“I am so stoked. I’ve been trying all season, trying to improve my driving, learning more about the car, to break through finally for my first win is just fantastic,” said Lathrope.
“I’m incredibly thankful for my team and my great group of sponsors who have helped me this season and during my career. Really pleased to be able to repay them with a win.”