Timaru driver Neville Stowell secured pole position during qualifying for the opening race of the 2007/2008 Kumho Sport Saloon Series at Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Ruapuna near Christchurch today. Stowell took his Nissan Skyline GTR around the 3.3 kilometre circuit in 1 minute 31.657 seconds despite the fact the car was emitting smoke under cornering. Stowell dominated last year's series when he appeared in the new Skyline midway through the season and he comfortably took pole posiiton today.
Second on the grid for tomorrow's first race is series newcomer Jarrod Parmenter in his Mitsubishi EVO. Parmenter, also of Timaru, recorded a 1 minute 32.217 seconds to make an excellent impression on debut.
Timaru drivers recorded the top seven times in the fifteen minute session with John Hepburn third fastest on 1.32.552 in another EVO. Mike Small who won a race against time to be at the circuit today was fourth, followed by Ron Shelton in a Nissan Silvia. Small's son, Chris Small, was sixth fastest on his debut in the series after just two outings at club level. Nathan McAuley was next followed by Wanaka driver and reigning T2 Class Champion Matt Edgar. Two more Timaru drivers, Raymond Hart and Matt Dunn, rounded out the top ten. Dunn spent the day trying to trace an engine problem in his turbocharged Toyota Corolla. Garreth MacKenzie of Christchurch also had his session curtailed by engine dramas.
Sixteen cars completed today's qualifying session while Motueka driver Bryce Parish was forced to withdraw after turbo problems in his Nissan Skyline. Phil Hood of Kaikoura was another non-starter today.
Tomorrow the competitors fight out three races. The first is timed to start at 10.20am while the second race, which features a top six reverse grid, starts at 12.50pm. The final race of the opening round is a handicap event scheduled for 2.30pm tomorrow afternoon.
QUALIFYING
1st - Neville Stowell - Nissan Skyline GTR, Timaru - 1 minute 31.657 seconds
2nd - Jarrod Parmenter - Mitsubishi EVO, Timaru - 1.32.217
3rd - John Hepburn - Mitsubishi EVO, Timaru - 1.32.552
4th - Mike Small - Nissan Skyline GTR, Timaru - 1.33.725
5th - Ron Shelton - Nissan Silvia, Timaru - 1.35.050
6th - Chris Small - Mitsubishi GSR, Timaru - 1.36.346
7th - Nathan McAuley - Mitsubishi EVO, Timaru - 1.36.707
8th - Matt Edgar - Toyota DX Corolla, Wanaka- 1.36.789
9th - Raymond Hart - Nissan Skyline, Timaru - 1.38.075
10th - Matt Dunn - Toyota Corolla, Timaru - 1.39.426
11th - Gary Duncan - Mitsubishi EVO, Temuka - 1.39.753
12th - Grant Waters - Mitsubishi GSR, Timaru - 1.40.702
13th - Allan Ranson - Mitsubishi EVO, Twizel - 1.41.248
14th - Noel Parish - Nissan 300ZX, Motueka - 1.42.473
15th - Sharon Wood - Subaru Legacy, Timaru - 1.45.077
16th - Garreth MacKenzie - Toyota Corolla, Christchurch - 2.32.701
DNS - Bryce Parish - Nissan Skyline GTR, Motueka
DNS - Phil Hood - Mitsubishi EVO, Kaikoura
CALENDAR 2007/2008 KUMHO SPORT SALOON SERIES
Round 1: 13/14 October 2007 - Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway, Ruapuna, Christchurch
Round 2: 9 December 2007 - Teretonga Park, Invercargill
Round 3: 12/13 January 2008 -Timaru International Motor Raceway, Levels, Timaru
Round 4: 15/16 March 2008 - Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway, Ruapuna, Christchurch
Round 5; 5/6 April 2008 - Timaru International Motor Raceway, Levels, Timaru
Round 6: 12/13 April 2008 - Teretonga Park, Invercargill
