Angus Fogg holds onto a slender lead in the BNT V8s Championship with one round left to be fought over this coming weekend at the Hamilton 400. There’s an element of luck, good fortune, consistent results and reliability that sees him with a thirty-two point lead after six rounds of racing. But the pack is closing in and it is difficult to choose who may emerge as the 2010/11 champion.
Previous seasons have shown that it is a close fought series and this year is no different. Three drivers have the opportunity to win with Craig Baird second (32 points behind) and John McIntyre now third (44 points behind).
The recent disqualification of Kayne Scott has now seen the results table shuffled round with Baird emerging from fourth to second. After the last round in Taupo it was as though Baird had let the title slip away but now is well in contention. Fogg has also seen his lead increase from seven to thirty-two points.
Fogg has led the championship for five out of six rounds with Baird taking the series lead after the third round in Teretonga with Fogg winning it back one round later.
The last two rounds haven’t been the best but he still has held the lead which is being whittled away.
There is no dispute that Fogg is a top driver. I well remember one year at Pukekohe in qualifying where he sat in the pits while others went out for the full session. When he was ready he left the pits, put in a flying lap and parked it. He was in the zone and on pole.
Yet one could argue that luck has not always been on his side. Fast, yes. Lucky? Not really. But this year Lady Luck has been on his shoulder. Eighteen races and eighteen results show that he has had both luck and good fortune.
McIntyre could well be leading as he has won the most races (5) but has had three without results either through dnf (did not finish) or disqualification. Baird has claimed fifteen top ten finishes but has had two dnfs.
Winning the championship is all about being consistent. Ask John McIntyre who must be quite frustrated with his three non results. Last year he won more races than Craig Baird, but the latter proved to be more consistent and took the title.
With one round left at the Hamilton 400 there are three races and a total of 225 maximum points available (75 points for a race win).
Three drivers now contend for the title which is Fogg’s for the taking.
