Hamilton Suzuki Swift Sport Cup driver Shaun Lawrence has come away from the 2011/12 season opening round in third place overall after a torrid weekend of racing at Pukekohe Park Raceway.
Second fastest throughout Friday’s practice session, and fourth in qualifying saw a confident Lawrence start on the second row of the grid for Saturday’s opening race of the season.
The field took to the track with the weather rapidly deteriorating. The circuit, now completely dry at one end and soaking wet at the other, created a unique challenge as teams were pondering how to set their cars up for optimum grip. In a class renound for close racing, the Liquorland Suzuki was driven to the absolute limits, Lawrence ultimately coming home in a hard fought fourth position
As the first reverse grid race of the season got under way, and despite starting near the rear of the field, Lawrence had made his way to the front before the race was even half over. A nose-to-tail battle with Mark Gibson saw one of the most exciting races in recent memory unfold, with a simple missed gear change relegating Lawrence to second position with just three laps remaining, a spot he held to the finish. The gap between the two combatants a mere 0.16 seconds as they crossed the line.
“That was such an awesome race” a beaming Lawrence explained shortly afterwards. “We worked together to pull a gap on the field and then just went hard at it. It could’ve easily gone either way, but I’m really happy with second. It’s so good to know we’re competitive and fighting at the right end of the field” he added.
With the weather taking yet another turn for the worse, race Three took place on a circuit resembling more of a skating rink than a race track. As the final race of the weekend progressed, Lawrence settled into a comfortable third position and the decision was made to consolidate and take the points on offer.
Of particular note was the fact that the Liquorland Suzuki set the fastest laps in each of the first two races, outright pace obviously not an issue for the freshly rebuild Swift.
The net result of the weekends racing saw Gibson come away leading the Championship, closely followed by Lawrence in second overall, tied on points with young AJ Lauder. The second round of the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup takes the contestants south to Christchurch’s Ruapuna Park on December 9-11 for the final round of 2011.
