Following the worst possible start to the 2010/11 Suzuki Swift Sport Cup where he barrel-rolled and destroyed his immaculate Swift, Hamilton driver Shaun Lawrence returns to the track this weekend looking to restart his bid to win the Championship outright.
The verdict on the car affectionately known as “Lola” following the opening round crash at Pukekohe was all bad for the devastated Lawrence, with little more than the steering wheel left undamaged by the six-time rollover. Thankfully however, Lawrence was left unhurt by the accident, and drove a replacement car for the remainder of the weekend thanks largely to the generosity of Winger Motors’ Paul Burborough.
With a new car now ready to go, Lawrence now has his sights firmly back on the Championship proper, and is more enthusiastic than ever to get back behind the wheel and put the dramas of Round One behind him for good.
“It was all pretty crazy after Pukekohe”, explains Lawrence. “We’ve had some unbelievable support from our sponsors and now it’s all about getting back into it (the Championship) and rewarding that support and help” he added.
Able to capitalise on the experience gained last year, Lawrence’s confidence remains high as the team head to Christchurch’s Ruapuna Park for Round Two this weekend. Having competed there last year, the team eventually found an ideal car set up, something they’ll no doubt be using to their benefit this time around.
With the ultra-close racing that the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup has become renound for, it’s certain to be another case where every advantage helps, and rest assured the Shaun Lawrence Racing team will be looking to use every advantage they can get to get their campaign back on track.
