BIG GAINS FOR HEPBURN
Timaru driver John Hepburn leaves the opening round of the BNT V8s Championship at Pukekohe Park Raceway south of Auckland tonight with mixed feelings.
Speed was not an issue as the former motorcycle and truck racing champion made significant gains at the high speed 2.841 kilometre circuit, recording lap times over a second better than he has managed in his previous visits to the track. The potential was evident from his lap times throughout the weekend but as can happen in motorsport a variety of factors beyond his control meant he was unable to capitalise on the pace he possessed.
Hepburn qualified comfortably inside the top twenty with the 16th fastest time in the closely matched field in Saturday's qualifying session. The Timaru driver looked set to start the championship in fine style as he gained several places early in the opening race on Sunday morning. However he was spun around by another car as he blasted through the left hander prior to Pukekohe's hill. Hepburn charged back through the field and when the chequered flag was shown at the end of 12 laps he had rescued 17th place. Despite the incident that cost him a higher placing the John Hepburn Racing Commodore still recorded strong lap times on its way back through the pack.
The incident left Hepburn down the grid for the start of the second race and despite good pace throughout the 12 laps the gap to the frontrunners was too much to bridge, a 15th place John's reward after another good drive. Again the lap times were good and demonstrated the speed of Hepburn and the John Hepburn Racing Commodore.
The third and final race was the traditional reverse grid event and John was well placed on the grid for the 22 lap finale. However as the cars got underway a car came across in front of him with another coming along the inside knocking off the Commodore's mirror. The two cars wedged him leaving the rest of the field bearing down on the Commodore. The incident cost John dearly, Hepburn recovering in 10th position. Once clear of the early melee Hepburn was again running well battling with Christchurch driver Andy Knight. However luck was about to desert him once again, a tyre delaminating at the end of the back straight forcing the Commodore into the pits and dropping John to 20th in the final classification. "I could feel the vibration from the tyre before it happened. I'm not sure if it was from the damaged guard rubbing on the tyre after the earlier incident or just the high speeds we reach at Pukekohe.''
"The boys worked hard all weekend and we made a lot of very big gains," said Johnny after the final race. While the incidents were disappointing Hepburn emphasised there were some positive outcomes from the round. "We have come a long way forward and we are not the only team that suffered a tough day on the track"!
Round 2 of the championship will be held at Powerbuilt Tools International Motor Raceway at Ruapuna near Christchurch over the weekend of 28/29 November.
John Hepburn's campaign in the BNT V8s Championship is supported by Timaru Metal Recyclers, Timaru Signs & Graphix, Paul Smith Earthmoving, Petrie Mayman Clark, Robinsons Auto Dismantlers, Blastcraft, Auto Gas, Scarlett Hydraulics, Pit Stop Otahuhu, Barchetta Pleasurecraft, Ashley Electronics, The Front Store, Pope Print, Shaun Breen Plumbing and Power Farming.
Lindsay Beer
on behalf of Johnny Hepburn Racing
021 351 499
To contact John Hepburn - phone 0274 326 934
Photograph depicts: Timaru driver John Hepburn and the John Hepburn Racing Commodore in action at the opening round of the BNT V8s Championship at Pukekohe Park Raceway this weekend - please credit sportpromedia.com
CALENDAR 2009/2010 BNT V8s CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 1 - 6-8 November 2009: Pukekohe Park Raceway, Auckland
Round 2 - 27-29 November 2009: Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway, Ruapuna, ChristchurchRound 3 - 15-17 January 2010: Teretonga Park, Invercargill
Round 4 - 22-24 January 2010: Timaru International Motor Raceway, Timaru Round 5 - 12-14 February 2010: Manfeild Park, Feilding Round 6 - 19-21 March 2010: Taupo Motorsport Park, Taupo
Posted: Mon 09 Nov 2009
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