Crighton fights back with crucial win

Arran Crighton has claimed a crucial win in his Hi-Q Components NZ Formula First Championship bid, coming from fifth on the last lap to win an incredibly close opening race at Hampton Downs. Matt Podjursky finished a very close second with Bramwell King third.

It was on for young and old from the drop of the flag as the top five all bunched together to form a five-way for the lead. Matt Podjursky, Reece Hendl-Cox, Callum Crawley, Arran Crighton and Bramwell King.

Further down the pack Billy Fazer, Dylan Smith and Ron Carter headed into turn one three wide. Before Carter fell victim to an unintentional squeeze from the Sabre Motorsport duo which briefing saw him rub the wall on the inside of turn one.

By the second to last lap, the top five were still battling hard for the win coming across the line five wide. The intense action saw the crowd on the edge of the seats while the teams on the pit wall all stood back as the unheard of action occurred.

The final run to the line saw Crighton get in front of the rest while Podjursky and King followed him just 1.2 tenths behind. Hendl-Cox crossed the line fourth followed by Crawley in fifth.

Amy Smith improved on her impressive qualifying position to equal her personal best finishing position of six. Chris Symon finished eighth ahead of Travis Day and Alex Hawley. Dylan Smith finished in tenth.

Kaleb Ngatoa was forced to shut off his car painfully close to the finish line, after a mechanical drama lead to an overheating issue.

 

  • Val March 26, 2017 at 5:25 am

    Sounds like fantastic racing again. Wish I had been there to see it ! Keep driving safe, guys !

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