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Improved results slip away in southern squall

After what seemed like a long break from the track since round 2, the ITM Racing team hit the track on Friday for a shakedown and hot laps.  “With the new suspension parts installed, the feel of the car was greatly changed, and with some tuning, I am sure it will be faster” said Andrew.

The first test session on Saturday was all about getting to grips with the new adjustments and finding a balance window.  With the ITM Commodore responding well, Andrew improved from 11^th in the first session to 9^th in the second session.  But more importantly, the gap to the front running cars was closing. 

Heading out for qualifying, Andrew elected to run on older tyres first up to get a feel for some minor changes, but immediately struggled with a lack of front grip.  Pitting to adjust this, Andrew went back out to check the car’s performance.  Feeling confident with the car, he then pitted for new tyres.

With half the twenty minute session completed, there was a small window to complete a flying lap.  After one warm up lap, it was on to post a time.  With the car setup maximising the new tyre gain, Andrew was well on track to move into the top ten.  On the run to the last turn, Andrew was well inside the top ten time.  In braking for the final turn, Andrew pinched the brakes and locked the left front.  Running wide, Andrew lost time and with a long front straight he also lost the next lap.

Regrouping to try and scrap through, Andrew tried to post a time in the closing minutes but failed to improve and qualified in a disappointing 16^th position.  “I feel bad for the crew.  The setup was there and I simply pushed too hard and made a mistake.  With a good race car, I am confident to push through into the top ten in race 1” commented Andrew.

Sunday morning at Teretonga greeted us with rain and gusty winds.  After supporting the Grid Kids duathlon, Andrew then focussed on race 1.  Knowing the car had good speed, Andrew was confident of moving forward.  Getting a good start, he got to the inside line at the southern loop and gained a position.  As the race unfolded, the ITM Commodore had good pace and was able to slip past, albeit with an element of risk around the outside of the loop.  Following a mid race red flag, Andrew restarted in 12^th and slipped back past Penny to take a close 11^th at the chequered flag.

With minor adjustments made to the car for race 2, Andrew was again able to get the favoured inside line and was in a convoy of Holdens.  For the entire race, it was full commitment from the Lion camp as they freight trained around the fast Teretonga Circuit.  With nothing in it, Andrew finished in 10^th place.

“The changes for this weekend have made the car nice to drive.  We are slightly ahead of last year and the match for any other Holden.  The trouble is that the Fords are still holding the chassis advantage.”

With the southerly weather change bringing the anticipated wet weather, Andrew lined up from 8^th in the reverse grid race.  With a balanced car and a confident wet race driver, the ITM Commodore rolled to the start line in good shape.  As Andrew took the start and with cars going in all directions, the inevitable happened and Andrew was tagged in the rear sending him spinning to the infield – a wild ride on the wet grass.  Rejoining the field in last position, Andrew pressed on and improved his times lap after lap and closing in on the back of the field.  With a handful of laps remaining, the right front tyre was cut and Andrew had to pit to replace it.  Rejoining two laps down, Andrew circulated to finish in 19^th position.

“Reflecting on the weekend, we seemed to get pace from the ITM Commodore to be right on the pace, posting the fastest Holden time in the wet.  However, the parity issue with the Fords is still apparent and it seems to still be a bridge that is too far to cross at the moment” commented Andrew.

The ITM Racing team has a few days off before heading back south for Round 4 at Timaru next weekend.  andrew finished 13^th for the weekend and is still in 13^th position on the championship ladder.

The ITM Racing team would like to thank our team partners for their ongoing support: ITM Building Centres, Marley, E-Frame, Sika, Hitachi Power Tools, Wattyl, Haydn Brush Company, Valvoline, Pink Batts, GIB, New Balance, Computer Leasing NZ, Moselle Panel and Paint, PPG, Pinepac Group, West City Holden, Davy Tyre Services, Cottle Motors and Subway. 

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