The
2010-2011 BNTV8s Championship opening round held at Pukekohe Park
Raceway on 6-7 November for the Fujitisu 200 was action packed and
provided some great racing to start the season.
The Concept Motorsport Team was looking for good speed and results from
the Total Lubricants Holden in the opening round for the season.
Saturday saw the Total Lubricants Holden testing in the two
pre-qualifying test sessions with Ross confidently posting some good
lap times. That did not transpire to a great qualifying position with
Ross starting race one from 16th position on the grid.
“That's not where we wanted to be, we lost time from testing to
qualifying, that is frustrating to put it mildly.” Ross said.
“A very competitive field had assembled for the Fujitsiu 200 with the
Holden cars being considerably more competitive against the blue oval
than they have been for some time, so disappointing not to have a
starting position inside the top ten." said Ross.
Race One of the Fujitisu 200 saw the Concept Motorsport Total
Lubricants Holden finish 13th.
“It was nice to nail the first race without incident and move up three
positions - we'll take that - that put us in a better position to go
forward.” said Ross.
A reformed grid for the start of race two and a confident start and
drive from Ross saw him move to well inside the top ten in the field
before car steering issues saw him drop some spots in the last
lap imminently prior to the Pukekohe Park back straight hairpin to
cross the finish line in 12th position for the race.
A disappointed Ross returned to the pits with a top ten finish just
slipping from his grasp.
“It's no ones fault, just one of those small
mechanical issues that can occur in motor racing. Consistency is
paramount with all over performance that is a key focus and drive for
the Concept Motorsport Team, we are driven to deliver this.” explained
Ross.
The reverse grid race three was shaping up to be a good race and that
it proved. Race three saw the Concept Motorsport Total Lubricants
Holden find the car speed it lost in qualifying earlier in the weekend.
Some great pressure and driving saw Ross move up the field to hold
seventh before finally finishing in 11th position.
A fierce battle for positions in race three saw some great and
competitive racing for a long period over the race.
“We finished all three races with a straight car, that is
pleasing going forward to prepare for Ruapuna”, stated Ross.
The results were a little disappointing for the Concept Motorsport
Team.
“We wanted to finish the weekend inside the top 10 but there is
only a handful of points from where we sit currently at 13th to being
inside of the top 10. I am reasonably ok with our current
position, we will be pushing hard to finish better that you can be
rest assured of.” states a very determined Ross.
“Over the next weeks the Concept Motorsport Team can continue car
development and improved refinement and implementing the learnings we
have taken away from Pukekohe, completion of the first round”, Ross
says.
“This is where it starts, what we have done to date is not it, we know
we have the potential to be a hell of a lot sharper than where we
currently sit, there is a lot more racing to happen over the BNT V8s
Championship season.” states Ross.
As the BNT V8s Championship has seen over the last few years a lot can
happen over a championship.
The Concept Motorsport Team has the commitment and drive to achieve top
ten performances.
The Chief Engineer Mike Anderson and the Mechanics with Dale Harvey and
Mike Ross leading the implementation in the workshop, will work hard to
prepare a top car for Ruapuna, building on the expectations the
Concept Motorsport Team have placed on themselves for the 2010 – 2011
season with Ross looking forward to competing at Ruapuna.
Keep informed and updated about Nick and the latest Concept Motorsport
developments and news by visiting our website at
www.conceptmotorsport.co.nz
by
Dave Dunlop
Concept Motorsport
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Nick
Ross' campaign in the 2010-11 BNTV8s is supported by
Total Lubricants, ENZED Waikato & Pukekohe franchises,
Porter Hire, Stingray Marine, Auto Trail Ltd, Teng
Tools
Waikato Car
Rentals, C&R Developments, Classic Cover Insurance, Leamington Auto
Electrical
Hotshot Signs, Strautmann Hopkins, Truck Rentals
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