Motor Sport
Invercargill driver Liam MacDonald is keen to extend his record of success at Mike Pero Motorsport Park at Ruapuna in Christchurch when Round 3 of the BNT V8’s Championship takes place at the circuit on the outskirts of the South Island’s largest city this weekend.
MacDonald has only paid three visits to the technical 3.33 kilometre circuit but on each occasion he has enjoyed stunning success. On the first occasion in 2015 he stood on the podium before returning in 2016 and 2017 to win the round and take the top step of the podium each time. Last year he was quickest in every session and won all three races for a clean sweep.
Such success is not unusual for MacDonald who has a phenomenal strike rate in the category. Last season was his first full season in the BNT V8’s class and he won five of the six rounds and twelve of the eighteen races to take the Class 2 title convincingly. Prior to that he had made only spasmodic appearances in the class but had already racked up several podiums plus a race and round win. This season he leads the championship after winning the opening two rounds.
After a break since the last round in early December, Liam and the MacDonald Racing Team have pulled the Speedy Signs Ford Falcon apart. “We have checked the gearbox, diff and engine and have spent two days testing at Teretonga Park, our home track.” Discussing his excellent results at this weekend’s venue Liam says, “it is my most successful track. I enjoy it as it is one of the more technical circuits.”
MacDonald currently leads Class 2 with 421 points from Nick Farrier of Pukekohe with 327 and Chelsea Herbert of Auckland on 310. After this weekend’s racing the series heads to Liam’s home track Teretonga Park next weekend.
MacDonald’s campaign in the 2017/2018 BNT V8’s Championship is supported by Speedy Signs, EmbroidMe, Southern Automobiles, Castrol NZ, GT Radial NZ, Million Dollar Cruise Queenstown, Marsh Motorsport, Classic Car Warehouse Invercargill, Advanti Racing and YHI NZ, Ideal Electrical, BNT NZ, Auto Windscreen Replacement Ltd, Southern Bolts & Fasteners, Auto Fab, Ralston Sheetmetal, Invercargill; NAC Insurance, CS Auto Refinishing, Invercargill, Dave Loudon Photography, Discount Tyres Invercargill and a Sport Scholarship with the Community Trust of Southland & whatsoninvers.nz