News
Young Invercargill driver Liam MacDonald has made a sensational start to the BNT NZ Touring Car Championship taking the round win at Pukekohe Park Raceway, south of Auckland.
Liam MacDonald of Invercargill in action in the GT Radial NZ Ford Falcon at Pukekohe. Photo: Euan Cameron
After problems with a front sway bar on Friday the Southlander recovered to qualify third fastest later in the day in his GT Radial NZ Ford Falcon despite battling oversteer in the car. It was later found that the sway bar was actually cracked so that was repaired for the first race of the round on Saturday.
MacDonald was involved in an incident with another car early in race one and dropped to the back of the field as he readdressed the situation. From that point on he forged his way forward and came back to finish fourth. Sunday was the icing on the cake. Starting from second on the grid he raced to a win on Sunday morning before winning from pole position in an exciting third race later in the day.
Liam with the spoils of victory at Pukekohe. Photo: Euan Cameron
The three results gave MacDonald the round win while he also leads the championship after one round with 204 points.
“I’m really rapt,” said MacDonald after the final race. “We had a few problems early on but we got them all fixed and after that it was pretty sweet, the car went real good.”
Photographs – Liam MacDonald of Invercargill in action in the GT Radial NZ Ford Falcon at Pukekohe/Liam with the spoils of victory at Pukekohe – please credit Euan Cameron
BNT NZ TOURING CARS – 2016/2017 SEASON
Round 1: Pukekohe Park Raceway – 4-6 November 2016 (ITM 400 V8 SUPERCAR MEETING)
Round 2: Taupo Motorsport Park – 10/11 December 2016
Round 3: Mike Pero Motorsport Park, Ruapuna, Christchurch – 13-15 January 2017
Round 4: Teretonga Park, Invercargill – 21/22 January 2017
Round 5: Manfeild Park, Feilding – 11-12 February 2017 (NEW ZEALAND GRAND PRIX MEETING)
Round 6: Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park – 11/12 March 2017