Triple X Motorsport driver Earl Bamber has etched his name in eternal history by winning the first Grand Prix of 2010, held at the New Zealand location of Manfeild today.
The sweetest Valentine’s Day present for the 19-year-old, Wanganui based Bamber started the 35-lap race from the front row of the grid, taking the win by a half-second margin in the VnC Cocktails Mad Butcher Toyota FT40 car.
Following squally weather conditions in the Saturday build-up race that Bamber failed to finish, the all-important Grand Prix started under clear skies with a gentle breeze to subdue the summer heat. With the longest race of the weekend ahead, Bamber started well, but had to settle for second behind the younger rival Mitch Evans. Then a safety car incident bunched the field that allowed Bamber to pressure for the advantage at the re-start with six laps to run .
“Mitch (Evans) was really quick in the beginning and our car was set to get faster later in the race so I knew if I could stay close enough we should be able to take the lead. Once the safety car came out I knew we had the better pace so from the restart we had a good attack, a bit of contact, but we got a clean pass to get the job done,” said an elated Bamber as he collected his accolades.
“It’s a credit to the team – throughout the season they’ve done a great job and now we’ve got the best result by winning the Grand Prix.”
An event first run in 1950, previous winners include the likes of Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Kenny Smith, Chris Amon, and Craig Baird. And for the Triple X Motorsport team it was a double victory having won the trophy with driver Daniel Gaunt in 2009.
“It’s what you dream about winning,” added Bamber. “The Grand Prix is such a big prize internationally, so to be a Kiwi name alongside so many internationals is very special – especially having the Triple X Motorsport team win it back-to-back.”
Joined by New Plymouth apprentice mechanic Stefan Webling for his first ever Grand Prix, the 21-year-old went from go to woe when he tangled early to drop from podium contention. Then late in the race he pinched a tyre braking in to the sweeping final turn leading on to the front straight, getting stuck in the gravel trap that precedes the tyre safety wall. Extracted by rescue personnel, he pitted for a precautionary check before resuming in eleventh place – the same position he held to the chequered flag.
Concluding the international segment of the five round Toyota Racing Series, Bamber has secured his second overall in the standings with one round remaining – to be contested late March near Taupo.
NZ Grand Prix Result
1 7 Earl Bamber 38min43.796
2 4 Mitchell Evans +0.512
3 20 Sten Pentus +1.207
4 47 Ritchie Stanaway +3.315
5 9 Daniel Jilesen +4.214
6 8 Jamie McNee +5.312
7 6 Sam MacNeill +5.378
8 48 Andrew Waite +6.888
9 69 Alistair Wootten +7.311
10 11 Ken Smith +10.450
11 41 Stefan Webling +2 Laps
