BSL Racing’s Mike ‘Buzz’ Lightfoot has continued his superb run of podium finishes through the south island rounds of the UDC V8 Ute series with a second overall at round four of the series, held at Levels raceway near Timaru, over the weekend.
Last weekend, Lightfoot took his debut win in the series on his way to third place for the round at Teretonga near Invercargill and he carried the form in Friday testing, setting the second fastest time in both sessions.
The qualifying session again saw Lightfoot set the second fastest time, setting the time early in the session and then managing his tyres as he sat and waited for the session to finish. When the chequered flag fell, Lightfoot had completed only four laps, an advantage with each Ute only allowed four new tyres for each weekend.
Race one saw Lightfoot draw the 12th and final spot on the grid, but by the end of the opening lap he had worked his way up to sixth place. He continued to work his way forward and when the race ended after eight laps, Buzz had moved the Buckley Systems backed number 96 Ford Falcon ute into a strong third place.
Race two saw the grids reversed from race one’s marble draw, meaning Lightfoot started on pole position. After being passed at the start, Lightfoot got back in the lead on lap three and then held off a battle to take his second career victory in as many meetings.
The results across the weekend put Lightfoot equal on points with team-mate and series leader Andrew Waite, although Waite was given pole position and Lightfoot started second. Lightfoot made a great start and moved straight into the lead before relinquishing that lead after two laps to cross the finish line in second. However after the race, Lightfoot was deemed to have jumped the start and given a five second penalty, dropping him to fifth, although he still maintained second place for the weekend.
“I’m absolutely stoked, we have another round podium and another race win under our belts,” said an excited Lightfoot. “The boys did a great job and in all of the conditions that we experienced, the BSL Falcon was on rails.”
The V8 Ute series now moves to Manfeild on 10-12 February, where Lightfoot will be looking to chase down second place in the championship, having reduced the gap from 83 to 52 points.
