Since Timaru driver Neville Stowell returned to the series after he missed the opening round of the 2009/2010 Kumho Sport Saloon Series he has been hustling his way back up the championship points table.
At the fourth round of the series at Powerbuilt Tools Raceway in Christchurch last weekend he got within two points of championship leader Chris Small. This weekend at the
Timaru International Motor Raceway he finally gained the lead after winning the penultimate round of the championship at the circuit.
Stowell (Nissan Skyline) and Small (Mitsubishi EVO) had been the two fastest qualifiers on Saturday morning and had finished first and second in Saturday afternoons race in which Ivan McAuley of Timaru finished third. Another Timaru driver Raymond Hart was fourth in his Skyline ahead of Michael Gallagher of Ashburton and Gary Duncan of Temuka. Gary Ridden of Christchurch had qualified third in his EVO but lost 4th gear during the opening race, bringing about his retirement while Todd Mudie of Timaru in another EVO also retired with electrical issues. Motueka driver Noel Parish was a non-starter due to a lack of suitable tyres in the conditions .
This morning Stowell raced to another win before he added a third place in this afternoons handicap race to take the round honours.
Garreth MacKenzie of Christchurch was the runner-up to Stowell in this mornings 8 lap reverse grid handicap event, driving an excellent race to cross the line second behind Stowell. Otago rally driver Jason West and Shane Crosbie of Invercargill were the first away while Mark Elliott of Christchurch in his Mazda RX7 was the early leader before he retired from the race. MacKenzie took over at mid distance and led until Stowell came through at the end. However second was still a great result for MacKenzie while Stan Moore was equally impressive in third. Gary Duncan, Chris Small and Ivan McAuley completed the top six.
The final race was the traditional handicap event and Elliott bounced back to drive brilliantly for a good win. Hamish Collins of Timaru had led in his Mazda RX7 in the initial stages until Elliott took over. Collins held on for second while Stowell got through to third place ahead of Waters, Raymond Hart and Ivan McAuley who rounded off a good weekend. Ridden was again a non-finisher.
The final round of the championship on Saturday 24 April will also be held at Timaru International Motor Raceway.
RACE 1 (8 LAPS - ROLLING START)
1st - Neville Stowell
2nd - Chris Small
3rd - Ivan McAuley
4th - Raymond Hart
5th - Michael Gallagher
6th - Gary Duncan
7th - Murray Beeby
8th - Stan Moore
9th - Grant McKissock
10th - Garreth MacKenzie
11th - Mark Elliott
12th - Hamish Collins
13th - Grant Waters
14th - Jason West
15th - Shane Crosbie
DNF - Todd Mudie, Gary Ridden
DSQ - Nick Smart
DNS - Noel Parish
RACE 2 (8 LAPS - HANDICAP REVERSE GRID START)
1st - Neville Stowell
2nd - Garreth MacKenzie
3rd - Stan Moore
4th - Gary Duncan
5th - Chris Small
6rd - Ivan McAuley
7th - Grant Waters
8th - Gary Ridden
9th - Raymond Hart
10th - Hamish Collins
11th - Murray Beeby
12th - Michael Gallagher
13th - Grant McKissock
14th - Noel Parish
15th - Shane Crosbie
16th - Jason West
DNF - Mark Elliott
DNS - Todd Mudie, Nick Smart
RACE 3 (6 LAPS - HANDICAP START)
1st - Mark Elliott
2nd - Hamish Collins
3rd - Neville Stowell
4th - Grant Waters
5th - Raymond Hart
6th - Ivan McAuley
7th - Chris Small
8th - Grant McKissock
9th - Stan Moore
10th - Gary Duncan
11th - Garreth MacKenzie
12th - Michael Gallagher
13th - Murray Beeby
14th - Noel Parish
15th - Jason West
DNF - Gary Ridden
DNS - Shane Crosbie, Todd Mudie, Nick Smart
