Paul Llamp (182) leads Todd Moffat and Colin Bary in the NZRF Classics. Llamp leads the classic seriesThe first round of the four round United Travel race series started on June 6th at Manfeild. For the first time in 6 years the season opening meeting was wet and provided the 97 competitors plus the organizers challenging conditions first up.
In 2010 there are 5 “core” classes that race at every round plus an invited class to add some variety and extra flavor. At round one Karts provided that extra flare and the wet conditions certainly gave the small karts a difficult track to get set ups correct.
The ICS Limited GT Cup are the fastest class of the series and this was dominated by local driver Ross Thurston in his new Mitsubishi Lancer reveling in the wet conditions with the advantage of four wheel drive. Not far behind was Wanganui driver Paul Tulloch in his RX7 ahead of regular runners Colin Parkin and Tony Oliver from Wellington.
The IB Cup has been the weakest field due to a lack of cars in this speed bracket, but with RS Cup champion Andrew Manderson and Hilary Ashworth making the move up, numbers have swelled and this will be a very hard fought class to win. New driver to the series Paul Berkin from Wellington showed a clean pair of heel s early on in his Honda Integra, but was chased hard by fellow Honda driver Nick Stewart and Porsche campaigner Ross McCormick. There is a lot of passing required in the handicap races, and these 3 worked well to achieve a good set of results to give them a good lead. Last years IB Cup champion Adam Newell did not have things go his way, after dominating Saturday testing in the dry, he struggled in the wet conditions but still good enough for 4th overall.
The Diamond Homes/Dannys Auto Services RS Cup is now in its second year and is also gaining momentum as new and not so new driver’s chance their hand in this competitive class. Series sponsor Geoff Boyden swapped his usual ride of a V8 Torona for a 1300cc Starlet for round 1. Another new comer Tyler Smith was also having his first race meeting in his Mazda Astina and showed exceptional maturity in the wet conditions. The RS Cup has produced 3 more new drivers for the series, Jeremy Dodge in his Toyota Carina ED, Craig Hansford in a UCOL Celica and Anna Morgan in a borrowed HQ Holden. All performed extremely well and brought their cars home for another battle next round. Leading the series are locals Steve Rennie (Honda CRX) closely followed by Colin Hoare (Honda Integra) and Simon Wellum (Ford Laser) from Napier.
NZRF Classics were dominated by Paul Llamp in his Ford escort. Fastest in qualifying and winning all 3 races has left Llamp with a healthy series points lead, but he is unable to make round 2 leaving the series chase wide open for the other series competitors.
Formula First make up the final core class and while number are down the importance of this class at the series can never be under estimated for up and coming drivers. The Speedsport Scholarship winner races the remaining races learning race craft in this highly competitive class. Local driver Oliver Gordon had a clean sweep in the weekend but was pressed hard by Bramwell King and Daniel Connor in all races.
Round 2 of the United Travel Race is on Sunday July 4th at Manfeild and sees the return of the Honda Cup. A competitive series where all cars are Honda’s and makes for competitive racing.
