Luke Youlden and the Powerbuilt Falcon began Round 6 of the NZV8s Championship at Teretonga Park in Invercargill today with a 7th placing.
Youlden, of Australia, had earlier set the 6th fastest time in this morning’s qualifying session.
The first race of the weekend was held over 12 laps and Youlden got away well to hold 6th place despite the attentions of Angus Fogg. However at the end of the first lap the field was greeted by the safety car after Haydn McKenzie went into the sandtrap at Castrol corner, midway through the lap.
The safety car period only lasted for one lap before the field was racing again. Youlden settled back into 6th place but was again under pressure from Fogg. The Australian defended the position until the beginnning of lap 6 when Fogg blasted past down the long front straight.
Youlden was soon on the tail of Papatoetoe driver Clark Proctor in another Falcon. However the safety car made another one lap appearance on lap 9. After the restart Youlden was unable to overtake Proctor and started his weekend with a 7th placing despite the fact that the Powerbuilt Falcon was emitting a smokey trail over the last few laps.
“It was a solid enough race, ” said Youlden in the pits after the chequered flag. “I was being held up by Proctor. He was strong in a straight line and we were faster in the corners, but I couldn’t do much. We’ve worked on the car a lot and we are a fair way out of our window for tuning. It’s getting better and better though. “
Youlden also said the lights on the safety car during the first period went out very late and when the cars arrived at the incident the situation hadn’t changed. “It was a surprise, there were people there with the car, it was a dangerous situation. “
Tomorrow Youlden will start the morning’s 16 - lap race at 11.00am from 8th on the grid before the reverse grid event over 20 laps scheduled for 3.15pm.
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