Youlden Records Good Result For Round
Custom Search
-
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Daytona - Race Results -
Tony Stewart Removes Kyle Busch to Take Victory at Daytona -
Taylor Earnhardt Drives Dale Sr.'s Car at Goodwood Festival in England -
Jessica Michibata Celebrates Pole Position With New Boyfriend Jenson Button -
Facing His Own Dynastic Decline Ecclestone Extols Hitler -
IndyCar Series: Camping World Grand Prix - Race Line-Up -
F1 Points Leader Button Insists He Is Sport’s Greatest Driver Ever -
Video: Despite Wreck, Kahne Makes Entry In "Sprint Cup Chase" -
German GP: Pre-Race Team And Driver Quotes -
Jessica Michibata Confident She Will Marry Jenson Button After F1 Season
Luke Youlden put together two good drives in the Powerbuilt Falcon at Manfeild Autocourse today to seal 4th place overall in Round 4 of the NZV8s Championship.
Youlden made a good getaway from 8th position at the rolling start this morning, racing side by side around the opening corners with Paul Pedersen and Andy Booth. By the time the pack reached the infield hairpin the Powerbuilt Falcon was 6th, having gained two places in the opening exchanges. The Australian settled into a good pace, catching John McIntyre who was dicing with Holden driver Paul Manuell. McIntyre was past Manuell on lap 6 with Youlden following him through a lap later. The Falcon’s of McIntyre and Youlden ran closely for several laps until the safety car put in a brief appearance around mid distance. Youlden retained 5th place at the restart and took the flag for a pleasing result after a difficult race the previous day.
“We got a bit of our own back a little bit, “ smiled Youlden as he talked about the good start. The previous day he had been “battered and bruised” as he was pushed about during the torrid opening stages, leaving the Powerbuilt Falcon with damaged steering. “I managed to clear out on the guys who gave me a hard time yesterday and latched onto the lead group. However the restart after the safety car period was very slow and I had Paul (Manuell) to deal with again and I lost the train. “
The final race, the reverse grid 20 lapper saw Youlden posted to 25th on the grid. A brilliant first lap saw him in 16th place and from that point on he made steady progress through the packed field. He held 11th place for a period mid - race before making up several places over the last few laps to finish in 7th place.
“It was an awesome first lap, I managed to find a whole chunk - I was in the right place at the right time. I followed Bezzie (David Besnard) - the world just opens up for Bezzie so I followed him. After that I picked off places as best I could. It’s not easy to pass here, you just have to pick a way through. “
Today’s 5th and 7th place added to yesterday’s 7th place combined to give the Melbourne based driver 4th place overall for the weekend behind Kayne Scott, John McIntyre and Angus Fogg.
Saturday had seen Youlden place the Powerbuilt Falcon 4th on the grid with a lap he said could have been better. “I was held up on my best lap, we should have had pole, “ he said at the end of the day. After a great start in Saturday afternoon’s race the cars were required to regroup for a restart. However the Powerbuilt Falcon received some roughhouse treatment as the race got underway again, leaving the car with damaged steering and consequently poor handling. Youlden came home in 7th place.
The NZV8s Championship now returns to the South Island where Timaru International Motor Raceway and Teretonga Park in Invercargill host rounds on consecutive weekends in early March.
V8 Supercars Schedule
| 
| 