NZ V8: Powerbuilt Racing Team Christchurch preview

HOMETOWN RACE FOR POWERBUILT RACING TEAM

The Christchurch based Powerbuilt Racing Team are keen to make a big impression when the 2006/2007 NZV8s Championship visits their home circuit, Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway this weekend.

While the driver of the Powerbuilt Falcon, Luke Youlden, is based in Melbourne the car is based in Christchurch where it is prepared by the AutoTek Group. The city is also the home of the sponsor's headquarters who not only support the Powerbuilt Falcon but also the 3.3 kilometre circuit at Ruapuna on the outskirts of the South Island's largest city.

Youlden is looking forward to the last NZV8s Championship outing prior to Christmas. It was at this circuit last year where he set the fastest lap in qualifying and won the first race only to be disqualified. "It is our hometown circuit and it's where I have done the most miles", he said from Australia today. "Last year we were on pole here and won the first race only to have it stripped from us. I am fairly comfortable on the track and considering how well the car is going I'm looking forward to avenging what happened here last year. I'd like to get a win and hold on to it. This is our sponsor's track and we get big support here".

Youlden will arrive at this, the second round of the championship, fourth in the point standings just one point behind Auckland based Angus Fogg in third position. Youlden scored two third place finishes at the opening round at Pukekohe earlier this month and would have been even better placed in the championship but for a pit stop to repair some loose bodywork in the reverse grid race.

Testing begins at the track this Friday with a 25 minute session in the morning followed by a 1 hour session in the afternoon. A 20 minute qualifying session on Saturday morning will establish grid positions for the weekend's first race on Saturday afternoon over 12 laps. The NZV8s will be back on track for a 16 lap contest on Sunday morning before the finale, a 20 lap reverse grid event on Sunday afternoon.

-credit: www.powerbuilttools.co.nz