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AUS: Sandown round seven wrapup
Profile of the Round - David Thexton Since making the move over from V8 Supercars to Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars in May, David Thexton has spent many hours developing his skills and experience in the left-hand drive 400-horsepower vehicles. It ...
Published: Sep 21, 2004, 7:43 PM
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Profile of the Round - David Thexton
Since making the move over from V8 Supercars to Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars in May, David Thexton has spent many hours developing his skills and experience in the left-hand drive 400-horsepower vehicles.
It has been a steep learning curve over the past five months and five rounds for the Gold Coast-based Thexton, but the hard work and education has started to pay off.
In the previous round of the Australian Carrera Cup (Round 7) at the Betta Electrical 500 in Sandown, Thexton had his highest round finish of 12th, highest race finish of ninth and took out the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge for the round for drivers 35 years of age or older driving a 2003-spec 911 GT3 Cup car.
The 46-year-old supported by thexton.com.au online health and nutrition product store now sits 19th in the championship after missing the first two rounds. He is also currently placed fourth in the Michelin Rookie of the Year, sixth overall in the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge, and equal sixth in the Fuchs Hard Charger award.
Thexton is now preparing for an assault on round eight of the Australian Carrera Cup at the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 in Bathurst from October 7-10, a year after finishing a credible 16th in the V8 Supercars over the 1000km endurance race.
ROUND 7 WRAP
On a cold Friday at the Betta Electrical 500 at Sandown, David Thexton shot his car over the line as 20th fastest in both practice and qualifying. He improved his best lap time marginally between sessions clocking a time of 1:16.0070 in qualifying.
Saturday proved a much better day for the former Kiwi rally driver, as he improved nine positions on the grid to place 11th at the finish in race one showcasing a formidable wet weather set up. The conditions were diabolical, and Thexton kept his Porsche clean and on track to register an impressive hard charging result.
While others succumbed to the conditions around him, Thexton was one of the consistent drivers over the weekend and entered race two full of confidence. As the track dried out, the Porsches were sent out on the Michelin control 'slick' tyres and Thexton made up another position to be in 10th when the heavens opened on lap seven. The race was red flagged on this lap with Thexton in 10th, and no points awarded due to 75 percent of the race not being completed.
With some better driving conditions on Sunday for race three, Thexton continued where he left off and placed a category-best ninth, making up another position on the grid.
His three-race consistency culminated with victory in the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge for round seven, pipping Peter Hill on a countback with Dean Grant in third.
Q & A WITH DAVID THEXTON
Q: How did you get involved in motor racing?
DT: It was a long time ago. A science teacher of mine at high school worked with Reg Crook who raced minis in New Zealand. I used to go down to the workshop after school to help out.
Q: What was your first race?
DT: Riverhead Rally, north of Auckland in 1976. I came 20th out of 55 entries.
Q: And first race car?
DT: Marque 1 Escort 1300
Q: Who is your racing hero?
DT: Reg Crook and some of the international rallying greats of the 1970s and 80s.
Q: What is your favourite circuit or race?
DT: Bathurst, especially after recording my best V8 Supercar result there.
Q: What is your most memorable racing moment?
DT: Finishing 16th at the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 last year.
Q: Describe your first ever job?
DT: Working in a printing factory in Auckland at 14 after being expelled from school. I used to stack NZ Woman's Weekly magazines onto pallets.
Q: What are your superstitions or routines before a race?
DT: Not superstitious. I don't believe in luck or fate. I believe we control our own destiny and lives.
Q: Who is your biggest racing rivalry with?
DT: In the V8 Supercars it was more often with the clock and regulations.
Q: What is something few people know about you?
DT: Five years ago I started training for the Coast to Coast event in New Zealand which is a 225km multi-sport race comprising running, biking and kayaking. It is held over some very tough terrain on New Zealand's south island from the west coast to the east coast, and takes about 12 hours to complete. I trained from a year out and finished the race held in 2001.
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