NZ Utes: Beirne Timaru summary

JNR BURNER MAINTAINS PODIUM SEQUENCE

Simon 'Jnr Burner' Beirne of Christchurch racked up another podium at Round 4 of the ENZED V8 Ute Challenge at Timaru International Motor Raceway this weekend.

It was another successful outing for Simon as he finished third overall in his Team McDonald's Falcon and maintained second place overall in the championship race. He has been on the podium at every round of the series so far.

Simon was third fastest in qualifying in the Team McDonald's Falcon just .299 of a second behind championship leader Caine Lobb. In the opening race Simon provided a photo finish as he

stole third place off his father Graham 'Snr Burner' Beirne right on the line. Graham approached the finish line in third place right on the tail of Wellington's Dave Stewart while Simon dropped his right hand wheels onto the grass and made a lunge to take the place from his father on the line. So committed was Simon that he had to take evasive action at the right hander after the finish line earning himself a new Citizen Watch as the incident won him the Citizen Watches Time Out Award for the round.

On Sunday morning Simon was frustrated as he could not get through the field in the second race of the round. "It was hard. Nothing opened up. Doors closed when it looked like they were opening. It was very frustrating. I just could not get through." The finale was a totally different race. From fourth on the grid Simon enjoyed a great race with two past champions of the class - Chris Pither and Caine Lobb - describing it later as one of the best races he has had in the ENZED V8 Ute Challenge. Junior again finished third after a great battle and declared himself really very happy.

"I was third overall and I am very happy. Once again we were consistent although Caine (championship leader Caine Lobb) took a few points off me. I am still second in the championship. The next stop is Manfeild a circuit I like so fingers crossed."

Meanwhile Graham 'Snr Burner' leased the ute used by Australian Rob Jarvis earlier in the series after his usual ute could not be repaired in time after sustaining damage at Teretonga the previous weekend. "All credit to Dad for getting out there for the sake of his sponsor John Jones Steel," said Simon during the weekend. The leased ute had the John Jones Steel name emblazoned on its flanks.

Things went best early in the weekend for Graham and tailed off as the round proceeded. However as Simon pointed out, "it was a real challenge for Dad to hop in a car he didn't know."

Graham's best race was the opener when he finished fourth in the race where Simon grabbed the final podium placing off him on the line. "Dad didn't see me coming said Simon later. I'm lucky I didn't end up in the commentary box."

Snr Burner found the second race just as frustrating as his son did. Graham started last and finished last, finding just as Simon did there was just no way through.

Race three was a similar story for Snr Burner, a ninth place finish his lot.

The next stop for the ENZED V8 Ute Challenge is Manfeild Park in Feilding over the weekend of 11-13 February.

In addition to the support of major partners McDonald's and John Jones Steel in conjunction with Simon Beirne Limited, "Integrity in Vehicle Brokering," the team also has support from Bruce Raxworthy Panel & Paint, Chevron Quality Cars - Driving Excellence, Business IT Software Management Systems, Mag & Turbo Warehouse, NZVD Transport, Lets Get Graphic, DJ Hewitt Builders Ltd and Vehicle Safety Systems {VSS} And Compliance.

-source: beirne/beer