Pukekohe race two report

Round 12 Boost V8 International, Pukekohe NZ
9-11 November, 2001
Race 2

THE MURPHY SHOW CONTINUES IN NZ

Sunday, 2pm: Local boy, Greg Murphy continued his golden run in the first Shell Series round held in New Zealand, with another commanding victory in the second of three 100km races at Pukekohe Raceway.

Murphy led from start to finish in his Kmart Commodore to add another victory on top of his efforts yesterday which saw him snare pole position and win a rain affected first race. The partisan crowd is delighted that one of their own is beating the Aussies at their home grown Ford versus Holden battle.

HRT's newly crowned champion, Mark Skaife made it a Holden quinella with third placed Marcos Ambrose the first Ford driver home in the Pirtek entry.

Jason Bright didn't let the officials decision to strip him of 50 championship points for his part in a race one crash upset him, climbing from 20th on the grid to fourth by race end. Tony Longhurst continued his strong form, bringing his privateer Commodore home in fifth.

Steven Johnson, Garth Tander, Craig Lowndes, Paul Radisich and Steve Ellery rounded out the top ten. Russell Ingall's podium hopes vanished when a broken gearbox left him to limp home in 27th.

The third and final race for the round will commence at 4.50pm local time.

<pre> Race 2 Top Ten

Pos.   Driver           Team                            Car
1.     GREG MURPHY      Kmart Racing                    Holden VX
2.     MARK SKAIFE      Holden Racing Team              Holden VX
3.     MARCOS AMBROSE   Pirtek Racing                   Ford AU11
4.     JASON BRIGHT     Holden Racing Team              Holden VX
5.     TONY LONGHURST   Rod Nash Racing                 Holden VX
6.     STEVEN JOHNSON   Shell Helix Racing              Ford AU
7.     GARTH TANDER     Valvoline Cummins Race Team     Holden VX
8.     CRAIG LOWNDES    Gibson Motorsport               Ford AU
9.     PAUL RADISICH    Shell Helix Racing              Ford AU
10.    STEVE ELLERY     Supercheap Auto Racing Racing   Ford AU

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-SCS-