CONSISTENCY IS KEY

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February 12, 2019

Alexandra Whitley

photo credit: Geoff Ridder

Round 3 of the NZV8 Utes was held in Manfeild in the Manawatu over the weekend of the 9th of February. Running as a support class for the New Zealand Grand Prix Castrol Toyota Racing series.

The weather was stunning and hot. The fields were big and tough and we came away with a podium and 5th overall, consistency is the key to winning any championship.

The Manfeild event is one of only two places outside of Formula 1 allowed to use the words “Grand Prix.” And everyone wants to win this round because of its iconic history and status. It was an exhausting turn over to get the ute ready after Highlands as I was away in Austria for the W Series Driver Selection Program and lost over a week of prep (However I successfully progressed through and head to Spain in 6 weeks to test a Formula 3 car!) Peter my Fiancé worked endlessly day and night and without his effort we would not have made it to this round.

Friday practice was hot! and it was only getting hotter. We progressed from 10th fastest and by fitting better rubber, 7th by the end of the day. There was still time to be found in myself and the ute, we made a few changes over night, bolted on our green tyres and rolled out for qualifying the next day. 3 laps in and I was in sitting 4th, knowing there was only 1 left lap in my tyres I was on for a ripper lap! every sector was green until I pushed a little too hard into the final turn, lost 3-4 tenths and unfortunately was pushed back and qualified 6th overall. The times were extremely close as each round the competition really steps up a level.

Race 1 was later than afternoon, I had been working on my starts each session. I knew in the heat and rubber build up from the TRS cars, we would bog down with the weight of the 1.8tonne ute!

I fed the throttle a tad more revs than usual and blasted off the line! Round the outside of the row in front by turn 1 I was already 3rd, but on the outside of the corner… The boys hustled, pushed and forced me backwards as quick as I got there. The ute was racy and I drove my way back to 6th place setting the 4th fastest lap time overall for the race.

Sunday was our hottest day with 2 races to go. Race 2 was reverse top 10 and the carnage began! Starting 6th again I got another great start. I was in the second row heading through turn 1, but on the inside this time. BOOM! I was hit from behind, launched into the ute in front and sandwiched in-between them both! whilst the outside utes leaned on me through the next 2 turns. It was a hard race, I could feel that something was bent from the damage at the start but determined to move forward I pushed on and finished the race in 3rd place.

Finally race 3, where I stated 5th this time. There was nothing in the points from 3rd to 5th. I got another clean start moved forward and back to finish where I started in 5th place.

Everyone worked really hard and I pulled the best result within our team for the weekend. We did not win the round; however, we still came away winners, achieving another podium for the season and 5th place overall. I made improvements on my starts and qualifying and everyone in the team gave 100%. We are looking forward to the final round at Hampton Downs in a month’s time and moving another spot up the championship ladder. I am also very excited to be testing a TRS car ahead of the Formula 3 test in Spain as part of the final selection process for the W Series. I will be absolutely working my but off to ensure it all goes smoothly and I perform at an elite level.

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