Asian Motor Sports

When Andy Knight’s luck finally changed for the better at Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway in Christchurch (NZ) this weekend a lap record was the result.

Racing the Powerbuilt Tatuus in the Toyota Racing Championship he had endured a miserable weekend at the opening round of the championship a few weeks ago when engine problems stifled his challenge.

The Knight Motorsport team were looking forward to their home event but things went little better in the first race of the weekend. Andy quickly moved through from 6th on the grid to mount a challenge for 3rd place late in the race. As he prepared to pass Danish international, Steffen Moller, Knight was clipped from behind by another competitor. The contact did enough damage to put the car out of the race, continuing Knight’s run of bad luck in the series.

However a change of fortune, albeit temporary, was just around the corner. Andy managed to retain his 4th place on the grid for Sunday mornings race and he was quickly on the move. He slotted past fellow Christchurch driver Matthew Hamilton and set out in pursuit of Moller and Auckland driver Daniel Gaunt. Knight closed the gap to the duo but time ran out in the 8 lap race and he took the chequered flag in a fine 3rd place. Better news was to follow as he learned that on his charge to bridge the gap to the two leaders he had set a new lap record, a time of 1 minute 20.217 seconds.

That set the scene for a start from pole postition for the final race of the weekend but in the context of this championship to date, the inevitable happened. Andy made a good start but as the field streamed into the first corner, the Powerbuilt Tatuus was clobbered from behind.The contact forced Andy off the circuit but he scrambled back on and set about another charging drive reminiscent of his effort at Pukekohe. Despite the severity of the impact Knight was able to continue, reporting that the car “wasn’t great” as he drove back through the field through to an excellent 6th place.

At the conclusion of another trying weekend Knight asked, “what can we do”? Four of the six races in the series so far have been ruined by problems way beyond his control.

The Toyota Racing Series Championship takes a break before resuming at Teretonga Park near Invercargill in mid January and Andy Knight will be hoping the new year will mark a change in his racing fortunes. (Source: MotorSport New Zealand)