TCR World and life

20 NEW ZEALAND THE AUDI DRIVERWON THE FIRST TWO RACES IN THE WINNER-TAKES-ALL EVENT AT CROMWELL’S HIGHLANDS MOTORSPORT PARK Van der Drift securesthetitle Track Tek Racing’s Chris van der Drift (right) was crowned the first-ever champion of TCR New Zealand. In a three-race event at Cromwell’s Highlands Motorsport Park, van der Drift drove his Audi RS 3 LMS to back-to-back victories in the first two races. A fifth place in the third race that was won by rally ace Hayden Paddon, was enough for van der Drift to secure the crown. In Race 1, pole sitter Paddon, pulled into the pits on the warm-up lap, and so Greg Murphy led the race from Paul Radisich; both were on rain tyres and as the track dried their pace faded. Van der Drift took the lead in lap 12, while Gene Rollinson overtook Greg Murphy for second on the final lap. Van der Drift encored in Race 2, resisting to the pressure from Rollinson (top) who finished second just 0.535 seconds adrift; Murphy claimed another third place. Paddon made up for the early disappointment with victory in the last race (above). Rollinson retired from second with a blown engine and van der Drift's leading Audi jammed itself in fifth gear, leaving him to simply circulate and collect points. Benefiting from their troubles, Paddon took the lead ahead of Ransley who stuck on his rear bumper for the remaining of the race but couldn't pass. Jordan Michels completed the podium and moved into P2 of the standings. Round 1 – Saturday 24 April, Highlands Motorsport Park 1. C. van der Drift (Track Tek Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS); 2. G. Rollinson (Racer Products Team, Hyundai i30 N); 3. G. Murphy (Track Tek Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS) Round 2 – Saturday 24 April, Highlands Motorsport Park 1. C. van der Drift (Track Tek Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS); 2. G. Rollinson (Racer Products Team, Hyundai i30 N); 3. G. Murphy (Track Tek Racing, Audi RS 3 LMS) Round 3 – Saturday 24 April, Highlands Motorsport Park 1. H. Paddon (Paddon Rallysport Group, Hyundai i30 N); 2. J. Ransley (Jaden Ransley Racing, Hyundai i30 N); 3. J. Michels (Team Williams Racing, Honda Civic Type R FK7)