White into the groove as Bridgestone GR86 Championship returns to the track

Christchurch driver Chris White was quickly into the groove as the Bridgestone GR86 Championship runners cut their first hot laps since round one back in early November.

White topped the first session for Neale Motorsport with a 1 minute 49.571 lap in relatively cool conditions, finishing just over a tenth ahead of series leader Arthur Broughan. And he backed that up with a fine third session to top the times in that, ahead of champion Hugo Allan.

The second session saw Josh Bethune comfortably ahead with a half second plus margin over Mac Templeton and White with Allan.

It was a solid performance by White and his Neale Motorsport team. Neale team mate Templeton also enjoyed a solid day, making a step forward from the first round -  held on the same track - and finished the day as one of the top five pacesetters across the three sessions.

Allan had a good day improving throughout, eventually finishing the day second fastest and just a whisker behind White.

The wily Bethune showed intent with a solid third place in the first session before he got up to full speed in the second – and there was enough speed there to indicate he’s going to be a major factor at the second round this weekend.

Toyota 86 Trophy Series winner Lee Zeltwanger continued to improve with a good day on the track, along with Broughan, Ajay Giddy, Justin Allen, Cooper Barnes and Zach Blincoe.

Thomas Mallard caught the eye in the second session with eighth fastest time on his return to the championship for the first time since Supercars last April. He is under the wing of Bethune’s Right Karts By M2 Competition team this weekend.

The competition resumes on Saturday morning with qualifying ion the morning at 11.15am and the first race in the afternoon just after 2.15pm.