Townshend resists the pressure for first win

Harry Townshend resisted immense pressure from rivals to win the second race of Round 2 of the Toyota 86 Trophy Series at Taupo this afternoon.

With fastest laps from the first race defining grid positions, it was Ajay Giddy starting on pole position for the second time today as he lined up alongside Winter class rival Townshend on the front row.

Trophy Series points leader Lee Zeltwanger would line up alongside Matt Day on the second row with Corban Sprague and Antal Sabo completing row three.

As the lights went out it was Townshend who made a flawless getaway, leapfrogging into the lead by the first turn and leaving Giddy to fight off the attentions of a raging pack behind that included Zeltwanger, Sabo, Sprague and Day.

Giddy was able to close up on Townshend on the straights, but the daring late braking of Townshend was enough to keep Harry ahead lap after lap.

His task seemed a little easier when Giddy fell back into the clutches of Zeltwanger late in the race, but Townshend had his eyes fixed on the prize and duly came home to his first ever win in a Toyota 86.

“It was an awesome race,” said Harry on the podium. “I knew I had to get away well and not make any mistakes at all and still hope I had enough speed to win but it all came good.

Behind Townshend, the battle was resolved right at the end in favour of Zeltwanger, while Giddy backed up his morning win with another podium. Sprague and Day battled throughout but would finish fourth and fifth while series newcomer Sabo rounded off an excellent first weekend in the category with sixth place.

The field was completed by Nathan Grammer, Toby Elmiger and Noel Simpson.

Zeltwanger has extended his lead in the Trophy Series points table, while Townshend now assumes the top spot in the chase for the Winter Series class.

Toyota 86 Trophy Series – Round 2 Taupo Race 2