by Lindsay Beer

Defending BNT V8s Champion Kayne Scott of Hamilton showed good pace as Round 4 of the 2009/2010 championship was played out at Timaru.

In a weekend of constantly changing weather conditions, testing and qualifying on Saturday demonstrated how competitive Scott and the Fujitsu Heat Pumps Falcon were at the 2.4 kilometre Timaru International Motor Raceway. Scott was the fastest in the first segment of qualifying while saving his tyres but unfortunately a broken axle during his top ten shoot out lap did not allow him to go for a time and would see him start the first race of the round on Sunday morning from 10th place on the grid.

Reigning BNT V8s Champion Kayne Scott of Hamilton in his Fujitsu Heat Pumps Falcon leads Eddie Bell in wet conditions during Round 4 of the BNT V8s Championship at Timaru International Motor Raceway. Photo: sportpromedia.com

That first race was an eventful one as rain caused havoc for everyone in the early stages, necessitating a stop for all teams to change onto wet tyres. Prior to the stoppage Scott had shown great skill by taking evasive action to avoid the damaged car of John McIntyre that had spun into the wall and come to rest in the middle of the track in the diabolical conditions. The race was stopped while the damage was cleared and those not already on wet tyres made the change. The Fujitsu Heat Pumps Falcon was well down the order at the restart as confusion reigned, Kayne bringing the car home in 15th place.

The track was dry for the second race of the round early on Sunday afternoon and from his grid position based on the finishing order in the first race Kayne was on a charge up the order immediately. He made up several positions only to be driven off the track, much of his good work undone in the process. While the offending driver received a penalty Scott set to work carving his way back up the field. By races end he had brought the Fujitsu Heat Pumps Falcon back to 10th place.

It was back to wet conditions for the third and final race, the traditional reverse grid event over 22 laps. Handily placed in ninth spot on the grid and possessing good speed Scott was in good shape to finish with a flourish. However the right rear suspension mounts sheared off the diff, giving Scott an uncomfortable time in the car. "I almost pitted. It broke while the safety car was on the track early in the race and I had to build confidence as the rear of the car wobbled about." Few in the crowd would have been aware of Kayne's predicament as he climbed through the pack to receive the chequered flag in 6th place.

Kayne was extremely positive about several facets of the weekend at the end of a testing day on Sunday. "Our intensified effort shows great promise even though luck was not on our side. The team never strayed from their focus. We had fantastic speed on Saturday and the broken axle was a bitter disappointment. It was a fantastic car and then the weather opened up on Sunday. While wet weather has not always been our strongest suit I feel through the wet weather racing we have made gains this weekend. We have got direction and it is much improved. We had a great car in race two only to be driven off the track and a great car again in race three - the best wet weather car we have had."

There are now two rounds remaining and the championship is delicately poised with the points battle extremely tight.

The next round of the championship takes place at Manfeild Park in Feilding over the weekend of 13/14 February.

Kayne Scott's campaign in the 2009/2010 BNT V8s Championship is supported by Fujitsu Heat Pumps, Altherm Window Systems, Smeg, Castrol, Trade Tools, CRC and PPG.