Cook takes out the V8 series

SERIES WINNER: Gisborne Speedway racer Ethan Cook (1NZ) added the V8 saloon car series title to his trophy collection at the weekend when he wrapped the series up at the Stratford track. A fourth overall placing on Saturday night was enough to take out the overall series championship. File picture

Ethan Cook finished the five rounds of the inaugural North Island V8 saloon car series with two series wins, a fourth and a fifth — and that was enough for him to win the overall series, by just four points.

The entertaining, courageous young driver wrapped up the title with a fourth placing overall in the final round of the speedway series in Stratford on Saturday night.

He won the series by four points ahead of Hawke's Bay driver Josh Smith (27B).

Cook (1NZ) won the rounds in Gisborne and Auckland, and was fifth in the round held at Meeanee in Hawke's Bay.

“It's awesome to have won the inaugural series, which I found definitely challenging but great fun,” the 25-year-old said.

The series attracted around 20 cars from throughout the North Island.

“It was a very competitive series, with most of the top drivers in the country taking part.”

His Vulcan chassis V8 Corvette performed well through the series.

“The car was awesome. We didn't have any problems with it through the four rounds that were completed.

“The fifth round scheduled for Kihikihi back in early December was rained out.”

Cook won the Gisborne round the following weekend comprehensively.

“The series organisers have indicated it will be held again next summer, which I am pleased about.

“It's always good to do a series.”

His focus now is on the North Island saloon car championships to be raced in Wellington this weekend, where his brother Daniel (77G) is the current titleholder.

“We are both pretty confident going into the weekend but there will definitely be some competitive cars down there.”

The brothers will compete in the New Zealand championships the following weekend in Huntly, where Ethan will defend his national title.

“The series has helped me prepare for those big meetings,” he said.

“We've got the car set up perfectly I feel, and I'm really looking forward to it.”