Ethan Cook top-qualifies at the opening night of the New Zealand Grand Prix meeting in Wellington

THE SPOILS: Ethan Cook with the trophies he received for winning the New Zealand saloon car championship at Meeanee Speedway. Picture by Sam Hogan

SPEEDWAY

GISBORNE saloon car racer Ethan Cook (1NZ) took giant strides towards another major title last night when he top-qualified at the opening night of the New Zealand Grand Prix meeting in Wellington.

The 24-year-old won the New Zealand Saloon Car Championship in Hawke’s Bay on Wednesday night.

He now has his sights set firmly on a successful defence tonight of the New Zealand Grand Prix title he won last season.

He won both qualifying heats last night in the 21-car field.

“I started from grid position 7 in the first heat, and then from grid position 5 in the second, and won both races by good margins,” Cook said.

“It was a really good night, and the Wellington Speedway track at Te Marua was awesome to race on.”

Cook said he was definitely aiming to finish on the podium again tonight.

“To go back to back with the Grand Prix title would be awesome, and to win the double, both the GP and the national championship, would be even better.

“Being New Zealand champion — 1NZ — is still sinking in.”

He said his new car continued to perform perfectly last night.

“The car’s just awesome.

“I’m really looking forward to tonight’s finals.”