Caine Lobb reckons success in the ENZED V8 Ute Series only came after finally interpreting some conflicting signals within the team.
"Mark kind of brainwashed me into driving it carefully," he said.
"He'd go on behind the scenes about not crashing it but when there was a crowd around he'd be telling
me to drive it like you stole it," he laughed.
The team got what they needed this year with a good run of victories in the South Island part of the series, which saw Lobb crowned the New Zealand Champion - his first championship title.
"In the three rounds in the South Island we didn't replace a single panel in the car, it was an awesome run, we kept out nose clean and finished every race, and every one of them - bar one - was on the podium," a very satisfied Lobb said.
Whangarei Holden dealer Mark Cromie, Lobb's sponsor, said consistency was the key to winning a points series and that philosophy paid off.
"What we needed last year was a bit more maturity from the driver ... he needed to take less risks," Cromie said.
Cromie also laughed while recalling some of the errors both driver and team had made while they perfected their work in their first season of competition.
"As a team we were all learning things ... there are about five or six people involved in the whole thing and when they all start working together then it really shows."
Lobb said the global economic recession has hit motorsport hard and with sponsors keeping their money, it looks likely that another year in V8 Utes is on the cards.
"We want to move on to the New Zealand V8 series which gives you a good bang for your buck but eventually the aim is to move over to Australia - even utes in Australia is a good option because the level of driving is much higher."
The 20-year-old would like to get a taste of Australian competition next year - even if it's a race or two.
Lobb is dedicated to improving his driving talent.
"I want to keep developing ... keeping busy is the main thing, it's the way you improve."
