Motorsport: Gibson pulling out stops with eye on the podium

Wanganui driver Matt Gibson will give it everything for the final round of the Toyota Finance TR86 championship this weekend. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Wanganui ex-pat driver Matt Gibson has had a tough season in the inaugural Toyota Finance TR86 championship but wants to finish on a high this weekend in Hampton Downs.

Now Auckland-based with his Matt Gibson Motorsport team, Gibson sits in fifth place in the championship on 759 points - well behind Wellington's Jamie McNee who leads on 961 - and is being chased by Aucklanders Callum Quin (836) and Ash Blewett (812).

In the three races which made up Round 1 late last year, Gibson earned a third and second placing, but since then has had 4th through to 6th place finishes in every race of the following four rounds.

Adjusting to driving a brand new car has proved a learning curve for Gibson, as has getting the Lighting Plus TR86 up to speeds worthy of spots on the podium.

The team brought a new technician on board for the weekend and have hopes of a strong showing for the sixth and final round, consisting of four races instead of the usual three.

The series was originally a seven-round championship, with the last an endurance race, but now has been cut down to six rounds.

"I was really looking forward to the endurance race. I enjoy the aspect of driver changes and generally go really well in that kind of format," Gibson said.

"We are fast but we have been struggling on the technical side this season, learning how to read data and change the different adjustments on the car have been challenging at times, but when we get it right we are quick."

With four races this weekend and 75 points on the line for each victory, the final leadership board could change considerably. So Gibson is going in with his eye very much on making the podium.

His new-look team has a good set-up for the North Waikato track and the Wanganui-born driver enjoys racing there.

"To be successful at the Hampton Downs circuit requires a lot of concentration and taking every opportunity that arises.

"The cars are so sensitive to adjustment that putting a brand new set of slicks on can take one second off lap times per lap.

"So getting the optimum set-up is crucial in being successful in one of the TR86 cars - it can be the factor of winning or losing races."

The forecast is for good weather but Gibson is certainly not afraid of driving in the ran, being able to push out consistent lap times with a good set of wet tires.

Matt Gibson Motorsport would like to thank all the sponsors and people that have helped him throughout the season.