BOG TRACK: When the heavy rain arrived in Wellington last weekend, the scales tipped in favour of Wanganui's Hamish Auret, the series leader in the New Zealand 4x4 National Championship with one round to go.PHOTO/TARA KOORNNEEF HAMISH-AURET2
BOG TRACK: When the heavy rain arrived in Wellington last weekend, the scales tipped in favour of Wanganui's Hamish Auret, the series leader in the New Zealand 4x4 National Championship with one round to go.PHOTO/TARA KOORNNEEF HAMISH-AURET2
The New Zealand 4x4 National Championship title is on its way to Wanganui after Hamish Auret stretched his lead to seven points with one round remaining in Thames at Easter.
Auret and co-pilot Paul Barnes from the Egmont club have now won four of the five rounds to date aftercoming first on a bog track in Wellington.
Heading into the Wellington leg, Auret was hoping for at least an average run on what is usually an unsuitable track for his Pirtek Hydraulics-sponsored 650hp, 7-litre Chev truck. It's a tight, technical track and they finished fifth last season.
However, when the rains came the track turned to bog and suited what is arguably the most powerful machine on the circuit this year.
"We were hoping for at least an average run in Wellington to retain our series lead, but when the rain came it really suited us," Auret said yesterday.
"It was a close finish and we only won narrowly at the weekend, but it was enough to push us out to a seven point lead. Normally when you win four of the six rounds during the championship you're up for the title. It is exceptionally close this year, though. Scott Biggs from Auckland has been biting at our heels all season." Looking at the points table Auret already owns the title and even a DNF (did not finish) at Thames and a win by Biggs will make them level pegging. In that case it looks like Auret's title on countback. "I'm not sure, it looks that way, but we're not banking on that. We want to win at Thames and make sure we realise our dream of winning the national title. Thames is traditionally a firm surface, but with very testing hazards and that suits us. There are 30 hazards a day and we love that sort of challenge. Let's just say our dream is looking a lot closer," Auret said.
The only hiccup this season was a seventh in Hunterville in January.
The best Auret has done in the national champs is a couple of thirds during his 10 years.
