Paul 'The Rat' Radisich has taken an early lead in the 2008-09 BNT V8s championship after winning the three-race weekend at Taupo.
In the HPM/LG Electronics Ford, Radisich secured the win after finishing the late Sunday afternoon reverse-grid race in eighth position having started from 27th.
A gruelling 20-lap race that threatened rain, Radisich became embroiled in a continual tit-for-tat tussle for position with front-running drivers Andy Booth and John McIntyre.
The mid-pack finish was enough to maintain the early championship lead Radisich claimed after the morning race win, on the heels of the second place in Saturday's season opening race.
Acknowledging the quality of the V8s racing field, Radisich said Sunday's full reverse-grid race was tougher.
"The field is very strong - so there weren't as many dropping back as there used to be - so the racing was much tougher."
"It's a nice start to the series - anytime you can come away with a lead against a field like this then you're doing well. Really, the day came to me - so I'd have to say I've been a bit lucky too," added the 45-year old Melbourne based Kiwi.
Acknowledging the weekend result, HPM Racing team manager Greg Bellingham said it was also the culmination of a lot of hard work:
"Totally a team effort - from everyone. The whole team worked really hard in the off-season and their dedication along with the commitment from Paul and Paul Grimm our data engineer, is a part of our early championship lead. HPM and our other key sponsors have really lifted us through their commitment to support us - so getting results is the easiest way to pay them back."
With four weeks to the second of seven rounds in the series, the series leading team will do further testing in preparation for the 2009 leg of the season before the Pukekohe round in early November (7-9).
Radisich now leaves Taupo, en-route for the Bathurst 1000 where he will drive for the HSV Dealer Team at the annual V8 Supercar event next weekend.
The HPM Racing team are supported by HPM Legrand, LG Electronics, Ricoh New Zealand, Leaseplan, Olex Cables, South Auckland Motors, Emirates, The RockFM, Parker Store, Energizer Batteries and Alpine Stars.
