Bamber snatches NZ grand prix title

Published: 4:59PM Sunday February 14, 2010

Source: NZPA

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Bamber snatches NZ grand prix title (Source: Photosport)

Earl Bamber - Source: Photosport

Wanganui driver Earl Bamber snatched victory with a late move that thwarted fellow teenager Mitch Evans' bid to be the youngest winner of the New Zealand Grand Prix (NZGP) at Manawatu's Manfeild circuit.

But Evans, 15, from Auckland still had reason to smile because he heads away from the penultimate round of the Toyota Racing Series having won the international component of the competition and leading the the national series.

The rookie had looked good to win the NZGP, the biggest prize in national domestic motorsport, having dominated the 12-car field from the start of the 35-lap feature.

But a safety car intervention with five laps to go proved a game-changer.

Soon after the restart, Bamber nipped ahead of Evans and maintained the lead until the flag.

Bamber, 21, a former A1GP racer, hadn't imagined the win would be his.

"I was hunting him (Evans) down but the race was close to ending - I didn't think we'd get it," Bamber said.

"Mitch (Evans) was really quick in the beginning and our car was set to get faster later in the race so I knew if I could stay close enough we should be able to take the lead. "Once the safety car came out I knew we had the better pace so from the restart we had a good attack, a bit of contact, but we got a clean pass to get the job done.

"It's a credit to the team - throughout the season they've done a great job and now we've got the best result by winning the grand prix."

An event first run in 1950, previous winners include the likes of Stirling Moss, Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Kenny Smith, Chris Amon, and Craig Baird.

"It's what you dream about winning," added Bamber.

"It is such a big prize internationally, so to be a Kiwi name alongside so many internationals is very special."

The drivers victorious in the earlier heats were off the podium in the feature.

Aucklander Andrew Waite, who won this morning's 12-lap race in which a top six reverse grid format was employed, ran mid-field in the grand prix.

Tauranga's Richie Stanaway, who secured the 20-lap Dan Higgins Trophy in decisive fashion yesterday, was a lonely fourth in the big race behind Estonian Sten Pentus.

The meeting was the final stanza of the series' international component, run over four events, and coming second in the grand prix was enough for Evans to claim that title from Pentus.

Evans leads the national series, with Bamber his closest rival, 34 points behind.

The final final round is at at Taupo from March 20-21.

Toyota Racing Series results

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