Series leader in the groove at Hampton Downs

Hugo Allan picked up where he left off after the long summer break as the Bridgestone GR86 Championship turned its first laps on Hampton Downs longer international layout today.

Four sessions during the day in hot conditions allowed the 26 drivers to get into the groove on Hampton Downs' little used 3.8km international layout as the second round of the new championship got underway.

Allan edged Master class racer Simon Hunter for the top spot in both the first and second sessions and was second fastest to another master – John Penny – in the third general test session.

Allan, Hunter and Penny were strong throughout the day, but newcomer to the series Lachlan Evennett caught the eye on his first visit to the track, clocking fourth fastest time in the first session, then repeating that placing in the second session and then going fourth again in the third session.

A podium finisher in Australian Formula Ford last season, and now running in the Australian GR86 Championship, the youngster could be one to watch at the second round this weekend.

Allan sat out the fourth and final session of the day, and Hayden Lines went quickest ahead of Josh Bethune. Evennett impressively went top four again.

Others to show a bit of speed during the unofficial test were Mason Potter, Arthur Broughan, Cameron Hill and Taupo race winners Hayden Bakkerus and Emerson Vincent.

With around one second covering the top 15 in each of the four sessions, it’s likely to get even closer when official practice begins Friday ahead of Saturday and Sunday’s qualifying and racing action.