Carnage in the wet for Radisich

HPM Racing team driver Paul Radisich had a horror start to the weekend’s first V8s race at Manfeild today.
Caught in a sandwich of NZ V8s cars jostling for position, the #777 HPM Racing Ford became wedged in a lap opening incident at the Manawatu based raceway.

Starting from the fourth row of the grid at the season’s fourth round of NZ V8s championship action, the horror start has seriously affected his title winning aspirations.

The unlucky victim of a four-car melee, Radisich described a racing incident that saw him head-on to another Ford before he was shunted by the passing pack.

“There was a kerfuffle at the first corner – no matter which way you tried to avoid something I was going to get hit,” as Radisich started to describe the moments that led to the race crushing incident.

“I came round (to the turn) on Cam McLean’s bumper and I just couldn’t slow the car down. As the cars moved over to take the line I was there, and hit Cam which broke the right front wheel.”

Further jostling ahead exacerbated the issue, with Radisich coming to a stop head-on with the Luke Youlden Powerbuilt Falcon.

“It was pretty much over from that point – they (officials) deemed to penalise me for turning McLean around.”

Limping back to replace the damaged wheel, Radisich returned two laps down on the leaders. Clear of race traffic, Radisich’s plan was to set a strong lap time – which dictates the start order for tomorrow’s second V8s race.

“That was the plan – the race was effectively over so I was to try get a better position on the grid but I don’t think we got that good lap before the rain came. But at least the reverse grid race is looking pretty smart,” he quipped, with Radisich classified in 28th place.

With the HPM Racing team now effecting repairs, panel supporting components will be replaced during the evening to front the #777 Ford in showroom trim again for the Sunday.

While the weather was ever changing during the day, today’s prevalent rain is expected to give-way to firmer conditions for Sunday morning’s 18-lap race. The final feature to the fourth round (of six) is the 22-lap full reverse grid on Sunday afternoon.

The HPM Racing team are further supported by HPM Legrand, Tribro, Ricoh, Paslode, TimberWorld, LeasePlan NZ, Olex New Zealand, South Auckland Ford, Pennzoil, Tracer Interiors and Construction.