Invercargill driver Liam MacDonald had the perfect weekend at Round three of the 2016/2017 BNT NZ Touring Car Championship at Mike Pero Motorsport Park at Ruapuna in Christchurch this weekend.
MacDonald was the fastest in every session at the 3.33 kilometre circuit, topping the times in practice and qualifying before winning all three races. That assured the young driver the round win, his third from three in the championship and also extended his points lead.
“We were quickest in every session and everything was sweet, there were no problems,” said the Southlander as he waited to jump onto the top step of the podium after Sunday’s third and final race. “It has given us a good gap in the championship,” he said.
After qualifying the GT Radial NZ Falcon fastest on Saturday morning, MacDonald won the opening race of the round on Saturday afternoon using older tyres from the previous round, enabling him to save fresh rubber for later in the weekend.
From a reverse top five grid on Sunday he came through to win again before putting the icing on the cake with a final race win that afternoon over 18 laps to complete the clean sweep.
The next round of the championship is next weekend at MacDonald’s home circuit, Teretonga Park in Invercargill. “I’m looking forward to it,” said MacDonald on Sunday evening. “I’m looking for another good performance and good results!”
MacDonald is tackling the 2016/2017 BNT NZ Touring Car Championship with the support of GT Radial NZ, Million Dollar Cruise Queenstown, Classic Car Warehouse Invercargill, Advanti Racing and YHI NZ, Ideal Electrical, BNT NZ, Auto Windscreen Replacement Ltd, Southern Bolts & Fasteners, Auto Fab, NAC Insurance, Speedy Signs Invercargill, Derek Orr Auto Refinisher, Southern Probuilt Engines, DAL Photographics, Discount Tyres Invercargill and Sport Scholarships with the Community Trust of Southland and the ILT Foundation.