Taupo driver eyes up podium
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| Photo [Supplied] |
Taupo driver Rob Gibson has set his sights on a top three position in the UDC V8 Ute Series that begins at Hampton Downs in north Waikato this weekend.
Gibson arrives in the series with just one previous V8 Ute drive under his belt, at the Hamilton 400 last year. "I was really keen to compete at the last ever Hamilton 400 and leased a Falcon ute," explains the man they call 'Big Rig'. He excelled, finishing 5th overall for the weekend, despite some harsh racing that saw plenty of carnage around the daunting circuit over the course of the event. Prior to his V8 Utes debut Gibson had spent seven years competing in motocross before racing at a few club meetings. Two years in the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup alongside his brother Mark followed before the step into the ute.
Twenty-two-year old Rob is a builder by trade and is working long hours on the Christchurch rebuild at present. However during a break this week he was enthusiastic about the challenge ahead. "I'm very much looking forward to what should be a good season. I really enjoyed the category when I raced at Hamilton last year."
The Lakeside Auto Restorations Ltd Falcon will also have the support of advertising partners Design Builders plus C and B Holmes Agricultural Contractors for the opening round alongside Zest Insurance, Hard as Rocks, Supercrete and Finn MacCuhal's Irish Pub.
While the Team Gibson Motorsport brothers have competed together in the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup over the past two years this season they take slightly different paths. While Rob will tackle the UDC V8 Ute Series Mark contests the V8 Challenge Cup which takes place at all but one of the same rounds. In preparation the team held their 2013 season launch recently and a raffle was held which offered advertising space on the bonnet of the ute. The lucky winner was a Taupo restaurant, The Mole and Chicken. The team also had several items that had been donated for auction and a great night was had by all as the local community rallied as the brothers embark on their respective campaigns.
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