It was always going to be tough for a host track driver to crack the podium in the inaugural Hawke's Bay Production Saloon Championship at Meeanee on Saturday night.
But Brendon Zachan did and immediately after the meeting which saw him finish third in the 14-strong class he was quick to reveal his extra incentive.
"I did it for mum," Zachan said pointing to his mother Gail.
"Mum hasn't been out to watch me race for at least four years. She needs a knee replacement and the seats are too hard for her. When mum used to come out she ended up sitting on her own most of the time because dad and I were always busy working on our cars ... I saw her just before I went out for the second heat which I won from grid eight."
"After the first heat which I got relegated to the back of the field in after an incident which I didn't think was my fault I didn't think I was in for a good night. I was pretty happy to be the only Hawke's Bay driver on the podium. I'm at the the top of the game locally with my $1600 2 litre Toyota-powered car but you can't expect to be winning when you are up against out of town cars which blokes have spent a couple of thousand dollars on," Zachan explained.