Originally published by Te Ao Maori News
A sensational New Zealand Grand Prix qualifying session saw 19-year-old rookie Kaleb Ngatoa (Te Ati Haunui-a-Pāpārangi) master wet conditions to start at pole position for Sunday's major motor racing event at Hampton Downs, Waikato. He finished the race in fourth position.
The final moments of the session to determine grid positions for the grand prix were some of the most exciting in the 66-year history of the event, as the top spot was traded between much more seasoned drivers than Ngatoa, including two-time winner Daniel Gaunt.
Shane van Gisbergen eventually took the chequered flag at the end of 28 laps from Andre Heimgartner and Matthew Payne despite starting last from the pit.
Ngatoa - who raises all of his own sponsorship and had been flat out off the track for a year raising the money to compete in the Castrol Toyota Racing Series championship this season - admitted it was an emotional moment.
