Motorsport: Cassidy king after car lets Evans down

Nick Cassidy took first place at the Grand Prix. Photo / Bruce Jenkins

After 60 years of racing, the New Zealand Grand Prix can still throw up excitement and drama.

With just a handful of laps remaining yesterday, defending champion Mitch Evans had the rug well and truly pulled from under him.

The 17-year-old Aucklander had the race in his pocket with six laps to go when a pinched electrical cable ended any chance of him adding his name to the trophy for a second time.

As his Toyota Racing Series FT40 slowed, Nick Cassidy and Hannes van Asseldonk streamed past. Cassidy held on to win the Grand Prix from the chasing pack.

"That was really heart-wrenching," said Evans. "I had the race under control and was pulling away and feeling really comfortable. I smelt something funny and as soon as I got back on the throttle [on to the straight] there was nothing there.

"I know I had good speed and I'll take that with me when I head back to Europe."

Stephen Giles, of Giles Motorsport who ran Evans' and Cassidy's cars, said: "It was a bittersweet moment for the team."

He confirmed that it probably was an electrical fault, but last night the team was still going through all the data.

Former works Ferrari driver and a two-time NZGP-winner Chris Amon knows a bit about grand prix disappointment, having rolled to a halt on many an occasion over his illustrious racing career.

"You've really got to regroup and look forward to the next race, unfortunately it's part of motor racing and any sport really," said Amon.

"I know how he feels, I've been there, done that, many times in the past."

Cassidy said he did not see Evans stopping.

"For that to happen to Mitch is really bad.

"I was really struggling to hold on to second and with 20 laps [of 35] to go my tyres had gone, the vibrations were getting worse and worse and I thought I was in trouble.

"I let Hannes get quite close to try and cool the tyres off and then over the last few laps I had to drive the most perfect race of my life."

The NZGP was a frantic affair when the lights went out, with a number of drivers jostling for the lead on lap one.

Subsequently, a number of mid-field cars went off, causing the safety car to make an appearance three times in the opening 10 laps.

The drivers settled down only to watch Evans waltz away to a commanding lead - until lap 29 when it all came unstuck.

Cassidy clinched the TRS overall championship yesterday morning when he finished fifth, gaining enough points over Van Asseldonk, his nearest rival, who retired with a shredded left rear tyre.

Cassidy had been the most consistent driver and won the series with a comfortable lead.

"It's an awesome feeling to have the championship and the goal was always to go one better than last year. It's a great feeling and I learnt how to win a championship this year after finishing second the last three years," said Cassidy.

The BNT NZV8s were also in action over the weekend at their penultimate round and although series leader Angus Fogg was beaten out of the top sport by Tim Edgell as the round winner, he's happy to have extended his points lead over Jason Bargwanna.