Motorsport: Fogg denied V8 hattrick

Angus Fogg. Photo / APN

Auckland driver Angus Fogg has been denied a notable hat-trick in the fourth round of the national V8 motor racing series at Levels, Timaru.

Fogg won today's opening two races before falling victim to a multiple car collision during the reverse grid, 22-lap third when Australian Jason Bargwanna collected the maximum points available.

Nonetheless, Fogg's team performed quick repairs which enabled him to cross the line in ninth place and win the round.

He now sits atop the championship on 713 points, followed by Gold Coast-based New Zealander Craig Baird on 657 and Nelson's John McIntyre on 608.

The collision occurred when several cars slid off on oil dropped at the end of the back straight after the differential exploded on Baird's car.

Drivers involved included Fogg and Hamilton's Kayne Scott, among others, and the race was red flagged while the mess was cleaned up and the track repaired.

On the resumption Bargwanna went on to secure his first race win in New Zealand.

"This is very exciting, picking up our first win in New Zealand, because we aimed to win some races and push the team towards the front," Bargwanna said.

"We are not quite there yet as far as winning a championship but coming from the back to get that win is a good result."

McIntyre hung on to the rear bumper of Cambridge driver Neil Ross' car to take third place ahead of Aucklander Andy Booth.

The next round of the championship is at Feilding starting on February 11.

- NZPA