KEY POINTS:
Christchurch driver Andy Knight capitalised on the misfortune of leading rival Earl Bamber to sneak the Toyota Racing Series title in Invercargill yesterday.
In a sad result for Wanganui 17-year-old Bamber, he ceded the series lead in the seventh and final round at Teretonga Park due to ignition coil problems in qualifying.
It scuppered his chances of a top grid spot in all three races, effectively handing the advantage to Knight.
New Zealand A1 junior development team driver Bamber was forced to start from pit lane in race one which was won by top Auckland rookie Michael Burdett, with Knight second and Ben Harford third.
Harford won the second race from Burdett but Burdett once again claimed the chequered flag in race three, with Knight second.
Bamber was one of the first to congratulate Knight despite missing out on the series title by jut 23 points.
"Andy and his team did a fantastic job throughout the season and all credit to them," he said.
"We did a pretty good job too, particularly this weekend, to salvage third (Burdett won the round from Knight and Bamber) after being so far back on the grid in each race which is something I think everyone in the team should be proud of."
Final standings:
Andy Knight 1230pts 1, Earl Bamber 1207 2, Ben Harford 995 3, Michael Burdett 901 4, Nic Jordan 835 5, Mitch Cunningham 803 6, Dominic Storey 792 7, Christina Orr 661 8, Ken Smith 652 9, Hamish Cross 626 10
- NZPA
