Motorsport: Pentus has inside running for GP

Estonian Sten Pentus has a chance to close the gap this weekend. Photo / Supplied

New Zealand has the privilege of holding the first Grand Prix on the international motorsport calendar for 2010 at Manfeild, near Feilding, this weekend.

One of only two Grand Prix race events in the world that aren't contested by the Formula One series, Macau being the other, the NZGP is part of the Toyota Racing Series. With the Lady Wigram Trophy, the New Zealand Motor Cup, the NZGP is one of the big prizes in the TRS class.

Daniel Gaunt isn't going to be around to defend his NZGP title and after Sten Pentus' classy win at last weekend's NZ Motor Cup feature race at Hampton Downs, it would be difficult not to put your money on the Estonian driver.

The NZGP weekend is the final round of the 12-race TRS International Series and Mitch Evans still retains a slight lead from Earl Bamber and Pentus, equal on points, and Lucas Foresti.

Brazilian Foresti is the other international driver who has contested all four international rounds of the series. He won the third race of the season and is well capable of winning this weekend.

Richie Stanaway entered the Motor Cup and Grand Prix events to remain race fit before heading off to Europe to race in the ADAC.

Bamber is back in TRS where he went head-to-head with Andy Knight for the title two seasons ago, battling to the last corner of the last race where Knight clinched the championship.

Racing should be fast and furious over the weekend, as some drivers have unofficially broken Bamber's track record during practice.

Backing up the NZGP are the BNT V8s that are embroiled in their battle. John McIntyre is back with a vengeance after a dismal round in Timaru where he scored no points and rearranged most of his car in the first race.

"We're still in the title hunt with two rounds of the championship to go," said McIntyre. "There's one thing about this team - we don't give up - and you soon learn in this series, never say never."

Craig Baird heads the V8 points table going into round five from the steady Eddie Bell, who's been going about his business accumulating points, with McIntyre back in third. Defending champion Kayne Scott is yet to fire on all cylinders but will be looking to pounce on the leaders to improve on his fifth place in the title hunt.

The top-placed Holden is the Commodore of Andy Booth in sixth, who continues to improve as the season progresses. Andy Knight has made a few sit up and notice with his clean, competitive driving to be in seventh. Angus Fogg has enjoyed his car's speed at the last two rounds, making him a frontrunner in qualifying.

Not only is Baird doing double duty racing the V8s and the Porsches, he's also leading both championships. The five-time Porsche GT3 Cup winner has a healthy lead over long-time rival Matt Halliday and looks good to add to his collection of Porsche trophies. However, Baird will have to be on his guard with two rounds to go as Halliday will be poised to grab any advantage.

Over the two day event, the Formula Fords, Minis, various production classes and Suzuki Swifts will be going hard out to see who can take bragging rights into the final round at Taupo, March 19-21.

V8 POINTS

Craig Baird - 668
Eddie Bell - 555
John McIntyre - 553

TOYOTA POINTS

Mitchell Evans - 558
Earl Bamber - 533
Sten Pentus - 533