Motorsport: Super debut for Gaunt

Auckland driver Daniel Gaunt achieved a fine result in his first taste of the V8 Supercar series by finishing fourth overall during the Clipsal 500 Adelaide event yesterday.

He piloted his Falcon towards podium contention after a come-from-behind start in the two 24-lap races on a 3.22km street circuit being used for the first of seven rounds on the 2009 calendar.

Starting 13th after only one full practice and a truncated qualifying session, Gaunt, 25, finished the opening race in eighth position.

Gaunt started the final race from seventh to thrill the crowd by moving to fourth on the last turn of the last lap.

Meanwhile, defending champion Jamie Whincup started his title defence in style as his nearest rivals crashed around him.

Whincup got off to a poor start from pole position, sliding to fifth as several of his rivals got the jump on him. But he fought back from fifth place to take the lead by lap 19 of the 78-lap race around the Adelaide street circuit.

- NZPA