Motorsport: Team Kiwi get first podium

Paul Radisich guided Team Kiwi Racing to their first overall podium finish yesterday at the V8 Supercar series' first venture in China.

Radisich followed his sixth placing in the first race with fifth in the second race and third in race three, both over 140km, yesterday to claim third place overall at a $600 million circuit near Shanghai.

It is the first time that the sole New Zealand-owned team have finished on the podium since they were established four years ago, and pushes the Kiwi team to eighth place in the series.

Team Kiwi Racing personnel were in high spirits with their unexpected podium finish.

"It's absolutely a thrill for the whole team," owner David John said.

John said Radisich drove faultlessly and his experience on European circuits proved a key.

"This incredible circuit here at Shanghai was modelled on the European tracks with so many fast and flowing corners.

"Paul is one of the few V8 Supercar drivers with experience in Europe and that helped with our car set-up and his driving.

"We did not put a foot wrong all weekend. We qualified well and then drove faultlessly."

Todd Kelly took out the overall honours with two wins and third in the second race, ahead of Steven Richards, who had three second placings.

Series leader and defending champion Marcos Ambrose did not figure on the podium with a fifth, fourth and 13th placings.

- NZPA