Motor Sports: Lauder crowned champion of Suzuki Swift Sport Cup

Turua 17-year-old AJ Lauder swept to a final round win to add to the overall championship title in the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup series he wrapped up in the weekend. Photo: Lance Hastie

Taking the final chequered flag for the six-round 2011/2012 Suzuki Swift Sport Cup season was bitter-sweet for Rangiora's Chris Cox, who finished the series runner-up behind newly crowned champion AJ Lauder from Turua at Taupo on Sunday afternoon.

In the final of three races for the series championship, Taupo's Mark Gibson finished second with Lauder third - less than half a second behind.

Adding to yesterday's endurance race win by Lauder, the cumulative points from the morning race gave the 17-year-old the round win to add to his series accolades.

Second for the round was Karaka's Andrew Vincent, finishing second, fifth and fourth in each race respectively. Cox was third based on points from finishing fifth, eighth and the final race win.

Saving the best for last, the afternoon final race at the 3.3km Taupo Motorsport Park was a 'no wrestling holds' barred between Cox, Gibson and Lauder.

Starting from second position on the grid Lauder took an early lead under threatening skies. Cox and Gibson stayed within reach and when the chance arose, both passed in quick succession to put the new champion behind them.

Lauder tried gallantly to force either in to an error, but in the end admitted it was his way of adding a bit of excitement for the fans.

"To win the round on top of winning the championship sums up the season for us - definitely," said Lauder.

"I was just having fun by keeping up with them since they caught me so early in the race.

"We'll have to see about next season but it'd be nice to defend the title - I'd definitely like to have another crack at it."

Bringing a season of 18 races to a close, Suzuki New Zealand motorsport manager Darren Stevens said the final race highlighted the competitive nature of the cars, series and the drivers who chose to be part of it:

"It's a big statement in many ways - that after three races, where there was so much at stake, that every driver finished each race. It gives real value for their supporters, sponsors and to us as a brand - that they just keep going.

"AJ's round win caps off a big year for him and although he's a champion, he never let it affect having fun and doing the best he could."

Series co-ordinator Paul Burborough said the final round was a strong finish to yet another competitive season:

"Each year the intensity just grows, the drivers, the teams and brand lift to a new level. To see the final race duel between Chris Cox, Mark Gibson and AJ Lauder was a nerve thriller.

But also the games for supremacy happening further down the field - the Jamie Gaskin (Upper Hutt), Matt Gibson (Wanganui), Ken Yarrall and Glen Collinson (Hamilton) battle made it a race of two halves. But even in this morning's race when we thought the earlier rain would really alter driver tactics, in the end it was who was going to win the chase for second, third, fourth and fifth.

Taupo's Mark Gibson finished the series in third place with best placed rookie, Nelson's Kent Yarrall, in fourth, driving the Castrol scholarship car.

Upon completion of technical checks, the standings will be confirmed and accolades awarded at a function this evening in Taupo.

-HERALD ONLINE