Motorsport: Scott storms to pole position at Taupo

Kayne Scott's car. Photo / Dean Purcell

Hamilton driver Kayne Scott has powered his Falcon to pole position for race one in the sixth round of the New Zealand V8 championship at Taupo Motorsport Park tomorrow.

Scott today headed off strong challenges from Nelson's John McIntyre and Victorian V8 Supercar driver Jason Bargwanna, who will be second and third on the grid, respectively, but eventually proved too strong throughout the day.

Auckland's Paul Manuell will line up in fourth spot on the grid ahead of Queensland-based New Zealander and defending champion Craig Baird and 17-year-old New Zealander Scott McLaughlin.

Championship points leader Angus Fogg, of Auckland, suffered a setback when he qualified in 11th place, which will make for a daunting task in tomorrow's three races for the penultimate championship round.

The top ten shootout to determine the final grid positions was notable for the fact that Bargwanna continued his spectacular rate of improvement by setting the third fastest time while Manuell held out a hard charging Baird. Scott was simply sublime while McIntyre drove his pants off recovering from a first corner slide which looked to have ruined his chances of a front row grid spot.

- NZPA