Wanganui ex-pat driver Matt Gibson has had a tough season in the inaugural Toyota Finance TR86 championship but wants to finish on a high this weekend in Hampton Downs.
Now Auckland-based with his Matt Gibson Motorsport team, Gibson sits in fifth place in the championship on 759 points - well behind Wellington's Jamie McNee who leads on 961 - and is being chased by Aucklanders Callum Quin (836) and Ash Blewett (812).
In the three races which made up Round 1 late last year, Gibson earned a third and second placing, but since then has had 4th through to 6th place finishes in every race of the following four rounds.
Adjusting to driving a brand new car has proved a learning curve for Gibson, as has getting the Lighting Plus TR86 up to speeds worthy of spots on the podium.
The team brought a new technician on board for the weekend and have hopes of a strong showing for the sixth and final round, consisting of four races instead of the usual three.