Lobb on Podium for Season Kick-off

Caine Lobb was well pleased after kicking off his second season of the ENZED V8 Ute Series with a podium finish in the Mark Cromie Holden Racing Team race car at Manfeild Autocourse over the weekend.

Third fastest in the qualification session and consistent placings in the following four races, Lobb placed second overall for the weekend behind reigning champion Matt Lockwood.

With no off season testing programme to speak off the Whangarei based driver and team hit the technical circuit in Feilding a little colder than some of his competitors but showed he still retains that same spark which put him on the podium 12 times from 18 races and saw him achieve three of six available pole positions last season.

This weekend with two fourth placings, a win and a third the rising tin-top driver not only enjoyed a flying start to the new season but also celebrated his birthday at the weekend moving out of his teens and becoming 20 years old on Saturday.

"We all went out and the ute drivers all sang happy birthday for me and we had a bit of fun on the karaoke, it was a cool night." said Lobb.

Also quick over the weekend were last season runner up Simon Beirne and his father Graham who sit in fourth and third respectively after the round.

"I think the ones to beat this season are going to be Matt (Lockwood) and Simon (Beirne) again."

"Simon and his dad were really quick at the weekend after they have been doing some testing and driver training over the off season." said Lobb.

"We didn't have the fastest car out there this weekend that's for sure but then we never did last year either but we did ok and will just have to wait and see how we go at Pukekohe in a couple of weeks."

Last season of the ENZED V8 Ute Series at the South Auckland circuit, Lobb pulled the third quickest time in qualification, took a win and a third place.

After this opening round of the new season the team are better placed than at the start of their rookie season in April earlier this year.

There the team were forced to sit out their very first race after damage sustained in the qualification session retired the Holden ute to the garage for Saturday afternoon losing them valuable points and putting them on the back foot for the remainder of the season.

"We looked at this weekend compared to our first round of last season and realised how happy we actually are with it." said Lobb.

"This time we are taking the car home with just a few scratches on it and maybe a small dent so we are definitely happy with our weekend."

The ENZED V8 Ute Series, Caine Lobb and the Mark Cromie Holden Racing Team head to Pukekohe Park Raceway for round two over the weekend of 5-7th December 2008.