When Three Champs Go To War

It will be a war of three champions this weekend when Enzed V8 Ute Series champion Caine Lobb goes head to head with Suzuki New Zealand Production Series champion Gene Rollinson and five time New Zealand Sprint Kart Champion Ryan Urban.

Whangarei driver Lobb claimed the V8 Ute title last weekend after storming into the lead with three round victories in succession whereas Gene Rollinson took out the two wheel drive production championship just one weekend prior at Pukekohe.

But also entering the battle in this weekend's round of the Formula Suzuki Series is NZ kart champ and winner of the Superstars of Superkarts at California's Laguna Seca circuit Ryan Urban.

At practice today Caine Lobb set the fastest time although he believes there is more speed to come from his Hydraulink Formula Suzuki Hyabusa yet.

"We were quickest in practice today but later found the alignment was way out so we have fixed that and will see how we go now." he said.

Just coming back from three rounds over three furious weeks in the ENZED V8 Ute Series in the South Island Lobb states what a huge difference there is between the Holden Commodore ute and the Suzuki open wheeler.

"I jumped in the car today and it nearly shook the crap out of me, it's so bumpy compared to the ute which is quite comfy to drive - a bit like a Sunday drive in comparison." he said.

Both Lobb and Gene Rollinson have shown they are top contenders in the brand new Formula Suzuki Series with the two swapping the lead at the previous round held in Taupo with Lobb taking two race wins to Rollinson's one.

"At Taupo we were neck and neck so it will be interesting to see how we go down here." said Lobb.

To date the new series has held just two rounds one at Taupo and prior to that at Pukekohe both of which Lobb won.

With Lobb, Rollinson and superkarter Ryan Urban thrown into the mix an exciting weekend at Manfeild is most certainly on the cards with a field of over 10 cars expected for the weekend.

"There are only 14 cars in the country at the moment and it would have been good if they were all here this weekend." said Lobb.

After this weekend at Manfeild Autocourse in Feilding the Suzukis will head back to Taupo Motorsport Park for the second in a five round 'winter series' at that circuit where the drivers and teams are learning quickly how to get the best out of the cars.