Nigel ready for final round

Pukekohe’s Nigel Lucas, is about to embark on the final round of the TradeZone GTRNZ race series.

After four rounds, he is currently sitting in second place, just ten points behind current leader Shane Whitley. It’s his second season in the GT3 class, this year seeing around 20 entrants from around New Zealand.

“It’s been a big step up from last year,” he said. “Last season I was in the middle of the pack, now I’m consistently at the front.” The race series is described as “almost no rules, anything goes”. There are a range of cars and power abilities. Nigel built his car over five years before entering GTRNZ last year.

The former karter said the races are a lot of fun, and all the competitors get along. “We race hard, but we’re all friends off the track.”

He is now in the stages of repairing the car for the next round. “The gearbox is down in Nelson, but for the most part a lot is done in Pukekohe and Tuakau, it’s all local support.” The panel beater is also able to fix a lot on his own which, he says, helps in the money saving side of things.

The final round of GTRNZ takes place on home turf for Nigel, at Pukekohe Park, this weekend from 30 March to 1 April. “I’m hoping to win,” Nigel said, “But I’ll still be happy with second place in my second season. It’ll still be a great achievement.

“I’ll probably take a year off next season to rebuild and then step up to a faster class.” Nigel thanks his sponsors for their support this season, in particular Kumar Family Thirsty Liquor Pukekohe.

Source: https://www.thepost.nz/articles/nigel-ready-for-final-round/