Team CoolDrive Auckland SuperSprint Supercars Recap

19 Sep, 2019

MACAULEY DEBUTS IN PUKEKOHE 

We crossed the ditch arriving in New Zealand for the ITM Auckland SuperSprint.

Macauley making his debut at Pukekohe Park Raceway. Day one was a tough day on track with practice one getting rained out. The team opting to save on tyres staying in the garage for the session. Practice two a productive session with Macauley getting some valuable laps in. Maccas focus point in these practice sessions was to get comfortable in the car and around this wild Pukekohe circuit before heading into Qualifying. Macca qualifying on Saturday in P21. The sun shone in the afternoon making it a dry track for Race 23. Mark Winterbottom bought out the Safety Car and the team utilised this time getting their pit stop done. A small error on Macca’s behalf with speeding in Pit Lane resulted in a 15 second time penalty. Finishing off in P20. The team re-grouped and worked on their strategy for the next 200km race.

The final day in Auckland kicked off with qualifying, Macca feeling confident with the car and the track itself. Qualifying in P19 and positive improvements made from the day prior. Race 24 was a tough one. David Reynolds bringing out the Safety Car but unfortunately picking up the wrong leader when it was deployed. Pushing Macca back one lap down and ultimately ruining his race from here on in. Macauley crossing the line in P22.

The team will head back to the workshop and re-group. A test day in the coming weeks in preparation for Mount Panorama with all co-drivers, before we head to the Mountain.

THE WORD FROM MACAULEY 

“Race 1 is done here at Pukekohe. We had a bit of a tough run in practice yesterday with bad weather but were chipping away getting better and better as the weekend goes on. I’m getting more comfortable with the track as it’s my first time racing here at Pukekohe. There is a lot of characteristics to the track and I’m enjoying it. Unfortunate getting a penalty in pit lane which was my bad. We’ll go again tomorrow and hopefully have a better run.”

“Overall a tough weekend for me at Pukekohe. The Safety Car screwing me in the race today and ultimately ruined my race. Picking up the wrong leader resulting me being one lap down. We’ll re-group and head back to the workshop. A test day is coming up in preparation for Bathurst so I’m looking forward to that. “

“I’ve enjoyed coming over to Auckland and look forward to coming back again next year. Thank you to all the fans and the CoolDrive guests that came out to support me over the weekend. See you at the Mountain”

SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 

Qualifying

Qualified: Position 21st – 1:02.3648

Pole Position: Shane Van Gisbergen – 1:01.5480

Race 23 – 200kms/70 Laps 

Finished: Position 20th

Winner: Shane Van Gisbergen

SUNDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 

Qualifying

Qualified: Position 19th – 1:02.3003

Pole Position: Jamie Whincup

Top Ten Shootout

Qualified: Position 19th

Pole Position: Jamie Whincup – 1:01.6666

Race 24 – 200kms/70 Laps 

Finished: Position 22nd

Winner: Scott McLaughlin

COMING UP  

Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000

10th-13th October 2019

Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit

Bathurst, NSW   

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

1 – Scott McLaughlin - 3008

2 – Shane Van Gisbergen – 2410

3 – Chaz Mostert - 2327

4 – Fabian Coulthard - 2317

5 – Jamie Whincup – 2140

22 – Macauley Jones - 891 

More photos and video recaps from the weekend are available on the Team CoolDrive Facebook page now!