Webber takes WAIKATO Champ

With around 160 cars and drivers from all over the country (including a couple from Australia) the HRCCC hosted Waikato Champs event was to become the largest 1/8 Offroad Event ever staged in New Zealand. On a brand new untested track the weekend began with a days practice and a chance to try and gel with the unfamiliar layout and new challenges the track now provides. Qualifying day showed that the track can punish those who took chances and at times made some very good drivers look very ordinary. With finals day upon us and with the Xmas tree style program drivers slowly bumped up through the day to eventually give us the results for the A-main grid listings. Starting 11th on the Grid in the 60 minute final, Andrew slowly began working his way through the pack only to stumble on the now infamous 5-pack section slipping right back down the field again.

However his patient consistent driving saw him slowly but surely make his way all the way back to the front with only a few laps to go. With light fading fast and some last minute challenges he finally blasted down the long back straight for the final time, though the chicane and over the finish line. A good fuel strategy and a bit of luck saw him take victory ahead of a star studded field of New Zealands best drivers to take out his first major GP offroad title. It was looking a little touch and go for a while though as he accidently missed a scheduled fuel stop and circulated for an extra unplanned lap - finger nails shortened up in the pits until he eventually screamed into pit lane for a much needed top up. So far 2012 has been a fantastic year for Andrew, also taking the 1/8 EP Offroad National title in February. Congratulations Andrew on your success and your new Factory backed appointment.