V8SuperTourer test for Porsche champion Gardiner

Blenheim based race car driver Hugh Gardiner realised his dream of getting an official V8SuperTourer test at Hampton Downs on the Sunday morning – the result of him winning the weekend’s opening V8 Challenge Cup race.

The aircraft maintenance engineer took a lights to flag win in the second-tier category to the V8SuperTourer series, that is competing at the Waikato based facility.

Having won the Porsche 996 championship category in the 2009/2010 summer race season Gardiner took a hiatus from competition to await the much touted V8SuperTourer series. A family effort has seen the 28-year-old put together a campaign a Mad Butcher backed Ford Falcon that supports the seven round new touring car series.

Gardiner is using the V8 Challenge Cup category as a stepping stone to the star-studded driver line up competing in the V8SuperTourer cars. Reinforcing that path, the series promoters offer the winner of the round opening V8 Challenge Cup race to test the prototype V8SuperTourer as a way of bridging the driver experience gap.

Gardiner says the experience was a dream come true and the perfect incentive to get him considered as a prospective driver. The first time he has contested a V8 touring car series, he says the learning curve has meant he was better prepared for today’s session.

“This was the first weekend we’ve not had any mechanical hold-ups – as we’re pretty green at running the V8 Challenge Cup Cars. I think we’ve had the pace all along, it was just getting the ticks in the boxes that meant we could comfortably win a race – especially the first one,” explained Gardiner.

“Of course it is absolutely my goal to get in to V8SuperTourers and we’re talking to a few of the teams about taking a bigger part as a second driver for the endurance races. So getting in the car this morning was a great feeling and a phenomenal reward.”

As well as the initial test, Gardiner was given the opportunity to take select guests for a hot-lap ride.
My first reaction of the car? It was a lot better than I first thought.  I’ve driven Porsche cup cars before and I think they driver very similarly - with a lot more power. Once the track conditions improved and the tyres came up to temperature it was the most enjoyable race car I had ever driven and I can’t wait to cement myself in to the championship, eventually.”

Gardiner has two more races in his #15 Mad Butcher Ford, supporting the final round of the V8SuperTourer sprint series. Following that will be three endurance events, including the 500K International at Pukekohe and the season finale at Powerbuilt Tools Raceway near Christchurch that Gardiner is hoping to be participating in.