Eddie Bell denies home advantage

Eddie Bell talks like he drives – flat stick.

He may be the so-called "homeboy" for the second round of the national V8 series at the Powerbuilt Tools Raceway meeting at Ruapuna this weekend, but Bell denies it will give him any advantage.

And like a driver jamming his foot on the accelerator as he powers down the back straight, the Woodend sales rep rattles off the reasons at great pace to back his argument: his car is based in Tauranga with chief engineer Luke Dinsdale, Taupo is his nominated track for testing and he has raced at Ruapuna only about 10 times.

"A lot of people seem to think I will have home advantage, but I don't buy into that at all," Bell says. "They may be expecting big things, but as a team we are a little bit more realistic. And look at the guys from Auckland – they didn't have any particular advantage at Pukekohe in the first round."

On that latest point, it is difficult to argue with Bell, who was a shock winner on the North Island circuit on November 8, having come first and second in the first two races and finishing sixth in the third and final reverse-grid race despite problems with his left front tyre.

Although he maintains he has "never felt more relaxed", Bell admits the win in Pukekohe – in just his second season – has lifted his confidence immensely: "I have got over this huge mental hurdle; it's nice to just have that little bit more self-belief."

Last year Hamilton-based Kayne Scott won the six-round series, but struggled to shine at Pukekohe when he finished sixth. The usual suspects will line up again this weekend with Tasman's John McIntyre, Auckland's Andy Booth and Queensland-based New Zealander Craig Baird all expected to be battling for top places on the tight Ruapuna circuit.

But anyone suggesting to these drivers that they chase the chequered flag for the love of money will quickly get a swift heave-ho; without sponsors and their dedicated backup teams many would not be racing.

Car racing in New Zealand does little to pay the bills for these enthusiasts, who are often rewarded with a trophy and a few hearty claps on the back for sitting inside a vehicle that can reach temperatures of about 45 degrees Celsius on a stinking hot day.

The rewards come in the form of a healthy dose of satisfaction and, for the drivers – who can reach speeds of more than 200kmh on an open circuit such as Pukekohe – there are a few squirts of adrenaline along the way. In some ways they are like junkies searching for their next fix.

"It's like having a drug habit," explained Bell. "Once you do it, it is very hard to walk away from it. We spend thousands of dollars to get a plastic trophy and that is just the reality of it. It's just purely to be competitive."

Today a number of testing sessions and hot laps will be staged, including those for the Porche GT3 Cup Challenge, which is led by Baird on 285 points.

He has a 30-point lead over Auckland's Daniel Gaunt.

Standings after round 1: Eddie Bell (Falcon) 187, John McIntyre (Falcon) 178, Andy Booth (Commodore) 160, Angus Fogg (Falcon) 157, Tim Edgell (Falcon) 129, Kayne Scott (Falcon) 127, Craig Baird (Falcon) 121, Andy Knight (Falcon) 117, Simon Richards (Falcon) 110, Darryn Henderson (Falcon) 88, Clark Proctor (Falcon) 88, Nick Ross (Commodore) 86.

SCHEDULE

Round two at Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Ruapuna.

Tomorrow: V8s two test sessions followed by three qualifying races. Race 1 – all cars. Race 2 – fastest 20 cars. Race 3 – fastest 10 cars – one-lap shootout.
Sunday: V8s Race 1 – 10 laps rolling. Race 2 – 10 laps rolling. Race 3 – 22 laps rolling reverse. Podium presentations.

- © Fairfax NZ News