Bethune back in chase

Josh Bethune made it two from three at Highlands, putting him back in the chase for the inaugural Bridgestone GR86 Championship.

Starting from pole position, the Right Karts by M2 Competition driver made a clean getaway in the weekend’s third race. 

He led into the first turn with championship leader Hayden Bakkerus and Hugo Allan behind. 

Bethune quickly established a crucial early lead and, despite not breaking away from the chasing pack behind him, he had built enough of a lead to take control.

As the race progressed, the leading five of Bethune, Bakkerus, Allan, Cooper Barnes and Chris White – also shaping up to be a championship contender – pulled away from the pack. 

Bethune leapfrogged Justin Allen for fourth in the championship points table, just a point behind third-placed White.

“I have to pay credit to the boys,” says Bethune. “The competition has been great and it was a ripper day.”

His two wins on February 9 weren’t enough to prevent Bakkerus winning the round and increasing his championship lead marginally over Allan in second.

Bethune came home to beat Zach Blincoe by six seconds in the day’s first race. On a frantic last lap there was heartbreak for Simon Hunter, who retired from second place when he ran out of fuel. 

Hunter and his crew had effectively built a new car between Teretonga and Highlands to allow him to continue to race.

The championship points table took another turn with Bethune throwing his hat back into the ring with his win, a remarkable drive by Bakkerus to third increasing his lead at the top.

Hugo Allan led from lights to flag in the weekend’s first race – but only just – to take his first win on the road this season.

Starting from pole, he and Bakkerus were side-by-side until the first corner and part of the way through it, but it was Allan who emerged in front.

Bakkerus was never far behind. But there was nothing he could do about Allan, who stretched his lead from the field and didn’t put a foot wrong.