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Matt Haliday Wins Rookie Trophy For Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup |
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Monday, 02 November 2009 02:58 |
New Zealand racing driver Matt Halliday has won the Rookie Trophy for the 2009 Porsche Mobil Supercup after a rewarding weekend in the final two rounds held in Abu Dhabi over the weekend. Halliday contested 8 of the 13 rounds of the high profile Championship and was able to defend his points lead in the Rookie Trophy when a 2008 model car became available.
Halliday was initially cautious of tyre wear in Friday’s free practice session then struggled with a difficult set up in qualifying for Race 1 to record the 11th best time. However, changes to the car for Race 2 qualifying improved his lap times and enabled him to take 8th position on the starting grid.
On the opening lap of Saturday’s Race 1, it quickly became apparent that Halliday’s MRS Team had done a superb job as his well balanced car enabled him to battle his way up to take 6th place after some spirited driving on the unfamiliar Yas Marina Circuit.
Race 2 saw the Californian based Kiwi pushed wide on the first corner after the start but again he fought back through the field before settling for 9th place to claim the Rookie Trophy for 2009. Despite missing five rounds of the Championship he was also thrilled to claim 7th place in the overall Supercup points standings:
“It was hard coming to a new circuit with an older car and a new team but we really clicked so they were able to give me a good car for the races. It was a great weekend and good to be back in the Supercup to end the season Rookie of the year and 7th overall after missing half the races!
“We had some dramas in qualifying and in the last race but all in all a great way to finish the season. I must offer my thanks to all who have been there through the year and in particular the Jetstream and MRS teams together with the Giltrap Group” said Halliday after Race 2.
Halliday is now returning to New Zealand for the opening round of the Battery Town Porsche GT3 Challenge Cup where he is expecting a huge battle with a top class field. Halliday will be rejoining Lyall Williamson’s International Motorsport organisation for the campaign which runs over the summer months and finishes in March.
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