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The Weekend Sun
Armstrong aims for another podium finish Tauranga drift driver Cole Armstrong is determined to get back on track for the season at the Taupo round this weekend, after failing to qualify at ASB Baypark in January.
“Obviously we want to get back on the podium and pull our points back up after failing at Baypark. It’s all about picking it up and running; and making sure we’re still in the hunt.” Cole finished third at the Whangarei round in December and knows he needs similar success
Cole Armstrong is aiming to repeat the podium success he enjoyed at Whangarei, at the Taupo drift round this weekend. to make up for lost ground. Plans to unveil a new car have been delayed as his team focuses on getting it set up perfectly, with Cole now aiming to launch the new 250 GT Skyline at Pukekohe during Anzac weekend, when the track hosts the V8 Supercar round. The GT and his RB34 Skyline will be engineered for different track types to help him perform at his best. “We want to make sure we get it all right,” says Cole, who describes the Baypark round as a
“cr*p weekend” after blowing the gearbox and hitting a barrier wall when he went too deep on a qualification round on Saturday. Despite hard work by his team to repair the car, he had to pull out. It was the second year running he’s had struck problems at his home round, with Cole knocked out last year when he crashed and broke his steering rack. Mount Maunganui tyre shop owner Aden Omnet will also compete in Taupo in his 2JZ Toyota
Altezza following on from his surprise success at Baypark, where he finished top of all Western Bay drivers in sixth place at his first event of the year. Last season he raced in the first three meetings but dropped out after Baypark. He was only planning to return for a one-off event at Baypark this time, but encouragement to continue and offers of support is prompting him to return for the fourth round of the series in Taupo. By Hamish Carter