Christchurch driver Eddie Bell capped a great season when he scored a podium result at the recent ITM 400 in Hamilton.

Bell showed his skill on the difficult and demanding 3.4 kilometre Hamilton Street circuit as he motored to a trio of top placings - fifth, third and fourth - placing him 3rd overall for the weekend.

"It was my first ever street race," said Eddie as he looked back on another superb weekend. "With only time for thirteen laps in practice I qualified inside the top six. I wish I'd had more time because I don't think I got the best out of the green tyres. I got bad starts in every race too," he said. "The last two rounds in the championship I had very bad luck and that affected our championship position. Hamilton means we finish the season on a better note."

After qualifying sixth Eddie brought the Independent Fisheries/Hydraulink Falcon home fifth in the opening race at Hamilton. He then featured in an exciting finish as he nabbed third place right on the line in the second race on Sunday morning. Bell set the best time through the second sector - John McIntyre and Kayne Scott setting the best times through the other two. Eddie said later that the race was one of the most enjoyable races he has had for a while. After a safety car period during the race he was in eighth position and climbed to his eventual third place after a fine drive.  

The Cantabrian lined up for the last race confident he could press on. The finale featured a degree of carnage at the start and Eddie was fortunate not to become involved. However as the race progressed Bell had the Independent Fisheries
/Hydraulink Falcon right behind Andrew Anderson and was ready to take a run at him through turns 5 and 6. The Independent Fisheries/Hydraulink Falcon was close behind Anderson as the pair went through the chicane but Eddie lost sight and hit the second apex barrier and nearly got spat into the wall. "It snapped a shock absorber. The steering wheel was at a 45 degree angle. After a while the tyres were like jelly!" Eddie then came under intense pressure from the ultra-experienced Angus Fogg. "I was struggling to keep the car off the walls. It got progressively worse." Eddie fended off Fogg and brought the car across the line in fourth place, sealing third spot on the podium.

It gave Bell another trophy for his collection which has grown considerably this season. "Several of my sponsors were entertaining guests at the circuit and it was good to do well and reward those sponsors who contributed extra so we could do this race."

Hamilton, while a non-championship race, ended a great season for Eddie and his team.

In just his second season in the BNT V8s Championship Bell has been a revelation. He gained his first race and round win at the opening event of the season and continued that momentum throughout the championship to finish sixth overall in the very competitive field. With just a little more luck it could have been even better. "The three DNFs (non finishes) during the championship cost us dearly," explained Eddie. "You need to be there. We were in the top three in the points for a large percentage of the championship and with two rounds to go we were second in the standings. However those three races and another when we were turned around and dropped from 4th to 14th cost us. We are constantly in the top five in the timesheets and without those non-finishes we would have been even higher in the final championship placings. We wanted to improve. Last year in our rookie season we were seventh and we know we are there."

However Eddie had the satisfaction of joining an extremely exclusive club in the championship this season - that of a round winner. Following the final round of the championship at Taupo last month he received an award for 'Meritorious Performance' which he says is a reflection on all the guys in the team. After he collected his latest trophy in Hamilton the intent for the future was clear. "Bring on next season!"

Bell's campaign is supported by Independent Fisheries, Hydraulink, Valvoline, Mondiale, Rilees Signs, Lamb & Hayward, Hawkins Refrigeration, Avon City Ford, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Arbi Monograms, PSP, Dinsdale Race Engineering, Pukeko Junction Cafe & Deli & the Canterbury Radio Control Car Club.

Media: Lindsay Beer  Photo: SportProMedia