Bright stars at Pukekohe.

by David McCowen

The climax of New Zealand's V8 Supercar round was the third 36 lap sprint race held today at Pukekokhe Park.

by David McCowen

The climax of New Zealand's V8 Supercar round was the third 36 lap sprint race held today at Pukekokhe Park.

Home fans were willing winless Kiwi Greg Murphy to victory, who had dominated the event in past years, but lacked the pace in varying conditions this weekend. Murphy started on the front row, alongside race two winner Jason Bright, in front of Ambrose and Richards.

Green lights, and Bright led Murphy into the first corner, leading the field through the first lap without drama.

For the first time in the history of the event, Greg Murphy did not win at his native New Zealand, a fact that dismayed the home crowd but adds variety to the sole foreign event on the V8 calendar.

Bright's pace this year has not so much been a revelation, but a reward to the hard-working Australian. At this point last year, Bright was in contention for the championship, but ownership dramas of the TWR-owned Team Brock saw a testing ban placed on the driver that saw his car slide backwards in pace as the season wore on. This year, however, with a new car and team, Bright's talent has been allowed to shine, as after only ten laps at Pukehohe, he had created a 3.5 second lead over the rest of the field.

Bright's speed in the first dry race of the meet was unmatched by his rivals, as he held the fastest lap in race three and finishing several seconds ahead of Greg Murphy in second place and Marcos Ambrose in third.

Race three top ten:

1Jason BrightHolden VY
2Greg MurphyHolden VY
3Marcos AmbroseFord BA
4Steven RichardsHolden VY
5Rick KellyHolden VY
6Paul WeelHolden VY
7Russell IngallFord BA
8Steven JohnsonFord BA
9Jason RichardsHolden VY
10Garth TanderHolden VY

Championship standings:

1Marcos Ambrose532 points
2Steven Richards528 points
3Greg Murphy509 points
4Rick Kelly502 points
5Jason Bright457 points

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