Auckland racer Ben Harding made an early statement in qualifying for the 2025 New Zealand Super Saloon Car title at Baypark Speedway on Friday night.

After nine of the 15 qualifying heats, Harding sits atop the point standings with 58 points, having secured a third place and two wins. He holds a four-point advantage over Christchurch racer Kane Lawson.

"It’s only the first night, but the car feels the best it’s ever done here," Auckland racer Harding said.

Lawson put in a strong performance, posting a second, third, and fourth from his three heats. Tauranga’s Scott Hayward is the best-placed Baypark driver in third with 53 points, followed by former champion Sam Waddell, also from Tauranga, with 52.

A four-way tie for fifth place on 51 points includes Hawke’s Bay racers Jason Long and Grant Flynn, along with Baypark competitors Garry Edwards from Waihi and Damian Orr from Rotorua.

Another group tied on 50 points consists of defending champion Chris Cowling from Tauranga, former champion Mark Osborne from Christchurch, Peter Bengston from Palmerston North, and Auckland’s Craig Cardwell.

Cowling has the most favourable grids for the remaining heats with front-row starts tonight.

Following the completion of the 15-heat system this evening, the top 16 drivers will advance to the 25-lap final. Four additional drivers will be added via two repechage races.

The first-night hard luck story belonged to former New Zealand champion Steve Flynn from Napier. He won his opening heat but was forced out after experiencing a loss of oil pressure immediately following the race.

In a double-header of high-powered V8 action, former New Zealand Sprint Car champion Daniel Thomas from Hamilton took victory in the 30-lap Bay Piston Cup feature.

Thomas gained the lead early from a third-row start and controlled two early restarts before securing victory with Hamilton’s Dean Brindle finishing second and fastest qualifier Dean Cooper from Taupō in third.

“It was quite hard to read the track, and I was trying not to overdrive the car," Hamilton racer Thomas said. "I knew Dean [Brindle] would be close, and when he showed his nose on the inside, I moved down to the middle in turn one and two but stayed on the high line in three and four."

Racing resumes tonight at 6:30 p.m., featuring the Super Saloons, 6 Shooters, and F2 Midgets.