Expat Whanganui driver Matt Gibson is setting his sights high this weekend at the sixth and final round of the Ssangyong Racing Series at Pukekohe Park Raceway.
Gibson, who currently sits fourth in the racing ute championship, has had a strong and consistent run in the overall standings.
He has won races, made the podium many times, and has never finished outside the Top 10 in all of the 20 races so far this season.
This is out of a contingent of 37 drivers, so fourth spot is a credit to his consistency and commitment.
Gibson sits 77 points behind third place and ex-NZV8 driver Christina Orr.
Hastings driver Rowan Shepherd is in second place while Auckland's Dan Connor leads the championship.
The top five drivers in the series have either won a Motorsport NZ championship or finished runnerup in a competition at some stage in their careers.
"Pukekohe is going to be one hell of a battle," said Gibson.
"First, second and third in the championship is on the line and there are five drivers who are in striking range of a podium finish."
The Ssangyong Actyon racing utes are powered by a 2.3 litre Mercedes motor with a 4-speed sequential gearbox.
The utes have adjustable suspension front and rear, upgraded brakes, ECU, tyres and exhaust systems.
The racing in the class is very close, with the winner of the race sometimes only being decided in the last couple of turns.
Gibson and his Whanganui team will fly up with their partner Air Chathams for testing today, followed by qualifying and two races tomorrow and then two races on Sunday to decide the new 2016/2017 champion.