The action keeps on keeping on at Teretonga Park when the third motor race meeting of the 2010/2011 season takes place this weekend.
The range of classes featured at the meeting presented by Downer is truly impressive with the mighty, earth shattering OSCA Saloons leading the way. They are backed up by an impressive supporting cast with Kumho Sport Saloons, Pre 65 Saloons, Pro 7s, Mini 7, Super 6 Saloons plus the Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloons and Sports & Racing Cars - something for everyone.
The grunty OSCA Saloons are the highlight of the weekend programme. With a good number of very powerful, modified V8 saloons these are crowd favourites and the fact that two Southlanders - both former champions in the class - are among the pacesetters just adds to the excitement. Colin Dawson and Lawrence Knowler of Invercargill battled for last years title all the way until the last race of the last round and at their home track both can again be expected to be competitive - Dawson in his V8 Mazda RX7 and Knowler in his Brennan Camaro.
Others in the field include Canterbury drivers Chris Hatton in his Chev Camaro, Matt Cronin (turboocharged Toyota Levin) and Geoff Washbourne in a 5.7 litre Commodore. Of particular interest is the arrival of Neville Stowell into the category. Stowell of Timaru, who has dominated the Sport Saloon class in recent years, will be at the wheel of a Subaru WRX.
Pre 65 Saloons have always been a popular category in the south but without many of the familiar names of past years this years field looks wide open. Greg Stewart of Lumsden could do well in his Mustang while Brian Scott of Dunedin and Barry Morgan of Wanaka will also be prominent in their Ford XP Falcons. Stu Mitchell of Invercargill is sure to feature in the battle of the Ford Anglia's.
The Kumho Sport Saloon grid isn't a large one but it is a well matched one. Drivers such as Gary Duncan and Ivan McAuley in their EVO's and Matt Dunn and Matt Edgar in their turbocharged Toyota Corollas always race hard. Brent Cross of Winton will provide the local interest.
Reigning New Zealand and South Island Pro 7 Champion Jarrod Parmenter of Timaru heads the entry in that class with last years South Island Series runner-up Jason Corby also in the field. Southlanders Wayne Elliott plus Dean and Nicky Maw also line up.
The Mini 7 field is one of real quality. Current South Island and New Zealand Champion Mark Donaldson leads the way from most of the top South Island runners from last season and Southlander Doug Erskine. Donaldson scooped many titles last season and has started the 2010/2011 year in dominant form again.
Super 6 Saloons always offer exciting racing, providing the crowd with more of that iconic Ford versus Holden battle. Holdens have been the more successful in recent times but last year Christchurch driver Wayne Christie was runner-up in the series in his Falcon. However young Dunedin driver Sam Paddon shone in a Holden last year and he is back for more too. Southlanders Paul Muir, John Muir and Merv Lloyd are stalwarts of this class.
The Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloons have drawn a strong line up with Pierre Neame of Winton (Ford Capri), Robert Ralston of Invercargill (Nissan Silvia) and Andrew Brown of Invercargill likely frontrunners.
However, quality drivers abound throughout the field and good racing is always the result. Rachael Beck has one of the more unique cars in the class, a Fiat 850, while three of the motorcycle powered, scaled down Star Cars will no doubt have their own fierce battle. Neame will have a busy day as he will also contest the OSCA races in the Capri.
Meanwhile in the Sports & Racing Car Class Damon Leitch has another outing in the Formula Renault Tatuus that he is using to learn the craft of wings and slicks cars prior to his Toyota Racing Series debut at his home track in a little over a month. Younger brother Brendon, fresh from his first two successful appearances in the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship returns home to race while emphasising the youthful talent in the province at the moment Jamie Conroy also starts in another Formula Renault.
With such a large and diverse programme testing and qualifying will be held on Saturday while a full day of racing will commence at 9am on Sunday morning.
Admission is $15 each on Sunday and children under 14 are free while Saturday's action is free to all.
