The 2010/11 IRC Series has reached the half-way point of the season and will kick off 2011 in style this weekend, joining the Manawatu ‘Ultimate Motorsport Weekend’ with an action packed schedule at Manfeild Park.
The Ultimate Motorsport Weekend combines two days of IRC racing at Manfeild with the iconic New Zealand Superstock Teams Champs – an annual grudge-match of stock car racing which attracts capacity crowds at the Palmerston North Showgrounds.
With teams and drivers refreshed and recharged from the long mid-season Christmas break, competitors from the fire-breathing GT1 monsters right down to the Mini Miglias will be out in force, with large grids expected to front at Manfeild for round four of the championship.
Manfeild is a circuit that splits a driver’s opinion – many love it, while just as many loathe it. However, there is no doubting the excitement and challenges the 3.03km track presents with its high elevated banking and a reputation above all other New Zealand circuits for providing some epic battles, no matter the class or car.
Returning to the track this weekend is the GT1 and GT2 categories, always a crowd favourite and racing in a combined grid with high-horsepower machinery including Tranzams, V8 Supercars, Japanese super-tuners and hybrid racing machines.
Also enjoying the thrills of the combined grid format is the NZ6 series, with a combination of door-banging HQ Holdens and Super 6 Holdens and Fords. A well presented grid with close and exciting racing is a given in NZ6.
Added interest this weekend comes with the Super 6’s South Island contingent travelling up to Manfeild to contest one of their National Championship rounds, joining the talented North Island grid.
Having recently celebrated their centenary of racing in New Zealand, the Pre 65s continue their exciting class battles around the flowing Manfeild circuit, while the Pro 7racing will see the battle continue between James Parker and Dean McMillan,with interest also surrounding the new ‘Pro7Bat’ control class that will be joining the championship next season.
In NZGT, the racing will be tight with competitors in more modest machinery than their GT1 and GT2 cousins making for unpredictable results and exciting action.
A wide range of Porsches from all eras will be out in force for the Bridgestone Porsche Series, witheverything from the GT3 Cup Cars to 944s competing for class honours, and the SS2000s providing similar racing to the GTRNZ field with all manner of modified machines, up to a two litre capacity.
The Super Mini Challenge battles between the Mini 7, Mini Miglia, Open Class and Super Mini categories will see perhaps the widest spread of speed and development from the smallest, most humble cars in the pit paddock at Manfeild. With the Super Minis in particular lapping considerably quicker than the newer BMW Mini Challenge cars, however, they are certainly high performance racing machines.
Single seater race fans will be on the edge of their seats with the Formula First racing;always close and competitive with slipstreaming battles in packs of up to ten cars making it impossible to predict a race winner, while the combined Sports Car and Formula Suzuki field showcases kiwi ingenuity with locally build sports car chassis up against the fast wings-and-slicks machines piloted by some of New Zealand’s most recognised driving talent.
The Manfeild ‘Ultimate Motorsport Weekend’ IRC event is the fourth of a six round calendar for the 2010/11 IRC Series, with the series travelling to Hampton Downs and Taupo in the coming months to round out the race season.
The action kicks off at 9:00am on Saturday and Sunday; each class with a qualifying session and one race on Saturday, and two races on Sunday.
Tickets are available on the gate for $20, while a special group pass of up to five adults is just $40 for a full weekend pass. Children under 17 can enjoy the action for free.
