After a false start when snow caused the cancellation of the opening event of the season at Teretonga Park last month the cars finally make it to the startline at the circuit this Saturday.
Not all of the classes from the original season opener are able to compete at this meeting presented by Downer but the Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloons and Sports & Racing Cars will feature in a quickfire, fast paced programme.
Qualifying commences at 1pm on Saturday with racing to follow. The fast format will allow spectators to be home in time for television coverage of Bathurst qualifying later in the afternoon.
The expected frontrunner in the Clubmans Saloons prior to the cancelled meeting in October was current Southland Sports Car Club Champion Robert Ralston in his Nissan Silvia. Nothing has changed since that time with his toughest challenges expected to come from Brent Cross of Winton in a Mitsubishi EVO 3 and Tony Mann of Dunedin in a 5.7 litre Ford Capri. These drivers can expect tough competition from Andrew Brown of Invercargill in a Honda Civic turbo who has been added to the entries. As is always expected in the Clubmans Class the racing will be fast and furious throughout the field. Rachael Beck, often seen in a Fiat 125 in the past, will drive a rather unique entry - a 2 litre turbocharged Fiat 850. The other female competitor in the class, Nicola Kett, will be at the wheel of a Honda Civic.
Three of the provinces most talented up and coming drivers, Damon Leitch, Brendon Leitch and Jamie Conroy will display their rapidly developing skills in the Sports & Racing Car Class. National Formula Ford frontrunner Damon Leitch will race a Formula Renault Tatuus in preparation for his upcoming campaign in the Toyota Racing Series while younger brother Brendon steps into the Formula Ford utilised so successfully by Damon over the past two years. Another fast rising karting graduate, Jamie Conroy of Invercargill, also has a Formula Renault at his disposal. The class will see the ultimate battle of youth versus experience as Noel Atley, Trevor Earley, Dave McKenzie, Steve Heffernan, Don Nelson and Roxburghs Alf Dryden line up alongside the trio of teenagers.
Admission for adults is $10 while children under 14 years of age are free.
