The new motor racing season begins at Teretonga Park, Invercargill, this weekend with an exciting, action packed, two day programme.
This race meeting presented by Downer features Endurance Racing on Saturday followed by a full day of action on Sunday consisting of the Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloons, Pro 7 Saloons, Sports & Racing Cars plus Karts and Motorcycles - sure to be a drawcard for spectators.
It all kicks off on Saturday as the ASKO Appliances South Island Endurance Series visits Teretonga Park for what has become the opening round of their 2010 Series after the original opener was postponed due to the Canterbury earthquake. The 3 Hour race has attracted a quality entry with last years race winners Auckland brothers Matt & Dwayne Carter back to defend their title in their BA Falcon V8 Supercar. Last years runner-up, Scott O'Donnell of Invercargill returns in his Porsche 996 RSR, this year paired with former single seater star Andy Neale of Christchurch.
Last years third placegetters Bruce Davidson and David Garden are also lining up again in their Chev Corvette C5. A host of other cars will also be in contention including the Arron Black/Warren Good BMW E46, John Wadsworth/Warren Croft of Blenheim in their Commodore, Allan Dippie and Grant Aitken in another Porsche GT3 and the Craig McDermid and Chris Henderson Toyota. A number of competitors will compete in a 1 hour race within the longer 3 hour event and when the 60 minute mark arrives those competitors are flagged off the track while the 3 hour combatants continue on.
The following day, Sunday, sees a quickfire programme of racing with something for everyone.
Timaru driver Jarrod Parmenter, the current New Zealand and South Island Pro 7 Saloon Champion, will be tough to topple in the Pro 7 Class while last years South Island Series runner-up Jason Corboy will be looking to continue his good form of last season. Local drivers Wayne Elliott plus husband and wife competitors Dean and Nicky Maw will also be to the fore in their Mazda RX7s.
Current Southland Sports Car Club Champion Robert Ralston will be the man to beat in his Nissan Silvia in the Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloon races with Brent Cross of Winton in a Mitsubishi EVO 3 and Tony Mann of Dunedin in a 5.7 litre Ford Capri his biggest threats.
In the Sports & Racing Car Class Damon Leitch will race a Formula Renault Tatuus, similar to a Toyota Racing Series car, while younger brother Brendon Leitch steps into the family Formula Ford. Another young, successful karting graduate, Jamie Conroy of Invercargill, also has a Formula Renault at his disposal. Challenging that youthful trio will be local drivers Trevor Earley, Dave McKenzie, Steve Heffernan, Don Nelson and Roxburghs Alf Dryden. Cameron Freeman of Mosgiel brings one of the rapid Formula Suzuki cars south to add spice to the field.
2008 Open Grand Prix Champion Paul Dunlop of Clydevale, one of the country's best superkart drivers, heads the entry in the kart races which should be quite spectacular.
Motorcycles, always a popular addition to the programme, wrap up an exciting and varied start to the new season.
The action commences with qualifying at 9.30am each day with racing to follow. Admission for adults is $5 on Saturday and $10 on Sunday while children under 14 years of age are free on both days.
Calendar
18/19 September 2010: Motor Racing presented by Downer - 3 Hour Endurance Race, 1 Hour Endurance Race, Pro 7, Motorcycles, Karts, Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans, Sports & Racing Cars
7 November 2010: Motor Racing presented by Downer - Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans, Sports & Racing Cars, Super 6 Saloons, Kumho Sport Saloons, A1 Auto Services 1 Hour Endurance Race
5/6 December 2010: Motor Racing presented by Downer - OSCA, Pre 65 Saloons; South Island Formula Ford, Pro 7, Kumho Sport Saloons, Link STC Series, Mini 7, Super 6 Saloons, Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans, Sports & Racing Cars
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14-16 January 2011: NZV8s, Toyota Racing Series; Porsche GT3, V8 Utes, Suzuki Swift Sport Cup, Production Racing Series, Formula Ford,
18-20 February 2011: Evolution Motorsport Classic SpeedFest featuring Formula 5000, Clubmans, Sports & Racing Cars
19/20 March 2011: Motor Racing presented by Downer - Link STC Series, Pre 65 Saloons, South Island Formula Ford, Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans, Sports & Racing Cars
