Exciting Cars And Top Drivers Open New Season At Teretonga

Media Release
28 September 2012

Exciting Cars And Top Drivers Open New Season At Teretonga

Some exciting cars and some of New Zealands best drivers will greet spectators at the first meeting of the new season at Teretonga Park this weekend.

The new season gets underway over the weekend of 29/30 September with motor racing presented by Downer. In addition to the Toyo Tyres New Zealand Pro7 Championship there will be a round of the ASKO Appliances South Island Endurance Series 3 Hour and 1 Hour races, the Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloons and Sports & Racing Cars.

The first day of the event, Saturday, features both the 1 Hour and 3 Hour races of the ASKO Appliances South Island Endurance Series. The 1 Hour race will start proceedings with some interesting cars and drivers among the mix. Paul Kelly, winner of the opening round in Christchurch, teams up with Daniel Gaunt, a two-time New Zealand Grand Prix winner and fresh from co-driving duties in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship, in a Porsche 997 GT3. Peter Van Eeekelen of Christchurch has a similar car while Tim O'Connor of Lower Hutt will be at the wheel of his Ferrari. The race also sees the debut of Inky Tulloch's new generation NZV8 Holden Commodore.

The field for the 3 Hour race is just as formidable. Kelly and Gaunt back up to do this race as well while Rick Armstrong pairs with fellow Christchurch driver and former karting and single seater star, Matthew Hamilton. Andrew Bagnall and Ant Pedersen are another strong Porsche combination while the Ferrari is also back out on the track, this time in the hands of two of New Zealands best drivers, Sam MacNeill and Craig Innes.

On Sunday Round 1 of the Toyo Tyres New Zealand Pro7 Championship will take place. The South Island have a strong pedigree in this event but this year the North Island have the more experienced line up. Look for Phil Blythe of Auckland in the Pro7 Class while Napier driver Dean McMillan is the early favourite in the Pro7 Plus Class.

Invercargill driver Colin Dawson will be the frontrunner in his V8 powered Mazda RX7 in the Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans races with his main opposition coming from Brent Cross of Winton in an EVO 3, Darryn Andrews of Lincoln in a Nissan Primera and Robert Ralston of Invercargill in a Nissan Silvia. Several new names appear on the entry list as the category continues to enjoy good numbers.

A small field will line the grid for the Sports & Racing car events.

The on track action commences at 9.15am on Saturday with racing from 11.30am while the action resumes at 10.00am on Sunday

Admission is just $15 for a weekend pass and $10 on Sunday. Children under 14 are free.

Full information on the Southland Sports Car Club 2012/2013 season can be found at - www.teretonga.org.nz

Lindsay Beer
Publicity Officer
Southland Sports Car Club
021 351 499

ASKO Appliances South Island Endurance Series competitor Paul Kelly of Christchurch (Porsche 997 GT3) - Please credit Euan Cameron

CALENDAR 2012/2013 SEASON - TERETONGA PARK

29/30 September 2012: Motor Racing presented by Downer - South Island Endurance Series, NZ Pro 7 Championship, Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloons, Sports & Racing Cars

4 November 2012: Motor Racing presented by Downer - Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloons, Sports & Racing Cars & Motorcycles

1/2 December 2012: Motor Racing presented by Downer - OSCA Saloons, Pre 65 Saloons, Mini 7 South, South Island Formula Ford, Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Salloons, Sports & Racing Cars

11-13 January 2013: NZV8s, Toyota Racing Series; Formula Ford, Sports GT, Production GT & one class to be confirmed

15-17 February 2013: Evolution Motorsport Classic SpeedFest featuring Classic Saloons, Historic Touring Cars, Vintage Car Club, Sports & Racing Cars, South Island Pre 65 Saloons, Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloons & Formula 5000 - to be confirmed

17 March 2013: Motor Racing presented by Downer - Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloons, Sports & Racing Cars, NZ Six Saloons, Pro 7 Saloons, A1 Autos One Hour Race

Click for big version.

ENDS

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