A big weekend of racing is underway at Teretonga Park in Invercargill with plenty more action to come tomorrow (Sunday) at the Southland Sports Car Club’s pre-Christmas motor race meeting presented by Downer.
Chris Henderson of Dunedin led all the way from pole position in his LS – powered Toyota GT86 in the OSCA Super Saloon race today to cross the line 4.572 seconds ahead of Invercargill driver Liam MacDonald in his Falcon. MacDonald finished with another Dunedin driver, Steve Ross, who had qualified down the order close behind in his Jaguar XK.
James Penrose of Rangiora maintained his unbeaten record for the season in the South Island Formula 1600 Championship race, leading all the way in his Van Diemen Stealth to win from Cameron Freeman of Dunedin with 15-year-old Jacob Douglas of Christchurch third in his motor racing debut. The victory gave Penrose Class 2 honours while Ryan Low of Christchurch in sixth took Class 1 while rookie, Harry Wilson of Invercargill, won Class 3 from veteran Noel Atley. Southlander Ethan Anderson and Zachary Christensen of Rolleston were dicing hard over second place until a coming together that saw both finish down the order.
Russell Watt of Alexandra won the Group B Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloon race in his Holden Commodore from Invercargill drivers Rachael Beck (Fiat 850) and Daniel McIntosh in a Mitsubishi Mirage with Leon Hallett of Mosgiel fourth in his Ford Galaxie after a short delay for a red flag after Invercargill driver David Hendry rolled his Nissan Sentra at the loop.
Kyle Dawson of Invercargill took the Group A race in his Nissan Skyline. He was chased all the way by Jordan Michels in his Honda Civic TCR car with Jason Crosbie third in a Nissan Silvia. Liam MacDonald took fourth in his Nissan NX ahead of Arron Black of Dunedin in his BMW E46.
The Pre 65 Saloons and Mini 7 South cars ran together and Corey Ross of Christchurch put his Mustang on pole and then led from start to finish to take the Pre 65 win. Invercargill driver Wayne Tuffley in a similar car was second until near the end when he slowed and another Southlander, John Smolenski who had made a blinder of a start from fifth on the grid, took the position off him to place second. The Mini 7 South battle went the way of Christchurch driver Justin Neill from Adam Box of Rolleston and Steve Scobie of Christchurch.
The Pro 7/8 cars and the NZ Six Saloons are also running together this weekend with Jared Pyke of Rangiora taking the Pro 7/8 honours in his Mazda RX8 by half a second from Cameron Davies of Waimate and Kris Mackie of Christchurch while in fifth place Simon Wheeler of Lincoln was the best of the RX7’s. The NZ Six race went to Justin Ashwell of Christchurch in his Ford Falcon ahead of Steven Gordon of Alexandra in his Commodore and Cody Welch of Omakau (Falcon).
Andrew Gibson qualified fastest and won the SS Cup race in his Honda Civic ahead of fellow Timaru driver James Liemburg and Jared Pyke of Rangiora in his Mazda RX8.
Racing continues from 9.00am Sunday morning with a full programme of seventeen exciting races.
A pass purchased at the gate tomorrow costs $20 while children 14 & under are free if accompanied by an adult.