Motor Sport
Southland motorsport fans have a chance to see a return of top-level motor racing at Teretonga 20-22 January when the Super Sprint MotorSport New Zealand Championship touches down.
It will be a return of the Toyota FT-60 wings and slicks cars race at the track – the distinctive safety halo being a feature that bridges the gap to the DNA of Formula 1. Now known as the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship certified by FIA, the weekend also includes the Toyota 86 series and the feature event: The Southern Sprint, for local saloon cars.
All the racing will be televised live on Sky Sport 5 and Fox Sports Australia, on both the Saturday and Sunday. TV3 will air the Sunday afternoon race action.
The return also brings international visitors – many with bucket list dreams to race at the world’s most southern FIA circuit.
With a new promoter at the helm, the new broom brings change and one that Brendon White, head of the Super Sprint series says 2023 is a soft start to future events:
“We know how passionate Southlanders are of motorsport and with Teretonga missing out in recent years, bringing a show to the deep south has been high on our list of achievements for year one,” he said.
“The V8 class is an obvious drawcard for Southlanders and the new category will be one we look forward to bringing another year.
“We couldn’t make 2024 work due to clashes with other large events at the time the series is in the South Island. The show relies on so many locals from the community – especially the flag marshals and event volunteers.
Threaded between the race action is a number of fun events.
“Teretonga has a reputation for spectator fun. The roar of an old engine from the embankment or the sheep truck scaffolding are reminders how much they value a whole day out. So we are mindful of adding other activities between the racing. One example is the track cruise on Sunday afternoon. It’s an opportunity for the locals to show their pride and joy to others – including the television cameras.”
It’s the Southern Sprint racing that White says is the big feature for the locals.
“We put out the feelers for those with a race car to join the weekend and build a locals show. The variety of entrants is pretty spectacular, and we even managed to sneak a couple of rally drivers into the line-up. It’s live on TV so is the ultimate opportunity for locals to show the world what they’re made of.”
Cromwell’s Hayden Paddon and Dunedin’s Emma Gilmour are the two additional drivers, courtesy of local businessman Scott O’Donnell – who is providing the cars.
Paddon will be in his former Hyundai i30 N TCR.
Gilmour will race the Mini Cooper, while O’Donnell intends racing his Porsche 996.
“I’m really excited to be racing at Teretonga,” said Gilmour. “Although I’ve driven the track in my rally car it will be the first time in a race car.
“The opportunity to be part of such a great event and driving a fun car made it an easy decision. Even though the first time I’ll get to touch the car is the Friday morning before first practice I’m excited to be lining up against so many experienced others.”
Also on offer are several hot-lap ride opportunities – a chance to experience the track full of adrenaline. Entry details are available on the website page https://supersprint.co.nz/hotlaps/
The action begins on Friday 20 January with timed practice sessions. Racing begins on the Saturday, with the track cruise, grid walk and Southern Sprint final being held on the Sunday.
Tickets can be purchased online with details available from the https://supersprint.co.nz website. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate.