Good entries for SI Endurance Series

Good entries for SI Endurance Series

With just under a month to go until the 2010 ASKO Appliances South Island Endurance Series kicks off, the Series has a good range of entries from across the board and has nearly finalized another excellent package for its competitors.

The series has again secured ASKO Appliances as it naming rights sponsor and along with the various class sponsors have managed to secure another significant prizemoney pool to give away. “We are still working with a few sponsors, but already have a good deal locked away” said series secretary Chris Dunn. “We will have some prizemoney to give away, we have a TV package for the Powerbuilt Ruapuna round and also the magnificent painting valued at around $10,000 to give away as a spot prize, so it’s another fantastic package!”

They have the top 12 team from the 2009 3hr Series all returning for another crack at the title. In the 2009 series, the top 5 overall were separated by only 7 championship points after three rounds and those 5 cars came from 3 different classes, so it is sure to be another hard fought series.

Dunn says “In the 3 hour series we again have some good GT3 Porsche entries plus a Ferrari F430 Challenge, as well as the Falcon Supercar that will all be seeking GT class honors. In the 3501+cc class it will be the traditional V8 v Turbo battle as the Ford & Chevy V8s take on the big turbo powered cars”. “However at this stage we have more confirmed entries in the 3 smaller classes that the two bigger classes, with the 2000-3500cc being the most hotly contested with a gaggle of BMW M3s up against the 4 cylinder turbo cars, who will also be vying for the Matt Heagney Memorial trophy for 1st 4 cylinder home. The smaller 0-1600 & 1601-2000cc classes will be dominated by Honda Integra's at this stage with the European influence coming from the Reno Megane cup car & the baby of the field the Peugeot 106”

The Club has extended its series for 2010 and will be holding separate 1hr races at out rounds especially for club type cars.

Both the one hour & three hour series’ will run over three rounds, one at each of the South Island race circuits with Round One at Powerbuilt Ruapuna on September 4th 2010, round Two at Teretonga Park on September 18th and the final round Three at Levels Raceway on October 2nd 2010.

With the races separated, both series’ will still have 5 separate racing classes with cars divided into four capacity based classes being, Class 4: 0-1600cc, Class 3: 1601-2000cc, Class 2: 2001-3500cc and class 1: 3501cc and over, but also include a GT class for the Porsche GT3’s & V8 Supercars and other exotic cars in the field.

Series Secretary Chris Dunn said “We see the one hour series as a great opportunity for new competitors to get a foot in the door with Endurance racing or for competitors to still compete but with less expense. Our new dates have a host of benefits including competitors, especially in the NZ championship classes, can come & get some valuable seat time & miles on the South Island Circuits prior to the start of the traditional summer series.” “It also means that there is a considerable gap between the North Island & South Island series which will hopefully attract more competitors to cross the ditch, plus competitors will now have the winter months to prepare their cars.”

Although very happy with entries to date Dunn says that there are always room for more. We really need a few more in our one hour series to make it a good race for everyone. This is a great low cost way to get race miles &
With TV coverage at two of its 2008 rounds plus a prizemoney pool of $7500, the series is currently working with overall and class sponsors for 2009. Competitors can register their interest by contacting the series secretary, Chris Dunn, via e-mail at sierdc@xtra.co.nz or phone 021-107-9293. Any potential competitors, crews and supporters are welcome to be added to the clubs e-mailing list by simply sending an e-mail to the above address.

Ends

© Scoop Media