Another exciting season of motorsport action is inbound at Invercargill’s Teretonga Park motor racing circuit.
First up is the annual South Island Endurance Series meeting on Saturday 4 October, supported locally by Brazier Scaffolding, with One-Hour and Three-Hour races planned.
The following day, should there be sufficient entries, a day of club racing is planned. The SSCC Club Saloon Series will take place at all but one of the club’s meetings this year, with the Noel McIntyre Drainage Trophy once again up for grabs for the club’s Race Champion.
This year the trophy is all the more poignant after Noel’s recent passing. Noel McIntyre was considered more than a sponsor at Teretonga Park – he was a friend of the club and circuit who could always be relied upon for practical, no-nonsense advice and assistance. The trophy was first awarded in 1993 and over the years it has been highly sought after, with names such as Ian Tulloch, father and son duo Robin and Liam MacDonald, and Jordan and Rick Michels adorning the silverware. It is currently held by Lynden Prebble of Dipton.
Next up is two full days of motor racing over the weekend of 6–7 December with many of the South Island’s best classes present, led by the OSCA Super Saloons, the SS Cup, and also the Noel McIntyre Drainage Club Saloons.
International motorsport returns in January when the Repco NextGen Championship brings the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) to the circuit. Changes to the CTFROT promise one of the most exciting international grids in years in a series that has brought some of the world’s best up-and-coming young talents – including current F1 drivers Lando Norris, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda – to the region.
Backing the event is the TA2 Muscle Car Series, featuring purpose-built racing chassis and 525-horsepower engine packages based on Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros, and Dodge Challengers. Other classes on the programme include the GR86 Championship, Summerset GT NZ, NZ Formula Ford, and the Nexen Tyre Mazda Racing Super Series.
The weekend of 21–22 February sees the annual Ascot Park Hotel Classic SpeedFest with another mouth-watering line-up of machinery, including Classic Saloons, Sports & GT Cars, Racing Cars, and the Noel McIntyre Drainage Club Saloons.
Southern Thunder on 14–15 March rounds out the season with spectacular favourites – the NZ Super Trucks and Mainland Muscle Cars – plus other classes including a rare appearance at Teretonga Park of Formula First.
Pre-sale tickets for the opening meeting are on sale now at E Hayes & Sons, Dee Street, Invercargill, for $15 plus any additional charges. Tickets at the gate will cost $20 on race day, while children 14 and under accompanied by an adult are free.