A four-round South Island Endurance Series calendar has been unveiled, with Mike Pero Motorsport Park opening the season in early September.
Last year only three circuits hosted rounds of the championship, with Highlands Motorsport Park reserved for the New Zealand Endurance Championship event.
However, with the 2021 national race being held in the North Island, all four circuits in the mainland will have one round of the South Island series.
After the Ruapuna opener, Teretonga Park in Invercargill will play host to the second round of the championship on September 18.
Highlands is the venue for round three with the series concluding at Levels Raceway on October 16.
The New Zealand Championship is yet to have a firm date and venue, but will likely be in mid-to-late November.
Last year’s South series was clinched by newcomers Alex Riberas and Darren Kelly in the Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3. It remains to be seen if the two, or the Heart of Racing team, will return for a championship defence.
New to the championship for this year, series organisers will automatically accept any FIA GT3 car into the championship.
A healthy flock of top-flight GT3 machinery take to the grid last year, with the likes of Aston Martin, McLaren, Mercedes, Audi and Chevrolet all being represented at some point over the season.
MARC I and MARC II V8s are also now eligible for the 2021 season.
| Round | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruapuna | Sept 4 |
| 2 | Teretonga | Sept 18 |
| 3 | Highlands | Oct 2 |
| 4 | Levels | Oct 16 |