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, it 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 and won by some of the club’s foremost racers, including Ian Tulloch, the father and son combo Robin and Liam MacDonald, and Jordan Michels, along with his dad Rick Michels, who have all adorned the trophy. It is currently held by Lynden Prebble of Dipton.
Next up are 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 NextGen Championship brings the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) to the circuit.
Changes to CTFROT see the promise of one of the most exciting international grids for many years in a series that has brought some of the world’s most up-and-coming young talents, such as current F1 drivers Lando Norris, Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda and more, to the region.
CTFROT will be backed up with TA2 Muscle Car Series, featuring purpose-built racing chassis and a 525-horsepower engine package, based on Ford Mustangs, Chevy Camaro, and Dodge Challengers, in a return to top-level big banger saloon racing.
Other classes on the programme include the GR86 Championship, GT NZ, NZ Formula Ford and the Mazda Racing Super Series.
The weekend of 21/22 February sees the annual Classic SpeedFest with another mouthwatering line-up of exciting 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, at a cost of $15 plus any additional charges.
Tickets will cost $20 at the gate on race day, while children 14 and under accompanied by an adult are free.
Header Image: Terry Marshall
