Auckland-based teams and drivers are amidst a lengthy waiting game concerning travelling to the mainland for the South Island Endurance Series.
Cabinet will review Auckland’s alert level on Monday. The plan is currently for the city to move from level 3 to level 2 on Tuesday.
However, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she is not considering easing travel restrictions at the Auckland border even if the region drops to level 2.
“What’s not in consideration presently is removing that regional boundary at this time,” Ardern said.
A closed border could be in place for several weeks.
This weekend, several teams and drivers are not at Highlands Motorsport Park for the South Island series opener.
Two Nissan GT-R GT3s, a McLaren 720S, a Lamborghini Reiter R-EX GT3 and a Brabham BT62 are among those absent from the paddock.
The hope was that those affected would miss the first round before Auckland opened itself up next week.
However, extending the border closure will mean longer waiting times for trapped Aucklanders, and they will likely miss further rounds.
Sky TV are in the same boat and cannot televise any round until they can leave Auckland.
Series organisers have affirmed they will not be revising their calendar whether Auckland is in lockdown or not.
Timaru hosts round two on October 16.
Round three is at Teretonga a week later before Ruapuna wraps up the season on November 6.