This weekend’s second round of the Golden Homes North Island Endurance Series is set to feature a trio of healthy grids across its one- two- and three-hour races.
Hampton Downs Motorsport Park plays host to this weekend’s event.
After a successful opening round at Pukekohe earlier this month, the entry list for round two has expanded massively.
The one-hour race is set to feature over 30 cars across different classes.
John de Veth and Glenn Smith will return after their imperious display at Pukekohe in the McLaren 650s GT3.
However, an impressive performance from Anthony Leighs in round one in the Blackbull Markets Audi R8 means de Veth and Smith will need to stay on their toes.
Leighs finished third in round one and this weekend will be guided from the sidelines by Tom Alexander.
Runner-up at Pukekohe, John Midgley returns for another gig in his Ford SuperTourer.
Blair McDonald, Brady Wild, and Tim Edgell each make their first appearance of the season in their respective V8-powered SuperTourers.
A strong contingent of Porsche 911s and GT4s make up a solid portion of the grid.
There will also be a pair of TCRs, with Rhys Gould and Gene Rollinson each driving a Hyundai i30 N.
The number of entries in the two-hour race has doubled since round one at Pukekohe and features a host of V8 Ute, Toyota 86 and 2K Cup machinery.
The big boys over in the three-hour race will also welcome the debut of Shane Helms and Greg Murphy in the Renault R.S 01.
A shortage of spare parts meant the car was not running at Pukekohe, but it is expected to make its New Zealand endurance racing this weekend.
Championship leaders Alex Riberas and Darren Kelly were dogged by persistent mechanical gremlins at Hampton Downs last year.
However, the duo and the Heart of Racing team come into this weekend with impeccable form and will be the ones to chase for the rest of the GT-A class.
Jonny Reid and Neil Foster executed an imposing recovery drive at Pukekohe after issues of their own and will be out to spoil the party.
Promising signs of pace from Lance Hughes and Chris van der Drift nearly bagged them a podium at Pukekohe, and they will be aiming for another steady weekend in the Nissan GT-R.
Geoff and Martin Short are also set to make their first three-hour appearance of the season driving an Audi R8 GT3.
Both the one- and the three-hour race will be broadcast live on Sky Sport this Saturday, with viewing times to be confirmed shortly.
