Chester qualifies Marc GT on pole for Golden Homes North Island Endurance Series Taupo 1-Hour

Nick Chester has qualified the new Marc GT on pole for the Golden Homes North Island Endurance Series at Taupo, leaving it late to pip Heremana Malmezac (Porsche 991.2 Cup MR) by just one-tenth of a second. Malmezac had shown great pace through the early stages, leading provisionally until Chester’s final flyer put him to the top.

Francois Beziac (Porsche 991.2 Cup MR) was third fastest, some 1.7 seconds behind the leading duo. He’ll have 1-Hour series leader Luke Manson (Porsche 991.2) for company of the second row. The Steve Brooks/Bill Riding Wolfbrook Porsche 992 Cup qualified fifth, with Nick Ross (Nissan Altima) taking to the track late on to make the most of the clear air to qualify sixth.

Brock Cooley (Mazda RX7) was the fastest of Class 3, qualifying seventh overall to start directly in front of closest rival Joel Giddy (Mercedes AMG GT4). Grant Aitken (Porsche GT4 RS) wasn’t far off the lead pair, setting the tenth best time overall to start directly next to Giddy in what shapes up to be a massive battle for class honours.

Shock second-place getter at Hampton Downs Shaun Varney (BMW 318i) could only manage to qualify 11th with his team having to burn the midnight oil to get parts down from Auckland after mechanical difficulties in yesterday’s open practice

Ayrton Hodson and Brett Sullivan (Z4 M Coupe) continue their march towards the Class 4 title, leaving it late to pip Scott Smith (Seat Leon) by half a second.

Chris Wall (Honda Civic) was the first Class 5 runner home, with Brooklyn Horan pipping Cormac Murphy in the battle of the Toyota 86s.

The Golden Homes North Island Endurance Series Taupo 1-Hour begins at 11.00 am

Golden Homes North Island Endurance Series Taupo 1-Hour starting grid

Header Image: Neville Bailey