The 2022 Carters Tyre Service South Island Endurance Series is now underway with the first round at the Mike Pero Motorsport Park in Christchurch. Ruapuna sees a full day of competition today for a massive field, with the Class 4 & 5 One Hour beginning race proceedings at 10.20am. This is followed by the Class 2 & 3 One Hour at 11.40, before the day concludes with the Three Hour starting at 1.30pm.
Scott O’Donnell and Michael Lyons have led the early proceedings in the Class 4 & 5 One Hour event, going fastest in practice and qualifying. Complications, however, stopped them from taking the grid on top spot and saw them start in pit lane. At the time of writing, they have impressively worked their way through the huge 38-car field and sit second at the race midpoint.
Brad Rule appears to be the man to beat in Class 5, ahead of the rest of the category in both practice and qualifying.
The Class 2 & 3 One Hour saw close qualifying, with Sam Collins taking pole in a Mustang. Only one second separated the top five qualifiers. The G. Williams/ B. Williams partnership qualified fastest of the Class 3 runners.
The partnership of Andrew Fawcett and Daniel Gaunt start the Three Hour at the front of the pack, pipping Sam Fillmore and Jonny Reid by .005s. New Zealand racing legend Greg Murphy is also in the field, partnering with Shane Helms. The duo start the event in sixth.
