Auckland’s Hugh Gardiner has returned to the winner’s rostrum after taking victory in the opening leg of the 2025 One Hour South Island Endurance Series for Class 1,2 & 3 cars.
Held at the Euromarque Motorsport Park in Christchurch, it was only after a chaotic opening 20 minutes of the round that Gardiner emerged into the lead, holding on to the chequered flag.
Second home was Southland’s Jordan Michel’s (Marc II Mustang), with Christchurch’s Paul Kelly (Porsche 992 GT3 Cup) third.
“My car looks after its tyres really well,” commented Gardiner.
“I’ve done this enough now that I know that it is only the last 20 minutes that really matters.
“The beginning was really scrappy with several safety car periods, so I was just happy to initially sit behind Jordan (Michels). All I needed to do was get through to the last 20 minutes as I knew my tyres would be fine.”
Michels set the fastest lap in Saturday morning’s qualifying and immediately took the lead of the race from Gardiner until taking a compulsory pitstop.
Behind the front two, other threats to the lead had problems with the Wolfbrook Porsche of Bill Riding and Steve Brooks, Paul Kelly (Porsche) and Jaden Ransley (Ford Falcon) all separately spinning and dropping down the field.
While all were able to carry on, the challenge for the lead was negated, and it became a matter of fighting for essential points towards the three-round series.
The first 20 minutes also saw three separate safety car periods, which repeatedly brought the field together, with the third taking place just one minute before the 20-minute pitstop window opened.
Once the safety car had left the track and racing resumed, Michels immediately pitted with Gardiner taking his stop one lap later, then emerging in the lead.
“His car held onto the tyre longer,” said Michels.
“Over the race, he had a stronger car, so we will look at what more we need to do for the next round.
The pit stop didn’t help either. Overall, our car went well, and it is a good result, better than last season.”
Gardiner was comfortably able to extend his lead, crossing the finish line 21 seconds clear of Michels, with Kelly (Porsche) having clawed his way back to a podium position, but only just ahead of a resurging Riding/Brooks Porsche.
Gardiner was also first in Class 1, while Jaden Ransly won Class 2 from Vin Schelp (Porsche), and Kent Quinn (Porsche GT4) won Class 3 ahead of Steve Scoles (Ginetta G55 G56).
Third in Class 3 was Pel Arnott (Hyundai i30N TCR), the first from the TCR category, which has this season moved up from Class 4.
Results – One Hour South Island Endurance Series Rnd 1:
| Position | Drivers | Car | Class |
| 1 | Hugh Gardiner | Porsche 991.2 GT3 Cup | 1 |
| 2 | Jordan Michels | Marc II Mustang | 1 |
| 3 | Paul Kelly | Porsche 992 GT3 Cup | 1 |
| 4 | S Brooks /B Riding | Porsche 992 Cup Car | 1 |
| 5 | Nigel Cromie | Porsche 992 GT3 Cup | 1 |
| 6 | Jaden Ransley | Ford Falcon FG | 2 |
| 7 | Vin Schelp | Porsche 997 GT3 Cup | 2 |
| 8 | Garry Derrick | Porsche 991.2 GT3 Cup | 1 |
| 9 | M Dippie /A Dippie | Porsche 992 GT3 Cup | 1 |
| 10 | Kent Quinn | Porsche GT4 982 RS | 3 |
| 11 | Steve Scoles | Ginetta G55 G56 Evo | 3 |
| 12 | Pel Arnott | Hyundai I30 N TCR | 3 |
| 13 | Michael Bushell/Angus McFarlane | Porsche GT3 Cup | 3 |
| 14 | Grant Aitken | Audi R8 GT4 | 3 |
| 15 | Chris Nichols | Porsche 997 GT3 Cup | 2 |
| 16 | Scott O’Donnell | Hyundai I30N TCR | 3 |
| 17 | Grant Askew | Volkswagen Golf GTITCR | 3 |
| 18 | Russell McKenzie | Porsche GT4 RS Clubsport | 3 |
| 19 | John Beck | Porsche 911.1 GT3 Cup | 2 |
| 20 | David Rogers | McLaren 570S GT4 | 3 |
| 21 | Craig Mitchell | Ginetta G55 GT4 | 3 |
| 22 | James Paterson | Audi R8 | 3 |
| 23 | Matt O’Donnell | Audi R3 LMS TCR | 3 |
| DNF | Braydon Phillips | Ford Falcon FG | 2 |
| DNF | John MacKay | Seat Cupra TCR | 3 |
| DNF | Steve Dent | Ford Falcon FG | 2 |
| DNF | Adam Julian | Audi R8 LMS Ultra GT3 | 1 |
| DNF | Scotty McDermid | Toyota 86 Enduro | 3 |
Drivers and teams head to Teretonga Park in Invercargill for the second round on Saturday, 4 October 2025.
Header Image: Richard Opie
