Auckland’s lockdown has forced another driver change for SBT Motorsport and their McLaren 650S ahead of next weekend’s South Island Endurance Series opener.
Glen Chappel is now racing alongside the team’s lead driver Glenn Smith at Highlands Motorsport Park.
Chappel fills the spot initially reserved for Nick Chester, who was called up to replace John De Veth last month.
However, Chester is based in Auckland, which is still at a higher Covid-19 alert level than the rest of the country.
Consequently, Chester cannot leave Auckland until the province drops to level 2.
The earliest Auckland will drop to level 2 is on October 5.
All teams and drivers located in Auckland will likely miss at least round one of the series.
Chappel got his first taste of the McLaren 650S GT3 in a test at Manfeild.
He is no stranger to the demands of endurance racing. He has competed in the North Island Endurance Series in his popular BMW 150 diesel.
The opening round of the South Island Endurance Series is on October 2.