The 24 Red Racing SS Cup championship heads to Euromarque Motorsport Park this weekend with 32 cars entered. While the points table suggests a dominant leader, the real story is far more nuanced.
On paper, Dave McLean (158) leads the overall standings on 932 points, holding what appears to be a commanding 237-point advantage over Matt Ryan (65) on 695. But the numbers need context. McLean has already played his Joker Round earlier in the season, doubling his points haul at Round 2. Most of his closest rivals are yet to nominate theirs.
Remove the Joker effect, and McLean’s effective lead shrinks to just 39 points. Across a four-race weekend, that margin is far from safe. With two reverse grid handicap races at Euromarque and a narrow breakout bracket in play, the championship fight is very much alive.
Class A – pressure building
McLean may lead Class A on 984 points, but Ryan and Richard Simpson (188) remain well positioned to capitalise if the points swing back toward normal scoring.
Ruapuna’s 1:35 to 1:36.99 Class A window is unforgiving. A breakout exclusion or a mechanical issue could quickly wipe out a weekend. And with others still holding Joker cards in reserve, the strategic layer is only just beginning.
Class B – Kelly and Liemburg circling
In Class B, Jason Kelly (29) leads on 774 class points, with Carmen Liemburg (350) just 51 behind on 723.
That gap can disappear with a single strong reverse grid drive. Kelly has shown consistency, but Liemburg remains firmly within reach. Expect this fight to intensify as the season approaches its final phase.
Class C – steady but not secure
Mike McCarthy (247) leads Class C on 866 points, ahead of Ben van Heeswyck (42) on 795 and Allan Garnett (53) on 747.
The margin is useful, but not unassailable. With reverse grids and traffic management always in play, Class C remains unpredictable.
The Ruapuna challenge
Euromarque Motorsport Park rewards commitment and rhythm. The grand prix configuration is a 3.33km hotmix circuit that runs in an anti-clockwise direction.
- A strategy will be required.
- Slipstream into Turn 1.
- Patience through traffic.
- Precision within the class brackets.
Push too hard and risk a breakout. Sit too long behind slower traffic and watch points disappear.
The real championship picture
The raw table says McLean is comfortable. The strategic reality says otherwise.
With Joker cards still in play and two rounds remaining, Round 5 may be the true turning point of the 2025–26 SS Cup season.
Header Image: Euan Cameron
