Endurance racing is back on the cards at Pukekohe this Saturday, the Fleetline 500 and Store Rite 100 taking to the iconic Pukekohe circuit one final time.
The event, dubbed the B & H Endurance Races and hosted by HRC Events, pays homage to the Benson & Hedges 500 which was run at Pukekohe from its opening until the late eighties, when it became a touring car event dubbed the Pukekohe 500.
Contenders will race over four classes in both races, trophies awarded to both the standard production and improved production winners from each class.
The Fleetline 500, also known at the Pukekohe 500, has an expected field of over 35 cars competing over 500 kilometres (172 laps) over four hours. In contrast, the Store Rite 100 will run 100 miles, raced over 57 laps with a 90 minute time limit.
Expected production vehicles include BMW M3 E90s, Honda Integras, Maxda MX5s and even a Ford GT40.
Confirmed competitors for the Fleetline 500 include three entries from 24 Red Racing and the Team Motive MX5, who aim to bring motorsport to those who live with disabilities.
Last run in 2020, due to pandemic interruptions in 2021, it was Karl Gaines, Karl Weber and Lance Gerlach coming away with victory in a Honda Integra.
The Benson & Hedges 500 was an event which can be dated back to 1963, known then as the Wills Six Hour Race. Ray Archibald and Tony Shelly won that race in a Jaguar 3.8. Other names in that field include none-other than Colin Giltrap.
The series was targeted towards production cars initially, changing regulations in 1967 to mandate New Zealand-built production cars. The series built success throughout the 1960’s & 70’s and quickly established itself as a premier event of New Zealand motorsport.
Entering into the 80’s, an endurance race series was formed, the addition of races at Manfeild and Bay Park Raceway added to the calendar, creating a three-race series. Mid-decade, the race adopted Group A Touring Car regulations and was linked with the Wellington 500 street race.
This brought about dramatic change, the Pukekohe 500 now attracting talent from across the world to come and compete in the two races. 1987 was the last year of the official “Benson & Hedges 500” title, however the Pukekohe 500 remained as a round of the Asia-Pacific Touring Car Championship, along with the Wellington 500, the Bathurst 1000 and Fuji 500.
That 1987 race was won by Gianfranco Brancatelli and Allan Grice in a Mark Petch Motorsport BMW M3.
Qualifying for the Store Rite 100 begins at 10am on Saturday, the race getting underway at 11.30.
Qualifying for the Fleetline 500 takes place at 10.30am, the race beginning at 1.30pm.
Spectators are encouraged at the event, the entry cost just $20.
A live stream will also be available on the B & H Endurance Races Facebook page.
Header Image: The starting grid of an early Benson & Hedges event at Pukekohe. Credit: HRC Events
