• Latest
  • Trending
Quick reflexes help Audi combo claim against-the-odds enduro podium

Quick reflexes help Audi combo claim against-the-odds enduro podium

October 5, 2020
Is the Virtual Safety Car the way forward for racing in New Zealand?

Is the Virtual Safety Car the way forward for racing in New Zealand?

March 2, 2021
Carroll Shelby’s personal Daytona Cobra emerges online for sale

Carroll Shelby’s personal Daytona Cobra emerges online for sale

March 2, 2021
Earl Bamber to race in 2021 Nürburgring 24 Hour

Earl Bamber to race in 2021 Nürburgring 24 Hour

March 2, 2021
MotorSport New Zealand launches first official eSport race series

MotorSport New Zealand launches first official eSport race series

March 1, 2021
Slade disappointed with crash but sees positives after opening round

Slade disappointed with crash but sees positives after opening round

March 1, 2021
MotoFest 2021 postponed

MotoFest 2021 postponed

March 1, 2021
Jack Brabham’s first-ever F1 car up for sale

Jack Brabham’s first-ever F1 car up for sale

March 1, 2021
Formula E release CCTV footage of Evans, Lynn aeroplane crash

Formula E release CCTV footage of Evans, Lynn aeroplane crash

March 1, 2021
“We’ve got to keep chipping away”: Van Gisbergen reflects on victory streak and big title lead

“We’ve got to keep chipping away”: Van Gisbergen reflects on victory streak and big title lead

February 28, 2021
Watch: Shane van Gisbergen makes perfect start, claims second Mount Panorama win

Watch: Shane van Gisbergen makes perfect start, claims second Mount Panorama win

February 28, 2021
Watch: Shane van Gisbergen claims pole after dramatic Bathurst 500 shootout

Watch: Shane van Gisbergen claims pole after dramatic Bathurst 500 shootout

February 28, 2021
Wednesday, March 3, 2021
VelocityNews
Classifieds
Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
VelocityNews
No Result
View All Result

Quick reflexes help Audi combo claim against-the-odds enduro podium

Photo: Terry Marshall

by Matthew Hansen
October 5, 2020
in New Zealand, SIERDC
0

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Is the Virtual Safety Car the way forward for racing in New Zealand?

Speed Works Events confirm postponement of Pukekohe event due to Auckland lockdown

While Brendon Leitch and Christina Orr-West were able to claim a podium finish at the opening round of the Carters Tyres South Island Endurance Series at Teretonga, a second successive podium seemed like a tall order at last weekend’s second round a Christchurch.

Between events the series had attracted a bevy of extra GT3 entries, made up of cars much newer than the Dayle ITM Audi R8 LMS Ultra shared between Leitch and Orr-West. But thanks to an excellent opening stint from Orr-West and reliability gremlins among the other GT3 runners, the pair were able to stand on the podium.

Orr-West’s opening stint was among the most action packed of anyone on track; the former Toyota Racing Series and SsangYong Race Series pilot almost collecting a spun Andrew Fawcett/Sam Fillmore Audi R8; the International Motorsport entry awkwardly parked across the circuit and forcing Orr-West to take evasive action.

“We started seventh and thought our best hope for the day would be a top five,” said Orr-West.

“The race turned out to be a lot more dramatic than any of us had imagined though and after our close call on lap seven we then had to deal with an overheating gearbox thanks to the bodywork damage. That meant Brendon and myself had to nurse it a little whilst still trying to maintain the fast pace of the newer GT cars.”

Leitch praised his co-driver’s performance. Early damage forced the southern driver to play a conservative strategy on the run to the finish, where they would cross the line third behind Alex Riberas/Darren Kelly (Aston Martin Vantage) and Dwayne Carter/Greg Murphy (Mercedes-AMG GT3).

“Christina handed the car over to me in third which was super impressive,” added Leitch. “From there I was able to push on for a few laps but the temperatures were getting too high after the contact so we opted for a more conservative race.

“We went into fuel saving and gearbox nursing mode to make it homes and it was actually more difficult to drive at that slower pace than flat out as there were some new things to think about and manage. That’s a position I’ve never really been in before, but we were genuinely delighted to grab another podium.”

The third and final round of the South Island Endurance Series takes place at Levels Raceway on October 17.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Is the Virtual Safety Car the way forward for racing in New Zealand?

Carroll Shelby’s personal Daytona Cobra emerges online for sale

Earl Bamber to race in 2021 Nürburgring 24 Hour

MotorSport New Zealand launches first official eSport race series

Slade disappointed with crash but sees positives after opening round

MotoFest 2021 postponed

Bringing you the latest motorsport news in New Zealand and around the world

Managing editor and publisher:
Mark Petch mark@velocitynews.co.nz

Motorsport Editor:
Matthew Hansen matt@velocitynews.co.nz

Motorsport Editor:
Alex Schultz alex@velocitynews.co.nz

Motor Racing Editor:
Zane Shackleton zane@velocitynews.co.nz

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact Us

© 2020 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • International
      • Formula 1
      • Formula 2
      • Formula 3
      • Formula E
      • Esports
      • Super GT
      • Super Formula
      • TCR
      • WEC
      • GT
      • Porsche Carrera Cup
      • BTCC
      • DTM
      • IMSA
      • IndyCar
      • NASCAR
      • WRC
      • MotoGP
      • Motorcycle Racing
      • Classic
    • New Zealand
      • Toyota Race Series
      • Toyota 86
      • Rally
      • Speedway
      • Drifting
      • Formula Ford
      • Formula First
      • TCR NZ
      • TransTasman V8 Series
      • V8 Utes
      • GTRNZ
      • Central Muscle Cars
      • Pirelli Porsche
      • Mazda Racing Series
      • NIERDC
      • SIERDC
      • SsangYong Utes
      • Kartsport
      • NZ General
    • Australia
      • Supercars
      • Super2
      • Australian V8 Touring Car Series
      • S5000
      • Australian GT
      • TCR AU
    • General
  • Features
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Profile
    • Race Cars
  • Calendar
  • Results
  • Velocity TV
  • Performance Cars
  • Classifieds
    • Classifieds
    • Post Classified
    • Manage your listings
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Job Dashboard

© 2020 VelocityNews - Independent New Zealand and International Motorsport news.