A strong field of 27 entries has been confirmed for this weekend’s 1-Hour race in the second round of the North Island Endurance Series at Taupo.
Four classes will partake in Saturday’s outing, with Joel Giddy leading the charge in a Mercedes AMG GT2 following his triumph at Hampton Downs in the opening round.
Giddy leads the points table in Class 2, following the DNFs of his two archrivals in Round 1. Seb Manson’s Porsche 992 and Rhys Gould’s Mustang-inspired IRC GT car were involved in separate incidents.
Unfortunately, the damage to Manson’s Porsche requires the car to be re-shelled, a costly and lengthy process. A new body shell will have to travel from Germany to New Zealand, and unless flown to the country, the delivery takes at least eight weeks by sea freight.
However, Manson will still be in action, albeit in an older Porsche 991.
Fortunately, Gould’s IRC car was easily repaired, with a replacement rear chassis clip that bolts up the undamaged centre section. Come Saturday, Gould will be one of Giddy’s closest rivals.
Also in the mix is young Toyota 86 star Hunter Robb, who is back in action in a Porsche 991 from a hard-fought second place at Hampton Downs. The tight, twisty Taupo circuit should suit Robb and his fast, nimble car.
Paul Southam, who completed the Round 1 podium in a Porsche 991, will also feature in Taupo, as will Australian driver John Goodacre, who enjoyed a great run in an IRC GT.
James Parker will take control of Danny Stutterd’s IRC GT, also repaired from a Hampton Downs accident.
The 14-strong Class 2 field also features the AM/AM pairing of Steve Brooks and Bill Riding (Porsche 992), Nick Ross (Nissan Altima), Kane Lawson (Porsche 992), Shaun Varney (BMW 318), John Midgley (Ford Falcon), Glenn Cotterill (Porsche 992), and the Porsche 997 pairing of Hayden and Preston Johnston.
The battle within the battle for Class 3 sees Brent Forman (McLaren 570S GT4) leading following success at Hampton Downs, with the pairing of Oliver Saxton and Hamish Fraser hot on his heels in a Porsche Cayman.
David Cranna also returns, finishing third in Round 1 in a McLaren 570S GT4.
Rudy van Het Wout completes a three-strong McLaren contingent, with Brian Green sitting out Round 2.
Murray Garland (BMW M3), Michael Selak (BMW M3) and the pairing of James Annabell and Richard Wagstaff (Dodge Viper) complete the seven-strong Class 3 field.
Pel Arnott leads in Class 4 in his Hyundai i30 N TCR and will battle it out with Grant Baguley (BMW M3), who is second in points, and Brett Celliers (Subaru Impreza), third, at Taupo.
Chris Wall is also looking to cement his place at the top of the Class 5 standings in his Honda Civic, with Tania Jones, the Hampton Downs runner-up, back for Round 2. The Toyota AE86 of Dan and Jon Udy completes the field.
Testing for Round 2 of NIERDC takes place on Friday before proceedings begin with 1-hour qualifying on Saturday morning.
The Fast Files will offer a free livestream of the event on Facebook and YouTube.
Spectator entry to Taupo International Motorsport Park is free.
Header Image: Neville Bailey
