Excitement filled Teretonga Raceway on December 5 and 6 as the 24 Red Racing SS Cup delivered four competitive races at New Zealand’s fastest circuit. Weather forecasts had predicted rain, yet dry conditions prevailed throughout, enabling uninterrupted racing and a full Sunday programme.
Qualifying
With uncertain Sunday weather, Saturday’s qualifying proved crucial. On pole, Dave McLean (158) benefited after A Class rival Peter Sutherland broke out by less than three tenths, leaving McLean clear at the front. Completing the top three were Matt Ryan (65) and Lincoln Brunton (97).
In B Class, the quickest qualifiers were Logan Anderson, Nieko Scoles, and Josh Mitchell (82). Lynden Prebble (902) and Jacob Cunniffe both dipped into the seven-second bracket, meaning they would start Race 1 from the back of the grid alongside Peter Sutherland.
C Class pace-setters were Mike Hammer, Mick Ross (95), and Allan Garnett (53), giving them a strong start for Race 1.
Race 1, Scratch Race
Saturday’s race began with an early safety car after Lincoln Brunton went off. Once green, McLean controlled the race finish to start, leaving the pack to fight for podium spots.
Behind McLean, Josh Mitchell launched well, holding off Ryan until lap five. Peter Sutherland charged from 25th to finish fourth.
Mechanical trouble ended Ross Jones’s (59) race after breaking a hub. Chris Macleod (96) retired after engine failure in qualifying, while Warren Walker (183) sat out with electrical issues as teams worked overnight.
Sunday racing
With overnight rain, drivers and spectators were eagerly awaiting it to pass. To everyone’s relief, the rain did not affect any racing.
Race 2, Reverse Grid Handicap
Plenty of action unfolded in the always unpredictable handicap format. Although Tony Herbert started from pole, he was quickly swallowed by the pack. Mick Ross led deep into the race before succumbing to faster traffic.
Josh Mitchell and Carmen Liemburg (350) cleaned through the field and stayed ahead of A Class cars. Mitchell won, Liemburg took second, and McLean third. Mick Ross and Marty Russell (27) led C Class.
Race 3, Reverse Within Class
As the weather held, Richard Simpson started on pole, but McLean quickly seized the lead. Ryan settled second, while Walker resolved electrical issues to claim third and his first podium of the weekend.
The race was red-flagged after five laps due to a fire aboard Mitchell’s Subaru, with quick action from officials ensuring both driver and car were unharmed.
Race 4, Reverse Grid Handicap
The final race again had eyes on the sky, but the rain never arrived. Darren Harding (25) led early before Mike McCarthy (247) took control. Jump starts from Nieko Scoles and Jacob Cunniffe resulted in post-race penalties.
With Mitchell out, Liemburg and Logan Anderson held off McLean and Ryan as they charged up. Walker spun on the final lap, falling back. McLean won, Liemburg was second, and Anderson was third. McCarthy and Ben Van Heeswick led C Class.
Overall weekend results
🥇 Dave McLean (158)
🥈 Matt Ryan (65)
🥉 Carmen Liemburg (350)
Class results
Class A
🥇 Dave McLean
🥈 Matt Ryan
🥉 Richard Simpson (188)
Class B
🥇 Carmen Liemburg (350)
🥈 Nieko Scoles (861)
🥉 Logan Anderson (72)
Class C
🥇 Ben van Heeswyck (42) and Allan Garnett (53) (equal first)
🥈 Mike McCarthy (247)
🥉 Darren Harding (25)
The Teretonga round delivered exactly what the SS Cup is known for, close racing, changing fortunes, mechanical resilience, and drivers pushing hard regardless of the conditions.
With the weather staying out of the story, the racing took centre stage as Dave McLean emerged as the overall winner, while tight class battles in both B and C Class ensured the championship picture continues to tighten heading into the next round.
Header Image: Dave Loudon
