The Ultimate Race Series has been announced as a new grassroots competition set to launch during the 2024/25 New Zealand summer of motor racing.
“The simple philosophy is grassroots but fast, fun and safe,” says founder Martyn Wells.
Wells is the man behind the popular Production Race Series, which has grown to become a well-established class of racing in the North Island.
The class emphasises a low-cost and friendly atmosphere on and off the track.
The increased interest has seen the series expand to two grids across most meets over the past two seasons, which has also brought competitors with machinery that regularly exceeds breakout times.
“We’re trying to give people an option to modify their cars and come and join us for a quality one-day race meeting at a club level,” says Wells.
“In the Production Race Series, we’re starting to see more and more highly modified cars coming through, and we’ve been sitting there saying, ‘Oh, you’re too quick,’ so we’ve decided to facilitate those competitors.
“We want it to be for everything: Euros, Muscle Cars, Japanese vehicles, Holdens, Fords and so on.
“There are several classes around the country struggling for grid numbers, and this is an excellent opportunity for some of those guys to come and race with us in a larger, competitive field.
“It gives a chance of progression too, and people can step up from Production and into the Ultimate Race Series before finding their niche in the New Zealand motor racing scene.”
Off-track, a family-style atmosphere is another feature, with post-meet barbeques, prize-givings, and activities such as go-karting, grass khana, and end-of-season functions contributing to a well-rounded experience.
“It’s serious racing, like the Production Race Series, with good camaraderie and banter off the track, where we help each other out where we can,” adds Wells.
Driving standards and circuit etiquette are also recognised by the Ultimate Race Series as areas of focus. It is seen that everyday grassroots competitors often lack the time or resources for repairs for quick turnarounds between rounds.
An annual, online 50-question quiz is required to be completed before drivers take to the track, testing and educating on race craft to ensure action remains safe and low-risk.
“We’re going to enforce driver standards to ensure clean racing,” says Wells.
“We really want to improve the driving standards of not only the Production Race Series but also this new class, raising everything to a higher level.”
Further information will be released in due course
Words & Images: Supplied
Is my 2005 ford G T eligible factory production car