The 2019/20 Ryco 24.7 New Zealand V8 Ute series will conclude on September 19 with the series sharing the bill with the opening round of the Golden Homes North Island Endurance Championship from Hampton Downs.
Similarly, the Best Bars Toyota 86 series will run its non-competition finale on the same weekend with an action-packed schedule which includes three Ute and 86 races as well as both the One and Three Hour events all on the one day.
The news comes just a week after event promoters Speedworks scrubbed the original date of its Ute and 86 finale due to a revision around Covid Alert Level 2 travel restrictions.
It put the highly-anticipated title showdown between Paul Manuell and Glen Collinson on the back-burner with Speedworks seeking for alternatives to ensure the finale could take place.
Manuell has been on fine form all year and just needs to keep the Panorama Motorsports Falcon at bay to claim his first V8 Ute championship since 2016 where he edged out Peter Ward in a thrilling finale.
Behind Collinson in third sits the ever-consistent Andrew Porter but he has serious ground to make up after not scoring the last two races at Manfeild. It has also left him vulnerable to Ward for the final championship podium spot.
The Toyota 86 championship meanwhile, has already been awarded to Peter Vodanovich as his main title contender Jaylyn Robotham is stuck in Australia and unable to travel across the border.
Thus, this weekend will run on a no points basis but will see the inclusion of a few exciting wildcards namely renowned Kiwi racer Christina Orr-West and works Kawasaki rider Sean Head.
Orr-West will have just one week of preparation as she contests the opening round of the Carters Tyres South Island Endurance Series in a Dayle ITM–backed Audi R8 LMS Ultra GT3 at Teretonga just a few days before making the dash north for her maiden 86 outing.
On the other hand, Head will make his first switch from two-wheels to four as he gears up for a debut wildcard entry.
The first race of the V8 Utes is slated for an early start of 8.20 am which will be directly followed by the first 12-lap 86 race.
Qualifying and Practice will take place on the preceding Friday along with practice for both the One and Three Hour competitors.
A one-hour post-produced programme will also be made available on TV3 after the event while Speedworks will be live streaming the entire event including the Utes and 86 class on the day.
A full schedule can be read below:
