Gardiner and Black win separate One Hour South Island Endurance races

Hugh Gardiner (Porsche 991.2 MR) has prevailed in a highly competitive One Hour endurance race for Class 2 & 3 cars while Warren Black (Audi RS3 LMS TCR) has won the separate Class 4 & 5 race at the opening round of the 2024 Racer Products South Island Endurance Series. eretonga Park in Invercargill hosted the first of three rounds on Saturday 14 September 2024 in fine weather which saw plenty of action across both fields.

“Thrilled to take the win,” commented Gardiner. “A very enjoyable race. Adam (Julian) had the measure of me, but I was able to get passed him. A great event here in Teretonga with a great crowd.”

Gardiner’s rivals, Adam Julian (Audi R8 GT3) and Jordan Michels (MARC Mustang), were expected to fight for overall and Class 2 (GT Type) honours which they initially did. However, Michels’ race came undone with a lengthy compulsory pitstop dropping him down to 11th. Several Safety Car periods kept Gardiner in touch with Julian and helped Michels’ march through the field.

With less than ten minutes remaining, Gardiner made the most of a mistake by Julian, passing for the lead while Michels got passed the Bill Riding/Steve Brooks Porsche for third overall.

“Credit to Hugh (Gardiner), I made a bit of mistake and should have been more patient,” said Julian.

Fourth home was Brooks/Riding followed by John Goodacre (IRC GT) just ahead of Rhys Gould (IRC GT. Steve Scoles (Ginetta G56) was first home in Class 3 (>3500cc) ahead of James Paterson (Audi R8 Turbo) and David Rogers (McLaren 570 GT4).

In the separate Class 4 & 5 race, Warren Black (Audi RS3 LMS TCR) had his breakthrough overall and Class 4 (2001cc-3500cc) win, sending a message to his rivals that he will be a title contender.

“That was awesome,” said Black. “The racing was really good, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Second home was Pel Arnott (Hyundai i30N TCR) ahead of current NZ Formula Ford champion Blake Knowles (Hyundai i30N TCR) with Mike Hall (VW Golf TCR) fourth and Russell McKenzie (BMW E46 M3) fifth.

The battle for Class 5 (0-2000cc) honours was a fight between Honda Civics with Chris Wall (Honda Civic) first ahead of Donovan Isted (Honda Civic EG), Jordan Rae (Honda Civic) and Rhys Turner (Honda Civic).

Drivers and teams now prepare for the second round in Christchurch. The Euromarque Motorsport Park at Ruapuna hosts the second round on Saturday 28 September 2024 before the finale in Timaru, three weeks later.