Nexen Tyre NZ Mazda Racing Series wide open in the South

The Nexen Tyre NZ Mazda Racing Series heads for Levels Raceway in Timaru this weekend for Round 2 of their South Island Series with a new points leader guaranteed at the conclusion of the round.

Chris White of Prebbleton won all three races at the opening round in Christchurch recently with Arthur Broughan of Tuamarina second on each occasion but both are now turning their focus to the Toyota GR86 Championship. That leaves Timaru driver, Will Kitching, who was third overall at the opening round, the leading contender this weekend. Kitching had an impressive rookie season last year, finishing second to White in the South Island Series and third overall in the New Zealand title race. Kitching also took his maiden series win here at his home circuit in January.

Kitching sits third in the series coming to Levels but the competition is tight. Just four points behind after one round is Dalan Price of Swannanoa near Christchurch with Mac Templeton of Prebbleton one point further point back. Mac Berkett of Nelson is the leading rookie in last year’s championship winning car while Matt Dodd of Christchurch is always at the pointy end of the field and was runner-up in the South Island Series two years ago.

Aucklander Anthony Tork is the leading Masters competitor (over 50) while Michael Court, Andrew French and Marc Denton round out the entries with Bryan Walker.

Court and Denton are in their first season in the series in newly built cars while French is in his second. Walker is making his first appearance in the series this weekend after White used his car to win the round while he was overseas for Round 1.

Competitors have practice on Friday with qualifying and the first race of the round over ten laps on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday the series has two races, the first a twelve-lap contest with the top ten from Saturday’s race in reverse order on the grid with the finale over ten laps later that day.

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For point standings in our various series go to Season Points / | Mazda Racing Series