Summerset GT New Zealand Championship heads South for first weekend of double header

After a two week break, the Summerset GT New Zealand Championship now heads to the South Island for the first of two back to back race weekends – first up the Teretonga circuit at Invercargill – Jan 31-Feb2.

After two rounds, Rick Armstrong (Porsche 992) leads Open class, William Exton (McLaren Artura) leads GT4 and Marco Giltrap (Porsche 992) leads Junior Pro.

It is the first time the GT New Zealand Championship has visited the Teretonga circuit, and it’s predicted that the layout of the circuit could further spice up the racing over the weekend.

With a very long 800 metre main straight, it’s expected that this could favour the two Mercedes AMG GT2 machines of Joel Giddy and Paul Pedersen, and with the rest of the circuit largely fast and flowy, there are really only two passing opportunities at the hairpin and the last corner. The speed of the AMG machines in a straight line may be enough to hold off the contingent of Porsche 992 Cup Cars.

In the GT4 class, having clinched its first win at Hampton Downs, the Toyota Supra GT4 EVO machines of Ayrton Hodson returns alongside the sister car of of Allan Sargeant and Kaleb Ngatoa.

Also in the GT4 class is championship leader William Exton in his McLaren Artura and the Mercedes AMG GT4 of James Sax.

In Open Class, International Motorsport field a fleet of Porsche 992 Cup Cars in the hands of Championship leader Rick Armstrong, followed by Sam Fillmore, Luke Manson, and Sam Cotterill.

Other Porsche’s fielded will be in the hands of Paul Kelly (Porsche 992), Marco Giltrap (Porsche 992) and the 991.2 Porsche Cup Cars of Shaun Varney

Christchurch racer Steve Brooks makes the trip south also to field his Porsche 992.

Having challenged for wins and podium finishes at Hampton Downs, Paul Pedersen and Joel Giddy will also line-up in their respective Mercedes AMG GT2 machines and should be favourites to take wins over the weekend.

Having made his debut at Hampton Downs, James Parker will field the sole IRC GT machine.

The racing at Teretonga will see two 30-minute races and a single 1-hour feature race held over the weekend. This will be the first weekend of a ‘double header’ before the Championship heads to Highlands Motorsport Park at Cromwell next weekend.

With wet weather forecast for Sunday, Teretonga could once again put on another ‘anything can happen’ weekend.