HAMPTON DOWNS SEASON FINALS 9-10 MARCH 2019 - MOTORSPORT NZ CHAMPIONSHIP OFFICIAL PROGRAMME . $5 - Velocity News
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OFFICIAL PROGRAMME . $5
MOTORSPORT NZ CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND 7
HAMPTON DOWNS
SEASON FINALS
9-10 MARCH 2019
speedworksevents.co.nz
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SCHEDULE CONTENTS
SATURDAY 9 MARCH
9:00 Motul Honda CupQ Qualifying Welcome................................................... 2
BNT V8s Championshipr Practice
BNT V8s Championship...................... 4
ENZED Central Muscle Cars Qualifying
TradeZone GT3/GT4 Qualifying
Toyota 86 Championship................... 6
Hi-Q Components Formula First Qualifying
TradeZone GT1/GT2 Qualifying NZ V8 Ute Championship................ 10
Toyota 86 Championship Qualifying
Nexen Tyres Pro 7 Mazda Racing Qualifying Pirelli Porsche Championship..........12
NZ V8 Utes Championship Qualifying
Pirelli Porsche Championship Qualifying Central Muscle Car...............................13
BNT V8s Championship Qualifying
ENZED Central Muscle Cars Race 1
Hi-Q Components Formula First....15
Speed Works Rush Hour Qualifying
TradeZone GT1/2..................................17
LUNCH BREAK
14.00 Motul Honda Cup Race 1 TradeZone GT3/4.................................18
TradeZone GT3/GT41 Race 1
Hi-Q Components Formula First Race 1 NEXEN Tyre Pro 7 Mazda.................19
TradeZone GT1 - GT2 Race 1
Toyota 86 Championship Race 1 Honda Cup............................................ 20
Nexen Tyres Pro 7 Mazda Racing Race 1
NZ V8 Utes Championship Race 1 Rush Hour hits Hampton...................21
Pirelli Porsche Championship Race 1
BNT V8s Championship Race 1
ENZED Central Muscle Cars Race 2
SpeedWorks Rush Hour One Hour PROGRAMME EDITOR
SUNDAY 10 MARCH Richard Gee - 021 0271 1926
9:10 TradeZone GT3/GT4 Race 2
NZ V8 Utes Championship Race 2
Trade Zone GT1/GT2 Race 2
PROGRAMME CONTRIBUTORS
Pro 7 Mazda Racing Race 2 Jordie Peters
Pirelli Porsche Championship Race 2 Craig ‘Sooty’ Lord
Toyota 86 Championship Race 2 Terry Marshall
ENZED Central Muscle Cars Race 2 Euan Cameron
BNT V8s Championship Race 2 Geoff Ridder
Motul Honda Cup Race 2 Freddy Foote
Hi-Q Components Formula First Race 2
Matt Smith
LUNCH BREAK
Tayler Burke
13:25 TradeZone GT3/GT4 Race 3
NZ V8 Utes Championship Race 3
TradeZone GT1/GT2 Race 3 PROGRAMME DESIGN
Nexen Tyres Pro 7 Mazda Racing Race 3
Kaz - Design . Brand . Web
Pirelli Porsche Championship Race 3
www.kaz.co.nz
Toyota 86 Championship Race 3
ENZED Central Muscle Cars Race 4
BNT V8s Championship Race 3 ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Motul Honda Cup Race 4 Geoff Short - 021 825 911
Hi-Q Components Formula First Race 4
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1
HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 1
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WELCOME
W
e’ve almost had time to take a breath after one of the most exciting TRS
seasons in many years but it’s now back to the action with the next round of
the Speed Works MotorSport NZ Championship series and for many this
weekend at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park will be the most important of the year,
because it’s when several of our New Zealand champions will be crowned.
This weekend we will have a new BNT V8 champion, a Toyota 86 champion and a V8
Ute champion and with those being some of the most fiercely contested series in New
WAYNE CHRISTIE Zealand, the accolade of becoming champion will be a major one. And there’s a huge
President, MotorSport New Zealand
amount of competitive racing guaranteed across the usual great selection of categories
that run at the national championship events.
As always, it goes without saying that we extend our unwavering thanks and gratitude
to the many who have made this and all of our other championship meetings possible.
First and foremost are all of the volunteers, because without them we wouldn’t be able
to run any race meetings. And thanks also to the teams, the drivers, the families, the
friends, the fans and everyone else who makes time for the sport.
It should be a great weekend of sporting action. Winners and losers, ecstasy and agony.
Enjoy the show.
2
2 HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nz
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HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nz 3
BNT V8
SMITH IN BOX SEAT
TO CLINCH BNT V8 TITLE
With one round remaining at Hampton Downs, there are 225 points up for grabs
across the final three races of the BNT V8 season, with Jack Smith looking like the
championship favourite.
A
ustralian Smith holds the BNT V8s Championship temperature rising. It’s just one of those random things that
lead with 1018 points, 114 clear of Nick Ross. A happens in motorsport,” he said.
further 106 points behind is Smith’s teammate
“I tried to keep it going and maybe finish the race and get
Lance Hughes.
some points, but it was easier to just park the car and not
Smith has been the dominant force in the Championship damage the engine.
this season, taking the Gull Pole Position at all five rounds,
“We took it apart when we get home to see if there was any
as well as ten wins along the way. These include a clean
further damage when we got home.”
sweep at Round Three held at Cromwell in January.
Despite the misfortune, Ross said he can took away plenty
Closest to challenging Smith at the front of the field is
of positives from the weekend.
Nissan driver Ross, who had a good weekend at Manfeild
picking up a win and second place before an unfortunate “It was nice to win a race with Jack on the track behind us.
DNF at the start of race three when his Nissan’s radiator He’s still got a bit of pace and we’ve still got a bit of work to
failing on the formation lap. do to keep this championship alive.
“We split the radiator on the formation lap. I noticed the “The car is getting better and better all the time.”
4
4 HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nz
BNT V8
“Some of the other guys are probably sitting on the couch
watching what we are doing over here, so I’m really
fortunate to be over here in a car and continuing to learn.
Whether it’s a new tyre run, starts, racing, just anything
really. It’s definitely going to help me this year.”
Grove will be lining up with Triple Eight Race engineering
this coming season in Australia, arguably the most
successful team in the Supercars Championship.
“Triple Eight is going to be a massive step up for my career
and the way I need to operate. So hopefully by being over
here I am able to prepare myself a little better to ensure I
can take full advantage of their resources.”
Grove is also mindful that during his off-season training
here in New Zealand, Triple Eight team owner Roland
Dane has probably been following his progress closely.
“Roland watches everything, so I’m sure he’s been keeping
an eye on what’s happening over here. I’ve talked to some of
the guys at the 888 workshop and they’ve been interested in
what’s going on over here.
“I’m not under any illusions that he’s not watching!”
In Class one of the BNT V8s this weekend also watch for
the Ford Falcon of Brad Lathrope and the Holdens of Matt
Tubbs and Rob Wallace.
There’s still lots to play for going into the final
round of the BNT V8s at Hampton Downs.
In Class Two, it’s a tight battle between Matt Podjursky and
Justin Ashwell.
Following a strong start to the season, a technical breach
in the second round left Podjursky chasing down the
Ross is adamant that the championship is far from over and championship lead. Following success at recent rounds, he
anything can happen as the drivers head into the final three trails the lead by just 20-points.
races of the season.
“It’s still anyone’s game, I have no expectations about what’s
“We’ve had this situation before. When I won the going to happen. I just want to put my head down and do
Championship in 2013/14, Jason Bargwanna was leading what I’ve been doing and let the rest pan out.”
going into the final round, he had two blown engines and
two DNF’s. We won.”
“We generally have good pace at Hampton Downs and CLASS 1 CHAMPIONSHIP
anything can happen in motorsport.” POS NO DRIVER POINTS
For Smith however the weekend at Manfeild saw him 1 85 Jack Smith 1018
extend his Championship lead. 2 7 Nick Ross 904
3 84 Lance Hughes 798
“The weekend was good. The DNF for Nick was
4 51 Rob Wallace 742
unfortunate, but it re-opened the gap in the Championship
5 10 Brenton Grove 733
following our DNF at the Teretonga last month.”
6 73 Brad Lathrope 600
Behind the top three, look for a tight battle in the mid pack 7 62 Chelsea Herbert 596
between the Toyota teammates of Chelsea Herbert and 8 42 Matt Tubbs 426
Brenton Grove.
9 222 Scott Taylor 309
Grove will be one to watch this weekend, chasing his
CLASS 2 CHAMPIONSHIP
first win of the season having been agonisingly close on a
number of occasions. POS NO DRIVER POINTS
1 11 Justin Ashwell 888
Grove’s sole reason for competing in the BNT V8s is to
2 77 Matt Podjursky 868
gain valuable race miles to help prepare him for the 2019
3 59 Brock Timperley 225
Dunlop Super 2 season in Australia, as Grove says, while
some of his competitors are sitting on the couch. 4 80 Mathew Clark 114
5
HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nz 5
TOYOTA 86 CHAMPIONSHIP
Jaden Ransley is the points leader heading into the
final round this weekend at Hampton Downs in the
Miles Toyota 86..
DOWN TO THE WIRE
It’s down to the wire for the young drivers in the Toyota 86 Championship final this
weekend at Hampton Downs and after an epic season it’s likely the hard earned title
will go to one of the trio who have starred over the past five rounds.
M
athematically, with 225 points available for Connor Adam was the class act at Round 1 and led the
three race wins, five are still able to win the championship after the season opener at the Supercars
championship. Realistically the battle is going to Championship round in his Post Haste/Weigh Northland
come down to three drivers - Jaden Ransley, Callum Hedge backed car. Rookie Hedge then led the running for the
and Jordan Baldwin the outsider if the two front runners CareVets team after Round 2 on the short course at
tangle or hit trouble. It stands at 939 points to Ransley, 921 Pukekohe and Round 3 at Highlands Motorsport Park.
to Hedge and 850 to Baldwin. Round 4 at Teretonga was all about Baldwin in the
Intermach car and he assumed the lead of the series heading
No other championship has enjoyed competition for the top
to the penultimate round at the New Zealand Grand Prix
spot amongst so many drivers over the summer season.
meeting at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon. After that round,
it was Ransley who had taken the initiative to lead the
points for Miles Toyota heading into the final round this
Jordan Baldwin shone in soggy condtions in the
South, and remains an outside shot for the title. weekend.
It’s been that kind of season in the Toyota 86
Championship and entirely reflective of the great depth of
talent that exists in the series, which this year has enjoyed
consistent fields of 15 cars or more. Most practice and
qualifying sessions have seen the field covered by a second
and a half or less, and in the races there have been battles
from the front to the back of the field. One tiny mistake,
one moment getting caught up in someone else’s mistake,
mechanical issues small and large and passing moves that
don’t go quite as planned. They’ve all been factors in a great
season of racing.
Given the ups and downs of the first five rounds, it’s not
6
6 HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nz
TOYOTA 86 CHAMPIONSHIP
Callum Hedge has been a sensation aboard the CerVets
Scholarship car and trails Jaden Ransley by just 18 points going
into the Hampton Downs weekend.
unreasonable to expect someone from the competitive pack Brock Gilchrist - the youngest of the International
jumping up and taking advantage of the battle at the front, Motorsport trio of racers in the championship - has been
knowing they have nothing to lose where the top guns most increasingly impressive as the season has unfolded and was
certainly do. That driver could be one or more of quite a hugely impressive taking his first podium in the treacherous
few behind the leaders. conditions of Teretonga. He’ll be wanting to finish the
season on a high and another podium or even a race win
Adam is probably the one with most to prove having
isn’t out of the question around Hampton Downs. Hedge’s
been the dominant force at the first round. Always a great
CareVets team mate this season, Arran Crighton, has found
racer, if he can find the sweet spot in his International
form of late and will definitely want to finish the season
Motorsport run car and get his nose in front in qualifying,
on a high. A race win or more for him is not out of the
he could be tough to beat in the races. Peter Vodanovich has
question this weekend either.
undoubted speed in the CMC Markets car and is a winner
this season too. Of the rest, Kaleb Ngatoa and Jacob Cranston found some
Leo Bult has been taking on the
young guns this season in the
Darkhorse Racing entry.
7
HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nz 7
TOYOTA 86 CHAMPIONSHIP
good form at manfeild – their local track – last
time out and they will be keen to maintain that
momentum at Hampton Downs. Justin Allen in the
yellow Battery Town car has produced some good
results and is clearly very fast in the wet. He’s done
plenty of laps around Hampton Downs form his
Mazda racing days, as have Darkhorse racers Leo
Bult and Andrew Jackson.
Connor Davison will be looking to sign off his
MEET THE DRIVERS first season in the Toyota 86 Championship with a
decent result too. It’s been a tough first year in the
JACOB CRANSTON championship for the series youngest competior,
but he looks better with each passing race weekend.
Ten years in karting have yielded impressive results for the 18 Time and experience will serve him well, but like the
year old Palmerston North apprentice Electrical Engineer. He rest, he;s a competitive racer and will be hunting for
has raced in all of the major junior and senior categories and a big race result at some point over the weekend.
will compete this weekend in Hamilton in the final round of The format for the Toyota 86 Championship is
the KZ2 class for 125 cc karts. slightly different from other classes racing this
He has five National titles, three North Island titles and last weekend. There is a single qualifying session on
year qualified for the international Rotax Max Challenge. Saturday morning. The driver’s fastest time denotes
Eighteen championship wins to his credit from his time in his position on the grid for the first race and his
karting mark him out as an accomplished racer in this season’s second fastest time denotes his grid position for the
Toyota 86 Championship. second race. The grid for the first race is calculated
up from points scored over each of the first two
As well as being one of the country’s top karters, he’s also a races.
very skilled soccer player and has years of experience under
his belt in this sport too. A mid-field player and striker for It’s game on for the final round.
Hokowhitu F.C. his fitness is at an exceptionally high level.
He excelled in the physical tests when he ran the CareVets
Scholarship test day before this season, which was also the 2018-2019 TOYOTA 86 CHAMPIONSHIP
first time he had driven on a circuit and the first time he had POINTS AFTER ROUND 5
been in a Toyota 86.
POS NO DRIVER POINTS
1 53 Jaden Ransley 939
2 17 Callum Hedge 921
Car Number 31
3 23 Jordan Baldwin 850
Age 18
4 84 Peter Vodanovich 732
Home Town Palmerston North 5 9 Connor Adam 719
Date of Birth 19/10/2000 6 10 Brock Gilchrist 649
Team Jacob Cranston 7 18 Arran Crighton 628
Motorsport 8 31 Jacob Cranston 593
9 15 Kaleb Ngatoa 572
10 97 Campbell Stewart 481
11 99 Justin Allen 458
12 7 Sam Wright 446
13 95 Connor Davison 430
14 21 Andrew Jackson 282
15 98 Leo Bult 238
16 83 Mitch Hughes 215
17 34 Jake Klein 143
18 71 Tony Austin 102
8 HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nz
8V8 UTES
NZ V8 UTES – CLASS OF 2018/2019
CAUTION
Trip Hazard
Be Alert
Watch your step
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9
HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nz 9V8 UTES
Matthew ‘Stinger’ Spratt has been one of the
quickest and most consistent this season – he leads
the title chase going into the final round.
18 CAR FIELD AS SPRATT
LOOKS TO SEAL TITLE
It’s the final round of the championship this weekend - and after three closely fought
rounds, the man who has consistently been up front and finishing races is the man
with the best shot at taking out the title at the Peter Robb Memorial.
B
ig news for this weekend is the size of the V8 ute BF models will be running for Derek Tremewan and Brent
field – a monster 18 cars. Lots of effort has been Main. Main ran a full season in the V8 Utes championship
put in by existing teams, drivers and category last season while Tremewan knows his way around
management to grow the field and it’s paid off, with five Hampton Downs in his ex-Rod Dawson ute having been a
new drivers this weekend, four of which are making their member of the circuit’s GT Club for several years. Another
category debut. new Ford runner is Mark Weal who makes his debut in
the ex-Simon Ussher BF Falcon. Short course NASCAR
Liam Porter has purchased the ex-Panorama Motorsport
racer Joe Farre from the USA is also on the entry list in a
Ford Falcon BF and makes his debut, while other Falcon
Holden which will be run alongside the Peter Ward ute by
Jake Stoneman.
Glen Collinson sits second in the title fight and
could have his hands full of Andrew Porter again Championship leader Matt Spratt in the Primogrow Ford
this weekend. Falcon FG has had a solid season, finishing races, winning
a few and scoring big points at each of the three rounds
to date at Pukekohe, Highlands and Manfeild. As a result
he’s got a relatively comfortable 40 point margin over Glen
Collinson in another FG Ford, the DNA Paints Panorama
Motorsport ute out of Hamilton. Collinson won the first
round but had a miserable trip to the South Island before
bouncing back at Manfeild. It was Manfeild that was an
even bigger disaster for Paul Manuell. Two DNFs for
the former champion all but killed off his championship
aspirations for 2019, but he’ll be going no holds barred for
race wins and the round win this weekend in the Super
Freight Holden.
10
10 HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nzV8 UTES
V8 Utes’ reverse top ten race on Sunday mornings
is one of the best races of the weekend.
Danger man for all of the top runners is Andrew Porter in
the Porter Hire Holden, who is another who’s been both Andrew ‘Hireman’ Porter is the danger man for the top
two heading into this weekend at Hampton Downs.
fast and consistent. He has some good momentum going
from recent rounds, has tested recently at the Hampton
Downs track and will be a formidable opponent for both
Collinson and indeed Spratt as the final weekend of the
2018/2019 series unfolds.
Veteran racer Peter Ward would have hoped to be higher
in the standings, as he’s shown great speed and racecraft
this season. He’s only 8 points off second place in the
championship though, and anything can happen so he is
still in with much more than a shout.
Alexandra Whitley sits sixth in the points and is another
who would have hoped to be higher. The series’ only female
racer is fast and consistent and can hold her own in even BNT V8S POINTS
the roughest of battles. She could be a dark horse for a big
POS NO DRIVER CAR POINTS
weekend in the LDV Vans backed Holden.
1 48 Matthew Spratt Ford 272
It’s a full year now since Brett Rudd had his big crash 2 17 Glen Collinson Ford 232
at Hampton Downs and he’s been playing himself back
3 3 Andrew Porter Holden 231
into the game this season aboard the ex-Richard Moore
4 69 Peter Ward Holden 224
championship winning Holden, now in Pallet Supplies
and LOSCAM colours. He looked much more like his old 5 15 Paul Manuell Holden 205
self at Manfeild last time out and could be another ready 6 06 Alex Whitley Holden 203
to upset the applecart at a circuit he knows well. Geoff 7 99 Brett Rudd Holden 176
Spencer was up near the front at the Grand Prix meeting 8 22 Geoff Spencer Holden 167
too, and will be looking to maintain that form this weekend. 9 94 Simon Ussher Ford 155
Simon Ussher continues his progress and will be looking 10 82 David Lowe Ford 137
for a big result in the United Freight FG Falcon, while 11 21 Jeff Kernohan Ford 103
the Kernohans are both out in their KCH Fords. Jeff and 12 12 David Dernohan Ford 87
dad Dave both had their moments at Manfeild and are
13 90 Stu Monteith Holden 90
always amongst the toughest to pass in the reverse top ten
14 89 Derek Tremewan Ford 0
races. Dave Lowe had arguably his best weekend in the
category at Manfeild and will be looking to build on that at 15 84 Brent Main Ford 0
Hampton Downs in the Ryco 82C Ford Falcon BF, while 16 54 Joe Farre Holden 0
Stu Monteith will start his second weekend in the category 17 41 Mark Weal Ford 0
in his Holden and will continue on his improvement curve 18 11 Liam Porter Ford 0
ahead of a full campaign next season in V8 utes.
11
HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nz 11PIRELLI PORSCHE
Michael Neville
continues
to dominate
this season’s
Pirelli Porsche
Championship
NEVILLE THE MAN THEY MUST
ALL BEAT IN PORSCHES
Michael Neville has been the man to beat in this season’s Pirelli Porsche Championship
aboard his eye-catching red 997 GT3 car and that trend should continue this weekend
at Hampton Downs when the series takes part in the penultimate round of its seven
round New Zealand championship.
N
eville is sitting with a comfortable lead at the top of created some of the most enduring racing car designs and
the points in the championship chase – with 1125 series that have graced racing circuits throughout the world.
to the 938 of his nearest rival and fellow 997 GT3 Kiwi drivers are still irrevocably linked to the brand of course
racer Brian McGovern. Barring disaster – although it’s worth - just think about Craig Baird, Brendon Hartley, Earl Bamber,
noting that these things do happen, even in top end series like Chris van Der Drift and now Jaxon Evans. All have achieved
this one and in ultra-reliable cars like Porsches – he should be remarkable success with the German brand so it is always
able to at least consolidate that lead in the North Waikato this fitting for any major motorsport meeting in NZ that the
weekend. Porsches are on the card.
Long-time Porsche racer McGovern is a hard racer himself, It isn’t all about 911s of course, and reflecting some of the
however, and will have his eyes only on what he has to do alternative routes Porsche have taken over the years with their
to win the title or at least get himself back into contention racing, the New Zealand field also includes a few older 911
ahead of the final round and that will be to win the races at models on its register as well as some lovely 944S2s.
Hampton Downs. His 65 point lead over the third placed 997
GT3 of David Mackrell. another Porsche stalwart, will not be PIRELLI PORSCHE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
forefront in his mind. POS NO DRIVER CAR POINTS
It’s hard to believe when you watch the cars lapping at the 1 61 Michael Neville 997 GT3 1125
speeds that they do that the first 911 - the DNA of which 2 11 Brian McGovern 997 GT3 938
every 997, 991, 996, 993 and 911 before them shares - was 3 9 David Mackrell 997 GT3 873
first revealed to a curious and perhaps sceptical motoring 4 999 Robert Dong 996 GT3 643
5 72 Brent Greer 911 500
world more than 50 years ago. It’s engine mounted behind
6 19 Struan Robertson 944 S2 445
the rear axle was unconventional at the time and has 7 94 Jim McKernan 944 S2 440
remained so ever since - and it’s an even more unconventional 8 1 Tony Houston 944 S2 415
configuration for racing. You only have to look at the old 9 22 Cam McCormack 996 GT3 401
school 911 model of Brent Greer and compare it to some of 10 888 Phil Jones 996 GT3 360
the most modern equipment in the series to see how far the 11 86 Keith Miller 997 GT3 300
12 23 Peter Hardy 944 S2 282
original concept has evolved.
13 42 Steff Chambers 944 S2 280
Porsche have persisted with the design and over time have 14 333 Tim James 991 GT3 266
12
12 HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nzCENTRAL MUSCLE CARS
Greg Honnor leads the
muscle car pack last time
out at Manfeild
CHAMPIONSHIP CHASE IS ON
With only two rounds remaining in their 2018/2019 season, the ENZED Central Muscle
Cars return to Hampton Downs with nothing but championship points on their minds.
T
he top five placings in the category groupings have rounds, and he will simply be out there to make the other
changed so many times across the previous five Group 2 drivers work for their spoils. It’s a fight between
rounds that nobody is able to predict the outcome Mark Holland and Paul Boden, with Bruce Kett needing
for this and the final round. That of course is the perfect them both to fail for him to be in the running again.
scenario as it gives all of us racing fans a lot more drama
There will be no more thoughts about consolidating points
and action to drool over.
this weekend. It’s all about winning now.
However, things have taken a dramatic turn as a fortnight
Settle yourselves in, you’re going to enjoy what unfolds in
ago the category lost two of its top Group 1 competitors
front of you.
from the chase – Andrew and Bruce Anderson from
Pinepac Racing.
CENTRAL MUSCLE CAR ENTRIES
Andrew was out after the first 50 metres of Race 1, shunted NO DRIVER CAR
into the wall at Manfeild, and taking no further part. The 5 Andrew Turner 1984 Holden Commodore
heartache of so much damage to his pride and joy was 7 Craig Boote 1970 Ford Mustang
tough to deal with, but so too was the loss of so many 8 Clarke Hopkins 1977 Holden Torana
Championship points. Bruce fared even worse as he went 11 Angus Fogg 1970 Ford Mustang
into a wall on the back straight, both the car and driver too 15 Hugh Gardiner 1970 Chevrolet Camaro
damaged to continue with the rest of the season. 17 Andrew Anderson Ford Falcon
23 Dean Owens 1970 Chevrolet Camaro
Other Group 1 competitors have been facing heartaches as 35 Grant Dalton 1970 Chevrolet Camaro
well, blown tyres, engine failures, setup issues, drive through 41 Bruce Kett 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
penalties, the record card for bad luck is long and expected 48 Tony Boyden 1984 Holden Commodore
to grow. 55 Greg Running 1984 Holden Commodore
To counteract that, a handful of drivers who started the 67 Rick van Swet 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
season down in the dumps are now smiling and full of joy, 68 Paul Boden 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
75 Dean Perkins 1979 XD Falcon
Clarke Hopkins, Tristan Teki, Brendon Neiman and Greg
80 Trevor Swan Holden Commodore
Honnor to name a few have banked a lot of points across
87 Steve Doughty 1967 Chevrolet Camaro
the middle of the Championship run, a path that no doubt
165 Michael Eden 1971 Ford Falcon
they will be wanting to continue down.
167 Steve Noyer 1967 Ford Mustang
Group 2 has also had its ups and downs, multiple 168 Mark Holland 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
Champion Steve Noyer returns after missing the last two 429 Greg Honnor 1969 Ford Mustang
31
HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nz 13WHEELS, DEALS & NO HIDDEN EXTRAS...
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14 HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nzFORMULA FIRST
FORMULA FIRST HEAD TO
HAMPTON DOWNS
Reece Hendl-Cox’s incredible run of results in the Hi-Q Components NZ Formula First
came to a grinding halt at the previous round of the championship. Round five of the
series took place a fortnight ago at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon and after taking six of
the last seven race wins, Hendl-Cox failed to notch up another win.
E
ven worse for Hendl-Cox was an electrical drama Downs. What is clear is an exciting, dynamic and action-
he encountered during the final race of the weekend packed battle will be happening at the front of the field.
which saw him limp home 16th, while his nearest HI-Q COMPONENTS NZ FORMULA FIRST
championship rival, Chris Symon, took his first win since CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
race four of the championship. POS NO DRIVER CAR PTS
1 19 Reece Hendl-Cox Saturn 94
Hendl-Cox’s lead is now just 76-points over Symon while
2 28 Chris Symon Harpoon 87
Billy Frazer has made ground on second place, sitting just
3 14 Billy Frazer Challenge 83
32-points away. Liam Foster took a blow over the weekend,
4 48 Liam Foster Alvee 79
falling to 47-points away from third place while Amy
Smith sits 92-points away in fifth. 5 55 Amy Smith Raceworkds 69
6 67 Thomas Boniface Alvee 65
The battle of the rookies (denoted by orange numbers on 7 91 Ronan Murphy Sabre 64
their cars) is still hot, Thomas Boniface leads SpeedSport 8 34 Ron Carter Challenge 55
Scholarship winner Ronan Murphy by 38-points after an
9 23 Brody McConkey Alvee 53
impressive second place in the final race last weekend. The
10 31 Nathan Sudiono Sabre 41
‘Sunset’ championship for drivers over-40 has been a bit
11 12 Kyan Davie Alvee 35
of a one-horse race this year with Ron Carter absolutely
12 24 Louis Redshaw Challenge 31
dominating over his rivals.
13 63 Bob Dillow Alvee 29
This weekend marks round six of the 2018/19 14 60 Taylor Hurst Challenge 28
championship and the second stop at Hampton Downs for 15 40 Rob Baker Sabre 28
Formula First this season after the circuit hosted the third 16 33 Dave Scammell Challenge 27
round back in January. Back then it was Hendl-Cox who 17 16 Flynn Mullany Sabre 25
dominated, taking pole position and all three races to take 18 85 Andrew Tierney Sabre 21
the lead of the championship. 19 17 Darren Henderson Sabre 21
While there is no clear form guide for the weekend, Symon 20 25 Travis Day DayVee 93
has the momentum after his dominant race win last time 21 21 Liam Nicholson Challenge 94
out, but history says Hendl-Cox has the edge at Hampton 22 22 Barry Holden Challenge 72
51
HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nz 15Decades of pushing the limits and constant innovation
has made high performance our second nature.
Proud supporters of Vantage Motorsport
#vantagemotorsport www.vantage.co.nzTRADEZONE GT1/2
Cameron Jones is moving
up the points table. Here
he leads Adam Newell, who
sits second overall in GT1.
SMITH AND NEWELL DUEL
This weekend at Hampton Downs is the TRADEZONE GT1 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
penultimate round of the 2018/2019 POS NO DRIVER CAR PTS
Championship with only one weekend to Crawford DP/McL
1 1 Glenn Smith 1030
GT3
go in Taupo after this one. And it’s fair to
2 68 Adam Newell Crawford DP Ford V8 1012
say there’s plenty of interest in both the 3 33 John DeVeth Crawford DP 976
monster TradeZone classes – GT1 and GT2. 4 3 Tony Anderson Holden V8 ST 955
5 7 Cameron Jones Mazda RX666 868
G
lenn Smith has certainly not had it all his own way 6 78 Sean Kirkpatrick Porsche 848
this season and the fire and engine explosion in his 7 10 Brian Gray Mazda RX7 823
super-fast Crawford Porsche Daytona prototype 7 50 Blair McDonald Holden V8 ST 700
at Pukekohe before Christmas certainly didn’t help his title 8 71 Andy Duffin Mazda RX7 300
aspirations. He bounced back with a round in his GT3 9 81 Tim Edgell Holden V8ST 271
McLaren and at the Manfeild weekend was back in the 10 43 Grant Brennan TransAm 149
Crawford. Nonetheless, he is only 18 points ahead of fellow
Crawford racer Adam Newell in his Ford powered version, TRADEZONE GT2 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
and the fact that Smith has 1030 points and Newell 1012
1 455 Bernard Verryt Ford Mustang 940
shows just how close this king of speed battle has become in a
2 170 Michael Starnes BMW E36 M3 899
closely fought championship where consistency has been key.
3 4 Terry Jones Nissan R32GTR 873
Third placed John De Veth in his sinister black and gold 4 77 Sam Collins Ford Mustang 802
Crawford sits in third, and very much in the title race on 976 5 66 Kiley Jury Mitsubishi Evo 758
points, as is Tony Anderson in his V8 Holden. The man with 6 9 Bradley Jesson Mitsibushi Evo 754
a current streak of form who’s jumped up the points table 7 35 Nathan Strachan Mazda RX7 V8 706
after Manfeild is Cameron Jones in his Mazda inspired and 8 770 Bob Sievwright BMW M3 E46 571
powered TransAm machine. 9 619 Richard Wagstaff Toyota MRS 557
GT2 is as keenly fought out this season and Kiley Jury was 10 57 Eric Hennephof Holden V8 ST 474
the big loser after Manfeild, a problematic weekend for him 11 110 Murray Bell Mazda RX7 V8 459
dropping him down the points table from a title challenging 12 311 Brock Cooley Mazda RX7 331
position. Bernard Verryt is the man in the hot seat heading 13 61 Charles Rollo Toyota AE86 308
into this weekend, and holds a 41 point lead over BMW 13 171 Nigel Karl Ford Falcon 169
driver Michael Starnes. Brad Jesson is one to watch, having 14 142 Graeme Fraser BMW E36 M3 142
moved up the table after Manfeild in his sinister and very fast 15 99 Jaden Mason Nissan Sylvia 130
Evo. 16 15 Hayden Gare Mini Leyland 100
71
HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nz 17TRADEZONE GT3/4
Diversity is the thing in TradeZone
GT3 and GT4 – Jon Telford leads a
rare old mix here at Manfeild
WHITLEY AND JEFFREY THE
CLASS ACTS IN GT3/4
Whether it’s the often bizarre diversity TRADEZONE GT3 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
of machinery that competes, or the fact POS NO DRIVER CAR PTS
that the racing is so close, TradeZone 1 17 Shane Whitley Ford Fairmont 995
GT3/4 continues to provide some 2 0 Layne Collier Ford Mustang 884
of the most interesting action over 3 58 Gary Carswell Mazda RX7 609
the weekend during a SpeedWorks 3 16 Peter Begovich Holden Commodore 560
MotorSport NZ championship weekend. 4 83 Luke Hilhorst Chevrolet Corvette 521
W
ith one round to go this season, Shane Whitley 5 111 Toby Annabell Panoz 507
continues to lead GT3 in his now iconic and 7 183 Brian Hamilton Ford Capri 466
popular Ford Fairmont, with the brutal Ford
7 227 Nick Brough Mazda RX7 444
Mustang of Layne Collier and the orange Mazda RX7 of
Gary Carswell in hot pursuit. Brian Hamilton has been a 8 88 Ken Hunter Chev Lumina 396
regular this season in his venerable Ford Capri, while Jon 9 169 Jon Telford Nissan 322
Telford caught the eye last time out in his yellow turbo
10 91 Malcolm Brown Mazda RX7 316
Nissan. With cars from Panoz, Holden and Toyota thrown
into the mix, it’s certainly a class with cars that will appeal 11 69 Martyn Todd 305
to all, no matter what their automotive tastes. TRADEZONE GT4 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
In the GT4 class, it’s the ever present Drew Jeffrey in his 1 118 Drew Jeffrey Honda CRX 1072
Honda who continues to lead from the equally mighty but
2 12 Robin Greenland Austin Mini Cooper 1013
even smaller Mini of Robin Greenland. What’s also of note
is that these two have dominated GT4 so intensely this 3 86 Brent Sellens Toyota 86 V6 371
season, that they are also right up there against the big guns 3 8 Mark Mallard Mitsubishi Galant 369
in TradeZone GTRNZ’s overall points table.
4 147 Louis Kurriger Star Car Falcon 358
The grid at Manfeild last time out was a bumper one, and
5 18 James Dunning Honda Integra 341
it should be once again this weekend in the North Waikato.
18
18 HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nzNEXEN TYRE
PRO 7 MAZDA
A massive entry this weekend in Manfeild includes RX8,
RX7 and MX5 racers with the race on for the top NZ
Mazda racer.
ROTARY RACING AT ITS BEST
The Nexen Tyre Pro 7 Mazda Racing Community is back with Speed Works for this
big weekend of racing at Hampton Downs and although it’s not the final round of the
various Mazda racing classes, it is the penultimate round of a six round competition
that will be decided next month at the Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park in Taupo.
E
ven so, there’s plenty to play for this weekend in the Steven Spears joins the field this weekend while Dave
North Waikato with two classes in the popular field Aitken, who leased a car for the last Hampton round l
representing three iconic Mazda products – the RX7, oved it so much he has bought his own car to race at
the RX8 and the MX5 roadster. The iconic Pro 7s scream Hampton Downs!
it out against the more modern RX8, which does make a
beautiful race car. Add in a quantity of fine handling and NEXEN TYRE PRO 7 MAZDA RACING POINTS
well driven MX5 roadsters and there’s something in every NO DRIVER CLASS
race to keep the fans enthralled. And this weekend the grid 11 Simon Baker Mazda RX8
will be bulging not only with RX7s of various vintages and 14 Darren Leith Mazda RX8
RX8s, but also MX5s for that particular class. There’s even 19 Mark Smith Mazda MX5
a few taking the opportunity of the big weekend to make 24 Dave Atkins Mazda RX8
28 Elton Wichman Mazda RX8
their seasonal debuts, so there really will be an army of
35 Dennis Churcher Mazda MX5
Mazdas on track.
45 Matt Horne Mazda RX8
Dylan Smith has been the dominant force in Pro 7 this 46 Brett Killip Mazda RX8
season and has a healthy lead in the points chase for the 50 Nigel Edger Mazda RX8
title, sitting ahead of Brad McDonald. In the ever growing 53 Dylan Smith Mazda RX7
RX8 field it’s been Mazda specialist Brett Killip who has 71 Adrian Redding Mazda MX5
72 Kevin Richards Mazda RX8
been
95 David Crook Mazda MX5
Watch out for Dylan Smith in the orange and highly 97 Steven Spear Mazda RX8
modified screaming Pro 7 and iconic NZ Mazda racer 99 Brad McDonald Mazda RX7
Brett Killip getting his highly skilled hands on an RX8. 115 Thomas Hannaford Mazda RX8
Brad MacDonald will also be a factor in his modified Pro7 777 Jeremy Hoskins Mazda MX5
Plus machine. 1NZ Keith Wilkinson Mazda RX8
91
HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nz 19HONDA CUP
Shane Hine in his N1 spec
Civic leads a busy field. He’s
in a full field of Honda Cup
cars racing around Hampton
Downs this weekend
WOOLSEY AND WALKER
REVVED UP FOR A SHOWDOWN
The screaming VTECs are back with Speed Works for another event this weekend
at Hampton Downs, one of the tracks where this lasting class of racers have done
literally thousands of laps.
T
his season’s title battle is has been an extremely Each gives enhanced opportunities to drivers throughout
tightly fought and interesting one with young guns the field to perform and secure race wins.
Simeon Woolsey in his Integra and Bayley Walker MOTUL HONDA CUP POINTS
in his Civic ES the class of the field and turning heads at AFTER 4 ROUNDS
every round with some great battles and passing moves. POS NO DRIVER CAR POINTS
Their duels in Honda Cup’s second race, a reverse top ten 1 151 Simeon Woolsey Integra 227
format, have been eye-catching to say the least and should 2 11 Bayley Walker Civic ES 214
continue this weekend and prove a fitting climax as one 3 13 Paul Muldoon Integra 196
of the two will likely leave the weekend as the champion. 4 23 Greg Spark Integra 159
Motul Honda Cup has a history of title battles literally 5 74 Andrew Johnston Integra 147
6 76 Chris Hughes Civic EG 146
going down to the last few laps of the last race and this one 7 22 Gary Wilson Civic EG 140
could be the same. 8 120 Roger Maisey CRX 122
9 75 Steve Hughes Civic EG 120
Watch out two for the battle for title honours in the Honda 10 103 Shane Hine Civic EF 110
Cup’s cub class – N1 – which caters for cars not quite as 11 33 Brent Main Civic EG 109
modified as some of the monsters at the front of the field. 12= 118 Alan Stewart Civic EG 75
Chris Hughes sits out front on 146 points but both his 12= 38 John Torrance Civic EK 75
brother Steve and long-time Honda racer Shane Hine 14 137 Mark Elley Civic EG 63
15 17 Adam Carpenter Civic EG 60
could seize the initiative if Chris hits problems in his EG 16 99 Tristan Neate Civic EF 59
model Civic. 17 16 Jason Gibbs Civic EF 57
18 111 Matthew Grant Civic EG 55
Qualifying will be followed by a scratch format grid based 19= 2 Brent Thompson Civic EG 54
on qualifying times. The second race on Sunday morning 19= 27 David Harker Civic EK 54
is the all-action reverse top ten format encounter with the 21 117 Scott Silver Civic EG 38
final race in the afternoon being a handicap format race. 22 30 Garry Morrell Integra 10
20
20 HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nzRUSH HOUR HITS HAMPTON
It’s going to be busy in the North Waikato this Saturday evening, but this is one Rush
Hour that people are going to enjoy in the new year and one you certainly won’t be
seeing on State Highway 1!
I
t’s the track that’s going to be busy with the season the alternative lap time predicted, time will be added at the
finale featuring Speed Works Events unique Rush Hour end of the race for each lap where the car ‘broke out’ of its
format mini endurance race. lap time target. There are also other restrictions limiting
With qualifying on Saturday, the one hour race takes place the ability to execute refuelling or wheel changing quickly
last thing early Saturday evening. It sounds simple right? – all designed to give every team and driver a fair chance at
One hour race, fastest car over the one hour wins, correct? victory.
Well, not always. The point of Rush Hour is that it is If the handicapping has worked well and drivers have
designed to make winning possible for any car competing, managed to lap close to their optimal lap time, what you
whether it is a bona fide thoroughbred GT racing machine, will see is a whole gaggle of machines going into the last
or a home built special.
quarter of the race, all likely on the same lap, and quite
Rush Hour’s unique format means one or two drivers can possibly the quickest of those cars with most work to do in
form the team with the driver change during the mandatory the final quarter. That should be truly spectacular around
pit stop that must be taken by each car during the race. One the challenging twists and turns of Hampton Downs
driver can complete the race, however, but must get out the Motorsport Park.
car during the pit stop, go once around the car and the get
back in and re-join the race. It all makes for fun, but a very serious motor race that
brings out the best in driver and car. And there should be
The race is handicapped with pit stop duration defined by some very exciting cars running this weekend with several
the car’s qualifying performance. The better the qualifying categories running at the meeting which provide a pool of
time (or predicted lap time), the longer the pit stop. cars, a few wild cards and several using the opportunity of
Pit stops must also be taken during a defined window. If the weekend to shakedown their endurance monsters for
the car beats its qualifying time during the race, or beats the forthcoming ENEOS North Island Endurance Series.
12
HAMPTON DOWNS 8-10 MAR 2019 | speedworksevents.co.nz 21MOTORSPORT NZ CHAMPIONSHIP
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