With just over two months to go until the South Island Endurance Series bursts into life there will be some major changes to this year’s Series. The most significant change for 2016 will be the series sponsor, with the familiar ASKO brand making way for fresh naming from Carters Tyre Service.
“Due to marketing changes in New Zealand the curtain has been called on our agreement with ASKO, who have generously supported our Series for the past 8 years” said South Island Endurance Racing Drivers Club (SIERDC) President Angus McFarlane. “ASKO has certainly helped propel our Series to where we are today, however a new six figure multi-year partnership with Carters Tyre Service will undoubtedly launch us into the future.”
Carters Tyre Service are a 100% New Zealand family owned business, that is well established in the North Island, and rapidly expanding into the South. The Carter family are also familiar faces in the Endurance pit paddock, winning the SI title in both 2007 & 2009 and in fact are the only non-Porsche drivers to win the Series since SIERDC took the reins in 2005.
The Series will officially be known as the Carters Tyres SI Endurance Series and with series entries opening in May, there has already been significant interest from existing and new entrants and the series will again offer a huge prize & prize money package for competitors.
The Series will also see up to six full FIA GT3 spec cars set to compete. “We always have an amazing array of cars and this season is no different, you can guarantee there is some exciting new machinery set to fill our grids” said Series secretary Chris Dunn. “All twelve of the top 3hr teams from the 2015 Series are set to return, many with new machinery, and with all the GT3 spec cars, new generation V8’s and the breathtaking garage-built hybrids, we are definitely looking at hosting another outstanding season.” “Of the 70 odd cars already registered, there are 30 new cars that haven’t competed with us before” he said.
The other change for 2016 is that SIERDC will allow all V8 SuperTourer & NZV8 TLX cars to compete in the Series and it is likely that 4 or 5 of these cars will take the starters flag. “We made the change over our off season to officially allow these new generation V8’s, and they have already proven that they are capable of being front runners” said Dunn.
Thanks to the series partner Carters Tyre Service the series will continue to distribute a substantial prizemoney pool for 2016 with an astounding $30,000 to be paid out. As well as prizemoney, there is also a magnificent Norman Sinclair original painting worth $10,000 as well as many other prizes & awards on offer across all the classes in both the 3 hour & 1 hour Series. On top of that the prestige of winning the coveted Carters Tyres SI Endurance Series title, there is some impressive silverware on offer including the main prize of the South Canterbury Toyota Cup for the overall 3hr series winners, and other trophies including the Southern RV under 2 litre challenge and the Matt Heagney Memorial for first 4cyl home, plus trophies for all class winners in both the 3 hour & 1 hour Series. “We are really thrilled to be able to offer another incredible prize package, and thanks really go out to our generous series partners” said Dunn. “We will again have some serious prize money to give away plus magnificent prizes & spot prizes and not to forget both our pre and post-race social functions that are fast gaining legendary status.”
With separate races for the 1hr and 3hr Series, both have 4 separate capacity based classes being, Class 3&4: 0-2000cc, Class 2: 2001-3500cc and Class 1: 3501cc and over, plus a ‘GT class’ for the FIA GT3 spec cars, new generation V8’s and their equivalents. “The great thing about this series is that we always have such a great mixture of cars across all the classes” said Dunn. “No matter what car you have there will always be someone at your pace to race with, plus its often the smaller more reliable cars that are the most impressive as they work their way up through the fields. We value the competitor competing in a Micra as much as a Mercedes, and we want to continue with the SIERDC principal of making all our races accessible to as many competitors as possible” said Dunn. “We have always treated the little guys the same as the big guys, and pride ourselves on the amazing variety of man & machinery we have competing.”
The 2016 Carters Tyres SI Endurance Series will be run over 3 rounds, with a round held at each of the three traditional South Island race circuits. The Series starts at Teretonga Park, Invercargill on Saturday 10th September, then to Mike Pero Ruapuna, Christchurch for round Two on 1st October with the grand finale at Levels Raceway, Timaru on 15th October 2016.
Carters Tyre Service will also become the principal partner for the 2016/17 NZ Endurance Championships. The top 20 cars from the Mahindra NI Series and the top 20 from the Carters Tyres SI Series race to earn the opportunity to attend this invitation only championship event, to be held at Ruapuna on 18 March 2017, where team’s line up for a winner takes all single race to decide the 1hr and 3hr NZ Championship titles.
Although excited about the entries to date there are still spots available on the grid, and dollar for dollar Endurance racing represents the best value for money Motorsport available. Competitors can still register their interest by contacting Series Secretary, Chris Dunn, via e-mail at [email protected] or phone 021-107-9293. Any potential competitors, crews and supporters are welcome to be added to the clubs e-mailing list by simply sending an e-mail to the above address, or via the Clubs facebook page at www.facebook.com/sierdcnz . Information on the series sponsor can be found at www.carterstyres.co.nz .
