The South Island Endurance Racing Drivers Club (SIERDC) have announced a revised car eligibility criteria for this seasons South Island Endurance Series, that will see some space-framed cars allowed into the 3 hour Series for the first time in 20 years.

“As a series we need to continue to move with the times” said series secretary Chris Dunn, “Our ruling about cars being of total monocoque construction is now a bit outdated so we have tweaked it to allow more cars into the Series. The change will allow the GT cars like the Mosler MT900, Audi R8 LMS, Ginetta G50 and others into the Series, as well as catering for the new breed of V8’s as we have agreed to accept both the TLX NZV8 and V8 Supertourers into the 2014 3 hour Series.”

Competitors with anything other than the traditional total monocoque cars will still need committee approval, but the committee have already devised a predetermined a list of GT3 & other cars that will be eligible for the 2014 Series.

With the 2013 ASKO Series being strongly influenced by such drivers as Shane Van Gisbergen, Johnny Reid, Klark Quinn, Ant Pedersen, Johnny McIntyre, Jono Lester & Alex Davidson, the Club has also tweaked the driver eligibility rules to ensure the Series keeps it current Pro-Am driver status. “This will keep a lid on teams so they don’t get carried away signing star drivers, whilst still allowing them to compete in the Series” said Dunn.

The series has also locked in dates for its 2014 Series which will start at Teretonga Park, Invercargill on 20 September 2014. Round Two will be held at Mike Pero Motorsport Park, Christchurch on 4 October 2014 and then Round 3 at Levels Raceway, Timaru on 18 October 2014. At this stage the committee is still working with Highlands Motorsport Park regarding a 4th round in Cromwell.

Although there is always hype around the outright contenders the Series has 5 separate capacity (cc) based racing classes within the Series and for, except the $10,000 winners’ purse, the majority of the series prizemoney is paid out by class, with the smallest (0-2000cc) class winner receiving the biggest prizemoney cheque from the 2013 ASKO Endurance Series.

The Series is still finalizing details before its official 2014 launch including its full list of sponsors of the Series, but does have some sponsorship opportunities available for interested parties. Becoming a series sponsor is a great opportunity as endurance racing is going through a real growth period in Australasia with racing numbers steadily growing, whilst current V8 racing on both sides of the Tasman have less numbers than the past.

Although actual series entries don’t open until mid-year, many teams are already sorting plans and there are plenty of teams that will front with new machinery for 2014. Competitors can register their interest now by contacting SIERDC Secretary Chris Dunn via e-mail at sierdc@nullxtra.co.nz, ph 021-107-9293, and any potential competitors, crews or supporters are welcome to be added to the clubs e-mailing list by simply sending an e-mail to sierdc@nullxtra.co.nz or you can follow the series build-up on facebook at www.facebook.com/sierdcnz One thing is for certain, that it will be another great season of endurance Racing in the South Island.