Consistency, reliability and speed coupled with a team effort have rewarded Scott O’Donnell and Allan Dippie (Porsche 991 GT3R) (main photo) with the overall Three-Hour Carter’s Tyre Service South Island Endurance Series title. Despite not winning any of the four rounds, the pairing finished four times on the podium and took out the Class E (GT3) title. Second overall and first in Class B (2001-3500cc) was the VW Golf GTi TCR of Grant and Cole Askew with today’s race winner, Glenn Smith (McLaren 650S GT3) third overall.
“We were never going to have the outright pace,” acknowledged O’Donnell. “We have a car that is known for reliability, its quick when it needs to be and can be on the pace.”
“We wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Dippie. “Endurance (racing) is about endurance and this is over four rounds so harder than it has ever been. The car has to be prepped spot on and we have stayed away from bad-luck.”
The Mike Pero Motorsport Park in Christchurch hosted the fourth and final round which produced a thrilling race between Smith, along with co-driver Damon Leitch and the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 of Anthony Leighs and Tom Alexander.
Leighs initially took the lead over Smith, which it held through the compulsory pitstops that both teams made around the halfway mark of the race. With more fuel on board and both having made driver changes, it would come down to fuel strategy with both cars likely to need more fuel to get them to the end.
Alexander took a chance during a safety car period, stopping for fuel and handing the lead to Leitch in the McLaren. With less than 45 minutes remaining, Leitch also pitted for more fuel, dropping 31 seconds behind Alexander and then setting about reeling him in. Unbeknown to Leitch, Alexander hadn’t taken on enough fuel and was in a conserving mode. Leitch eventually caught and passed the Nissan with less than ten-minutes remaining, taking the chequered flag for the second time in the Series.
“To be honest I wasn’t super confident of catching Tom (Alexander),” said Leitch. “We were on a slightly different strategy not knowing they were trying to conserve. It was pretty cool to get another win.”
“Damon (Leitch) was really quick while we were conserving fuel,” said Leighs. “We took the opportunity to put some fuel in and no excuses, we only got ten in and not 20 (litres) so had to conserve. It was a fantastic race and to finish only a second apart.”
More proof that consistency and reliability brings rewards with endurance racing came from Grant and Cole Askew, finishing second overall in a slower Class B car.
“Stoked to finish where we did,” said Grant Askew. “The car turned up two weeks before the Series got underway and we have just driven it. The team has been awesome. Consistency is what it is about and it’s a lovely car to drive, so stoked.”
First overall in Class C (>3500cc) was Cameron Davies/Flyn Mitchell (Mazda RX8) while Steve Brooks (Porsche 991 Cup) took out the Class D (GT) title.
“A really good result,” said Brooks. “It is the first time ever doing any sought of motor racing. Always wanted too and thought we would have a go. James Marshall has run the team and it has gone so well.”
Seventh overall and winner of the Class A title (0-2000cc) was the father and son pairing of Darryl and Terence Phillips (Honda Civic).
“Extremely thrilled,” said Darry Phillips. “It is about reliability and we are quite happy with the day.
“We won Class A three years ago and since then built this car up and developed it. It is a great handling car when you get it right so very happy to get the title.”
The impact of Covid-19 has brought about the postponement of the NZ Endurance Championship due to take place 19-20 November 2021 at Hampton Downs. This will now take place 8-9 April 2022.
Overall Points – Three-Hour (Top 10)
Place, Name/s, Car, Class, Points
1/ S O’Donnell/A Dippie, Porsche 997 Cup S, E, 356
2/ G Askew/C Askew, VW Golf GTi TCR, B, 307
3/ G Smith, McLaren 650S GT3, E, 296
4/ T Mackersy/B Moore, VW Golf Gti TCR, B, 285
5/ J Parmenter/A Brunton, Mazda RX8, B, 265
6/ S Brooks, Porsche 991 Cup, D, 260
7/ D Phillips/T Phillips, Honda Civic, A, 240
8/ R Mackersy/W Good, Renault Clio Cup Car, B, 238
9/ M Dippie, Porsche 997 Cup S, D, 237
10/ D Barrett/H Frew, Ford V8 Supertourer, D, 216
Race Results, Round 4
Place, #, Drivers, Class, Car
1/ 90, Glenn Smith/Damon Leitch, E, McLaren 650S GT3
2/ 28, Anthony Leighs/Tom Alexander, E, Nissan GTR
3/ 912, Scott O’Donnell/Allan Dippie, E, Porsche 991 GT3R
4/ 888, Steve Brooks/Jack Milligan, D, Porsche 991 Cup
5/ 991, Martin Dippie/Aaron Slight, D, Porsche 991.1 Cup
6/ 88, Bill Riding/Scott Flanagan, D, Porsche 991 Cup
7/ 9, Marco Schelp/Jarrod Owens, D, Porsche GT3 Cup S
8/ 65, Grant Askew/Cole Askew, B, VW Golf GTi TCR
9/ 125, Ben Coffin/Cameron Jones, C, Mazda RX7
10/ 117, Russell McKenzie/Mike Hall, B, VW Golf GTi TCR
11/ 79, Barry Moore/Tim Mackersy, B, Volkswagon Golf GTI TCR
12/ 24, Don McIntyre/Rob Williams, D, Porsche 997 GT3 Cup
13/ 20, Jarrod Parmenter/Andrew Brunton, B, Mazda RX8
14/ 96, Terence Phillips/Darryl Phillips, A, Honda Civic
15/ 171, Grant Moore/Matt Moore, A, Toyota Altezza
16/ 275, Ron Mackersy/Warren Good, B, Renault Clio Cup Car
17/ 76, Andrew Kitching/Will Kitching, A, Honda Civic
18/ 94, Tim Stanton/Leyton tremain, A Peugoet 106 Rallye
DNF 31, Paul Rickerby/Graeme Rhodes, D, Ford V8 Supertourer
DNF 47, Cameron Davies/Flyn Mitchell, C, Mazda RX8
DNF 81, Darryl Barrett/Hamish Frew, D, V8 SuperTourer
Comments