Gardiner and Black win separate One Hour South Island Endurance races

Hugh Gardiner (Porsche 991.2 MR) has prevailed in a highly competitive One Hour endurance race for Class 2 & 3 cars while Warren Black (Audi RS3 LMS TCR) has won the separate Class 4 & 5 race at the opening round of the 2024 Racer Products South Island Endurance Series. Teretonga Park in Invercargill hosted the first of three rounds on Saturday 14 September 2024 in fine weather which saw plenty of action across both fields.

“Thrilled to take the win,” commented Gardiner. “A very enjoyable race. Adam (Julian) had the measure of me, but I was able to get passed him. A great event here in Teretonga with a great crowd.”

**Hugh Gardiner (Porsche) winner Class 2 and 3 race- photo Richard Opie**

Gardiner’s rivals, Adam Julian (Audi R8 GT3) and Jordan Michels (MARC Mustang), were expected to fight for overall and Class 2 (GT Type) honours which they initially did. However, Michels’ race came undone with a lengthy compulsory pitstop dropping him down to 11^th. Several Safety Car periods kept Gardiner in touch with Julian and helped Michels’ march through the field.

With less than ten minutes remaining, Gardiner made the most of a mistake by Julian, passing for the lead while Michels got passed the Bill Riding/Steve Brooks Porsche for third overall.

**Steve Scoles (Ginetta) first home in Class 3-photo Richard Opie**

“Credit to Hugh (Gardiner), I made a bit of mistake and should have been more patient,” said Julian.

Fourth home was Brooks/Riding followed by John Goodacre (IRC GT) just ahead of Rhys Gould (IRC GT. Steve Scoles (Ginetta G56) was first home in Class 3 (>3500cc) ahead of James Paterson (Audi R8 Turbo) and David Rogers (McLaren 570 GT4).

***Start of Class 4&5 One Hour race – Teretonga – photo Richard Opie***

In the separate Class 4 & 5 race, Warren Black (Audi RS3 LMS TCR) had his breakthrough overall and Class 4 (2001cc-3500cc) win, sending a message to his rivals that he will be a title contender.

“That was awesome,” said Black. “The racing was really good, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

**Warren Black (Audi) – Winner of Class 4&5 One Hour race – Teretonga – photo Richard Opie**

Second home was Pel Arnott (Hyundai i30N TCR) ahead of current NZ Formula Ford champion Blake Knowles (Hyundai i30N TCR) with Mike Hall (VW Golf TCR) fourth and Russell McKenzie (BMW E46 M3) fifth.

**Chris Wall (Honda Civic) won the Class 5 battle – photo Richard Opie**

The battle for Class 5 (0-2000cc) honours was a fight between Honda Civics with Chris Wall (Honda Civic) first ahead of Donovan Isted (Honda Civic EG), Jordan Rae (Honda Civic) and Rhys Turner (Honda Civic).

Drivers and teams now prepare for the second round in Christchurch. The Euromarque Motorsport Park at Ruapuna hosts the second round on Saturday 28 September 2024 before the finale in Timaru, three weeks later.

Race Results Class 2 & 3 (Position, Driver, Car, Class)
1/ Hugh Gardiner, Porsche 991.2 MR, Class 2
2/ Adam Julian Audi R8 GT3, Class 2
3/ Jordan Michels, Marc Mustang, Class 2
4/ Steve Brooks/Bill Riding, Porsche 992 GT3 Cup, Class 2
5/ John Goodacre, IRC GT, Class 2
6/ Rhys Gould, IRC GT, Class 2
7/ Paul Kelly, Porsche 992 Cup Car, Class 2
8/ Martin Dippie, Porsche 992, Class 2
9/ Steve Scoles, Ginetta G56, Class 3
10/ Nick Wright, Porsche 991, Class 2
11/ James Paterson, Audi R8, Class 3
12/ David Rogers, McLaren 570S GT4, Class 3
13/ Angus McFarlane/Michael Bushell, Porsche 996 RSR V8, Class 3
DNF Grant Silvester, Ford Mustang, Class 2
DNF Brayden Phillips, Howe GT Mustang, Class 2

Race Results One Hour Class 4&5 (Position, Driver, Car,)
1/ Warren Black, Audi RS3 LMS TCR
2/ Pel Arnott, Hyundai I30n TCR
3/ Blake Knowles, Hyundai I30N TCR
4/ Mike Hall, Volkswagen Golf TCR
5/ Russell McKenzie, BMW E46 M3
6/ Dale Chapman, Audi RS3 TCR
7/ Dennis Chapman, Audi RS3 TCR
8/ Chris Wall, Honda Civic
9/ Donovan Isted, Honda Civic EG
10/ Duncan Cundall-Curry, BMW GTR
11/ Jordan Rae Honda Civic
12/ Rhys Turner Honda Civic
13/ Paul Booth/David Booth BMW E36
14/ James Mitchell, Honda Civic
15/ Grant Williams/Ben Wiliams Toyota 86
16/ Chris White Jnr/Will Neale, Mazda RX8
17/ Peter Bennetts, Seat Supercopa
18/ Peter Sutherland, Honda Civic
19/ Zach Blincoe, Toyota 86
20/ Ajay Giddy, Toyota 86
21/ Thomas Mallard/Cormac Murphy Toyota 86
22/ Harry Townsend
23/ Mac Berkett, Mazda RX8
24/ Vaughan Moloney, Honda S2000
25/ Gordon Legge, BMW E30
26/ Arthur Broughan, Mazda RX8
DNF Nieko Scoles, Toyota 86
DNF Jarred Morgan, Honda Civic
DNF Will Taylor Honda Integra