It is all go for the Nexen Tyres Mazda Racing Series this weekend with two championship titles up for grabs. The South Island Mazda Racing Series is still tight, and it is likely to come down to the last race to find the champion and outright winner.
Simon Baker and his teammate Matt Horne have been doing a considerable amount of milage this season between races. Based on the Kapiti Coast and Masterton respectfully, they both have contested the North Island and South Island series and in doing so crossed Cook Straight several times.
Baker has already wrapped up the North Island Series, and desperately wants to add the SI tile to his season’s winnings. However, with only a 69 points buffer, he will need to finish every race to ensure the title goes his way. Playing on his mind will be that Horne beat him in the last race at Invercargill just a couple of weeks ago.
At Highlands, the A and C track is being used for the first time so neither will have data to rely on for any pre-event set up they may want to do. At this stage, it still is anyone’s championship.
Third and fourth is equally close with Russell Burgess a mere 41-points ahead of rookie Matt Dodd. At the last round at Teretonga, these two ran in close proximity to each other all weekend and it must be expected that this will continue at Highlands.
The round is also the second and final round of the Nexen Tyres Mazda Racing Series National Championship. Baker is aiming for the triple crown by winning the National Series along with the North and South Island Series.
Coming into the round, James Parker holds a slim 8-point lead over Baker after the first round at Manfield back in Mid-February. Do not expect any inch given between these two and fireworks may well be on the cards.
Several other drivers have made the trek from the North Island with the lure of Highlands bringing them south.
Every time the Nexen Tyres Mazda Racing Series hits the track it always provides some of the closest and best racing of a weekend event. We expect nothing less at Highlands.
Nexen Tyres Mazda Racing Series will run at the same meeting and the Super Production Championship. Racing starts from 12:50 pm on Friday 23 April at Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell and continues from 9:00am Saturday 24 April. Spectators can come and view the racing free of charge.
Comments