Points become critical as Three-Hour South Island Endurance Series head to the penultimate round at Teretonga

Finishing has always been the key in motorsport and no less so for the Carter’s Tyre Service South Island Endurance Series – Presented by Allied 24/7/fuel, as it heads to its third round at Teretonga Park, Invercargill on Sunday 24 October 2021. It’s the penultimate round and local favourites, Scott O’Donnell and Allan Dippie (Porsche 991 GT3R), admit that they may not be the fastest on track, but they are playing the long-game and looking for the series win. Two second places have them top of the leader board in both the overall points and Class E (GT3) standings.

#912, Scott O’Donnell/Allan Dippie, Class E, Porsche 991 GT3R, Photo Terry Marshall

The field has had a shake-up since the second round in Timaru last Saturday with the winner, Anthony Leighs/Tom Alexander (Nissan GT-R GT3) not entered and the very quick MARC Mustang of Sam Collins changing to the One-Hour race. This now paves the way for a third race winner of the series as the other very quick Nissan GT-R GT3 of Lance Hughes/Chris van der Drift, winner of the opening round in Cromwell, remains stuck in the Waikato under lockdown.

Favourite for the win will be the McLaren 650S GT3 of Glenn Smith/Damon Leitch. While often leading in the first two rounds, the team has unfortunately struck problems and finished down the order or retired.

Steve Brooks/Jack Milligan, D, Porsche 991 Cup – Phtoto by Euan Cameron

Steve Brooks/Jack Milligan (Porsche 991 Cup) have been the quiet achievers and now find themselves not only leading Class D (GT) but also second overall ahead of Grant Askew/Cole Askew (VW Gold GTi TCR) who are also leading Class B (200a-3500cc). Proof that finishing well is always rewarded.

Andrew and Will Kitching have been the leading Class A (0-2000cc) car in both rounds so far. However, they only have a ten-point lead on Darryl Phillips/Terence Phillips (Honda Civic). Will Kitching wasn’t entirely happy with car speed at Timaru and thinks that they can go even quicker.

***#96, Terence Phillips-Darryl Phillips, currently second in Class A, (Honda Civic) photo by Terry Marshall***

Fourth overall and trailing Steve Brooks by just three-points in Class D is Martin Dippie (Porsche 997 Cup S). Dippie has had ex WRC star Hayden Paddon as co-driver for the first two rounds but will have the ex-Superbike rider, Aaron Slight helping out as Paddon competes at the Waimate 50 hillclimb this weekend.

The Three-Hour qualifying gets underway on Sunday at 9:50am with racing starting at 1:30pm. Discounted pre-sale tickets for the event are on sale at Auto Centre, Tweed Street, Invercargill and E Hayes & Sons, Dee Street, Invercargill priced at $15 each with children 14 & under, accompanied by an adult free.

Under current conditions crowds can attend the event but groups not attending together should maintain a distance of 1 metre between each other. Face masks are required upon entering the circuit and when accessing toilet facilities.

***Grant Askew-Cole Askew (VW Gold GTi TCR) who are third overall and leading Class B (2000-3500cc) photo by Terry Marshall***

Overall Points – Three-Hour (Top 13)
Place, Name/s, Car, Class, Points
1/ S O’Donnell/A Dippie, Porsche 997 Cup S, E, 180
2/ S Brooks, Porsche 991 Cup, D, 158
3/ G Askew/C Askew, VW Golf GTi TCR, B, 155
4/ M Dippie/H Paddon, Porsche 997 Cup S, D, 138
5/ T Mackersy/B Moore, VW Golf Gti TCR, B, 137
6/ J Parmenter/A Brunton, Mazda RX8, B, 134
7/ A Kitching/W Kitching, Honda Civic, A, 126
8/ D Phillips/T Phillips, Honda Civic, A, 120
9/ D Barrett/H Frew, Ford V8 Supertourer, D, 117
10/ R Mackersy/W Good, Renault Clio Cup Car, B, 116
11/ G Smith, McLaren 650S GT3, E, 106
12/ G Rhodes/P Rickerby, Ford Falcon V8ST, D, 102
13/ B Riding/S Flanagan, Porsche 991 Cup, D, 96

Entry list

# Drivers, Class, Car

20, Jarrod Parmenter/Andrew Brunton, B, Mazda RX8
31, Paul Rickerby/Graeme Rhodes, D, Ford V8 Supertourer
47, Cameron Davies/Flyn Mitchell, C, Mazda RX8
65, Grant Askew/Cole Askew, B, VW Golf GTi TCR
76, Andrew Kitching/Will Kitching, A, Honda Civic
79, Barry Moore/Tim Mackersy, B, Volkswagon Golf GTI TCR
81, Darryl Barrett/Hamish Frew, D, V8 SuperTourer
88, Bill Riding/Scott Flanagan, D, Porsche 991 Cup
90, Glenn Smith/Damon Leitch, E, McLaren 650S GT3
96, Terence Phillips/Darryl Phillips, A, Honda Civic
111, Lindsay O’Donnell/Matthew O’Donnell, B, BMW M1 GTR
171, Grant Moore/Matt Moore, A, Toyota Altezza
275, Ron Mackersy/Warren Good, B, Renault Clio Cup Car
888, Steve Brooks/Jack Milligan, D, Porsche 991 Cup
912, Scott O’Donnell/Allan Dippie, E, Porsche 991 GT3R
991, Martin Dippie/Aaron Slight, D, Porsche 991.1 Cup