The Carter’s Tyres South Island Endurance Series Three-Hour Class B title holders are preparing for the NZ Endurance Championships at Highlands this weekend.
Rowan Shepherd and Lochlain Fitzgerarld-Symes will compete in an Audi TCR run by the highly successful, Highlands-based, Track Tec Racing who took out Class B honours in both the One and Three-Hour South Island Championships in the Audi TCRs.
Shepherd has high levels of international TCR endurance experience, as a driver for Holmgaard Motorsport. He has previously raced in NZ Formula First and Ssangyong Utes.
“It’s always exciting to race at Highlands,” said Shepherd. “We are very keen to take on the North Island teams. We have put a lot of focus on data since the last round and think we will have a few tricks up or sleeves for the final.”
Fitzgerarld-Symes is the reigning Class B (Three-Hour) NZ Endurance Champion, taking out the honours in a Honda TCR in 2019. He has competed in motorsport since his early teens, cutting his teeth in MotoX until 2016 when he moved to 4 wheels in the competitive BMW E30 series, later that year started racing in the North Island Endurance series in a SEAT Supacopa.
“It was awesome to take out the South Island Series on three tracks that I’ve never raced on,” commented Fitzgerald-Symes. “I’m looking to the final at Highlands where Dad and I finished second in the final two years ago and hopefully we can go one better. If we can pull it off, then I can go back-to-back with my win from last year.”
Both are waiting to confirm plans for 2021.
“Our 2021 plans are murky as our international plans are simply not feasible with the current restrictions,” said Shepherd. “There are plenty of options in New Zealand motorsport which is great so will look to focus on a plan after our Endurance final”
Fitzgerald-Symes pointed out, “We’ve purchased a Porsche Cup car to contend the Porsche Series, the new Production Series and Endurance Series. I’d also be super keen to drive a TCR again in the South Island Endurance Series and possibly contest the NZ TCR Championship in 2021.”
Qualifying for the Three-Hour NZ Endurance Championship takes place this Saturday morning (7 November) with 180 minutes of racing set to go at 1pm.
Comments