Small brothers wary of competition for South Island Endurance One Hour race at Highlands on Saturday

Timaru’s Johnny Small and Chris Small (Porsche 997 GT3 Cup) are very clear about what is required heading into the second round of the Carter’s Tyres South Island Endurance Series One Hour race at the Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell on Saturday.  The pairing won the first of four rounds at Teretonga Park in Invercargill a fortnight ago and expect a tough task ahead at a circuit they have yet to race on.

“The competition at Teretonga was extremely close,” commented Chris Small.  “Particularly with Jarrod Owens, Scott O’Donnell, Allan Dippie and a couple of others and we expect it again.”

While the Small’s qualified fastest in round one, it was Jarrod Owens (Porsche GT3 Cup S) who was quickest in the race and had the win within his grasp only to spin while avoiding a slower competitor.

Porsche filled the first four positions at Teretonga with second place going to Scott McDonnell/Allan Dippie (Porsche GT3 Cup S), third to Danny Whiting (Porsche 991 Gen II GT3 Cup) and fourth to Jarrod Owens (Porsche GT3 Cup S). 

Porsche race cars are expected to dominate at Highlands with one-third of the field entered driving the marque.  Added to the eight entrants from Teretonga are Rory Callaway (Porsche GT4 Clubsport), Paul Kelly (Porsche 997 Cup), Martin Dippie (991 GT3 Cup), John Buchanan (Porsche GT4) and Garry Derrick/Ben Derrick (Porsche 996 GT3).

The first ‘non-Porsche’ entrant home at the first round was the pairing of Murray Beeby/Karl Beeby (Nissan R32 GTR) who won Class C (+3500cc) and finished fifth overall.

Jordan Michels also featured at his home track debuting his new Honda Civic Type R TCR, winning Class B (2001-3500cc) and finishing seventh overall.

Competition in Class A (0-2000cc) is expected to be tight with ten cars entered.  Round one winner, Daniel Cropp (Honda Civic SIR) finished 13^th overall, partly aided by the retirement of four other from the class.

Highlands Motorsport Park will host 40 entrants for the One Hour race with practice on Friday, early morning qualifying on Saturday with the race late morning.