Smith and Leitch win as drama hits rivals in Three-Hour South Island Endurance round at Teretonga

Glenn Smith and Damon Leitch (McLaren 650s GT3) have won the third round of the Three-Hour Carter’s Tyre Service South Island Endurances Series – Presented by Allied 24/7 Fuel at Teretonga Park in Invercargill. Also winning Class E (GT3), the pairing was quickest all day, qualifying fastest then leading the entire race with Leitch setting a new lap record of 54.814 seconds in the last 20 minutes.

“That was a cool way to end the race with the lap record,” said Damon Leitch, having retired a week ago at the second round. “It was a lot of fun. Great to bounce back after the disappointment of Timaru.”

Second home was Scott O’Donnell/Allan Dippie (Porsche 991 GT3) who continue to lead the four round Series, now with three podiums from the first three rounds.

***#912 Scott O’Donnell/Allan Dippie were second and lead the overall Series – Photo Terry Marshall***

“We really got into the grove today,” said Allan Dippie. “I had said to Scott (O’Donnell) just drive to win the championship. We don’t have the pace to beat the McLaren boys so congratulations to them. We are very good at getting second.”

Endurance racing is a case of never say never, for the Barry Moore/Tim Mackersy team (VW GTi TCR), finishing third. For all, but the last ten-minutes of the race, they held fifth, fending off Class B (2000-3500cc) rivals Grant Askew/Cole Askew (VW Golf GTi TCR). Ahead of them was the Ford Falcon SuperTourer of Paul Rickerby/Graeme Rhodes in fourth and the underrated pairing of Steve Brooks/Jack Milligan (Porsche 991 Cup) in third.

First the Ford SuperTourer went into a tyre wall, bringing out a safety car and promoting those behind them up a position. Next it was the turn of Brooks and Milligan whose Porsche came to a stop minutes before the chequered flag fell. Unable to finish the race, they too were listed as retired, gifting third to Moore and Mackersy.

***#79 Tim Mackersy/Barry Moore finished a well deserved third place – Photo Euan Cameron***

“Pretty awesome,” said Tim Mackersy, “You just keep going around and around as you don’t know what others are going through.”

“The crew were phenomenal,” said Barry Moore. “It’s pretty good that we get to spray some champagne (at last).”

**#81** ***Darryl Barrett/Hamish Frew finished fifth and first in Class D – Photo Terry Marshall***

Fifth home and first in Class D (GT Type) was Darryl Barrett/Hamish Frew (Ford V8 SuperTourer) while the first of two Class A (0-2000cc) cars home was Grant Moore/Matt Moore (Toyota Altezza).

With one round to go in Christchurch Saturday 6 November 2021, O’Donnell/Dippie have the overall lead from Grant Askew/Cole Askew with Tim Mackersy/Barry Moore third.

***First home in Class A was Grant Moore/Matt Moore (Toyota Altezza) – Photo Euan Cameron***

Three-Hour Results
Place, #, Drivers, Class, Car
1/ 90, Glenn Smith/Damon Leitch, E, McLaren 650S GT3
2/ 912, Scott O’Donnell/Allan Dippie, E, Porsche 991 GT3R
3/ 79, Barry Moore/Tim Mackersy, B, Volkswagon Golf GTI TCR
4/ 65, Grant Askew/Cole Askew, B, VW Golf GTi TCR
5/ 81, Darryl Barrett/Hamish Frew, D, V8 SuperTourer
6/ 111, Lindsay O’Donnell/Matthew O’Donnell, B, BMW M1 GTR
7/ 20, Jarrod Parmenter/Andrew Brunton, B, Mazda RX8
8/ 275, Ron Mackersy/Warren Good, B, Renault Clio Cup Car
9/ 171, Grant Moore/Matt Moore, A, Toyota Altezza
10/ 96, Terence Phillips/Darryl Phillips, A, Honda Civic
DNF 31, Paul Rickerby/Graeme Rhodes, D, Ford V8 Supertourer
DNF 47, Cameron Davies/Flyn Mitchell, C, Mazda RX8
DNF 76, Andrew Kitching/Will Kitching, A, Honda Civic
DNF 88, Bill Riding/Scott Flanagan, D, Porsche 991 Cup
DNF 888, Steve Brooks/Jack Milligan, D, Porsche 991 Cup
DNF 991, Martin Dippie/Aaron Slight, D, Porsche 991.1 Cup