The 2021 Carter’s Tyre Service South Island Endurance series is set to ‘kick-off’ at Highlands Motorsport Park, 2 October. The first of four rounds will go ahead unless the South Island returns to either Level 3 or 4, and regardless of what the COVID alert level is in Auckland.
“We appreciate this may mean our Auckland competitors will not be able to compete with us, but as we previously mentioned we cannot delay our series any further,” commented South Island Endurance Drivers Club Secretary Cate Paddon.
The start of the series has already been delayed twice, with the opening Christchurch round on 4 September being postponed until 6 November and then the Invercargill round, 18 September also being rearranged to the 24 October.
Both were affected when the South Island was in COVID alert levels 3 and 4. Now with some certainty that the South Island is likely to remain in Level 2, this allows the series to get underway, albeit with conditions on spectator numbers, social distancing, mask wearing and team numbers.
The next government announcement regarding alert levels will take place on Monday 20 September with Auckland potentially moving to Level 3. However, for Auckland competitors and teams to be able to travel south, a move to Level 2 will need to take place a week later.
Revised Carter’s Tyre Service South Island Endurance Series Calendar
Rd 1 – Highlands, Cromwell – Saturday 2 October
Rd 2 – Levels, Timaru – Saturday 16 October
Rd 3 – Teretonga, Invercargill – SUNDAY 24 October
Rd 4 (final) – Ruapuna, Christchurch – Saturday 6th November
Comments