It could have been a victory for a local favourite at Teretonga Park in Invercargill on Saturday, but it was Auckland’s Hugh Gardiner who shone through taking his second win of the 2025 One Hour South Island Endurance Series for Class 1,2 & 3 cars.
Southland’s Jordan Michel’s (Marc II Mustang) lead for 51 minutes before a gearbox issue sidelined him momentarily allowing Gardner, who had been pursuing him all race, through to lead to the end beating home second place Steve Brooks/Bill Riding (Porsche GT3 Cup 992) and Jaden Ransley (Ford Falcon FG). Paul Kelly (Porsche GT3 Cup 992) claimed fourth with Michels salvaged fifth.
“We were sitting pretty until the gearbox jammed and we had to pull over and reset,” commented Michels. “Fifth place was still a strong result despite the misfortunes.”
Gardener, who won the opening round in Christchurch, had throughout the race stayed withing seconds of Michels and took his compulsory pitstop first. When Michels pitted, he emerged in first and with an increased lead.
“Jordan is a great competitor so that was bad luck for him,” said Gardener. “My car was coming on strong towards the end so it’s great to get the win.”
The result gives Gardener an 18-point advantage over Brooks and Riding with one round left in the 2025 series. Michels is still three-points further back on 169 with Paul Kelly fourth.
“We had a really good car,” commented Riding. Very happy with the result, everything went well, and we stayed out of trouble.”
Like in the opening round a fortnight ago, Kelly again spun early in the race dropping him well down the field, only for him to again, claw his way back to a top five position.
Michel’s late demise promoted Jaden Ransley onto the podium and first Class 2 car home and first in the overall points.
“It was pretty hairy early in the race,” said Ransley. “We had to manage the car, the race and tyres so happy to stay with the front runners and get a podium.”
First Class 3 car was Caleb Paterson (Porsche Cayman GT4 RS) in tenth overall. Michael Bushell/Angus McFarlane (Porsche GT3 Cup) lead the Class from Pel Arnott (Hyundai i30N TCR) the first from the TCR category and Steve Scoles (Ginetta G55 G56) in third.
Drivers and teams now prepare for final Round 3 at Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell, 18 October 2025.
Overall Points – 2025 SIERDC 1hr Class 1,2&3 Endurance Series after 2/3 rounds
Position, Driver/s, Car, Class, Points
1/ Hugh Gardiner, Porsche 991.2, 1, 190
2/ Steve Brooks/Bill Riding, Porsche GT3 Cup 992, 1, 172
3/ Jordan Michels, Marc II Mustang, 1, 169
4/ Paul Kelly, Porsche GT3 Cup 992, 1, 168
5/ Jaden Ransley, Ford Falcon Supertourer, 2, 162
6/ Vin Schelp, Porsche GT3 Cup S, 2, 146
7/ Martin Dippie/Allan Dippie, Porsche GT3 Cup 992, 1, 143
8/ Garry Derrick, Porsche 991.2, 1, 132
9= Steve Scoles, Ginetta G56, 3, 120
9= Pel Arnott, Hyundai I30N TCR, 3, 120
11/ Michael Bushell/George McFarlane, Porsche GT3 Cup 996, 3, 114
12/ Scott O’Donnell, Hyundai I30N TCR, 3, 106
13/ Russell McKenzie, Porsche Cayman GT4RS, 3, 98
14/ John Beck, Porsche 991.1, 2, 94
15= Nigel Cromie, Porsche GT3 Cup 992, 1, 79
15= David Rogers, McLaren 570S GT4, 3, 79
Race Results – One Hour South Island Endurance Series Rnd 2 – Overall for Class 1,2,3
Position, Driver, Car, Class
1/ Hugh Gardiner, Porsche 991.2 GT3 Cup, 1
2/ S Brooks /B Riding, Porsche 992 Cup Car, 1
3/ Jaden Ransley, Ford Falcon FG, 2
4/ Paul Kelly, Porsche 992 GT3 Cup, 1
5/ Jordan Michels, Marc II Mustang, 1
6/ M Dippie /A Dippie, Porsche 992 GT3 Cup, 1
7/ Vin Schelp/M Schelp, Porsche 997 GT3 Cup, 2
8/ Blake Knowles, Porsche 997 GT3 Cup, 1
9/ Dwayne Carter, Lamborghini Super Trofeo, 2
10/ Caleb Paterson, Porsche Cayman GT4 RS, 3
11/ Garry Derrick, Porsche 991.2 GT3 Cup, 1
12/ Pel Arnott, Hyundai I30 N TCR, 3
13/ Steve Scoles, Ginetta G55 G56 Evo, 3
14/ Michael Bushell/Angus McFarlane, Porsche GT3 Cup, 3
15/ Scott O’Donnell, Hyundai I30N TCR, 3
16/ David Rogers, McLaren 570S GT4, 3
17/ Russell McKenzie, Porsche GT4 RS Clubsport, 3
18/ John Beck, Porsche 911.1 GT3 Cup, 2
19/ John MacKay, Seat Cupra TCR, 3
DNF Scotty McDermid, Toyota 86 Enduro, 3
DNF James Paterson, Audi R8, 3
DNF Adam Julian, Audi R8 LMS Ultra GT3, 1
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