Ryan Wood has dominated and won the very competitive Class C & D Carter’s Tyre Service One-Hour South Island Endurance Series race while Andre Simon’s took the chequered flag in the Class A & B race at Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell on Saturday.
“Absolutely pleased to have the win,” commented Class A & B race winner, Andre Simon. “Last year was a disaster so this is redemption for everyone in the team. Stoked to get the win.”

In the first 30 minutes of the One-Hour race for Class A (0-2000cc) and Class B (2001-3500cc), it looked like a straight forward run for fastest qualifier Scott O’Donnell (Hyundai i30N TCR) who took the overall and Class B lead having created a gap back to Andre Simon (Toyota 86) and Daniel Cropp (Honda Civic 2400). At this stage #10 Brad Rule (Honda Civic) was the leading Class A car.
This was to dramatically change with a safety car period right on the halfway mark. O’Donnell failed to pit and lost considerable time behind the safety car while almost all the field dived into pitlane for their compulsory pitstop.
“We had radio failure so didn’t know what was going on,” commented O’Donnell. “So, I had to do the extra lap under the safety car but pleased to have finished and got the points.”
Simon’s was able to benefit and came out of the pits in the lead ahead of Cropp and O’Donnell who, after holding a 13-second lead was now nearly 40 seconds behind. Cropp was eventually able to hang on to second ahead of a fast closing O’Donnell. “I’m over the moon to get second between two quick cars,” said Cropp.
Fourth was Dennis Chapman (Audi TCR) followed by Mike Hall (VW Golf GTI 35) and Robert Gjaja (Lotus Exige). Steven Kelly (BMW E46 M3 GTR) finished a creditable seventh having started from the rear of the field after running into problems in qualifying.
Also, to benefit from the pitstop period was eventual Class A winner Clark Scott (Honda Integra R). “Awesome,” said Scott. “The car was just awesome today so big thanks to the team.” Previous leader, Brad Rule lost time due to a mechanical and finished in 23rd position.

In the second On-Hour race, for Class C (>3501cc) & D (GT), it was almost a run-away win for young Ryan Wood (Porsche 991) who set fastest lap (1:33.976) in qualifying, 2.995seconds ahead of Marco Schelp (Porsche GT3 Cup S).
“Pretty happy with the win,” commented Wood. “That got pretty crazy at the end as the brake pedal went super-long, so it was going to the floor. I just played it safe as I could.”
The 17-year-old led from start to finish, also winning Class D, with the battle for the remaining podium positions to be fought over by Schelp, Chris Henderson (Toyota 86 V8) and Jarod Owens (Porsche GT3 997 Cup) who eventually finished in that order.
“It was a good battle,” said Schelp. “I am happy to take second as Ryan (Wood) is in another league. The competition is really tight, so you just have to look after your tyres”

“I think we could have held on (to second) if the dash wasn’t flashing,” commented Henderson who was first in Class C. “We had zero oil pressure there for the last 15 minutes and I’m not sure if it is a sensor or something which gave us red lights at every corner, but absolutely pleased with third.”
Similar to the Class A & B race, the 60 minutes was punctuated by a 20-minute safety car period after Russell McKenzie (Porsche 991.2) crashed into a barrier. This time the field took their compulsory pitstop without any major position changes.
Fifth home was Jordan Michels (Ford Focus MARC) followed by Angus McFarlane/ Michael Bushell (Porsche V8) and Mike Driver (Porsche 997.1).
The second of four roundd of the Carter’s Tyre Service One-Hour South Island Endurance Series will take place Saturday 16 October at Timaru International Raceway, Timaru.

Race results
Class A & B Race results (Top 10)
Position, number, Class, Name, Car
1/ #486, B, Andre Simon Toyota 86
2/ #56, B, Daniel Cropp, Honda Civic 2400
3/ #200, B, Scott O’Donnell, Hyundai i30N TCR
4/ #22, B, Dennis Chapman, Audi TCR
5/ #117, B, Mike Hall, VW Golf GTI 35
6/ #17, B, Robert Gjaja, Lotus Exige
7/ #183, B, Steven Kelly, BMW E46 M3 GTR
8/ #20, B, Jarrod Parmenter/Andrew Brunton, Maxda RX8
9/ #64, A, Clark Scott, Honda Integra Type R
10/ #223,B, Debbie Chapman Audi, TCR
Class C & D Race results (Top 10)
1/ #40, D, Ryan Wood, Porsche 991
2/ #9, D, Marco Schelp, Porsche GT3 Cup S
3/ #52, C, Chris Henderson, Toyota 86 V8
4/ #13 D, Jarod Owens, Porsche GT3 997 Cup
5/ #23, C, Jordan Michels, Ford Focus MARC
6/ #7, D, Angus McFarlane/ Michael Bushell Porsche V8
7/ #66, D, Mike Driver, Porsche 997.1
8/ #991, D, Martin Dippie, Porsche 911.1 Cup
9/ #911, D, Allan Dippie, Porsche 911 Cup S
10/ #148 D, Garry Derrick/Ben Derrick, Porsche 991.2
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