Mahindra North Island Endurance Series ends with a tie

25 July, 2016

A series of unfortunate events. It may be the title of a Hollywood movie, but for the Mahindra North Island Endurance Series competitors, it has been a reality. The final North Island round, held on July 23 at Manfeild Autocourse, was full of upsets, especially from the Tulloch Motorsport team’s corner during the three-hour race. 

After being collected in the pits by the Smeg Racing Holden Commodore, the team tried desperately to repair the damage during a tyre change. However, when they had to come into the pits once again, the Trass Family Motorsport (TFM) Ferrari 458, driven by Sam Fillmore and Danny Stutterd, took the lead — and the three-hour endurance win. The International Motorsport Services (IMS) Audi R8, driven by Jonny Reid and Neil Foster, fought hard for third place, with the Smeg Racing Commodore, driven by Simon Evans and Gene Rollins, crossing the line with a well-deserved second place. 

What does this mean for points? Who wins the overall championship? Because of the close proximity of the racing throughout the series, and the unfortunate series of events that played out during this round, the TFM team shares the overall win with the IMS team. This caused ultimate confusion during the final moments of the series, and much controversy. 

The one-hour endurance race was won by Nick Chester in his Holden Commodore, Matt Whittaker was second in the IMS Porsche, and Paul Verryt in the ex-NZV8 TLX Holden Commodore came in at third place. After qualifying in sixth place, Chester wasn’t in the lead from the get-go, however some staunch driving saw him progress to the front of the pack within no time at all. Maintaining the overall lead right until the end, Chester managed lap times two seconds quicker than those behind him, right until the end. However, Chester didn’t get the series win, which went to Whittaker after winning the first two one-hour rounds. 

Unlike previous rounds, the final appeared to be dry and clear for a change. However, for the photographers and race marshals, walking trackside was like walking through a swamp. Many who went off course during both the one-hour and three-hour races had to be towed out. It does make for an interesting event, mind you. 

Following the conclusion of the Mahindra North Island Endurance Series, the South Island Endurance Series will commence on September 10 at Teretonga Park. Round two will be held at the Mike Pero Motorsport Park on October 1, and the third and final South Island round will be held at the Timaru International Motor Raceway on October 15. 

Results
 
One-hour race
1. Nick Chester
2. Matt Whittaker
3. Paul Verryt
4. Elliot Andrew
5. Rhys Warren
6. Jason Easton
7. Rick Cooper
8. Charles Rollo
9. Oliver Heycoop
10.  Barry Kirk-Burnnand

Three-hour race
1. Sam Fillmore / Danny Stutterd
2. Simon Evans / Gene Rollinson
3. Jonny Reid / Neil Foster
4. Callum Quin / John Penny
5. John McIntyre / Simon Gilbertson
6. James Urquhart / Brett Rudd
7. Tim O’Connor / Craig Innes
8. Glenn Smith / John DeVeth
9. Stephen Farmer /  Dean Farmer
10. Andre Mortimer / Warrick Mortimer

The Great River Road

A few years ago my family, knowing my fondness for driving, gave me the book Unforgettable Road Trips: Thirty-Six Drives of a Lifetime by Martin Derrick. Most of the road trips listed take less than a day in places like Scotland, Monaco, and Australia, plus one in New Zealand. Most of these places were too far to go just for a short drive but four of them would take several days. My interest was piqued, and those four drives were added to the bucket list. To date, I have done three of them: ‘Route 66’ (USA 21 days), ‘State Highway 6’ (NZ 10 days) and ‘The Great River Road’ (USA 22 days). You can drive all of them in less time, but you could also fly over them. We wanted a decent immersion in their charms.
The great river referred to is the Mississippi. While the name conjures the deep south, the river actually starts at the bottom of the great lakes, before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico about 3800km later. The great road is more of a concept than a specific strip of tarmac, as you can drive down either side of the river on various routes. Regardless of which side you drive, time should be kept aside for detours to places such as Nashville, which is famous for something or other.

A diamond in the rough

Two years ago, Lew finished a thorough restoration and the impressive ute has taken on a new life and colour. Lew plays down the amount of effort required but, despite his protestations, I suspect he put a lot of time into the project. A few unwanted tenants were evicted along the way.
“It didn’t take me long. There had been mice living in the firewall, which had caused a bit of damage. It apparently broke down and was pushed into a shed. It was 20 years to the day when I pulled it out and it sat in my other shed for 3 years before I started on it. That’s why it’s in such good order — it’s been kept in a shed for so long and still is.”