Invercargill driver Alex Crosbie competes in the F1600 at Teretonga at the weekend. PHOTO: TERRY MARSHALL
A significant oil spill on an already wet track brought a slightly early end to proceedings at the motorsport event at Teretonga Park at the weekend.
Saturday’s races were conducted in fine, dry conditions but Sunday dawned wet, and when the oil was spilt early in the afternoon, the meeting ended a little earlier than scheduled.
Until then, there had been some great racing with Sunday’s races punctuated by several safety car interventions due to incidents.
Dunedin driver Steve Ross (Jaguar Tranzam XK) took the top step of the OSCA super saloons podium after winning both races on Saturday before finishing second to Paul Brooks (Ohoka), in his Nissan 200SX S15, in the rain on Sunday morning.
Brooks was second overall for the round after earlier securing a second and third, and Ashburton driver Michael Gallagher third overall.
Southlanders were to the fore in several classes.
Jordan Michels claimed a clean sweep in the club saloons at the wheel of his Ford Focus V8 to finish ahead of Brian Scott (Dunedin, Porsche 997) and Dan Barlow (Queenstown, Ford Capri).
Liam MacDonald suffered a puncture in Saturday’s race which cost him dearly in the points.
Invercargill driver Bradley Dawson took the top step of the podium in the Pro 7/8 class after a clean sweep on debut.
The South Island F1600 field only had one race but it featured a colossal battle which went the way of Louis Sharp, in his Spectrum 015, ahead of fellow Christchurch visitor Matthew Hamilton, in a Van Diemen RF88.
Invercargill driver Alex Crosbie put in a fine performance to mix it with the leaders and eventually finish third in his Ray GR21, ahead of Zac Christensen, of Rolleston, in a Ray GR20.
Invercargill drivers Scott O’Donnell and Murray Kelman shared the historic and classic pre-1978 saloon race wins, but at the end of the weekend Mark McGuinness (Wellington, Alfa Romeo GTV) stood atop the podium ahead of Leon Hallett (Mosgiel, Ford Galaxie) and Nick Cross (Queenstown, Alfa Romeo).
Corey Ross, of Rolleston, guided his Ford Mustang to a clean sweep of the three pre-1965 saloon races.
Ashburton driver Corey Ashworth won the 2K Teretonga Challenge in his Toyota Celica, while Eddie Iraia (Timaru) claimed the SS Cup honours in his Honda Civic EF9.
The Mini 7 South class produced close racing, particularly in the dry, with Justin Neill (Christchurch) prevailing from Justin Ashwell (Rolleston) and Paul Bennison (Christchurch).
Omakau drivers Cody Welch (two) and Tony Herbert shared the New Zealand Six Saloon race wins.
The next meeting at Teretonga Park is the Classic SpeedFest on February 19-20.
