Photograph - Lower Hutt driver Shane Gray in his Team Quality Kenworth 408 SAR. Gray will be a leading runner in the
Super Truck races brought to Teretonga by Mobil Delvac 1 this weekend. Gray was on target to win the New Zealand
Championship last season until a frost plug blew at the final. Gray had only needed a finish to clinch the title -
credit Euan Cameron
MEDIA RELEASE
10 JANUARY 2013
Teretonga Set for a Spectacle
All roads lead to Teretonga Park near Invercargill this weekend as the premier summer series race meeting takes place at
the circuit with Super Trucks, NZV8s and the Toyota Racing Series heading the bill.
A fantastic weekend is in store with several exciting features including the return of Super Trucks after a long
absence, the debut of new generation cars and the introduction of new brands to the NZV8s Championship and a field of
some of the worlds most promising young drivers in the Toyota Racing Series.
The support of Mobil Delvac 1 has allowed the behemoths of motorsport - the Super Trucks - to return to the south with a
tinge of Trans Tasman rivalry.
Top Australian Steven Zammit of New South Wales is the current New Zealand and Trans Tasman Champion as well as a former
Australian Super Truck Champion and as such will be the man to beat. Up against him is New Zealand's top hope Shane Gray
of Lower Hutt who will take the battle to Zammit in his Team Quality Kenworth 408 SAR. Gray was on target to win the New
Zealand Championship last season when, needing only a finish to take the title, a frost plug blew at the final.
John Hepburn of Timaru will take the wheel of John McGinty's very successful W900 Kenworth this weekend. Hepburn needs
no introduction to motorsport fans. He is a former NZ Motorcycle and Super Truck Champion and a regular in the NZV8s in
recent times and will add some real spice to the battle.
Troy Wheeler of Papakura will line up in the ex-Denny Hulme Scania T114 while Brent Jones of Ashburton in a Bedford and
Ken Rowe of Hamilton in the Eagle Spares Kenworth have also made the trip south.
Teretonga will be the scene of the championship debut for the new generation NZV8 cars plus also the first appearance of
a manufacturer other than Ford or Holden in the class. Former Australian V8 Supercar star Jason Bargwanna will be the
favourite for this years championship in the new generation Tulloch Motorsport Holden Commodore after coming so close to
the title last season. Hamilton driver Nick Ross is also in one of the new Commodores while Albany driver Hadyn
MacKenzie may be present in a new generation Falcon. A lot of interest will focus on the performance of the new V8
Toyota Camry this weekend. Hamilton driver Martin Short will debut the car after showing fine form in last years
championship.
In the older NZV8s, which are contesting the NZ Gold Star title, much interest will centre on Suzuki Swift Sport Cup
graduates, Turua brothers AJ and Brad Lauder, aged just 18 and 16 respectively. AJ is the current Suzuki Swift Sport Cup
Champion. Also making his NZV8 debut is 15-year-old Invercargill driver Liam MacDonald in a Falcon.
The Toyota Racing Series has again attracted drivers from around the globe with an outstanding line up of young talent.
Canada, Ireland, Puerto Rico, Austria, Australia, the Netherlands, Brazil, Singapore, Thailand, England, Colombia,
Malaysia and Norway are all represented on the grid with just three kiwis - defending champion Nick Cassidy,
Invercargill's Damon Leitch in his Post Haste Couriers Tatuus and newcomer Michael Scott. Leitch was outstanding last
year finishing third in the championship against a large international field who race all year round.
Brendon Leitch, the younger brother of Damon, begins his NZ Formula Ford Championship campaign at Teretonga after also
finishing third last year in his EH Ball / ITM Stealth.
Also on the programme are the Sports GT and Production GT classes which should provide some outstanding racing.
To celebrate the return of trucks to the circuit a Show n Shine for trucks will be held on the outfield along with a
competition where children can win rides in some of the vehicles on display.
Tickets are available from Auto Centre, 105 Tweed Street, Invercargill, E Hayes & Sons 168 Dee Street, Invercargill or online at teretonga.org.nz
A full weekend pass pre-purchased is just $30 while at the gate the weekend pass will cost $35. A Sunday only pass is
$25 while a Saturday only pass is $15.00. Children under 14 are free.
The action is due to get underway at 9am on booth Saturday and Sunday.
Full information on the Southland Sports Car Club 2012/2013 season can be found at - www.teretonga.org.nz
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CALENDAR 2012/2013 SEASON - TERETONGA PARK
29/30 September 2012: Motor Racing presented by Downer - South Island Endurance Series, NZ Pro 7 Championship, Noel
McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloons, Sports & Racing Cars
4 November 2012: Motor Racing presented by Downer - Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloons, Sports & Racing Cars & Motorcycles
1/2 December 2012: Motor Racing presented by Downer - OSCA Saloons, Pre 65 Saloons, Mini 7 South, South Island Formula
Ford, Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Salloons, Sports & Racing Cars
11-13 January 2013: Super Trucks, NZV8s, Toyota Racing Series; Formula Ford, Sports GT and Production GT
15-17 February 2013: Evolution Motorsport Classic SpeedFest featuring Classic Saloons, Historic Touring Cars, Vintage
Car Club, Sports & Racing Cars, South Island Pre 65 Saloons, Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloons & Formula 5000 - to be confirmed
17 March 2013: Motor Racing presented by Downer - Noel McIntyre Drainage Clubmans Saloons, Sports & Racing Cars, NZ Six Saloons, Pro 7 Saloons, A1 Autos One Hour Race
ENDS