Adam Julian and Rhys Gould have each won separate One Hour Carter’s Tyre Service South Island Endurance Series titles after the third and final round held at the Timaru International Raceway on Saturday. Consistency proved the key for Julian (Audi R8 GT3) (main photo) in taking both the overall Class 2 & 3 and Class 2 title while Gould proved unbeatable winning both the Class 4 & 5 overall and Class 4 titles.
“I went out just trying to run my own race and let things evolve and change, and I guess luck was on my side today,” commented Julian, who finished all three rounds on the podium. “I can’t say enough about the team who have been great. I have learnt heaps and thankful to get three podiums.”
Second overall was Matt Whittaker (Porsche GT3 Cup 992) who was first across the finish line but had a 10-second time penalty added to his time due to a Safety Car restart infringement.
“Unfortunately, it was my mistake and you just have to take it on the chin,” said Whittaker. “The team did an awesome job, the car was great but I was a bit keen on the safety car restart. Adam (Julian) was quick all day and I tried to put a gap on him but couldn’t.”
First home in Class 3 (>3501cc) and class title winner was Steve Scoles (Ginetta G56).
“It’s a great result, although hard work,” commented Scoles. “It’s been a good series. Consistency has been the key and we’ve had a great team this year.” The result also put him sixth overall.
In the separate Class 4 & 5 race, Rhys Gould proved to be unbeatable taking his third consecutive race victory, winning both the overall and Class 4 (2001-3500cc) titles. What seemed a straightforward win, Gould attributed his win to a great car and teamwork.
“Thrilled with the win, the car ran superbly,” commented Gould (Hyundai i20N TCR). “A big thanks to the crew as the car was faultless.”
While Dylan Petch ((Hyundai i20N TCR) finished second, it was third placed Warren Black (Audi RS3 LMS TCR) that clinched second overall behind Gould, just ahead of Pel Arnott (Hyundai i20N TCR).
“That’s a good result,” said Black. “It’s been a good series and I have enjoyed the racing with Rhys (Gould).”
In just his second season racing the Audi, it nearly all came undone with smoke coming out from the car with minutes remaining. Cruising across the line for third gave him enough points to finish runner up to Gould.
Heading into the final round, Barry Moore (VW Golf GTi TCR) was tied with Arnott in second overall heading but a coming together with a fellow competitor on the opening lap prematurely ended his race and title hopes.
Chris Wall (Honda Civic) finished second in Class 5 (0-2000cc) giving him enough points to take the title ahead of Donovan Isted (Honda Civic) and Rhys Turner (Honda Civic).
“Very happy with that,” commented Wall who has been quick all season and finished fourth overall across the Class 4 & 5 series “We were dealing with a few issues in that race so had to back it off and cruise for the last 20 minutes. Absolutely stoked overall to win the Class for the first time. We finished sixth last season and have improved the car quite a bit so a good result.”
The 2023 Carter’s Tyre Service South Island Endurance Series has proved again to be a success with drivers and teams already starting to formulate plans for the next season that gets underway in September 2024.
Overall Points Class 2 & 3 (Top 15)
(Position, Driver, Car, Class, Points)
1/ Adam Julian,Audi R8 GT3, 2, 271
2/ Matt Whittaker, Porsche GT3 Cup 992, 2, 267
3/ Steve Brooks, Porsche GT3 Cup 992, 2, 238
4/ Ayrton Hodson, Porsche GT3 Cup 991.1, 2, 236
5/ Martin Neil, Porsche GT3 Cup 991.1, 190
6/ Steve Scoles, Ginetta G56, 3, 184
7/ Heremana Malmezac, Porsche GT3 Cup 991.2MR, 2, 179
8/ Glen Brazier, Porsche GT3 Cup 992, 2, 169
9/ Bill Riding, Porsche GT3 Cup 992, 2, 162
10/ Grant Silvester, Ford Mustang, 2, 158
11/ Scott Flanagan, Porsche GT3 Cup 991.2, 2, 155
12/ Allan Dippie, Porsche GT3 Cup S, 2, 149
13/ Jordan Michels, Marc II Mustang, 2, 135
14/ James Paterson, Audi R8 Turbo, 3, 118
15/ Nick Wright, Porsche GT3 Cup 997, 2, 116
Results Class 2 & 3
1/ Adam Julian,Audi R8 GT3, 2
2/ Matt Whittaker, Porsche GT3 Cup 992, 2
3/ Steve Brooks/Bill Riding, Porsche GT3 Cup 992, 2
4/ Allan Dippie, Porsche GT3 Cup S, 2
5/ Grant Silvester, Ford Mustang, 2
6/ Glen Brazier, Porsche GT3 Cup 992, 2
7/ Scott Flanagan, Porsche GT3 Cup 991.2, 2
8/ Marty Neil, Porsche GT3 Cup 991.1, 2
9/ Ayrton Hodson, Porsche GT3 Cup 991.1, 2
10/ Francois Beziac, Porsche GT3 Cup 991.2MR, 2
11/ Steve Scoles, Ginetta G56, 3
12/ Nick Chester, Marc GT, 2
DNF/ Heremana Malmezac, Porsche GT3 Cup 991.2MR, 2
DNF/ Jordan Michels, Marc II Mustang, 2
DNF/ Martin Dippie, Porsche GT3 Cup 992, 2
DNF/ Luke Manson, Porsche GT3 Cup 992, 2
Overall Points Class 4 & 5 (Top 15)
(Position, Driver, Car, Class, Points)
1/ Rhys Gould, Hyundai I30N TCR, 4, 285
2/ Warren Black, Audi RS3 LMS TCR, 4, 255
3/ Pel Arnott, Hyundai I30N TCR, 4, 254
4/ Chris Wall, Honda Civic, 5, 213
5/ Brett Sullivan/Ayrton Hodson, BMW Z4, 4, 201
6= Barry Moore, Volkswagon Golf TCR, 4, 192
6= Donovan Isted, Honda Civic, 5, 192
8/ Rhys Turner, Honda Civic, 5, 178
9/ Denzil Travers, Audi RS3 LMS TCR, 4, 155
10/ Saxon Sheehan, Toyota 86, 5, 153
11/ Mark Meadows, Lotus Elise, 5, 152
12/ Brooklyn Horan, Toyota 86, 5, 142
13= Jacob Gjaja/R Gaja, Lotus Exige, 4, 138
13= Steve Parker/Mark Leonard, Toyota 86, 5, 138
15/ Marc Denton, BMW 320I, 5, 111
Race Results Class 4 & 5
1/ Rhys Gould, Hyundai I30N TCR, 4
2/ Dylan Petch, Hyundai i30N TCR, 4
3/ Warren Black, Audi RS3 LMS TCR, 4
4/ Pel Arnott, Hyundai I30N TCR, 4
5/ Will Taylor, Honda Intergra, 5
6/ Chris Wall, Honda Civic, 5
7/ Jacob Gjaja/R Gaja, Lotus Exige, 4
8/ Mark Meadows, Lotus Elise, 5
9/ Donovan Isted, Honda Civic, 5
10/ Flyn Mitchell, Mazda RX8, 4
11/ Rhys Turner, Honda Civic, 5
12/ Steve Parker/Mark Leonard, Toyota 86, 5
13/ Brett Sullivan/Ayrton Hodson, BMW Z4, 4
14/ Jarred Morgan, Honda Civic, 5
15/ Ash Mcconchie, Mazda RX8, 4
16/ Saxon Sheehan, Toyota 86, 5
17/ Brooklyn Horan, Toyota 86, 5
18/ Michael Court, Mazda RX8, 4
19/ Nieko Scoles/D DeGraaf, Toyota 86, 5
20/ Vin Schelp, BMW 320I, 4
21/ Jamie Wilson/Max Wilson, Toyota Trueno, 5
22/ Sam Wallace/Harri Judd, Mazda RX8, 4
DNF Barry Moore, Volkswagon Golf TCR, 4
DNF James Mitchell, Honda Civic, 5
DNF Jared Pyke/Ben McConchie, Mazda RX8, 4
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