It’s more than the variety of cars that will be chasing for the chequered flag at Taupō’s Motorsport Park – it’s the unbridled performance from their cars that will shake the circuit to life.
Providing a home for any GT car that meets the required safety standards GTRNZ is an engineer’s paradise as they get to showcase their tweaks in the race to the finish line.
Separated into lap time bracket’s GTRNZ has four groups. Groups GT1 and GT2 combine to form one race grid, same with GT3 and GT4. Fastest to slowest.
At Taupō for the third of five rounds for the 2022-2023 season is where the tinkering will do the talking.
Four GT1 cars will start the weekend – three of which are chasing a new points leader: Wayne Conder (Chevrolet Corvette). While Kerry Jones (Chevrolet Corvette) hunts down the points difference after an early season DNF. That’s where Todd Murphy (Toyota Altezza) and now Brock Cooley (Mazda RX7) can wedge into the equation.
A further eight cars add to the grid, from the GT2 class. Headed by Shane Parsons (Honda Integra) – 14 points ahead of Shane Whitley (Ford Falcon), a podium result and pole position at the previous round moved Nick Jones (Nissan 180SX) to third.
The GT3 class (of 21), for cars with lap times over 1min38sec is currently led by Feilding’s Sean Browne (Honda Civic). Second placed Shane Haitana is missing from this round, so will be overtaken, likely by currently third placed Jamie Potts (Toyota Trueno). With 6.3l of engine capacity he has proven performance but a DNF to make up for, after the previous round.
GT4 is for cars with lap times over 1min43sec – and has nine entrants. Leading is Stephen Hamilton (Toyota Carina) who has a 28-point lead over dad Brian (Ford Capri). Glen Mouat (Datsun Sunny) is likely to step into the place of Flynn Mullany.
As well as class honours, the TradeZone GTRNZ has an overall title – with the top-six separated by 47 points. Headed by Wayne Conder, Murphy sits sixth, behind three GT2 cars.
Following Friday’s two practice sessions (for each combined group), the points allocating begins on Saturday with qualifying in the morning.
The GT1-2 class have three 10 lap races: Saturday morning, Sunday morning and a final from 2:44pm Sunday afternoon.
The GT3-4 class have three eight lap races: Saturday afternoon, first thing Sunday morning (8:20am) and from 1:26pm Sunday afternoon.