THE ENDUROS ARE COMING

While most race series are winding down as summer comes to a close, the endurance side of things is just gearing up, with the Eneos North Island Endurance Series (NIES) kicking off in Taupo on May 20. The series has seen huge growth over the past few seasons, and ’17 looks to be no different, with yet another bumper grid expected to contest the three-round championship series.

Front runners Trass Family Motorsport (TFM) will be running to the grid with a completely rebuilt 458 GT3. Over the off season, the car has received a new engine and gearbox from the factory. However, it will face some tough competition, with Smeg Racing having just taken ownership of a current-spec Audi R8LMS Ultra. The Audi proved its worth during its first outing in New Zealand, taking the win at the New Zealand Endurance Championships ahead of TFM and the Tulloch Motorsport SaReNi Camaro GT3 — which will also be lining up come May.

But it won’t be all big-dollar GT3 cars on the grid; the NIES is typically one of the more varied New Zealand motorsport series, with everything — right down to near-stock Civics and BMWs — vying. Dates and venues for the 2017 Eneos NEIS are as follows: MAY 20 — TAUPO JUNE 24 — HAMPTON DOWNS JULY 22 — PUKEKOHE