MEDIA RELEASE
23 MARCH 2023
MASSIVE GRID FOR NEXEN TYRE MAZDA RACING SERIES
A massive grid of forty cars will line up for Round 4 of the Nexen Tyre NZ Mazda Racing Series North Island Championship at Pukekohe Park Raceway this weekend as motor racing farewells the historic South Auckland venue.
Tauranga driver Rex Edwards leads the championship with 339 points as it arrives at Pukekohe. Edwards has won the last two rounds of the championship at Hampton Downs and Taupo and he leads Simon Baker of Wellington who is currently second with 307 points. Baker, the series champion in 2020/2021, won the opening round at Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon in November.
Just ten points behind Baker are two drivers – Flynn Mullany of Auckland and Matthew Horne (Masterton) – tied for third on 297 points while Leo Bult of Auckland is just 3 points adrift with Terry Edwards of Waihi just six points behind Bult.
It is a hotly contested championship and while it will be the final time the series will race at Pukekohe it is the first time in this year’s series that they have raced at the circuit. That makes form an unknown quantity coming into what could well be a pivotal round with just two rounds remaining after this weekend’s action, both at Hampton Downs.
Spokesperson for the series, Steven Spear says, “there are 40 cars entered in the category this weekend. We are packed to the gunnels. It is sad to say goodbye to Pukekohe and it has brought everyone out. We actually had a waiting list for this round”.
The lure of a last outing at Pukekohe sees some drivers make their first appearances of the season. Roger Beuvlink of Auckland, a former two-time series champion, who is regarded as a Pukekohe specialist returns to the grid. While quick at Pukekohe he did suffer a nasty crash at the circuit late in 2020 when he hit the wall and his car then caught fire. Former NZ Touring Car competitor, Brad Lathrope of Auckland, also makes a return to the class for the weekend’s action.
Competitors will have two practice sessions on Friday before qualifying at 9.50am on Saturday morning with the Premier Insulation $500 Pole Award up for grabs. Race 1 over 8 laps will follow at 2.05pm that afternoon.
Race 2, a 10-lap top ten reverse grid race, takes place at 9.20am on Sunday morning with the finale over 8 laps at 1.27pm that afternoon.
POINTS TABLE BELOW:
Lindsay Beer
On behalf of the Nexen Tyre NZ Mazda Racing Series
021 351 499
For further information – Steven Spear – 027 600 8947
Photograph – Rex Edwards of Tauranga leads Leo Bult of Auckland in the opening race of Round 3 of the Nexen Tyre Mazda Racing Series North Island Championship at Taupo International Motorsport Park. Edwards went on to win the round: Please credit Geoff Ridder.
NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIP (Top 6 After 3 Rounds)
1: Rex Edwards (Tauranga) 339
2: Simon Baker (Wellington) 307
3=: Flynn Mullany (Auckland) 297
3=: Matt Horne (Masterton) 297
5: Leo Bult (Auckland) 294
6: Terry Edwards (Waihi) 288
