PITSTOP DIARY: This weekend sees the 27th running of one of the biggest classic motorsport events in New Zealand, the SKOPE Classic.
Held at the Ruapuna circuit just outside of Christchurch, this year’s Classic is celebrating the muscle car, featuring crowd favourites the Central Muscle Car and Mainland Muscle Car classes.
Central Muscle Cars is a North Island-based group of classic competition muscle car enthusiasts while the Mainland series is for South Island pre-1985 cars with six cylinder or greater sized engines (no turbos or superchargers). Both classes have proved popular with both competitors and spectators.
Also with thundering V8 powered engines will be the F5000 Tasman Revival single seater series.
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Jaden Ransley had a major crash at Teretonga.
In his 60th consecutive year of competing legendary Ken Smith (Lola T332) will be up against two young guns, Andy Higgins (Lola T332) from Auckland and 21-year-old class rookie Michael Collins (McRae GM1) from Christchurch, in the F5000 Tasman Revival Series races.
Also featuring will be the new Archibalds Historic Touring Cars that may not have the big V8 engines but they come with a lot of history.
The high-revving Group C, Group A and 2 litre Super Tourer tin-tops series will feature two-time Touring Car World Cup winner Paul Radisich, back behind the wheel of the car in which he got his Touring Car start, the 2.3 litre Gp A-spec E30 BMW M3, now owned by local man Peter Sturgeon.
One of the Mondeos the Auckland ace drove in the British Touring Car Championship, and one of the Telstars he drove in the local NZ Touring Car, will also be on display and/or on track at the meeting, courtesy Southland owner Scott O’Donnell. Jim Richards will drive his former BMW 635, Trevor Crowe a BMW 635i, and Charlie O’Brien will drive Murray Sinclair’s Nissan Primera.
Saturday afternoon will see a Formula Ford (1600) invitation race in a celebration of its 50th Anniversary. The mighty PDL Mustang II will also make a return in the hands of Todd Stewart. With over 220 entries, spectators will be treated to 40 races across the weekend.
Jaden Ransley’s racing career may hang in the balance after a massive crash at Teretonga a fortnight ago.
The Christchurch 16-year-old has been the sensation of the current Toyota 86 Championship, his pace netting him race wins and podiums in just his second year out of karting.
In the Teretonga championship round, contact with Bramwell King’s car turned Ransley around, causing him to spin at high speed into the unyielding tyre wall.
The car was extensively damaged, though its roll cage protected the young racer from serious injury. He was left concussed and bruised, but otherwise in one piece.
The family are consulting with the series organisers to explore possible ways to get Ransley to the next round in February at Manfeild. Despite the crash, Ransley is still fifth in the series. Another Christchurch driver, Jack Milligan, has a narrow two point overall lead.
Source :Stuff.co.nz
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