Motorsport: Big bangers sure to please fans at Hampton Downs

Chevrolet Corvettes will compete in the GT1 and GT2 events at an action-packed weekend. Photo / Geoff Ridder

The big booming V8s of yesteryear will be joined by other big bangers at one of the year's largest motor racing meetings this weekend at Hampton Downs, just south of Auckland.

Over 220 cars will line up on the grid to battle it out over 36 races in 12 different classes. Things roar into action from 1pm today followed by a packed programme tomorrow with 24 quick-fire races from 9am including fan-favourite handicap races.

The hugely popular V8 monsters are set to be the star attraction in the form of GTNZ, GT1, GT2 and Muscle Cars. The GT1s are generally recognised as the fastest circuit racing saloon machines in New Zealand motorsport.

The GT1 and GT2 races will feature Chev Camaro and Corvettes and a Jaguar XKR driven by drivers such as John Rae, Nick Chester, Clark Proctor and Alan Fergusson.

Craig Corliss leads the chase for the GT1 title from Andy Greenslade and John Rae. Despite missing a couple of rounds, Auckland driver Nick Chester lies in sixth place.

"When we have raced we've been really competitive and have won races before," said Chester. "The Hampton track is great and we hold the lap record around there. Earlier in the week we did some testing at Pukekohe and the car's going really well.

"I broke the Pukekohe class lap record, so heading to Hampton Downs everything looks good."

Stars of the future will be strutting their driver skills in the New Zealand Formula First championship. These drivers will be going wheel to wheel in the closely contested class that is bound to produce close, fast and furious racing.

Michael Shepherd from Palmerston North heads the series after six rounds from local Aucklander Ryan Hellier and Hamiltonian Kyle George.

"I absolutely love the track and it suits the calibre of our cars," said Hellier. "It's a real workout for us and the cars. Not many circuits suit a second to third gear transition but Hampton does.

"We can really wind the cars up and get the tail to hang out a bit and at times we're four abreast going over the start finish line into turn one."

Formula First driver from Manurewa David Ruthven also likes the circuit. "It's great having elevation on a circuit as there's nowhere else in New Zealand with it," he said.

Big fields have signed up for the competitive Pre 65 saloons, Super-Six and HQ Series, Super Minis, SS2000 Saloons, Pro-7 (Mazdas) and Porsche series. The popular Formula Sports Suzuki series is another single-seater category on the dance card.

A large variety of cars will take to the track for the GT1, GT2 and NZGT categories including some purpose built Trans-Am style high-speed cars. Joining them will be the highly tuned, turbocharged cars proving to be popular with younger fans.

A good solid entry of over 45 cars will contest six races for the big-bangers. The Muscle Cars are packed full of Mustangs, Falcon GTs, Commodores and Monaros with the odd Torana and Camaro thrown in.

The Pre-65 saloons will see a combination of historic cars including Anglias, Cortina GTs, Mustangs, Holdens, a Chev Nova, a Ford Thunderbird and a Hillman Imp bringing back memories of past racing years.