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Highlands gives kudos to Canterbury’s Rennsport category

A key support class at November’s high profile Highlands 101 motorsport event was inspired by the highly-successful Rennsport race category developed by Canterbury Car Club.

Dubbed ‘Euromarque’, the new motor race class was created by the team at Cromwell’s Highlands Motorsport Park to support the high profile Highlands 101 endurance race event taking place from 7 to 9 November. The 101-lap, three-and-a-half-hour Highlands 101 race will be contested by an array of the world’s most prestigious car brands – Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, Porsche and more – in GT3 race spec. The race meeting also features the 2014 season finale of the Australian GT Championship, presented by Pirelli, a 1+01 one-hour mini-endurance invitational race and a special appearance by world-famous Kiwi drift star Mad Mike Whiddett who brings his MADBUL Mazda RX7 to Highlands Motorsport Park to create a unique lunchtime show for race fans.

This year, the Rennsport-inspired Euromarque class is open to German marques – just like Rennsport – for its on-track debut at Highlands.

Highlands’ general manager Mike Sentch acknowledges the support received from Rennsport category organisers as Highlands developed the Euromarque class regulations and promoted the class to prospective competitors.

“The Rennsport committee has been very helpful and, with their support, we can look forward to some fantastic racing from a range of German marques including the BMWs, Porsches, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagens already entered,” Sentch says.

At least seven Christchurch drivers have already submitted their entry for the November event and will be part of a field of up to 30 cars contesting three Euromarque 10+1 (11-lap) races – the 10+1 tag is a spin on the main race’s 101 moniker.

Rennsport is German for ‘race sport’ and with 70 current registered members, the class attracts around 30 entries each time it races at the Canterbury Car Club home circuit, Mike Pero Motorsport Park, outside Christchurch.

'Andrew Buist on behalf of the Rennsport Register organising committee says they believe the category has proved so popular due to a combination of three factors. “Firstly, there’s close, but safe racing, i.e. there’s a strong focus on non-contact racing. Secondly, there’s the social comradery aspect of the group – we see ourselves as racing with our mates instead of racing against nameless, faceless competitors. And thirdly, German cars have a reputation for both performance and reliability, as well as providing a cost base to meet all competitors’ budgets.”

With new cars being built to compete in Rennsport each year and dozens of others in existence that would be eligible if the owner chooses to compete in Rennsport, the potential for growth for the Canterbury-based category is strong.

“The Rennsport committee is stoked that Highlands has chosen to promote a German-themed class and encourages anyone thinking about getting into motorsport to chat with any of the Rennsport competitors for advice and ideas while they’re at Highlands.”

Sentch adds: “If you’ve ever thought of running a Rennsport Register event, then the Euromarque 10+1 races at Highlands this November offer a perfect opportunity to give it a go.”

Entries are still open and interested competitors are invited to email entries@highlands.co.nz to receive a copy of the regulations and entry form.