Dunedin's Chris Henderson has found the perfect way to get a little circuit racing practice before the South Island Endurance Series (SIES) gets under way — drive in the North Island equivalent of the series.
After Henderson held off Christchurch-based Marco Schelp’s Porsche in his home-built V8 Toyota Corolla at a race meeting, the ex-pat German struck up a friendship with him. It led to Henderson getting an invite to share the drive of Schelp’s ex-World Touring Car BMW E46 in two rounds of the North Island Endurance Series’ three-hour category.
The car’s 3.5L, six-cylinder M3 engine is down about 200hp from Henderson’s Corolla, which pumps out 650hp, but he insists having less power on tap is a good thing.
‘‘I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s given me a bit of a tune up getting the braking points and turning points right. It hasn’t got the straight-line speed I’m used to, but it handles amazing,’’ Henderson said.
The BMW also has niceties, such as ABS brakes and paddle shift gears, that his Corolla does not.
He and Schelp missed the first round in Taupo and a broken axle in the second round at Pukekohe ended their run with about 15 minutes remaining in the race. They will line up for the final round at Hampton Downs today looking to go out and have some fun.
Henderson has used the off-season to rewire his Corolla and will be attempt to defend his SIES one-hour title after winning it for the past two years.
Competing in the North Island means he’s getting a jump on his rivals ahead of the three-round championship, which starts on September 21 at Invercargill’s Teretonga Park.
‘‘The more seat time you get, the faster you go,’’ he said.
The second SIES round is at Highlands Motorsport Park on October 5 and the final round is at Timaru’s Levels Raceway on October 19.
- by Catherine Pattison
Photo: EUAN CAMERON PHOTOGRAPHY
