First time win for Heart of Racing in New Zealand
Saturday, September 12, 2020
Todays race down under in the opening round of the New Zealand South Island Endurance Series set the tone for the many Aston Martin Racing runners competing this weekend as the #52 Heart Of Racing Vantage GT3 of Darren Kelly and Alex Riberas scored their first win together today.
Having brokered a deal to compete together in the North and South Island Series in aid of the Starship Foundation through a chance encounter between the drivers, not even the travel restrictions imposed by the State as a result of the global pandemic could dampen the enthusiasm of the team as they headed to the southern most race circuit in New Zealand at Teretonga Park.
Despite the circuit being a very short one at just 2.6km, the #52 crew were pushed hard by reigning Champions Neil Foster and Jonny Reid in their Audi R8 LMS Ultra to finish just half a second ahead at the end of the races three hours and 186 laps.
Next stop for the Series is on the North Island at the Hampton Downs race track, owned by Aston Martin and Aston Martin Racing enthusiast Tony Quinn. Maybe he will get his own AMR Vantage GT3 out for a race!!
Photo credits - South Island Endurance Racing Series