Quinns set to make Highlands’ 10th Anniversary 6 Hour Enduro a family affair
Third young gun driver to be confirmed within days
Circuit owner Tony Quinn and grandson Ryder are confirmed for November’s Highlands Motorsport Park 6 Hour Enduro race.
The spectacular and challenging circuit was the first in Quinn’s portfolio of Australasian race tracks and the big 6 Hour weekend will mark the 10thanniversaryfor the Cromwell facility.
The Quinn family team will drive Celtic Racing’s PorscheGT4 RS Club Sport in the big race and are hoping 2023 form at the track and in endurance racing will help put them near the front of the pack in what will be the first six hour race solely for GT3 and GT4 type machinery in New Zealand motorsport history.
The car will have a team of three drivers with the third driver - an up and coming young gun from the Australian racing scene - will be confirmed next week.
Ryder Quinn is another emerging talent and will be eager to get stuck into the Highlands track after excelling on his Castrol Toyota FR Oceania debut against international opposition at the start of the year where he was one of the fastest around the unique layout.
Quinn Senior also has winning form currently, having taken overall honours earlier this year at another circuit in his portfolio – the Queensland Raceway– sharing the Porsche with Kiwi Kaleb Ngatoa.
Two second place finishes and a win across the event’s three races were more than enough to secure round victory in the Australian GT4 Championship.
The pair have winning form in endurance racing too, having raced together with Grant Denyer to win the Bathurst 6 Hour earlier this year in spectacular style, with Ryder making a race winning pass on the final lap. The youngster is looking forward to another big weekend at Highlands.
“I can remember vividly watching the first Highlands 101 as an eight year old and watching my dad and Popeye racing there, so I only have fond memories,” he said. “It’s going to be great to get out there in the Porsche and see what we can do again over another tough six hour race. I’m very excited and looking forward to it very much.”
Senior in years to his young team mates he may be, but Tony himself is is also relishing the opportunity. "I'm getting old now but I'm always happy to drive with Ryder and for this weekend another outstanding young talent. In fact it's an honour to be in the team with them.
"They have raced against each other ion the Carrera Cup and race fast and look after the car. I will do my part but they'll do most of the race and it'sgoing to be a lot of fun. I'm pretty confident we will go well in GT4 and you never know what might happen overall in a race of this duration.
"I won't be doing the Le Mans run to the car though, that much I can promise!"
Up to 32GT3, GT4 and Open Class cars will take the start for the gruelling race, the first six hour event for cars of this speed and sophistication in New Zealand.
Key Facts - Highlands 6 Hour Enduro
Celebrating: The 10thanniversaryof Highlands Motorsport Park
Dates: November 3rd, 4thand5th2023 – 6 Hour Endurance Race - Sunday 5th
Support categories and events: NAPA Central Muscle Cars, Aussie Race Cars, One Hour Endurance
Tickets: Available at Highlands- All pre-purchased weekend passes go into the draw to win a 2014 Lamborghini Huracan – T&Cs apply.
Kids:16 and under free
Pictures: Top - The team will run the Celtic Racing GT4 Porsche. Picture KEZW Photography Bottom - The team tasted success at the Bathurst Six Hour. Picture Liam Turnbull Photography
For further information, please contact: Richard Gee – Event PR Tel: +64 210 2711926Email: richardgee@iconsport.co.nz
