BNT NZ SuperTourers Cancels South Island Events

The NZ SuperTourers rounds at Timaru on March 7/8 and Ruapuna on March 21/22 will not go ahead this year.

The BNT NZ Supertourers South Island rounds of the championship will not be going ahead due to a declining grid size making the events unfeasible to run.

A declining grid size has rendered it unfeasible to run the category at the planned events on March 7/8 at Timaru and Ruapuna on March 21/22.

NZ SuperTourers CEO Ray Noonan says viability for stakeholders in the series was one of the key factors in making the decision.

"It is certainly not the desired outcome for any involved in the category but all efforts to grow the grid for these rounds has failed and it is simply not viable for any of our stakeholders, including teams and sponsors, to travel South with just five confirmed entries. We were hopeful several others would be at these rounds but this is now highly unlikely hence the decision to cancel," says Noonan.

Noonan says the series is committed to working with the series teams on the future of the category, with the goal of growing the grid size for the 2015/2016 season.

"We are confident that we have a pipeline of team owners and drivers that will ensure credible grids for the future."

"Over the coming months we will work with all parties to develop the best platform that will ensure its ongoing long term sustainability."

"We are convinced there is a future for the category but we cannot continue to run it in its current state given the obligations we all have to sponsors & fans and the large cost involved for all parties."