Cromwell will play host to
the country’s fastest Rush Hour traffic when Speed Works hits town over the
weekend of January 18 /19 and the field of 25 plus cars for the one hour race
on the Saturday will be a huge weekend highlight.
Headed by former World Championship rally winner Hayden Paddon making his
circuit racing debut in his Hyundai i30 TCR car, Speed Works’ biggest ever Rush
Hour field is all set to do battle for 60 minutes around the world class
Highlands Motorsport Park facility and it really is anyone’s race.
Circuit owner Tony Quinn is a spectacular addition to the field in his mighty
Mosler GT3 car, but even his extensive circuit knowledge will be put to the
test in a high class field that includes 10 Porsches, a number of GT3 and GT4
cars and at least six TCR specification cars. McLaren, Chevrolet, Ginetta,
Audi, Mazda, Honda, Porsche, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Toyota, Mosler and Seat are
all represented in the race – which will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports
Channel 55.
A dark horse for overall victory could be Callum Hedge, one of the country’s
brightest young stars. After achieving notable successes in single seaters in
New Zealand and Australia, he’s switching to Porsches and has a 991 Cup car at
his disposal around a circuit he excels on.
“It’s a really good field by any standards already and there’s plenty of
mouth-watering machinery in the field to get the fans excited,” said
promoter Geoff Short.
“It’s too difficult a call to even identify a race favourite given the
format of Rush Hour where anyone can win, so it should be well worth coming to
watch live or enjoying on Sky. We reckon it will be an absolute cracker with
plenty of local interest and plenty of attention on Hayden in his first circuit
race. Entries are still open too and we’d welcome even more cool cars and fast
drivers.”
With handicapping rules in Rush Hour races favouring drivers who can maintain a
pace closest to their qualifying speed, any driver – including Paddon – has an
equal chance of winning.
Rules don’t restrict the talented amateur racers wanting to take on the pros.
Rush Hour is held over a full hour, with a rolling start and the compulsory pit
stop being taken during a dedicated pits stop window. The duration of the pit
stop is defined by qualifying performance, so the faster the car in qualifying,
the longer its compulsory pit stop. Tyre changes and refuelling are also
permitted. The result of all of that is that cars that can get closest to their
qualifying pace without going over it and maintain that pace for the longest
period will be in with a shout of winning outright.
Anyone wishing to compete in the race can do so by entering here – https://forms.gle/19mWWJNLJ9bwW1V29
Highlands Motorsport
Park Rush Hour entry list
Hayden Paddon – Hyundai i30
TCR
Garry Derrick – Porsche 991.1 GT3
Cup
Steff Chambers – Porsche 996 GT3
Cup
Ben Silcock – Toyota
86
Hayden Knighton – Porsche 997 Cup Car
Jonas Paterson – Porsche 991.1 GT3
Cup
Bruce Davidson – Chevrolet Corvette
C6R
Steve Scoles – Ginetta G55
GT4
Tim James – Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport
Anthony Leighs – Porsche 991.2 GT3 Cup
Dennis Chapman – Audi TCR RS3
LMS
Debbie Chapman – Audi TCR RS3
LMS
Callum Hedge – Porsche 991.1 GT3
Cup
Barry Moore – Volkswagen Golf GTI
TCR
Kev Jarvis – VW Golf
GTI
Ron Mackersy – Volkswagen Jetta
TDI
Tim Mackersy – Seat Cupra
TCR
Mike Driver – Volkswagen Golf GTI
TCR
Andrew Brunton – Mazda
RX8
Martin Dippie – Porsche 991.1 GT3 Cup
David McAlpine – McLaren 570 GT4
Tony Quinn – Mosler MTR900
GT3
Guy Stewart – Porsche 911
IROC
Daniel Cropp – Honda Civic
SiR
Danny Whiting/Tim Miles Porsche 991.2 GT3 Cup
Shepherd the boss in the wind and rain
February 13, 2022
