With the entry list now published for the Trusthouse Racetech Rally Wairarapa, people around the country are busy studying their form book as they start to make their predictions or size up the competition.

With a total of 75 entries the deliberations may take some time. Within the field are 20 of the Vantage Aluminium New Zealand Rally Championship competitors, (actually 27 if you include the Historic Class which are seeded within the Malcolm Stewart Classic rally), which means that the championship titles will be a tight fight to the finish.

In the Malcolm Stewart Classic Rally, 16 competitors will be taking on the inaugural challenge. Rally Secretary Bruce Sollitt is not only happy with this initial turnout, but is also looking to the future. “The response to the classic event has been wonderful, however the timing hasn't suited everybody, but the messages of support and promises of future attendance are heartening. There's a great foundation to build on”, he says.

A recent branding restructure within the Super Six and HQ Holden race classes has led to the formation of ‘NZ Six’; a new identity for two of New Zealand’s most iconic entry level touring car categories.

The change comes in the wake of a surge in growth and interest in the Super Six and HQ Holden classes, with between twenty and thirty cars competing at each event on average last season, and more expected for the 2010/11 IRC Series.

A key brand identity for the two categories was devised with the replacement of the current club SCRANZ (Saloon Car Racing Association of New Zealand) name in favour of the new NZ Six brand; a derivative of New Zealand six cylinder racing.

Daniel Gaunt is firming as favourite to take Kiwi compatriot Greg Murphy’s place in the #51 Castrol EDGE Commodore at next week’s L&H 500 at Phillip Island if Murphy is ruled out of the race due to injury.

Murphy injured his back while on holidays in Fiji two weeks ago then collapsed on his return home, resulting in the four time Bathurst 1000 winner undergoing surgery last week.

While confident he will be ready for the year’s biggest race, the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 in six weeks, Murphy is only a 50/50 chance of lining up alongside fast rookie Tim Blanchard at the island.

Gaunt contested the season’s first seven events with Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport, finishing all 14 races before losing his ride. He currently sits 26th in series points. Team owner Paul Morris said the 25 year old Gaunt will test the Castrol EDGE Holden at Queensland Raceway tomorrow (Tuesday).

A perfect weekend with pole position and three race wins in the penultimate round of the German ADAC Formula Masters Championship at the Nurburgring circuit has seen young Kiwi (Tauranga) driver, Richie Stanaway (18) win the seven-round German ADAC Championship with one round (three races to go).

Following the Nurburgring round his total of 315 points cannot be beaten, no matter what happens in the final round at the Oschersleben circuit in October.

“What a fantastic way to win this championship. I must give huge thanks to my Ma-Con team for giving me a perfect car for this round, and the great job they have done all season. I was able to win 12 of the 18 races. Along with my parents (who were here for this round) I also have to thank all those people in New Zealand who have helped and supported me to win this championship,” said Stanaway.