After seven seasons with rounds on both sides of the Tasman, the F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series looks set to be an almost all-New Zealand affair this summer.

Though allowance in the 2010/11 calendar has been made should the popular New Zealand-based MSC-backed group again be invited to join the support class roster at the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix meeting in Melbourne in March next year, the five rounds so far confirmed are split between local circuits Hampton Downs in the northern Waikato, Powerbuilt Tools Raceway at Christchurch's Ruapuna Park and Invercargill's Teretonga Park.

The reason?

For 2010 the South Island Endurance Series is opening its arms to allow even more competitors into its series by allowing space-framed cars to enter for the first time in 15 years. SIERDC secretary Chris Dunn says “this just adds another dimension to our rules. We probably already have the most open eligibility rules of any class in New Zealand, so we thought we would make it even easier for competitors to race with us. However, to protect our series we will be slightly selective about the spaceframed cars we accept”. The series already has no rules on engine size or modifications, car modifications, tyres, etc and the cars are divided into 5 capacity based classes. “This encourages the smaller guys to still come race with us as there is always someone to race with no matter which end of the field you are at” said Dunn.

The Series is also filling its race day by expanding on the 1hr/3hr race concept introduced for 2009, with the 2010 1hr & 3hr being held as separate races at each round. “The One Hour races give those with less experience, lower budgets or just those wanting pre-season race miles a great opportunity to be part of our fun series. We will be running separate overall & class championships for the 1hr & 3hr series’” Dunn said “Another initiative is that we are hoping to hold a Motorcycle 1hr race at the Ruapuna & Levels Rounds to make it a full on Endurance race Day”.

BMW driving trainer Mike Eady and team-mate Kevin Bell have successfully driven their 2009 model BMW M3 V8 to victory in the North Island Endurance Series Championship, taking the title ahead of competitors driving larger and more powerful cars.

Their championship win was all the more remarkable considering their BMW M3 is road legal - and even has a Warrant of Fitness to prove it.

"We can literally drive our BMW M3 to the track, race for up to six hours in a competitive environment and then motor home at the end of the event," said Mike Eady.

"It's testament to the race-bred heritage and ongoing refinement of driving dynamics inherent in BMW models which enable us to win in a vehicle very similar to one which can be bought off the shop floor."

The 2010/2011`season of the Kumho Sport Saloons series is shaping up to be one of the best race seasons in recent years.

After some changes to the rules at the recent AGM, sequential gearboxes have been banned returning the series back towards the low budget saloon series that it was always intended to be. The rules have also been also been altered to allow more of the club orientated vehicles to become eligible, by allowing more freedom in engine transplants for cars up to 2 litre turbo while still allowing the 3 litre turbo’s to run. An all new level of parity is hoped to be achieved between all the competitors with new weight limits for the turbo cars implemented and a new narrower tyre size rule for the 4wd cars which aims to limit the amount of horsepower that is able to be put to the ground. This is hoped to make the 2wd and 4wd cars battle it out on the track rather than in the cheque book. Non turbo cars are also still eligible with engines of up to 6 litre capacity, with some of the N/A cars performing well last year, they could also be in the running for the title chases.