About the organisation 

Southland Sports Car Club is a voluntary organisation with about 240 members. 

The club owns the Teretonga Park circuit, which has been its base since November 1957, one of three remaining club-owned circuits in New Zealand. 

Each year the club hosts about 12 events, including five club race meetings and a fun day. 

What the grant went towards 

The car club received a grant of $20,000 towards developing a hardstand area in the pit paddock. 

A hardstand is a flat, ashphalted pad used for parking heavy vehicles.  In this case, it will be used by competitors as pit garaging for car preparation and set-up during race meets. 

 The first time it will be used will be during the international Castrol Toyota Racing Series during the weekend of January 18-20. 

What the grant means to the organisation/community group 

Southland Sports Car Club race committee chairman Bevan Gerrard said installing the hardstand was the difference between the club being about to secure the Toyota Racing Series and not. 

“We really appreciate the help [of the ILT Foundation],” he said. 

“It was badly needed to help the Toyota Racing Series run the show that they wanted to put on.” 

Southland Sports Car Club president and competitor Rachael Beck said the flat pad was stage one of a bigger plan, and the club was grateful to the ILT Foundation for its support of the project.