Yes, you are reading it right. There is a race series for the Actyon pickup truck and it is in New Zealand if you are keen to participate. The SsangYong Actyon Racing (SAR) is a three year series that will run as a major support on the undercard to NZ’s premier motor racing category, the BNT (BNT NZ SuperTourer) V8 SuperTourers. The highlight feature of the race is that it’s one maker racing, which means all the vehicles will be exactly same spec, no variations – so it comes down to driver ability.
The first round was held at Tauro Motorsport Park over two days, on 27 through 28 September, participating 25 teams with ‘Actyon Sports (2.3L Gasoline Engine, M/T 5shift)’. Gene Rollinson, the winner of this round, said that “I really impressed with powerful driving performance and comfort of Actyon Sports.”
Starting from 2014-2015 Championship, SAR will be held for 3 years across New Zealand. Drivers will be competing for the Sir Colin Meads Cup, racing seven rounds annually alongside the BNT V8 SuperTourers. BNT New Zealand Super Tourers became one of the biggest motorsports since it started in 2012, recording 100,000 spectators, 517,000 viewers in Australia and New Zealand, and average view ratings of 20.4% in 2013.
SsangYong Chairman Rick Cooper was overjoyed with the positive feedback from SRS Drivers and their teams. “I can hardly wait until the next race – I am so excited. Well done to all of the SRS drivers and my congratulations to them all.”
An hours coverage of Round 1 of the SsangYong Racing Series will be played on TV3’s CRC Speedshow on Sunday 19th October. Round 2 of the 7 round series will be at Hampton Downs 1-2 November 2014. Meanwhile, sales of SsangYong in New Zealand have been rapidly growing with over 60% on annual average since 2010, and expected to continue to grow thanks to wide exposure with Actyon Racing Series.
