12/01/2026
Ultimate Race Series – Where To From Here?
Despite our absolute best efforts, the decision has been made by Auckland Car Club that the Ultimate Race Series will not be permitted to compete at any future ACC rounds unless one of the following can be achieved:
We purchase a grid at a cost of around $12,000 NZD, or
We can guarantee 20 entries at $700 per car
That’s the reality of motorsport in today’s market.
It’s important to be clear on one thing — Ultimate Race Series was never set up to be a for-profit category. There were no series membership fees, no hidden costs, and no commercial agenda. The goal was simple: create a well-run, accessible race class that people actually wanted to be part of.
URS is maybe the only single-day class for open-rule cars running sub-1:13 lap times at Hampton Downs. We wanted it to be genuinely open to everyone, with a great mix of cars, budgets, and builds — fast cars, driven well, in a controlled environment.
Grid numbers were deliberately managed. That wasn’t about exclusivity — it was about ensuring competitive but safe racing, good track time, and a format that worked for drivers, officials, and spectators alike.
We genuinely want to see the Ultimate Race Series continue and grow. The interest has been strong — plenty of messages and plenty of people coming to watch — but unfortunately that hasn’t translated into enough paid entries. And in modern motorsport, unless you can buy a grid or guarantee numbers, grids simply won’t happen.
The days of 10–18 car grids being acceptable are disappearing fast.
The race meetings we did run were strong:
Well put together
One-day format that worked
No complaints about driving standards
Everyone who attended enjoyed it
So now it’s over to you guys.
Do we:
Go back to Auckland Car Club, take the financial risk, commit to a $12,000 grid, and back ourselves by charging entry fees to cover it?
Or
Accept that without the numbers, the series folds?
This isn’t a threat or a guilt post — it’s simply being transparent about what it takes to make motorsport work in 2026.
So… over to you.
— Martyn
