Franklin GTR drivers prepare for home round.

Two Franklin men are making their mark on the motoring world and preparing for the final two rounds in the GTRNZ race series.

The TradeZone GTRNZ race series is home to some of the fastest cars in New Zealand. With “almost no rules, anything goes” there are a range of cars and power abilities, from home made specials of Mazdas and Hondas to former V8 Supercars.

There are four classes that make up the GTRNZ championship, GT1, GT2, GT3 and GT4, which are separated by lap times. 33 year old Shaun Judd, an engineer from Tuakau has been racing in the GT2 class this season. He is currently placed second overall in the GT2 Championship, having recently won the last round. He is sitting on 1132 points, behind leader John De Veth.

Shaun’s car, a Mazda RX7 FC is a home build. This season he has been supported by local businesses, his friends, family and his wife.

Nigel Lucas of Pukekohe is sitting in ninth place in the GT3 class, with this being his rookie season. He is showing potential to be a constant front runner in the near future.

“My car is also homebuilt, made over the past few years,” he says. “It would not have been possible without the help and generosity of local businesses, friends family and also the support of my wonderful wife.”

Having already completed four of six rounds throughout New Zealand, Shaun and Nigel will race again in March from Friday 10 to Sunday 12. The final round of the GTRNZ series will be held at Pukekohe three weeks later.

Originally published in “The Post Franklin and North Waikato” on the 27 Feb 2017