The drivers are primed for this weekend's opening round of the V8 SuperTourer at Hampton Downs and are hailing the introduction of the series as one of the most significant in recent New Zealand motor sport history.
There will be 16 cars on the grid for Saturday's three races at Hampton Downs with as many as eight former New Zealand Grand Prix winners including Jonny Reid, Craig Baird, Greg Murphy, Andy Booth and Andy Knight in the starting lineup.
Booth, a two-time New Zealand V8 touring car champion and former winner of the New Zealand Grand Prix, says the sheer strength of the V8SuperTourer driver line-up is a standout feature of the new series.
"It's probably the strongest field I've been in competition with,'' Booth said.
"Everyone's got great credentials and there's a significant percentage of the field who are full-time professional racers. And with everyone in virtually identical cars, the racing is going to be incredibly tight. The difference between first and 16th is seriously going to be minimal.
"It represents everything we, as competitors, have wanted from V8 racing in this country. The cars are so impressive in terms of their performance and safety. They're also going to be cost effective to run which is going to contribute to the longevity of the series.''
From Andre Heimgartner's perspective, the 16-year-old two-time New Zealand Formula Ford champion was looking for a new challenge.
It's the same for Reid and Ant Pedersen, who are relishing the opportunity to race closer to home after years spent racing overseas.
"I certainly think it is one of the best things that has happened on the domestic motor racing scene since I have been involved,'' said Reid, who formerly won New Zealand Grand Prix before spearheading New Zealand's A1GP World Cup of Motorsport campaign.
The V8 SuperTourer series is based around a purpose-built chassis and 410kW (550hp) 7 litre V8 engine with manufacturer support from Ford and Holden.
The cars are similar, although by no means identical, to an Australian V8 Supercar and a far cry both in technology and lap time terms from the production-based Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores that have been the mainstay of the local tin-top motor racing scene for the past 15 years. Understandably the response from teams and drivers from all over New Zealand, and even Australia, has been overwhelmingly positive.
"Really, it's not too far away from a V8 Supercar,'' Reid said. "In some ways in fact, like the 18-inch wheels, it is ahead of the game and I think the appeal of it as a purpose-built race car can be seen in the level of interest that has been shown in the car and series by the likes of drivers who have driven V8 Supercars like Steven Richards and Cam McConville.''
Reid makes no bones about the fact that he is in the series to win it but admits, that with such a stellar line-up of drivers in otherwise identical cars, he has a big job on his hands.
2012 V8 SuperTourers series
Rnd 1: Feb 17-19, Hampton Downs
Rnd 2: April 7-8, Ruapuna Park, Christchurch
Rnd 3: April 27-29, Manfeild, Feilding
Rnd 4: June 1-3, Hampton Downs
Rnd 5: August 10-12, Taupo Motorsport Park, Taupo
Rnd 6: September 21-23, Hampton Downs
Rnd 7: October 26-28 Ruapuna Park, Christchurch
- APNZ
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