STM: Parity tuning the New Generation NZV8s

Leading New Zealand tuning company Speedtech Motorsport (STM) were announced last week to be taking care of all ECU and engine parity tuning for the New Generation NZV8 cars.

The first chassis to arrive at their premises in Wellington was the first Holden Commodore VEII, having travelled across the Strait from Tulloch Motorsport.

The STM crew have been hard at work on the Tulloch Motorsport Holden

STM’s Andre Simon was impressed with the build quality of the new car, and it performed flawlessly in its dyno runs earlier this week.

” The first dyno run went great, and the car put down solid power for what is a stock motor,” Simon said.

“We still have some more work to finish up and are looking forward to the comparitives with the Fords and Toyotas in the coming weeks.”

The wiring loom ready for installation

We will be posting regular updates from the NZV8s in at STM as the summer season draws nearer.

Hard work paying off as first Toyota Camry takes shape

The construction of the first NZV8 Toyota Camry has been steadily progressing in the winter months at Mitchell Race Xtreme in Hamilton.

The introduction of a new shape and badge on a pre-built common platform has presented its fair share of challenges, but with the completion of the first unit, future builds will allow a finished item to be turned out far quicker.

While new Toyota parts and machining is worked on in at MRX HQ, the team have also designed a new sump with a left-hand mounted pump, with the billet sump unit being provided by TRD USA.

When the sump arrives into NZ, the engine position of the Toyota V8 can be confirmed and headers & exhaust will be fabricated thereafter.

A new nose cone is currently in construction, and the suspension components and driveline are being set up.

Despite being a new marque for the NZV8s, there have been some common crossovers. The Holden VE sills from the Tulloch Motorsport car have been modified to fit the Camry, to accompany the new parts and painted panels that are being added to the Camry each day.

All New Generation NZV8s can look forward to ATL Fuel Cells and Penske shocks, which are awaiting clearance into NZ.

The first ever NZV8 Toyota Camry will be on her wheels in a fortnight, and in the hands of the Richards Motorsport Team for track time in early November.

The project has been a huge undertaking for all involved, but we guarantee fans will be impressed with the finished product!

Alexander tastes V8 power, and loves it!

Christchurch’s own Tom Alexander made a strong impression on the 2011/12 NZ Formula Ford Championship, and the young rising star recently has his first taste of an NZV8, when he took to the wheel of the Albany Toyota Falcon at Hampton Downs.

Alexander, under the watchful eye of mentor Ken Smith, circulated clean and smooth in his first drive with a roof over his head, and finished the session impressing both on the time sheets, and in the pit lane.

“[The NZV8] was a lot of fun to drive and I loved the experience,” Tom said.

“I found the transition pretty easy and the difference was that I had to get used to being very patient on the throttle to limit the understeer. You could certainly see me in a V8 in the future as I work towards my goal to be a V8 Supercar driver.”

But first, Alexander has the Formula Ford Championship title on his mind.

“My plans for the Formula Ford are coming along well I am just finishing off my budget as we speak.”

Tom extended an enthusiastic thank you to Andrew and Haydn MacKenzie for the opportunity, which came about unannounced during the weekend’s Info & Ride Day for the NZV8 class, coinciding with a General Meeting for competitors and teams.

A total of 18 cars, both new and old, have signalled their intention to compete this season.

AGM postponed, but Hampton Downs is GO!

The Board of NZV8’s has reluctantly decided to postpone the Shareholders AGM scheduled to be held at Hampton Downs on the 18th August 2012 to a later date.

However, the rest of the day’s format at Hampton Downs will continue, including the General Information Meeting at 10.30am promoted by Motorsport Promotions for drivers and all those interested in the New Zealand Motorsport “Gold Star” NZV8 Championship Series.

Shayne Harris, President of MotorSport, will be attending to address the meeting.

The Hot Lap ride portion of the day will continue as planned and a BBQ sausage sizzle will be available.

NZV8s Info & Promo Day

As has been distributed to current and prospective NZV8s competitors, in Schedule TL & TLX, all parties are invited to an Information & Promotion Day at Hampton Downs, this coming Saturday, August 18th.

Venue: Hampton Downs
Date: Saturday 18th August

A BBQ will be provided on the day and Schedule TL NZV8s will be permitted to test the cars with no circuit hire charge.

The schedule for the day will be as follows:

8.30am Gates open
9.00am Shareholders only

2012 Annual General Meeting
10.30am General information on:
– 2012/13 Championship Series
– Calendar of meetings
– Meeting schedules
– Race formats
– Category promotional activities
– TV coverage

12.00pm The circuit will open for drivers for sponsor rides etc
4:30pm Circuit closes

Drivers and passengers will be required to wear appropriate safety gear when driving/riding in a vehicle on the circuit and also sign the circuit indemnity

For further information please download out PDF invite below or contact David Slater on 027 477 8378.

>>> HD invitation Sat 18 Aug <<<

Further NZV8 meetings this Wednesday

Following on from recent events and management meetings held in Wellington over the weekend, all potential NZV8 competitors are invited to a further get together in Hamilton, this Wednesday the 8th of August, at 06:00pm.

The meeting will take place at The Café, 38 Hood St, Hamilton.

Also attending the meeting will be the new CEO of Motorsport Promotions, David Dovey, to address competitors on new initiatives for the season, as well as Brian Lawrence and further MPL Board members.

Finger food will be provided at $10 per head, for those that are interested.

Prospective attendees, please contact Nick Ross on 027 487 8070 ASAP.

Thanks in advance, and we look forward to seeing you there!

 

Statement from MPL’s David Dovey

Yesterday it was announced that Motorsport Promotions Ltd was restructuring its personnel and looking ahead to a fresh start for the upcoming summer of motorsport, and beyond.

We caught up with David David, the Motorsport Promotions Ltd Interim Management Team Leader and Board Member, regarding the immediate future of the company, the NZV8s and its supporting classes.

“MPL is an important asset owned jointly by the circuits owning clubs, circuit operating clubs and Motorsport NZ,” David says.

“This link has allowed stability and growth over the last 15 years. While there is uncertainty and much change currently, the new board and new management of MPL is committed to the future, and it may be very different to what is currently on offer.

“This commitment will reward us all in time with a new breed of champions and household names associated with our sporting success.

“The success of the IRC classes and its solidarity to the Gold Star Championship series will ensure the series for the coming season will be an entertainment package fitting of such quality sporting events.”

Yesterday’s statement is an important step for the future of motor racing in this country. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming days and weeks, regarding the support class structure, series calendar and other exciting developments.

Ensure you follow our Facebook Page and Twitter Feed for regular news & multimedia relating to the NZV8s and supporting categories!

NZV8s a highlight of the 2012 Speedshow!

The NZV8s stand at the 2012 CRC Speedshow over the weekend left fans with excitement and anticipation for the future of the class, with the revealing of the new Tulloch Motorsport Holden VEII on Saturday.

On hand to accompany the beautiful new machine was Tulloch’s likeable Aussie driver Jason Bargwanna, and as fans got the chance to get up close and personal with the new machine, they could also check out the Ford Coyote and Toyota Camry V8 engines at the same time.

Also on display was last year’s championship winning ‘Schedule TL’ Falcon, driven by Angus Fogg, and Nick Cassidy’s dual 2012 NZGP & TRS Championship winning single seater. Nick himself even dropped in on the stand, as part of a brief holiday back in NZ before heading back to Europe.

A myriad of handouts and posters provided fans with more information on the shape of the new championship, as well as competition opportunities as part of the ‘Ultimate Race Fan’ Facebook promo.

We would like to say a special thanks to the Motorsport New Zealand team, Kerry & Trudie Cooper, Brian Lawrence, Dave Slater and Amanda Tollemache for ‘manning the stand’ over the weekend, and to the Toyota Racing Series, Kevin Williams, Chris Gauci, Tim Gurr and Tony Richards Toyota for providing the cars and engines on display at our Speedshow site.

Also to Inky Tulloch, John Fowke & David Dovey, and of course our drivers Jason Bargwanna, Nick Ross, Simon Richards, Bronson Porter, Nigel Karl and Nick Cassidy!

We must extend a hearty congratulations to Keith Sharp and the Speedshow team – this year’s event really was a terrific one! More pics from the weekend can be found on our Facebook page here.

Thanks again, from the NZV8s team!

Video intro to the NZV8 Toyota Camry

Check out this footage courtesy of Volt TV, all about the New Generation NZV8 Toyota Camry filmed at Mitchell Race Xtreme in Hamilton last week.

Constructive pre-season NZV8 meeting in Auckland last night

The first of the pre-season NZV8 meetings took place last night with a number of personnel turning out to discuss the 2012/13 championship.

With Hamilton’s turn coming this evening (5.30pm @ Map & Associates, 14 Knox St, Hamilton) and similar get-together’s planned for the South Island soon, there is still much to discuss.

However, interesting items raised on the agenda included:

• revisions to the qualifying format
• revisions to the reverse grid race format
• discussion over how each class (Schedule TL current cars and Schedule TLX new generation cars) will be grouped for race starts
• revisions to the points system, including awarding points for pole position and the fastest lap in each of the three races
• discussion over tyre allocation at each round during the season
• parity, engine and gearbox discussion for the current Schedule TL cars

Whilst no changes have yet been confirmed, the combined feedback from each sector’s Pre-Season meetings will be important in finalising a championship format that will suit the drivers, teams, fans and sponsors alike.