Motorsport: Kiwi V8 gets the jump on Aussies

The V8 Supertourer prototype. Photo / Supplied

It's not often the Kiwis get the jump on the Aussies in anything, let alone sport. However, a new Kiwi motor racing group has just revealed their V8 Car of Tomorrow (COT) ahead of the Australian V8 Supercar Car Of The Future (COFT).

V8 Supertourers Limited has been established to bring in a new generation of V8 race car to rejuvenate V8 racing in New Zealand.

The existing NZV8 series has been around for more than 10 years and the newly formed company feels it's time to introduce a more modern car, new from the ground up and purpose built for racing.

The aim of the company is to build a new generation, future-proofed V8 touring car, similar in concept to an Australian V8 Supercar but at less than half the cost.

The new class and series is not replacing the existing Motorsport New Zealand V8 category, which is part of the annual Premier Race Series, but is an alternative due to kick off in February 2012 and finishes some time in November 2012.

Up to eight rounds are to be held, incorporating a mixture of sprint and endurance races. The series calendar will avoid clashing with the V8 Supercars championship and the Motorsport NZ summer series.

"With the old cars the platform is all from the year 2000 or before. It doesn't make them bad cars but it's time to move on," said Gary Pedersen, one of the driving forces behind the concept and a NZV8 owner.

"It's time for the next move and we got 12 years out of the old cars. This new move with a new car will do us at least another 10 years. The car has been built from the inside out and all you have to do is put the body panels on.

"It's a cheap way of doing things and when you open the door it's got all the panels, door rubbers and a proper dash. When you open it up you don't see a lot of rivets like a Nascar or a TransAm car."

The prototype has been designed and built by Paul Ceprnich, of Pace Innovations Australia (the same workshops where the V8 Supercar COFT car is being fabricated), and has a VE Commodore body mounted on a purpose-built monocoque chassis similar to the V8 Supercar COFT concept.

The chassis will be able to take Holden, Ford BMW 5 series or similar-sized car panels.

The heart of the car is a strictly controlled, one make, all-alloy, fuel injected and dry sumped 7-litre V8 ST engine derived from the Le Mans C6R Corvette programme and US built.

It will develop around 550hp at 6800rpm and is expected to have a life of 10,000 racing kilometres before requiring maintenance. This engine is identical to Mosler Automotive's GT3 sports car.

"You have to move on," said NZV8 driver John McIntyre.

"Fuel injection and sequential gearboxes have been around for a long time and we've built a car that is in the modern day.

"The future of premier touring car racing has to be at a high technical level and that's where I want to be and what I want to drive. I get school kids coming up to me and asking what's that thing on top of the engine as they're pointing at the carburettor.

"You know you've got a problem in the sport when the kids are more advanced than you are and so we have to keep with the times."

The maximum field for V8SuperTourer series is 28 cars and 12 team owners have already registered their interest - six VE Commodores and six FG Falcons.

Indications are that up to 24 new cars will have been sold by the time the series kicks off in February next year.

The prototype is 90 per cent complete, requiring only the electronics, plumbing and other minor parts before the first official test scheduled in four weeks' time.

V8 Supertourer

* Quaife 6-speed sequential transmission via a two-piece pro-shaft feeding a 9in Ford differential fitted with a Torsen-style limited slip, crown wheel carrier assembly.

* Three-link live rear axle fitted with camber and toe, CV style, floating rear hubs.

* Double wishbone front suspension.

* Adjustable bump and rebound shock absorbers fitted with adjustable spring platforms.

* Rack and pinion power steering.

* 11x18ins forged alloy wheels, 280 x 680 x 18 racing slicks.

* Brake rotors are 355mm front ventilated and 328mm rear.

* Forged billet alloy brake calipers and F1-style brake ducting.

* Weight, including driver, less than 1300kg.