NZV8TA2 Racing announced for New Zealand

NZV8TA2 racing is coming to New Zealand, with the announcement today from NZ Touring Cars Ltd that the BNT V8s Championship will adopt the popular class and is set to become the BNT NZV8TA2 Championship.

The first two chassis’ have arrived in the country being a Mustang bodied TA2 as well as a Camaro bodied version. Two current competition cars from Australia were also in New Zealand for demonstration purposes; those being a Challenger bodied TA2 as well as a two-seater Camaro.

A further shipment of another four cars is currently being shipped to New Zealand, with another eight scheduled to go into production shortly.

Hailing from the US, and a successful racing class in multiple global regions, the NZV8TA2 category is based on a relevant, practical and purposeful racing platform that highlights driver talent and promotes close competition.

Designed and built by Howe Racing Enterprises in the United States, the class formula is based on a cost-effective platform, combining a purpose-built racing chassis and a 525 horsepower V8 engine package.

“The NZ Touring Cars Ltd board and category management are delighted to introduce the all New NZV8TA2 Cars taking V8 Racing to a new era,” says BNT V8 Category Manager Gary Lathrope.

The category was due to launch the new platform this evening with a formal event at Hampton Downs, until the Corona Virus lockdown was announced earlier this week.

“It’s a shame; it just means our more formal launch plans have had to change and will be delayed slightly. We had over 50 people RSVP to attend the event - we look forward to re-inviting all of those people back to view the cars once these restrictions have been lifted, the well-being and health of everyone is imperative to us. We support the Government’s stand to try and stamp this virus out; there will be opportunities for us to re-launch when the time is right.”

“The cars have been a massive success in Australia, and we look forward to seeing that growth continue over on this side of the Tasman.”

“At 1250kg and over 525hp there is no other car that can compare to the performance of these cars in their price range. This formula allows drivers to use their skill behind the wheel, not the money spent on the engine.”

Designed to be a cost-effective platform for circuit racing in New Zealand, the space frame chassis features bolt-on front and rear crash structures for ease of repair in the event of a collision.

At the heart of the car will be a McLaren Engineering built 6.2L LS3 race engine developing 525hp at 6500rpm.

The cars feature a G-Force 4 speed transmission (with a controlled gearbox ratio), while the suspension set up consists of Penske single adjustable 7” shocks and a 2” front sway bar.

The cars will all run 15” Bassett steel wheels with Hoosier 3045 slick tyres.

“Over the past 18 months we have worked closely with Peter Robinson from PBR Distributions who owns the TA2 Racing Series in Australia, Peter’s passion and determination for this category to be introduced to New Zealand has been greatly appreciated.”

The announcement of the new class today will also see the New Zealand V8 series have closer ties with their Australian TA2 counterparts for trans-Tasman competition planned for the future.

“The New Zealand cars are built to the exact PBR Distributions specifications, so they are identical to the cars in Australia, which then opens a window for genuine trans-Tasman challenges between both countries.”

“With the huge popularity and growth in Australia with grids of over 40 cars, these modern-style sports coupes with the option of 3 different body styles represent amazing value.”

New Zealand and Australian distributor for TA2 cars, Peter Robinson of PBR Distributions says it is an exciting phase for domestic motorsport on both sides of the Tasman.

“It was approximately 18 months ago that I saw an advertisement on Facebook that the New Zealand BNT V8 Series posted about looking to update their cars and include the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger in their series,” said Peter Robinson.

“I contacted Mark Heimgartner from the New Zealand Touring Cars Ltd board and explained TA2 Australia’s vision of a five-year plan to bring our same spec TA2 formula to New Zealand and asked if there was any synergy between the two groups... and that’s how the talks kicked off. From there it was decided that the group behind the BNT V8’s would be the organisers and promoters of the series for TA2 cars in New Zealand.

“PBR are the exclusive dealers for Australia and NZ for the Howe same-spec TA2 cars, New Zealand supply will be direct from Howe Racing Enterprises in Michigan to Paul Manuell from Eastern Automotive & Performance who has been appointed as the importer and supporter of the race cars, sales, spares and servicing.

“The BNT NZV8TA2 Championship will use as much of the Australian technical rules and regulations as they can and tailor it to the New Zealand conditions, but the key here is that they will be the identical cars as we run in Australia, exactly the same specification and that’s something we are all really excited about.

“We have already had direct interest from New Zealand competitors wanting TA2 cars as well as through the BNT V8s Championship, and despite the small level of advertising we have done we already have a list of about 20 people with their hands in the air ready to buy one or more TA2 cars.”

Parts supply, component service and vehicle sales in New Zealand will be facilitated by Eastern Automotive Performance Centre owned by Paul Manuell and Michael Childs.

Manuell is no stranger to V8 racing in New Zealand, being a former national champion and more recently competing in the Thailand TA2 series in 2019 where he won the Championship.

“After testing & racing TA2 in Asia I knew this was the fix for New Zealand motorsport, this is absolutely where we need to head,” said Manuell.

“The NZ Touring Car Ltd board and myself started talking about introducing this class in February 2019, both coming to the conclusion that this would be a great step forward for New Zealand motorsport.”

“After winning the Asian TA2 championship momentum began to steamroll globally, and the TA2 word was out.”

Manuell says the initial interest from competitors has been strong.

“I’ve had just over 20 competitors reach out to me to register their interest in buying one, even before we’ve launched it, or they’ve even seen one in the flesh. Which is encouraging.”

“Once these community restrictions lift, I expect many of those to remain interested.”

Manuell says the cars will appeal to a wide range of competitors.

“Driving these cars is phenomenal. The tyre, grip, power is how I would equal a single-seater experience. 1250kg, 525hp, sticky tyres, light, fantastic brakes, and ease of control is motor racing at its best.”

“I am so passionate about these cars, the formula is spot on, the parity is the most perfect scenario for motorsport in this current era, and tuneability is also exactly where we need to be. This is a formula where you can run from your shed, carry out basic engineering changes that work without massive staffing and engineering budgets.”

“This is why the cars are so exciting. The drivers and fans alike are going to love it.”

Current cars competing in class one of the BNT V8s championship will remain competitive with this generation chassis. The category’s current parity tuning will be staying in effect.

Set to be eligible to for the start of the 2020/21 Championship season the new cars will be available for purchase as a turnkey package fully race prepared and ready to drive with a base set up. The car will also come with extra wheels, slick & wet tyres, a Racetech seat, Racetech harness and window net.

For pricing and sales enquiries contact Paul Manuell at Eastern Automotive and Performance - email: paul@eapc.co.nz - PH: 0274 966 003