The newly formed BNT NZ Touring Cars class is set to go at Taupo Motorsport Park this weekend. The series will combine three classes together, what were known as the V8 SuperTourers (V8ST), NZV8 TLX and NZV8 TL. Under the BNT NZ Touring Car umbrella, V8ST and TLX cars will be in Class one, TL cars will be in Class two.
On the track, rising star Simon Evans, who won the V8 SuperTourer championship in 2014/15 in a Holden will go up against current NZV8 champion Jason Bargwana in his Toyota Camry.
Australian Bargwanna, is eager to get back across the ditch and to challenge for another championship win in the new category.
“I am bursting at the seems to get back to racing and for the season to start at the technical and exciting drivers tracks that Taupo is. It is the perfect way to get this new era in New Zealand motorsport under way,” says Bargwanna.
“This weekend is a major step in giving back to the fans and putting on dynamic and exciting racing by bringing together the best the country and ‘Aussie’ has to offer.”
“Over the years I have proudly worked closely with Interislander and Dunlop, had a great relationship with BNT, and I am excited to meet the team at Gull and be ready to represent our partners in this history making season.”
This season will be Bargwanna’s third aboard the Richards Team Toyota Camry and says he has his sights on the opposition.
“To be back for a third season with Richards team Toyota in the Toyota V8 Camry, and taking all the frontline championship teams and drivers on the track together means it is going to be an absolute ‘cracker’ of a season. We have our sights set on not only beating Nick Ross (Nissan) and Simon Evans, but frankly everybody on the track – this is going to be epic.”
Current V8 SuperTourer champion Simon Evans says he is equally excited to get the new season and category underway.
“I’m very excited that we are all back under the same umbrella, and to have the support from BNT is fantastic. It’s going to be a good grid of V8’s with undoubtedly some good battles throughout the field for the fans to watch. Barg’s will be racing at 110% as he always does and it will be great to have Craig Baird back on the grid with Team Kiwi Racing as well.”
The BNT NZ Touring Cars hit the track this weekend at Taupo for Round 1 of the championship, for the Ssangyong Super Weekend – October 17-18.
BNT NZ Touring Cars Entry List – Taupo Ssangyong Super Weekend
Car # Driver Name Car
3 Angus Fogg Holden V8ST
4 Simon Evans Holden V8ST
007 Nick Ross Nissan TLX
8 Kevin Williams Holden TL
8 Tim Edgell Holden V8ST
11 Tom Alexander Holden TLX
14 Gene Rollinson Ford V8ST
021 Craig Baird Holden V8ST
32 Mitchell Cunningham Ford V8ST
22 Bryce Fullwood Holden V8ST
40 Bronson Porter Holden TL
46 Simon Fleming Ford TL
50 Blair McDonald Holden V8ST
51 James McLaughlin Holden TLX
73 Brad Lathrope Ford TL
84 Lance Hughes Holden TLX
97 Jason Bargwanna Toyota TLX
111 Brock Cooley Ford TL
222 Scott Taylor Toyota TLX
332 Tony Anderson Ford TL
777 Alyssa Clapperton Holden TL
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