A DRIVER of a high-powered German thoroughbred contesting a four-hour endurance race at Manfeild on Saturday (May 1) expects it to be a full-out battle in which thrift and thrust will both factor.
The opening round of the three-race North Island series returns to the Feilding circuit after a year's sabbatical, with a quality field of high-performance cars from Japan, Europe, the United States and Australia.
Among the leading entries in an event stipulating fuel stops and driver changes is the only full racing specification V8 BMW M3 in the southern hemisphere, co-driven by Aucklander Mike Eady and owner Kevin Bell of Christchurch.
Built to Nurburgring endurance specification, the brand-new car has been dominant in club series racing at Hampton Downs, with nine wins on the trot.
"It's a stunning car to drive. Any BMW M-car is developed to race standard, but with all the full competition enhancements it becomes even more fantastic."
For all the race modification, the Bell-Eady machine retains some roadcar luxuries - including satellite navigation and air conditioning.
"I won't need the sat nav but we can use the air con; in a modern car it doesn't sap the power and it's really great having air con to keep the windscreen clear and to keep us cool."
But Eady concedes the heat will be on from the 20-car field.
One curve ball comes from a change of regulation that now allows entry for the Porsche 911 GT3 cars that provide sizzling entertainment in the summer motor-racing series.
The 996-series edition has been green-lighted with the caveat that it must run a standard-sized fuel tank.
Series organisers say this will likely mean any performance advantage will be offset by the need to make extra stops for fuel.
"I have raced a 996 for a season and I know it will mount a challenge," Eady says.
"It is a purpose-built race car. A V8 M3 has never faced a 996 before in New Zealand, so it'll be interesting how it goes.
"We should have more horsepower, being a 4.0-litre V8, but they are lighter, have bigger brakes and a 996 is a well-sorted car. Manfeild is also a braking/handling track, so that could fall into their favour. It's going to add real spice to it."
On the flip side, Bell and Eady have experience on their side. They are veterans of the Nurburgring 24-hour races, having done 10 between them, and they also have Bathurst experience. Eady has also clocked in innumerable M3 laps as BMW New Zealand's chief driver trainer.
"I'm really looking forward to it. After all the laps I have done here in driver training, it'll be great to get a helmet on and do some racing. And the sound of our car alone will be worth coming to hear - a V8 revving to 9000rpm is something you will remember!"
After Manfeild, the series continues at Taupo then to Pukekohe. The field includes two older M3s and several other BMW models, Minis and V8 Falcons, a plethora of Subarus, Mazdas, Nissans and Mitsubishis and even a Panoz.
The Manfeild race starts at 12.30pm, and is preceded by a one-hour event for Formula First single seaters. Spectator entry is at no charge.
