Unfortunately the ‘tussle’ between V8 SuperTourers and NZV8s has sunk to a new level with both sides releasing statements of intent, since Christmas. While motorsport in New Zealand can ill afford this type of rivalry, the rift has deepened. It is time for both camps to take stock of the ‘cause and effect’ of their actions. Fans want to see great racing and it is time for true leadership to take this premium class to the next level.
Over the weekend Motorsport NZ (who own New Zealand V8s Ltd) has released a statement (see below) in response to the breakaway V8 SuperTourers touting for current NZV8 teams to join their impending series as a support class when it gets underway in the middle of February.
Technically no NZV8 can compete outside of the current championship or sanctioned events that are agreed between NZV8s Ltd and Motorsport NZ. Currently they compete under ‘Schedule TL’ and to race elsewhere would mean an application must be made for a Schedule A logbook to compete in events with racing permits for Schedule A racing only.
Just after Christmas the NZ V8 SuperTourers released a media statement inviting current and past NZV8 drivers to compete for the V8 Challenge Cup, effectively to leave the official NZV8 championship. Now Motorsport NZ has clarified that this will not be straight forward under the current regulations.
The President of Motorsport NZ, Shayne Harris has stated that “SuperTourers are trying to undermine the very championship in which many of the country’s top saloon car drivers made their name.”
No doubt V8 SuperTourers sees no future for the current NZV8 category and therefore consider their intentions as positive for the sport.
One has to question the wisdom of V8 SuperTourers making the invitation just as one has to question whether the President of Motorsport NZ should respond. Both have a ‘cause and effect’ and in this case both appear to be quite negative.
Surely this is a time when in a soured relationship one has to tread very carefully and with upmost consideration for the greater good and end result.
The position of this website is to remain impartial. While we have been accused of bias towards one party we endeavour to take no sides as we upload press releases from both. (Currently one party has a higher level of marketing than the other).
But let us look at the facts.
1/ Currently the V8 SuperTourers have sold twenty franchises and will have sixteen cars on the grid for their first round in the middle of February. These cars are in the final stages of completion and it is understood that testing gets underway this coming week.
2/ Motorsport NZ have developed a new NZV8s Championship car which is currently undergoing testing and have a pathway for introducing it into the current NZV8 Series. None have been sold as they have not been released for sale.
3/ There appears to be general agreement that our country is not big enough for two rival series.
Putting 'right and wrong' aside, common sense would say that as we have 16/20 new V8s in the country ready to race, we (the motorsport community) need to support them.
For Motorsport NZ to now go out and sell their new generation NZV8 they would need to sell a minimum of fifteen cars which is a total of 2.250 million dollars. One has to question whether this is a good stewardship of money and resources from the motorsport community when a similar sum of money has already been spent. Surely their role is one of governance and guidance.
Now it is not a matter of who is right and who is wrong. Personalities and grievances need to be put aside. Parties need to acknowledge this and begin to agree and shake hands. It is a time for humility to take place, common sense to prevail and some true leadership (not management) take over.
Maybe it is time for Paul Radisich (V8SuperTourers CEO) and Shayne Harris to sit down and have ‘a cup of tea’.
Fans just want to see great V8 racing. How this happens does not really matter to the spectator.
Statement from Shayne Harris, President, MotorSport New Zealand issued 14th January 2012
The New Zealand V8s championship is being contested by the current Schedule TL Holden and Ford V8s this season (2011-12) and in 2012-13, with the new car being transitioned into competition in that season too. This is the undertaking given to NZV8s franchise holders at the commencement of the new car programme.
There is a clear pathway for current Schedule TL NZV8s and there will continue to be racing opportunities into the future. The statement by SuperTourers that they plan to set up a new competition because there is nowhere for the current championship cars to race in the future is incorrect. If anything, SuperTourers are trying to undermine the very championship in which many of the country’s top saloon car drivers made their name.
In the 2013-14 season the NZV8s championship will be contested by the new space frame championship car and the Schedule TL cars will race for a special trophy within the NZV8s category alongside the new car.
The current championship cars are built and homologated to MotorSport New Zealand Schedule TL specification and may only race in championship events and such other events as are agreed between NZV8s Ltd and MotorSport New Zealand . MotorSport New Zealand owns the intellectual property of Schedule TL.
Recognising that Schedule TL cars are now using old technology, the new NZV8s championship car, which will be powered by Ford or Holden engines and fitted with appropriate bodies according to competitor’s choice, has been developed.
A new technical specification schedule will be prepared by MotorSport New Zealand when the final testing of new engines, sequential transmission and other technologies is complete.
When the new NZV8s championship car is tested ready for racing, competitors will be invited to purchase them. They are expected to cost approximately $150,000 in ready to race form. MSNZ owns the designs and jigs for the new car and will not release them for sale until satisfied they are ready for competition.
Owners of cars with Schedule TL logbooks have been advised that if they wish to race their cars outside the NZV8s championships or other events agreed by MSNZ and NZV8s Ltd, then they need to apply for a Schedule A logbook and compete in events with racing permits for Schedule A racing.
V8 SuperTourers Media release - Holden and Ford V8 machinery set to find home on V8 SuperTourer programme
