After another successful season the Schaeffer Oil NZ Super Sedan Series is looking towards changes to accommodate the growing number of cars keen to join their exciting championship.
After a hard fought battle that eventually saw Dayne Running take the 2007/2008 title by just six points from Glen Brazier, along with a similar tussle for third place between several competitors, the category plans to expand into two classes. These will truly embrace the spirit of open saloon car racing in New Zealand. NZSS1 will feature cars that can lap the Pukekohe Park circuit under 1 minute 05 seconds while NZSS2 will contain cars that can lap the South Auckland track at times over 1 minute 05 seconds but quicker than 1 minute 15 seconds.
With current grids averaging around twenty cars at each round the classes will race together initially but the level of interest in the category suggests the two classes could run their own separate races at the same event in the not too distant future.
The category rules have also been expanded to allow highly modified 4-cylinder, 4WD and rotary powered cars to join the current cars that are rated at 3 litres and above. A committee has been especially set up to screen the presentation of both cars and drivers. The concept will provide a safe environment for the competitors and a greater spectacle through closer racing.
The changes to the class were tabled in a remit at the category AGM at the final round of the series at Taupo recently and were greeted enthusiastically.
Newly elected President, Grant Brennan of Tauranga, who was returned to the position after a season away due to business commitments say's the changes will "create more competitive racing for all our members while allowing many of the competitors to compete in a rapidly growing class of the New Zealand Super Sedan category. It will also create a fairer and safer playing field for us all and provides one umbrella over the many different open saloon car classes that exist in New Zealand. The time caps provide for quality cars and supports the idea that competitors will need to do their own policing and regulating of their chosen car limitations if needed. An example would be a competitor applying a small rev limit to stay under the cap while retaining a place to run his car competitively and at an achieveable goal with the rest of our competitors."
Looking at many of the previous forms of open saloon car racing Mr Brennan say's, "in the past these classes have run for a period of time and have dwindled in numbers - these being Sports Sedans, Kiwi Sports, TraNZam and Super GT. For the past seven years we have gone from strength to strength, starting with a good foundation and a true understanding of what is required for our members needs. It is a group that has fostered a lot of camaraderie, growing from a mere two at it's outset to now number over fifty. At present nearly every member owns and competes in a hybrid type vehicle not catered for elsewhere. The class embraces alloy blocks, injection, mid-mounted engines, rear engine - it is pretty much a run what you bring philosophy. In the early days a meeting held at the Motorsport NZ Conference gave us good direction that we have been striving for. Essentially we have met their criteria and shown that we are the premier true open saloon car class in New Zealand."
With some exciting innovations planned to a series that is already providing some superb action the Schaeffer Oil NZ Super Sedan Series will be quite a spectacle in seasons to come.
