One promising New Zealand racing driver is to receive the use of a Suzuki Swift Sport to contest the upcoming seven-round Swift Sport Cup one-make production saloon car series. The driver will be named in Christchurch on October 5, comfortably in time for the opening round of the new championship at Pukekohe on November 3 and 4.
Suzuki New Zealand is providing free use for one year of the specially prepared 1.6-litre Swift Sport hatchbacks for the lucky winner. The winner will just have to pay for running costs and entry fees, saving them a considerable amount of money. The driver is to be selected as part of the scholarship package that Motorsport New Zealand is running for the Formula Ford class.
Budding new drivers are set to compete in Formula Ford trials at Ruapuna Park circuit near Christchurch on October 4 and 5. "We will select the Swift Sport winner from their finalists who do not win the MTA Formula Ford scholarship," said Paul Burborough, Series Coordinator for the Swift Sport Cup championship.
On the Friday, day two of the Ruapuna tests, all the finalists will drive a Swift, and the winner of the Suzuki scholarship will be chosen from these shake -down trials. Suzuki New Zealand is subsidising the cost of preparing the Swift Sport cars to ensure the series is affordable, and the modest modifications to the cars will be strictly controlled to make the competitors as equal as possible.
The 92 kW, twin overhead camshaft, 1,586cm3 engined Swifts are closely allied to the Swift Sport models, the performance flagship versions of New Zealand's bestselling small car. Prepared in Hamilton by the Waikato Institute of Technology (WINTEC), under the supervision of motorsport partner, Winger Suzuki, the special Swift Sports will be fully road legal. All Swift Sports meeting the class rules are eligible to participate in the series.
Changes are allowed to shock absorbers and springs, exhaust system and competition brake pads, and a limited slip differential is permitted.
"We are delighted to be able to offer the Swift Sport Cup Suzuki scholarship to a most deserving newcomer," said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand. "In addition to our assistance in preparing the cars, and the establishment of the prize fund for each round, Suzuki's scholarship is further support we have committed to the new class."
