Photo: Reprinted with the kind permission of VEEGAWith the imminent arrival of the
‘Car of Tomorrow’ (COT) the door now opens for exciting and plentiful
opportunities for the future of NZV8s in New Zealand.
The COT is
the future of the leading class in New Zealand and heralds a new and
exciting beginning of another super V8 era in local motorsport history.
The
COT concept was right from the start to have identical and affordable
chassis for all competitors that look the same as the Australian V8
Supercars. The NZV8 COT and the Australian V8 Supercars ‘Car of the
Future’ (COF), are both being built in the same workshop.
While
cars on both sides of the Tasman will look the same, there are major
differences under the skin, in both the chassis, and in the form of
engine, brakes, suspension and transmission. What will take place in NZ
is in the final stages of development with the prospect of full racing
with a minimum of sixteen teams next season.
Most important to
the commitment of this future direction is the agreement of current
teams to the project and it is reported that twelve teams have invested
in the COT project. It is anticipated that a number of other teams will
commit once the prototype is on track in NZ early next year.
The
prototype chassis will arrive in New Zealand at the end of January and
will be completed here in New Zealand prior to its debut at the Taupo
round of the BNT V8s in early March 2011.
One could argue that
NZV8s in their current form looks decidedly aged, and they would be
correct. While the Ford Falcon, based on an AU Falcon shell,has been a
able to update its body panels to look similar to the BF model, the
Holden Commodore is even older being based on the VT model, and apart
from minor panel work upgrades has not been able to do the same, as the
Falcon, without significant chassis changes that were not conducive to
the class in its current form.
What both the COT and COF concept
also allow, is for other car manufacturers to compete in the series,
with the same chassis. Body panels are effectively ‘bolted’ on
according to what marquee the team is representing – Holden, Ford,
Toyota, Hyundai and so on.
However, the class is not so much
about looks as about combination of new and modern technology, cost
cutting, parity, control, lower running and competition cost, innovation
and marketing.
There is no doubt that the new V8 class will
attract more Australians to our shores. The summer racing season in NZ
gives plenty of race mileage and action for young drivers whose
ambitions are for the V8 Supercars. The new generation NZV8s will give
excellent experience at an affordable cost.
This season we have
young Australian Scott McLaughlan racing in the BNT V8s for the
experience as a stepping stone for the big league. His team have a two
year program which incorporates racing in NZ and interest will be high
in the COT for next year.
But what is to be done about the current line up of chassis and team equipment?
VEEGA
have stated that it is their wish to develop a Fujitsu Australian style
Championship for the class to carry on as a ‘Tier One’ support class
with several options, as to race formats etc.
More controls can
be introduced to cut running costs such as number of tyres allowed per
season, engine and brake package controls.
This in turn opens
up more opportunities for up and coming drivers with V8 Supercar
aspirations and gives them more choice for experience within NZ.
COT promoters have got this formula right. The result will be a healthy, exciting and modern class of racing which heralds a new and much looked forward to era of V8 racing in New Zealand.
