Invercargill racing driver Jamie Conroy is bracing himself for a new challenge.
Conroy has made a name for himself in New Zealand motorsport driving single seater racing cars, winning both the New Zealand and South Island Formula Ford titles in his debut season.
That was before he made a successful step up to the Toyota Racing Series (TRS) in 2015.
The success continued when he won in the highly competitive category against seasoned international opposition in just his second weekend in that series.
However this weekend Conroy will make a debut of another sort.
In will climb behind the wheel of a Ford Falcon V8 in the BNT New Zealand Touring Car Championship at Pukekohe Park Raceway.
It is a change of direction for the Southlander but feels the Touring Car Championship was the best step for him.
“It was best to go with V8’s, the general public and sponsors know about them and can relate to them. We looked at different series but this was the best option.”
Conroy had a taste of a V8 in March when he raced Nathan Pilcher’s Holden Commodore in a low key meeting at his home circuit, Teretonga Park.
At the time he described it as, “an opportunity see if it was a possibility worth pursuing.”
Since then Jamie Conroy Motorsport purchased the Falcon of fellow Southlander Grant Molloy.
After a short test the team has undertaken a massive rebuild of the car followed by a shakedown at Teretonga recently.
The Allied 24/7 Fuel Falcon is a new car and a new challenge for Conroy.
He added Pukekohe is a track he has never raced on before so he faces a huge learning curve this weekend.
“Pukekohe is a track I have always wanted to race on. It is a prestigious track and it is pretty cool. I’ve got a lot to learn about the car and the track but we will be heads down, concentrating on doing our own thing this weekend. We will definitely be aiming for the top spot at both Pukekohe and in the championship overall but this is definitely something different.”
Conroy is appreciative of the many supporters who are backing his NZ Touring Car campaign.
The opening round of the championship at Pukekohe this weekend is the first round of six in the championship.
NZ TOURING CARS – 2016/2017 SEASON
Round 1: Pukekohe Park Raceway – November 4 to 6
Round 2: Taupo Motorsport Park – December 10 and 11
Round 3: Ruapuna, Christchurch – January 13 to 15
Round 4: Teretonga Park, Invercargill – January 21 and 22
Round 5: Manfeild Park, Feilding – February 11 and 12
Round 6: Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park – March 11 and 12
