The Board of NZV8s has today outlined changes that will make it significantly cheaper and more competitive to race a current schedule TL Holden Commodore in the upcoming NZV8 Gold Star Championship.

The Chev LS3 engine has been approved as a replacement powerplant for the current aging engine. Last season many competitors were frustrated by failing engines as parts became increasingly difficult to source and the costs of maintaining a competitive engine increased.

The option of the LS3 engine will give the Holden a much needed power boost at a fraction of the cost of upgrading an existing engine. The engines which are available as a ready to race package are likely to cost around $10,000 which is a significant saving on building or refreshing a current engine. The engine is the same powerplant as powers the new generation NZV8 Holden Commodore.

The announcement, coming during a series of pre season briefings for current car owners is sure to encourage a number of competitors to come to the party and will also provide the opportunity for a number of car owners currently sitting on cars without an engine package to purchase the LS3 and offer a very reasonably priced car for lease or purchase to a number of new competitors currently considering their options.

“This is a significant step forward for the class” stated Category Manager David Slater, “clearly the Directors of NZV8s want to protect the integrity of this series and offer a real incentive to Holden competitors and fans alike to get in behind the marque”.

“This year’s Championship will be strongly contested in both TL and TLX schedules and we can expect to see some very spirited drives. The ability of the Holdens to access this engine will dramatically improve their performance and we will see even closer racing”, he said.

Following the announcement the details of the technical requirements have been sent to the category technical committee for final approval and release with the Championship articles.

The NZV8s series commences in December and will culminate at the V8 Supercar Round just announced for Pukekohe in April next year.