Winton based NZV8 Touring Car driver Nathan Pilcher heads to the second round of the NZV8 Touring Car Championship at Pukekohe Park Raceway, south of Auckland, this weekend sixth in the TL Championship points.
After an impressive debut at the opening round four weeks ago Pilcher is hoping that some set up and tuning upgrades will make the car even more competitive at Pukekohe to enable him to give class leader and kiwi motor racing icon Craig Baird a bit of a hurry up. Pilcher Racing’s Engineer, Nick Dalgety from Central Performance Limited in Alexandra, and engine builder, Mike Cranstoun from Pro-Tech Engines in Cromwell, are flying north on Wednesday to prep the Pilcher Racing Commodore in readiness for the arrival of the remainder of the team in time for practice which starts on Friday.
Pukekohe is a hard and fast track and as Pilcher says, “you must be 100% committed to get to the top. You only have to be a little bit off and you are a long way to get back on the track.”
Pilcher has quickly settled into this top line series, putting in an impressive performance at the first round at Hampton Downs. He says there is “a good vibe throughout all the drivers with everyone trying to make sure they are able to make it out onto the track and have some good, competitive racing.”
After Pukekohe the series heads to the South Island for back to back meetings at Mike Pero Motorsport Park at Ruapuna near Christchurch and then at Teretonga Park in Invercargill the following weekend in January. Pilcher says the team is banking tyres for these meetings to ensure they can excel at home. Pilcher is the only South Islander doing the entire championship this season.
Penrite Oil, Forklifts NZ Ltd and The Classic Car Warehouse have thrown their support behind the 25 year-old and he is extremely grateful for their support. However the hunt for more sponsorship continues and he has some innovative ideas on returning benefits to those sponsors.
