Kiwi racer Tim Edgell is to join the V8 SuperTourer Series at the next round with the series twentieth car.

At an official confirmation ceremony this morning at the CRC Speedshow event at the ASB Showgrounds, the Auckland-based Edgell Performance Racing Team confirmed their order for the twentieth V8 SuperTourer – a Holden Commodore V8ST – and plan to debut the car at the forthcoming Fathers’ Day 400 event at Taupo on September 1 and 2.

Edgell was 2003-2004 New Zealand Formula Ford Champion, and won his first NZV8 race in 2010 at Manfeild. He ran in NZV8s for five seasons in the Chesters-backed team, with a best series result of third in 2011-2012.

“Driving the prototype proved to me what a well-balanced and exciting racing car the V8 SuperTourer is,” said Edgell on the V8 SuperTourer stand at the CRC yesterday when acting CEO Didier Debae (pictured with Tim) – made the announcement.

“Aside from the equipment, I can’t wait to be racing in the high level of competition V8ST provides. It’s going to be awesome for the team too and we’re just counting down the days to Taupo. We can also confirm that our principal sponsors Chesters, BNT Automotive and Fuchs are continuing their support of our team as we make this exciting move to V8 SuperTourers.”

Edgell’s move to the V8 SuperTourer championship follows that of one of his principal rivals over the past two seasons, Angus Fogg, and sees him join a grid of the quickest and most successful drivers in V8 racing in New Zealand.

The season opening field of sixteen cars in V8 SuperTourers grew to 18 at the last sprint round at Hampton Downs with the addition of Fogg’s Holden Commodore and the Ford Falcon of Tasman Racing’s Daniel Gaunt. M2’s Simon McLennan (Ford) will join Edgell Performance Racing as series debutants in Taupo bring thew field to a 20 cars and a whopping 40 top-line drivers.

Details of Edgell’s co-driver for the enduros will be announced later.