MotorNews.co.nz2:25pm 8 September 2012
Opinion by Shaun Summerfield via 3 News
With court proceedings marching on – and that’s despite signs of a thaw – the battle between NZV8s and the SuperTourers continues.
I’ll admit that I’ve almost forgotten what this fight is about. But, essentially, the bust up came about because the bulk of the NZV8 racers and teams weren’t happy with the direction their class was going.
There was a combination of factors and, let’s be honest, large egos on both sides of the argument. A new NZV8 was already in the planning, which seems to be the heart of this court case. The question being: is the SuperTourer what the NZV8 was planned to be?
But judging by comments from the NZV8s, their key ingredient is the ‘DNA’ of the racecars. Let’s not get all ‘CSI’ though, they are referring to the engine being sourced from the same car makers who produce the badge.
This is, of course, a departure from the rules, which allowed Paul Manuell to run a Ford engine in his Holden over recent seasons.
Still it’s a noble – if slightly cosmetic – gesture. I’ve never seen a V8-powered Toyota Camry.
Less noble are the actions of Motorsport New Zealand – who instead of taking the high ground here, have picked sides. But let’s be honest, as the major shareholder of the V8s’ promotions company they didn’t have much choice.
This was a perfect chance for the national body to prove their worth to the thousands of participants…and hundreds of thousands of fans – who in my mind anyway – are the heart of motorsport.
Comments made by Motorsport NZ president Shayne Harris on Radio Sport, complaining that the V8 SuperTourers have had all the News coverage on TV3 and the NZV8s none, were doubly shameful. Shameful because of Mr Harris’ position as the leader of our sport, and shameful because they didn’t tell the whole story.
For the record, I told the NZV8 bosses in March that as soon as I had a list of names and teams from them – and preferably a couple of finished cars – I would report it. It’s September and I’m still waiting.
A calendar has been announced for the new NZV8 season. Unfortunately, I wasn’t sent that release. I’ve been removed from Motorsport NZ’s approved press list…
The messenger has been shot. Still, I’m proud to wear the scar of that metaphorical bullet wound.
I did notice however, that both V8Utes and Suzuki Swifts are included in the list of support classes on the official NZV8 website. Although if you click on those classes you’ll find yourself on a page announcing them racing with SuperTourers.
Good luck in court!
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Lets face it motorsport nz has imploded.
Our little patch of the world is not big enough for two series. Even in the good old USA. OZ etc could not handle the splits in each race series.. or even when there was super league. The cream will always rise to the top. So if you have the stars. Then the series will survive. Un fortnatley for NZV8s they have no stars!
NZV8 series could be a great feeder series. For the up and coming stars of the future.
well lets just hope the sooner they sort thimgs out the better for us race fans,but i think there is more to it now than wew think,with the suzukis and utes jumping camp as well.
all i can say is sort it out quickly ,and lets go racing
NZ Motorsport has taken the low road. SuperTourers announced their intentions a long time ago. I remember my excitement when Sean Summerfield first announced the new class because it was exactly what I had been saying tintop racing had been needing for several years. 8 car fields were the proof of it.
Instead of getting behind what was obviously going to be a roaring success, NZ Motorsport is relying on litigation and bad sportsmanship to cripple a competitor. When was the last time you someone standing proudly on the podium, receiving the accolades of the masses because they got there on a technicality?
They money behind Suzuki Swifts has gone to Super Tourers. NZ Motorsport say they are the governing body and hold the rights to the titles. Punters just want to see good racing. Drivers just want to race the best. No one cares if NZ Motorsport have the shiny trophies.
AVESCO got where it is by parting ways with the official governing body of the time, FIA. They haven’t looked back since.
I enjoyed hearing Shaun’s opinion about the NZV8s/SuperTourers on Gillette Motorsport yesterday. I wouldn’t describe myself as a huge Ford or Holden fan, but I love what I’ve seen from the V8 SuperTourers so far. Fast, top quality race cars, close (but unpredictable) racing, great driver personalities, and well organised events. That sounds like a formula for success to me.
If it takes a court case to sort this out then so be it, Motorsport NZ should hang their heads in shame that it took so long for them to update their class in what took from I can see a little over a year to generate the super tourers! The so called new NZ V8 looks half as good and more like a patch up of an old model, here’s what NZ Motorsport public want in a weekends racing:
Super tourers, swifts, Toyota racing series, then definitely the formula 5000s and maybe pre 65s! Every one loves a mustang Vs an anglia! Promoters outside of Motorsport NZ such as Barry Thomlinson in the Toyota series is the only thing that’s kept Motorsport in NZ running how it should have. Put the guys who have a prooven track record in charge!
It seenms to me that there is a good case to fire all the management of Motorsport NZ for bringing the sport into disrepute. Too much of the”little man in the white coat”attitude on show.
As a follower of NZ motorsport for over 50 years all I want is for those involved to put their ego’s to one side, and make a positive move to settle this debacle.
Im sure there is good points on all sides,I am informed that there are tens of thousands of dollars worth of cars out there that have no classes to compete in.
The Super Tourers are all GM powered and have had gearbox and cooling problems (very hush hush) and from what I have seen the races are not much more than a procession after 3 or 4 laps similar to the V8 supercars.
WE WANT RACES not follow the leader tours of the track.
So please settle this bloody argument and get on with racing.
Col Ray.
Being also a long time fan, Col, I agree with you.
I sometimes think the S.T. races are too long. And from what I saw at the first Ruapuna round it apeared passing was difficult unless someone made a mistake and this led to the processions we saw. For this reason I didn’t attend the latest event here (Ruapuna) but recorded it.
It came accross well on tv but I understand a little boreing at the track.
The other thing that concerns me is the importing of foreign/Ozy drivers for the endurance races! I would have thought for a uniquely NZ class it would have been nice to support some of the local drivers, and give the fans some local talant to root for.
However I do basically like the concept and give those that run/organize the class much credit for what they’re doing!
PK.
Does Motorsport NZ have to bite all the way through the skin to realise its chewing on a lemon. From what I hear they have 3 new v8s and maybe 2 or 3 old ones. Wow that going to be exciting!!! My question is who is paying the cost for this argument they continue to fight? My guess its all members of all classes out of our fees. Motorsport NZ newsletter say nzv8 entrants are filling up fast but details and confirmation of numbers are always as they say (to be released in coming weeks) Seems nothing has changed in the so called shake up of those running the show we are still being misled and our money is still being wasted!!! Enough is enough!!! Motorsport NZ give it up! You are starting to make Motorsport in NZ look like a joke!!!