Tasman Motorsports Group (TMG) has named current NZ V8 Ute Champion, Andrew Waite, as its co-driver to partner regular steerer Daniel Gaunt in the upcoming V8 SuperTourer endurance races.

TMG Team Principal Steve Horne says Waite (23) had been on his radar for a number of months and is pleased see him join the team.

“Andrew is fast and is a proven winner in everything he’s raced in, with victories in everything from Karts, to the Toyota Racing Series to the V8 Utes, he’s demonstrated that he has all the right attributes,” says Horne.

“The whole team is gelling really well and Andrew will fit in perfectly. We’ll be aiming to get both him and Daniel at least one days full testing before we hit the track for the Fathers Day 400 at Taupo in September.”

Waite boasts an impressive racing CV; New Zealand Kart Champion in 2005, Formula Ford Rookie of the Year 2006/2007 as well as 2nd overall in his debut season and was selected for the New Zealand Motorsport Academy in the same year. He has also achieved wins in the Toyota Racing Series, Australian Formula 3, culminating in taking out the 2011/2012 NZ V8 Ute Championship winning 6 out of 7 rounds with 10 race wins.

Waite says he’s excited to be part of TMG’s V8 SuperTourer endurance campaign and is the next logical step in his career.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to join Steve Horne and the Tasman Motorsports Group team. Every young racer knows who Steve is and what he has achieved overseas, and which drivers he has helped in their careers, to get some experience in this kind of environment is fantastic,” says Waite.

“I’ve heard and seen so much about these cars this year, and these next three events are going to be massive. I can’t wait until we get to Taupo.”

TMG’s regular driver Daniel Gaunt says he’s excited in the lead up to the three enduro rounds and the announcement of his co-driver.

“I think we’ll be strong in the three enduro’s, the team and car is good, and now having a more than capable co-driver like Andrew who has a great attitude, we have all the ingredients for a good result.”