Tasman Motorsports Group (TMG) driver Andrew Waite will make his V8 SuperTourer sprint series debut at Round 3 of the championship at Pukekohe, May 25-26, driving the Valvoline Ford.

For the 2013 BNT V8 SuperTourer season, TMG team principal Steve Horne elected to retain both of his 2012 enduro drivers, Daniel Gaunt and Andrew Waite, splitting the four 2013 sprint rounds between the two drivers, with the pair to partner in the enduros later this year.

Daniel Gaunt piloted the car in the first two rounds of 2013, collecting some solid results for the team, including two wins and a second placing.

“We expected Daniel Gaunt to be on the pace and challenging for wins, he’s done that for the team and helped us to develop our race package,” says Horne.

“Andrew did three races with us last year and did everything we asked of him. At some events he was lapping just as fast as seasoned veterans like Greg Murphy, he has quickly demonstrated he is a capable and talented driver and deserves to be in V8 SuperTourers.”

“We think the endurance race component of the championship is quite important, hence why we are electing to give Andrew extra miles in the car so he will be fully up to speed which we think will be an advantage over the rest of the field.”

“Andrew has been an integral part of the team so far in 2013, and has been instrumental in interacting with our partners and sponsors and learning everything that goes along with being a driver in a professional team.”

“He already knows how to win, and with the right support and mentoring behind him, we expect him to do well at Pukekohe.”

Waite has been a critical component of the team so far in 2013, attending rounds one and two, sitting in on all team debrief and engineering discussions and says he’s ready to step up and continue the form shown by Gaunt in the opening rounds.

“I think attending all the races so far this year, and learning more about the car will be a big help at Pukekohe. The car is considerably more developed than our 2012 package, and having driven it a couple of times this year already, the car is in the right window as far as set-up goes,” says Waite.

“I’ve raced at the ‘new-look’ Pukekohe circuit and I really enjoyed the new changes that have been made, I think it has added even more character to the circuit and has created a lot more racing.”

“Daniel and I got a podium there at the end of last year, now going solo, I’ve set myself some personal goals, and I’m 100 per cent focussed on achieving them.”

The Tasman Motorsports Group Valvoline Ford is supported by IVECO Trucks, Autotrader.co.nz and Midas.

Round 3 of the 2013 BNT V8 SuperTourers Championship will be held at Pukekohe, May 25/26. Tickets are available fromwww.v8st.co.nz