Competing at Bathurst is a dream for drivers and fans alike, but it’s about to become a reality for Kiwis Ash McConchie, Kristopher Mackie and Jarrod Parmenter who are confirmed to pilot a Mazda RX8 in April’s Bathurst 6 Hour.
The three Mazda Pro8 South Island competitors have teamed up with Australian RX8 Cup stalwarts Ric and Tom Shaw who will loan the Kiwi trio one of their RX8s to compete in.
“It all sort of started as an idea, which we put out to the others and Jarrod and Kristopher both immediately put their hands up and said they were interested,” said McConchie, speaking to Velocity News.
“We found the right guys in Australia in Ric Shaw and Tom Shaw, and they put the offer on the table which was to good to refuse.
“The Shaw’s are supplying everything for us, including pit crew, fuel rig, and spares. For us it’ll be our first foray into [competing internationally].”
The trio will complete two one hour stints each to fill the six hours, correlating with the estimated milage of the RX8 before each pit stop is required.
“The burn rate will last just on one hour for a tank,” states McConchie. “Safety Cars will become irrelevant to us. A Safety Car at 40 minutes won’t help but it’ll be a governed strategy.”
The responsibility of team manager has fallen to fellow Pro8 South Island competitor Simon Wheeler who will have his hands full to effectively manage this strategy.
Wheeler will be apart of a strong contingent heading to Bathurst to support the team. McConchie’s wife and Parmenter’s father are also joiningin hope of witnessing some Kiwi success.
“We’ve had three supportive wives, which is a big thing in this day and age,” said McConchie.
“We’re quietly happy about our chances [but ultimately], all being motorsport fans , we’re going there for the experience and fun. But [we do] feel we have chance to go top of our class.
“We’re just a group of three middle aged race fellas that are out for a good time and are now going international.
“It’s an opportunity for three everyday New Zealander’s to compete there, and shows our class, [and others], it can be done.”
They’ll be competing in a seven-strong Class D field which features another RX8 Cup runner, two Toyota 86’s, a Subaru BRZ TS STI, BMW 125i and Honda Integra Type R.
A massive field of 66 entries have been confirmed for the event, competing across eight classes.
Providing the RX8 to the Kiwis has also reaped reward for both Tom and Ric Shaw, who will take to Highlands in next weekend’s Pro8 South Island Series round in a car provided by the class.
They’re both well accomplished in the racing scene in Australia, Ric the founder of the RX8 Cup and operating as series category manager.
He also established himself as a top runner in the series in past, having 15 race wins to his name, the second most in its history.
His son, Tom , has also experienced success, currently defending champion and leading the series after the first round last week.
“At the end of February we’ll have the two Shaw’s come to race with us at Highlands,” said McConchie. “We’re repaying the favour for them, they said they’d love to race at Highlands.”
Header Image: Supplied [Speed Series]
