Super V8 Series calendar announced for 2023

A new V8 racing series will be hitting North Island racing circuits next year in the form of the Super V8 sprint race Series, organised by V8 Touring Cars category manager Gary Lathrope of GR8 Events.

Headed by NZ Touring Cars, the series is open to a wide range of naturally aspirated V8-powered race cars, including V8 Saloon cars, TA2 and SCCA Tranzam specification cars. It’s hoped that up to nine TA2 cars will be on the grid this season. However, the bulk of the grid will consist of souped-up V8 Supertourers, such as Tim Edgell’s 800 BHP Albany ITM Commodore and the ex-Simon Evans similar car.

The TA2 category has been slowly gaining in popularity since Paul Manuell began importing the cars into New Zealand over the last three years.

There are at least five TA2s now in the country, each featuring the same 6.2-litre LS3 engines making 525BHP with silhouette bodies in the shape of either a Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, or Dodge Challenger.

Across the ditch in Australia, there are now more than 100 TA2, their popularity leading to grid sizes in excess of 30 cars on average. The NZ $200,000 cost of a new TA2 car is thought to be the main reason why sales have been slower than first anticipated; however, the new Super V8 Series may help to accelerate their growth here in New Zealand, as they are comparatively lower cost to run than any other V8 category.

The Series begins at Taupo International Motorsport Park between January 21 and 22, 2023 and will run for five rounds until May of that year.

Two rounds will be held at Pukekohe Park Raceway in March, becoming one of the final series to race at the circuit before it closes the following month.

While New Zealand won’t get a Supercars round next year, we’ll still get to see a Chevy versus Ford fight of sorts in the new Super V8 Series.

2023 Super V8 Series schedule:

_{Main image: Neville Bailey}