Opinion by Shaun Summerfield
The news this week that Motorsport Promotions Limited (MPL) - which to put it in simple terms is the new Motorsport Company(TMC) and the folk that put on the summer series - had made some pretty hefty changes with the resignations of Martin Fine and Kerry Cooper - wasn't a total surprise. The motorsport gossip circles had hinted that something like that was about to happen.
Those blokes were essentially the boss and the go-to guy of the operation - so it was a big move to make - especially with the battle of the V8's still in full flight.
The NZV8 side got a boost when V8 SuperTourer sensei Mark Petch managed to wind up V8 Supercar ‘don’ Tony Cochrane with comments that the Auckland Council should have spent their money on the New Zealand series instead of $10 million to the Aussie championship. While I could see his point - imagine the Wellington Council giving U2, $2 million a year to come and play in the capital, especially knowing that the band would make plenty out of ticket sales.
Regardless, Petch poked the bear and the bear took a swipe, the result being no chance of Giz or Fabian in SuperTourers. Still it would take the combined vocal efforts of Paul Henry and Jim Bolger to slow the SuperTourer train. With Tim Edgell signing up there are - without putting to fine a point on things - no big names left in the NZV8's.
And with Hayden McKenzies new car being reconfigured to run in V8 challenge cup, it leaves a pretty dire looking trio of unfinished cars ready for the first race of the new NZ8’s in three months time…if their Summer does even start then?
Like I've said before here - stop the stupidity…both sides - the SuperTourers are here…they're not perfect - but they are the best touring car class New Zealand has ever had…and a class we can be proud of. I'm sure the NZV8 concept has its merits, and I'd love to see the Toyota Camry in the SuperTourers.
Speaking of Toyota, after years of being treated at times pretty shabbily by the motorsport junta - they're finally getting the respect they deserve - not only were they the shining light of last summer…they might be the only light left on. The V8 Utes and Muscle Cars have signed to race with the SuperTourers - and my gut feeling is that the Suzuki Swifts might not be far behind. It doesn't leave much and remember that the TRS is raced over a compressed five-week season. So whatever way it goes - summer won't be the same again.
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