New Zealand V8 race driver Kayne Scott has officially committed to the new V8SuperTourer race series which will begin in February next year. ‘

Scott, from Hamilton, and the Racing Projects team of Nigel Barclay, based in Penrose, Auckland, will join in a VE Holden Commodore. He joins a growing list of Kiwi racing talent in the new series that now includes Greg Murphy, John McIntyre, Paul Manuell and Andy Booth. The inclusion of these top level drivers has allowed the V8SuperTourer Series organisers to label it the ‘V8 Series Of Champions’.

The new cars will be four door touring cars built on a control race chassis powered by an all-alloy, 7-litre fuel injected engine producing 550 horsepower. The cars will feature a 6-speed sequential gearbox.

Scott had a chance to drive the series prototype at Hampton Downs last month (read news) and is excited at its potential. “While I haven’t had much time at the wheel of the new car it is an exciting prospect. The finish of the car is superb and, from a brief taste in the wet at Hampton Downs recently, I am looking forward to getting to grips with a machine that compares favourably to a V8 Supercar.”

Racing Projects manager Nigel Barclay is equally enthusiastic. “They are pretty cool cars. They look good, sound good and look as though they will be nice to work on. I’m looking forward to getting up and running.”

Scott won NZV8 titles in the 2005/06 and 2008/09 seasons and was close to securing a third title last season only to be cruelly robbed after a minute engine discrepancy was discovered prior to the final round. In addition he is a five-time New Zealand TraNZam Champion and has raced V8 Supercars in Australia and Transam saloons in the United States.

The V8SuperTourer Series will kick off at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park midway between Auckland and Hamilton over the weekend of 17-19 February next year. Seven rounds are scheduled with the final due to be held in October 2012.