New name for BNT V8 SuperTourers

8 September, 2014

 


The series formerly known as ‘BNT V8 SuperTourers’ has been officially rebranded as ‘BNT NZ SuperTourers’.

“The series needed a much stronger identity so we are very pleased with the new look and feel,” says CEO Ray Noonan.

Though the name change has raised concerns that the series plans to move away from V8 engines, the team behind NZ SuperTourers has been quick to assure fans that this is not the case. While the V8s are undeniably the car of choice for the New Zealand racing industry, NZ SuperTourer cars are built to take any engine and showcase the best of New Zealand’s considerable driving talent — hence the new name.

The rebranding announcement comes just three weeks before the new series begins with the Rush Security Taupo 400, featuring racing icons Greg Murphy and Shane van Gisbergen alongside New Zealand Champions Angus Fogg, John McIntyre and Paul Manuell.

This BNT NZ SuperTourers series covers six iconic New Zealand tracks, commencing at Taupo Motorsport Park, moving to Hampton Downs, Pukekohe, Manfield, Timaru and Ruapuna.


NZ Classic Car magazine, January/February 2025 issue 397, on sale now

Having dominated the world motorcycle championships of the 1960s, Honda had a crucial decision to make in 1969. Would Soichiro Honda heed his engineer’s pivotal advice?
“Very few examples of the early Civic, a car that set Honda onto the path to becoming a giant of the car world, remain road registered in New Zealand.
Retired Tauranga owner of this example, Graham Inglis is thrilled with his classic little Honda Civic, the first of eleven generations built so far by the company. The Civic became a household name.
“It’s quite amazing the number of people who not only wave, but come up to me in the street and tell me how much they like the little Honda and its colour, and then they want to start talking about it. A guy in our vintage car club wants to buy it and he has been pushing me a bit. It’s not for sale,” he laughs.
Graham bought his 1977 Honda Civic from Wellington enthusiast Julian Foster, who was the instigator of its restoration.”

A star in their eyes – 1968 Ford Galaxie 500

“Everyone asks that until they take a closer look,” says its owner today, Brent Harris of Auckland. “They also ask if I’ve done the restoration myself, and I have to tell them no, it is 100 per cent original. It’s the paint listed in the handbook.”
It was the original condition of the car that won Brent over from the moment he first saw it — that and the fact “it just looks stunning”.
Brent had owned a 1968 Mark II Cortina for four years. It was in need of some work and the question arose whether to spend the money or get something different. You don’t get much more divergent than Ford’s different approaches to its markets in the UK and the USA.