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Mitch Evans to make NZ SuperTourers debut

30 January, 2015

Single-seater racing star in one of Europe’s top categories Mitch Evans, will be making his ‘tin top’ racing debut in an NZ SuperTourer at the Rush Security Waikato 250 NZ Motor Cup at Hampton Downs over January 31–February 1, 2015.

As the younger brother of the current NZ SuperTourer points leader, Simon Evans, Mitch is excited to get behind the wheel of something so different to what he’s used to.

“I’m just out there to have fun and see how I go. I’ve never raced a touring car before, so no doubt I’ll have to learn a few things along the way,” Evans says.

Mitch took Simon’s Smeg Commodore for a test spin a few weeks back, impressing Simon with his grip on SuperTourer racing.

“On old tyres, he actually put down some pretty reasonable times. I hope he’ll go good. Just not too good! I’ve got a championship to try and win!” Simon says.

If you want to see Mitch in action, you can get an adult weekend pass for $50, otherwise Saturday will cost you $30, and Sunday will cost $40. Discounts for students (under 18 with ID) and senior citizens are available. Kids under 13 are able to get in for free.

 

“Gotcha!’’ The continuing tale of a Nissan/Datsun tragic – part two

8 May, 2026

In 1996, I was on a mission to buy a suitable pavement scorcher and visited the now-defunct Manukau City Car Fair. Unbelievably, among the sea of four-door utilitarian Japanese compacts was the absolute jewel in the crown, my automobile wet dream — a 1985 two-door R30 RS Nissan Skyline FJ20 Turbo five-speed manual in nice condition. The owner wanted $10,000 — a great deal.
But what did I do? I bailed out, paralysed by indecision. The money would have been a stretch, but it was the worst automotive choice I ever made. Instead, I went for a rusty Toyota Sprinter 8 Valve Twin Cam Coupé, which was pretty terminal from the get-go. I know. We’ve all done it, but there was really no excuse for passing up the Skyline, and I was haunted by that for years.

Last Tango in the Fast Lane

30 April, 2026

In the mid ’80s, I locked into a serious Nissan/Datsun performance obsession. It could have kicked off with my ’82 Datsun Sunny, though this would have been a bit of a stretch of the imagination, given its normally aspirated 1.2-litre motor — not the sort of thing to unleash radical road warrior dreams. But it did plant a seed, and it was a sweet little machine and surprisingly quick, in contrast to all the diabolical English offerings I had endured.
I was living in South Auckland at the time and was an unrepentant petrolhead. Motor racing was my drug of choice, and I followed the scene slavishly. Saloon car racing, with the arrival of the international Group A formula, was having a serious renaissance here and in Australia and Europe. There was suddenly an exotic air in local racing that had been absent for 15 years.
I was transfixed by this new frontier of motor racing that had hit our tracks in 1985–87 and the new array of machinery on display. In 1986, the Nissan Skyline RS DR30 made a blinding impression on me. The Australian Fred Gibson-run, Peter Jackson-sponsored team of George Fury and Glenn Seton were the fastest crew of the 1986 Australian Touring Car Championship. But Kiwi legend Robbie Francevic snuck through to win the Aussie Championship in his Volvo 240T after a strong start and consistent finishes.