Team Kiwi Racing Back Grass Roots Motorsport Development

MEDIA RELEASE

8th July 2014

TEAM KIWI RACING BACK GRASS ROOTS MOTORSPORT DEVELOPMENT

TEAM KIWI RACING STEP UP DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY SUPPORT

Team Kiwi Racing (TKR) have been committed to supporting the development of kiwi race car drivers for the past 14 years but today’s announcement that the Kiwi team will unveil a new TKR DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY CAR at the CRC Speedshow on 19 & 20 July is one of the most exciting announcements for young Kiwi drivers looking to progress their motorsport careers from domestic to international competition.

“Team Kiwi Racing (TKR) are very proud to announce today that we will be returning to the grass roots level of New Zealand motorsport this year with the supply of a vehicle FREE OF CHARGE through the TKR DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY for the most promising young Kiwi driver selected by the panel made up of key NZ Media, NZ Motorsport, NZ public and Team Kiwi Racing representatives. The Team Kiwi Racing (TKR) Development Academy vehicle is provided to the selected driver to use free of charge for the 2014/15 Championship season, along with the professional guidance and direction both on and off the race track from Team Kiwi Racing (TKR) in an effort to provide an even playing field for all Kiwi drivers to secure this opportunity”, said Team Owner David John.

TKR has been a long-time supporter of giving up and coming Kiwi drivers an opportunity to prove themselves both on the domestic and international motorsport stage for over 14 years with great success and pride.

“Despite seeing the Kiwi drivers TKR has supported over the years do well, I have seen so many young, talented drivers miss out on opportunities to progress their motorsport careers simply because he or she did not have someone behind them to help fund the transition from grass roots motorsport sport into national or international competition. As a result many talented drivers drift away from the sport altogether which is exactly the reason I have agreed to provide the race car and team input free of charge through the Team Kiwi Racing (TKR) Development Academy to the most promising driver selected for this opportunity on a yearly basis starting now. One of the benefits of the opportunity we are offering is the fact that TKR are also able to offer the prospect of a drive with TKR in the Australian Porsche Carrera Cup Championship," said Team Owner David John.

Since TKR was established in 2000 this Kiwi team has achieved many accolades and significant achievements for both TKR as a team and TKR drivers.

This includes TKR winning several Championship titles including back to back championship wins and achieving many first's for a Kiwi based motorsport team. This includes TKR being New Zealand's first ever Kiwi V8 Supercar team to compete in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship.

The TKR drivers list reads as a who’s who of New Zealand motorsport.

Motorsport fans will have to wait until the CRC Speedshow to see the new TKR Development Academy Car up close and personal.

However it can be revealed that the latest addition to the TKR family is a V8 and is in the team's trademark All Black livery with the silver fern proudly integrated into the Kiwi team's new and exciting 2014/15 livery. More information about the car and driver selection process will be revealed at the CRC Speedshow.

Parties interested in pursuing the TKR Development Academy opportunity further should make contact with David John on 021 636877 and or email djohn@teamkiwiracing.co.nz.

TKR’s support of New Zealand’s motorsport talent listed following reads as a who’s who of NZ motorsport.

• Jason Richards, 1st 2.0ltr Touring Car Championship x 2. First TKR V8 Supercar driver. Podium V8 Supercar finish Canberra.

• Angus Fogg, 2nd 2.0ltr Touring Car Championship x 2. Joint first TKR V8 Supercar driver debuting Bathurst 2000 with J.Richards.

• Rhys McKay, L/K 500 Winner.

• Craig Baird, First Pole Position for TKR in the V8 Supercar Championship.

• Mark Porter, 3rd V8 Supercars Development Series.

• Ryan Bailey, 2nd BMW Mini.

• Ben Dallas, 1st BMW Mini.

• Matthew Hamilton, 1st BMW Mini.

• Matthew Gibson, 3rd BMW Mini.

• Craig Innes, 2nd BMW Mini.

• Nick Ross, 5th NZV8 Championship.

• Andy Booth, 1st NZV8 Championship.

• John McIntyre, 3rd NZV8’s. Winner of the L/K 500 Endurance race.

• Daniel Gaunt, Debut V8 Supercars.

• Fabian Coulthard, Bathurst 2006.

• Chris Pither, Debut V8 Supercars.

• Paul Radisich, Podium V8 Supercars China. Top 10 V8 Supercar finishes.

• Kayne Scott, Debut V8 Supercar Championship.

• Andre Heimgartner. Rookie of the year Porsche Carrera Cup Australia. Debut Australian drive.

• Shae Davies. Rookie of the year Porsche Carrera Cup Australia. Debut Australian Carrera Cup drive. Rennsport Festival of Speed winner.

• Adam Gowans, Rennsport Festival of Speed winner and three wins from 3 starts at Bathurst. Australian Porsche Carrera Cup.

“Being a great driver these days is not enough. Attitude is, just as if not more important, in a team environment than just driving ability alone, unless of course you want to pay your own way as a driver for the rest of your racing career. There are plenty of good drivers around but a good driver with a good personality that is happy to work as a team member will always get the nod over a better driver with a poor attitude. The structure of the TKR DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY will ensure all drivers come into the selection process on a far more even playing field with the TKR DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY supplying the vehicle and professional staff/support both on and off the race track free of charge. This will ensure TKR select the best driver with the best attitude to represent the TKR DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY, our sponsors and supporters regardless of their financial position, which can only be good for all involved.” said Team Owner, David John.

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