Is there something in the water in New Zealand? For a country with a population well south of five million there’s no shortage of motorsport talent, as the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship is witnessing in 2017. We spoke to Kiwi Supercars legend Greg Murphy and MotorSport New Zealand CEO Brian Budd to find out the key to this success.
While the emergence of three fast Kiwis at the pointy end of the Supercars standings might appear inconsequential, other than as a vehicle for some light-hearted trans-Tasman banter, McLaughlin, Coulthard and van Gisbergen are not the only New Zealanders impressing on the world stage.
When you take a look the success of multiple IndyCar champ Scott Dixon, World Endurance Championship winner Brendon Hartley, Formula E racer and GP2 race winner Mitch Evans, Le Mans 24 Hour winner Earl Bamber, World Rally Championship ace Hayden Paddon and the versatile and Supercars-bound Richie Stanaway, you quickly realise how much New Zealand talent is out there. And those names just scratch the surface.
In a rugby-obsessed nation, motorsport success mostly flies under the radar but the understated achievements of Kiwi racing drivers is steeped in history.
“I think it sort of comes back to the fact that we are a small nation and there is a strong desire to succeed here,” says MotorSport New Zealand CEO Brian Budd.
“I guess we like to beat Aussies but that’s beside the point. We definitely punch above our weight internationally in a whole range of sports and activities and motorsport is one of those. We’ve got a proud motorsport history going back to the days of Denny Hulme, Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon just to mention a few.”
Budd believes many young Kiwis have a go behind the wheel from a young age, which helps aspiring racers develop their skills early on.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October - November 2017 من V8X Supercar Magazine.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October - November 2017 من V8X Supercar Magazine.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
The F1 Legends At The Mountain
The recently departed Sir Stirling Moss is recognised as the best Formula 1 driver never to win the drivers’ world championship, but his illustrious career extended to many other categories, including an often forgotten appearance in the Bathurst 1000 alongside another legend of the sport.
Right On Track: Sprinting Back Into Action
The Virgin Australia Supercars Championship returns with shorter sprint races on the reworked calendar in 2020.
Beyond The Wheel: Racing Virtually
Racing online in the BP Supercars All Stars Eseries was a new experience for me. While there were some carryover traits from racing in real life, there were also some significant differences.
Top 10 Seasons
Top 10 Seasons
The Inside Story: The New Normal
As we prepare for the return of racing, the whole Supercars pitlane is wondering how things will look. And work.
Top 10 (Multi-Car) Crashes
10 mount panorama circuit 2014
TOP 10 MAKES
TOP 10 MAKES
VIRTUAL MOVES
The BP Supercars All Stars Eseries provided some racing during the suspension of the season, paving the way for more regular virtual contests.
VIRTUAL REALITY
The BP Supercars All Stars Eseries has paved the way for Supercars to further embrace virtual racing, opening up an important avenue to attract and engage with new audiences for the category
1960 – 2020 TOP 60 DRIVERS
Who are the greatest drivers in the 60-year history of the Australian Touring Car Championship/Supercars? We rank the top 60 with an emphasis on best championship finishes, race-winning percentage and competitive longevity. Only drivers with top 10 championship finishes were considered, to emphasise championship performances over part-time or endurance campaigns. Also, results from the Bathurst 1000 and other endurance events were only factored in when they were part of the championship.
