TraNZam for the new millennium comes with a trans-Tasman snub

Did I miss something, or is this a huge snub? The ‘Gen II’ spec and concept for the BNT NZ V8s released last week displays a fantastic-looking Chev Camaro and – unlike Aussie’s stretch-limo for the Mustang – is designed to accommodate two-door large couple body styles.

But deep in the detail is the single sentence: the build of these new cars has been handed to Aussie’s Pace Innovations.

While Hamilton-based Mitchell Race Xtreme had initially been named as the chassis builder, Pace Innovations will in fact supply the cars as a turnkey package for AUD $230,000 AUD ex works. Plus GST. Plus freight to New Zealand.

Pace is the same company responsible for Supercars’ Car of the Future chassis, the MARC Cars, and the New Zealand V8 SuperTourers which currently run in Class One, the top level of BNT V8s, alongside the Mitchell-built TLX cars from the NZV8s.

Our peso languishes around .90 AUS, so your car will probably edge closer to $260,000 NZD sitting on the wharf here in Auckland, or a little more down south.

Don’t put that Amex away just yet. How many wheels will you need for a season in your new Pace V8GT ZC1? The cars will arrive on Pace’s flow forged 18×11” rims with centre lock spindles, which will take the existing Dunlop tyre.

The cars will race in the NZV8s top class against the current TLX race cars.

The first comments on social media cut right to the heart of the issue: can New Zealand afford this?

Looking at the spec, I think we are in another “Back to the Future” moment. These beasts, running race-tuned LS3 Chev engines, have so much race gear on board they would stand alongside the old TraNZam category at its most spectacular (and expensive).

The biggest difference this time is the use of the single chassis with panels draped to fit and give an impression of diversity on the grid. Other two-door bodies, including but not limited to Mustang- and Challenger-style shapes, are also possible, and there is provision for the use of brand-specific engines which raises issues of parity but exorcises the bug-bear of having the Chev engine in a Ford-branded car explode in a sheet of oil flame and smoke – to the disgust of the former brand.

All cars will use the Albins ST6 six speed sequential transaxle with paddle-shifters.

The new generation cars will compete in Class One but have also been designed to be capable of modification to race in New Zealand’s North and South Island endurance championships and the like.

No sales have yet been announced, although series organisers are currently taking enquiries. In the meantime, have a look at the very comprehensive spec for the new cars:

V8GT ZC1 Technical Specification