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Will be Awesome says Ross

Monday 30 April 2012, 10:43PM

By Little Devil Motorsport

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HAMILTON

The NZV8s concluded the current era of racing formula at the weekend of the ITM400 in Hamilton as they enter a new and exciting period of the new generation format.

It was not only the always exciting Hamilton street race which came to an end over the weekend 20-22nd April but for the NZV8s it is time to also move on.

The end of this season sees the end of the lifespan of the current race cars so when the NZV8s return to the circuit this November it will be with their new generation race cars.

The new cars will have identical chassis but allow the securing of either Holden or Ford panels to maintain the popular brand rivalry and also keep up with production design changes. The cars will have unique engine plants aligned to the chosen brand but share the same six speed sequential gear boxes.

Other brands are being encouraged to come on board such as Nissan for an example who will enter sister series Australian V8 Supercars next season.

The new chassis is designed to cater for interested parties approved by the series.

"It's just going to be awesome, we are all very much looking forward to it." said Ross.

Nick Ross is just one of many veteran NZV8 drivers who have placed orders for one of the new generation cars plus there are many new drivers and teams expected to come on board to compete in Motorsport New Zealand's Premiere Championship in November.

"It should be great and it looks as though there will be quite a few new drivers coming into the series which will be really good for the NZV8s." he said.

This year's ITM400 was the final showing at Hamilton and like the NZV8s sees the closing of an era.

Nick Ross had yet another strong showing competing around the treacherous concrete lined street circuit but was cruelly robbed of an almost certain podium finish in the final race of the weekend.

"In the final race I made it up into second place but Foggy passed me then spun and I was back in second looking good until near the end and the engine died on me in turn two - I was gutted!" said Ross.

The DNF affected his points leaving him with eighth overall for the weekend where he has regularly been inside the top six at the event which has been held in Hamilton over five years.

In race one Ross placed a hard earned sixth place and in race two was forced to start from the pit lane due to a gremlin in the brake system. He was however able to make his way through the pack to once again finish sixth.

"It was probably lucky that we did start from the pits as there was a lot of mayhem in the first lap which we were able to avoid. In the warm up lap there was a noise in the brakes which sounded like metal on metal but it just disappeared after I went into the pit lane." said Ross.

"It's a real shame that we won't be going back to Hamilton it's a great circuit and the chicane is the best corner I have ever had to race through." he said.

The new generation NZV8s have also announced that on top of the six round championship starting late November 2012 they will be taking the cars to Bathurst to compete over the Easter weekend in 2013.

"You can't ask for much more than that." said Ross.

Nick Ross sends out a big thank you once more to all his valuable sponsors who make it possible for the team to compete and a big shout out to GMS Recycling for coming on board especially for the weekend in Hamilton.

Also big thanks to all the team, wives and girlfriends and all those who supported Nick Ross and Concept Motorsport over the season.