Anticipation builds ahead of first official test

The countdown is on for the first official test of the V8 SuperTourers at Hampton Downs this Friday with V8 SuperTourers attracting more interest than any racing series in New Zealand for years.

All of the teams will be at the test and it will be a final opportunity to get some serious running on the cars before the following weekend's inaugural V8 SuperTourer race meeting (February 17,18 and 19).

Cars have been appearing all week in the build up to the test. Eddie Bell (pictured) revealed his absolutely sensational Independent Fisheries Ford Falcon v8 SuperTourer this week and enjoyed a trouble free day of running at Ruapuna, whilst Andy Booth will reveal a brand new livery and his 2012 sponsors at the official test.

The test will also see multiple South African champion Gary Formato test the sister SuperCheap auto car of hot shot Scott McLaughlin.

Initial shakedown runs at Hampton Downs had Andre Heimgartner putting in very competitive times and he is hoping to pick up from where he left off and be at the sharp end of the times once again. Making his first acquaintance with the v8 SuperTourer will be Kiwi favourite Jonny Reid in the second International Motorsport car alongside Ant Pederson.

Entry to the test day is free for the general public and SuperTourer action blasts off at 11am with the first of two, two hour sessions. The second will commence at 2.00pm.