The Mazda Pro8 New Zealand and Australian RX8 Cup Series are excited to announce a new partnership in 2024 which will see the two categories championship winners win a trans tasman drive prize. This is an fantastic opportunity for all drivers in both well established RX8 series to reach the goal of winning a championship and travel overseas to compete in the sister series.
Ash McConchie from the Pro8 NZ series and owner of RX8 Cup Ric Shaw have teamed up with this exciting plan. The Two have raced in each other’s series previously and share support for the two series. The respective championship winners will get to race overseas Trans Tasman style with a prize of a free race. “The cars are quite similar both running Nankang tyres so the drivers will adapt easily, and new race tracks are always fantastic!” said Ric Shaw. “We have Ash racing with us again at Phillip Island in February in a Ric Shaw Racing car where he will attend our 2023 Presentation awards night.
Earlier this year our 2022 Championship winner Tom Shaw raced with the Pro8 series at Highlands and we started talks on how to aid the drivers in crossing the ditch and race in each series. “Ash said “ Our plan is simple, to aid the drivers in experiencing as much RX8 racing at as many tracks as possible and with the ease of international team support”. Other than the winners prize the drivers from both series can travel during the season and race each other’s cars making the process simple and cost effective, trans tasman driver exchange style.
The 2024 RX8 Cup Series kicks off at the famous Phillip Island February 10/11 and round 3 of the Pro8 NZ series continues at levels raceway January 27/28