James Moffat will make his New Zealand V8 SuperTourer debut alongside Scott McLaughlin in the final round of the season at Pukekohe this weekend.
Nissan Motorsport gave Moffat special clearance to share the drive of McLaughlin’s Supercheap Auto-backed Holden at the Mike Pero Pukekohe 500.
Moffat replaces Jonathon Webb, who has been McLaughlin’s co-driver for every V8 SuperTourer endurance race since the series began last year.
“Webby has been flat out and James has been really keen to have a go at it,” team principal Wayne McLaughlin told Speedcafe.com
“James and Scotty are very good mates and he’s always said that if there is ever a chance to have a go at a SuperTourer he’d love to have a go.”
McLaughlin, the defending SuperTourer series champion, has endured a difficult year and is seventh in the points.
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“We are very excited to have James come on board because he is so easy to work with,” McLaughlin Snr said.
“It’s been raining and the forecast is for showers on the weekend so we are knuckling down for a tough time.”
The championship remains in the balance with International Motorsport Ford driver Ant Pedersen leading the points on 3408 ahead of Greg Murphy (Mike Pero Mortgages Holden) on 3318 and Shane van Gisbergen (Koba Batteries Falcon) third on 3037.
The meeting features a 35-lap race on Saturday followed by two 70-lap races on Sunday with refuelling to be introduced for the first time in the series for the longer races.
Teams may also have to decide whether or not to change tyres which has not been a consideration in previous long distance races.
