Pedersen/Reid complete NZ SuperTourer field

A 13 car field will tackle the opening round of the 2014/15 NZ SuperTourer season at the Rush Security Taupo 400 this weekend.

The line-up includes 11 drivers that will use the event as a warm-up for next month’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Heading the entry are defending SuperTourer series winner Greg Murphy and co-driver Jack Perkins, who again pair up for M3 Racing amid their respective V8 Supercars duties with the factory Holden Racing Team and Ford Performance Racing outfits.

All 11 V8 Supercars drivers have prior SuperTourer experience, including local hero Shane van Gisbergen, who returns to the class for the first time in almost 12 months, pairing with Simon Evans.

The International Motorsport Ford of Ant Pedersen/Jonny Reid is the final addition to the entry, with Reid filling the seat held last year by Chaz Mostert.

“It’s never going to be easy but I’m really excited to be back driving,” said Reid, who drove with the Ford outfit full-time in 2012 before pairing with Evans for last year’s endurance events.

“It’s going to be good fun. I love the Taupo circuit and I’ve got a lot of experience there.”

The Ford of Shaun Varney and John Penny joins the grid for Taupo, which is two cars short of that seen at the Sprint Series season finale in April.

The SuperTourers will undertake three races throughout the weekend, with a 30 lap Saturday afternoon heat followed by a pair of 46 lap encounters on Sunday.

The UDC V8 Ute, Toyota Finance TR-86, Castrol BMW and new new SsangYong Actyon classes make up the support action.