Dunlop Series driver Cameron Waters will return to the NZ SuperTourer Series at the Rush Security Taupo 400 later this month, joining Ford driver Mitch Cunninghan.

Waters has also been confirmed to link with Cunningham at the Waikato 400 at Hampton Downs and Fuchs 500 at Pukekohe in November.

The three enduros open the 2014/2015 season, the first time the newly renamed NZ SuperTourers have held a championship across two calendar years since its inception in 2012.

It marks the beginning of a busy schedule for Waters who is listed to co-drive with Jack Perkins in the Jeld-Wen Falcon across the Pirtek Enduro Cup V8 Supercars events starting at Sandown this weekend.

“He’s raced in the BNT NZ SuperTourers before, with Simon McLennan, so he’s got that valuable experience,” Cunningham said of Waters.

“He knows the tracks we’re going to race on, and he knows the car. He goes good so I’m happy to have him in the car.”

Cunningham will also have the experienced Craig Russell as his engineer for the fresh season which opens at the Taupo shared driver meeting.

“Craig has worked with Cameron in the Dunlop V8 series and he recommended that we sign him up,” he said.

“We’ve stripped the car down and dropped some weight off it. If you can just save 25kg, that can make a difference.

“We’re going to test the car this week but unfortunately Cameron can’t be there because he’s getting ready for the Sandown 500 at the weekend.”

Waters’ V8 Supercars co-driver Jack Perkins will also be on the SuperTourers grid, driving alongside reigning champion Greg Murphy.