While “42” is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything, it appears the answer to the question of how you encourage more people into motor racing is far more obvious; make it more affordable.
Which is exactly what the newly-formed New Zealand Racing Drivers’ League has done and, as a result, has attracted more than 100 new motorsport license-holders into the sport.
The new 2K Cup category has been the primary contributor to that, with the Historic Racing Club – the organisation behind the series – holding special ‘meet and greet’ and licensing evenings to cater for demand. The League’s new rotary class, the RRE, has also created new license holders and the Honda Cup has also seen its ranks swell with around ten new racers. A full 46 car 2K Cup grid is guaranteed at Hampton Downs, with the Honda Cup expecting to field 25 cars and the RRE around 16.
The 2K Cup category is limited to warranted and registered standard road cars with minimal modifications and a retail value of less than $2,000. It is looking like it will be a fantastic series and you can check it out by clicking here.
In addition to the new license holders, the League estimates that around 15 new race cars are being or have been created for classes outside of 2K Cup that will run predominantly in the League.
“When we added up the new entrants to motorsport that have come on stream to run in one of the categories we are developing, the figures were pretty amazing,” explained NZRDL co-organiser Chris Watson.
“Work goes on behind the scenes in motorsport all of the time and is largely forgotten about, but these figures represent a real achievement for those doing that work. We want all of the new guys and girls to have a great time on the lower rungs of the motorsport and then move on to other categories and other series. Promoting motorsport and making it fashionable again is part of what the League is all about.”
