The New Zealand SuperTourer series could have its first female driver with Australian Renee Gracie completing a successful test session at Hampton Downs.

The 20-year-old was one of several drivers from across the Tasman to get a taste of the Kiwi experience yesterday.

Having just completed two seasons in the Australian Porsche Carrera Cup championship, Gracie is moving onto the V8 Supercar Dunlop Development series in Australia and is looking to campaign a car in NZ SuperTourers as well, eager to lap up as much racing experience as possible.

“We’re working towards getting on the NZ SuperTourer grid in 2015,” Gracie said.

“When I chose to enter the Dunlop series I decided that NZ SuperTourers was also something I wanted to do, mainly because it gives me twice as much racing in a season. The aim is to learn as much as I can.”

Gracie was happy with how her day went and the feel of the new car.

“They’re quite sporty and Porsche-like to drive. You have to be smooth with the throttle. They’re light and don’t feel as heavy as a V8 Supercar, they seem more nimble. I really enjoyed it.”

Former Australian V8 Ute champion Marcus Zukanovich who also campaigns a FPR Ford Falcon in the Australian Dunlop Series felt it wasn’t too dissimilar to his regular ride in Australia.

“I really enjoyed it and managed to do around 40 laps. One of the biggest differences is the torque of the engine and managing the throttle. Tyre grip was also really good, and would only get better as you learn more about where the limits are,” says Zukanovich.

“It was a great experience, the circuit was fantastic, the car’s a great concept, and I’d love to get over here and race in it, possibly the enduro’s later in 2015.”

Current V8 Ute champion on both sides of the Tasman, Kris Walton hopes to compete in the class in the near future.

“It was my first ever go in a V8 powered touring car, and it is very different to a V8 Ute, in fact there are no similarities. You have to drive it so differently, but is a fantastic car to drive, everything is better.” says Walton.

“Sure you have more power, but it’s very manageable as you have more grip and better brakes to go with it, they are an awesome car.”

“I’m only going to race a V8 Ute in the Australian series this year, it’s all pretty open at the moment with racing here in NZ. I’d like to think we’ll try and do a couple of rounds in the SuperTourers.”

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The next round of the championship is at Hampton Downs starting January 30.