Table of contents for No 312 January - February 2025 in NZ Performance Car

Welcome back everyone! Summer’s finally here, and I couldn’t be more keen. By the time this issue hits your hands, it’ll officially mark a full year since I took over as editor — six issues deep already! Time’s flown, and what a ride it’s been, turning my passion into a full-time gig where I get to spin yarns, share your stories, and check out some of the sickest builds around. Honestly, it doesn’t get better than this, and I’m so grateful for it. NZ’s car scene still blows my mind. For such a small country, my inbox is jammed with builds I’ve never seen before — not even on the ’gram. I don’t know what they’re putting in the mince and cheese pies, but the creativity and DIY nature of…

As you’ll see covered later in this issue, there’s a huge Euro scene in NZ. With that in mind, and with support from some key players, 2025 EuroClass will run for the first time at Hampton Downs on 13 April 2025. As with all events, the first one is about getting numbers through the gate, so register if you’re interested and want to see the event grow. All the usual favourites, like cruising, roll racing, and the wet pad, will feature, along with supercar sessions.…

Get ready for the Kumeu Hot Rod Festival, happening 17–19 January 2025 at the Kumeu A & P Showgrounds in Auckland. This is the ultimate weekend for car lovers, with over 1,000 classic cars, hot rods, and vintage gems on display. Whether you’re into collecting, cruising, or just soaking up the vibes, there’s something for everyone — 100+ trade stalls, rare car parts, a rad vintage caravan park, and a Kids Hot Rod Racing event. Plus, you can catch drag racing displays, live music, and all the best food options. It’s the perfect family-friendly event, but get there early for the best deals! Parking’s easy, but if you’re cruising in, head to Gate 6. Tickets are available at the gate, but snag them early online for a sweet deal. Don’t…

JAYDEN COULD ALMOST PULL A K24 IN UNDER HALF AN HOUR, AND HAVE ANOTHER LIGHTER CHASSIS K-SWAPPED WITHIN A WEEK Jayden, Jayden, Jayden — what on earth have you done this time?! Jayden Broad is a name you’ll no doubt be familiar with if you’ve got anything to do with the New Zealand car scene. Notably, you’ll probably know him for hustling K24 engines on Marketplace, 16-inch Japanese wheels, or complete partouts from K24-based vehicles that he’s nicked the engines from. Given the chance, we’re confident that Jayden could almost pull a K24 in under half an hour, and have another lighter chassis K-swapped within a week with that motor if everything was teed up and ready to go. Wanting a challenge this time around, though, Jayden decided to test…

RNR PERFORMANCE - SINCE 2006 If you’ve been to any event recently, chances are the team has made an impact — whether it’s through their strong presence, immaculate attention to detail, or simply being fast and ruthless behind the wheel. Club foundation member Ray explains, “RNR stands for ‘RIP SH*T Up ’N’ ROLL ON OUT!’” “We started up in Weymouth with six of my brothers — Trenze, Mike, Jack, John, Jade, and Fabian. We were just some young kids in the hood who were bored! RNR is now run by a committee with no prez. Rolling since 1997, the RNR family has definitely grown. It’s all about family — LOYALTY, HONOUR, and RESPECT have always been our values!” Let’s meet some of the crew. “LOYALTY, HONOUR, AND RESPECT HAVE ALWAYS…

Growing up sitting in the pits at racetracks around the country, talking car racing at family dinners, and hanging out in his parent’s workshop, Brandon Clarke’s future hobby was never in doubt. The now-26-year-old wouldn’t have it any other way though, and that’s not just because his motorsport-mad family would disown him, but also because it’s what he knows and loves and has now turned into a career path. While he’s a qualified diesel mechanic and energy and chemical plant operator, these days, he’s running his own gig, Thrill Supply Company, as well as slinging parts and being one of the key members of the Choice Events crew. Over the years, he’s been a spotter for former D1NZ Pro-sport champion and current Pro driver Shaun Potroz of SMP Motorsport and…

After being offered the branch manager position at Fenix Radiators in Christchurch back in March, I had to put my photography on hold. With only a couple of months to pack up my life in Auckland after 35 years, it was a whirlwind of preparations for the big move. What started as a short break from shooting ended up being a five-month hiatus, with my camera gear staying tucked away in its bag. Fast forward to September, and after settling into my new life and city, I finally picked up my camera again. It was a great way to jump back in — kicking things off by shooting the cover car and Street Legal feature for issue 311. It’s been so refreshing to have a whole new canvas to work…

Hampton Downs’ club circuit played host to Strayan drift content creator Mez and his Wreck’em brand, which jointly promoted an invite-only drift event with NZPC regulars Fenix Cooling. Featuring 16 invited drifters, plus classic and modern race cars, the laidback day saw fierce competition from top names in the drift game. Four-time National Champ Fanga Dan took the win in the final against Jordan Joyce, with Adam Hedges proving he’s still sharp by claiming third over up-and-coming talent Matty Jae. Gaz Whiter’s Fenix-backed car always turns heads with its unique sound, now sporting a refreshed look for its usual summer appearances — and the odd run to the shop for milk and bread.…

Yep, you read that right — six Supras. Meet Jason Ham, a full-time financial advisor and part-time Supra junkie from Christchurch. He’s got a killer street machine in his garage, and after cycling through Supras left, right, and centre, he’s finally satisfied his cravings with a build that proves to be the perfect all-rounder. But it wasn’t always this way. It all began with a humble Nissan Lucino and a childhood trip to the States, where he first flipped through a car mag and spotted a 300ZX and an MR2. That was the spark that ignited his obsession with Japanese performance cars. After finishing uni, Jason dove straight into the car scene, kicking things off with a B20V-swapped Honda CRX Del Sol. He quickly moved through a Levin GT-Z, a…

The Lexus LBX Morizo RR has officially landed in New Zealand, joining an exclusive club with Australia and Japan. This special model owes its presence here to none other than Akio Toyoda — aka Master Driver Morizo and chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation — who worked alongside Lexus to develop the model. For those unfamiliar, Morizo is the driving force behind Rookie Racing (the ‘RR’ in ‘LBX Morizo RR’), a Japanese team competing in Super Formula, Super GT, and Super Taikyu. The LBX Morizo RR is also his personal favourite Lexus, which says a lot. So, what makes the Morizo RR stand out? It’s a compact SUV with the signature Lexus styling, featuring a sharper front end designed to enhance cooling and aerodynamic efficiency over the hybrid model. Lexus decided…

MOUNT SHOP — H&R SPRINGS Suspension is one of the most important factors in determining your vehicle’s day-to-day drivability. The first step in suspension tuning is to upgrade your vehicle’s stock springs. Upgrading your suspension components will ensure that your vehicle has improved handling and reduced body roll. H&R springs provide superb ride comfort and increased driving convenience. H&R Special Springs are high-quality products — they will not set or sag; they are designed and manufactured to be strong, resilient, and more durable than other automotive coil springs. All H&R springs are crafted from a special (hf) 54SiCr6 spring steel to ensure premium quality and performance. H&R springs are shot-peened to increase their life by more than 200 per cent. All production is completed in-house, so product quality is ensured.…

Lincoln ‘Linc’ Whiddett continues to forge his own strong motorsport identity, having recently travelled to Japan to debut a Mazda MX-5 powered by a six-rotor engine. Imagine that note to your teacher, “Sorry, off driving professionally.” It’s probably only just a bit more believable to most than the dog eating your homework, so rare are these opportunities. The car was expertly assembled by long-time Whiddett collaborator TCPMagic in just five weeks at the Kawato-Sans workshop in the mountain foothills and debuted at Mazda Fan Fest at Okayama. Linc says, “Fresh off the event I am thrilled that I got the chance to take this awesome experience, the event itself was amazing with plenty of sick builds, originals, and restorations. This event gave me experiences money can’t buy like being with…

Ryan Shirtcliffe and his Violent burnout car have joined elite company after winning their way into the Burnout Masters game at the recent Autofest event. The exclusive prize, secured by Downtime Entertainment for the event, was so hotly contested that judges had to review the entire competition before awarding it to Ryan. The car is set to be included in the game when updates are released in 2025, making for a uniquely Kiwi experience. Meremere, including the drag strip and drift track, is also now playable alongside other NZ cars. Definitely one of the best prizes we’ve come across!…

In any given neighbourhood, on any given evening, if you pop your head outside your front door and just listen, you might just hear the sounds of a dedicated Kiwi petrolhead, slaving away over a workbench or under a hoist, crafting their four-wheeled dream. The buzz of grinders, crackle of welding electrodes, and thud of hammers — sometimes punctuated with a bit of spicy vocabulary — are noises that typify the classic shed-built endeavour, a process held close to the car-enthusiasts’ heart among these shores. As long as engine-driven contraptions have been around, Kiwis in sheds have been making ’em go bloody fast, look bloody cool, or both. From the spindly, cobbled-together circuit specials of the 1950s and ’60s, to world-class technological masterpieces like the Britten motorcycle, the spectrum of…

Picture this: a picturesque 11.8ha of Taupō International Motorsport Park sitting there most days, a few rabbits here and there, magpies like a pack of guard dogs, maintenance teams making sure it’s ready for the next big event. On 5 and 6 October, the usually serene Taupō International Motorsport Park was transformed into a haven for petrolheads and speed enthusiasts as Kaspa Transmissions CAR-nival roared to life. The tweeting of birds and passing traffic sounds were replaced by a symphony of revving engines, the crisp Taupō air was swapped for the bitter scent of burning rubber, and the rabbits and magpies were replaced by thousands of automotive fans from across New Zealand. CAR-nival, the grand finale and the only open event on the Choice Events calendar, attracted an incredible array…

AGE: 32//LOCATION: AUCKLAND OCCUPATION: OWNER OF ENHANCED MOTORS BUILD TIME: TEN MONTHS LENGTH OF OWNERSHIP: ONE YEAR, 10 MONTHS NZPC: Hey, Chin. That Civic is one tidy build! Tell us how you got into modifying performance cars in the first place. I grew up playing racing games like Need for Speed, which offered a lot of options for modifying cars and really made me fall in love with them. When I got my full licence at 16, I managed to purchase my first car, a USDM Honda Civic EJ1 coupe, inspired by the Fast & Furious movie. I then started modifying my own car, and later on, other cars in real life. We see you froth your Hondas – tell us why they are your favourite. I have always owned…