Nurburgring 2010

2009 was the 4th consecutive year Kiwi Team Nurburgring had made the journey up to the Eiffel range in Germany, thousands of kilometres from our homes in New Zealand. This year was the biggest event to date for KTN with the most people involved in the team, and having made the step up from two cars to three with the addition of the Audi RS4 to the team.

After having impressive outcomes to the previous 3 assaults on The Green Hell with class wins each year, there was definitely some expectations of another class win, and now also the possibility of a class win in a quicker class with the RS4 and a team of very talented drivers. The RS4 this year was lead out on the track by Tim Martin, followed by one of New Zealand's most recognised drivers Andy Booth. Along with Tim and Andy, Stu Owers and Lewis Scott returned for another year.

The 2 workhorse Honda Type R's were back on the track again this year after another beautiful rebuild by Lodge Auto Centre under the watchful eye of Richard Field. This year the crew for one vehicle was Dr Greg Taylor, Brian McGovern, Ali Taylor and Jeff Lowery. The other Honda was driven by Dean Cockerton, Mark Corbett, Rod Hicks and Brent Greer.

After some quick qualifying times and 5 hours worth of practice sessions, the teams begun the race with the usual nerves and excitement. The rain came and went early in the race and the teams were pleased to not see it come back. The cars started from the back of the grid, which was find considering half the battle is to simply finish the race. Brian McGovern, Tim Martin and Dean Cockerton all receiving the start honours.

Racing was fierce throughout the day and got in to a rhythm as night fell. In the early hours of Sunday morning disaster struck the RS4 and put a piston through the block. The vehicle limped home and Gotz Motorsport got quickly to work to replace a full engine and get back on the track. It was a big scare for the whole team, but to everyone's delight we were still in the race.

Following on from the winning tradition the team managed to place second in both of the classes we entered which was a great result all round. Bring on 2010!

Audi RS4 #11

Andy Booth

One of the most recognised and experienced names in NZ Motorsport, Andy Booth has an enviable track record of success including European open wheel racing, Indy Lights in America and NZ Grand Prix.

Now one of the stalwarts of the hugely successful NZV8 Championship Andy was the series’ first back to back champion (‘04/’05) and in 7 seasons has consistently placed in the top 4 in the standings.

With a hard earned reputation as an attacking ‘no holds barred’ driver on the race track merging perfectly with a highly professional and approachable motorsport businessman off it Andy has quickly become one of the most marketable personalities in domestic motorsport.

Tim Martin

Porsche GT3 Cup Champion Tim Martin has a proven track record of success at The Nurburgring.  Three starts with Kiwi Team Nurburgring have netted three trips to the podium, including a class win in 2006. 

Tim jumped straight from Karts to a Porsche GT3 Cup car at age 20 in 2003, and has highlights including winning the 2007-08 996 category of the Porsche GT3 Cup.  Following his first season driving a Porsche, Tim’s talent was identified with his selection as one of six circuit racing drivers to take part in Motorsport New Zealand’s Elite Motorsport Academy.

Day to day, Tim works for Downforce Auto Events, as well as Auckland based International Motorsport, New Zealand’s largest racing team.  He is also a keen mountain biker and skier.

Stu Owers

Stuart’s first circuit race was in a standard production Ford in the Mid Atlantic Road Racing Series in the eastern region of the United States.  He has since accumulated a record of winning endurance races, an endurance series, a NZ Porsche Series Championship, and many titles in sprint series and class championships. 

As well as working in top level management for a major car manufacturer, he has drawn on his experience to become an accomplished motoring journalist, TV presenter and previously, an owner of a successful motorsport supply business.  Stuart returns for his third stint at the ‘ring for 2009 having won his class in both starts in 2007 and 2008.

Lewis Scott

Wellington racer Lewis Scott is at home on gravel in a rally car, just as much as he is on a circuit.  Specialising in endurance races in New Zealand, Lewis excelled in his first attempt at the Nurburgring, as part of the class winning car of 2008.

Lewis has also competed at the forefront of Rallying in New Zealand for many years, in all manner of highly powered rally cars.

Honda Civic Type R #192

Dr Greg Taylor

Owner of the Kiwi Team Nürburgring team, Dr Gregory Taylor, was introduced to the fascination of the Nürburgring by Wayne Moore, when they drove together in Greg’s Porsche 968 in the Pukekohe six-hour race five years ago.  Since then, Greg has travelled to Germany twice as a spectator for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring race, both in 2004 and 2005 before entering one then two cars in 2006 and 2007.  He was stunned by the event; with over two hundred cars starting the race, and over a quarter of a million spectators present.

Contrasting Greg’s need for speed is his occupation as a leading Auckland cosmetic surgeon, while he also enjoys sailing.

Ali Taylor


Alistair’s introduction to Motorsport eventuated through his father’s passion for racing After a baptism by fire when his first race outings where in a powerful Porsche 964 in the Bridgestone series, he concentrated on half a season of learning to drive a race car in 2006 both in endurance and sprint racing.  He is now a consistent front-runner in the Bridgestone Porsche series.  Alistair competed in the 2008 24 Hours of Nurburgring, putting in a sterling drive in his first hit out at the race.

Alistair is the project manager for Frimley Estate a large residential development company located in the Hawkes Bay.

Brian McGovern

In a short period of time Brian has progressed from winning the Bridgestone Porsche Rookie Trophy to winning and recently successfully defending the Bridgestone Porsche Championship.  Brian was asked by Greg to be the Kiwi Team Nürburgring manager for their inaugural race in 2006.  Now a permanent in the team he once again performs in that role along with taking a coveted driving seat in this years prestigious race.

Brian is a Managing Director of a small company that does underground fuel storage upgrades at service stations around the North Island and also keeps active with regular surfing in NZ and abroad.

Jeff Lowery

Jeff packs an impressive CV racing in the Bridgestone Porsche championship with two finishes in the overall championship of second in class.  After 2 seasons in ‘B’ Class of the Bridgestone Porsche championship, Jeff shifted up a gear and entered ‘A’ Class for the 2007 – 2008 season.  The season went well and he finished 3rd in class.

This 2008 – 2009 season, Jeff is continuing to develop himself and the car and endeavouring to hold his position in a very competitive field.

Jeff and his fellow Bridgestone driver Conal Dempsey are the 2 Directors of a Civil Engineering Contracting Company specialising in Land Development and Infrastructure work in the greater Auckland area.

Honda Civic Type R #193

Mark Corbett

Mark resumed racing in 2001 and quickly fell in love with the endurance aspect. His Honda Civic won him the 1600cc South Island Endurance series title in 2005 and consecutive North Island Endurance title wins in 2005 and 2006.  His best overall result was to place fourth in the North Island series in 2006 among some very powerful opposition – something Mark rates as a highlight.

A long time Honda stalwart, Mark believes the team’s choice of car to be perfect for such a gruelling challenge .  Corbett returns to the same car he won his class in with the team in 2008.

Rod Hicks

Rod Hicks raced at the Nurburgring 24hr as long ago as 1996, entering 6 times, starting 4 and finishing 2. From this time, Rod also competed at circuits such as Spa Francorchamps (including the Spa 24hr), Monza, A-1 Ring in Austria, Donington Park UK, and Mondello Park, Ireland.  Success in these enduro’s  saw Rod and many time co-driver Kevin Bell drive at the Bathurst 1000km in 1998 with the International Motorsport  BMW NZ team, where they finished 10th overall and won the class for the NZ Touring cars.

The frustration of non starts at Nurburgring in 2000 & 2001 through bad car preparation saw Rod concentrate on local NZ endurance racing, contesting races in both  the South & North Island endurance series intermittently from 2002-2007.  The chance to return to the challenge of the Nurburgring with a properly prepared car and a team with a professional approach has seen Rod join KTN for 2009.

Dean Cockerton

If it has four wheels, the chances are that Dean Cockerton has driven it.  Having been behind the wheel of everything from a high powered Formula Holden single seater race car, to a super quick Porsche GT3 Cup Car, Dean Cockerton has tremendous experience as a racing driver.

The Auckland based driver will line up at The ‘Ring for his first start in the world famous 24 Hours of Nurburgring race, but has considerable experience in long distance racing, having competed in a multitude of New Zealand endurance races.

Brent Greer

Brent has been involved in motorsport for the last few years, starting with Intermarque sprints and now the Bridgestone Porsche Championship which he is currently competing in.  Racing is a family event for Brent. He helped his eldest brother, Darryl with his Porsches when Darryl competed in the same Bridgestone Championship.

Brent’s engineering background proved very useful when exhaust systems, roll cages and various other modifications were required. Now days, Brent is in the racing seat with Darryl being mechanic.

The same passion Brent has for racing has rubbed of onto his two young boys, aged 3 and 4 ½, who follow close behind with any excuse to get their hands on a nearby spanner or jack or a ride in the race car, even if it is only on or off the trailer.