Cameron McConville has confirmed that he will compete in the 2012 V8 SuperTourers Championship.
The Walkinshaw Racing endurance driver has signed with MPC Motorsport to steer a Holden Commodore VE.
The team is expected to field two cars, although the second entry has not been confirmed.
McConville is pleased to have the deal locked away.
“On paper, it looks like an exciting new championship, and it seems to be creating a lot of interest, even back here in Australia,” McConville told Speedcafe.com.
“I'm delighted to be able to do another championship and try and have a crack at it.
“Troy (Russell) and the MPC guys run a pretty impressive show, so I'm looking forward to representing Australia.”
The V8 SuperTourers class is a new V8-powered control formula, set to debut at Hampton Downs in February.
The contracted teams will compete in four sprint rounds before three two-driver endurance races.
None of the V8 SuperTourers rounds clash with Australian V8 Supercars events.
McConville has not raced in a New Zealand race series before but he isn't letting that fact worry him.
“I haven't been to any of the circuits before, but it usually only takes one session to learn a new track,” he said.
“When we first go to the venues, the likes of (Greg) Murphy, (Craig) Bairdo and Johnny McIntyre will have an advantage, no doubt. They have a lot of experience.
“For me, I've driven this style of car a lot, so it won't take too long to get used to the car – it will be about getting dialled into the track.
“I don't have any preconceived aims for the championship, other than being competitive. I'd like to be in the top three as the season progresses, but I certainly don't expect to go out and smack everyone and win the first race.”
McConville says that his priority will remain with Walkinshaw Racing for the endurance races, plus the possibility of a continued V8 Utes program.
“My priory is with Walkinshaw Racing, but this is an ideal way to not interfere with that,” McConville said.
“The racing is done off-shore, there's no date clashes and the cars are very similar to what we race here so I think it will only help my preparations for the Sandown and Bathurst endures.”
Team co-owner Troy Russell hopes that McConville's presence in his team will push them towards the front.
“It's good to have an experienced driver, and good to have someone who has a tie-up with Holden,” Russell said.
“Now we want to go over there and show the Kiwis how to do it!
“We certainly want to go run up the front. Cam has the experience, he has a profile and he's not going to put it in the fence.
“Next year's field will be tough, but Cam has proved in the enduros that he can run with the best in the field.”
MPC Motorsport is owned by Lee Burley, Russell and Paul Ceprnich.
MPC's cars will be based in New Zealand, with one full-time staffer overseeing the operation. His Melbourne-based team will fly over to New Zealand before each round to prepare the cars.