By Matthew HansenSimon Evans has clinched the 2016-'17 BNT NZ Touring Car Championship crown after winning the category's opening race at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park earlier today. It's the 26-year-old's third V8 title in as many years, after he took out the final BNT NZ SuperTourers title in 2014-'15 and the BNT NZ Touring Car Championship in 2015-'16. "I've had some really good races with everyone. With Evans vacating the category at the end of the season, championship honours for next season are wide open. Eyes are now on the next generation of V8 racers to battle for the title, in Evans' absence.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 11, 2017 04:51 UTC