Owner and driver, Ross Thurston started competing in motorsport in 1981. His national achievements are: 1989/90 New Zealand Saloon Car Championship 0-1300cc class second overall; 1990/91 New Zealand Saloon Car Championship 1300-1600cc first in class; 1996-99 New Zealand Rally Championship and a B-seeded competitor. Ross started racing speedway from 2000-2003, with a second place finish in the 2002 New Zealand Superstock Championship in Gisborne. He was first in the 0-2000cc class in the 2004/5 New Zealand Production Car Championship and first overall in the championship’s 2005/6 season, in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8. Ross is a Motorsport New Zealand steward and a former drivers’ standards observer for the NZV8s from 2007-2011.
Ross Thurston - 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 GT1
Owner and driver, Ross Thurston started competing in motorsport in 1981. His national achievements are: 1989/90 New Zealand Saloon Car Championship 0-1300cc class second overall; 1990/91 New Zealand Saloon Car Championship 1300-1600cc first in class; 1996-99 New Zealand Rally Championship and a B-seeded competitor. Ross started racing speedway from 2000-2003, with a second place finish in the 2002 New Zealand Superstock Championship in Gisborne. He was first in the 0-2000cc class in the 2004/5 New Zealand Production Car Championship and first overall in the championship’s 2005/6 season, in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8. Ross is a Motorsport New Zealand steward and a former drivers’ standards observer for the NZV8s from 2007-2011.
1996 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 GT1:
This Evo 4 RS was imported by Ross in 2007 to be used as a fun car. The end result got a little out of control after its three-year build time! The car weighs 1170kgs with a 2.3 stroked engine producing 575hp, a Holset turbo, Modena 6-speed sequential transmission, 365mm front rotors with Alcon 6 pot calipers plus 4 pot rear calipers – all controlled through a floor-mounted pedalbox. The Mitsubishi also has Nitron 3-way adjustable shocks and 18 x9.5″ lightweight wheels. It has raced at Manfeild, Taupo and the Hamilton Street Race, where it won in the wet.