Launching in 1999 as a team in New Zealand’s unique 2.0-Litre Touring Car Championship, David John’s Team Kiwi Racing took on the near-dominant BMW factory squad, but a year later it made the jump across the ditch to contest the burgeoning V8 Supercars.
After breaking the BMW dominance in 1999, with Jason Richards and Angus Fogg spearheading the attack then doing the same in 2000, John fulfilled his promise to the duo by entering the Bathurst 1000 in a Holden VT Commodore.
Difficult conditions greeted the team in what was a wet 2000 Bathurst 1000 as Richards and Fogg finished a commendable 16th.
The arrival of Team Kiwi Racing came at a time V8 Supercars was targeting further involvement in New Zealand and this culminated with the maiden points paying round at Pukekohe in 2001.
Initially entering two Commodores for Richards and Fogg in the opening two rounds, focus was placed on just one for the remainder of the season. It was decided to continue with Richards and results continued to improve into 2002 when the team just missed a Bathurst top 10.
Richards elected to join the newly formed Tasman Motorsport, the experienced Craig Baird was installed as driver of the sole entry, but it proved a largely disappointing season running in the now older VX Commodore.
Baird scored pole at Winton in 2004 as the team made progress to be featuring more often in the top 10 as Mark Porter joined for Bathurst though this ended in retirement.
Next, the decision was made for the team to link itself with an established team in Paul Morris Motorsport and Paul Radisich was recruited to drive the VZ Commodore. This combination got the best out of Team Kiwi Racing as Radisich finished 14th in the championship, achieving a best result of third at the V8 Supercars’ only visit to Shanghai.
Also, the team scored a top 10 result at Bathurst as both PMM Commodores carried Team Kiwi Racing liveries. The regular entry was driven by John Faulkner and Alan Gurr to 10th place, as Radisich paired with Morris.
The relationship continued in 2006 as Radisich remained, but a severe crash at Bathurst put an early end to his season. Missing the Gold Coast round as repairs were completed, Craig Baird, Chris Pither and Tony Evangelou each raced the final rounds.
There was large changes for Team Kiwi Racing as it changed manufacturer by linking up with Ford Performance Racing, but this partnership ended mid-year. Radisich was out and Team Kiwi Racing split from TKR to form an alliance with Stone Brothers Racing. This association led to Shane van Gisbergen making his debut at Oran Park and hence the beginning of his rise.
For 2008, Kayne Scott made the jump from the Development Series for the first eight rounds as Pither, Steve Owen, Fahad Al Musalam and Daniel Gaunt all shared the seat during the second half of the season.
A return to PMM followed for 2009, but bankruptcy proceedings against John led to an uncertain future and after two rounds running Dean Fiore its licence was taken by V8 Supercars. It was Fiore, who purchased the licence forming Triple F Racing.
Just like it did with van Gisbergen, Pither and Gaunt in the past, Team Kiwi Racing stuck to domestic racing by supporting rising New Zealand stars.
It did announce a planned Bathurst Wildcard in 2019, but was cancelled due to financial difficulties.