After surprising many drivers with his success racing a modified Hillman Imp, Tauranga’s Reece Killingback has unfinished business in the Independent Race Classes this season.
Despite missing the first meeting in the NZGT ‘all-comers’ class last season he still managed to claim  second spot on the table after six races.

Reece Killingback, with family Leanna, Brodie, 12, and Jamie, 8, Kelly.  Photo by Tracy Hardy. 

“We were happy with taking second, but this year we’ve decided to do all the rounds and hopefully we can go one step higher.”
The Imp took out the season opener at Taupo during Labour Weekend, then narrowly missed a repeat at the latest round, taking second place at Pukekohe’s three-race event, holding a strong lead in the series.
With the next event not until January 4-5 (in Taupo), you might expect Reece to be furiously tweaking the car in the workshop, but he reckons the Imp rarely needs extra work.

“It’s literally jump in, turn the key, go racing, bring it home, put it in the shed.”
Despite its consistent performance, Reece says the 1965 Imp – which has been raced since 1989 – is getting old and safety is becoming more of a concern as he races it “at its limit” at speeds of 240 km/h.
“If we can take out the title, we are planning to retire the car, let it go out on a high note.”

Reece is already building another car he plans to race in the same series – but is keeping details under wraps.
“Again, we’re thinking outside the square like we did with the imp. Something that nobody else has done and hopefully it will be successful.”
Reece is referring to clever modifications he made to the Imp, installing the engine, trans-axle and wiring loom from a 1998 Subaru WRX Sti – giving the light car a great power-to-weight ratio which allows it to go from 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds.
Reece thanks all of his supporters and sponsors, particularly Stadium Cars, saying he couldn’t compete without their help.