FEENEY GOING NAKED IN NZ

The roof, doors and guards are all missing as Broc Feeney makes his open-wheeler racing debut at the NZ Grand Prix at Highlands Park.

His single-seater start is a return to his roots in karting but a sharp turn for a driver who has spent most of his time while racing under a roof.

It also means he is starting from the start at the grand prix, lining up against a field of young chargers and his Triple Eight team mate Will Brown.

"It's literally jumping in at the deep end," Feeney told Race.news

"It's very hard to say what result I'll get. I go racing to win, but this weekend will be a very steep learning experience.

“For me, it’s a cool opportunity. I’d probably kick myself if I didn’t do it."

The grand prix effort came after an approach by team boss Bruin Beasley, who is fielding four cars in the event.

Feeney has also watched Brown run towards the front of the field in the first two rounds of the Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship across the Tasman.

His only advantage is recent experience at Highlands Motorsport Park, the south island circuit owned by T8 part-owner Tony Quinn.

"I've been there three times in the past 12 months, so I know the track. But, to me, the biggest task is learning how to drive the car."

Feeney and Brown will be doing double duty at Highlands, as Triple Eight will unveil the Red Bull livery for its final season of Supercars racing with the Chevrolet Camaro.

But that's not the main event for Feeney, who is focussed on the GP.

"I'm treating it seriously. I'm treating it like a Supercars round."