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I am planning to immigrate to NZ from the US and would like to bring my left hand drive vehicle with me. It is a 2003 VW Golf TDI (diesel). I understand that I would need to qualify under an exception in Factsheet 12. My question is about the requirements for a category C5 exception as a specialist vehicle. The text is as follows:

"Category C5: The vehicle must be a Class MA or Class MC motor vehicle that is used in motor sport competition and is operated in accordance with the conditions of a valid motor sport authority card."

From the MotorSport New Zealand website:
"Conditions of the Authority Card require the following:
The vehicle enters a minimum of two events within the preceding 12 months;
All events are entered in vehicle’s logbook (accurate vehicle history to be maintained);
The person detailed on the Authority Card remains the vehicle owner – once a vehicle is sold, the existing card becomes invalid and the new owner must apply for a card in their name, hence a new application;
Any changes are notified to MotorSport NZ by a new application (LTNZ requirement)."

What types of records of events and history are required for the vehicle? Is an official "vehicle logbook" required as evidence? Since it only specifies that the "conditions" be met and does not specify that a card be obtained, would an "Authority Card" not need to actually be obtained before the car can be registered? If a card is needed, would the requirement only be for the initial registration, or would the card need to be maintained even if events are not participated in any longer?

Thanks for the help.

Sounds like you are trying to find loop holes in the rules rather than compete in motor sports events in NZ.

The exemption is for motorsport vehicles only and your diesel Golf is not a motorsport vehicle in our view and therefore unlikely to be eligible.

NZ is a RHD country and the only LHD exemptions are for specialist vehicles that are not in everyday use.

Our advice would be to sell your VW before emigrating and to purchase a compliant RHD vehicle in NZ.

Thanks for the response. What is it that makes a vehicle a "motorsport" vehicle? My Golf is heavily modified and is used for recreational (not professional) motorsports such as autocross, drag racing, and road racing. Is it still not considered a motorsport vehicle because it was originally manufactured as essentially an economy car?

Fair comment.

I suggest you make contact with MotorSport New Zealnd and let them make the call.