Supercars are back on New Zealand soil today with a double dose of racing action at Taupō International Motorsport Park, and there’s plenty for fans to get excited about.
The ITM Taupō Super440 shifts into gear with not one, but two 120-kilometre races this Saturday. And with different tyre compounds being used in each race, strategy could be the name of the game.
Race 8 of the 2025 Repco Supercars Championship gets underway at 12:50 p.m. NZST, followed by another 37-lap battle at 4:05 p.m. But it’s not just about the schedule—it’s about what’s hitting the tarmac.
In a twist that’s sure to spice things up, teams will be running the Dunlop Soft tyre exclusively in the first race, then switching over to the Dunlop Super Soft for the second. That change in compound could seriously shake up the results.
Why? Because the Soft and Super Soft tyres behave very differently out on track. What works for one car setup might not gel with the other, meaning drivers who are quick in Race 1 might find themselves chasing pace later in the day. Teams won’t even get a proper feel for the Super Softs until the Boost Mobile Qualifying session on Saturday morning.
That qualifying run kicks off today’s on-track action at 10:25 a.m. and sets the grid for both races—crucial for anyone hoping to capitalise early.
Local fans have reason to cheer already. Kiwi stars Andre Heimgartner from Auckland and Ryan Wood of Wellington made a statement on Friday, topping the two practice sessions. It's early days, but that speed could translate into a serious home-track advantage.
As the Supercars circus sets up shop for its annual NZ stopover, all eyes are on Taupō. With tyre strategies at play and Kiwis leading the charge, it’s shaping up to be a big day of racing.
