The Repco Supercars Championship has officially crossed the ditch, with teams and drivers arriving in New Zealand today ahead of the highly-anticipated ITM Taupō Super400.
Dick Johnson Racing’s Bathurst 1000 winners, Brodie Kostecki and Will Davison, are among the first to touch down as the Supercars community descends on Taupō for what will be the second-ever Supercars event held at the popular central North Island circuit.
After two action-packed rounds in Australia, all eyes are now on Taupō as the third round of the season gets underway. A full field of 24 Supercars and their equipment landed earlier this week, with the bulk of the drivers and team personnel making the trip across the Tasman today.
This weekend’s event will be headlined by two 120km races on Saturday, April 12, followed by a 200km feature race on Sunday. Fans will get their first glimpse of the cars on track on Friday, April 11, with two practice sessions scheduled, including the opening session at 12:10pm local time.
Both Ford drivers, Kostecki and Davison, noted the technical nature of the Taupō layout and flagged learning the circuit as a key challenge this weekend. It’s a timely focus too, as Chevrolet swept the previous round at Melbourne’s Albert Park, adding pressure for the Ford squads to hit back on Kiwi soil.
Davison, a two-time Bathurst 1000 champion, returns to a circuit that has been kind to him in the past. His most recent victory came in New Zealand at the 2022 farewell event for Pukekohe Park Raceway. He also paid tribute to the passion of Kiwi motorsport fans and the unique energy that comes with racing across the Tasman. “There’s a healthy rivalry that always brings out something special when we race in New Zealand,” he said.
For Kostecki, the 2024 season marks a new chapter as he settles into his first year with the Gold Coast-based DJR squad. After two rounds, he sits fifth in the points standings, while Davison is currently 13th. With only the top ten drivers qualifying for the new-look 2025 Finals Series, every result now carries extra weight.
After his strong start to the season, defending Supercars Champion and Red Bull driver Will Brown enters the weekend as the man to beat. Brown, who claimed a race win at Taupō last year, leads the standings by a slender seven-point margin over Ford’s Cam Waters.
The weekend’s qualifying format will see a double dose of Boost Mobile Knockout Qualifying on Saturday to set the grids for Races 8 and 9. Sunday’s action will feature a single qualifying session followed by the fan-favourite Boost Mobile Top Ten Shootout ahead of the 200km race.
Adding to the fanfare, the Supercars will roll into town in style on Thursday with the return of the “Track to Town” event. Thousands of fans lined the streets in 2024, and organisers are expecting another big turnout as New Zealand welcomes the Supercars circus once again.
The ITM Taupō Super400 will be broadcast live on Sky Sport in New Zealand and Foxtel in Australia, with streaming also available on Kayo. Australian fans can also catch highlights on the Seven Network and 7plus.
As teams prepare to tackle the twisty Taupō layout, all eyes will be on which drivers can adapt quickly and make a strong statement. With championship points up for grabs and Finals Series spots already on the radar, this weekend could prove pivotal in shaping the 2025 title race.
