Taupō to welcome Supercars back to NZ

Tony Quinn purchases Taupo Motorsport Park - Image: Supplied

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 21 August 2023

Supercars will make its return to racing in New Zealand next year at Taupō International Motorsport Park.

As first revealed by AUTO ACTION back in April, the twisty Taupō will be Pukekohe’s replacement, with a spot on the calendar locked in for at least the 2024, 2025 and 2026 seasons.

The news will be celebrated by many on both sides of the Tasman after the popular trip to New Zealand has been absent in three of the last four seasons.

Supercars will be back in New Zealand at Taupo.

The trans-Tasman round was not possible in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, while it missed out this year due to the sudden closure of Pukekohe Raceway.

The historic and high-speed venue hosted New Zealand’s first Supercars Championship round in 2001 where home hero Greg Murphy delivered a fitting win.

By 2008 the race moved to the streets of Hamilton, where it remained for another four years before a revamped Pukekohe embraced Supercars once again where the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy was unveiled and won by Jason Bright in 2013.

Now a new chapter will be written at Taupō, which has hosted A1GP between 2006 and 2009, on the venue’s 3.32km International layout.

Supercars CEO Shane Howard was delighted to announce the news as the announcement arrives after months of discussions with the New Zealand Government, which has confirmed the event’s return via the Major Events Fund.

Greg Murphy leads Mark Skaife on his way to winning the first ever championship race at
Pukekohe Park Raceway in 2001.

“We are honoured to receive the New Zealand Major Events and Taupō District Council’s endorsement for the Supercars Championship’s return in 2024,” Howards said.

“A key priority for Supercars has been the Championship’s return to New Zealand and its passionate fan base.

“This support is a great step forward in ensuring we can begin a new chapter of racing at the world-class circuit in Taupō.”

The only New Zealand based circuit other than Pukekohe to host a Supercars Championship round is Hamilton which held a street race from 2008 to 2012. Photo: Mark Horsburgh / LAT Photographic

With the 2024 calendar still a work in progress, a date has not been confirmed, but Howard hinted at an early season slot around April, which was when Pukekohe and Hamilton hosted the race from 2004 and 2014.

“With the support and the availability of Taupō International Motorsport Park, Supercars is now focused on identifying a suitable date for the event in 2024,” he said

“The championship looks forward to collaborating closely with all stakeholders, series partners and fans, to ensure the successful return of the Supercars Championship to New Zealand.

“We can’t wait to get over to New Zealand to celebrate with our dedicated fans this major announcement for the Championship.”

Shane van Gisbegren leads the Supercars field through Turn 1 last year at the final race at the famous Pukekohe. Photo by Mark Horsburgh / LAT Images

For the last two years Taupo has been kept in the familiar hands of Tony Quinn, who cannot wait to see Supercars race on his North Island based circuit, which boasts a three-story pit complex.

“It’s fitting that Supercars is coming back to NZ and hats off to everyone who has made it happen,” he said.

“The kiwis are going to love the excitement of it all. While some people might be surprised that it’s at our Taupō Track, we think it’s a winning combination – the track will provide excellent racing, the consents are all in place, Taupō and their community have a proven track record in hosting world-class events, and we know that Supercars knows how to make the magic happen.

“Since purchasing the park at the end of 2021, we’ve been full steam ahead bringing it up to “TQ” standard and it’s special for our organisation to be part of the team making Supercars a reality back in NZ, in one of the most stunning regions in the country.

Taupo’s track map.

“I’ve no doubt that the Aussies that make the trip over to NZ are going to be well impressed with the Taupō region and all it has to offer and will go home and spread the good word!”

With Kiwis Shane Van Gisbergen, Andre Heimgartner and Matt Payne all performing, there will be plenty of excitement for New Zealand fans to see Supercars on their turf once again and missing out this year.

Turn up the volume and enjoy the Auto Action Rev Limiter podcast

This week Nascar was the focus with SVG and Brodie Kostecki making their way to the Indy road course, while Rodney Jane let some loose on the Thunderdome at Calder, while we also preview The Bend as the Supercars silly season hots up.

Listen to our latest podcast episode on your podcast app of choice or here on Apple Podcasts.

For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION

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Taupō to welcome Supercars back to NZ

The historic and high-speed venue hosted New Zealand’s first Supercars Championship round in 2001 where home hero Greg Murphy delivered a fitting win.

Supercars CEO Shane Howard was delighted to announce the news as the announcement arrives after months of discussions with the New Zealand Government, which has confirmed the event’s return via the Major Events Fund.

With the 2024 calendar still a work in progress, a date has not been confirmed, but Howard hinted at an early season slot around April, which was when Pukekohe and Hamilton hosted the race from 2004 and 2014.

For the last two years Taupo has been kept in the familiar hands of Tony Quinn, who cannot wait to see Supercars race on his North Island based circuit, which boasts a three-story pit complex.

“Since purchasing the park at the end of 2021, we’ve been full steam ahead bringing it up to “TQ” standard and it’s special for our organisation to be part of the team making Supercars a reality back in NZ, in one of the most stunning regions in the country.

Turn up the volume and enjoy the Auto Action Rev Limiter podcast

This week Nascar was the focus with SVG and Brodie Kostecki making their way to the Indy road course, while Rodney Jane let some loose on the Thunderdome at Calder, while we also preview The Bend as the Supercars silly season hots up.

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