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Supercars in love with terrific Taupo

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: April 24, 2024

Wherever followed Pukekohe as the New Zealand replacement had big shoes to fill, but Taupo made a massive impression at the first time of asking.

A claimed three-day attendance of 67,411 fans ventured to Taupo for the first Supercars round in New Zealand since 2022 and maiden ever at the 3.32km circuit.

Despite heavy rain making life tough on Saturday, the die-hard fans braved the elements and were rewarded with some memorable racing on both days as Andre Heimgartner took an emotional win on the Saturday and Triple Eight teammates Will Brown and Broc Feeney battled hard in the finale.

The event started in style with a special Track to Town activation where all 24 cars drove from Taupō International Motorsport Park to Te Atea – Tapuaeharuru, Roberts Street in downtown Taupō.

At the event thousands of fans got to see the Camaros and Mustangs up close plus the drivers in an autograph session.

Sunday race winner Brown was in awe of the welcoming.

“This is crazy. It’s hard to explain to people how many people have turned up here to support us,” he said.

“On the drive all the way, there were people on the side of the road, it made it really fun, it made

Supercars CEO Shane Howard was overwhelmed with the support the championship received returning to Aotearoa.

“This has been an incredible weekend for Supercars,” he said.

“The overwhelming response to the event and the warm reception from the Taupo community, that began with thousands of fans lining the streets to welcome all 24 Supercars to Taupō with the first ever full field Track to Town will be etched into Supercars history.

“The whole event has been a success because of the incredible support of our fans here in New Zealand, and those who made the journey to Taupō for this weekend’s momentous event.

“We are immensely grateful to the Taupō community, Taupō Council, the New Zealand Government, our fans, volunteers, sponsors and broadcasters for their incredible welcome and support.

“Supercars extends its heartfelt gratitude to the fans, partners, teams, drivers, and everyone involved in making the ITM Taupō Super400 an unforgettable success.”  

Drivers and teams alike also loved the reception and challenge of Taupo.

“It has been a spectacular event and great success,” DJR’s David Noble said.

“The way the NZ fans have got behind this event has been a breathe of fresh air for someone not part of this sport coming in.

“It has been unbeilable so Tony, the government and all supporters should be congratulated.”

“It was a fantastic weekend here in New Zealand,” Chaz Mostert said.

“Maybe not on the results point of view but from the fan turnout with sold out tickets on Saturday and Sunday, as the locals say, that is pretty choice.

““This track is awesome, it was my first time coming here and I’m looking forward to coming back. Next year we definitely need to have a double header here in New Zealand.”

“Great to be back in New Zealand,” Team 18’s Mark Winterbottom said.

“The crowd here and the way they get behind the event is huge. 

“It was a really tough track, like with all the surface changes and corners flowing to each other, high degradation.”

Image: Peter Norton EPIC Sports Photography

Taupo Super400 schedule (all times AEST)

Friday, April 19

Practice: 1: C. Mostert 1:26.4937 2: M. Payne +0.0318 3: W. Davison +0.0508

Saturday, April 20

Qualifying Race 7: 1: M. Payne 1:27.9684 2: A. De Pasquale +0.0940 3: C. Mostert +0.1669

Top 10 Shootout: 1: C. Waters 1:34.7415 2: W. Brown +0.5011 3: A. Heimgartner +0.5374

Race 7 (60 laps): 1: A. Heimgartner 2: W. Davison +1.1012 3: A. De Pasquale +2.5641

Sunday, April 21

Qualifying Race 8: 1: A. De Pasquale 2: C. Mostert +0.0272 3: W. Brown +0.0292 

Top 10 Shootout: 1: M. Payne 1:26.8173 2: B. Feeney +0.0126 3: B. Kostecki +0.0306

Race 8 (60 laps): 1: W. Brown 2: B. Feeney +3.3585 3: A. De Pasquale +14.2612

Don’t forget the latest issue of the free digital version of Auto Action is out now!

Or subscribe to the print edition here or at selected outlets. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.

Podcast: We’re going to Taupo… Tow Paw… Whatever. Supercars is back!

After a break that feels like months, the Supercars Championship is back and headed across the ditch to Taupo in the middle of the North Island. And yes, Brodie Kostecki will be there! As will the rain.

Somehow, the rain will also be in China for F1’s return to 中国. Philip Island was stunning on the weekend, just gone, if a little cold, but we chatted about whether Supercars should return to the land of penguins.

Plus, there’s more… all the news in the way only the Auto Action RevLimiter can deliver.

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

    

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