Motorsport · V8 Supercars · 2026

Date & time

11 Apr 2026, 02:20

Round

3

Venue

Taupo International Motorsport Park

Location

Broadlands Road, Taupō, New Zealand

The Supercars Championship returns to Taupō International Motorsport Park for the opening race of the historic New Zealand Double Header. The primary challenge for the field is the highly technical 3.32km layout, which features a mix of high-speed sections and tight, abrasive corners that punish rear tire life. The objective for the drivers in this 37-lap sprint is to navigate the notorious Turn 1 bottleneck safely while establishing a rhythm that preserves the "soft" compound tires for a late-race charge. Strategically, the 120km sprint format demands a perfect balance between aggressive qualifying pace and disciplined race management. The goal for championship leader Brodie Kostecki is to leverage his Boost Mobile Pole position to control the tempo from the front and avoid the mid-pack "chaos" that often defines Taupō. The tactical focus for the Red Bull Ampol duo of Broc Feeney and Will Brown is to use a split strategy during the mandatory pit stops to undercut their rivals. With the Jason Richards Trophy on the line, the ultimate goal for the local Kiwi contingent, led by Matthew Payne and Ryan Wood, is to deliver a home-soil victory in front of a sell-out crowd.