Supercars drivers score early Taupō laps

Supercars’ highly-anticipated return to New Zealand is gaining momentum, with drivers cutting laps at Taupō International Motorsport Park.

PremiAir Nulon Racing teammates James Golding and Tim Slade have touched down in New Zealand following last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

Golding and Slade got behind the wheel of a Toyota 86 racer to acquaint themselves with the 3.32km circuit, which hosts next month’s ITM Taupō Super400.

Shell V-Power Racing Team duo Will Davison and Anton De Pasquale, as well as Kiwi Brad Jones Racing rookie Jaxon Evans, also headed to the track on Tuesday.

It comes after the five Kiwi drivers — Matt Payne, Richie Stanaway, Ryan Wood, Andre Heimgartner and Evans — scoped out the circuit earlier this month to celebrate the 50-day countdown.

In January, Shane van Gisbergen and Stanaway's Bathurst-winning Camaro became the first Gen3 Supercar to go around Taupō, at the hands of veteran racer and circuit owner Tony Quinn.

The Taupo circuit is the first new track to debut in Supercars since The Bend Motorsport Park in 2018, and replaces the storied Pukekohe as New Zealand’s home of Supercars.

The 2024 Repco Supercars Championship will resume on April 19-21 in New Zealand, at the ITM Taupō Super400. Fans planning on attending the event are being encouraged to lock in ticketing options.