Kiwi drivers begin 50 day countdown to ITM Taupō Super400
All five Kiwi Supercars drivers in NZ promoting inaugural ITM Taupō Super400
50 days until on-track action in Taupō begins April 19-21
Taupō round will be first Supercars event in NZ since 2022
Will also be first ever event at Taupō International Motorsport Park
The five New Zealand-born drivers of the Repco Supercars Championship were in New Zealand today as the countdown to the inaugural ITM Taupō Super400 hits 50 days.
Supercars’ long-awaited return to New Zealand will be realised April 19-21 at Taupō International Motorsport Park, the championship’s first event in Taupō.
With NZ legends Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin having moved to the USA, the door is open for a new Kiwi hero to emerge for the passionate home fanbase.
Brad Jones Racing teammates Andre Heimgartner and Jaxon Evans spoke to media this morning about their excitement for the upcoming event.
Rookie Evans, who suffered a burned foot in his debut for Brad Jones Racing over the weekend, said he can’t wait to race in front of fans in just seven weeks’ time.
“It's exciting to not only be a Kiwi in the Supercars Championship, but to have a home race,” the SCT Logistics driver said.
“Very close to some of my family's home is exciting and I think it's going to be a great event. It's just awesome that we have the opportunity to come back to New Zealand.”
Evans also opened up on his debut as a full-time driver in the Supercars Championship last weekend, that brought a 20th and 21st placed finish from his opening two races.
“It's been a pretty smooth transition so far," Evans added.
“I mean, being based overseas for the last five years, it's been exciting. I've been to some of the coolest tracks in the world, but, you know, to be a little bit closer to home, friends and family is super exciting.
"I'm really looking forward to just trying to find my feet here, get comfortable and really settle into the role that I've taken as a main game driver here in the Supercars Championship and obviously excited to be racing in New Zealand."
On his first Supercars event in New Zealand, Evans said: “I've always been watching from afar. It's quite difficult with the time zone differences and things like that.
“But you know, always seeing how hyped up and how big the New Zealand events are, not only New Zealand events, but obviously the Australian ones.
“I think that the crowd really gets behind it, and I'm excited to be part of that show, and especially have some home support, so I think it'll be great.”
The BJR teammates were joined by reigning Repco Bathurst 1000 winner Richie Stanaway and 21-year old teammate and 2023 Adelaide 500 winner Matt Payne, as well as Wellington rookie Ryan Wood of Walkinshaw Andretti United.
The quintet headed to Taupō today to survey the track and take in some of Taupō’s favourite tourism hot spots.
From there, Stanaway and Payne will travel to Mount Maunganui for a public event on Friday celebrating Stanaway’s return home with the coveted Peter Brock Trophy in tow.
Supercars will provide further coverage and media during the trip.
The ITM Taupō Super400 takes place April 19-21. Demand for the event is already high, with even additional grandstand and corporate hospitality selling out. General admission tickets remain available via Supercars.com and Ticketek NZ.
Coverage of the ITM Taupō Super400 can be found on Sky Sport in NZ and Foxtel and Kayo in Australia.
