New winner, new leader, Supra shock: Five bold Taupō Supercars predictions

The 2026 Repco Supercars Championship bursts back into life in New Zealand, which for the first time, will host two championship events on as many weekends for the first time.

Already, we've seen 10 different drivers on the podium, three different winners, and six different pole sitters. Add to that, four different championship leaders.

The Super 440 format returns, giving drivers and teams extra headaches to try and find speed in sprint and refuelling races, and with two tyre compounds. Add to the mix the aggressive driving standards, and there's a recipe for drama.

Supercars.com lists five bold predictions for this weekend's ITM Taupō Super 440.

Kai breaks through

After a standout rookie season, Kai Allen had a fast car underneath him at the Grand Prix, and was unlucky to miss the podium after being caught up in the mid-pack. If he qualifies well in Taupō, it's time for Kai to grab his first Supercars race win.

Super Supra

The Toyota package made a big leap forward in the Melbourne sprints, headlined by Ryan Wood's brilliant podium in the second race. Taupō offers a different challenge, with its stop-start nature replacing Melbourne's sweeping sections. If the progress continues, we're tipping a shock Toyota win.

Heimgartner takes JR Trophy lead to Christchurch

Off the back of the above, few know Taupō better than Andre Heimgartner, who won the 2024 opener and nearly took out the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy. Should all hell break loose across the weekend, we're tipping the fast Kiwi to emerge atop the standings heading to Christchurch.

Waters takes the points lead

After four drivers traded the points lead across the opening seven races, we're tipping another to reach the top. Cam Waters has finished no worse than sixth this year, and has kept his nose clean to score big points. If he can somehow get one over Brodie Kostecki, we're tipping Waters to take the orange numbers.

Reynolds' 500th to savour

David Reynolds celebrates his 500th Supercars race in the Taupō finale, and while a win is a tall order — in fact, no driver has won their 500th race — we're tipping him to break through for his first Team 18 podium on the milestone stage.

The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of Supercars, teams or drivers.