In a landmark move the promoters of the 2023 Super Sprint MotorSport New Zealand Championship have announced the 2024 calendar before the current season has started.
The 2024 summer race series comprises eight events including a return to Christchurch’s Mike Pero Motorsport Park at Ruapuna. The championship calendar will be headlined by the Castrol Toyota Racing Series (featuring the New Zealand Grand Prix) and Toyota 86 Series.
Other categories will contest select rounds including GT New Zealand and D1NZ – New Zealand’s premier drift class.
Part of the motivation for releasing the calendar is creating a cornerstone for the next generation of champions.
“This brings stability to our fans, drivers, stakeholders and venues – where they can plan and know our product of live television and entertainment is secure,” said Brendon White, managing director of the Super Sprint MotorSport New Zealand Championship.
The calendar was announced at the 2023 pre-season meet and greet of teams, category managers and stakeholders, held at the iconic International Motorsports team venue, Grey Lynn, Auckland.
“The work on putting this together, navigating past date clashes and other large events, allows teams like International Motorsport to commit to their customers and in turn make plans and preparations.”
Also confirmed was the venue change for the New Zealand Grand Prix – moving from the North Island location of Hampton Downs to the South Island venue of Highlands Motorsport Park.
“This has been on our radar for a very long time,” said Josie Spillane, Chief Executive Officer of Highlands Motorsport Park.
“It feels like an amazing moment for us to not only have one of our circuits host the Grand Prix but to have it at Highlands. We believe there is so much mana and heritage and privilege being able to run a New Zealand Grand Prix.
“We are very proud to work with Toyota, stakeholders and the Super Sprint MotorSport New Zealand series to hold and deliver such a significant event that has the glitz and glamour this Grand Prix deserves.”
2024 Super Sprint MotorSport New Zealand Championship calendar:
| Round | Venue | Date |
| 1 | Taupo International Motorsport Park | November 24-26, 2023 |
| 2 | Taupo International Motorsport Park | January 19-21, 2024 |
| 3 | Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon | January 26-28, 2024 |
| 4 | Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park | February 2-4, 2024 |
| 5 | Mike Pero Motorsport Park Ruapuna | February 9-11, 2024 |
| 6 | Highlands Motorsport Park | February 16-18, 2024 |
| 7 | Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park | March 15-17, 2024 |
| 8 | Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon | April 19-21, 2024 |
The first round of the 2023 season begins on 13 January at the Highlands Motorsport Park – the first of eight for the new and live televised series.
2023 Super Sprint MotorSport New Zealand Championship calendar:
| Round | Venue | Date |
| 1 | Highlands Motorsport Park | January 13-15 |
| 2 | Teretonga Park Raceway | January 20-22 |
| 3 | Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon | January 27-29 |
| 4 | Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park | February 3-5 |
| 5 | Taupo International Motorsport Park | February 10-12 |
| 6 | Taupo International Motorsport Park | March 17-19 |
| 7 | Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon | April 14-16 |
| 8 | Hampton Downs International Motorsport Park | May 5-7 |
Main image: Bruce Jenkins | Words: Supplied
