The scene has been set for a thrilling weekend of action in the NextGen New Zealand Championship season opener, presented by Repco, at Taupo International Motorsport Park following a busy day of free practices on Friday.
Over 150 cars across six categories and seven grids took to the track, showcasing an impressive array of machines, from GT3 and GT4 cars, including McLarens, Mercedes, and Porsches, to Mazda RX8s, the all-new Toyota GR86s, and Super V8s, among others.
The highly anticipated Bridgestone GR86 Championship hit the track for the first time, with CareVets Racing’s Hugo Allan establishing himself as the man to beat by topping all three practice sessions. Chris White, the reigning Mazda Racing Series champion, showed he’s a quick study and finished second in two of the three sessions, while Australia’s Cooper Barnes kept the pressure high, challenging Allan in the other.
The one-make Nexen Tyre New Zealand Mazda Racing Series also promises excellent on-track entertainment and close competition. Sam Dashfield topped Practice 1 before Mac Templeton lowered the benchmark in Practice 2 and doubled down in the day’s final run. With just 0.048 seconds separating the pair, two days of action-packed racing is on the cards.
A total of 55 competitors, spread across two diverse grids, comprise the ever-impressive GTRNZ field. Glenn Smith was a standout performer, setting the day’s fastest lap across all competitors, a 1:27.013, in his McLaren 650S.
The front of the field remained highly competitive, with a broad range of vehicles, including Cameron Jones’ Mazda RX7, Brady Wild’s Holden Commodore, and Kerry Jones’ Chevrolet Corvette, breaking the 90-second lap time.
On the GTRNZ 3/4 grid, noteworthy performances came from Kruz Scott (Honda Civic) and Ben Van Der Werff (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8) who topped a session each.
The Pirelli Porsche New Zealand Race Championship boasted one of the most diverse grids of Porsche models seen in recent years, featuring everything from Boxsters, Caymans, and 944s to the latest 991s, 992s, and more. Steve Brooks drove his 992 to the fastest times of both sessions on Friday, but the battle for second was fiercely contested.
In Practice 1, Nicholas Cutfield pushed his 996 Porsche alongside Steven Sullivan’s and Daniel Angus’s 991s, just four-tenths of a second separating the trio. Robert Dong joined the fray in Practice 2 in his 991, further tightening the competition. Positions two through six were separated by less than a second, promising an incredibly close and thrilling battle for the podium.
The Summerset GT New Zealand Championship also made its 2024/25 track debut, presenting an exceptional field of high-performance machines. Rick Armstrong topped two sessions and Sam Fillmore the other, both behind the wheel of Porsche 992s. The competition at the front remains incredibly tight, with a grid of world-renowned manufacturers, including McLaren, Mercedes, and Toyota, joining Porsche in a contest for supremacy across two classes.
The NextGen New Zealand Championship action intensifies on Saturday, with eight qualifying sessions preceding the first of 21 races over two days.
Off-track, fans are treated to a range of attractions, including food trucks, the Rock FM Pit Walk, and Taupo’s renowned karting track, making for a well-rounded experience for a full day at the track.
For those unable to attend in person, a live stream will be available on the Stuff SpeedHub platform, beginning at 12:30 pm on Saturday.
With a packed schedule and some of the country’s best drivers on display, the NextGen New Zealand Championship promises an unforgettable weekend of racing.
Tickets are still available, allowing fans to experience the excitement firsthand.
