Well, there is not exactly a lot us New Zealanders can do this weekend.
So, why not ease the lockdown blues with an action-packed weekend of Kiwis racing overseas.
Scott Dixon’s IndyCar title fight is coming down to the wire, and with four rounds remaining, this weekend’s oval race in Illinois has heightened importance.
Hunter McElrea also joins the IndyCar paddock in the support Indy Pro 2000 series.
Liam Lawson heads to the Nürburgring for the fourth round of the DTM season still on the tail of championship leader Kelvin van der Linde.
Finally, three Kiwis are at Circuit de la Sarthe for the 89th running of the Le Mans 24 Hour.
Here’s your quick guide to it all.
Scott Dixon & Scott McLaughlin
- What: Bommarito Automotive Group 500
- Where: Gateway Motorsports Park, United States
- When: SUN 12.40 pm
- How to follow: Sky Sport
In what is probably the most time-friendly race of the year for Kiwis, this weekend’s race will be critical in the championship race.
Scott Dixon adores this oval.
Since the event was reintroduced on the IndyCar calendar in 2017, Dixon has picked up one win and two podiums.
“You are so on edge the whole lap,” he said.
The Chip Ganassi driver slipped to third in the driver’s standings after a disappointing 17th-place finish in Indianapolis last week.
However, a good result will surge him closer to points leader Alex Palou heading into the final three races.
Meanwhile, Scott McLaughlin makes his race debut at Gateway.
Though he has proven to be a fast learner at ovals, a podium in Texas is a testament to that.
McLaughlin will have one practice session before qualifying and the race, all on the same day, to get up to speed.
Hunter McElrea
- What: Indy Pro 2000
- Where: Gateway Motorsports Park, United States
- When: SUN 7.45 am
- How to follow: YouTube
Hunter McElrea has been out of a race seat since the start of July.
The long summer break has allowed him to re-charge and reflect on a turbulent Indy Pro 2000 season.
After a stretch of misfortune and wrestling with car problems, the Kiwi returned to winning ways at the last round in Mid-Ohio.
A big victory put a new stride in McElrea’s step, and no doubt he is raring to continue that this weekend on the final oval of the year.
He will also be out to make up for last year’s disappointment at Gateway when he finished 11th.
With five races left in the season, McElrea is still mathematically able to clinch the title but needs to start his fightback this weekend.
Liam Lawson
- What: DTM
- Where: Nürburgring, Germany
- When: R1 SAT 11.30 pm | R2 SUN 11.30 pm
- How to follow: Red Bull TV & YouTube
Liam Lawson’s rookie DTM year has been one to acclaim.
He has proved his win in his first race was no fluke with some masterful drives to keep him squarely in title contention.
If he were not wiped out in a lap one crash at Zolder, he would be closer to Kelvin van der Linde in the standings.
Still, Lawson is one of, if not the, best overtakers in the series presently.
So, don’t discount him from a win or podium even if qualifying doesn’t go his way.
Lawson last raced at the Nürburgring in 2018 during his ADAC Formula 4 campaign, where he had a best result of sixth.
Le Mans contingent
- What: Le Mans 24 Hour
- Where: Circuit de la Sarthe, France
- When: SUN 2 am
- How to follow: Sky Sport
If you’re a committed fan, you will watch the entire Le Mans race start to finish.
If you’re more like the rest of us, then the great race generally acts as background noise that you tune into now and then to see where our Kiwis are at.
This year, you will have three to keep an eye on.
Brendon Hartley looks to add a third Le Mans crown to his CV with the No.8 Toyota Hypercar.
The Kiwi qualified a provisional third this morning, and tomorrow will learn where he starts the race after hyperpole.
Another two-time winner, Earl Bamber, is in the closely fought GTE-Pro class.
Bamber narrowly missed out on Hyperpole this morning and will start seventh in class.
Finally, Jaxon Evans makes his Le Mans debut in the GTE-Am category and starts 12th in class.
Three Kiwis and three chances for class wins means this year’s Le Mans is one not to miss.
