New Zealand racing talent Hunter Robb is gearing up for his first race of the year in the Australian IRC Racing Series, taking the wheel of an IRC SD car this weekend at The Bend Motorsport Park.
The Kiwi driver will share driving duties with Australian Carrera Cup winner Harri Jones in what promises to be an action-packed introduction to the series.
Making his debut in an IRC car, Robb will tackle the high-powered, purpose-built IRC SD model, a V8-powered machine designed for driver development and professional stepping stones.
“I’m feeling pretty excited,” Robb said ahead of the weekend.
“It will be my first race weekend for the year, which is a bit crazy considering it’s March. But it is all in preparation for my campaign in the Sprint Challenge.”
The car offers no traction control or ABS, in stark contrast to the GT cars in the field, placing full control firmly in the driver’s hands. Unlike Porsche GT models with paddle shifters, Robb’s car features a right-hand sequential stick shift, delivering a raw and demanding driving experience.
The similarities between the IRC SD machine and the Porsche machinery Robb is preparing to race later this year played a major role in his decision to contest the event.
“Mainly, the similarities between the cars,” Robb explained.
“Even though I’m on the other side of the car, it’s a sequential shifter, so I have to manually blip the throttle, and the rolling starts. The IRC car is on a very similar Michelin tyre, and the driving style is similar too. The warming-up process stays the same, and lap times are very close. Neither has traction control nor ABS. So I guess overall the similarities between the cars and driving styles are the biggest for me.”
The opportunity to drive a powerful V8-powered machine with a traditional sequential shifter is something Robb is particularly looking forward to experiencing at race speed.
“I’m excited to be swinging off the sequential shifter,” he said.
“It will be a new experience for me at high speeds. I’m also excited to be working alongside Harri. He has so much knowledge, which I try to absorb like a sponge.”
Jones, a proven front-runner in Australian Porsche racing, will provide valuable experience as Robb begins his journey in the IRC category.
“Yes, Harri has a few tricks which he has shared with me,” Robb added.
“His techniques and feedback are something that I will be watching closely and will be trying to step up to his level.”
This weekend’s event also serves as a preview of Round 2 of the Michelin Sprint Series, scheduled for April at The Bend, giving drivers like Robb a valuable opportunity to familiarise themselves with the circuit.
The race will be streamed live on YouTube in New Zealand, allowing fans to follow Robb’s debut from home.
The Australian IRC Racing Series, part of the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series, showcases a mix of sprint and endurance formats with a clear focus on driver development. The 2026 calendar spans six rounds, starting with The Bend (March 13–15), followed by Queensland Raceway, Sydney Motorsport Park, Winton Motor Raceway, and concluding at Calder Park Raceway in November. The new IRC Super Development (SD) class provides young drivers like Robb an accessible path into high-performance racing.
The IRC SD car is purpose-built for professional development, featuring a 6.2L LS3 V8 engine producing up to 550HP, a Hollinger six-speed sequential transaxle gearbox, Brembo brakes, and a lightweight 1125kg chassis with full FIA-compliant safety equipment.
Its reduced downforce package, manual stick shift, and deactivated driving aids provide a challenging yet rewarding learning environment for drivers stepping up from junior categories.
Fans can follow all the action from The Bend Motorsport Park on the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series YouTube channel this weekend as Hunter Robb takes his first laps in an IRC car alongside one of Australia’s fastest-rising Carrera Cup talents.
Header Image: Supplied
