There’s another big weekend of motorsport to come, with the United States playing host to a number of Kiwis competing on the global stage.
Shane van Gisbergen ventures away from Supercars for a highly anticipated cameo in NASCAR, while Scott Dixon and Scott McLaughlin will be aiming to keep the IndyCar championship within reach at Mid-Ohio. Marcus Armstrong joins the duo in action, looking to cement his place as top rookie.
Hunter McElrea will compete in Indy NXT at the same venue, as will Jacob Douglas for Pabst Racing in USF2000. Madeline Stewart returns to Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, also running at Mid-Ohio in support of IndyCar.
In Asia, Chris van der Drift will compete Rounds 5 and 6 of the Porsche Carrer Cup, while Brendon Leitch kept busy doing Lamborghini Super Trofeo and 24 Hours of Spa double-duties in Belgium.
For all the information you need, including viewing times and how to watch, scroll on!
Shane van Gisbergen: NASCAR Grant Park 220
- Where? Chicago Street Course
- NZ Times:
- Practice: Sunday 5.30 am
- Qualifying: Sunday 6.30 am
- Race: Monday 9.30 am
- How to watch? Highlights on CRC Motorsport (9/7/23)
It’s a big weekend for Shane van Gisbergen as he features in the Grant Park 220 NASCAR race course over the streets of Chicago. The Kiwi is driving for Trackhouse Racing as a part of their Project 91 program to lure international stars to the series.
The bad news for Kiwi fans is no New Zealand broadcasters have picked up the rights to show the race; however, CRC Motorsport will show highlights next weekend.
Scott Dixon, Scott McLaughlin & Marcus Armstrong: IndyCar- Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio
- Where? Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Saturday 7.05 am
- Practice 2: Sunday 1.45 am
- Qualifying: Sunday 6.45 am
- Final Warm-up: Monday 2.45 am
- Race: Monday 5.00 am
- How to Watch? Sky Sport
Scott Dixon, Scott McLaughlin and Marcus Armstrong will all be in action this weekend when IndyCar hits the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for an 80-lap, 180.64-mile race.
Dixon is the best-placed Kiwi in the championship standings, sitting fifth, with McLaughlin one spot behind. Both have significant ground to make up on Alex Palou, who has built his championship lead to 74 points over second-placed Marcus Ericsson.
Armstrong is currently 18th in the standings despite not completing ovals this season. He is still the top rookie in the class of 2023.
Brendon Leitch & Earl Bamber: 24 Hours of Spa
- Where? Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
- NZ Times:
- Qualifying: Friday 7.20 am
- Race: Sunday 2.30 am
- How to watch? motorsport.tv (free)
Brendon Leitch will partner Gerhard Watzinger (USA), Kerong Li (CHN) and JF Brunot (USA) in the #70 CrowdStrike Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2, competing in the Pro-Am class.
Earl Bamber will partner Anton de Pasquale, Stephen Grove and Brenton Grove in the Grove Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R (992), competing in the Bronze Class.
Brendon Leitch: Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe
- Where? Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
- NZ Times:
- Qualifying: Friday 8.30 pm
- Race 1: Saturday 2.35 am
- Race 2: Saturday 8.35 pm
- How to watch? Lamborghini Squadra Corse YouTube
A busy weekend continues for Leitch as he also competes in two races of Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe for Leipert Motorsport.
The Kiwi currently sits third in the championship standings, having podiumed in both races in the opening round in France. He will be driving the Dayle ITM-backed #86 Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2.
Hunter McElrea: Indy NXT Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio
- Where? Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Saturday 5.55 am
- Practice 2: Sunday 12.35 am
- Qualifying: Sunday 6.05 am
- Race: Monday 3.30 am
- How to watch?
Hunter McElrea will be looking to continue his strong form in Indy NXT, having taken his maiden podium of the season last time out at Road America. The Kiwi now sits third in the standings and needs a big weekend to stay in contact with championship leader Nolan Siegel, who is 58 points ahead.
Indy NXT’s sole race will cover 35 laps of the 2.26-mile, 13-turn road course.
Jacob Douglas: USF2000
- Where? Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
- NZ Times:
- Qualifying: Saturday 3.10 am
- Race 1: Saturday 8.40 am
- Race 2: Sunday 3.00 am
- Race 3: Sunday 8.30 am
- How to follow? USF2000 website
Jacob Douglas returns to action in USF2000 for Pabst Racing, having posted a career-best result of second in his debut for the team last round at Road America.
Douglas sits tenth on the table, having missed the sole oval round at Indianapolis mid-season, but could move up the standings with a strong round, with the top five well within reach before season end.
Chris van der Drift: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
- Where? Suzuka International Circuit
- NZ Times:
- Qualifying: Saturday 3.00 pm
- Race 1: Saturday 6.15 pm
- Race 2: Sunday 1.50 pm
- How to watch? Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Facebook (free)
Chris van der Drift returns to the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia for Team Shanghai Yonda for Rounds 5 and 6 of his 2023 campaign at Suzuka.
The Kiwi, who sits third in the standings, will race two 13-lap races around the famed Japanese circuit.
Madeline Stewart: Porsche Sprint Challenge North America
- Where? Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
- NZ Times:
- Qualifying: Saturday 11.55 pm
- Race 1: Sunday 5.00 am
- Race 2: Monday 12.00 am
- How to watch? Porsche Sprint Challenge website (free)
Madeline Stewart joins a strong Kiwi contingent in Ohio to compete for JDX Racing in the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America.
Stewart currently sits third in the Pro/AM standings and is only 27 points off the championship lead.
