KIWIS RACING ABROAD | 10-15 JUNE WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁
It’s another packed weekend for Kiwi competitors on the international motorsport stage, with New Zealand drivers and riders set to compete across endurance racing, Formula 1, NASCAR, GT competition, and motocross.
The biggest event of the weekend is the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans in France, where Earl Bamber, Brendon Hartley, and Nick Cassidy will represent New Zealand in the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. The iconic endurance race remains one of the most prestigious events in world motorsport and will see the Kiwi trio take on the challenge of racing twice around the clock against some of the world’s best drivers.
Also at Le Mans, Zack Scoular returns to action in the Michelin Le Mans Cup for the Road to Le Mans event. The fourth round of the championship gives the young Kiwi another opportunity to gain valuable experience on one of motorsport’s most famous circuits.
In Spain, Liam Lawson is back in Formula 1 action as the championship heads to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for Round 7 of the season. The venue is one of the most familiar circuits on the calendar and provides a true test of both car performance and driver skill.
Joining Lawson in Barcelona is Louis Sharp, who continues his FIA Formula 3 campaign at Round 3 of the championship. The talented Kiwi youngster will be looking to build on the encouraging pace he showed in Monaco as he aims to continue climbing the order in one of motorsport’s most competitive junior categories.
Across the Atlantic, Shane van Gisbergen returns to NASCAR Cup Series competition at Pocono Raceway. The unique triangular circuit hosts Round 16 of the championship and presents another opportunity for the Kiwi to continue his strong form in America’s premier stock car category.
Australian motorsport fans will also see plenty of Kiwi representation this weekend at Queensland Raceway. Hunter Robb will compete in Round 3 of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia, while Steve Brooks, Ryan Wood, Brendon Leitch, and Jaxon Evans line up in GT World Challenge Australia for Rounds 5 and 6.
Meanwhile, Matt McCutcheon, William Exton, Blake Dowdall, and Chris White will contest Round 3 of GT4 Australia at the same venue as they continue their campaigns in the highly competitive championship.
In the United States, Ryan Yardley returns to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta for another busy GT racing weekend. The Kiwi will compete in GT World Challenge America Round 4 as well as GT4 America Rounds 6 and 7.
On two wheels, Cole Davies continues his impressive AMA Pro Motocross Championship campaign at Thunder Valley Motocross Park in Colorado. The young Kiwi rider heads into the Thunder Valley National looking to add to his strong performances in one of the world’s premier motocross championships.
From Le Mans to Barcelona, Queensland Raceway to Pocono, and Road Atlanta to Colorado, Kiwi drivers and riders will once again be flying the New Zealand flag across another action-packed weekend of international motorsport.
Earl Bamber, Brendon Hartley, and Nick Cassidy | FIA World Endurance Championship
- Where? Circuit de la Sarthe, France
- NZ Times:
- Free Practice 1: Thursday 12:00 AM
- Qualifying Practice Session: Thursday 5:30 AM
- Free Practice 2: Thursday 8:00 AM
- Free Practice 3: Friday 12:45 AM
- Hypercar Hyperpole 1: Friday 7:05 AM
- Hypercar Hyperpole 2: Friday 7:40 AM
- Free Practice 4: Friday 9:00 AM
- 24 Hours of Le Mans Race: Sunday 2:00 AM
- How to Watch? FIA WEC+
The world’s most famous endurance race takes centre stage this weekend as the 24 Hours of Le Mans hosts Round 3 of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship. New Zealand will once again be strongly represented at the Circuit de la Sarthe, with Earl Bamber, Brendon Hartley and Nick Cassidy all set to tackle the legendary French endurance classic in the Hypercar category.
Hartley heads to Le Mans chasing a fourth outright victory in the race, while Bamber is aiming to add a third overall win to his impressive record after previous triumphs in 2015 and 2017.
Cassidy, meanwhile, continues his first full FIA World Endurance Championship campaign and will be looking to make his mark in one of motorsport’s most prestigious events. With the world’s leading manufacturers and drivers assembling for the twice-around-the-clock contest, the Kiwi trio will be hoping to feature at the front in the highlight event of the endurance racing calendar.
Zack Scoular | Michelin Le Mans Cup France
- Where? Circuit de la Sarthe, France
- NZ Times:
- Free Practice 1: Wednesday 9:15 PM
- Free Practice 2: Thursday 6:30 AM
- Qualifying Practice Session: Thursday 8:15 PM
- Race: Friday 8:00 PM
- How to Watch? FIA WEC+
Kiwi rising star Zack Scoular returns to Michelin Le Mans Cup action this weekend for the prestigious Road to Le Mans event, held in support of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe.
The fourth round of the championship marks Scoular’s first competitive appearance at the legendary French venue, where he will once again team up with Swiss driver Léna Bühler in the R-ace GP entry.
The weekend presents an opportunity for the Kiwi to bounce back after a disappointing end to Round 3 at Le Castellet, where he and Bühler were forced to retire from the race. With a packed field and one of motorsport’s most famous circuits awaiting, Scoular will be aiming to put that setback behind him and secure a strong result as his rookie Michelin Le Mans Cup campaign continues.
Liam Lawson | Formula 1
- Where? Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 11:30 PM
- Practice 2: Saturday 3:00 AM
- Practice 3: Saturday 10:30 PM
- Qualifying: Sunday 2:00 AM
- Race: Monday 1:00 AM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
Liam Lawson returns to Formula 1 action this weekend as the championship heads to Spain for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, Round 7 of the 2026 season. The Kiwi arrives in Barcelona full of confidence after producing one of the strongest performances of his Formula 1 career in Monaco, where he battled through a chaotic race to finish fifth and equal his career-best result.
The result earned Lawson ten valuable championship points and lifted him to ninth in the drivers’ standings as he continues an impressive season with Racing Bulls. Barcelona presents a very different challenge to Monaco’s narrow street circuit, with the permanent Spanish venue providing a more complete test of both car performance and driver ability.
After securing his best result of the year last time out, Lawson will be looking to carry that momentum into Spain and continue his climb up the championship order.
Louis Sharp | Formula 3
- Where? Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain
- NZ Times:
- Practice: Friday 7:55 PM
- Qualifying: Saturday 1:00 AM
- Sprint Race: Saturday 8:05 PM
- Feature Race: Sunday 6:40 PM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
Louis Sharp continues his FIA Formula 3 campaign this weekend as the championship heads to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for Round 3 of the 2026 season. The Kiwi youngster arrives in Spain after a solid weekend in Monaco, where he gained four positions in the Feature Race to finish twelfth despite spending much of the race trapped in a tightly packed train of cars around the narrow street circuit.
While Monaco offered few overtaking opportunities, Barcelona’s flowing permanent circuit is expected to provide far more chances for racing and passing. Sharp showed an encouraging pace throughout the Monaco weekend and will be looking to build on that momentum as he continues his rookie Formula 3 season.
With another valuable weekend of experience under his belt, the talented New Zealander will be aiming to move further up the order and challenge for his strongest result of the year so far.
Shane Van Gisbergen | NASCAR Cup Series
- Where? Pocono Raceway, Pennsylvania
- NZ Times:
- Practice: Sunday 5:00 AM
- Qualifying: Sunday 6:10 AM
- Race: Monday 7:00 AM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
Shane van Gisbergen returns to NASCAR Cup Series action this weekend as the championship heads to Pocono Raceway for Round 16 of the season. The Kiwi will be looking to bounce back after a frustrating outing at Michigan International Speedway, where a combination of penalties and late-race misfortune resulted in his first DNF of the year.
After spending much of the race fighting through the field, van Gisbergen’s day came to an abrupt end when he was caught up in a multi-car accident in the closing stages, leaving him with nowhere to go and forcing his retirement.
Pocono presents a fresh opportunity for the Trackhouse Racing driver to put the disappointment behind him. Known as the “Tricky Triangle” for its unique three-corner layout, the Pennsylvania circuit presents a distinct challenge, with van Gisbergen aiming to return to the strong form that has highlighted his 2026 NASCAR Cup Series campaign.
Ryan Yardley | Pirelli GT4 America & GT World Challenge America
- Where? Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, Georgia
- NZ Times:
- Pirelli GT4 America:
- Practice 1: Friday 5:45 AM
- Practice 2: Friday 9:15 AM
- Qualifying 1: Saturday 3:25 AM
- Qualifying 2: Saturday 3:45 AM
- Race 1: Saturday 7:50 AM
- Race 2: Sunday 4:25 AM
- GT World Challenge America:
- Practice 1: Saturday 9:05 AM
- Practice 2: Sunday 2:45 AM
- Practice 3: Sunday 5:40 AM
- Qualifying 1: Sunday 9:25 AM
- Qualifying 2: Sunday 9:45 AM
- Race: Monday 6:30 AM
- How to Watch? GT World YouTube
Ryan Yardley faces a busy weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta as the Kiwi takes on double duties in both GT4 America and GT World Challenge America competition.
Yardley will contest Rounds 6 and 7 of the GT4 America championship alongside co-driver Damir Hot, while also competing in Round 4 of GT World Challenge America with Dave Musial Jr. in the Wright Motorsports Porsche.
The New Zealander heads to Road Atlanta following a weekend of mixed fortunes at Sebring International Raceway in May. While GT4 America proved challenging, with a pair of disappointing results despite showing promising pace, Yardley and Musial Jr. bounced back in GT World Challenge America, securing a top-five finish in the Pro-Am class after a strong, consistent drive.
With opportunities across two highly competitive championships this weekend, Yardley will be looking to convert that pace into strong results as he continues a demanding North American campaign.
Hunter Robb | Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia
- Where? Queensland Raceway, Australia
- NZ Times:
- Free Practice 1: Friday 10:00 AM
- Qualifying: Friday 2:55 PM
- Race 1: Friday 6:15 PM
- Race 2: Saturday 10:15 AM
- Race 3: Saturday 2:05 PM
- How to Watch? No NZ Coverage, Races 2 and 3 available in Australia via Fox Sports/Kayo.
Hunter Robb returns to Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia action this weekend as the championship heads to Queensland Raceway for Round 3 of the 2026 season.
The Kiwi arrives in Queensland sitting second in the drivers’ standings on 252 points, just two points behind championship leader Xavier Avramides, ensuring the title fight remains incredibly close heading into the midway stages of the campaign.
Robb enjoyed a solid, if mixed, weekend at The Bend Motorsport Park in May, recording results of seventh, third and fourth across the three races. The consistent points haul kept him firmly in championship contention, and he will be looking to build on that momentum this weekend.
With valuable points on offer and the championship lead within reach, the young New Zealander will be aiming for a strong performance as the battle for the title intensifies at Queensland Raceway.
Steve Brooks, Ryan Wood, Brendon Leitch, and Jaxon Evans | GT World Challenge Australia
- Where? Queensland Raceway, Australia
- NZ Times:
- Free Practice 1: Friday 11:30 AM
- Practice 2: Friday 5:05 PM
- Qualifying 1: Saturday 11:00 AM
- Qualifying 2: Saturday 11:25 AM
- Race 1: Saturday 3:15 PM
- Race 2: Sunday 12:25 AM
- How to Watch? GT World YouTube
A strong contingent of Kiwi talent will be in action this weekend as GT World Challenge Australia heads to Queensland Raceway for Rounds 5 and 6 of the 2026 season. Steve Brooks, Ryan Wood, Brendon Leitch and Jaxon Evans will all be looking to continue their campaigns in one of Australasia’s premier GT championships.
The New Zealand drivers enjoyed mixed fortunes during the previous round at The Bend Motorsport Park. Leitch and co-driver Sergio Pires claimed a standout victory in Race 1 before adding a seventh-place finish in Race 2, while Evans and co-driver Elliott Schutte secured a podium with third place in the opening race and backed it up with fifth in the second encounter.
Brooks and Wood also showed strong pace throughout the weekend, finishing sixth in Race 1 before narrowly missing the podium with fourth in Race 2. With all four Kiwis demonstrating the ability to challenge near the front of the field, Queensland Raceway presents another opportunity to fight for podiums and victories as the championship battle continues.
Matt McCutcheon, William Exton, Blake Dowdall, and Chris White | Monochrome GT4 Australia
- Where? Queensland Raceway, Australia
- NZ Times:
- Free Practice 1: Friday 12:35 PM
- Free Practice 2: Friday 3:30 PM
- Qualifying 1: Saturday 1:05 PM
- Qualifying 2: Saturday 1:30 PM
- Race 1: Saturday 7:00 PM
- Race 2: Sunday 3:15 PM
- How to Watch? GT World YouTube
New Zealand will once again have strong representation in GT4 Australia this weekend as Matt McCutcheon, William Exton, Blake Dowdall and Chris White head to Queensland Raceway for Round 3 of the 2026 season.
The Kiwi quartet will be aiming to build on the positives from a dramatic and eventful weekend at The Bend Motorsport Park, where strong pace was often offset by incidents, penalties and misfortune.
McCutcheon was the standout Kiwi performer at the previous round, claiming Silver-Am class victory alongside Tony Quinn in Race 1 before recovering from the rear of the grid to score more valuable points in Race 2.
Dowdall showed impressive speed throughout the weekend, overcoming an early retirement in the opening race to charge through the field in Race 2 and finish as the leading Kiwi in 11th overall.
Exton and co-driver Jack Johnson demonstrated encouraging pace despite penalties affecting their final results, while White and Daniel Frougas endured a frustrating weekend after starting Race 2 from pole position before late contact dashed their hopes of a strong finish.
With all four New Zealanders showing promising speed at The Bend, Queensland Raceway presents another opportunity to challenge for class honours and strong outright results as the championship continues.
Cole Davies | AMA Pro Motocross Championship
- Where? Thunder Valley Motocross Park, Colorado
- NZ Times:
- Qualifying 1 Group A: Sunday 2:50 AM
- Qualifying 1 Group B: Sunday 3:10 AM
- Qualifying 2 Group A: Sunday 4:30 AM
- Qualifying 2 Group B: Sunday 4:50 AM
- 250 Consolation Race: Sunday 5:50 AM
- 250 Class Moto 1: Sunday 8:15 AM
- 250 Class Moto 2: Sunday 10:15 AM
- How to Watch? Super Motocross Video Pass
Cole Davies returns to AMA Pro Motocross Championship action this weekend as the series heads to Thunder Valley Motocross Park in Lakewood, Colorado, for Round 3 of the 2026 season.
The Kiwi youngster arrives with plenty of momentum after a strong showing at Rancho Cordova last weekend, where he rebounded from an 11th-place finish in Moto 1 to claim an impressive victory in Moto 2.
The race win helped Davies secure fourth overall for the weekend in the highly competitive 250 Class and leaves him fourth in the championship standings on 70 points heading into Thunder Valley. Having already demonstrated race-winning speed this season, the talented New Zealander will be looking to build on his recent success and continue his push towards the front of the championship as the Pro Motocross campaign gathers momentum.
Header Image: JOTA
