KIWIS RACING ABROAD | 31 JULY-2 AUGUST WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁
It may be a quieter weekend on the international motorsport calendar, but there is still plenty of Kiwi interest with New Zealand drivers competing in Australia and the United States.
The headline event is the Perth Super440 at Wanneroo Raceway, where Matt Payne, Ryan Wood and Andre Heimgartner return to Supercars action for the next round of the championship. Payne heads to Western Australia in the thick of the Sprint Cup fight, while Wood and Heimgartner will both be looking to build on their recent form.
Also racing in Perth is Ayrton Hodson, who continues his rookie Super2 Series campaign as the category returns to the Supercars support bill.
Over in the United States, Road America hosts a big weekend of sports car racing. Earl Bamber and Hunter McElrea are back in action in the Ea, with both drivers aiming for strong results at the famous Wisconsin circuit.
Will Bamber will also be racing at Road America in the latest round of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America season, while Callum Hedge returns to Porsche Carrera Cup North America as he continues his championship campaign.
Although there are fewer meetings than we’ve seen in recent weeks, there is still plenty for Kiwi motorsport fans to keep an eye on, with New Zealanders racing on both sides of the globe this weekend.
Check out our detailed weekend preview below for everything you need to know, including session times, how to watch, and who’s racing where. ⬇️
Matt Payne, Ryan Wood & Andre Heimgartner | Supercars
- Where? Wanneroo Raceway, Perth
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 7:00 PM
- Practice 2: Friday 7:40 PM
- Qualifying (Race 23): Saturday 1:45 PM
- Qualifying (Race 24): Saturday 2:35 PM
- Race 23: Saturday 4:45 PM
- Race 24: Saturday 8:20 PM
- Qualifying (Race 25) Sunday 3:00 PM
- Top 10 Shootout: Sunday 3:45 PM
- Race 25: Sunday 7:20 PM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
The Supercars Championship heads west this weekend for the Perth Super440 at Wanneroo Raceway, with Kiwi trio Matt Payne, Ryan Wood and Andre Heimgartner all looking to carry momentum from Townsville.
Payne arrives in Perth with a commanding 92-point championship lead after another outstanding weekend. The Grove Racing driver claimed a victory, a second place and a third across the three races, extending his advantage at the top of the standings and further strengthening his Sprint Cup campaign.
Wood also showed impressive pace throughout the Townsville 500. After finishing eighth in the opening race, a clash while battling near the front on Saturday left him with race-ending damage. He bounced back in Sunday’s finale, challenging for the lead on the opening lap before finishing a strong fifth.
Heimgartner endured a mixed weekend. The PremiAir Racing driver recovered from 22nd on the grid to finish 15th and 16th in the opening two races before his Sunday ended on the opening lap after being caught in a multi-car incident.
With the Sprint Cup entering its closing stages, all three Kiwis will be looking for a strong weekend as the championship returns to Wanneroo Raceway.
Ayrton Hodson | Super2 Series
- Where? Wanneroo Raceway, Perth
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 1:45 PM
- Practice 2: Friday 4:20 PM
- Qualifying (Race 5) Saturday 3:30 PM
- Top 5 Shootout: Saturday 4:00 PM
- Race 5: Saturday 6:55 PM
- Qualifying (Race 6) Sunday 1:50 PM
- Race 6: Sunday 5:55 PM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
Ayrton Hodson returns to Super2 action this weekend at Wanneroo Raceway looking to build on another encouraging showing at the previous round in Darwin.
The Kiwi impressed at Hidden Valley in June, qualifying 10th before charging through the field to finish fifth in the opening race. He backed that up by qualifying ninth for Race 2, but his weekend ended on a frustrating note after contact with another driver dropped him to 14th at the chequered flag.
Hodson will be aiming to continue his strong rookie campaign in Perth as the Super2 Series returns alongside the Supercars Championship.
Earl Bamber & Hunter McElrea | IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
- Where? Road America, Wisconsin
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Saturday 4:25 AM
- Practice 2: Sunday 2:50 AM
- Qualifying: Sunday 8:25 AM
- Race: Monday 3:40 AM
- How to Watch? IMSA Official YouTube Channel
Earl Bamber and Hunter McElrea return to IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship action this weekend at Road America, with both Kiwis looking to continue their campaigns after contrasting fortunes at Watkins Glen.
Bamber arrives off the back of a major endurance victory, helping Cadillac Whelen claim honours in the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen alongside Jack Aitken and Frederik Vesti. Starting from pole position, the No. 31 Cadillac V-Series.R controlled much of the race, with Bamber playing a key role during his stints before the team secured victory in the six-hour classic.
The win continued a strong run of form for Bamber and Cadillac Whelen as they remain firmly in contention for championship success.
It was a tougher outing for Hunter McElrea at Watkins Glen. The United Autosports LMP2 driver endured a challenging race alongside Phil Fayer and Mikkel Jensen, with the team finishing last in class after a difficult day.
McElrea will be hoping for a turnaround at Road America, one of North America’s most iconic circuits, as he looks to fight back with a strong result in the LMP2 field.
Will Bamber | Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America
- Where? Road America, Wisconsin
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 2:15 AM
- Practice 2: Friday 5:10 AM
- Qualifying: Saturday 2:35 AM
- Race 1: Saturday 8:45 AM
- Race 2: Sunday 10:00 AM
- How to Watch? IMSA Official YouTube Channel
Will Bamber heads to Road America this weekend with plenty of momentum after a strong podium performance at the previous Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America round at Watkins Glen.
Competing with XONINE Racing alongside co-driver Darius Trinka, Bamber enjoyed a standout weekend in June, securing podium finishes in both races. The pair finished second in Race 1 before backing it up with another strong drive to claim third in Race 2.
The consistent results continued a promising season for Bamber, who will now be looking to carry that form into Round 4 at one of North America’s most iconic circuits.
With Road America’s long straights and flowing corners expected to create close racing, Bamber and Trinka will be aiming to remain among the front runners in the competitive Lamborghini Super Trofeo field.
Callum Hedge | Porsche Carrera Cup North America
- Where? Road America, Wisconsin
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 1:30 AM
- Practice 2: Friday 4:15 AM
- Qualifying: Friday 8:45 AM
- Race 1: Saturday 3:25 AM
- Race 2: Saturday 7:45 AM
- Race 3 (Miami Make-up Race): Sunday 1:50 AM
- How to Watch? IMSA Official YouTube Channel
Callum Hedge heads to Road America this weekend for Round 5 of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America season sitting firmly in the championship fight after another strong showing at Watkins Glen.
The Kiwi continued his impressive campaign at Round 4, securing podium finishes in both races. Hedge finished second in the opening race before backing it up with another strong drive to claim third in Race 2, adding valuable points to his championship tally.
Those results have left Hedge second equal in the standings on 110 points as he continues his push for championship honours in one of the most competitive one-make Porsche categories in the world.
With Road America’s fast straights and flowing layout providing a different challenge, Hedge will be aiming to remain among the front runners and continue his strong run of form.
Header Image: Porsche Motorsport North America
