KIWIS RACING ABROAD | JUNE 27–30 WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁
It’s another action-packed weekend for Kiwi motorsport, with eleven drivers flying the flag across seven countries and a mix of disciplines, from high-speed circuits to the demanding twists of European rally stages.
All eyes are on Austria’s Red Bull Ring, where Liam Lawson returns to familiar territory for Formula 1 Round 11 with Racing Bulls, while Louis Sharp continues his impressive rookie Formula 3 campaign with Rodin Motorsport.
In the U.S., Shane van Gisbergen tackles the high-speed thrills of Atlanta Motor Speedway in Round 18 of the NASCAR Cup Series, looking to keep building momentum in his rookie season.
Over in the Netherlands, Cormac Buchanan lines up for Round 10 of the Moto3 World Championship at the legendary TT Circuit Assen, hoping to continue his strong form with BOE Motorsports.
Back in Australasia, it’s a double-header at Queensland Raceway, with Ayrton Hodson back on track in TA2 Australia, and Tony Quinn teaming up with Matthew McCutcheon in the Australian Production Cars Championship.
In Europe, Hayden Paddon returns to the stages for the iconic Ypres Rally in Belgium, part of the 2025 Belgian Rally Championship, alongside co-driver Jared Hudson. Malcolm Read is also competing in the WRC EKO Acropolis Rally in Greece in the WRC3 and Junior WRC class.
Over in Japan, Brendon Leitch is back behind the wheel, competing in Round 3 of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia series this weekend for Leipert Motorsport at Fuji International Speedway.
The action doesn’t stop on Monday. Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin will be back behind the wheel early next week for Rounds 5 and 6 of the U.S. Legend Car Series on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd July at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
From the mountains of Austria to the banks of Atlanta and the rally roads of Belgium, Kiwi racers are once again putting it all on the line on the global stage.
Check out our detailed weekend preview below for everything you need to know, including session times, how to watch, and who’s racing where.
Liam Lawson – FIA Formula 1 World Championship
- Where? Red Bull Ring, Austria
- 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
- Grand Prix: Monday 1:00 AM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports / F1 TV
After a frustrating DNF at the Canadian Grand Prix, Liam Lawson is looking to bounce back this weekend as Formula 1 heads to the Red Bull Ring, a track he knows intimately and has won at across multiple junior categories.
In Montreal, Lawson’s race unravelled after starting from the pit lane due to a power unit change. A one-stop strategy gamble saw him climb as high as 13th, but fading pace and a cooling system issue forced his early retirement just 14 laps from the finish.
Now, the Kiwi heads to Austria with renewed focus and confidence, determined to fight for points on a circuit where he’s previously stood on the top step in FIA Formula 3, DTM and made impressive charges in Formula 2.
The Racing Bulls squad has made setup adjustments in the lead-up to the weekend, and Lawson is staying laser-focused on performance, not headlines.
“I’m coming into this weekend with fresh energy following Canada and am ready to fight for points with the team,” he said.
F1 Canada Recap HERE
Formula 1 may be a different beast, but Lawson’s past success at the Red Bull Ring proves he knows how to tame it.
Louis Sharp – FIA Formula 3 World Championship
- Where? Red Bull Ring, Austria
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 7:55 PM
- Qualifying: Saturday 1:00 AM
- Sprint Race: Saturday 8:05 PM
- Feature Race: Sunday 6:30 PM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports / F1 TV
After a character-building weekend in Barcelona, Louis Sharp is aiming to bounce back as the FIA Formula 3 Championship rolls into Austria’s Red Bull Ring for Round 6.
The 18-year-old Kiwi talent showed his trademark aggression and racecraft last time out, gaining ground in both races despite a tough qualifying that left him deep in the field.
A flying start in the Sprint saw him jump from 18th to 7th within a few corners before being forced off track, eventually finishing 13th. He recovered to 12th in the Feature, but admitted the team struggled with pace and tyre management across the weekend.
Now, with valuable lessons banked from his first trip to Barcelona, the Rodin Motorsport driver turns his attention to a very different kind of challenge at the Red Bull Ring, a fast, flowing circuit where he completed a short test last year but is yet to race.
“I’m looking forward to it and hopeful we can get back into the points,” says Sharp, who scored top-10 finishes at both Imola and Monaco earlier this season.
F3 Barcelona Recap HERE
As the second half of the F3 season begins, Sharp continues to build experience on motorsport’s biggest stages, one step closer to his Formula 1 dream.
Shane Van Gisbergen – NASCAR Cup Series
- Where? Atlanta Motor Speedway (Echopark Speedway), Georgia
- NZ Times:
- Qualifying: Saturday 9:05 AM
- Race: Sunday 11:00 AM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
After a bruising outing at Pocono, Shane van Gisbergen is determined to bounce back this weekend as the NASCAR Cup Series returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway, a track the Kiwi has already tackled once this season.
Van Gisbergen arrived at Pocono on a high following his historic road course victory in Mexico. He showed an improved one-lap pace in qualifying, matching his best oval grid position of 23rd. But a chaotic race saw his day quickly unravel.
A pit lane incident injured his tyre changer, he was caught in a multi-car crash mid-race, and car balance issues plagued his final stint. He eventually finished 31st.
Now, he heads back to Atlanta, a venue where he finished 23rd earlier this year, with eyes on improvement. The high-speed superspeedway layout presents its own challenges, but van Gisbergen continues to gain valuable oval experience in his rookie campaign with Trackhouse Racing.
NASCAR Pocono Race Recap HERE
This weekend’s goal is simple: keep building, stay clean, and break into the top 20, or better as the Kiwi continues to make waves in NASCAR’s top tier.
Cormac Buchanan – Moto3 World Championship
- Where? TT Circuit Assen, Netherlands
- NZ Times:
- Free Practice 1: Friday 7:00 PM
- Practice: Friday 11:15 PM
- Free Practice 2: Saturday 6:40 PM
- Qualifying 1: Saturday 10:50 PM
- Qualifying 2: Saturday 11:15 PM
- Race: Sunday 9:00 PM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
After a gritty ride to 15th at Mugello, Cormac Buchanan heads to TT Circuit Assen this weekend for the second leg of Moto3’s back-to-back European double-header, confident, composed, and still riding a six-race points streak.
Last weekend in Italy, the young Kiwi charged from 23rd on the grid into the lead group, only to be cruelly split from the front runners after taking evasive action to avoid a crash mid-race.
Despite the setback, he held firm to claim another points-paying finish, proving once again he’s got the pace and racecraft to mix it with the world’s best.
Now, with Mugello’s chaos behind him, Buchanan and his DENSSI Racing/BOE Motorsports team turn their attention to the fast-flowing turns of Assen, where the 17-year-old is aiming to take another step forward in what’s shaping up to be a standout rookie Moto3 campaign.
“It’s another case of what could’ve been,” Buchanan said after Mugello.
“But I’m proud of how we fought back today… We’ll take the positives and be ready to take another step forward at Assen.”
Moto3 Mugello Recap HERE
With growing momentum and a clear upward trajectory, Buchanan is one to watch as Moto3 heads to one of its most iconic circuits.
Matthew McCutcheon & Tony Quinn – Australian Production Cars
- Where? Queensland Raceway, Australia
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 12:10 PM
- Practice 2: Friday 6:05 PM
- Qualifying: Friday 7:45 PM
- Race 1: Saturday 5:00 PM
- Race 2 (QR300): Saturday 7:35PM
- Race 3: Sunday 3:55 PM
- How to Watch? Super Series YouTube
Fresh off a successful GT4 endurance partnership last year, Tony Quinn and Matthew McCutcheon are back in action this weekend at Queensland Raceway, reuniting in the newly-built Chevrolet Camaro for Round 2 of the Australian Production Cars Enduro Championship.
The Kiwi-Australian duo will be aiming to challenge the dominant Mustangs in what promises to be a fiercely contested weekend of racing, held as part of the 2 Days of Thunder event during the Ipswich Festival of Horsepower.
With twilight racing, a variety of manufacturers on the grid, and the added excitement of the Super Series running alongside, it’s set to be a highlight of the production car calendar.
The format features two 30-minute races and a two-hour endurance showdown, where strategy, consistency, and teamwork will be key. With a proven track record together and a fresh machine beneath them, Quinn and McCutcheon are firmly in the frame as contenders.
Ayrton Hodson – TA2 Australia Muscle Car Series
- Where? Queensland Raceway, Australia
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 10:05 AM
- Practice 2: Friday 1:05 PM
- Practice 3: Friday 4:00 PM
- Qualifying 1: Saturday 11:30 AM
- Race 1: Saturday 3:10 PM
- Race 2: Saturday 6:25 PM
- Qualifying 2: Sunday 12:00 PM
- Race 3: Sunday 3:05 PM
- Race 4: Sunday 6:15 PM
- How to Watch? Super Series YouTube
After a high-drama debut at Bathurst, Ayrton Hodson is back in action this weekend for Round 4 of the TA2 Australia Muscle Car Series at Queensland Raceway, linking up again with Ashley Jarvis Racing in his No. 32 Ford Mustang.
The 20-year-old Kiwi made a strong impression at Mount Panorama during Round 2, qualifying inside the top five of the TA2 class and finishing a remarkable 5th in class and 19th overall in Race 1, despite it being his first laps around the legendary circuit. Race 2 was cut short after Hodson was caught in a multi-car pile-up triggered by oil on the racing line.
TA2 Mount Panorama Race 1 Recap HERE
TA2 Mount Panorama Race 2 Recap HERE
He recovered to finish 10th in class and was later awarded the “Big Braker” Award for his overtaking efforts across the weekend.
After missing Round 3, Hodson now returns to the grid at Queensland Raceway, aiming to build on that early season promise and continue gaining valuable mileage in the competitive TA2 field.
Known for its tight corners and heavy braking zones, Queensland will offer a very different challenge to Bathurst, but Hodson has already shown he’s quick to adapt and unafraid to push forward through the field.
With a strong team behind him and a clean slate ahead, Hodson is one to watch as the second half of the TA2 season unfolds.
Hayden Paddon & Jared Hudson – Rally Ypres
- Where? Ypres, Belgium
- NZ Times:
- Shakedown: Friday 4:00 AM
- SS1 Westouter 1: Saturday 1:50 AM
- SS2 Wijtschate 1: Saturday 2:16 AM
- SS3 Reninge 1: Saturday 3:03 AM
- SS4 Langemark 1: Saturday 3:36 AM
- SS5 Westouter 2: Saturday 5:40 AM
- SS6 Wijtschate 2: Saturday 6:06 AM
- SS7 Reninge 2: Saturday 6:53 AM
- SS8 Langemark 2: Saturday 7:26 AM
- SS9 Dikkebus 1: Saturday 8:14 PM
- SS10 Watou 1: Saturday 8:49 PM
- SS11 Kemmelberg 1: Saturday 9:47 PM
- SS12 Zillebeke 1: Saturday 10:21 PM
- SS13 Dikkebus 2: Sunday 12:16 AM
- SS14 Watou 2: Sunday 12:51 AM
- SS15 Kemmelberg 2: Sunday 1:49 AM
- SS16 Zillebeke 2: Sunday 2:23 AM
- SS17 Dikkebus 3: Sunday 4:18 AM
- SS18 Watou 3: Sunday 4:53 AM
- How to Watch? No stream available
- Live Stage Results HERE
Hayden Paddon and co-driver Jared Hudson are set to compete in one of rallying’s most iconic events this weekend, lining up for the 60th running of the Ardeca Ypres Rally as part of the Belgian Rally Championship.
Driving a Hyundai i20 N Rally2 prepared by reigning Belgian champions BMA, the Kiwi duo will start second on the road, sandwiched between local favourite Cédric Cherain and Dutch veteran Jos Verstappen.
The fast, technical Belgian tarmac stages, known for their deceptive grip levels and endless 90-degree junctions, offer a unique challenge, but one Paddon is embracing with confidence following a productive early test.
“It’s our first time in the BMA car and our first real hit-out on typical Belgian roads. Fast, narrow, and full of junctions, classic Ypres. It’s great to be back.” said Paddon.
The rally holds special significance for Paddon, who made his debut at Ypres in 2013, showcasing his potential with a storming run to fourth overall before sliding off on the final day. That performance was a turning point in his career, leading to his first opportunity with Hyundai and a successful WRC tenure.
“Ypres played a huge part in my journey. This feels like a full-circle moment, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.” Paddon reflects
With a strong car, deep experience, and a powerful connection to the event, Paddon and Hudson are primed for a competitive outing as they take on Belgium’s best in one of Europe’s most storied rallies.
Malcolm Read – WRC EKO Acropolis Rally
- Where? Lamia, Greece
- NZ Times:
- SS1 EKO Athens SSS: Friday 3:05 AM
- SS2 Aghii Theodori 1: Friday 4.28 PM
- SS3 Loutraki: Friday 5:31 PM
- SS4 Aghii Theodori 2: Friday 7:28 PM
- SS5 Thiva: Friday 11:29 PM
- SS6 Stiri: Saturday 1:50 AM
- SS7 Elatia: Saturday 4:30 AM
- SS8 Pavliani 1: Saturday 5:22 PM
- SS9 Karoutes 1: Saturday 7:05 PM
- SS10 Inohori 1: Saturday 8:32 PM
- SS11 Pavliani 2: Sunday 12:22 AM
- SS12 Karoutes 2: Sunday 2:05 AM
- SS13 Inohori 2: Sunday 3:32 AM
- SS14 Smokovo 1: Sunday 5:03 PM
- SS15 Tarzan 1: Sunday 6:05 PM
- SS16 Smokovo 2: Sunday 9:32 PM
- SS17 Tarzan 1: Sunday 11:15PM
- How to Watch? Rally.TV
- Live Stage Results HERE
Kiwi co-driver Malcolm Read is back in WRC action this weekend, tackling the rough and rugged gravel of the EKO Acropolis Rally in Greece as part of the FIA Rally Star team.
Read will reunite with rising South African talent Max Smart in the Ford Fiesta Rally3, contesting both the WRC3 and Junior WRC (JWRC) categories across 17 punishing stages that make up one of the World Rally Championship’s most legendary events.
The pair arrive in Greece riding high after a standout performance at Rally de Portugal last month, where they stormed to third in WRC3 and a top-five finish in JWRC, marking a breakthrough result in just their first rally together.
The Acropolis Rally, often referred to as the “Rally of the Gods,” is renowned for its treacherous terrain, scorching summer heat, and bone-shaking gravel roads. Based in Lamia, the 2025 edition comprises 17 stages and over 340 km of competitive distance, an unforgiving test of man and machine that will push every crew to their limit.
Brendon Leitch – Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia
- Where? Fuji International Speedway, Japan
- NZ Times:
- Free Practice 1: Friday 1:45 PM
- Free Practice 2: Friday 5.25 PM
- Qualifying 1: Saturday 12.40 PM
- Qualifying 2: Saturday 1:05 PM
- Race 1: Saturday 4:45 PM
- Race 2: Sunday 3:35 PM
- How to Watch? Lamborghini Squadra Corse YouTube
Kiwi GT ace Brendon Leitch is back behind the wheel this weekend as the 2025 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia series resumes at Japan’s stunning Fuji International Speedway for Round 3.
Leitch, a former Super Trofeo Europe PRO champion and 2024 World Finals PRO-AM class winner, joins forces with Song Jiajun in the Leipert Motorsport PRO-AM entry.
It’s a welcome return for the 29-year-old Invercargill native, who debuted in the Asian series back in 2019, finishing runner-up in the PRO-AM class, and has since built a strong and successful relationship with the German squad.
The iconic 4.563km circuit, nestled in the shadow of Mount Fuji, is known for its rapid weather changes, meaning adaptability could be key across the weekend. The field will also debut the new Hankook Ventus tyre, which is expected to offer improved drivability, potentially benefiting experienced drivers like Leitch.
This marks the halfway point of the 2025 season, and Leitch’s addition to the grid adds further firepower to an already competitive PRO-AM class.
Shane Van Gisbergen & Scott McLaughlin – US Legend Car Series
- Where? Charlotte Motor Speedway
- NZ Times:
- Tuesday 1st July & Wednesday 2nd July – Racing starts at 10:00 AM both days.
- Tuesday 1st July & Wednesday 2nd July – Racing starts at 10:00 AM both days.
- How to Watch? Flo Racing
Kiwi power returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway this week as Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin team up once again for Rounds 5 and 6 of the Cook Out Summer Shootout in the US Legend Car Series, with the short-track action continuing under the lights on Tuesday, July 1 and Wednesday, July 2.
Van Gisbergen, fresh off a gritty drive to 12th in Round 4 a few days ago, will be eager to climb further up the order after carving his way forward from 16th on the grid last time out.
The NASCAR Cup Series rookie kept his nose clean and gained several spots but lacked the outright pace to contend with front-runners like Jensen Jorgensen, Danny Chisholm, Keelan Harvick and fellow NASCAR Cup driver Bubba Wallace.
McLaughlin returns to the fold this week after missing Round 4 due to other commitments. The Penske IndyCar star will be hoping to pick up where he left off two weeks ago when he charged up to third in Round 3 before a late-race spin saw him classified 11th.
That same night, van Gisbergen fought in the thick of the lead pack before being shuffled back in a dramatic flurry of cautions and contact. He recovered to finish fifth, showing both resilience and racecraft in the elbows-out style of short-track racing.
Both drivers are again racing with Joe Ryan Race Cars and will be looking to apply lessons from their previous outings as they aim for a breakthrough result at the iconic Charlotte quarter-mile.
Full Weekend Schedule:
| Date/Time | Category | Event |
| Friday 3:05 AM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS1 EKO Athens SSS |
| Friday 4:00 AM | Ypres Rally | Shakedown |
| Friday 10:05AM | TA2 Australia Muscle Car Series | Practice 1 |
| Friday 12:10 PM | Australian Production Cars | Practice 1 |
| Friday 1:05 PM | TA2 Australia Muscle Car Series | Practice 2 |
| Friday 1:45 PM | Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia | Free Practice 1 |
| Friday 4:00 PM | TA2 Australia Muscle Car Series | Practice 3 |
| Friday 4.28 PM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS2 Aghii Theodori 1 |
| Friday 5:25 PM | Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia | Free Practice 2 |
| Friday 5:31 PM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS3 Loutraki |
| Friday 6:05 PM | Australian Production Cars | Practice 2 |
| Friday 7:00 PM | Moto3 | Free Practice 1 |
| Friday 7:28 PM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS4 Aghii Theodori 2 |
| Friday 7:45 PM | Australian Production Cars | Qualifying |
| Friday 7:55 PM | Formula 3 | Practice |
| Friday 11:15 PM | Moto3 | Practice |
| Friday 11:29 PM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS5 Thiva |
| Friday 11:30 PM | Formula 1 | Practice 1 |
| Saturday 1:00 AM | Formula 3 | Qualifying |
| Saturday 1:50 AM | Ypres Rally | SS1 Westouter 1 |
| Saturday 1:50 AM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS6 Stiri |
| Saturday 2:16 AM | Ypres Rally | SS2 Wijtschate 1 |
| Saturday 3:00 AM | Formula 1 | Practice 2 |
| Saturday 3:03 AM | Ypres Rally | SS3 Reninge 1 |
| Saturday 4:30 AM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS7 Elatia |
| Saturday 3:36 AM | Ypres Rally | SS4 Langemark 1 |
| Saturday 5:40 AM | Ypres Rally | SS5 Westouter 2 |
| Saturday 6:06 AM | Ypres Rally | SS6 Wijtschate 2 |
| Saturday 6:53 AM | Ypres Rally | SS7 Reninge 2 |
| Saturday 7:26 AM | Ypres Rally | SS8 Langemark 2 |
| Saturday 9:05 AM | NASCAR Cup Series | Qualifying |
| Saturday 11:30 AM | TA2 Australia Muscle Car Series | Qualifying 1 |
| Saturday 12:40 PM | Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia | Qualifying 1 |
| Saturday 1:05 PM | Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia | Qualifying 2 |
| Saturday 3:10 PM | TA2 Australia Muscle Car Series | Race 1 |
| Saturday 4:45 PM | Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia | Race 1 |
| Saturday 5:00 PM | Australian Production Cars | Race 1 |
| Saturday 5:22 PM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS8 Pavliani 1 |
| Saturday 6:25 PM | TA2 Australia Muscle Car Series | Race 2 |
| Saturday 6:40 PM | Moto3 | Free Practice 2 |
| Saturday 7:05 PM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS9 Karoutes 1 |
| Saturday 7:35 PM | Australian Production Cars | Race 2 (QR300) |
| Saturday 8:05 PM | Formula 3 | Sprint Race |
| Saturday 8:14 PM | Ypres Rally | SS9 Dikkebus 1 |
| Saturday 8:32 PM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS10 Inohori 1 |
| Saturday 8:49 PM | Ypres Rally | SS10 Watou 1 |
| Saturday 9:47 PM | Ypres Rally | SS11 Kemmelberg 1 |
| Saturday 10:21 PM | Ypres Rally | SS12 Zillebeke 1 |
| Saturday 10:30 PM | Formula 1 | Practice 3 |
| Saturday 10:50 PM | Moto3 | Qualifying 1 |
| Saturday 11:15 PM | Moto3 | Qualifying 2 |
| Sunday 12:16 AM | Ypres Rally | SS13 Dikkebus 2 |
| Sunday 12:22 AM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS11 Pavliani 2 |
| Sunday 12:51 AM | Ypres Rally | SS14 Watou 2 |
| Sunday 1:49 AM | Ypres Rally | SS15 Kemmelberg 2 |
| Sunday 2:00 AM | Formula 1 | Qualifying |
| Sunday 2:05 AM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS12 Karoutes 2 |
| Sunday 2:23 AM | Ypres Rally | SS16 Zillebeke 2 |
| Sunday 3:32 AM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS13 Inohori 2 |
| Sunday 4:18 AM | Ypres Rally | SS17 Dikkebus 3 |
| Sunday 4:53 AM | Ypres Rally | SS18 Watou 3 |
| Sunday 11:00 AM | NASCAR Cup Series | Race |
| Sunday 12:00 PM | TA2 Australia Muscle Car Series | Qualifying 2 |
| Sunday 3:00 PM | TA2 Australia Muscle Car Series | Race 3 |
| Sunday 3:35 PM | Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia | Race 2 |
| Sunday 3:55 PM | Australian Production Cars | Race 3 |
| Sunday 5:03 PM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS14 Smokovo 1 |
| Sunday 6:05 PM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS15 Tarzan 1 |
| Sunday 6:15 PM | TA2 Australia Muscle Car Series | Race 4 |
| Sunday 6:30 PM | Formula 3 | Feature Race |
| Sunday 9:00 PM | Moto3 | Race |
| Sunday 9:32 PM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS16 Smokovo 2 |
| Sunday 11:15 PM | WRC EKO Acropolis Rally | SS17 Tarzan 1 |
| Monday 1:00 AM | Formula 1 | Grand Prix |
| Tuesday 10:00 AM | US Legend Car Series | Racing begins |
| Wednesday 10:00 AM | US Legend Car Series | Racing begins |
Header Image: Zak Mauger/LAT Images via Red Bull Content Pool
