Motorsport Diary: Kiwis racing overseas this weekend

KIWIS RACING ABROAD | 26 SEPTEMBER – 29 SEPTEMBER WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁

From the high-speed ovals of Kansas to the scenic Japanese circuits, Kiwi racers have a smaller, but no less important, international footprint this weekend.

In the United States, Shane van Gisbergen heads to Kansas Speedway for NASCAR Cup Series action. The 1.5-mile tri-oval offers a different kind of challenge compared to the short tracks and road courses SVG has tackled before, and he’ll be looking to maintain momentum with Trackhouse Racing as the playoffs continue to heat up.

In Japan, Kiwi endurance stars Earl Bamber and Brendon Hartley tackle Round 7 of the FIA World Endurance Championship at Fuji International Speedway.

Both drivers will be pushing for strong results in their respective entries, Bamber with Cadillac Hertz Team Jota and Hartley with Toyota Gazoo Racing, as the championship nears its final rounds.

Also in Japan, Cormac Buchanan competes in the Moto3 Grand Prix of Japan at Mobility Resort Motegi. With the championship battle intensifying, Buchanan will aim to make an impression in one of the series’ most technical and demanding circuits.

From the Kansas oval to the Fuji mountains and the technical twists of Motegi, Kiwis are again competing across the globe, representing their nation in a variety of motorsport disciplines.

Check out our detailed weekend preview below for everything you need to know, including session times, how to watch, and who’s racing where. ⬇️

Shane Van Gisbergen | NASCAR Cup Series

• Where? Kansas Speedway, U.S.
• NZ Times:
  • Practice: Sunday 6:00 AM
  • Qualifying: Sunday 7:10 AM
  • Race: Monday 8:00 AM
    
• How to Watch? ThreeNow

Shane van Gisbergen heads to Kansas Speedway this weekend after a frustrating outing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The Trackhouse Racing driver started a career-best 10th at New Hampshire and quickly ran inside the top 10, earning his first oval stage points with a seventh-place finish in Stage 1.

Disaster struck on Lap 118 when Van Gisbergen was caught in traffic and clipped by Brad Keselowski, spinning twice before contact with Kyle Busch caused heavy front suspension damage. Despite repairs, he finished 32nd.

“It was frustrating because the car was really strong,” Van Gisbergen said.

“I felt good on the long runs, and it could have been a solid result for us.”

➡️ New Hampshire Motor Speedway Recap

With Kansas Speedway’s high-speed corners ahead, Van Gisbergen will be aiming to turn last weekend’s misfortune into a strong oval performance.

Earl Bamber & Brendon Hartley | FIA World Endurance Championship

• Where? Fuji International Speedway, Japan
• NZ Times:
  • Free Practice 1: Friday 1:15 PM
  • Free Practice 2: Friday 5:30 PM
  • Free Practice 3: Saturday 12:50 PM
  • Qualifying: Saturday 6:00 PM
  • Hyperpole: Saturday 6:20 PM
  • Race: Sunday 2:00 PM
    
• How to Watch? FIA WEC TV

Kiwi endurance stars Earl Bamber and Brendon Hartley head to Japan this weekend for the 6 Hours of Fuji, the penultimate round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

At the previous round in Texas, both drivers showcased strong pace in a Kiwi double top-10 finish. Bamber, driving the #38 Cadillac for Hertz Team Jota alongside Sébastien Bourdais and Jenson Button, secured 6th place, while Hartley and his co-drivers Sébastien Buemi and Ryō Hirakawa in the #8 Toyota Hypercar finished 9th.

With Fuji’s fast straights and technical corners ahead, both Bamber and Hartley will be aiming to build on their recent performances and fight for podium positions as the championship heads into its final stages.

Cormac Buchanan | Moto3

• Where? Mobility Resort Motegi, Japan
• NZ Times:
  • Free Practice 1: Friday 12:00 PM
  • Practice: Friday 4:15 PM
  • Free Practice 2: Saturday 11:40 AM
  • Qualifying 1: Saturday 3:45 PM
  • Qualifying 2: Saturday 4:10 PM
  • Race: Sunday 3:00 PM
    
• How to Watch? ThreeNow

Kiwi Moto3 rider Cormac Buchanan heads to Mobility Resort Motegi this weekend for the 2025 Grand Prix of Japan, aiming to build on the progress he showed at Misano despite a challenging race.

At the San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix, Buchanan demonstrated strong pace during practice and qualifying, even though a lost lap in Q1 saw him start 21st. On race day, a first-lap incident forced him off track, but he fought back to finish 17th, just outside the points.

“Disappointed with the result, but the weekend showed real progress and gave me confidence for the next race,” Buchanan said.

➡️San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix Recap

With Motegi’s technical corners and fast straights ahead, Buchanan and the Dennsi Racing/BOE Motorsport team will be aiming to turn their momentum into points in Japan.

Full Weekend Schedule:

Header Image: Julien Delfosse / DPPI