Motorsport Diary: Kiwis racing overseas this weekend

KIWIS RACING ABROAD | 3-6 OCTOBER WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁

From the twisting streets of Singapore to the unique ROVAL in Charlotte and the fast-flowing Mandalika Circuit in Indonesia, Kiwi racers are once again spread across the globe this weekend.

In the United States, Shane van Gisbergen lines up for Trackhouse Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at the Charlotte ROVAL. Known for its mix of oval banking and infield road course sections, the ROVAL is a track where SVG’s road racing pedigree makes him one of the standout contenders. He’ll be aiming to continue his strong form after a breakthrough performance at Kansas.

In Formula 1, Liam Lawson returns to the grid with Racing Bulls at the Singapore Grand Prix. The Marina Bay Street Circuit is regarded as one of the toughest tests on the calendar, demanding precision, stamina, and racecraft under the floodlights.

Meanwhile in Indonesia, Cormac Buchanan takes on Round 18 of the Moto3 World Championship at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit. The flowing layout and hot, humid conditions will provide a stern challenge, but the young Kiwi will be pushing hard to make an impact as the season winds down.

From Charlotte’s hybrid oval to Singapore’s night race and Indonesia’s tropical test, Kiwi drivers continue to showcase their talent across three of motorsport’s most diverse battlegrounds.

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? Charlotte Roval, U.S.
• NZ Times:
  • Practice: Sunday 7:00 AM
  • Qualifying: Sunday 8:10 AM
  • Race: Monday 8:00 AM
    
• How to Watch? ThreeNow

Shane van Gisbergen heads into this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at the Charlotte ROVAL as the leading road course favourite, boosted by a gritty top-10 finish at Kansas Speedway.

The Kiwi endured a rough start to the Hollywood Casino 400 when his Trackhouse Racing #88 Camaro was hit with pre-race penalties, forcing him to start at the rear, serve a stop-and-go penalty, and go without crew chief Stephen Doran. A lap down from his penalty, van Gisbergen fought back onto the lead lap and stayed in the fight despite a tight-handling car and mid-race contact.

As late-race chaos unfolded—including multiple cautions, a red flag, and overtime restarts—van Gisbergen climbed to finish 10th, his best oval result in a Cup Series points race.

➡️ Kansas Speedway Recap

Now attention turns to Charlotte’s hybrid road course-oval, a layout tailor-made for his strengths. With momentum on his side, van Gisbergen enters the ROVAL weekend as the driver many expect to beat.

Liam Lawson | Formula 1

• Where? Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore
• NZ Times:
  • Practice 1: Friday 10:30 PM
  • Practice 2: Saturday 2:00 AM
  • Practice 3: Saturday 10:30 PM
  • Qualifying: Sunday 2:00 AM
  • Grand Prix: Monday 1:00 AM
    
• How to Watch? Sky Sports

Liam Lawson returns to the Formula 1 grid this weekend at the Marina Bay Street Circuit for the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix, riding the momentum of a breakthrough performance in Baku just two weeks ago.

The streets of Baku delivered drama from start to finish, with Lawson producing a career-best fifth-place finish for Racing Bulls. After a disrupted qualifying session featuring six red flags, the Kiwi secured an impressive third on the grid—his best-ever Formula 1 starting position, and showcased composure and defensive skill throughout the race, holding off pressure from Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris, and Yuki Tsunoda in the closing laps.

➡️ Azerbaijan Grand Prix Recap

Singapore presents a different challenge: a physically demanding night race on a tight, unforgiving street circuit where precision, consistency, and strategic prowess are paramount. With confidence high from Azerbaijan, Lawson will be aiming to build on his breakthrough result and continue climbing the championship order.

As Formula 1 heads to the iconic Marina Bay lights, all eyes will be on the Kiwi driver to see if he can turn his Baku momentum into another standout performance.

Cormac Buchanan | Moto3

• Where? Pertamina Mandalika Circuit, Indonesia
• NZ Times:
  • Free Practice 1: Friday 2:00 PM
  • Practice: Friday 6:15 PM
  • Free Practice 2: Saturday 1:40 PM
  • Qualifying 1: Saturday 5:45 PM
  • Qualifying 2: Saturday 6:10 PM
  • Race: Sunday 5:00 PM
    
• How to Watch? ThreeNow

Cormac Buchanan returns to the Moto3 World Championship this weekend at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit for the Grand Prix of Indonesia, aiming to bounce back after a mixed and chaotic weekend in Japan.

At the Grand Prix of Japan, Buchanan faced a turbulent weekend of crashes and rapidly changing conditions, ultimately finishing 16th. Despite the challenges, the Kiwi rider showed resilience, battling through difficult qualifying and a race full of incidents, overtakes, and sudden rain to stay competitive.

➡️Grand Prix of Japan Recap

Indonesia presents a fresh opportunity on the flowing Mandalika Circuit, a layout that rewards precision, speed, and consistency. With confidence high and lessons learned from Japan, Buchanan will be looking to make a stronger impact and climb the order for Denssi Racing/BOE Motorsport.

As the Moto3 season nears its closing rounds, all eyes will be on the young Kiwi to see if he can turn recent frustrations into a standout performance on one of the championship’s most exciting circuits.

Full Weekend Schedule:

Header Image: Getty Images/NASCAR