KIWIS RACING ABROAD | 24-27 OCTOBER WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁
From the high-speed streets of Surfers Paradise to the thin air of Mexico City and the heat of Sepang, Kiwi racers are set for another blockbuster weekend of international motorsport action.
After a strong run of performances, Liam Lawson heads to Mexico City for the next stop on the Formula 1 calendar, the Mexican Grand Prix. The Racing Bulls rookie faces one of the season’s toughest challenges at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where thin air and passionate fans combine to create one of the sport’s most intense weekends.
Back in the United States, Shane van Gisbergen returns to short-track action at Martinsville Speedway for the Xfinity 500, the penultimate round of the NASCAR Cup Series.
Also at Martinsville Speedway this weekend is Kiwi driver Earl Bamber who is competing in the Mazda MX-5 Cup North America this weekend.
Closer to home, the Supercars Championship heads to Queensland’s famous Gold Coast 500 for Round 11, and the opening event of the season-ending finals.
Five Kiwis will take on the Surfers Paradise streets: Matt Payne (Grove Racing), Ryan Wood (Walkinshaw Andretti United), Richie Stanaway (PremiAir Racing), and Andre Heimgartner and Jaxon Evans (Brad Jones Racing).
The tight, concrete-lined circuit always delivers drama, and with championship points on the line, expect premier racing across both 250km races.
Supporting the Supercars are two categories with strong New Zealand representation. In the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia, Clay Osborne (McElrea Racing) and Marco Giltrap (Earl Bamber Motorsport/Team Porsche New Zealand) return for Round 7, both eager to make their mark on the challenging street circuit.
Meanwhile, Ben Stewart (99 Motorsport) continues his solid rookie campaign in the Toyota GR Cup Australia, also on the Gold Coast program.
On two wheels, Cormac Buchanan lines up for Round 20 of the Moto3 World Championship at the Malaysian Grand Prix. The Southlander returns to Sepang International Circuit, one of MotoGP’s most demanding and technical venues — where extreme heat, humidity, and close racing promise another thrilling weekend for the BOE Motorsport/Denssi Racing rider.
From the streets of Surfers Paradise to the mountains of Mexico, the chaos of Martinsville, and the heat of Sepang, Kiwi drivers and riders will once again represent New Zealand on motorsport’s biggest stages 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. ⬇️
Liam Lawson | Formula 1
- Where? Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Saturday 7:30 AM
- Practice 2: Saturday 11:00 AM
- Practice 3: Sunday 6:30 AM
- Qualifying: Sunday 10:00 AM
- Grand Prix: Monday 9:00 AM
- How to Watch? F1TV or Sky Sports
Liam Lawson left Texas with plenty to be proud of after delivering another strong, clean result at the United States Grand Prix — narrowly missing out on another points finish.
Qualifying 12th and narrowly missing out on Q2, Lawson once again showed his growing confidence at the wheel, extracting the most from the car as shifting winds and changing grip caught out several more experienced rivals.
On race day, the Kiwi kept his composure through a chaotic opening lap and settled into the fight just outside the top ten, running competitive pace with the midfield throughout.
A measured drive saw Lawson climb as high as 11th, shadowing Fernando Alonso in the closing laps but ultimately falling just short of a points-paying finish at the chequered flag.
It was another sign of consistency and maturity from the 23-year-old, who continues to impress in the Racing Bulls camp.
➡️ United States Grand Prix Recap
As the championship moves south to Mexico City for Round 20, Lawson will be aiming to go one better at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez — a high-altitude circuit known for its thin air, passionate fans, and technical layout.
With Racing Bulls and Red Bull reportedly set to decide his 2026 future after this weekend’s race, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the Kiwi, who will be pushing hard to turn his recent momentum into a breakthrough points result.
Shane Van Gisbergen | NASCAR Cup Series
- Where? Martinsville Speedway, Virginia, U.S.
- NZ Times:
- Practice: Sunday 9:30 AM
- Qualifying: Sunday 10:40 AM
- Race: Monday 7:00 AM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
Shane van Gisbergen heads into this weekend’s Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway full of confidence after a career-best superspeedway showing at Talladega Superspeedway.
The Trackhouse Racing #88 Chevrolet Camaro driver battled through chaos, setbacks, and an overtime finish to claim 11th, narrowly missing the Top 10.
Starting 31st at Talladega, van Gisbergen quickly moved through the field, running as high as second in Stage 1 and showing his road course skills translate effectively to NASCAR’s high banks.
A spin into the grass tri-oval during a wet pit entry and a later pit-road penalty temporarily set him back, but the Kiwi fought back to finish just 0.030 seconds outside the Top 10, outperforming all his Trackhouse teammates.
“P11 is the best result at a Superspeedway so far. The race started off really well, ran up front most of it, but then just put myself in a couple of bad spots.” Van Gisbergen reflected after the race.
➡️ Talladega SuperSpeedway Recap
With the Cup Series now turning to Martinsville Speedway for the penultimate round of the season, van Gisbergen will be looking to carry that momentum into one of NASCAR’s most physically and mentally demanding circuits.
The short, tight paperclip-shaped track is known for close-quarters racing and punishing braking zones, offering the Kiwi another chance to finish the season on a high.
Following Martinsville, the championship finale awaits at Phoenix Raceway on November 3rd, where van Gisbergen will aim to make a final statement in his 2025 Cup campaign.
After the highs and challenges of Talladega, the Kiwi driver will be hoping his growing oval experience translates into another strong result as he continues to cement his reputation on NASCAR’s biggest stages.
Earl Bamber | Mazda MX-5 Cup North America
- Where? Martinsville Speedway, Virginia, U.S.
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 5:00 AM
- Practice 2: Friday 6:10 AM
- Qualifying: Friday 7:30 AM
- Race: Friday 11:00 AM
- How to Watch? IMSA YouTube Channel
For the first time ever, the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup will welcome a two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner to its grid. Earl Bamber will make his series debut at Martinsville Speedway.
The Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 is getting some added star power with Bamber behind the wheel of the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Mazda MX-5 Cup entry, set to be fielded by Hendricks Motorsports. The Kiwi, a former factory driver for Porsche and Corvette, is fresh off a win at Petit Le Mans on October 11, driving the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac GTP for Action Express Racing.
Bamber has won the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans twice (2015 and 2017) with the Porsche LMP1 program and has also won driver championships in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship.
Despite his decades of racing at the most revered tracks in the world, Bamber has yet to take part in an oval race.
“I’m really excited to do the MX-5 cup race at Martinsville,” Bamber said.
“I’ve always wanted drive on an oval, so I can’t say thank you enough to Whelen and to Sonny Whelen for making this happen.
“I’m not sure how it’s going to go. I think there’s some really talented drivers that are in that series, so I’m just there for the experience, to learn, to have a lot of fun and, like I said, tick one of the boxes on something I’ve always wanted to do.”
This is the second year of the MX-5 Cup exhibition race at Martinsville Speedway. The winner will go home with $25,000 and a Ridgeway clock, the runner-up receives $10,000 and third place gets $7,000 with further cash payouts down to 10th.
Ryan Wood, Matt Payne, Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans & Richie Stanaway | Supercars
- Where? Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast.
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 3:40 PM
- Practice 2: Friday 6:25 PM
- Qualifying (Race 28): Saturday 2:00 PM
- Top 10 Shootout: Saturday 3:35 PM
- Race 28: Saturday 6:15 PM
- Qualifying (Race 29): Sunday 1:00 PM
- Top 10 Shootout: Sunday 2:35 PM
- Race 29: Sunday 5:10 PM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
After a rollercoaster Bathurst 1000, New Zealand’s Supercars contingent heads to Queensland this weekend for the Gold Coast 500, the opening round of the 2025 finals at Surfers Paradise.
The street circuit promises high-speed drama, concrete walls, and championship-deciding stakes — with Kiwi fans set to watch closely as five compatriots tackle the weekend.
Matt Payne enters the Surfers Paradise streets on a career-high, fresh off his sensational Bathurst 1000 triumph alongside six-time champion Garth Tander.
The Grove Racing driver’s late-race composure and strategic brilliance saw him climb from 18th on the grid to secure victory, cementing his reputation as one of New Zealand’s rising stars.
Currently sitting second in the championship standings, Payne will be hunting another strong result to challenge Broc Feeney for the 2025 title.
Ryan Wood, meanwhile, arrives eager to rewrite his Bathurst heartbreak. Poised for victory during the Mount Panorama epic, mechanical issues cruelly put him out of contention while sitting in second place and leading a large portion of the race prior.
Now sitting ninth in the standings, Wood will be determined to convert his pace into points this weekend, aiming to make the most of the tight, technical Surfers Paradise layout.
For the other Kiwi drivers — Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans, and Richie Stanaway- the weekend offers a chance to race hard and shine on one of the championship’s most iconic street circuits, even though they are not in contention for the title.
Heimgartner impressed at Bathurst with a quiet but consistent drive to finish seventh, while Evans and Stanaway faced misfortune but will be looking to bounce back.
Surfers Paradise is notorious for its unforgiving walls, close braking zones, and race-ending incidents, meaning strategy, precision, and nerves will be tested at every turn.
Marco Giltrap & Clay Osborne | Porsche Carrera Cup Australia
- Where? Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast.
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 2:10 PM
- Practice 2: Friday 5:15 PM
- Qualifying: Saturday 12:25 PM
- Race 1: Saturday 4:55 PM
- Race 2: Sunday 11:10 AM
- Race 3: Sunday 3:50 PM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
Marco Giltrap and Clay Osborne head to Surfers Paradise this weekend for Round 7 of Porsche Carrera Cup Australia, following a rollercoaster Bathurst campaign that produced contrasting fortunes for the Kiwi duo.
Giltrap was the standout performer, claiming a double podium and his best-ever finish in the series.
Across three intense races, the Auckland driver showed composure, tactical awareness, and resilience, fending off pressure in crucial moments and capping the weekend with a third-place finish, a result that cements his place among the front-runners in the championship.
Osborne, by contrast, endured a tougher run. A lap-one incident in Race 1 compromised his weekend, and despite fighting through the field in Races 2 and 3, a drive-through penalty in the final race saw him fall to 22nd, limiting his points haul.
While the weekend had its setbacks, the young Kiwi gained valuable experience in high-pressure, competitive conditions.
As the series moves to the Gold Coast 500 on the streets of Surfers Paradise, both drivers will aim to carry their Bathurst momentum forward.
Giltrap will be looking to build on his podium form and challenge the leaders once again, while Osborne will be keen to bounce back, capitalising on the technical and fast-flowing circuit to recover points and prove his pace.
The penultimate round promises tight racing, challenging conditions, and another opportunity for New Zealand talent to shine on one of Australia’s most iconic street circuits, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the 2025 Carrera Cup Australia season.
Ben Stewart | Toyota GR Cup Australia
- Where? Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast.
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 1:30 PM
- Practice 2: Friday 4:45 PM
- Qualifying: Saturday 1:25 PM
- Race 1: Saturday 4:20 PM
- Race 2: Sunday 12:05 PM
- Race 3: Sunday 3:20 PM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
Kiwi racer Ben Stewart heads to Surfers Paradise this weekend for Round 4 of the Toyota GR Cup Australia, ready to build on a competitive Bathurst performance.
The 99 Motorsport driver faced a challenging but ultimately productive third round at Mount Panorama, gaining valuable experience in a highly competitive field.
Stewart’s weekend at Bathurst featured mixed fortunes. After showing pace in Practice 1 with an 8th-place time, he struggled to match that form in Practice 2 and qualifying, eventually lining up 19th on the grid for the first race.
A lap-one incident declared Race 1 a non-event, but Stewart responded well in Races 2 and 3, finishing 15th and 13th, demonstrating consistent pace and racecraft as he battled through a large and competitive field of 34 cars.
Now at the Gold Coast 500, Stewart will be aiming to carry that momentum into one of Australia’s most challenging street circuits. With tight walls, limited runoff, and the intensity of the Supercars support program, the weekend promises to be a true test of precision, focus, and strategy.
Stewart will be looking to improve on his Bathurst results, gain further points in the championship standings, and showcase his skill against some of the country’s fastest Toyota GR Cup drivers.
Cormac Buchanan | Moto3
- Where? Petronas Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia
- 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
After a thrilling and hard-fought weekend at the Australian Grand Prix, 19-year-old Kiwi Moto3 rider Cormac Buchanan now sets his sights on the Grand Prix of Malaysia at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit.
Buchanan delivered one of his season-best performances at Phillip Island, climbing six places to finish 11th in a competitive, chaotic field.
After qualifying 17th overall, the Southlander navigated high winds, tight battles, and multiple position changes throughout the race, showing composure, determination, and racecraft. His late-race charge and ability to recover lost positions highlighted both his skill and tenacity on the bike.
➡️ Grand Prix of Australia Recap
As the Moto3 paddock moves to Malaysia, Buchanan will be looking to continue his strong momentum in Asia’s final round. The Sepang circuit, with its long straights and technical corners, presents a fresh challenge, testing riders’ speed, strategy, and endurance.
With two strong finishes from recent rounds, the Kiwi will be aiming for another points-paying result, building towards a solid close to the season before the championship returns to Europe for the final rounds.
Buchanan’s fans will be watching closely as he takes on Malaysia’s fast-flowing layout, seeking to maintain his impressive late-season form and continue making a mark on the international stage.
Full Weekend Schedule:
| Date/Time | Category | Event |
| Friday 5:00 AM | Mazda MX-5 Cup North America | Practice 1 |
| Friday 6:10 AM | Mazda MX-5 Cup North America | Practice 2 |
| Friday 7:30 AM | Mazda MX-5 Cup North America | Qualifying |
| Friday 11:00 AM | Mazda MX-5 Cup North America | Race |
| Friday 1:30 PM | Toyota GR Cup Australia | Practice 1 |
| Friday 2:00 PM | Moto3 | Free Practice 1 |
| Friday 2:10 PM | Porsche Carrera Cup Australia | Practice 1 |
| Friday 3:40 PM | Supercars | Practice 1 |
| Friday 4:45 PM | Toyota GR Cup Australia | Practice 2 |
| Friday 5:15 PM | Porsche Carrera Cup Australia | Practice 2 |
| Friday 6:15 PM | Moto3 | Practice |
| Friday 6:25 PM | Supercars | Practice 2 |
| Saturday 7:30 AM | Formula 1 | Practice 1 |
| Saturday 11:00 AM | Formula 1 | Practice 2 |
| Saturday 12:25 PM | Porsche Carrera Cup Australia | Qualifying |
| Saturday 1:25 PM | Toyota GR Cup Australia | Qualifying |
| Saturday 1:40 PM | Moto3 | Free Practice 2 |
| Saturday 2:00 PM | Supercars | Qualifying (Race 28) |
| Saturday 3:35 PM | Supercars | Top 10 Shootout |
| Saturday 4:20 PM | Toyota GR Cup Australia | Race 1 |
| Saturday 4:55 PM | Porsche Carrera Cup Australia | Race 1 |
| Saturday 5:45 PM | Moto3 | Qualifying 1 |
| Saturday 6:10 PM | Moto3 | Qualifying 2 |
| Saturday 6:15 PM | Supercars | Race 28 |
| Sunday 6:30 AM | Formula 1 | Practice 3 |
| Sunday 9:30 AM | NASCAR Cup Series | Practice |
| Sunday 10:00 AM | Formula 1 | Qualifying |
| Sunday 10:40 AM | NASCAR Cup Series | Qualifying |
| Sunday 11:10 AM | Porsche Carrera Cup Australia | Race 2 |
| Sunday 12:05 PM | Toyota GR Cup Australia | Race 2 |
| Sunday 1:00 PM | Supercars | Qualifying (Race 29) |
| Sunday 2:35 PM | Supercars | Top 10 Shootout |
| Sunday 3:20 PM | Toyota GR Cup Australia | Race 3 |
| Sunday 3:50 PM | Porsche Carrera Cup Australia | Race 3 |
| Sunday 5:00 PM | Moto3 | Race |
| Sunday 5:10 PM | Supercars | Race 29 |
| Monday 7:00 AM | NASCAR Cup Series | Race |
| Monday 9:00 AM | Formula 1 | Grand Prix |
Header Image: Mark Horsburgh
