KIWIS RACING ABROAD | 24-27 APRIL WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁
It’s a slightly quieter weekend on the global motorsport stage, but there’s still plenty of Kiwi talent flying the flag across the United States and Europe across a mix of disciplines.
In NASCAR, the Cup Series heads to the high banks of Talladega Superspeedway for Round 10 of the season. Known for its unpredictable pack racing and dramatic finishes, it’s set to be a major test for Shane van Gisbergen, who continues his second full-time campaign with Trackhouse Racing. Talladega presents a completely different challenge compared to recent rounds, with drafting and racecraft playing a crucial role.
Over in Texas, Ryan Yardley returns for Round 2 of GT World Challenge America at the demanding Circuit of the Americas, where he’ll again take on a busy double programme. The Kiwi will compete in both GT World Challenge America and Pirelli GT4 America, continuing to build momentum in the North American endurance racing scene.
In Europe, the Grand Prix of Spain plays host to Round 4 of the Moto3 World Championship at the iconic Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto. Kiwi rider Cormac Buchanan continues his second full-time campaign on the world stage, gaining valuable experience at one of the sport’s most technical and historic circuits.
Back in the United States, the AMA Supercross Championship heads to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Young Kiwi talent Cole Davies remains one to watch as he continues to impress against some of the best riders in the world and continues to lead the 250sx East Championship.
Adding to the international Kiwi presence, Liam Sceats makes his debut in the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia this weekend at the iconic Sepang International Circuit, joining Vincenzo Sospiri Racing for his first outing in the series.
While the schedule may be lighter than usual, the variety of categories—from superspeedway NASCAR action to GT endurance racing, Moto3, and Supercross—ensures another diverse and compelling weekend, with Kiwi competitors continuing to make their mark on the international stage.
Shane Van Gisbergen | NASCAR Cup Series
- Where? Talladega Superspeedway, Alabama
- NZ Times:
- Qualifying: Sunday 2:30AM
- Race: Monday 7:00 AM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
Shane van Gisbergen will be looking to reset this weekend after a tough outing at Kansas Speedway, where early promise quickly faded in a challenging race for the Kiwi.
After qualifying inside the top 20, van Gisbergen struggled with a tight-handling #97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, with persistent understeer leaving him unable to stay competitive in traffic. Strategy calls and setup changes failed to improve the balance, while electrical and braking issues only compounded the problem. He eventually finished 36th, several laps down.
“Just a struggle for our 97 Red Bull team today… A lot to learn from today, but we’ll be ready for Talladega next weekend,” said Shane van Gisbergen.
➡️Kansas Speedway Recap HERE
Attention now turns to Talladega Superspeedway for Round 10 of the NASCAR Cup Series, where the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing offers a chance to bounce back.
With drafting and survival key, Talladega presents a very different challenge—and a genuine opportunity—for van Gisbergen to turn the page after a frustrating Kansas weekend.
Ryan Yardley | GT World Challenge America & Pirelli GT4 America
- Where? Circuit of Americas, Texas
- NZ Times:
- GT4 America:
- Practice 1: Saturday 5:35 AM
- Practice 2: Saturday 12:15 PM
- Qualifying: Sunday 5:10 AM
- Race: Sunday 10:00 AM
- GT World Challenge America:
- Practice 1: Saturday 9:20 AM
- Practice 2: Sunday 3:25 AM
- Practice 3: Sunday 7:30 AM
- Qualifying 1: Monday 1:45 AM
- Qualifying 2: Monday 2:05 AM
- Race: Monday 5:30 AM
- How to Watch? GT World YouTube
Ryan Yardley returns to action this weekend at Circuit of the Americas, taking on a demanding double programme across both GT3 and GT4 competition.
The Kiwi will contest Round 2 of GT World Challenge America with Wright Motorsports alongside co-driver Dave Musial Jr. The pairing made a strong start to their campaign back in March, finishing fourth in the opening round and narrowly missing out on the podium.
Yardley will also line up in Pirelli GT4 America with ACI Motorsports, sharing driving duties with Damir Hot. During the opening weekend, which featured Rounds 1 and 2, the duo finished 10th in Race 1 and 11th in Race 2 as they built early-season experience together.
Heading into the Austin weekend, Yardley will be aiming to build on that solid GT3 result while continuing to make gains in GT4, as he tackles one of North America’s most technical circuits in a busy and important double-header.
Cormac Buchanan | Moto3
- Where? Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto, Spain
- NZ Times:
- Free Practice 1: Friday 7:00 PM
- Practice: Friday 11:15 PM
- Free Practice 2: Saturday 6:40 PM
- Qualifying 1: Saturday 10:45 PM
- Qualifying 2: Saturday 11:10 PM
- Race: Sunday 9:00 PM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
Cormac Buchanan returns to action this weekend at the Grand Prix of Spain, aiming to bounce back after a physically demanding start to his Moto3 campaign.
The Kiwi arrives at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto following a much-needed break, having battled through injury across the recent double-header at the Grand Prix of Brazil and Grand Prix of the United States. Still recovering from a heavy crash in Brazil, Buchanan showed determination to line up in Texas just days later, pushing through significant rib and lower back pain to finish the race despite being far from full fitness.
The three-week hiatus has provided a crucial window for recovery, with Buchanan returning to his Barcelona base focused on regaining strength and getting back to peak condition. Earlier signs of speed—particularly in Brazil—have reinforced confidence that he has the pace to fight further up the field once fully fit.
➡️Brazil and United States Recap HERE
Jerez now offers a key opportunity to reset. Known for its technical layout and flowing rhythm, the Spanish circuit will test both fitness and precision, but it could also mark a turning point as Buchanan looks to convert his underlying speed into results.
With his body on the mend and valuable lessons taken from a tough run of races, the focus this weekend is clear—rebuild momentum and begin the climb back toward the front in his rookie Moto3 season.
Cole Davies | Supercross AMA Championship
- Where? Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- NZ Times:
- Qualifying 1: Sunday 4:30AM
- Qualifying 2: Sunday 7:10 AM
- Heat 1: Sunday 11:06 AM
- Heat 2: Sunday 11:20 AM
- Last Chance Qualifier: Sunday 12:23 PM
- Main Event: Sunday 12:55 PM
- How to Watch? Super Motocross Video Pass
Cole Davies heads into this weekend’s AMA Supercross Championship round in Philadelphia with momentum on his side, continuing to lead the 250SX East standings after a gritty performance last time out.
The Kiwi arrives at Lincoln Financial Field fresh from a hard-fought podium in Cleveland, where changing conditions and on-track drama tested the field. Despite describing it as a “really rough night,” Davies showed maturity beyond his years, bouncing back from mistakes and chaos across the Triple Crown format to secure third overall, highlighted by a commanding win in Race 3.
That result not only salvaged strong points but also extended his championship lead, giving him a valuable buffer as the title fight intensifies.
➡️Cleveland Recap HERE
Philadelphia now presents another crucial step in the campaign. With confidence high and the red plate in hand, Davies’ focus will be on consistency and control—continuing to manage races smartly while capitalising on opportunities when they arise.
After proving his resilience in Cleveland, the championship leader heads into this weekend as the rider to beat, with another strong result key to tightening his grip on the 250SX East title.
Liam Sceats | Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia
- Where? Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia
- NZ Times:
- Race 1: Saturday 7:00 PM
- Race 2: Sunday 6:00 PM
- How to Watch? Lamborghini Squadra Corse YouTube
Liam Sceats begins a major new chapter in his career this weekend as he makes his GT racing debut at the Sepang International Circuit in Round 1 of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia.
The Kiwi steps into a new environment with Vincenzo Sospiri Racing, transitioning from single-seaters into the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo II for his first season of GT competition. The move follows a shift in career direction, with Sceats targeting a long-term pathway through Lamborghini’s global motorsport ladder.
“This has been a long process in the making,” Sceats said. “Super Trofeo Asia gives me a strong platform and a clear pathway forward.”
He will share driving duties with a young Polish co-driver in the series’ two-race format, with Sepang providing a demanding first test in hot, technical conditions as he adapts to GT racing for the first time.
All eyes now turn to his debut weekend as Sceats begins a new phase of his international motorsport journey.
Header Image: NASCAR
