After two years of interrupted racing seasons due to the pandemic, 2022 has finally produced a year full of racing. However, as the end of the year draws to a close and winter draws nearer in the Northern Hemisphere, racing has already wrapped in a number of series.
Do not fear, there is still plenty of Kiwis still to race overseas this year. We’ve compiled a list below of some of what’s still to come.
Keep an eye out for our weekly Motorsport Diary for a reminder of when and where they compete.
Supercars
- Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500: October 28-30
- VALO Adelaide 500: December 1-4
Shane van Gisbergen is agonisingly close to wrapping up the 2022 Supercars title in what has been a dominating year for the Kiwi. Having just beaten Scott McLaughlin’s record for the most wins in a season, van Gisbergen has crossed the line first a massive 19 times out of 30 races. This includes victory of the final ever Pukekohe SuperSprint, and, of course, Bathurst 1000 honours.
The gap to second-placed Cam Waters is a massive 577 points, meaning van Gisbergen only needs to finish one of the two remaining races to clinch the crown.
Andre Heimgartner has also produced a stellar season and currently sits in ninth. A DNF at Bathurst hurt for the 27-year-old, however his form in 2022 will mean a finish deep inside the top 10 is a very real possibility.
Finally, Chris Pither currently sits 22nd overall. He has of late, however, been running just outside the top 10 frequently, and was the biggest mover in Race 1 at Pukekohe, gaining a massive 11 places in the event. A Bathurst top 10 finish was on the cards for the Kiwi until a power steering failure late in the race put him towards the back.
Dunlop Super2
- Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500: October 28-30
- VALO Adelaide 500: December 1-4
Matthew Payne has produced some great results in 2022 in Dunlop Super2. Such results have seen him rewarded with a Bathurst 1000 co-drive, where he finished sixth, and a full-time Supercars contract next year with Grove Racing.
The 20-year-old currently sits third in the Super2 standings, two rounds left should he wish to challenge leader Declan Fraser for the title. With that gap at 132 points, Payne will need some strong running, which we can expect, to finish at the right end of the table.
World Endurance Championship
- 8 Hours of Bahrain: 12 November
Kiwi Brendon Hartley is in a good spot to claim overall honours for the World Endurance Championship in 2022. He leads the Hypercar class with teammates Sebastien Buemi and Ryo Hirakawa, equal on points with the entry of Andre Negrao, Matthieu Vaxiviere and Nicolas Lapierre.
Winning the double points round at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans helped the Kiwi’s chances, as did victory last time out at the 6 Hours of Fuji.
Nick Cassidy has also been involved in several races in 2022, however is unconfirmed for the 8 Hours of Bahrain as of yet.
GT World Challenge Australia
- The Bend Motorsport Park: October 21-23
- Mount Panorama: November 11-13
- VALO Adelaide 500: December 1-4
Shane van Gisbergen remains in contention for the 2022 GT World Challenge title, currently sitting third in the standings in partnership with Prince Jefri Ibrahim. Racing a Mercedes-AMG GT3, van Gisbergen has proved his worth outside a Supercar with victory in races at both Sandown and Queensland Raceway.
The duo currently sit 24 points behind championship leader Yasser Shahin, with three rounds still to go top honours remain very much a real chance.
It is unclear at this point whether van Gisbergen will fulfill double duties at the Adelaide 500, in which Supercars and the GT World Challenge see out their seasons.
Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia
- Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500: October 28-30
- Sydney Motorsport Park: November 18-20
Callum Hedge has enjoyed a break through season in the Carrera Cup, the season including multiple podiums and his maiden race win in Townsville.
The 18-year-old currently sits seventh in the standings, out of contention for the series as a big gap separates the top five from the field. Hedge will, however, continue to challenge for podiums and wins over the final two rounds.
The other New Zealander in the series, Tim Miles, currently sits ninth and the Pro-AM standings and fourth in the Pro-AM Endurance Series.
Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
- The Bend Motorsport Park: October 21-23
- Mount Panorama: November 11-13
With two rounds still to run in 2022, Ryan Wood has been on a charge, claiming three race wins and five second places. He only remains bettered by Thomas Sargent, who has won the five races in which Wood was second.
Only 9 points separate Sargent from Wood, however the two have pulled away from contention, third-placed Courtney Prince some 133 points off top spot.
The battle between the pair also extends to the Endurance Cup, Sargent also leading that with two wins to Wood’s one.
Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe
- Portimao: November 5-6
Brendon Leitch will see out the Lamborghini Super Trofeo season at the World Finals in Portugal in November. Leitch has driven with German Gerhard Watzinger in the Pro-AM class of the event, most recently claiming fourth in class in Race 2 in Barcelona.
Formula 2
- Yas Island: November 18-20
After a long hiatus, Liam Lawson and Marcus Armstrong will return to the F2 fold in support of the season ending F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Despite both being out of championship contention, they have enjoyed strong seasons, both taking multiple Sprint Race wins. Lawson currently sits seventh in the series, yet only 3 points off fourth.
Armstrong sits in 12th, a top 10 finish a possibility should he see out the season strongly.
