Ruapuna Motorsport Park in Christchurch has emerged as a strong contender to host a second Supercars round in New Zealand after local news publication The Press revealed that the city’s economic development agency has confirmed it is in talks with organisers.
The venue is the second in the South Island to be tipped for a space on the 2026 calendar following last month’s meeting between Supercars and the Central Otago District Council to discuss a potential event at Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell.
The Press reported that Ali Adams, chief executive of ChristchurchNZ, stated that the Canterbury Car Club facilities had been reviewed as part of the preparations.
Meanwhile, Lewis Low, president of the Canterbury Car Club, confirmed to The Press the track was being upgraded to meet the standards required for hosting an international event. However, he was unable to provide further details, only acknowledging his organisation’s involvement in the discussions.
Supercars has not commented on the matter.
With SailGP, which was held in Lyttelton in 2024, shifting to Auckland, ChristchurchNZ, the city’s economic development agency which is partly funded by the city council, is believed to have unspent funds to invest in a major international event.
The city itself has gone through a significant period of growth in the hospitality sector since the 2011 earthquake, with over a dozen big hotels opening since 2020. Several others, including at least two due to open in 2026, are in varying stages of development.
The proximity of Ruapuna to Christchurch International Airport may be another factor taken into consideration, given the logistical size of transporting such an operation to or from Australia.
Highlands Motorsport Park, meanwhile, is in a popular tourism region in Otago, near Queenstown, which also presents plenty of accommodation options for fans and teams alike.
Highlands CEO Josie Spillane spoke last month about the potential for a round at the venue, saying: “It’s early stages, but so far, all the lights are green.
“Our reputation is one of getting things done, and we don’t waste any time. We’ve already opened up viewing areas, the track’s been given a tick of approval, and we’ve a consent in place to make it all happen. We like to walk the talk, as they say!
“Warbirds, Wheels Over Wanaka, the Queenstown Marathon, and the Winter Games also showcase that there is plenty of capacity in the region to host visitors to major events.
“Logistics are all doable – it’s just about having smart people involved, and the Supercars team are experts.”
The venue features a world-class circuit, which the likes of Shane van Gisbergen and Liam Lawson have recognised as their favourite.
The possibility of hosting the second round in the North Island was discussed by Tony Quinn on Speedcafe’s Summer Grill podcast last week, the Highlands, Taupo and Hampton Downs owner revealing that the Taupo event utilised all the temporary stands available in the region, highlighting the strain on infrastructure.
Quinn also addressed the possibility of the event going to Ruapuna on Speedcafe’s Summer Grill podcast, saying, “It wouldn’t be a bad thing if the V8s went there,” and, “I think it would be a good event, but it would be quite costly,” referring to the upgrades required at Ruapuna to host such a series.
Regardless of the location, a second Supercars round in New Zealand appears increasingly likely, promising a thrilling opportunity for South Island motorsport fans by 2026.
Header Image: Neville Bailey
