Super GT, New Zealand’s newest race series to begin in 2022

Super GT, New Zealand’s newest motorsport championship, aims to cater for some of the country’s most exotic sports cars and GT4 models.

The championship will be on the Speed Works Events 2022 summer programme with its inaugural race weekend at Highlands Motorsport Park in January.

Permitted to race in Super GT include any GT4, Ferrari Challenge, and Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars.

Series organisers suggest there are upwards of 80 eligible cars already in New Zealand. They are projecting a field of 30 for its first season.

Super GT intends to provide a fresh dimension to the summer racing schedule by having a “word class grid” of modern GT cars.

“Just imagine seeing Porsche, Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin, BMW and other exotic brands all on the same track at the same time,” category manager Grant Smith said.

To ensure equality and promote more appealing racing, Super GT will use a Balance of Performance criteria.

Balance of Performance will come in the form of pitstops, which are compulsory in each race.

The duration of pitstops for each car will be calculated before the race using qualifying and practice lap times.

The faster the car, the longer the pitstop.

Each race weekend will have three races. Two will be 30 minutes, and one will be 60 minutes long.

“This is something that motorsport fans have been waiting for and we are delighted to be able to present an exciting world class series for New Zealand competitors and fans,” Smith said.

There will be four rounds of Super GT next year, with races split evenly between the North and South Islands.

2022 Super GT calendar