Taupō Supercars round

The Taupō Super 440 is the current name for the annual motor racing event for Supercars , held at Taupo International Motorsport Park in Taupō , New Zealand since 2024 . [ 1 ]

History

The Australian -based Supercars have held championship rounds in New Zealand since 2001, at Pukekohe Park Raceway (2001–07, 2013–19 and 2022) and Hamilton Street Circuit (2008–12). [ 2 ] The Pukekohe circuit closed in early 2023, with the last Supercars event held in 2022. [ 3 ] In August 2023, it was announced that the Supercars New Zealand round would move to Taupō in 2024, with an April date later confirmed. [ 1 ] [ 4 ]

Jason Richards Memorial Trophy

The driver who scores the most points across all races during the weekend receives the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy. The trophy was introduced at the 2013 Auckland SuperSprint event in honour of Jason Richards , a one-time New Zealand Supercars race winner and Supercars Hall of Fame member who died of cancer in 2011, and continued to this event. [ 5 ]

References

1 Will Brown 88 Broc Feeney

2 Ryan Wood 25 Chaz Mostert

3 Aaron Cameron 7 James Courtney

4 Cameron Hill 10 Nick Percat

6 Cam Waters 55 Thomas Randle

Quick Facts

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0 Race Information

0 Venue

0 Number of times held

0 First held

0 Race Format

0 Race 1

0 Laps

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Table 1

Year	Driver	Team	Car	Report
2024	Anton de Pasquale	Dick Johnson Racing	Ford Mustang GT	nan
2025	Matthew Payne	Grove Racing	Ford Mustang GT	nan

Table 2

Wins	Manufacturer
2	Ford

Featured Image

infobox image from Taupō_Supercars_round

F1ABY Commentary

Consider the enduring allure of speed—a siren song that has captivated humanity for longer than recorded history. The shift to Taupō marks a tangible evolution, doesn’t it? Supercars returning to New Zealand after a decade away speaks volumes about the cyclical nature of motorsport’s affections. The echoes of Pukekohe, a track steeped in battles and brilliance, are undeniably woven into the fabric of this new venue. One observes a calculated realignment, a strategic repositioning of the championship’s footprint. This relocation, mirroring the shifts in global power dynamics we’ve witnessed across the decades, demands a fresh perspective. The Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, a poignant tribute, adds another layer to this evolving narrative – a reminder that even in the pursuit of velocity, remembrance holds profound significance. It's a fascinating testament to the sport’s capacity for both audacious ambition and quiet reflection.

The shift to Taupō marks a deliberate echo of the early Grand Prix days, a recognition that speed and strategic placement have always been inextricably linked to the very soul of motorsport. Just as the inaugural races at Brands Hatch and Silverstone sought to test limits against the raw beauty of the countryside, this move signals a renewed commitment to showcasing the sport’s inherent connection to its environment, a thread woven through decades of exhilarating competition.

F1ABY Trivia

The rain descends upon Taupō, a slick grey curtain embracing the track. A familiar pattern unfolds – the strategic dance between tire compounds, a constant calculation of grip versus degradation. Observe, for instance, the subtle shift toward the softest rubber as drivers, mirroring decisions made at Spa-Francorchamps just months prior, relentlessly probed the limits. It’s a testament to the enduring principles of motorsport, a reflection of how even a change of location doesn't fundamentally alter the relentless pursuit of performance.

The rain descends, a fitting curtain for a weekend steeped in shifting fortunes. Hamilton’s street circuit, a venue that’s seen both blistering speed and heartbreaking mechanical woes for Australian teams, now offers a stark contrast – a canvas of slick conditions demanding a different kind of mastery. A curious observation: across the preceding decade, the driver securing pole position at Hamilton has converted that advantage into victory just 28% of the time. This underscores the inherent volatility of the surface, a characteristic that’s consistently challenged the most meticulously planned strategies.

F1ABY Tales

There! A flash of scarlet, a desperate lunge around the outside of the Chevron – a move that echoes, unsettlingly, the early battles at Monaco. Richards himself would have been captivated, assessing the angle, the risk. The pursuit is relentless, a mirror to the gladiatorial contests of Fangio’s era, though the machinery has evolved beyond recognition. This isn’t simply a race; it’s a lineage, a continuation of that primal need for speed and dominance. The tension here, palpable, recalls the fiercely competitive spirit of the early World Championships, a reminder that the fundamental desire to push the boundaries of performance remains unchanged. Observe closely – the subtle shifts in strategy, the calculated aggression – these are the hallmarks of a sport forged in legend.

There’s a stillness here, a palpable quiet that clings to the tarmac of Taupō. It’s a stark contrast to the orchestrated chaos of a grand prix, yet no less demanding. Hayes, a graduate of the Australian academy, possesses a keen eye for detail, a quality often overlooked in the pursuit of raw speed. He’s carrying the weight of expectation, the legacy of Jason Richards, a name etched into the very fabric of this championship. A reminder that talent alone isn’t sufficient; discipline and understanding are the true engines of success. The pursuit of that trophy, it seems, begins with a singular focus.