Motorsport Preview: Ready for an action-packed weekend?
New Zealand
The Supercars Championship is coming to New Zealand this weekend for the Taupō Super 440. Featuring our Kiwi Giltrap Group Motorsport drivers Matt Payne (#19 Penrite Racing), André Heimgartner (#8 Brad Jones Racing), and Ryan Wood (#2 Walkinshaw Andretti United), who are excited to be back on home soil. Last year, André Heimgartner carved his name in history as the first championship race winner at Taupō Motorsport Park. Matt Payne also found luck at the track, claiming the top spot in Race 2 qualifying.
Taupō is set to make history as the first circuit to host a Super 440 event in Supercars. So, what exactly is 'Super 440'? It's the combined length of three races: two 120km races and one 200km race. Adding to the excitement, the Saturday sprint races will feature the new-for-2025 Dunlop Soft and Dunlop Super Soft tyres. This will undoubtedly challenge teams and shake up the order from session to session. Expect the unexpected and get ready for some surprising results!
With sunny conditions on the forecast, it won't be a repeat of the wet and wild racing from last year. Be sure to head along to support our Kiwis – tickets available from supercars.com or watch live on Sky Sports.
Middle East
Formula 1 heads to the Middle East this weekend for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Liam Lawson looks to take charge in his second week in the Visa Cash App Racing Bull car. Lawson has had past success at the Sakhir Circuit; at his debut Formula 2 race weekend in 2021, he won the opening sprint race and finished third in the feature race.
The Sakhir Circuit is known for having plenty of passing opportunities, while drivers will battle with the elements of desert gulf wind, racing under floodlights, and the fluctuation of temperatures between sessions. With Formula 1 being back in the Middle East, the time zone is less than appealing for Kiwi fans; the Bahrain Grand Prix is at 3am Monday, 14th April (NZST).
North America
Scott Dixon looks to defend his title at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend at the 50th anniversary of the race. Long Beach is the longest continuously held event on the calendar. Since 1984, races have been staged with much of the glitz that comes with being located just down the road from Hollywood. The 1.968-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit encircles the Long Beach Convention Centre and runs down scenic Shoreline Drive. With plenty of overtaking opportunities, including Turn 1, getting the hairpin turn just before the front stretch right is critical. As a two-time event winner (2015 & 2024), Dixon will be inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame.
NASCAR is in Tennessee this weekend for the Food City 500, racing on the Bristol Motor Speedway. This 0.533-mile oval short track in Bristol, Tennessee, nicknamed "The Last Great Colosseum," is a fan-favourite NASCAR venue known for its intense, close-quarters racing and high-banked turns. Shane van Gisbergen is coming off the back of his best oval result in NASCAR with a P20 finish in Darlington last weekend.
After a seven-week break, Formula E is back for Round 5, the Miami E-Prix. Heading back to Florida for the first time since the first two seasons, but bigger and better. The Miami E-Prix is going to be at a brand-new venue for Formula E – Homestead-Miami Speedway. Many will be familiar with this circuit due to it playing host to all major North American racing series from NASCAR to IMSA.
Formula E will be using the anti-clockwise 3.551km circuit that loops inside the outer oval, filled with lots of overtaking opportunities on the 15-turn track layout. The adapted version of the Speedway's infield road course features several high-speed straights and heavy braking zones, with ATTACK MODE located at Turn 4. Keep an eye on Mitch Evans as he races in his #9 Jaguar TCS Racing car.
The weekend results will be live on Giltrap Group Motorsportsocial media channels.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, April 11
11:45 – Supercars – Practice 1
14:30 – Supercars – Practice 2
23:30 – Formula 1 – Practice 1
Saturday, April 12
03:00 – Formula 1 – Practice 2
08:30 – Formula E – Practice 1
10:00 – INDYCAR – Practice 1
10:25 – Supercars – Qualifying (Race 8)
11:05 – Supercars – Qualifying (Race 9)
12:50 – Supercars – Race 8
16:05 – Supercars – Race 9
23:30 – Formula E – Practice 2
Sunday, April 13
00:30 – Formula 1 - Practice 3
01:40 – Formula E – Qualifying
03:30 – INDYCAR – Practice 2
04:00 – Formula 1 – Qualifying
06:00 – NASCAR – Practice
06:05 – Formula E – Race (Miami E-Prix)
06:30 – INDYCAR - Qualifying
07:05 – NASCAR - Qualifying
10:35 – Supercars – Qualifying (Race 10)
12:50 – Supercars – Top 10 Shootout (Race 10)
15:05 – Supercars – Race 10
Monday, April 14
03:00 – Formula 1 – Race (Bahrain Grand Prix)
04:00 – INDYCAR – Warm Up
07:00 – NASCAR – Race (Food City 500)
08:30 – INDYCAR – Race (Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach)