Taupō Supercars round
| |
| Race Information | |
| Venue | Taupo International Motorsport Park |
| Number of times held | 2 |
| First held | 2024 |
| Race Format | |
| Race 1 | |
| Laps | 37 |
| Distance | 120 km |
| Race 2 | |
| Laps | 37 |
| Distance | 120 km |
| Race 3 | |
| Laps | 61 |
| Distance | 200 km |
| Last Event (2025) | |
| Overall Winner | |
 Matthew Payne |
Grove Racing |
| Race Winners | |
| Matthew Payne |
Grove Racing |
 Chaz Mostert |
Walkinshaw Andretti United |
| Matthew Payne |
Grove Racing |
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]
At the inaugural event in 2024, Andre Heimgartner won the Saturday race in wet conditions, before Will Brown won the Sunday race. Anton de Pasquale however won the trophy, with two third place finishes across the weekend.[5] In 2025, Matt Payne won the event and trophy with two wins in the revised three-race format over 440 kilometres.[6]
Jason Richards Memorial Trophy
Until 2025, the driver who scored the most points across all races during the weekend received the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy. The trophy was originally 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.[7] From 2026, a second New Zealand event in Christchurch will be added to the calendar, and the trophy will be given to the driver that scores the most points over both rounds, to be held in consecutive weekends.[8]
Winners
| Year | Driver | Team | Car | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Anton de Pasquale
|
Dick Johnson Racing | Ford Mustang GT | |
| 2025 | Matthew Payne
|
Grove Racing | Ford Mustang GT |
Multiple winners
By manufacturer
| Wins | Manufacturer |
|---|---|
| 2 | Ford |
Event names and sponsors
See also
References
- ^ a b Herrero, Daniel (20 August 2023). "Supercars announces New Zealand return". Speedcafe. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Pavey, James (20 July 2022). "Pukekohe's place in Supercars history". Supercars. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Neal, Timothy (20 July 2022). "AUCKLANDS PUKEKOHE PARK PULLING PIN ON SUPERCARS". AutoAction. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Hutchison, Dan (23 September 2023). "Autumn date announced for Taupō Supercars round". NZ Herald. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Pavey, James. "De Pasquale: JR Trophy win after AGP nightmare 'pretty cool' | Supercars". Supercars.com. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
- ^ van Leeuwen, Andrew (13 April 2025). "Payne seals Jason Richards Trophy with Sunday Taupo win". Speedcafe.com. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
- ^ Pavey, James (21 September 2023). "Jason Richards Trophy to continue at Taupo". Supercars. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Walker, Mark (2 December 2025). "Jason Richards Trophy expands". V8 Sleuth. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
- ^ O'Brien, Connor (21 September 2023). "Dates locked in for Supercars' Taupo debut". V8 Sleuth. Retrieved 23 September 2023.