Supercars - Christchurch Super 440

The Christchurch Super 440 brings the Supercars Championship to the South Island for the first time in history. This v8supercars race takes place at Euromarque Motorsport Park, also known as Mike Pero Motorsport Park and Ruapuna Raceway, located in Templeton, just 13 kilometers west of Christchurch. The 2026 edition forms part of a historic two-week New Zealand double-header, with racing action spanning both islands.

The Circuit at Mike Pero Motorsport Park

Euromarque Motorsport Park features a 3.330-kilometer counter-clockwise circuit with 11 turns. The track holds FIA Grade 3 licensing for its Grand Prix configuration. The Canterbury Car Club Inc. owns and operates this facility on land leased from the Christchurch City Council. The venue includes pit garages, a drag strip, a racing school, and a speedway circuit. The park opened in November 1963 as a simple one-mile tri-oval before expanding to its current 3.3-kilometer layout in 1993. The circuit hosted the New Zealand Grand Prix in 1998 and 1999. A multi-million dollar upgrade prepares the facility for the Christchurch Super 440 and ensures world-class racing standards.

Race Format and Competition Structure

The Christchurch Super 440 operates as part of the Repco Sprint Cup, which comprises the first nine rounds of the 2026 Supercars Championship season. The full season includes 37 races covering 7,195 kilometers. Sprint races vary between 80 and 120 kilometers, while refueling races range from 200 to 250 kilometers, plus the endurance events. Teams compete across 18 sprint races and 19 refueling races throughout the year. Dunlop supplies two dry compounds of SP Sport Maxx tyres - Soft and Super Soft - along with wet weather tyres. Both dry compounds see action on Saturday at all Super 440 events. The weekend features three qualifying formats to set grids, with 18 Top Ten Shootouts scheduled across the season.

V8 Supercars Technical Specifications

The Gen3 era v8supercars feature three manufacturers: Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, and Toyota Supra. Each car uses a custom-made control chassis with specific body panels that match their road car counterparts. The Ford Mustang runs a 5.4-liter Coyote DOHC V8 engine built by Herrod Performance Engines. The Chevrolet Camaro powers a 5.7-liter GM LTR pushrod V8 from KRE Race Engines. The Toyota Supra debuts in 2026 with a 5.2-liter 2UR-GSE DOHC V8. Technical parity rules ensure fair competition between all manufacturers. Safety features include fuel tanks positioned in front of the rear axle and comprehensive roll cage protection.

Historic Significance

The 2026 Christchurch Super 440 marks a milestone as the first v8supercars event on the South Island of New Zealand. This expansion brings top-level touring car racing to a new region and introduces the sport to fans who previously traveled north to watch races. The event runs for at least three years through 2028, establishing a long-term presence in Christchurch. Mike Pero Motorsport Park gains international recognition through its appearance in the racing simulation game Project CARS 2. The venue has operated under several names due to sponsorship arrangements, including Powerbuilt Tools International Raceway.

Event Experience

The Christchurch Super 440 offers fans close access to v8supercars action on a technical circuit that tests driver skill and car setup. The 11-turn layout combines fast sections with tight corners, creating opportunities for overtaking and strategic racing. Children aged 12 and under receive free general admission when accompanied by a paying adult, making the event accessible for families. The local economy benefits from increased tourism as fans travel to Christchurch for this racing spectacle. The combination of high-performance v8supercars and the challenging Ruapuna circuit layout creates competitive racing that showcases the talents of championship drivers and teams.