Supercars - Taup? Super 440

The ITM Taupō Super 440 represents a major fixture in the Repco Supercars Championship calendar. Taupō International Motorsport Park hosts this v8supercars event as part of a landmark agreement securing Supercars racing at the venue until at least 2028. The race forms one half of the first-ever New Zealand Double Header, with a companion event taking place the following week at Ruapuna Raceway in Christchurch. This unique format creates a special opportunity for New Zealand motorsport fans to experience world-class v8supercars competition on home soil.

The 2026 Event

The 2026 ITM Taupō Super 440 was originally scheduled to feature two races across the weekend: a 120km sprint and a 200km feature race. However, the impending threat of Cyclone Vaianu forced organizers to cancel Sunday's track activities. The revised schedule compressed both races into Saturday's program. Brodie Kostecki from Dick Johnson Racing claimed victory in the opening 120km race. The 200km feature race delivered a historic moment for the championship when local driver Ryan Wood, representing Walkinshaw TWG Racing, secured Toyota's first-ever win in the Supercars category. The cancelled Sunday 120km sprint race was moved to the ITM Christchurch Super 440 program.

The Jason Richards Memorial Trophy holds special significance across both New Zealand rounds. The prestigious award goes to the driver who accumulates the most points across the Taupō and Christchurch events combined.

Taupō International Motorsport Park Circuit

Taupō International Motorsport Park sits on Broadlands Road in Taupō, New Zealand. The facility holds an FIA Grade 2 rating, placing it among only 61 circuits worldwide with this certification. The v8supercars competition uses the 3.32km International Circuit configuration, which features 14 turns.

The circuit runs in an anti-clockwise direction and presents a technical challenge for drivers. The layout combines demanding low-speed corners that require patience with fast sections that demand commitment. The continuous turning throughout each lap places heavy stress on tyres. Teams consider qualifying crucial for success at this venue. A hairpin turn at the far end of the track creates multiple overtaking opportunities.

Businessman and racer Tony Quinn has owned Taupō International Motorsport Park since late 2021. The facility includes two separate pit areas, a three-story pit lane complex, and an 830-meter NHRA standard dragstrip. Spectators benefit from viewing points that offer sightlines of up to 95% of the circuit from certain grandstands. Ryan Wood holds the current Supercars lap record at Taupō with a time of 1:27.6151.

2026 Participants

The 2026 Supercars Championship grid features 24 cars. Toyota joins Chevrolet and Ford as the third manufacturer in the series. The entry list comprises eight sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaros, eleven seventh-generation Ford Mustangs, and five Toyota Supras.

Triple Eight Race Engineering fields Fords with drivers Will Brown, Broc Feeney, and rookie Jackson Walls. Walkinshaw TWG Racing, rebranded from Walkinshaw Andretti United, competes with Toyota Supras driven by Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood. Dick Johnson Racing features Brodie Kostecki and rookie Rylan Gray. Brad Jones Racing adopted Toyota Supras for Andre Heimgartner, Cam Hill, and Macauley Jones. Matt Stone Racing and PremiAir Racing both entered the season with completely new driver lineups.

The Taupō Super 440 serves as a home race for New Zealand drivers Matt Payne, Ryan Wood, and Andre Heimgartner. These local competitors bring extra energy to the v8supercars event at Taupō International Motorsport Park.

Technical Regulations

The 2026 Repco Supercars Championship marks the fourth year under the Gen3 ruleset. The inclusion of Toyota as a manufacturer defines this season. The rulebook emphasizes stability after extensive changes implemented the previous year.

Key Regulations

Fuel capacity stands at 133 litres for Repco Sprint Cup rounds. This reduces to 121 litres for Ryco Enduro Cup and Finals Series events. Practice sessions at rounds like Taupō run for 25 minutes each.

Cars must be based on commercially available production automobiles with a minimum global production volume of 1000 units. All vehicles must be right-hand drive, rear-wheel drive, and powered by a V8 engine. All new car and chassis builds must be completed in Australia.

The Finals Series format received minor adjustments. Changes to bonus points allocation and points handling for eliminated drivers aim to better reward consistent season-long performance.

Venue History

Taupō International Motorsport Park first hosted a Supercars Championship round in 2024. The venue became the 35th different circuit and the third New Zealand location to host an ATCC/Supercars race. Previous New Zealand venues include Pukekohe Park Raceway, which hosted events from 2001–07, 2013–19, and 2022, and the Hamilton Street Circuit from 2008–12. Pukekohe closed for motorsport in early 2023.

The Taupō Car Club established the circuit as a short dirt track in 1959. A major expansion and upgrade project in 2005-2006, aided by former Formula One driver Chris Amon, transformed the facility into an international-standard venue. The circuit initially received FIA Grade 3 homologation but later earned an upgrade to FIA Grade 2 after modifications, including the addition of a sweeping Turn 9. The venue hosted the A1GP series from 2007 to 2009. From 2015 to 2021, the facility operated as Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park before returning to its current name.

Unique Features

Mount Tauhara provides a striking volcanic backdrop to the circuit. The New Zealand Government's Major Events Fund supports the event's presence in Taupō. Circuit owner Tony Quinn has expressed confidence that the track will deliver excellent racing for v8supercars competition.

The track features innovative pre-cast adjustable kerbing. This system allows height modifications to accommodate different car and motorcycle regulations. Such flexibility makes Taupō International Motorsport Park suitable for various racing categories beyond v8supercars.

The Taupō Super 440 offers fans a chance to experience top-level Supercars competition at a world-class facility. The combination of a challenging circuit layout, spectacular natural scenery, and excellent viewing opportunities creates a memorable motorsport experience for all who attend or follow the event.