A Supercars week-end wrap up!

Publish date: Monday, 14 Apr 2025, 2:32PM

This weekend, the ITM 440 SuperSprint took place just outside our doorstep, in Taupō.

It was a weekend brimming with action and impressive results for the Kiwi contingent in supercar racing.

As the Hauraki Intern, I, Zaue, went to witness the event firsthand, and it was an unforgettable experience.

I arrived at the Taupō Motorsports grounds early on Saturday, just in time to catch the end of the Super V8s and the first supercars qualification.

It was fantastic to explore the track, with something captivating at every turn, from merchandising and food trucks to coffee carts, bouncy castles, car displays, competitions, and even a turbine/jet car powered by an airplane engine—an incredibly loud and cool spectacle.

I was fortunate enough to have pit walk access, which allowed me to observe the drivers and teams in their element, offering valuable insights into the inner workings of the racetrack.

The first race of the weekend was expertly won by Kiwi racing driver Matt Payne.

The 22-year-old from Auckland led for most of the race, and the crowd's support for the young driver created an electric atmosphere.

Saturday's opening race was filled with skillful maneuvering, driving, and overtaking.

Australian driver Chaz Mostert claimed the victory, with Will Davison securing silver and Brodie Kostecki taking third place.

Matt Payne narrowly missed a podium finish, but it was a commendable effort.

I spent most of Sunday exploring the pits, checking out the Toyota 86s, Super V8s, and Muscle Cars, before watching the drivers' parade, where racers were driven around the track in classic vehicles like Dodge Chargers, Mustangs, and Corvettes.

For the final race of the weekend, I secured a prime spot on the straight before some tricky turns near the finish line.

The race start was intense, with the top four cars battling for the lead, and Cam Hill taking pole position. Two pit stops were planned, with both Matt Payne and Cam Hill executing exceptional pit stop times; the Kiwi driver consistently maintained his lead over Canberra's Cam Hill.

The battle for the final podium spot was fierce, with Mostert and Kostecki vying for position throughout the race.

Mostert ultimately prevailed with some intense moves and daring driving.

Payne secured his second win of the weekend and took home the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, stating, "It's pretty special, it's pretty incredible, I'm pretty lost for words really."

Overall, it was an outstanding weekend that I highly recommend to motorsports fans.

The event will return to Taupō next year, with discussions about adding the Ruapuna course in Christchurch to the supercars track list.