Kia ora koutou katoa — welcome to the ITM Christchurch Super 440.
This weekend is a special moment in the history of the Repco Supercars Championship, as we race on the South Island for the first time. Bringing Supercars to Ōtautahi Christchurch is something we’re incredibly proud of, and it’s fantastic to be here sharing this occasion with fans across the South Island and New Zealand. The difficult, unprecedented decision to cancel Sunday’s racing in Taupō due to extreme weather, makes our Ruapuna debut an even greater spectacle. The addition of Race 10 of the Championship to the Friday schedule is all about giving back to you, our fans.
This weekend will decide the prestigious Jason Richards Trophy — in memory and tribute of a New Zealand motorsport great,
Hon Louise Upston Minister for Tourism and Hospitality
a racer cherished by the entire Supercars community. Our rising Kiwi superstar Ryan Wood leads the standings and is desperate to claim the JR Trophy for the first time.
Thank you to our hosts, the Canterbury Car Club, for your support in bringing this event to life.
Also to our partners, including the New Zealand Government, ChristchurchNZ, Repco, ITM and Sky Sport NZ, for making this event possible. We’re also grateful to the Christchurch community for the warm welcome and enthusiasm behind this event. We see Christchurch as an important part of Supercars’ future and look forward to building something lasting here together.
Enjoy a very special weekend with us at the Supercars.
Welcome from the New Zealand Government
On behalf of the New Zealand Government, I am delighted to welcome fans, teams and drivers to Christchurch for this historic first‑ever Supercars Championship event in the South Island.
This year marks 25 years since New Zealand first hosted a Supercars Championship round, and I am so excited about the inclusion of Christchurch as part of the New Zealand Double Header this year with back‑to‑back weekends of Supercars action that started in Taupō before heading here to Christchurch.
With a long history of hosting some of the country’s most iconic motorsport events, it is a proud moment to see Christchurch and Ruapuna Raceway take their place on the international stage as hosts of the Supercars Championship.
Our Government is proud to support this event through the Major Events Fund. Major events like Supercars deliver wide‑ranging benefits for New Zealand — boosting international tourism, strengthening Brand New Zealand, and contributing to local economies and national GDP.
They also provide opportunities to showcase our regions, our people and our
capability to deliver world‑class events.
To ensure New Zealanders and international visitors can continue to enjoy one of the most popular Trans‑Tasman motorsport events, we are pleased to support the Supercars Double Header with Taupō through to 2028, bringing championship racing to both islands of the country and creating opportunities for fans to experience more of New Zealand.
Whether you have travelled between events or are attending just this round, I encourage you to extend your stay and explore more of what the South Island has to offer.
This event is designed not just as a racing spectacle, but as a reason to travel, explore and enjoy more of New Zealand.
I would like to acknowledge Supercars, the local council, event partners, volunteers and officials whose collective effort has made this historic event possible.
Finally, I would like to wish all competitors and crew taking part across the two weeks the very best and thank the loyal fans whose passion for motorsport has helped make Supercars one of New Zealand’s most popular events for more than 25 years.
Barclay Nettlefold
Chair & Interim CEO, Supercars
Wayne Bryant Chief Executive Officer Automotive Division, GPC Asia Pacific
Welcome from Repco
Welcome to what is going to be one of the most wide open Repco Supercars Championship seasons in recent history.
Repco enters its sixth season as the naming rights holder, which has seen a period of much change, highlighted by the Gen3 regulations implemented at the beginning of 2023, the all new finals system last year, and in 2026, the emergence of a brand new player.
When the Supercars grid lines up in Sydney, Toyota enters the fray with five Supras – the first time that the all conquering Japanese brand will compete in Supercars.
On top of this, Triple Eight Race Engineering will return to the Ford camp, and a crop of fast young rookies will try to make their mark on the category.
Yeah ... there’s a lot to take in.
Reigning champion Chaz Mostert brings the #1 to Toyota, leading a five strong contingent of the highly anticipated Supras, split between Walkinshaw TWG Racing and Brad Jones Racing. It’s a bold new world for Mostert and the Toyota tribe, but if we know one thing about Toyota, it won’t settle for being second best for too long.
An expanded 14 round season begins under the bright lights at Sydney Motorsport Park and ends at the exciting bp Grand Final
Phil Mauger
Christchurch City Council Mayor
in Adelaide.
The big change is that Supercars will race twice in New Zealand as part of a doubleheader, with Taupō joined by Ruapuna near Christchurch on the South Island.
These two New Zealand circuits join the likes of Hidden Valley, Wanneroo, The Bend and the prestigious Repco Bathurst 1000.
The on track Supercars action is what we all come for, and at Repco, we’re always aiming to go over and above for our fans. Look out for more cool fan initiatives at the circuit, including our famous fleet of cars.
And while we focus on the future with Supercars, you’ll see Repco tip its hat during the year to Sir Jack Brabham, who 60 years ago, won the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship. Powered by a Repco developed engine, Brabham became the first and, likely, last driver to win the title in a car bearing their own name.
Trying to predict a title winner out of 25 of the best drivers from this part of the world is tough, and the Finals format makes it almost impossible!
On behalf of every Repco crew member, we’ll be watching the Supercars season along with you because we have petrol in our veins and we can’t wait to catch up with you all at the track!
Welcome from the Christchurch City Council
It is my pleasure to warmly welcome you to Ōtautahi Christchurch for this milestone event – the Repco Supercars Championship ITM Christchurch Super 440.
This is a special moment, as we’re welcoming Supercars not only to Christchurch but also to New Zealand's South Island for the very first time. I know for local motorsport fans (including me!) and those traveling from farther afield, this has been a highly anticipated weekend.
As a long time follower of the sport, I am thrilled to see the addition of Supercars to our city’s ever growing event calendar. To host one of the most exciting categories of racing in Australasia here in Christchurch puts our city firmly on the international events map.
Hosting major events like Supercars brings fantastic long term benefits to our city, including the upgrades at Euromarque Motorsport Park. These track upgrades will
not only support the world class delivery of Supercars over the coming years but will also leave a legacy that the local community will be able to enjoy for years to come.
For those who are visiting, I encourage you to soak up all there is to see and do while you’re here. Christchurch is buzzing and we’re home to a thriving hospitality scene: Riverside Market, The Terrace, and New Regent Street are some personal favourites that I recommend to friends and family when they visit.
We also have fantastic attractions for the whole family to enjoy, whether that is a ride on the tram, a punt or Waka on the Avon, a trip to Christchurch Adventure Park, or Margaret Mahy Playground.
Whether you are a local, a Kiwi visitor, an Aussie traveller or from further afield, I hope you enjoy your weekend in our city – we are so happy to have you here.
Sara Johnson Chief Executive Officer ITM
Welcome from ITM
Some moments signal the beginning of something bigger.
The inaugural ITM Christchurch Super 440 is one of those moments, bringing Supercars to the South Island for the first time and opening a new chapter in New Zealand motorsport history.
Christchurch is a natural and important progression in building a truly national Supercars presence here in New Zealand. For ITM, this event represents more than expansion. As a Co operative of more than 95 independently owned stores and 27 Frame and Truss manufacturing plants serving communities nationwide,
it’s about creating opportunities, forging new traditions, and helping fans across the country experience this world class championship firsthand.
The debut of the ITM Christchurch Super 440, alongside the introduction of the Toyota GR Supras, lays the foundation for what we believe will become a defining event on the Supercars calendar.
To the drivers and teams, welcome to Christchurch as you help shape the legacy of this first race.
And to the fans, thank you for being part of history, this is where a new Supercars story begins.
Friday 17 April
Saturday 18 April
2026 ITM CHRISTCHURCH SUPER 440
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GRAND TOURING
The Summerset GT New Zealand Championship brings together the best from across the GT world, offering multiple battles within each race.
This weekend sees the GT New Zealand Championship 2025/’26 draw to close, following a thrilling four rounds to date.
Now under the control of Tony Quinn, the category provides a professional platform for competitors to race in a range of modern FIA/SRO homologated machinery, a mix which brings some of the most popular platforms in world motorsport to New Zealand.
While flying under the banner of one championship, there are two distinct classes in the mix battling out honours.
The Open Class is home to high performance race cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup from various Carrera Cup classes worldwide, the AMG GT2, the bespoke Australian made IRC GT, and the Lamborghini Super Trofeo, offering raw speed and exhilarating soundscapes.
Additionally, the category is open to Ferrari Challenge machinery and other vehicles, by application, that fit the spirit of the competition.
On the other hand, the GT4 Class features globally renowned marques such as Aston Martin, BMW, Toyota, McLaren, Ginetta, AMG Mercedes, and Porsche the GT4 grid is packed with competitive balance and engineering excellence from a rules package that continues to go from strength to strength globally.
From Hampton Downs at the start of November, the Championship visited Teretonga, Highlands and Manfield before linking up with the Supercars this weekend.
In the Open Class, Rick Armstrong leads the way from Joel Giddy, Luke Manson, Sam Filmore, Andrew Childe, Regan Scoullar and James Parker.
A strong showing this weekend will ensure that Armstrong wraps up his third straight title, with his run of success stretching back to Marco Giltrap’s title in 2022/’23.
In the GT4 Class, Glen Chappel is at the top of the pops from Grant Aitken, Allan Sargeant, and Lachlann Evernett. ■
FRESH MEMORIES
Historic Touring Cars New Zealand draws together starters from a wide range of classes, adding to the legacy of some classic machinery.
The John Fairhall Historic Touring Cars NZ brings together a true showcase of genuine touring cars, gathered from New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Asia, covering the period from 1970 through to 2000.
Included in this mix is the ever popular International Group A ruleset, which dominated globally for a decade through to the early 1990s.
Included in this mix were the remarkable series of Wellington 500 events, which, during the European winter, saw the world’s focus fixed on New Zealand – especially when the World Touring Car Championship toured Downunder.
Then there are the FIA 2 Litre Super Tourers, which exploded from the blockbuster late 1990’s British Touring Car Championship scene to enjoy a truly global footprint.
Kiwi Paul Radisich was one of the best at the craft, flexing his muscle at a World Cup level.
Then there are the big bangers from the Australian Group C era, which stretched from 1972 up to ’85, with the category making legends out of the pilots who
mastered the Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama.
Similarly, there is a growing number of 5 Litre Touring Cars and early V8 Supercars being thrown into the mix.
Then there are some purebred classics from the European Group 1 and 2 Saloon Cars, extending to similarly aged machinery from Great Britain, plus DTM stars from 1988 to 1992.
Last but absolutely not least, the New Zealand 2 Litre Schedule S Touring Cars continue to race on in the class, celebrating some memorable machines of homegrown origin.
To race in the class, the vehicles must be well presented in how they raced in the period, with unaltered liveries.
Technically speaking, under the bonnet, cars are to be kept as original as possible – for instance, modern ECUs can be substituted due to technological changes, although they may not offer more functionality than the original units.
Given the value of the cars in play, racing is strictly non contact, though competitors tend not to leave anything on the table.
If you have fond memories of motorsport past, the NZ Historic Touring Cars is the place to re live the action. ■
2025/'26 JOHN FAIRHALL HISTORIC TOURING CARS NZ
LEGEND NURSERY
The New Zealand Formula Ford Championship is one of the country’s longestrunning National motorsport championships, launching the careers of multiple future legends of the sport.
Formula Ford continues to be a cornerstone of driver development globally, recognised as a vital stepping stone for young drivers at the infancy of their careers.
The Rodin Cars New Zealand Formula Ford Championship has been contested since 1971, with the same basic concept of the class continuing to this day.
A relatively basic spaceframe chassis and control tyre, powered by a 1600cc Ford Kent engine, along with tight regulations around suspension and transmission, have kept close, competitive racing the backbone of the Formula.
Since the instigation of the class, many of the champions have gone on to forge remarkable careers abroad.
Exhibit A is Scott Dixon, who claimed the 1996/’97 NZ title.
From Formula Holden, Dixon went on to win the 2000 Indy Lights crown before being elevated to the top tier of North American open wheel racing, where he has
won a staggering six IndyCar titles, the 2008 Indianapolis 500, three 24 Hours of Daytona, and many other successes in a glittering career.
In terms of titles and IndyCar races won, Dixon is only bettered by A.J. Foyt.
Shane van Gisbergen won the Formula Ford title in 2005/’06 before embarking on a professional career spanning three Repco Supercars Championships, three Bathurst 1000s, and, lately, a force in the NASCAR Cup Series, where, after his rookie season, he is the winningest international driver of all time.
Speaking of Kiwis on the world stage, Liam Lawson claimed the 2016/’17 Formula Ford title before reaching the pinnacle of Formula 1, where he has been a fixture since 2023.
Elsewhere, Craig Baird won the 1987/’88 season ahead of a storied tin top career, and today he remains an integral part of the sport as Supercars’ Driving Standards Observer.
André Heimgartner won the Formula Ford title twice between 2010 and 2012, while Martin Short claimed the 2009/’10 title – today he engineers Broc Feeney.
Other success stories from the class include Richie Stanaway, who was successful in 2008/’09, Fabian Coulthard, the victor in 2001/’02, Jonny Reid (2002/’03), Brendon Hartley, Earl Bamber, Mitch Evans and Marcus Armstrong.
In Australia, the championship honour roll for the class is also highly impressive, including the likes of Larry Perkins, Tomas Mezera, Mark Larkham, Russell Ingall, Craig Lowndes, Steven Richards, Jason Bright, Garth Tander, Will Davison, Jamie Whincup, David Reynolds, Nick Percat, Chaz Mostert, Cam Waters, Jack Le Brocq, Anton De Pasquale, Thomas Randle and Cameron Hill amongst others.
Keep an eye on the names listed to the right; the best of the bunch are set for a bright future in motorsport, both here and abroad. ■
2025/'26 RODIN CARS NZ FORMULA FORD CHAMPIONSHIP
TBC
TBC
TBC
OFFICIALS SIGN ON O
PARK AND RIDE DROP OFF AND PICK UP POINT GATE G
TICKET GATES & GENERAL ADMISSION ENTRY
PIT LANE WALK MEETING POINT
GRID WALK MEETING POINT
TAXI, UBER AND PRIVATE COACH PICK UP
CORPORATE SUITES
GRANDSTANDS
ACCESSIBLE VIEWING
OFFICIALS OF THE EVENT
NATIONAL SPORTING AUTHORITY
Motorsport New Zealand Inc
PROMOTER
Supercars Australia Pty Ltd
ORGANISER
Supercars Australia Pty Ltd
ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Phil Shaw, Gary Lathrope, Rachael Murray, Craig Finlayson, Shanelle Barrett, Mark Wederell, Chris Protheroe
SUPERCARS OFFICIALS
VCS STEWARDS
Trevor Newman (Chair), Peter Davis, Adam Simmons
VCS RACE DIRECTOR
James Taylor
VCS DEPUTY RACE DIRECTORS
David Stuart, David Mori
CLERK OF THE COURSE
Craig Finlayson
SECRETARY OF THE EVENT
Gary Lathrope, Rachael Murray
MEDICAL DELEGATE
Dr Carl Le
HEAD OF MOTORSPORT
Tim Edwards
STARTER
James Delzoppo
DRIVING STANDARDS ADVISOR
Craig Baird
TIMING CO-ORDINATOR
Alex Harkness
RECOVERY CO-ORDINATOR
Alistair Walker
MEDIA MANAGER
Matt Carmichael
SUPPORT EVENT OFFICIALS
ASSISTANT CLERK OF THE COURSE
Blair Thorpe, Shelly McSavaney, Gary Lathrope, Caitlin Day
SUPPORT CATEGORY STEWARDS
Wayne Scott, Chris Adams, Barry Higham
RACE DIRECTORS
Howard Atwill (GTNZ), Blair Thorpe (Formula Ford)
EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
Gary Lathrope
CHIEF OBSERVER
Nic Jones
CHIEF COMMUNICATOR
Shelly McSaveney
COMPETITOR RELATIONS OFFICERS
Kim Adams, Tina Nichols, Alex Batt
CHIEF TIMEKEEPER
Chris Pullan
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR
Wendy Burroughs, James Storey
COURSE CAR DRIVER
Dave Stewart
SUPPORT SAFETY CAR DRIVER
Marc Denton
SUPPORT SAFETY CAR OBSERVER
Robin Breach
CHIEF STARTER
James Winterbourne
ASSISTANT STARTER
Abby Calder
CHIEF SCRUTINEER
John Wigston
DEPUTY SCRUTINEER
Jason Smith
CHIEF MARSHAL
Daniel Bowden
DEPUTY CHIEF MARSHAL
Nic Jones
CHIEF OF RECOVERY
Ryan Turner
DEPUTY CHIEF OF RECOVERY
Shane Arundal
CHIEF FIRE MARSHAL
Bob Waldron
CHIEF PIT LANE & GRID MARSHAL
Peter South, Donna Cockfield
DEPUTY CHIEF PIT LANE & GRID MARHSAL
Rebekah Betman, Greg Coffey
CHIEF PADDOCK MARSHAL
Paul Fallon
DEPUTY CHIEF PADDOCK MARSHAL
Lizzy Proffitt-White
MEDICAL COORDINATOR
Dr Tristan Sames
VOLUNTEERS
Kim Adams
Jim Anderson
Mark Armstrong
Thomas Arps
Shane Arundel
Andrew Bailey
Regan Batt
Graeme Begg
Megan Begg
Rebekah Betman
Zara Betman
John Beuth
George Bird
Adrian Bond
Daniel Bowden
Sheryl Bowden
Dayle Bradley
Dennis Bradley
Robin Breach
Margaret Brenssell
Krystal Brock
Vanessa Browning
Lesley Bryden
Ben Buist
Grace Bunting
Brett Butland
Caroline Butland
Abby Calder
Molly Caldwell
Lily Chapman
William Chen
LC Chisholm
Paul Chivers
Alan Chow
Caleb Christison
Malcolm Clark
Joseph Clarke
Kirsty Lee Clince
Donna Cockfield
Greg Coffey
Allan Coker
Rhys Cook
Caitlin Day
Hannah De Bressac
Helen Dou
Jay Duggan
Carolina Dussan
Glen Edmondson
Alex Fenn
Carl Fenn
Craig Finlayson
Emma Francois
Jason Fraser
Riley Fraser
Dale Fry
Georgia Fusellier
Rohan Gala
Rohan Gambhire
Richard Gladden
Erika Gollnick
Vitor Gomes
Robert Gradiner
Brendon Green
Jason Green
Kelly Green
Les Green
Lorraine Green
Elaine Hague
Matthew Hawkins
Arran Hutton
Robert Hutton
Danilo Inas
Tim Jackson
Mark Jackways
Nic Jones
Neil Kay
Richard Kayes
Jeremy Kerslake
Nicki Knier
Kathy Lane
Philip Latham
Gary Lathrope
Anthony Lewis
Belinda Linton
Dianne Lowe
Donna Lowry
Hayden Lucas
Ken Mackay
John Marsh
Sharon Maxwell
John McBain
Peter McKinnon
Quintin McLeod
Jiu Mei
Monique Metcalfe
Catherine Mikkelsen
Maria Morland
Rachael Murray
John Patrick Neri
Kyly O'Connell
Cliff Ormiston
Vince Palmer
Kelly Parker
Scott Paton
Joel Patterson
Stephen Peach
Glenn Petersen
Donald Platt
Wina Prasetyo
Chris Pullan
Don Irma Shennon
Pulukkuttiarachchi
Prescious Quilaton
Sophia Rabara
Rodney Rad
Peter Rennie
Blair Richardson
Abigail Ricketts
Paul Roberts
Stuart Rose
Scott Runciman
Jason Schutt
Holly Sheridan
Tony Simmons
Jason Smith
Jason Smith
Peter Smith
Zoe Sole
Peter South
Anne Stewart
David Stewart
James Storey
Katy Sun
Maree Sweeney
Ray Sweeney
Liam Symes-Wells
Dylan Tennent
Blair Thorpe
Ness Thorpe
Lucy Traill
Rhys Tran
Garry Tutton
Nina Vargoczky
Holly Velenski
Aaron Vernon-fowke
Ying Wang
Cayley Ward
Blake Washington
Tania Watkins
Rex West
Dave Westgarth
John Wigston
Garrick Wild
Ray Williams
Anne-Maree Willis
Helena Wilson
James Winterbourne
Hongyu Wu
Rachel Yan
Yun Yang
Sasha Young
Bridget Yu
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