Supercars has confirmed a return to New Zealand for 2024 in one of its top priorities for the 2023 calendar

After a New Zealand event was missing from the Supercars schedule this year, the series has locked in Taupo International Motorsport Park for a return to racing across the ditch next season.

Supercars, with the support of the NZ government and Taupo council, struck a deal to race at the North Island circuit from 2024 to at least 2026.

A return to NZ was a top priority for Supercars after a hole in its calendar was left by the closure of Pukekohe Park Raceway late last year.

The NZ return means Supercars now has 10 events locked in for next year’s championship – Bathurst, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Sandown, Perth, Tasmania, Townsville, Darwin, Sydney and Taupo.

Negotiations over the Newcastle and the Australian Formula One Grand Prix rounds are continuing with a decision on both events expected in the coming weeks, but discussions around a potential appearance at the Singapore Grand Prix are understood to have cooled.

The final calendar is set to be announced ahead of the Bathurst 1000.

Supercars has yet to announce a date for the 2024 NZ event, but chief executive Shane Howard said the return had been imperative for the series.

“A key priority for Supercars has been the championship’s return to New Zealand and its passionate fan base,” Howard said.

“This support is a great step forward in ensuring we can begin a new chapter of racing at the world class circuit in Taupo.

“With the support and the availability of Taupo International Motorsport Park, Supercars is now focused on identifying a suitable date for the events in 2024.

“We can’t wait to get to New Zealand to celebrate with our dedicated fans this major announcement for the championship.”

There are three New Zealand drivers in this year’s Supercars field – NASCAR-bound defending champion Shane van Gisbergen, Andre Heimgartner and Matt Payne.

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Taupo is a resort town located in the centre of NZ’s North Island on the banks of Lake Taupo.

The Taupo International Motorsport Park – formerly called Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park – is an FIA Grade 3 track purchased by entrepreneur and racer, Tony Quinn, in late 2021.
Quinn also operates the Hampton Downs circuit outside Auckland, Highlands Park on NZ’s South Island and Queensland Raceway near Ipswich.

Supercars held its last NZ event at Pukekohe Park Raceway in 2022 after it was announced in July last year motorsport would cease at the venue to focus on horse racing.

Originally published as Supercars has confirmed a return to New Zealand for 2024 in one of its top priorities for the 2023 calendar